i ionesBudgetCamoufiaging

‘smut; 19. 1931

For Your Home,

Furnishing Needs...» CALL

THE_‘(_I_I_IARLOTTETOV_VN_ catamaran

cFARLAN E B

‘I565.

I illr. Strong Scores “Foggy”

Pre- Election

Preparations

"puffed in-the Canadian Press,

A Budget speech "wrapped in a ‘he “id m; budget w‘ ram-db

financial fog" and bearing all the earmarks of s pre-electlon cam- paign appeal. was scored In the Legislature on Tuesday by Mr. Heath Stronl- K0. Fourth Dis- trict of Prince, Who charged that the Province under the Jones Government was being financed by the liquor business and pre- (‘liCled that the estimated $600.- uot) surplus on oi'dinary_ account would “fade away" before the Treasurer could produce it.

Mr. Strong was speaking in the Budget debate.

"We have heard from three lilvlItbDlS of the Government, but the Premier has not yet entered ‘Yin debate," Mr. Strong said. "Things halve been changed in this House slnct the advent of the Joncs Government. Formerly it was the rule for the Premier to deliver the Budget speech. as he was always the Provincial ‘Fri-zisuri-r. I have no fault to find

able because it included a sum 0f $390,000 for ‘debt retirement.’ ‘Phat is s nice-sounding wormbut. it is commonly called sinking fund. Yul! would think he was 80108 1° flllllly some of the sur- lllus to the reduction of public debt, but. he has no intention of (W08 that. A reduction of the public debt of this Province is a long time overdue,and it ls about time that he made some start.

"What is my lion. friend going to do with the £10,000 surplus he “its he is going to have at the end of March i048? I-Ie has not said. I don't believe he ever imagines that he is going to have that amount, It is going to fade out. and he knows it."

Mr. Strong pointed out that certain ltcliiS had been put into Cflitltal account that did not pro- perly belong there. They included

urlh the present Provincial Trea- surrr delivering the Budget, but 1‘ think the Premier should not ienie his speech until the last. as lu- did at the last session. It cites the members no chance to lonrn what the policies of his department are. or the policies of the Government so far as he is entice-mod."

Answering some comments by the Prcmlcr at the last session. Mr. Strong said he had no am- hitinn to become Attorney Gen- mil. as suggested. "I have no lilllbliiflfl to handle justice on the rue side and liquor on the other." izr said. .

Premier Jones: "You couldn't iinudic‘ llqiior. ooiild you?"

.\'Ir Strong: "I don't want to <1.» lt. anyway." The Treasurer, he continued. had argued that i-rdinary account was the only thing flint nicnnt anything in pro- iwicliil flitnnsiittz.

Mr. l-luglics: "I don't recall hav- tnc said that."

Dr. MncMillan: you said."

“That is what

Financial Fog

Mr. Strong: "Perhaps my hon. friend has forgotten. but it seems t. me that in his Budget spcctti he carried that theory out. Ho soriiied to encircle his speech with ‘ nun-r or lcss financial fog. As

slants. Mitiltltlsis. DEATHS 50c Per Insertion

BIRTHS

DltWAlt-At Kings County llospi- lal. Montague, on April i4, 194T, tq Mr. and Mrs. Jnmcs Dc-ivar. a daughter, Judith ilale. ii lbs. i\l-\It'i‘lN—A-t 'l.‘riiil. British Colum- bm. on Peb. 15th i947 to Mr. and Airs. L.J. Martin (nee Vivien I. ilacrlachern) formerly of Char- lottetown a daughter. KENNI-JDIrZ-At the Prince lid- ward Island liospilal on April l8, to My. and Mrs. Guy Kennedy, Winsloe, a daughter. 9 lbs.. 8 oz. MULLIGAN - At the Prince Coun- iy Hospital 0n April 4. 1047, to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Mulligan. Kin- kura (nae Roma Curler) s son. Joseph Austin,

MARRIAGES

SCOTT - SINNOTTP-At All Saints Church, Vaiidergrift. Pa. by t-lw ltev. Fatiliei- 3.1’. Sicrocki. on April t-Lh. 1047, Agnasjiiia Siiiiiott form- triy of Charlottetown. P.E.l. to Al-

lan Freiiace Scott of lluittsvilie.‘ (llil.

