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THE GUARDIAN

hlurnlng Dally (Founded in i887) \ulhsir|lr|.l in liswusul Cline Mull, Punt. Office Department, Dsfnvrn. The Inland (lunnilun ullhlllfflllfl Co. Idllor and Managing lllrnrsor. J. ll. Burnett. Ania-lists lklllur, Frlnis Walker. "The Strongest Memory is Weaker Than

the Weakest lnk." CHARLOTTBTOWN. SATURDAY, DEC. 4, 1945-

Tho Highway Ferry

The long agitotoin for an additional ferry steamer to handle motor car and truck traffic between Borden and Tormentine during the summer months has culminated in the presen- tation of a comprehensive brief by the Asso- ciated Boards of Trade of the Province, strongly supported by our federations of farmers and fishermen. This brief should strengthen the hands of both our Provincial Government and Federal representatives in urging Ottawa to be- gin work on the proposed new highway ferry im- mediately. As pointed out in the supplementary arguments accompanying the brief, it is impera- tive that plans be formulated now to provide, not only the steamer but suitable docks at both terminals, before the present construction work ‘a fully completed.

There is no excuse whatever for further de- lay or sidestepping of responsibility on the part iif the Dominion Government with regard to this matter. lt is not a political issue and the Gov- ernment need have no fear of Opposition criti- :ism in implementing a project which has had the explicit indorsation of both the present a-nd immediate past Conservative Party leaders. ln Hon. John Bracken's opinion, voiced in Charlotte- town in i945, this Province is entitled, not only to supplementary ferry service, but to have the increased cost of moving all farm products and other essential freight, by truck or rail, across the Strait reduced to the equivalent cost of land mileage transportation; this as a matter of na- l-ionol policy, on the principal that the water route from Borden to Tormentine is an integral port of our notional highway system.

The present Conservative leader, Colonel Drew, while ln Charlottetown last month, spoke to the same effect, declaring that it was only a fair interpretation of the terms of Con- federation to make provision for the movement of passengers, freight and commodities without additional cost as a result af our separation lrom the mainland.

The some point has ben stressed repeated- ly by Premier Jones in presentations before Do- minion-Provincial conferences, as well as ln a very able brief which he forwarded some months ago to the Minister of Transport. At that time he called attention to a Federal promise given some six years ago, to provide an extra ferry service at the earliest possible time.

Our Trade Boards have scrapped the term "additional ferry" and are stressing the urgent noed of a new "highway ferry." This term is more appropriate, underlining as it does the connection between this service and the Domin- ion Government's trans-Canada highway policy which is to be discussed shortly at Ottawa. This is the opportune time to bring every influence to bear in obtaining this long delayed recogni- tion of our most urgent transportation require- merit.

Nor should our friendly and intimate rela- tions with the other Maritime Provinces be for- gotten at this time. Before the. Ottawa confer- ence meets, it might be possible to have a spec- ial meeting called of the Maritime Boards of Trade for the purpose of indorsing our lslaiid briefs. Both the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Governments and members of Parliament should also be contacted. No stone should be left un- turned to get the widest public sentiment be- hind our representation. Past experience should teach us that no other course is likely ito have any concrete result.

Exchange Control

A St. John's, Newfoundland, contemporary, the Daily News, notes that for more than a year the Canadian Government has maintained a severe control over imports to conserve Ameri- can dollars. Ro:ent relaxation of the restric- tions to allow entry of fresh vegetables has not materially altered the basic situation. A great range of commodities remains on the pro- hibited list and it does not appear to be _gen- orally realized that these prohibitions apply to all counties and not merely to the United States. A still bigger range of goods may be imported only cri quotas and (he result has been to create some measure of scarcity in certain consumer wants which has had the additional consequence cf higher prices for the limited supplies available.

