. publicans, with the aid of some 42 Dem-

i had iirged its passage as "a symbol of Un-

-. cooperative effort to expand world trade."

.rn.uit

u U All oils

'V,As&erIsel.ee loans Uhee Inn Post Office I - lleonnmetll. Ottawa. , Tb llhld Otnldhn fubushing Do. ivinumariou -ummv us: as ................... I-hub ldllor no-I. I:.-Igldlniaoallirg-Isloii-. Ii. out-mt . "The Strongest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest Ink"

cnubonnrown 1-iinsnav. 21?. 21. mi Java Sea Fight

Today, when command of the ea forces of the Atlantic Pact countries is in the news, it is wbrth recalling how, nine years ago, in the midst of hostilities, an organ- ization had to be set up to operate forces composed of British, United States, Dutch, Australian, New Zealand, Indian and Chi- nese nationals to defend the Dutch East Indies. i

A Dutch admiral was given command but was unable to obtain air support for his fleet when needed and lacked even a "common system of signals to control his inadequate force. Hardly had a system of command been set up than the whole area was conquered by the Japanese and the combined fleet of the Allies was sunk lil what Mr. Churchill calls the forlorn battle of the Java Sea. Among the many fine ships sunk was H. M. S. Exeter, famous heavy cruiser of battle of the Platefame.

We have learned by that and other un- happy experiences that the techniques of international operations must be worked out with care long before the testing -time and leaders selected who will have the op- portunity to weld their forces into an ef- fective fighting unit.

The nationality of the leader selected is of less than secondary importance

A costly Undertaking

Reports from Ottawa state that the Government is considering plans for a new type of national registration. Reasons as- signed for the proposal are vague. What the Government expects to accomplish by such an undertaking is also obscure.

Thoughtful Canadians were under the impression that there was an economy drive afoot in Ottawa. It is difficult to see just how such a costly undertaking as a nationwide counting of heads fits in with ideas about economy. Such a scheme. if it was to be comprehensive at all, would occupy hundreds of people for several weeks. The net result would be an enormous pile of statistics which it would take still

. more weeks for Ottawa to digest. It would contribute nothing whatever towards in- creasing the tempo of the defence program. Quite the contrary.

Moreover, there is something sinister about a national registration. The idea of having to carry an identity card, to be given a number, and to have one's dossier docketed at Ottawa, is out of harmony with our democratic traditions.

Trade Relations Threatened

What the Financial Post describes as a "body-blow to U.S.-Canada trade relations" is pending as a result of U. S. Congressional action on the Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act. If the amendments to the Act as passed recently by the-House of Represent- atives are approved by the U. S. Senate, then for all practical purposes the Act has been "cut to ribbons," and the beneficial trade relationships between Canada and the United States which have been fostered since its introduction in 1934, are gravely jeopardized.

' The present Act automatically expires in June of this year. A straight"renewal for another three years has been sought by the Administration. and Secretary of State Acheson gave testimony in support of this action some weeks ago. Early this month, however, by vote of 225 to 168. the Re-

loIIIIcT.l,lll lone

ocrats. rewrote the proposed renewal "piecemeal to their own liking"; and this in spite ofthe fact that the Administration

ibed States determination to lead in the

x." 3 Tied in closely with this setback at

: the current crisis in Tor-

i ' ,. where a series of trade ne- i made possible by the U. S. Rec- mgreelnent Act. is now near- The, conference is threaten- . because of the sharp. & and high tariff nations

collapses, then there i , replace the present Gen-

June, 1951, theisituntion - becomes even more precarious. .

The Washington setback is due to a series of four amendments which the Re- publican forces have inserted into the new proposed three-year Act, of which the fol- lowing is by far the most disturbing and serious change for this Dominion: a stipulation to the effect that concessions on foreign farm products coming into competition with price-supported American commodities shall not apply unless the foreign product is to be sold above the support price. '

This agricultural amendment is believ- ed aimed directly at Canada because of the political repercussions arising out of the shipment to United States of potatoes at prices well under the parity price-support figure at which the Government was pur- chasing U.S.-grown potatoes. "It is recog- nized,” says the Financial Post, "that so long as either Canada or the United States is committed to a price-support program on farm products such a policy is incon- sistent with unrestricted trade between the two countries. But the matter for deep concern here is that the attempt to recon- cile this difficulty should be taken out on the Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act, a program which has served over the past seventeen years to bring about the great- est exchange of products between any two nations in the world."

