‘M.

PAGE FOUR

TIIE CIIARLOTTETOZVII lilllllilllAll

Morning Daily wounded in 1881)

Authorized as Second Class lilo-ll, Post Olfloo ' Department. Ottawa. President, Ian A. Burnett; Vice-President, Wm. B. ‘Burnett; Secy.-Treus.. G. M. Biltnatt; Editor and Managing Director. J. B. Burnett; Associate Editor. Frank Walker.

“The Strongest Memory is Weaker Than [he Weakest Ink."

“TIDNESDAY, DECEMBER ll, I946

Culture Iinil Art

A citizens’ meeting to discuss ways and means of establishing a children's art centre in' Charlottetown is to be held tomorrow evening in the Public Library, and this is indeed a mot- ter of much interest and importance. Circulars on the subject have been forwarded to some of those interested, explaining the purpose, which is to improve the cultural standards of the com- inunity. Such standards, it is noted, are declin- ing here II1 the recognized channels (i.e. thel schools), yet today, in a world of widespread social and economic disorder, there was never more urgent need for providing all young peopla with the best cultural equipment.

The purpose of this movement is wholly ad- mirable, and should command the fullest public support. But are the means suggested the only, or the best possible, ones of achieving results? ll is proposed to supplement ordinary schooling almost exclusively through government subsidiz- ed libraries, films and radio, and it is intimated that if this is done financial support may be expected from the Dominion Government. All this, unfortunately, adds up to more bureau- cracy and governmental control.

So far as cultural development is concerned, no institution has done more in Prince Edward Island than the newspaper press, which has u record second to none in Canada from the days of Whelan, Laird and Coven, to Cotton, Nash, McCreody, Macdonald, Currie, and others who could be named. The newspapers have invari- ably upheld the classical and artistic side of scholastic life, sometimes without much support from those in authority in educational affairs.

Matthew Arnold, who knew something about culture, defined it as "'the acquainting our- selves with the best that hos been known and said in the world, and thus with the history of the human spirit." That is another way of say- ing that the foundation of all our culture is the Classics. What are our Government and its educational advisers doing to develop interest in Classical literature? Up to now they have been conspicuous only in their attempts to handicap the rising generation by abolishing that Clas- sical essential, Latin, in the country schools.

Where, it may be asked, did tha majority of our great men from this Province, who dis- tinguished themselves in learning and litera- ture, hail from but the country schools? It is well known that our formers, who on the aver- age have large families, have instilled into the hearts and minds of the rising generation a desire for higher education to enable them to take their rightful places as leaders in civil life. Only one son out of a family of, say, seven or eight can hope to succeed his father on the farm; the others must look elsewhere for a voca- tion.

It is the idea of some people, especially of those without cultural background, that the place of true education can be taken by resort to what is erroneously called technical educat- ion. Technical training cannot be satisfactorily given or absorbed unless the necessary tools ore provided, with competent technical instructors in charge. There is such a school in Saint John, and a number of our boys have enrolled and ore making satisfactory progress. There has also been erected, at considerable expense, a tech- nical school in Charlottetown. These schools, of course, cannot take the place of institutions of higher learning; neither can their places be taken by academic instruction by means of motion pictures or radio broadcasts, however lavishly subsidized.

lt is worth remembering that "culture" comes from the Latin and means "tillage", and that all culture, to be of real value, should be of slow growth and indigenous. If it is to have any relation to our ideals of democracy, it should be developed as much as possible through ‘pri- vate enterprise; as little as possible by totalitar- ian methods. The danger in subsidizing things like culture-as we ought to know from recent European history-is that it can so easily be turned into bureaucratic propaganda.

These comments, of course, are by the way. The proposal to form an art centre_for the Province is an excellent one, and it is to be hoped that tomorrow night's meeting will ba wall informed and representative.

Besides ‘liatos hnii Taxes

It is encouraging to note tho interest shown by the younger generation in political issues, as was evidenced by tho attendance at last night's Progrossivo Conservative meeting. In this connection it is wall worth bearing in mind the advico givan to tha students at Antigonish rec- antly by Premier MacdonoliLof Nova Scotia. Aftar emphasizing that "the graat problams of your generation will ba problems of govern- ment," Mr. Macdonold wont on to soy:

' "l suggest to you, than, no matter In what Stato or Province you may dwoll, that you giva iyour intarast to tho problams of government. “Aftar all, you owa something to your country .'baoidas ratos and torros and rlio minimum ls o alas and intelligent intarut In public affairs. fills: Ioodorship may tako many forms apart flip lioldlng of public offlca. Tho omploy- lobar, tho officar of _o workmonfi union,

sqg_%l‘io.r, tho clargymon, tha doctor, tho man of business. tho ordinary citi- ' have tho opportunity and tho privilsga