The dangers inherent in a policy of exchange control have been emphasized by Dr. D. B. Marsh, economist of the Royal Bank of Canada, in a recent speech in which he said that "exchange control, cncc it becomes an accepted and per- manent part of o country's international mone- tary mechanism, is one of the most insidious types of government control. Not only .is there an economic ccst in governmental overhead, bad- ly allocated resources and loss of the gains from international specialization and trade, but the power to control imports in a country like Ca- nada is ultimately the power of life and death aver many individual firms and industries. This, together with the obvious limitation of free movement of people and their effects across in- ternational boundaries, becomes a direct threat to political as well as economic liberty." Dr. Marsh added that exchange control was no cure for balance of payment deficits and was "simply an emergency device to gain time so that the fundamental realities might be applied."

The Daily News finds this a matter of "no small interest to Newfoundland which, as a member of the Canadian community, will be de- nied the right of free access to world markets for the first time in her history. This island has today a very‘ substantial favourable trade balance in liar dealings with the United States § Aahudic at hr wills! earnings of Ameri-

can dollars has gone to Canada because we have refrained from establishing our own monetary unit and have preferred-to do our trading in Canadian dollars. So far as can be ascertained no consideration for this U. S. dollar surplus is included in the terms of union and if this should prove to be true, we shall be denied ready in- tercourse with the United States, a country with which we ‘have always enjoyed close Qconomic and social relations. All we can do, it would ap- pear, is hope that some arrangement will be reached between Ottawa and Washington that will put an end to the artificial barriers to trade and travel within the very near future."

tDllURlAl. NUIES

Tomorrow, 2nd. Sunday in Advent.

Thomas Carlyle, philosopher anrl author, born this date i795. He never learned to suf- fer fools gladly. *

Viscount Templewood, former Conservative air minister in London, urges the formation of an international air force to strike against "any attempted Russian advance" in Europe. This is in line with President Truman's policy, and Prime Minister St. Laurent is in line with both.

I O l’

The Community Chest plan saves duplica- tion of effort on the part of busy canvassers. lf adopted, it must be so organized and inspired that its one big campaign nets as much as all the separate drives it is intended to replace.

i it i

Socialists would be the first to deny that Argentina and Portugal are Socialist states, yet both these countries have nationalized the rail- ways and are looking for new fields for gov- ernment enterprise. There are essentially only two political philosophies today. Either the

U ¥ U-

As with the weather, most people content themselves with talking about Communism. Now 32 member unéons of the Trades and Labour Congress are going to do something about it. Led by Mr. Frank Hall the unions plan to drive the Communists from the ranks of organized labour.

I I Q

Warren Cottrelle who was for a brief but inglorious time in business here as a bond broker has met his Waterloo in Saint John, N. B., plead- ing guilty to two charges of violating provis- ions of the New Brunswick Security Frauds Pre- vention Act and fined $500. An optional four- month jail term was imposed in the event of non-payment of the fine‘.

‘I

Efforts to ge't out the vote reached a new low in Kelowna, B. C., where voters in a provin- cial by-election were urged to go to the polls in the hope of winning a lottery. The problem of the non-voter is notmerely a headache to politicians, it is one of the more direct threats to the survival of dfmocrokcy.

The Boards of Trade a-re getting into their old-time stride of leading in agitations for public reform and improvements. They got be- hind the proposed new public building project, the town and rural planning scheme, the Car Ferry service, and now the auto meter and com- munity chest proposals'are to engage their at- tention.

fi fl i

From civil service to Parliament seems to be the way to get on politically. General Mac- Naughton attempted to lead the way, followed by Mr. L. B. Pearson. Now Dr. Arthur Beau- chesna, Clerk of the House, retiring at seventy- two i-s following suit as candidate for Ottawa East. Dr. Beauchesne ran twice as a Conserva- tive candidate years ago, once for Ottawa, once for Quebec's Legislature, and was defeated both times.

fi i i i

It is understood contributo-r pension fund legislation at 65 is to be introduced at the forth- coming session of Parliament, which would call for contributions to the pension fund by the Do- minion, the provinces and the individual. The individual's share would be collected along with income tax payments. lt is not said at what age the individual would have to start paying into the fund or when the pensions would b: collectabl-e. lt is believ_od that the individual's contribution would be less than the cost of most insurance retirement policies. Major political parties at national conventions lost summer went on record in favor of contributory old age pension plans that would provide security for everyone 65 and over.