IIZTATIIS is .-=i L t-uahaiiiooo", otherwo- on lhursday. ivinrr-‘J 27th. NITS-

Josrph Keefe tiicc Mary Wickiuln of Sunznicrside) iii her Mill YBDF Funeral was held from Sacred Heart Church. Saturday, where a lolotiiii High Masp of Rfillliem w“ cicbrated.

.\laclIONALI) At Dorchcslvl- .\lass.. April i6. 1947. Mrs. John MacDonald, (Amy) dfllllhlel‘ 0! ‘he late Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Cflrlsll, kr-ppzcli. o ‘

.\L'LD—At Kingston on Thurs- till)’. April l7. Mrs. Bert mud in her 76th year. Funeral on Sun- day; short service at the MM" Loan Funeral Home at i (roles-K- {lien to Clyde River Presbyterian Church for service at 2 o'cl00k~ interment Clyde River Cemetery.

DARD 0F TNANNS

Mr. and ma. A. I. Calder sill Donna wish to thank sll_ their friends and nelg hers for any nets of kindness ring 1110i!‘ 1'9 i bcrcavcment.

N. D. ill-dean

UNDERTAKEI

mums!

Charlottetown and _ North Wlihhlra

Plums l“

, Government

new machinery, $l52,000; may- tonal training. $56,000; fisher- mens loans. $30,000. a 10131 n1

$278,000. to be deducted from the estimated surplus on ordinary ac- count.

He‘ went on to refer to I-Ion. Mr. Barbour's statement that the

net provincial debt was now something over eleven million dollars. \

Premier's Correction

Prvmier Jones said he wished to correct the statement of the Minister of Public works. That was the dcbt as of Feb. 28. "If you got the figures now you would know that it was half s million loss." he added.

Mr. Strong: "So the Minister of Public Works does not know what hi‘ lS talking about."

Premier Jones: "He was talk- inc about Feb. 28."

Mr. Strong: “He statements. does he?"

Premier Jones: "Newspaper statements; tliings change pretty fast. I am givinit you the change."

Mr. Strong said the Minister of Public Works had also argued that tiiere wcrc no nowiaxos, Yet lilf‘ House liad just put through a 3 cents gasoline tax that this Province had never collected be- lorc.

Premier Jones;

take! my

"The Dominion gave it to us."

Dr. IVIacMlllaii: "And you col- lected it illegally for two nr three day-"s."

Mr. Strong showed that in 1947 the not increase in liabilities was $248,786. In 1946 it was $745,435. In 19-13. 0.352815: or a total nf $1,547,000 in thrcc vrnrs. In 1944. (TYWPFlIlE n l5 months vim-ind. there was a surplus of $178,768. Silh- tractitig that from tho debt left a liability increase by the Jones Government of 51.368268, The in. forest on thr debt amounts to 5457.000. or one-fifth of the $2.- lO0.000 lo be received under the r-cw Dominion Government, agron- mcnt. “Ncxt your. on March 3i, i948. my lion. friend intends to increase the liabilities to thctuna of some $l.500.000. That is what tilt- net increase will be."

Analyzing the Government's re- venue sources. Mr. Strong found that it had profited to the extent of 3598.000 from liquor sales. plus $171,000 health tax on liquor and $00000 tax on tobacco. From gas- oline taxcs they received $594,000 and from motor vehicle taxes $197,000: or a total of $1,043,000 from liquor, tobacco. Iiisnline and motor vehicles.

Financed By Liquor

"That is where it. comes from. 'i‘he liquor lrafflr is ireepingltqe Province going. If they didn't have $508,000 profits from liquor lust ycrir. my hon. friend would be in tho red half a million (301- lars. He has been financed by the liquor business in this Pro-

‘ull- IIALO I. BUII

The death occurred on Sunday, March 23rd. i947, at her home in Lower Freetown after m illness of two weeks with pneumonia. Mrs. Isaac G. Hum-s in the seventy- thlrd year of her age,

She was formerly Margaret Mac-

filillyfll. (lauillite: of the late Mr. |aiid Mrs pziveroals and was very highly ra-

Cliarlas Macfadygn of

spectcd.

She was a model mother. a true friend a.nd a stood neighbor.

