THURSDAY

Brief Notes Serious Threat To Potato Industry Through High Freightllate Increases

Prince Edward Island Is ;:rad- Agriculture. the Federation

of

still be too high to permit eon- tlnuation of a heavy volume of po- tato rail traffic from the woducer areas of Prince Edward Island to markets such as Toronto, under nvr.-rage normal conditions," the brief ndris.

Numerous schedules of produc- tion and marketing figures were presented in conjunction with the brief, which reads in part as fol- lows:

Phenomenal Expansion

"The potato industry is a very important segment of the econ-

THE GUARDIAN. CHARLOTTETOWN

in the sandy learn soil and gener- ally cool climate of Prince -Ed- ward Island. and those factors. as well as our insular position, have been responsible for Island farm- ers developing potato production to its present extent. It trans- portation and marketing factors are fair and equitable Prince Ed- ward Island should be able to maintain its potato reputation anywhere.

"Potatoes are so important to the Island economy that the farm- er's profit or loss on his yearly op- erations is usually based on wheth-

the consumer.

Potatoes are a low priced bulky commodity and must therefore have a low freight rate. As one of our basic foods they should al- ways have been exempted from uniform horizontal freight rate increases. .

During the past five years po- talo growers in Central Canada have received an average of about 51.85 per 100 pounds. .72 or 63.2 percent more than what Island farmers have received. This com- parison possibly more than any- thing else. shows the handicap

under which Island producers are operating and is. without any doubt, one of the chief reasons why so many people are con- tinuing to leave Island farms to seek gainful employment else- where. y

"Shouldghorlzontal freight rate increases on potatoes continue the eventual result will be, a small production of seed potatoes in Prince Edward Island for-ex- port by water to the United States and foreign markets, and a marked decrease in rail move- ment ot potatoes to Central Can-

DECEMBER 13. 1951 ......,g

KING IIIIIE

ads. where their requirements. will be supplied, by potspes pro- duced in Ontario and Quebec and delivered to market by truck.

"This-will cause a most serious and damaging change in the eco- nomy ot Prince Edward Island. and an almost total loss of potato rail traffic with s corresponding decrease of income to Canadian Railways."

BRISTOL, England-(CP) -- Un- iversity scientists here reported is that a cosmic ray balloon which t

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llltillyt s Ptllillluy

at

they recovered undamaged. had a height-of 60,000 feet.

uaily being forced out of potato Agriculture, the Potato and Turnip nmic me 0, prince Edwud 1.. production as a result of exnrb- Dealers Association and the Po- land. RM-ords mow may begin. "':.:.t::'”:.::i:”-3"” ::.r...ti::kr:.:."."..:"":t...i.:; v:"::,r:.o' .:.""'.,'”r

.. . at . o - - . .. - .. , . - iii a icuiiai submlttledlIasT .5...-iiinli. tram an F. E. I. shinning pointsii.1LI"i..:"L'Li;.e.dnaZ'd .0 '.t...'...iL”,.. mg Bond of Transport (fgmmis. in Central Cziniitiian markets ,9," um" in the yam. 1943 up. glongrg gt ottawn on behalf of should he readjusted so as in imvc m.,,,;n,...,.y.. 12.000 ca.-loads of pa. the potato industry here. Jh" NW1 of cxsmrtmz rmtntces lntocs were exported from the

er or not potatoes are at a satis- factory price. The relation of the value of the potato crop to the whole agricultural production of the province is shown in the at- tached statlstlcs. which are ex- tracts from the Provincial Agri- cultural Departmentls Annual Re-

Increases effected since April 7.:ir0m I)-WSW IIWFPIISPS auihtgtjlgizfil M" Prmunco. pm,” 1948, in railway freight rntcs. to-i'Ili' ROHVFI Sill"? Alliiil. J-i - -HIM "llurinsz those years the Island ,, ” . . tglljng 62.5 per mm, have! had -t.1tiiicrcascs nllnwcd on poi.-iioe.:ih,.,S ,,(...,,nm N". foreman source of veaiilsn teI:t:tmi;lat;t':2"of ”:)lli::ntre- direct impart 0" U10 PTIHV0 I'3tI- Shiium "M "x"('"d 50 W" "I" 2 xirus frcc sued potatoes in North t i T ward Island potato industry with "16 iW'F9a595 Wilml hill? h”3'l Amcrica. and an analysis of cert- lame 95" M we value M 9"” new

crop production and it also shows that of all the other crops. name- ly. wheat, oats, barley. mixed grains. hay. corn and turnips, only the latter can be considered at cash crop and the revenue from turnip production is very small compared to the value of our po- tato crop.

