PAGE FOUR

THE GUARDTISAN

loaning Dally (founded ll llfl)

Authorised no aoooud Clone lull. Pens Oftha Department, Osborn. The Island Guardian rlhlllhlll Co. llltor and lounging Din-moor. J. I. Burnout

. Aooaaiato Editor. Prank Waller.

(‘The Strongest Memory rs Weaker Than

the Weakest ink." omnnorrurowts, THURSDAY, JUNE 2, loos

A iiraat Picture

Seldom, if ever, have dramatic genius and the resources of the motion picture industry been so perfectly mated as in Sir Laurence Olivier's magnificent film version of Shakespeare's Ham- let, which is now showing in the Prince Edward Theatre. Unfortunately the picture is here for only two days—four showings in all —and for that reason everyone interested should make a special effort to attend this afternoon's or eve- ning's performance, even at the cast of some per- sonal inconvenience. lt will be well worth while, and the opportunity may never come again.

One knows not where to begin in commend- ing a picture of this kind —— the eye takes in so much, the ear so much more. The players are superbly cast. The costumes, like the stark ma- jestic settings, appear to be timeless, represent- ing a blending of the styles of many periods in history, so that the attention is not caught by trivialities but is focused on the tragedy as it unfolds. The effect, one imagines, comes closer to what Shakespeare had in mind than would be possible of representation on any actual stage. The camera technique employed in the famous soliloquies is a case in point-where the action does not cease, as it must do on the stage, but goes on to accentuate the thoughts and feel- ings expressed by the immortal words.

Hamlet depicts the agonies of a strong and sensitive spirit surrounded by corruption and de- pravity, and in the central character we have the most modern of all Shakespeare's creations. He has puzzled pedants for three hundred years, but his words come home to men's bosoms in a singularly personal fashion. As one modern com- mentator remarks: "His melancholy is ours, his wrath is ours, his contemptuous wit avenges us on those who fill the earth with their empty noise and are its masters. We know the depth of his suffering when wrong and hypocrisy tri- umph. To us, too, the voices of the mighty dead have spoken from the under-world. We, too, have been betrayed by the friends of our youth;' for us, too, have swords been dipped in poison. How well do we know that graveyard scene, in which disgust and sorrow for all earthly things seize upon the soul!"

No "happy ending" here, as in the modern picture plot; but tragedy of this kind has a nobler function to perform. It should, if we are responsive to its message, purge us of our own little infirmities, or at any rate give us a fuller understanding of the human heart. That was the conception of the ancient Greeks, who raised tragedy to the, highest level—barring Shakespeare-which art has ever attained. Of Shakespeare we must always make exception. To have seen and heard him interpreted as in Olivier's Hamlet is therefore to have enjoyed something rarer than a night's good entertain- ment. It is that, of course; but it can also be a rich cultural experience, and even a step in one's progress to spiritual adolescence and maturity. "Man must abide his going hence, even ashis coming hither. Ripeness is all."

Fadaration At Fault

in a comm-unication received from the re- gional public relations representative of the Ca- nadian Natianal Railway, we are informed that

~ the tour of the world agriculturists, who recent-

ly visited Nova Scotia and New Brunswick but not Prince Edward island via the C. N. R. was arranged, not by the Railway, but by the Canad- ian Federation of Agriculture, Ottawa. "The whole itinerary," the Railway representative states, "was in the hands of the Federation."

This comes as a surprise indeed. We have a flourishing Provincial organization of the Fed- oration here, and the failure to include Prince Edward Island in this Canada-wide tour was rurely not due to them. They would be well ad- rised, however, to take up this matter with the central organization and find out who was re- sponsible. This Province lost invaluable publicity through somebody's ,miscalcuiation, and the delegates themselves‘ missed seeing the best ag- ricultural section of the Maritimes.

Fifth tlhaal To Democracy

With the Federal election only a matter of weeks away, tho pollsters, amateur and profes- sional, are hard at it. Some of them go so far as to predict how many seats will be won by each party, and, given any sort of encouragement, will forecast tho debates in tho now Parliament down to the last comma. "About tho safest pos- sible prediction,” remarks tho Fort Erie Times- Review, "is that ninety-nine por cent of tho poll- sters will bo wrong, and tho law of averages will make later-day Jeromidhs out of the rost. Yet for tho consolation of tho wrong guossors, the fact that thoro is any scopo for guessing at all is symbolic of democracy.

"Whon Soviet Russia holds an election thero is absolutely no doubt that Unclo Joo and his party are going to bo swept back into office. Thus Dr. Gallup, who flanked so horribly in tho last U. S. election, could rodoom himsolf in Russia with vary littlo trouble but with no cause for patting himself on tho back.