< " ' in their Itloo. "- to an ho

‘ of preparation.

you will find it possible to accept _tha invitation. In spite of what is sometimes said by jeerers and scoffers, the profession af politics is not an ignoble one. lt is not without its honor and its rewards and as for its honesty I have not found that any profession or calling has q monopoly

upon that virtue." I

iltflclal War llistory

It is interesting to note that the official Canaaion history of World War ll is in course Consisting of four volumes, it will be ready for publication in about five years. Considering tha mass of material to be select- ed from, this is not unduly long. There are fif- teen officers and 28 other ranks of the Con- adion Army now at work compiling the history, according to Army headquarters. lt is ex- pected that a one-volume official historical sketch will be ready for distribution sometime next summer.

This is a reminder of the fact that the of- ficial history of World War l has never been completed. Volume I, dealing with the organ- ization of the First Contingent Division and end- ing with the Znd battle of Ypres and other I915 engogenients, appeared some years before the outbreak of World War ll, accompanied by on- other volume of maps. No doubt the outbreak of war in I939 stopped further work on the additional volumes, but there seems to have been o good deal of inexcusable delayI There is no reason why the official history of both wars should not nowbe pushed to conclusion.

__.?_,i___.___ — EDITORIAL NOTES .-

This is the time to have our city foot- paths and crossings cleared in the interests of pedestrians.

i

The King's Accession this date I936, when he succeeded his oldest brother, Edward Vlll, who, surrendering to the dictates of love in pref- erence to the continuance of the-responsibil- ities of a sovereign, abdicated in his favour.

I ‘A’ i‘ ‘A

n- n o

The newly-found enthusiasm for Prohibi- tion enforcement in the City Council seems to have two main objects in view, to prevent un- fair competition with the Government Vendors, and ta increase the City's revenue from offend- ers.

Q

lt is now felt at Liberal headquarters in Ottawa-there‘is no need for rush in filling the vacancy for a member from Halifax. Evident- ly one by-election, that in Quebec, is enough for the party to handle at this critical juncture in the Government's career. Our own Provincial Government, the Liberal Party claim here, suf- fered the consequences of undue haste in the by-election in Summerside. ‘A’ ‘h Q

a I Q

n

A move in the right direction has been tak- en by tha City Council in appointing a com- mittee to work in co-operation with the Pro- vincial Government in the selection of sites for industrial enterprises. The same organization is to be entrusted with the necessary negotia- tions for water supply and public health mat- ters when negotiations are initiated of the ex-

tension of the City's boundaries. This is one of the most important moves undertaken for sometime, as it is all-important that proper

provision should be made for the city's develop-

ment and extension. I

The Department of Veterans Affairs on- nounces that about half of all veterans still un- employed have no occupation or trade. On the other hand, a survey conducted a short time ago reveals that about 3i per cent of all vete'r- ans presently employed are in manufacturing, I7 per cent in trade, finance and insurance, I7 percent in service employment (laundries, gar- ages, etc.), II per cent in agriculture, II per cent in transportation and communication work, nine per cent in construction employment, two

er cent in mining, and two per cent in for- estry, fishing and ‘trapping. * .

A quaint English Christmascustom is the tolling of the "Devil's Knell" at the Parish Church of the Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. Every Christmas Eve for 700 years this ceremony has been performed-only broken by World War ll when, for security reasons, the church bells of Britain were silent. The tenor bell of Dews- bury is tolled once for eolch year since the birth of Christ, and this year the I946 strokes will take about an hour-the final stroke being timed exactly to fall ot the midnight hour. A legend connected with the custom tells how a local baron named Thomas de Soathill, back in the 13th century, killed one of his servants, and to expiata his crime presented the tenor bell to the church with the request that it should be tolled annually. It is soid the inhabitants of Dawsbury of those days believed that the tolling of the bell would keep the devil away from the parish for another year.

i it Q w

Just what effect the reported settlement of the taxation difficulty ‘with Nova Scotia will have on tho pacts already signed with Manitoba and Saskatchewan and New Brunswick ramains in doubt, but it is' stated some of the latter may want their terms made o little more generous and Alberto, not yat signed, may think of addi- tional domonds to moka upon the Federal Fin- onco Minister should ha make concessions to Promiar Mocdonald. Moreover, the series of iconcossions or surrenders that has characterized tho making of now poacitima deals with tho provinces is bound to offoct tho attitude of tho two control provinces, Qiiaboc and Ontario. Lost summar it oppaarod tho ravisad tax offor con- tainod In what will probably bo Mr. llslay's lost budgat was tho maximum to ba olipoctod from tho Dominion, but tlia King ‘administration grow o little approhansivo orarJha probable affect on otlior Provlncas of tho dstorminod stand tolion by tho control rovlncas against tha rovisad offor, and, says, on ttawo corrsspondont, anxious not to lio forced to appaor baforo tho Hausa at tho

...‘Zi'.."'.'.'..'."..li.. Joiitlcoililqi s». m:

naxt union and admit avon portlofdofoot, it has boon forced to softon its position. i

‘l “ER 11.1946

iiotas By Tiia Way

Owing to o carpenters’ - otrllo Hollywood movia studios age my forced to use the same scenery for several films-- as well as the some pier. —F.€lm0nbtm Bulletin.

