‘ PAGEFOUR ‘p HE GUARDIAN

Dllbllbllledll ‘Alfielllvdaeleeeedflaeelllh i .

III) POQOOIIII

_ r or... fflie Strongest Meiriory is Weaker Than ~ ~ (he Weakest Ink."

WN, rruesnas’. AH!!!- 19. 1m Varying Pronunciations

Perhaps when Premier Jones returns from a_t- tending the first Liberal Party convention in Newfoundland he will be alrk N 9'" l" 9" 9"‘ tlioritative staterrient as ta the proper pronoun- ciatian of our new sister Province’: name. mainland exchange notes in this connection the following pronunciations heard in the broad- cast of the ceremonies on Newfoundland Dayz“

Chief Justice Emerson: "New-found-LAND.

- Mr. Bradley and Mr. Smallwood: “NEW- ‘~'~ found-land." -The Commissioner for the Y_ukon: “New-

FOUND-l ." A rdfllo commentator: "New-f'nd-L'nd."

Political Pltjoiilng

Political activity at the constituency level l; flapping up all across Canada, says the Globe & Mail. Within the next two weeks, while parlia- ment is in recess, scores of candidates for por- liament will be nominated. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation is in the lead in num- bei of candidates nominated. It has about 100 named, with new nominations being reported in every day. By the time parliament resumes in two weeks the CCF-ers expect to have 125 start- ers picked. The left-wing party ran 198 candi- dates for 245 seats at th-e last general elcctwfl and expects to have wcll over 200 in the ru-n- ning for the 262 seats in the next’ House 0f Commons. Progressive Conservative headquart- ers teport 5O to 55 candidates nominated, proc- tically all for seats now held by other parties, and will have another Z0 or 30 political hopefuls in the running within two weeks. The Liberals ore running neck and neck Will! The P'°9"°55lV° Conservatives and have between 50 _ _60 candidates named, with a flock of nomination meetings scheduled for the Easter period. Like the Progressive Conservatives, the Liberals show a disposition to hold back until the last mrn- ute on nominating candidates in_the_ seats they now hold. Nearly all_ their nominations so for are in opposition territory.

contrasts In iiuttor _

When the price of butter advanced from 10 to l2 cents per pound, in the late months of 1947, recalls the Winnipeg Free Press, there was a hue and cry throughout the country. Large profits were being made on butter held _in stor- qge and this, it was declared, was profiteerrrig. When, in the past few months, the price of bu-t- ter fel-l ro i-4 cents per pound the dial! resulted in a heavy loss on all butter held in storage. There has been, however, no public outcry what- eve

r.

The report of the Royal Commission on prices, issued a few days ago, deals with the rise in the price of butler in 1947. lt says that the shortage at tho-t time was artificially created. Actually there was as much butter ll‘! store as in the preceding year but the public became afraid that there might be a shortage and in the ensuing scramble for the existing fllPPlYr

consumers inevitably bid up prices." n _ The profitspsoys the report’. We'll’ "m" which had substantial stocks of butter in_ stor- age." These firms, the report sags on. did not build up abnorrnifl-ly large stocks in an effort N -raise prices. "But in following their regular rou- tine, they made unprecedented profits on their storage operations, approximately 12 _cents per pound, compared to theyaverage Pllllll’ ‘if 9'19 cents" (that is less than one fifth of a cen-t) per pound which one of the larger firms had mode in its butter operations during the preceding

nine years." a It was fully explained to the Royal Com- mission that butter is sold on a replacement bo- sis. That is, the sale is always at the prevailing market price, regard-less of the original cost of the butter. And it is now being demonstrated that selling at replacement values is a rule ,wh'ich works both ways. The companies which made a profit in 1947-48 have met with hleavy losses in i949. The butter they bought nigh prices in the production season of 1948 is now being sold at much lower prices. There was much indignation in December, i947, and the early months of 1948. But there does no-t appear to be a‘ ripple of interest in what is presently happen-

lllfl.