"Political polls aro not tho only typo to rolloct domocracyfi froodom of choico. For ox- amplo, thoro would bogno nood togot aRus- slan out of his bath to como to tho phone and toll the pollstor what radio program ho was iiston- ing to. iron if ho wasn't listening to tho Comin- forrn'o latest blurb, ho wouldn't daro admit it. And there's tho Minna-public opinion poll

. l“ i,

4n- sttoot what ho thinks snoop. m» ssiiouroro

tho price of cabisagos is none of his business.

"lt would not be correct to say that without polls there is no democracy. But certainly with- out democracy thero can be no polls that mean anything."

./ EDITORIAL NOIES l:

Twenty-six more days till the election.

Annual inspection for cadet corps of city

schools today. I i

Another political scandal is brewing at Washington, involving defence portfolio holders, including Air Force personnel.

i 4 We are in on the Marshall Plan. The Econ- omic Co-operation Administration authorized $691,000 of aid to France to buy manufactured commodities and industrial materials from Ca- nada. U U U

What with Boy Scouts, Sea Cadets, Military Cadets, and Y.M.C.A. campers, our "rising hopes" should be well-looked after physically this summer.

O‘ i O

Finals in the Provincial Drama Festival are being held in Surnmerside tonight and Friday. its conjunction with the Junior Farmers’ public speaking competition should provide interesting contrast.

i i I

Prime Minister St. Laurent's desire to make "devaluation" or "no devaluation" an election issue seems to ignore an old liberal tradition of allowing the rate of exchange to be fixed by supply and demand.

U O C

The spread of "unofficial" dock and rail strikes in Britain is a headache all around. The employer, i. e. the Labour government, has no union leaders with whom to negotiate and the strikers have no disinterested third party to

whom to appeal. i

Montreal, Toronto and New York stock ex- changes have started their new summer schedule of Saturday holidays. They will continue to re- main closed week-ends through Sept. 24, open- ing again on Oct. l. Exceptions to Saturday closings are the grain markets. On Monday, June 6, Canadian markets, Montreal and Toronto, will observe the King's Birthday, both exchanges being closed.

ororw

Em-peror Maxmillian of Mexico executed this date i867. Mexico threw off the Spanish yoke in I822 when her independence was secured; and a Federal Republic was established in i824. A Eur- opean force landed in i862 to secure redress for wrongs done to foreigners. French troops enter- ed the capital in i864 and proclaimed an em- pire under Maxmillian of Austria. The Mexicans resented this intrusion on their-sovereignty, rose in revolt, shot Maxmillian, and restored the re- publican form of government.

Rt. Hon. Mr. Howe, a United States engineer who became a Canadian cabinet minister, told the graduating class of McGill engineering stu- dents that the development in the future of Ca- nada was "almost beyond imagination." That field, he said was in atomic energy, over which "military implications" have thrown a "temporary cloud of secrecy." While "the international sit- uation may delay progress temporarily, the day will surely come," he said, "when the peaceful use and application of this new, and fantas- tically large source of energy from atoms will certainly open up a new and potentially great field of engineering, technology, industry and opportunity." Canada is in the "front line of this the most exciting scientific venture of all

,times," Mr. Howe said. The tas-k will become

"one of exploiting, for the use and benefit of mankind, the potentials for good that abide in the application of science."

i‘ "h i

There will be three elections this month, Nova Scotia on the 9th, British Columbia on the l5th, and the Federal on 27th. A total of I39 candidates seek election in the British Colum- bia election. The number is eight less than the record I47 of the I945 vote. Combined Liberal and Progressive Conservative candidates, whose coalition formed the last vernment, are con- testing each of the 48 sea open in the 4i rid- ings. ln perhaps their strongest bid for power yet in B.C., the C.C.F. also have 48. They ran the same number in i945. For-the Social Credit, any victory will be a gain since they had no representation in the Legislature dissolved last April and in which coalitionists had 36 seats tc ll for the C.C.F. and one for Labor. The party has put I6 candidates into the field while the Union of Electors-an off-shoot—-has named l2 independently. There are eight individual inde- pendents, two Labor Progressives, one People's Party, one People's Party of B. C., one straight Conservative, one Socialist Labor and one Labor.