Drying washed dishes with s towel is unsanitary, according m a friend of’ man; possibly the one who dio- eovered that cigar ashes are bene- ficial to rugs. ~Wlnnlpeg Tribune.

Uudeterred by the prospect of l. BOO-mile tail journey. followed by an additional 600 by road, dozens of optimistic Australians m; settin¢ out from Adelaide. capital of South Australia. for Coolscr Pedy, a re- mote township in central Australia. Opals are the lure. Opals worth lhousands of dollars have been taken at Ooobel" Pedy since last February. The tow-n is bocming and the aborigines, who made the ol-l- glnal strikes. are buying everything in the local stores, whether they Feed it or not. -Vanesuver Prov- rice.

Thlstlao. traditionally favored tidbit of donkeys, have prickly riv- als lnktlrlglxlg rleitles, which have been found to be good rabbit fod- agl", says Science Service. Thoy have to be d/rled, however, before rabbits care to eat them, English rabbit breeders have found. In r0- cent experiment; conducted by W. King Wilson of Harper Adams Agri- eulturaPCollege at Newport, Shrop- shire, rabblis fed on freshly out. nettles foiled to thrive.

Queues that ore unavoidable may be endured without undue lrfllrflllml Apother variety, about which some- thing mlgm; be done. ls caused Ir! persons who expect bulk tellers to makeorut their deposit or withdrew- a1 slips. Manly banks display nvllw asking customers to I111 In llwll’ slips, It ts not or 0118i"; m" l0 5° any part of the duty of tellers, ex- cept. in cases of obvious incapacity. Their patience with others is soma- thlng at which to marvel. But t0 I customer with his dept .lt In order. Standing back of a half-dozen adult! who poke unsorted poles through the wicket unaccompanied by l blank slip, the spectacle isvflwl" a maddening theft of time. -Tor- onto Telefiram.

A glgil of the times Io the increas- ing politeness and “Pefsmallzed service" in many butcher Sll0l>8~ “Personalized service" means f-hll» the tyutcher is willing to out chops off the end of the loin preferred by the shopper, trim excess fat. crack a bone or slice a steak l" individual taste. This sort of treat- ment hasn't been seen for so 10h! a. time that it Is a little bit. startl- 111g at, find. But it is bealnnlne W put a little pleasure into shopplnfl. which has been such drudSBW m" years, and 1S 801118 i0 be Femem" bel-ed when keen wmlfilmml a1‘ 10w; the housewife to pick and choose on“ more, The srrlart trades- man 9,1- ihose who are rel-ml"! m pfQ-_ practices early- —-13°"°"

Post. A sombre sldeiight on the 911W"

of the current housl-ns Pmblem °“ veterans was recently given by P‘

hi t ' t. in charge 0f the men“ vzisyliiygklldrlli division df the New York veterans’ centre. He repfmed

that many mentally ill veteran! might. easily have recovered mg:- out, medical treatment from s hi: from battle experience-s l! they

not. run Into distress and frustrat- ions caused by the houslno sh"!- age at home. Many ail-e 110W 1'9" calving treatment~and some will require it for a considerable i111: for set/backs in mental health tho might, have been prevented by bel- teg living conditions. —T0l'0l‘lw Star.

From the Tower the Kinl PW’ ceeded in ancient. days, acccmpflfl- 15g by his mlnlstrels, in his W‘ splendour barge along the river to westmlnsiel- la open parliament- By this l-lvel- came also W08? Wllv entered ‘Praltol-‘s Gate, an their 185i- journey to the scaffold and the block. Her-e it was that Anne Boleyn and small Jane, “Queen of Nina Days” came to be ‘received’ on the steps by the Constable of the Tower and later, by their bloody deaths. r0 prove how dangerous ii was l0 flaunt Tudor rovcrelgllly- ll"!- 1°0- Sir fllifil‘ Raleigh, salzr, explorer and cet, landed io languish in prison for malny a long year and be inter brounht forth to feel the axe which "cured all diseases". Small wonder that the executioner quail- erl before the sic-tidy gaze of the brave old man. and had to be ailillollisllerl, "Strike. man, sirlka. What dost thou fear?" -Port of London Monthly.