Widely Distributed

"Potato growing in Prince Ed- ward Island is not confined to a few individuals. About 7579 of the island's 12.000 farmers grow potatoes and they always look upon this crop as one of their chief sources of farm income. and therefore the well being of the potato industry is of great im- portance to the economic life of the province.

"During the past five year pe- iriod the average gross return to

granted.

This. it is stated. would estab- lish n rate on potatoes to Toronto which would not. exceed 50 cents per 100 pounds. "This rate may

iiicd sccd production in Canada would reveal that this Province produces about half of the cert- ified seed in this country.

"It is a fact. that pztatoes thrive

detrimental consequences as in- dicated by the drastic decline in potato acreage." the brief states.

Submitted jointly by the Prince Edward island Dcpartmcnt of

Thursday - Friday - Saturday

Have you visited our Store lately? If not. we would like to suggest that you do so as soon as possible. You will find every thing that you need. particular- ly items such as Christmas Candy. Mixed Nuts and every ingredient for your Christmas Fruit Coke. call quality lines of the very best prices. You are assured when you buy here you get the best quality of fairest prices.

i l';:di”V;;';e'o:1';I:g";:rEg:i:lfgI; We are booking orders for Christmas OYSTER BED Don't forget the drawing. for the big si.i3 per 100 pounds. This return poultry in . order that you will get OYSTERS 20 lb. Turkey which will take place pliad to cover all costs from plant- choice quality birds. We Will be pleas- V mt 45 Saturday night Dec. 22nd. Just fill "ink 10 SNPPMB. involvinx 1md- ed to draw and remove tendons for 5' P -------------------- -- C out a' slip at the check out when 5005- fe""i7-er- 8PW'i"8- mnchim you, Best Quality Available leaving the Store.

and all other costs and charges incurred up to delivery at ship- ping point.

"If it were not for the fact that

on three occasions during the past five years the Government of Can- ada deemed it necessary to give financial aid to Island Potato 'Growers these gross returns would have been very much less. Dur- ing the past crop year. 1950-51 the gross return has been only .42 per bushel or .70 per 100 pounds and la: a result the cost of transport- ,ing Island potatoes to Toronto. tone of our chief markets, has been ;almost as great as what the farm- ior has been receiving for this pro- fduct. I "Under these circumstances and yin the face of ever advancing pro- ;ductlon costs, Prince Edward Is- 'land is being gradually forced out of potato production. which has always been and should continue .to be. a very substantial part of .its Agricultural income. Prince ii-Edward Island has no basic in- itlustries except. Agriculture and Fishing and: it must depend al- most entirely on further develop- ment of these industries to sup- port its population.

Recent: Decline

has been a marked dc-' both Island potato acre- age and total volume of ship- ments during the past. several years. This reduction is very ev- ident this year when we have the smallest acreage and production

Fill up your pantry with fhe following items which we are specioliz- ing this week. i

GROCERY BUYS

New Crop . MIXED NUTS. 2 lbs. . . 89c Bleached RAISINS. 2 lbs. . . . . . 59: Silver Seal 35c 29c 55c

MOLASSES. qt. 29:

I iery. warehousing. labor. overhead,

Smoked Shankless

PICNICS. lb. . . . . . . . 49: Machine Sliced

BACON. lb. ... 47: Maple Leaf

SAUSAGES. lb. . . . . . 50c Fresh Shankless i PICNICS. lb. . . . . . . . 49c

II s 00 413 Sweet Pickled HOCKS. lb. . . . . . . .- 25c

Juicy ORANGES. dos. . .. . 3lc

GRAPES. 2 lbs. . . . . . 31: Pink

GRAPE FRUIT. 3 for . 27: Golden Russet

APPLES. 2 dos. . . . .. 75c Macintosh

APPLES. doz. . . . - - .. 21: Package '

MUSHROOMS. pkg. . 41:

Marvenis SODAS. 1 lb. 20 oz. tin Clerk's BEANS. All Flavors JELLO. 3 pkgs.

3 tins

Gktsr GEORGE, smtez CIMRi.orr5rowN.ee'. I.

ME - 22c ...22 5.