I Q U

Old age pensions boost is still a great vote- catcher. Health Minister Martin has completed agreements extending the now $40 rate to pon- sioners in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quoboc, effective from May I providing for payment an the basic pension of $40. a month authorized by Parliament a few weeks ago. British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario previously agreed to tho increaso and negotiations are being carriod on with Saskatchewan and Newfoundland, but no dickor has boon rnado with Princo Edward ls- land. Tho now agreements will incroaso ta more than $l00,N0,000 annual federal oxpondituros undor tho Old-Ago Pensions Act. Tho now rato will moan tho fodoral shore of pensions in Nova Scotia will bo increased this fiscal yogr by about $l,4N,illl; in Manitoba by about $1,200,000; and in Quebec by abdut $5,200,000. Undor tho torrns of tho Old-Ago Pensions Act, tho Federal Government payo75 por cont of tho basic pon- oion, with piovincos paying tho remaining 25 por

M.

\

THE GUARBIAN. CHARLOTTETOWN ' Biblical Tiuas - - iicw Today?

iur/OOOOOOW Notes From

Another Island

e

By “Anaolfl .

LONDON, England:

During the last. few years we have become very conscious of “target? over here. The Govern- menL evidently believe that hu- man heinys work harder 1f they are striving to reach some tangl- ble mark, or target. Of course, we all know, the ultimate aim ls to have plenty of everything we need and reasonable amounts of luxur- ics that we llke to have occasion- ally, even if we don't really need them. ,

So far, so good, but that sort of objective is a bit hazy. so we have set figures given to us bv the Gov- ernment. in the belle! that. 1f we know what we are aimmg at. in terms of pounds, or tons, then we shall have a better idea of ivhal. we are after. so, year by year—or even month by month or week by week-the miners have n target for coal production; the steel workers have a. target for their production; the textile in- dustry has a target; the car in-

o-Q-es-Qoox-oo-too

Old Charlottetown (And P. l. Ll

INLAND MAILS

On May 1, 1827. the House of As- sembly petitloned Lieutenant Gov- ernar Ready to take such steps as were necessary “to cause a Mail to ‘be carried to Prince-Town, at least once a week in Summer, and once a fortnight in Wlnter,-re- turning by Traveller's Rest. (where a Post Master might be appoint- edi and from thence by Bedeque and Tryon River to Charlotte-Town; and also, that a like Mall be estab- lished to Three Rivers and to the East Point; and that your Excel- lency would be pleased to order such rules nnd regulations to be adopted, as to your Excellency may appear desirable, to forward so useful an object, by fixing a rate of postage, or otherwise-and the House will make good, ln a future session, any expenses attending the same." The House also expres- sed the opinlon "that the inter- course whlch will take place in con- sequence of this measure will greatly tend to encourage the de- sirable objcct of a settlement of the Towns of George-Town and Prince- Town."

The Inland Malls service was el- tublished in the following July, the mulls for the several districts leav- ing Charlottetown on Wednesday, at 12 o'clock noon. in each week. the western and south-eastern car- riers returning to town each Fri- day at noon and the eastern car- ried on Saturday at noon. The schedule was an follows:

Western Route: For the south side of New London, to Richard Bagnnii’: on the Prlncetown Road: for the west side of New London. Coscumpec, Tlgnish and Malpeque. to Mr. Fowle, at George Beer-Inc's. Prlncetown; for St. Eleanor’; Mis- couche and West Point, to John Townshendu, Traveller's Rest; for Bedeque, south side, William Ba- ker's: far Cape Traverse, Crapaud and Tryon River, to James Bull- pitt'n, Tryon.

Eastern route: For the head of Hilloboro River and Trscadie, to Mr. Lodges: for“St. Peter's. Mo- rell and Savage Harbour, to James Burke's. near St. Peter's Mill; for Naufrage, East Point, etc" to Alex- ander McDonald's, St. Margaret's, Lot 44; for Bay Fortune, Rollo Bay, Sourin and Grnnd River, to Mr. Altkenhr, or., Bny Fortune.

South-eastern route: For Vernon River. to J. R. Bourkew? for Three Rivers, to John Norton's.

Two pence postage wel charged on each single letter. and one half- penny an newspapers. -

Some of "ma! who had contract- ed for carrying the malls under took a coach service no well for tho accommodation of passengers.

Ago-old.

Ilooottotfrtbopoor

dustry has s target, and so on, right. up to the export target for the whole country.

There are domestic targets, loo. and 1i: was one of these that set me thinking about targets gener- ally, Or, tn be more Accurate, it was a report which I read con- cerning one of these domestic targets which set me thinking.

As a matter of fact, it was a. report in n. Canadian newspaper to the effect that Britain had ol- most completed her programme of repairing houses damaged by bombs during the war, as well as the programme of constructing temporary (prefabricated houses: and a programme completed means, to us, o. target hft.