Her true christian chat-acts: was manifested. not only in hei- walk and uqlivsrsaiion in this world. nut also in hei- unfailing trust in her Redeemer, and in hei- triumphant nssslnl into tho world beyond,

The funeral took elm on Tues- oiy, Illfflh as and was nominated by tier pistol‘. the Rev. J.i-i. Bish- op of the Church of Scotland. Bur- hi was In 0gp, ‘Prayers: cemetery. boslds her hurbsnd who predeceas- ad ssvsrsl yssrs ago.

She leaves to mourn one sun. Ralph Sutherland. on the home- stead. and two daughters. Anna, Mrs Russell MacDousail of Pair- vlow and Marlon. Mrs. William Small of S-skatchewan: also a ris- tsr. Mrs J Mackay of l C. W0 brother. Mr. y-inisy Maoladyen, Rlvcrdsls. and Mr. Daniel Macmi- yan of High Pnzlrle, Alberta, to all of whom sincere symitlllly ll Iltlflfll.

vince. That is what this qqy- ernment is being financed by_ like all other Governments In Canada today."

Resuming the debate on Wed- tier-day evening, Mr. Strong quot- ed for estimates for the current Yell‘, which involved an expendit- ll" of 85581000 ‘less $320000 linking fund. Subtracting ordin- "Y and capital revenue from ex- Denditures. there would be a neg increase in liabilities at the end “o! MBKCII 31, 194B, of $767,964.

Adding this to the liabilities in- flirted in the past four years‘ and we have $3,136,000 of debt in- crease by the JonesCovernmant, H! 0f March 3i, 1948."

3° Weill 0n to show how liquor revenue ha! increased since 195, the last year" of the MacMillan Government. when 1t was szaa-is a5, Ciimfmfed with] $598,000 last year. -

Hon. J. A. Campbell: "That is 800d business."

MP- 5410081 "You are quite sat- titled?" '

Mr, Ca-mlpbell: "Yes."

M15 151F008! "How long does my hon. friend think the people of this Province can stand the drain of that money going to the dis- till"! find breweries in other Provinces? 'My hon. friend him- self has seen the long list of liq. uor flrms that sold to this Gov- ernment last year. from different parts of the world. All that "Wiley l! going out of this Pro- vince. It could be used here to buy boots and shoes and] farm implements and many other things. Instead of that it is drain- ed away."

I-Ion. Mr. Hughes: “Would you be in favor of starting a brewery here?"

Mr. MacKenzie: “Are you ,con- sidering it?"

Mr. Strong: "I understand that the loader of the Government had some idea of starting, not a brewery but a factory of some kind for making alcohol. I would not be ln favor of it at all, rind I am not in favor of the present large amount that is being spent 0n liquor in this Province. I don't think they can afford it. My lion. friend from Charlotte- town says. ‘Look at the records of the Police Court, how they have gone down last month; that shows we are enforcing the Act.’ This Prohibition‘, Act is nothing more than a Joke zit tlir present time. It is not a Prohibition Act at all, or you wouldn't be making

half a million dollars revenue from it." ' Hon. Mr. Prowsc: "There were

o lot of sick people last year."

Mr. Strong: "This must be the sickest Province in the Dominion of Canada." '

Hon. Mr. Campbell: “There is n heifer class of people drinking liquor now titan there was."

Ml‘. Stroua: "You mean that they have learned iioiv to drink? That you have taught them? Phat sI-nce this Government came iiito power they have been educated to drink more 0602a?"

Ml‘. Campbell.‘ “They don't tlrinle moonshine llD\\’_" ‘ y Mr. Strong: "My lion. friend had {hotter come up to Prince County The lioii. member from Charlotte- town (Hon. Mr. Prowsv) prutliCiS that there will be a decrease in liquor consumption. but I sec the estimates for next year from liquor are stlll at $500,000. That is the estimate I suppose they are sl, hoping it may go over."

Mr. Prowsc: “The estimates may be a little out, you kno~w_"

Mr. Strong: "I am glad to hear my hon. friend admit that. Tiiat is what I an: trying to loll the meni- bsrs of this House. They arc like- ly all out, and that surplus may fade away before next March."

He went on to condemn the sale of liquor under Prohibition ct Amendment.

Premier Jones: do with i-t?"