Tho Arab wit] hlo haoldraoo makes a. plclruresque figure, oom- mernts The Si, Thomas Times- Joutrral. Tourists In Arab countries would think him a queer fellow it he vrore o Christie hat or a Bili- mare. ln which headgear he would not look like an Arab at all, and tourists would have no interest in ‘buying one as a souvenir. Probably they buy many Arab headdresoes --or "Kefflyahflias they are coll- ed-ot. a high polco from a native, fondly believing that they are strictly Arab u-uftsmarlohlp. ‘rho! could rnuah more easily, however. buy a beautiful new, clean speci- men in GlaISOvv. The Arabs hova kelflyilho m do of all! or wool. Tho former are or wear when it Ls not, and the latter when cold. Bvau the sami-tooplcnfcmlntrlea nova their cold seasons and cold nights. Thousands of servicemen lXlllll those things from Aruba at. prices which no doubt caused tho notivol iogthlnk tho buyers were "suitors": and they were. But the chief wo- ducors of the warm xelflyom the firm of John man and Limited oiuovir, which has boll making these thing; for about IN

‘i i

PUBLIC FORUM

DAILY MAIL DEMANDED

Sin-We. the members of ‘the Ens: Paint. Women: Institute do hereby condemn th- present sys- tem of delivering rr-zill three time! a week. We have had a daily mall for about thirty yer-rs and now to come to this antiquated method is an insult to the people who re- side in the concnunihes where this mall system is now ln force.

We have been relegated to the background, as In? as roads are concerned. We asked arid pleaded for n permanent road and thev have given us notlrng but g bog that the mail COUTlrI" is unable to get through l-n order to deliver the mail. On this eccorurlt he re- ceived orders to deliver mall on alternate days. This ls adding in- sult to injury to Hie fullest extent of the ward. Residents of this com- munity are desirous of improving their status instead of being pushed into s rut as present. con- ditions indicate.

Inspired by the tl-ought; that its the squalking wheel that gets the grease, we now intend to "squeak plenty" until this matter ls settled to our satisfaction.

We want a datv mail determined to get it.

We are, Sir. etc. FAST POINT WOMEN'S INSTITUTE.

lfld BIC

Does U. S. Went Free Trade‘?

(Toronto Financial Post.)

American observers have been complolplllg that Canada, tho Unit- ed Klngdom and others seam to question the United States conver- sion to freer world trade. They are disappointed in the lack of enthus- iasm which greeted their offers he- fgre the trade conference in Lon- don and at our reluctance to jetti- son Empire Preferences for o new and wider deal. Friendly critics of the American plan for getting world trade moving are sold to refuse “to focus their minds on the present but to insist on talking to the 0.8. as though we (the US.) still hnd the mentality of I930."

Canada with a much greater stake In world trade than the United Slates or almost any other coun- try, will certainly hope that the American tariff “mentality of 1930" has disappeared. But; until there has been some very tnngib'e cvl- dence of this change we can harri- ly be blamed for being cautious.

Ori more than one occasion in the loot half century our whole econ- omy has been disrupted by sudden and staggering jumps in the U. S- torlff. The McKinley. Farrlrley- McCumber and HawIey-Smoot tar- iffs are all remembered in this country as measures which brought ruin to a formerly prosperous trade.

With the party responsible for those levies now In control of both the U.S. Congress and Sensit- Ca- nadlans will keep their fingers crossed until they are convinced the American conversion is going to stick. ‘They will want to be very sure that the Untied States is lust as willing to import as it ls to ax- nort, because successful trade is n two-way business.

Through painful necessity Can- ada has developed alternative out- lets to the great natural market south of our border. We have de- velorcd special exports for Brit- oln and the rest of the Empire and this po-llcy has saved many or’ Oil!‘ industries when Washington slam- mPrI the doors.

We should nrefer to do furl busi- ness with both customers, Ir many lines we have bath cnpacitv and production in do such business Be- fc-re surrendering our advant-"ges In one quarter. however. we want to make sure that the other rloor ls going to be permanently npon- erl.

Fifty per cent tariff cills. Illa limit imdr-r the special power granted thr- American president. won't do much to stimulate trade whore the duty is already fantas- tically prohibitive. And cuts with- aut a completi- chance of the heart in U. S. tariff administration witll be meaningless ‘There are other and more effective ways to check the flow of goods.

Orrllnnry red tape works prettv well in keeping out imports and there are such things or speclnl cost appraisals, quarl-lntlnes and in- spections, The invisible or ivell as visible prohibitive tariffs must a If we are all sincere in the wide:- irlg of world trade.

MULTIPLE CALL SYSTEM LONDON — (UP) '— The Gen- eral Post Office has established o "conference coll system . under which a subscriber in Britain may be connected simultaneously with two or more telephone siiissalbara In tho United States.

The Future of The Automibile (By Bartram Eli-Tote lu ally- fair)