O O O

But, even without doubting a word of the newspaper's story, we know too well that one target hit still leaves an awful lot more not touched. And that's true even within the same programme the housing programme, for stance.

Most people Judge events as they- see them, and so far as housing ls concerned there doesn't seem to be much improvement. The repairs target may have been reached, or passed, but homes are still so hard to get that newly married couples who don't go to live with their in-laws are excep- tions to the rule. Families are still llving in old army huts - and worse—beceuse they have no ‘bet.- ter place to go. and advertise- ments offering up to £100 for in- formation leading to tenancy of an unfumlshed apartment . . ." still get few, if any, takers.

The reason is not really hard to find. There was no building of houses during the war — that was a. loss of six years work apart from anything else. Damage by bombs is only another part of the same sad story, but there is sn- other part. still, even sadder. For what of the thousands and thou- sands of homes that were wholly destroyed, or so badly damaged that they were beyond repair? some of our worst hit cillit-s had between 80 per cent and 90 per cent. of their houses destroyed or damaged to some degree or other. There's an awful lot of work needed to catch up on that!

O O O

in-

Speaking of work, the old idea of the English aristocracy - peo- ple with too much money and too little worlr t-o keep them from being bored - is fading rapidly. Indeed, it is fast giving way to an entirely new conception which shows the aristocracy as poor peo- ple doing rnenlsl tasks for their living, quite out of keeping with their titles.

A good deal of interact was aroused when it was found that several baronets could nan be ac- counted for in the Peerage rec- ords. One or two have since been discovered quietly and conscien- tiously earning a few pounds o

the dellghtfuly shaded avenues the

and Times.

Two-flat

-Kftchener-Waterloo Record.

Particularly a pair of Baltimore or!

place, return to that tree after year.

-i Notes By The Way -

Whoa we adopt the oeuoilrio oom- rnunlty rule of planting two trees for every one that fl cut down our streets will again start to become

once were. -— Brockvllle Recorder

Ida of the human body Io water, according to medical reports. Some smart guy will have it in- corporated some day and sell stock.

Fortunate the person who hna a pair of orioies resident in his trees.

oles, which are a delight to eya and ear and which, once they have chosen a tall tree for a nesting year Big elms are their fa- vorites, ln this part of the world,

builds tho amazing hammock-nest that hangs from the high, thin twigs. She broads tho eggs. She does most of the work of feeding the fledgllngl. Her colorful mate stands by, which seems to be his role in life, and lingo a not too tuneful song in a voice that one ll sure was meant for melody. —- New York Times.

Y

There seem! little doubt that Canada is heeded for some form of health insurance, and that from the point of view at least of the great majority of the populace, the - time ls ripe for it. But this ‘is no reason why we should rush into it. without careful consideration of the factors involved. If there in any way of netting up and administer- ing a medical insurance plan with- out the Government getting its whole hand in the pie, let us have

but they will on occasion adopt a tall old apple tree which has es- caped the pruner‘: saw. The male is the showy one of the pair, with

in - Winnipeg Free Press.

It's a matter of supply and do-

anywhere.

PIBGII

74a gfav fired!’ £11m

as fine a contrast of rich orange and gleaming black as you will see The female is more yellow and grey, with brown on tho back; for she has little time to and look beautiful. She

mend, and maybe, fate token a hand. Given the combination of a voice that charms, a ripe sense of humor, a self-deprecatory policy ln public relations, a shrewd under- standing of people, and an in- stinctive knowledge of applied psy- chology, and you click. That is. if you happen to be a radio en- tertainer, they pay you top money. For example. that persuasive voice kn wn as Arthur Godfrey draws do n $440,514 per annum from C.B.S. _Or, lf—stlll with a voice

that ‘ y u can discuss the

COCK-CROW AT ELSINORE From "Hamlet"

when the crew.

guilty thing

the morn, sounding throat

warning.

hles To his confine . . .

of the cock.

season comes wherein our Saviour’: birth is celebrated.

night lonzr

stir abroad;

The nights are wholesome then‘. no planets strike,

No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm;

So ha1low'd and so gracious is the time.

l-loratlo: So I have heard .

But, look. the morn, in mantle clad,

Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastern hill:

Break we our watch up . . .

_-wlllli:m Shakespeare. ._______-_-—--- ———- week, quite happy to be "one of the boys" amongst. their work- mates. One baronet. sits in a little hut. on the edge of a coal-mining site, husk checking the contents of trucks as they go out; an- other has been found mixing drinks in e eockba-il be: — and not for hls own consumption at that; and, if I remember rightly, it was an earl who ‘had his pic- ture ln the papers a few weeks ago as he sold fruit. from a cart in the street.