Plllltoport

At the 1948 Food and Agriculture UIQOIII- zation Conference at Washington, it was pos- sible to present the inost favourablereview of the world food situation since the end of rhe

r

~v°LA|n6|ng the chief food commodities, cereals have idached a virtual balance between eXWF- able surpluses arid effective demand. 1'-he rice sir-nation is not no favorable. Witii sugar, the “Mgnqgimhgcliarigedfrornoneofslrort-

allocation loom eeiislfll M" °f

ells- fats hen readied pre- in deficit areas, u- vail below pro-war

eln would riot be as high an those that prevail-

ed in i939. ~

The Conference acknowledged two funda- mental facts. A large increase iii production is obviously needed iii deficit and low income areas. To satisfy this need it was realized that a main’- lenonce or expansion of high production levels in North America would be welcome, if a satis- factory solution cou-ld be found to the interna- tional trade and payment problems. This iii turn raised the query -— how can international trading arrangements be improved to provide a larger and more regular world flow of products at prices fair to producers and reasonable to consumers?

./ EDITORIAL .NO'lES/ The next holiday, May‘ 24.

June 6th. has been proclaimed the King's Birthday celebration.

O I

Welcome to the members of the P. E. l. Teachers‘ Federation who open their convention today.

lt is reported the Provincial Government intends establishing a crown company to provide a regular shipping service between here and Newfoundland.

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B. C. politicians are in an awkward posi- tion-— the two rightist parties having united to fight the leftists, on the eve of a Federal elec- tion in which the two righ-tests will be fighting

each other.

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Newfoundland had a gainfully occupied population, 14 years of age and over, totalling 112,508 at October 1, 1945, date of the last Newfoundland census. The 1945 total compares with 88,710 in i935, making on increase of nearly 27 per ce-nt in the number gainfully oc- cupied in the 10-year period. Q Q Q

Elections provide a two-way education. Can- didates are at pains to learn what the elector- ate really think about conditions and policies,

candidates, tell the public what they should think about questions of the day.

II!

Revenue Minister McCann, admitting that taxation in Canada is heavy and will probably

explanation that high taxation is tied to high living standards and heavy demand for protec-

on that basis the farmer is justified in seeking to ovoid the load. . The annual convention of the Prince Ed- ward island Teachers Federation opens in Prince of Wales College hall today, and will continue until Thursday with a programme of exception- oi interest which will include addresses by Dr. A. W. Truman, president of the University of New Brunswick, and Dr. Bernice MacNaugliton, vice president of the Canadian Teachers Fed- emotion.

I Erasmus Darwin, English physician and poet, died this date 1802. By his first marriage he was grandfather of Charles Darwin and by his second of Francis Galton. He anticipated in part the theory of evolution propounded by his grand- son and Lnmarck. His chief works are Zoonomia 3nd Pliyfologia, arid his poem The Botanic Gar-

err:

"Soon shall thy arm, unconquered steam, afar Drag the slaw barge, or drive the rapid cor; Or oil wide waving wings expanded bear The flying chariot through the field of air."

I

It is unfortunate that Newfoundland‘s en- try iirto confederation should be marred by the spectre of starvation and epidemic in Labrador outports. The Canadian Government is doing what it can to relieve the situation but the New- faund-landers themselves should have realized that the expectation of price drops would, unless offset, result in all concerned ‘trying to avoid being caught with high priced supplies on hand.

Dominion Prime Ministers are arriving in London today to take stock of another turning poirit in the history of the British peoples. The establishment of sovereign independent states in Ireland and soon in India pose new problems of Commonwealth relations. The Dqminions have been so long independent in fact without drifting apart that there should be little fear that legal sovereignty can not be reconciled with our can- tinued association.

I I

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u e

Whereas we here are specializing in pota- toes, swine and poultry, in_ New Brunswick they are di ting special attention to grain produc- tion. C eton County is in the Lead nationally in the production of registered oats and barley. Hon. A. C. Toylor, Provincial Minister of Agri- culture declares: "ln no other county ortown- ship in Canada did so many formers roduce registered seed oats lost year ‘as in eton County." The achievements of these Carleton County formers were touched upon ‘as the min- ister discussed the increased value holding the contests for seed grain each year. Mr. Tay- lor sold that New Brunswick formers anal? theaysteirrprescrlbedastheneedeactof - ado to guarantee high quality to prospective purchasers

Hermes-led

rm Mini

before the el , in pied in can- stituency of Port Arthur that 3 labs wll be

avarldrie shortly in hln llllfflfifrbfitltldliifl the

of e serious uriem

‘PUBLIC roiwn This column in open tithe dbountorn by correspondents at questions of lateral. ‘Ila OIIHIIIII 11%,!“ UNI?"

lly endorse the opinion of correspondents

PROVINCIAL AMUSEMENT TAX Sin-Premier Jonen one liln Gov- ernment nhonld be congratulated on the recent reduction in amusement turen on admission tickets to mo- tion picture theatres.