I:DllURlAL NUI ES

To fight inflation, practice thrift; to

save lives, support the blood bank. , o n o Paardeberg, 1900. Their number. though not their fame, grows less. C O I

The short course in forestry, although the term may seem inappropriate to this Province, is a step in the right direction. Many thousands of dollars are lost by failure to make the best use of wood-lots and larger stands of trees.

0 O 0

An intriguing report comes from Paris to the effect that because of a gas plant strike "thousands of Paris families had cold coffee or none at all this morning." Do they make coffee the night before, or do Parlsians generally use methods of coffee-making which do not necessarily require hot water?

0

The mobile bacteriological laboratory visiting here through Federal-Provincial co-operation should point out wherein we are falling down in sanitary practice. If frost does not come within a fortnight it might also produce a report on road con- ditions here.

O O

The Department of National Revenue rules that it will not allow as a deduction from taxable income dues or fees paid to golf clubs or other clubs, even when the taxpayer uses these clubs for business pur- poses. Moreover the departmental ruling has been backed by the Income Tax Ap- peal Board which recently turned down two claims for deductloiis of golf club dues. It is permissible, however, to deduct specific expenses incurred at clubs in the way of business, provided the accounts are accom- panied with the proper vouchers.

O O 0

John Evelyn, English dlarist, died this date 1706. Born at Wotton in Surrey in 1620, in 1642 he betook himself to Holland for three months and at the outbreak of the civil war spent four years in foreign travel. After the restoration he was made a commissioner of the privy seal (1685-7) and treasurer of Greenwich Hospital (1695- 1703). He wrote ”Sylva, or a Discourse of Forest Trees" and "Terra, a Discourse of the Earth" but is chiefly remembered for his great "Diary" whichshows the graver side of the royalist party with admirable

force. 0

Now we know for sure on medical ad- vice. A British dietary expert declares some married men get fat because their wives over-feed them on purpose. "A 'comfortablyl obese male." writes Dr. A. H. Douthwaite in the British Medical Journal. "is alleged to be easier to live with, and less likely to stray from the path of virtue." Dr. Douthwaite, on the other hand, says such men. because of the added strain on their hearts, are also less likely to live to a ripe old age. A short life and an en- joyable one.

"Empire free trade" bill .I DOWGTWI We vocate in New Bruntiwick's favorite eon, Lord Beaver-brook. For thirty-two years the London Daily Express with the "Ben- verfs" name prominently displayed, has cruseded for Empire unity through a united Empire economy. The Daily Express. de- spite its mounting circulation. is flghtins against the tide. The Commonwealth is steadily broadening out, i . cent1'nlized. and at the same H glnore territory in a much lode! Kill.

than imperialists like Iaol'd,HBeoverI5l'dfl

--4... .. ........',..-3-.-Yg4v;,.i'

.3'0!.ll-bil'0ld.ollliIl7PVi-Nh3&.f'.,.

PUBLIC FORUM i

, This column Is open to the . dlsonmlon by correspondent: of questions of interest. The Guardian does not neoem tly endorse the opinion cl

pondents.

SPANISH OIDEB

THE

Sir.-An' announcement. appear- ed in I recent. issue of a potato Journal that Holland had secured the Spanish order for 30,000 tons of potatoes.

Potato grower; generally re- member thc big fun and high hopes given by the chairman of the Poia:o Marketing Board over this prospect. ,

Trips were made from here and New Brunswick to Ottawa ask- ing for financial assistance from the Federal Government also from the Provincial Government; all to obtain this order which was,4o nay the farmers the large sum of 40 cents a bushel. loaded in cars. Fortunately for the farm- ers. the order went to Holland. and our much maligned potato dealers sold the potatoes else- where for more money without Government assistance.

Too bad the only effort of the Board was such a failure.

, I am. Sir. etc. POTATO TRADER.

THE POTATO FRONT

Sir.-Latest. despatches from the Spud Island Front seem to in- dicate that all is quiet, and for the present at least it looks as though the potato dealers have retreated for the-time being un- der the caves of our Courts. leav- ing only a one-man army to cover their retreat. No doubt. nlter re- couperating there wllb be an all- out effort. to smash through the Marketing Board. which at the present time. we are told. is held only by a few stuffy socialists and amateur economists and will. of course. according to all reports from the front. be Very easily taken-if and when the marching orders are given by the Courts.