Mr. Strong: “I am glad lo hear we are coming in!" (laughter). “When we get there we will have to give the people such tcmper~ aiice legislation as wo sea fit to give them." He went on to say that what the Mopia were no-w look- ing for was relief from burden- some taxes. "You would think to noar the Provincia}, Treasurer that the people were tii rstZ-ng for lax-cs Tliat is all they are getting from this Government, and he scams

tho

"What will you

quite satisfied."

Hcci. Mr. Campbell: "They are able t0 pay them now."

Mr. Strong: "You heard your

colleague sitting beside you com- plain that prices were going up and he expected by i848 that t'iere would he ii crash. I don't say ii will be next year, but that rs Just what is bound to happen. Pinces will go up tlil the people country can't buy the merchandise. That is what brings on a depres- sion. Taxation relief at the nrossnt time is absolutely essential.

Gasoline Taxes

“If the Government was fully satisfied with the aiireemeut- it mode at Ottawa, Wily did they ini- posa a 3 cant: extra provincial 5H8 tax?" Mr_ Strong demanded. Que- bec farmers using lanolin! in lnalr cars in the course of their work will get. a refund of .11 oants a gallon st the year's end. No others an exempt. But what do wo do’! we a s putting a three cents tax on e ery user of gasoline in the Province. whether or not they are farmers or fisherman.

"In Manitoba ihcre was s 7 cor-l tax for the Province and 3 for tnc Dominion. The Province now nas taken over 2 of the former 3 will! tax. making a total of 9 vents ll gallon on all users except farmers and fishermen. Saskatchewan has imposed s I cents extra provincial tax; I don't know what it former- ly was. In Alberta too all "users except farmers pay I cents s sal- lpn; that! I. Ink tax which tl-

Ma

of thfi

laces the Dominion 3 cent tax lzi-l

sen absorbed in tbs case of agri- cultural users."

Hon. Mr‘ Barbour: “What did Nov; Scotia and New Brunswick do?’

Mr. Strong: “They are Liberal provinces; they raised the taxes." wil)’, he liked. should this Pray- ince have to be “in line" with the other Maritime Provinces in liav- in; the highest, gasoline taxes .n Canada? "If Nova Scott; and New Brunswick told the Premier to put on 10 cents more, would he follow them? l-Ias he got to do everything they do? Surely he can stand on his own feet. At least the Govern- ment of this Province should have given exemption to the farmers and fishermen. of that 3 cents tax."

In Ontario. he continued, road users are the only persons to whom the 11 cents gasoline tax is appli- cable. Motor boat owners. airpllinfi users and farmers ‘are exempt. He cited other figures in this connec- tion from the Montreal Gazette.

Ha went on to show how personal income taxes, corporation taxes, succession duties. and excess prof- its taxes have increased in Prince Edward Island since i942 as shown by a return tabled in tlie House ct Commons. (The figures were pub- lished recently in The Guardian). These taxes together with Federal gasoline taxes for the same period. totalled $12,510,000‘ “This Prov- ince got back under the 194i tax agreement the sum of $5,875,000, or about $7,000,000 less than we paid in." .

Hon. Mr. Wright: “That was our share of carrying on the war." Mr. Strong: “If the Government at Ottawa had not been so ex- travagant you migiit have got up

and said that. but they were spending money with a lavish hand."

He went on to quote from a

newspaper article by Mr, Gralia-‘ii Roger-S, to whom he referred as “the head of my hon. friend's uro- pagacida ministry." The statemiml showed that this Province pays at. least $10,000,000 a year in taxes, direct and indirect, and in Ire-silt on goods; or over $100 f‘)? 9WD’ man. woman and child-

Mr_ Brackoifs Statement

Mr. Bracken had been chargid with saying this Province received too much under the Ottawa agree- ment, Mr. Strong continued. H8 refuted this statement by quoting Mr. Brackeifs word-s in Hunsard. whim were to‘ t-lie effect tuut Prime Edward Island revolved luf- moet per cupi-ia, but that “nobody criticises that very mucii because it. is a small Province."

i-Ie also quoted Premier JOIN; statements at the plenary sessions of the Dominion-Provincial Con- ference, ill iviiicii the Premier i SlIOWOKi that this Province was not

fairly treated as compared Wll.'l

Saskatchewan. and that. we io-

quircd for a propci‘ Government ‘programme an annual rcverlllfl t"! $5,323,000. ‘