This will be n great advantage to the people who attend movies an e source of pleasure and recreation. especially in the rural district! where entertainment. is not so plen- tiful in Cflmplflavu with the city and towns, which have numerous opportunities for diversified recrea- tion at their disposal at all tlmen. The former amusemen fax ln my opinion had a tendency to keep the people of the lower income bracket away from the smaller theatres lri the country, thereby making it most difficult for the smaller ex- hibitors to carry on in business and glve the general public a better class of pictures, and to build their theatres to compare with the lar- ger theatres, and also ta have starr- derd motion picture equipment. in- stalled that would give a steady. bright and clear picture on the

ms iisw stnrrr is ro rum RIGHT. Vi’ T9 OUR- FRDNY D90

- Dyna

'4‘

a.

screen at all times. In closing may I extend my ep- preclatlon to the present Govern- ment for the reduction in amuse- ment taxes. This reduction will be passed along to the movie go- ing patrons attending Yen's The- atre in Montague. I em quite confident that my sentiments as expressed in this let- ler, are in complete accord with the general public. I am, Sir, etc.,

BRUCE H. YEO.

THE TEACHER EROBLEM

Sir, -- Your editorial, "The Educational Problem" of the 13th makes sad reading — Bo few students in normal training, so many "permit teachers," that: last year 136 teachers have left the

and at the some time they, the various party profession and so many children in our Province not

getting a. proper chance to learn to read and

write. One would almost trhlnk he was reading of foreign country. Teaching to such a wonderful profession _ good teacher must find it n. pain- continue that way for some time, gave as the ful experience ta be forced to leave her school and trike some other job; and many e time her _ _ _ thoughts will return tro the school tron and community services. lt would seem that and the chum-en m, 1am

some backward

that a

There are at least two reasons why B teacher leaves the profession. One is that it is e mast difficult type of work. only one who tine been n teacher known how great the riesponslblllty and how severe the strain ls. I have known teach- ers. naturally robust people too, who at the end of the school year were near e, breakdown. I remember one .young lady coming home on the last day before vacation and saying, “thank God I'm a. free nigger.” So few people realize what a. taxing job ls teach- ing. ‘ The other reason ts financial. A carpenter gets, today, from cents to $1.00 per hour. If a teacher could work as many hours in the yen: an n carpenter can she would receive between 30 and 40 cents per hour; and of course, during the hour's she ta not-at work, in school. she miss: eat her‘ hree meals a. day and wear good clothes, while the carpenter can go about in overalls. Probably neither the Government nor the ratepayers know how poorly paid our teachers are. Highways that take so much of the revenue are important. but far more important. ls the efficient education of our children. A good teacher cannot be paid tn terms of money but until they are getting a good dear more than they are getting now we will continue to lose them to other jobs because under present conditions when they pay their expenses they have very little left. A Government commission has been put. upon n less import- ant matter.

I em. Sir, etc.

W. I. GREEN Stanley Bridge.

ha?

Old Charlottetown (And P. l. L)

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FIRST SCHOOLS REPORT

From the “First Report of the Visitor appointed to inspect the District Schools throughout the 1n- land." to the members of the Board of Education, Charlottetown, Oct. 26,1837. by John MecNelll, Visitor of District Schools:

"Though various laws have been enacted from time to time by the Legislature‘ of this Inland, for the regulation of Schools, and consid- erable iiumn of money have been appropriated for their encourage- ment, Iaegret to have it to state. from recent personal observation, that the system of instruction pur- sued fn many of the country school: throughout the Island in extremely defective, and consequently but lit- tle really useful and substantial knowledge is acquired by the chil- dren attendlng them.

“This appears to me to arlnefrom several causes; some of these per- haps unavoidable in a new country like this. In many of the settle- ments, the inhabitants are poor- and having to struggle with numer- ous difficulties in procuring the means of subsistence for their fa- milies, the education of their child- ren is with them an object of mere secondary consideration. And even when they do turn their attention to this important object, they are not (generally speaking) very scrupulous in the selection of their- terschers, satisfying themselves with the common idea. that it ts better to have any ternciter than none at all. . ' .

"The little encouragement which in in most. ceeen held out to teach- ers of character end qualification. and the precarious manner in which their salaries are paid, operate most powerfully an e bur tn the way of advanceme of education. Hence it too frequently happens that it is only persons of shipwrecked cher- acter, rsnd blasted prospects in life, after every other resource has fell- ed them, who take up the import- ant office of schoolmaster, and hence elno the frequent changing of the teacher: the long lapse of time that takes piece after the expiration of the engagement of the old, before a new one in appointed; in consequence of which the chil- dten nearly forgegwhat. they had previously acquired.