Even our Deputy Minister of Agriculture was singled out for attack. I refer to Mr. W. R Shaw. 3 man whom we farmers can well be proud of. and who can at all times take his place among men: even he was almost told what. he should say. Now we nrc told that

this case will cost. the fantners ten thousand dollars. and no doubt the other side's case will

cost a llkeamount; and where will that money come from. if it has not already come from the flrmers of this Province? After all. I do not know of any of the attacking army that are employed in digging coal or gold. or even cutting pulp wood. or any other kind of productive labours.

Now. sir, you no doubt will be glad when this case is over. and letters like this cease coming in But. in conclusion I would like to any that there was s time in the early history of this country when the landlords lost out in the Courts. and the some thing may happen in this case. I might say that all we farmers ask is I fair chance to live from the products of our labour, and we can market our products in the co-operative way much better than can be done in any other way. I would like to add the following lines; to me the author is unknown:

"A farmer's trade is one of worth: his is nnrtner with the Sun and

Earth, ' I-Ie lsnnartner with the sky and n- And no one loseth by his gain.”

Alma. P. E. 1'. POTATO PRICES

Sir,-I note in your paper of the 20th a Prince County potato grower complainlirg about the New Brunswick shippers ' ,. , the marketing downs in Montreal below the Marketing Board price level. The way the Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick Mer- ketlng Boards are set-up this can occur because they issue licenses to grower-shippers and there is nothing to stop a grower-shipper selling his potatoes in Montreal at any price he chooses. This puts the shipper who has to buy from the grower out of business as he cannot, compete. The Marketing Board should not only set the price to the grower but they should also set the price that New Brunswick and Prince Edward LI- land potatoes must sell for in our maln consuming marketings, Montreal. Toronto and Ottawa. in order to stop grower-shippers from selling below the established price that non-grower shippers have to pay to the grower.

I agree wllih the writer that we must sell and ship potatoes faster than we have been. otherwise. there will be potatoes dumped. at ......:........Aj

7Z.f

l?oed' Qua

IPIING IN WINTII

Spring. shivering -put. the iron gates of winter To keep her sweet appointments far ahead. Lots fell each year one day that ' marks

ll it-use . Her. flromlse :1 return: her true word said. . I .1! canals; that January down. with var ' - rliitlnu from birds incredulous. till I”: The air is light. and carries child- ien' voices

I As they will carry more the fields of May.

The sky has lifted nadir blue; INK M

lalbelrsmple

I

.. -rmiz GUARDIAN. c:iiAtti.o14ra1'ovvlv. . A This Ill

'l

WC'd ilk:

this matter for you"-

itews rrruu commons vans Down aesocurteu

e-iiira

Nebbev mind, suh .' i Guess rte jos' e. wfilin' slave!

-ii-l

the end of the season.

The Federal Minister of Agri- culture has left. it up to the Gov-' cmments of the two Provinces to approach hi.m with I satisfactory plan. so the growers will have to contact our depairtments of agri- culture in the two Provinces in order to have some support sys- tem adapted.

Hon. Mr. Gardiner stated that the Federal Government would pay 50c per l00 cw-t. for potatoes Shipped to any unusual market. but no potatoes have been sold to any unusual market. We have four starch factories practically idle in the Provinces tihn-t would take 25 cars of potatoes off the market every day providing there was a starch programme inaug. urated. The Canadian market is R4 PM-Dent short of potato starch. I understand that the United States. who have a potato starch programme in effect in Maine, have placed an embargo against export of all starches from that country. .

I am. Sir, eic. H. H. HATFIELD, M.P. Victoria-Carleton

NEWFOUNDLAND -mans '