Mr. Strong noted that there is no specific anibunt set down)“ tho estimates for rcfiimlfll hi5“ schools. In his budget presented int the Dominion Conference tile ‘I-‘rrmici- said the operating costs rilonr‘ of regional high schools would ‘Jo $300,909- mid mmspmil" ation of Pupils 355-000: To ‘mud them the capital expenditure would be 53-39490“- ‘m m“ '5 set down in this year's estimates is “a sum sufficient." _

Mr. Strong suggested that one good place to start the program would be in the Town of Ken- Sirilzttfnliarbour: "Do Y0" 1mm‘ we can reduce taxes and Pill °" these improvements at the We" sent time?"

Mr. Strong: “You told 11B "115 tax agreement was SW11 8 Brlllid affair, I mourn: you could build anything at all. You are budget- ing for a surplus."

Mr. Barbour: “We them. Surf!"

Mr. Strong: "I Bill Kidd t" he“ n. But you told the iweule Y9" wouldn't have to tax them under this agreement." _

Mr. Hughes: "It is like the old | fellows flue,—-lt'5 plumb and.‘ three inches over." {

Mr. Strong recalled that in tfiei Liberal election platform of 1943 ,the people were promised that icleclriclty to all veils of ti" teounti-y would be "Ireatiy "Pt ‘tended!’ Nothllli has it" done, and in this year's estimates; there is not one cent for rura. clectrificntlflll-

can build

Mt. Pleasant Lino

I-ie asked what the Govafll’ mom's intentions were with ra- qmi to taking over the Mount iPieasant line. “Are you solos l" ‘buy it?"

Mr. Barbour; "Yos."

Mr. Strong: “Wlltf-m?"

Mr. Barbour: “As soon as we can."

Mr. strong: "Where sra Y0“ If" ing to get the light?" _

Mn-Barboui‘: "I think in Sum- mcrside." .

Mr. Strong: "Where is the alt- idfIRlE for that?"

Mr. Barbour: "We have llllh‘ urlly to spend 03.591901 Mr, Strong: "Under Whllt 11981‘ Inn?" I a n

Premier Jones: ‘Power,

up, 54mm; "There is nothing in your bill about power. not I thing."

Premier Jones: "i-Iow mush would n cost to buy that tin."

Mr. Strong: "I have no ides. The win- Assets Corporation own it now."

Premier Joni-s: "We should Ill it at I psi-cont."

Mr. Strong: "You should let it cheap. because It is no seed t» the Government at all."

been '~ for that highway,

Mr. Strong: "Well, you can put on a few hrscos. You bad better take the line. I wonder if my hon. friend can give us any in- formation now about the elec- tlon."

Premier Jones: "We don't have‘ to so to the country until Juno 1940."

Mr. Sirens: "I am fully aware of it. but I don't think anyone W001i! wait that long. This Bud; get looks very much as if my hon, friends had election ideas."

Mr. Barbour: “It must be 1 good Budget."

Mr. Strong: "A-fter listening to the Provincial Treasurer when he dealt with the surplus he antici- pated on current account, and his supportershammering their desks, I decided risht away that this is an election Budget."

Mr- Strong took issue with Mr. Prowss on his argument that cor- poration income taxes were taken ofl‘ merchants‘ profits and not passed along to the consumer. He cited the heavy taxes paid to the Dominion by local theatres, elec- tric light plants. and other bluf- nessss.

Liberal Question Answered

“My hon. friends say, vnliat would you do about this agree- ment?" Mr. Strong continued. “I say this, that the bargain was forced upon us and we had to take what we could get, because uf our necessities. If the Island's case had been presented differ- ellfilli. no doubt special consider- ation could have been obtained for our special claims. But when we could not get special consid- eration the only thing to do was to leave the door rijar, and we attempted to keep the door open bv the resolution we presented to this House. But the Government members voted it down!"

Premier Jonas: more are wanted."

Mr. Strong: "Tell us what they do in the winter."

Mn Barbour: "W0 have lot; of

work."

Mr. Francis: "Building good roads is a highly technical profes- s on."

Mr. Strong: “You can't build roads in the winter time." Ha went on to criticise the use of govern- ment suowplows in clearing streets in Charlottetown.