"The migratory character of the schools, or the shifting of them from piece to piece, hen. in my opinion, another injurious effect upon the progress of education. From this cause it happens; that after the children have made con- siderable proficiency, their career ls stopped all atonce by the re- moval of the nchaoi to another pert of the district. where the population iirsn recently become more dense; end then the former locality in completely deserted; the settlers immediately around it be- ing t‘ without the co-opere- tion of their more distant neigh- bors; to secure the continuance of the school.

"The irregular attendance of the children at school, in many in-

SPRING SOUNDS

Now. onoe again. the bare concrete will brt

11¢ ‘linoee small [ind rounds that. lien- nld early The clack of roller chutes; the high ennp

e 1h fleida that still are Wfnter brown.

Bays tn resorted ntzee will appear. Just u they always have thin time

of year. Ito: that beat most exciting sound

of all- ‘nre ufiaf wood egelmt e leather

Creoeon. in the New York Herald Trlbime. ' -.

term practice which in too prevalent ‘in 01 outgiuégflfliigrbles; and the rhytti- to be exceedingly injurious to the Of rumor balls. And;- out beyond wet and

,_where their parents keep them at home to work, during the busy neelon of the WM‘. lcfldl neriouniy to retard their own im- provement, and acts en a drawback upon the dillgenc end efficiency of the teacher;

n.

"I must ulna mention

the country. ntrd which I conceive

eyes of his pupils, and conne- quently hurtfui ta his usefulness- that in, receiving his board by go- ing about from house to house; in which case, he ls regarded, both by parents and children, es little bet- ter than e common menial; and from the familiarity which must necessarily subsist between himself and the family, he cannot exercise that authority aver his pupils, which in indlirpensabi necessary for e teacher to maintain.

"The went of a uniform method of teaching, of a regular supply of school books, together with the de- fectlve accommodations provided for schools, are other. causes which very much retard the advancement of education on this inland."

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The report gives the following school statistics: In Queen's Coun- ty. 21 ‘- ‘ , 624 scholars; in King's, 15 schools, 490 scholar... in Prince, 15 ‘ ‘ , " ‘ a: making a total of 51 schools end 1,649 scholars far the Island.

Among the "treat schools" the re- port mentions the following: W. H. Neils" Bedeque; Donald Lamont. Elliot River; Archibald Mackenzie. Murray Harbour; Robert Robertson, St. Peter's Road; Malcolm Darrech, Dog River; John Macklnnon, Ellie River. The report continues:

"Tile Prlncetown School, taught by Sebastian Davidson, I have ree- non to believe, might be classed with the above; but it in to be re- gretted that. but few of the children attended the examination-the busy season the harvest causing the rib- sence from the school of the more advanced scholars.

“At the East Point (King's Coun- ty), iii a school taught by a very competent her, John Siattery. 1n which I met with the only Latin scholars taught in any school on the Island."

O

An a serious obstacle to the ad-

vancement of education, the report

versel want cf suitable books." It recommends the obtaining of "cheap elementary works of an approved character, and embracing as much variety and accuracy of information an possible in is small compels."

Emphasis ls placed on the ad- vantage of an acquaintance with the following branches: ancient and modern history; general knowledge; trade end commerce; geography; "to which might be added, for the use of the more advanced scholars, "Catechism: ob-Mental Philosophy and British Lew."

The attention of trustees is cai- led "to the important duties which the law. as well an their own im- mediate interests, imposes upon them-ta take care that the school be properly conducted, that the re- quisite conveniences, such as sult- irble school houses. denke. seats. firewood, drc. be provided-that the children be at stated periods regu- larly examined, so that their pro- gress may be seen, and that the teeclie be not careless or remiss in the discharge of his duties-to be strict and conscientious in not giving a certificate of sobriew and good conduct to any teacher, but such an really deserve it—for when trustees neglect their duty in this rrenpec‘, all the enactments of our Legislature requiring good conduct on the pert of the teacher will be rendered nugatary.

"If in remedy were applied to these evils and ebunen which I have endeavoured to enumerate, el tending to .lmpede the advance- ment o'f education. our schools would assume e healthy and flour- lnhln: appearance, and our native youth, who ere remarkable for quickness of apprehension, and ce- paclty to learn, would prove a cre- dit to themselves and their tench-