Sir,-After a few conversations with Hon. Eugene Cullen. I was unpresaed with the fact that our discussions were being suppressed. and although Mr. Cullen did not. want to say much, he pointed out that his position was new to him and -he was feeling his way along slowly; but I certelnly knew once more where the stream had g its source nd furbher l was begin- ning to earn I few more interest- ins things regarding our trade- conscious Premier Jones and how much he was doing to help out on the Newfoundland trade. At this point I would like to know why Mr. Cullen was so cautious of certain movements of his. because wasn't he Minister of the Dcpnrtmerit of industry and Natural Resources. and being Minister and getting paid to do the job. why the push around? How long would the same gentle- man keep I hired man if he did not perform his duties? Will Mr. Cullen be good enough. to answer this question so the people of Prince Edward island will know what is going on: Why did the Government purchase a building on the lower end of Prince Street Wharf for 523.500 last spring when in the same breath they told a group of in- terested shippers who were try- ing to further trade to Newfound- land that the Government just did not have any funds to help? If his Deparunont cannot Inswcr it perhaps some honorable mem- ber in the Departrnent of Agricul- ture can. I wonder what their story will be during the next House session. One night lately I listened with interest to Mr. Cullen -speak on the radio. but I thought it strange that dru-ring the course of his talk he never even mentioned the New- foundland trade which is upposed to be worth iihrce and a half million dollars I yesr-why the silence? I em not saying that it was wrong for the Government; to purchase a ,le of bulldozers to -help farmers dig ditches, cei- lsrs. remove t ,ps. etc.. but. were these thlms more important than our trade? When Hon. Wil- frld. Arsemult spoke on the radio one night, did he foiget the tour- ist trade which is supposed to be worth two million A year to this nuvlncc-instead he offered many useful and valuable hints on how people or individuals might fur- ther that trade. It almost seems tltlt Hr. Cullen was trying to hide something-bed boys act that way too sometimes. I know. I was young once. In all my talks with Mr. Cullen he has never so yet even suggested I better me- thod of perhaps helping on the Newfoundland trade-yet through his Doppriment the Government operates the Eskimo boat on the Outport trade. ,

Last March Mr. Cullen clslmod "initiative of Government saved market in Newfoundland" for

our sales to that Province had ,lnerensed4b&o.00ll for the 104! year. flow that claim in unfound- ed and they know it; even ),lr. Cullen himself othnlliod it to me when I faced Jilin about it. I chit llr. Cullen t his

boohwsrds been wish to my lbnl'bls' statement could. fit the innate beef. when she meets l vrisit some good Govern- Indnber will be frank en- lo point out to the people

our country Ital eulh allowed. I figures I cost esab lndi

Wri

TO PROS! E3FEcTS OF CIGQRCT SMOKING.

Prince ldwnrd blood" and that.

8ouseV

Old Charlottetown lAnd r. I. 1.)

Anveiirisniunn-rs

From the columns of The 15- lsnder. March 19. 1&2.

Mrs. James '3. Bourke and Miss Badge "take leave to inform the gentry and public of Charlotte- town that they intend opening I. Seminary for Young Ladies on Monday. the 15th instant. at the late residence of John Morris, Eso., Sydney street. near the Roman Catholic Chapel. The course of instruction will comprise English in all its branches, French, Ital- ian, Music, Drawing, Embroidery. and every description of Fancy work."

Messrs. J. and W. Mcclll sn- nounce that they -will have in read' "a new clipper Bi-lg, 220 tons, to sail for Australia about the month of September next. if a sufficient number of passengers can be obtained." At Cove Held on the 5th inst. the launching of the schooner "Nettle", no tons, own- ed by Ewen Mclulll as Company. is reported.

The committee of the ,Prlnce Edward Island branch of the don Society for promoting Chris- tianity among the Jews tenders thanks for contributions amount- ing to S62 is. N to be forwarded to the parent. society, this being 9:11 los. over the amount collected in the preceding year. and El 98 5d over that of any other year.

James DesBrisny. Upper Queen street. near the Apotbecsries I-Inll, announces that he is selling off his remaining stock of dry goods of greatly reduced prices, preparatory to receiving his spring supply. Ben- jamin webstar, Elliot River. ud- vertises for sole his valuable 160 acre farm known as Springfield. it being ideal for "a gentleman de- sirous of s Oountry . ldence."...

H. W. Lobbsn. auctioneer. sn- nounces for sale at Rlngwood the residence of C i ' Cumberland,

with all that gentleman's house- hold furnlture. horses. carriages. hlimess and farm stock and equip- ment.

Thomas Owen, P aster Gen- eral, advertise: that malls for the neighboring Provinces during the Winter will be made up at the Charlottetown office every' Friday afternoon, to be forwarded vll Cape Traverse and Cspe' Tormentlne, and also the malls for England.

it; and what about the trade re- action in Ncwfounthsnd to this boat?

I wonder when Mr. Cullen for- got lo speak about one Newfound- land trade duxdru his talk on the radio, did he think his statement to line Press on the first of the year was good enough. 1 main- tain that his claim of increased trade to Newfoundland for 1050 is absurd. At the time his state- rneng wont to the Press, it was absolutely impossible for anyone to even guess where Prince Ed- ward Island fitted in the picture. because facts and figures are not easily arrived at, and in fact I doubt if even”yet our Trade Agcnrwu correct. (and it isn't). why is all our trade in the emai- ler shipping ports und the ll- lnnd dwindling?