"There cline in

. i 4 I I

' l Here A illli 0" in 0 I "Since April 7. 1948 the com- ” N, ibined increases in freight rates 7 already have reached st total of

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. .G2.6',"n and there is a direct re- e -lationship between those freight grate increases and the actual tie-

lcline of the Potato industry in -.l'-'i-ince Edward Island. This fact

is not surprising. ..

To Lucky Christmas Visitors .

' Come To HOLMANiS FURNITURE Dept.

.ilar markets are not obliged to Summerside or Charlottetown

And Cast Your Free Ballot

can have their product trucked from the form, very often to re- tail and consumer outlets, at a .rate of approximately 25c per 100 ipounds. while Island growers after ; :paying for truckage from their Iiarms to shipping points. must. de- ipcnrl on a long freight haul which.

There are wonderful arrays of gifts for both young and old in Island's

biggest and best Furniture. Departments . . . Come to Holman's and See

for Yourselvcs! Every Visitor is entitled to one ballot for the FREE

Turkey to be drawn for on Saturday, December 22nd at 8 p.m., at Both

Holman Stores. Every Adult is eligible-you don't have to buy one

single thing-Simply visit either Holman Furniture Department-put

your name on a Ballot-everyone has an equal chance of wlnni O

of the FREE Turkeys! ng "8

GET FREE BALLOTS IN FURNITURE OFFICE

gee:

.9J,-719! a .a. - .2

(39393 -..;-.

Dressing Gowns

In fancy silks and all wool flannel with contrasting trim. A serviceable and useful gift. .

10.95 '” 19.50 Shirts

A large assortment of fine shirts by Tooke-BrilI-- Bluestone etc. Fancy stripes or smart plain shades

and whites. 3.95” 6.95

Sweaters

Cardigans in foncywogupjqin colors. Canada's finest makes in ct large assortment of colors. All wool and mixtures, also assorted pullovers.

7.95 '6 11.95 Socks

In Kroy Wool and Nylon, also pure Botany Wool- diomond and fancy poiterm.

1.00 " 2.75 Ties

Iy Abbey-Toolte-Pork Lorie etc. In fancy silks or plain gobord'

.6'2c per 100 pounds in order to reach the Toronto market.

Tmck Competition

"The Dominion Department of Agriculture in their Potato Crop V isummary 1950-51 show that out of . i. a total domestic rail movement of potatoes during the past 'seaon jnggregating 1.'l.7(l'l cars. 4.458 orig- iinaterl in Prince Edward Island and 620 cars, constituting about wt. of their total production. were moved from the provinces of Que- bec and Ontario. which fact gives a clear indication of the extent to which mlrketing by truck has de- s veloped in these provinces. '0

"Freight rate increases have .- alm an indirect effect on pro- ducers',net returns by increasing the costs of all products enter- ing into the production and mar- keting of potatoes, and are re- sponsible. at least in part. for the very marked increase in produc- tion costs experienced during the last several years. as shown in statements by a number of the Island's most efficient potato growers. This would apply par- ticularly to such commodities as fertilizer. spray materials, ma- chinery. bags. etc.

"While it is fully recognised that the export market has always taken care of a very substantial part of the Island's potato pro- duction. nevertheless the larse centres of population in Central Canada always have been and should continue to be. the most dependable outlet for our produc- tion. Export markets are always very sensitive to world dIs-organ-

-17.oo " 2.5o I ' Handkerchiefs

Pure lrlsh linens and Egyptian Coitons-Plain of fancy bordered-A useful gift. Boxed to suit you-

An excellent assortment of Iroodcloth or Flonneletto by Toolte-Irlll and Forden. Also fine knit Polo Pojomes In plain shades.

Drawing Toltes Place - Saturday. Dec. 22-8 P.M. .i.':'.i2.":'.i'..f".'.. ”.i...?3.i1'; 4.50 "v5.95 .:...i.- - .

. . 35c'”75c

Other Gift Sughestlons ore Station Wagon Cools-Bomber Joeksts, Sport Shirts in corduroy and Gabardine. Use our ley-Away Plan.

Ptatoes are the most exten- slvey grown crop In the world. They are now produced in prac- tically every country including the tropical zones. in Canada po- tato production stands thlrd place in value and value of -our field crops. being exceeded-only by wine I: and oats. They are an im- por at and essential part of the Canadian diet, grown in every province. and provide high food value at relatively lgyl asst to

Oft-

HOLMAN”SiE.-'..;3..i;l':

' U.1l..lJ.l LL ll;I.1Id.'LLL(” U111!

MEN'S 8. low WEAR Gee. St.

"Where "one Friends -....i sane."

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