Five years ago on December 5, i943, troops of the First Canadian Division in ltaly began their offensive across the Moro River in the drive ta Ortona and engaged in what Major- General Chris Vskes, then commanding the di- vision, described as "the most intensive fig-lit- ing that tho Canadians had yet engaged in." On December 5, the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment attacked across the mou of the Moro and, despite counter-attacks by enemy infantry and armour, managed to gain a foot- hold on the high ground of the north bank to which they clung precariously. Farther up river, on the extreme left, the P-PCLl descended to the river bod at midnight and, without the assist- ance of artillery, scaled the opposite bank and seized the hamlet of Villa Rootti. Despite the mounting violence of enemy counter-attacks, the Pats and a squadron of the 44th. Royal Tank Regiment somehow managed to hold on to their prim. In the meantime, the Seaforth Highland- ers of Canada had moved two companies across the river opposite San Leonardo, one of which fought its way up a gully on the far bank and held its ground against a strong attack by enemy tanks. From Dec. 6 to the 10th., the Can- adians improved their positions and fought off enemy counter-attacks. Then, on the mornln of the 10th, the Edmontons broke out of the oa- forth positions at San Leonardo and drove straight along the road leading to the lmrdi crossroads and Ortona. The battle for Ortona had begun.

l THlNK WE'LL

TAKE 1T,’

LQQLWQWGWQQQ Old Charlottetown (And r. B. s.)

SELKIBK 0N LAND CLEARANCE

"August. 15, 1803. 1n (lie road from Vernon River. I passed a piece of land accldenily burnt a few months ago, 1n the spring or be- ginning of summer. This frequent- ly happens at that. time. from the spreading of the fires made by the settlers in clearing, or mziny other accidents. In autumn there is loo much moisture and the fire will not spread; it. rims along the ground, and burns up llh.“ dead wood, leaves and bushes; (he large trees are scorched, but retain their leaves. hut next your gel none and die. Laird (James Laird. an Em- pire Loyalist with whom Selkirk was favorably impressed) said that ln a yea? or two the raspberry bushes and other uriderwoorl be- gin to get up and grow so thick as to choke every other growth, and by degrees young wood gels very thick arid renders the woods use- less as to pasture.

"Near Charlotte Town. and at many other places. I aftcQwarcls saw instances of old burnt. woods grown up lii this way into a thicket. more impervious than the original woods and the deed slumps rising over. Laird thinks that. lf the ground immediately after the fire was sown with clover the grass would keep down (lie brush wood and the cattle being attracted from ell sides would bring it to an ex- cellent pasfure. and keep ii. clear, and that. in this "way land might be cleared fully as well as by glrdllng. »~t.hcre would, however, bc the same inconvenience as iii girdled land. that posturing stock would be exposed to accidents from the falling branclies._

e00

"Eveii independent o! grass seeds it appears to me. that. firc might be made u useful instrument of improvement. Whore tlie land has been burnt, 6, 8 or 10 yours ago, the old slumps appear llS if they were ready for rooting out, and by the help of tlio long lover of the stems may bc- got up ouster than (he stumps of chopped wood; iii-.- young growth too tliiil has conic up is not so liirge us to liiivc roots of much flilSlillllC)’, and inlglit be grabbed out, OI‘ perhaps burnt. ugalii and iii two or three yezirs would conio out with grout ease. ln this way these oltl burnt. lands wlllll 111311111115 be sooner brought into complete cultivation than any others. 0r 1f cultivation were not tliourght ndvisabli", tlicre could be iio rlriiigci‘ oii such (wit-r- liuriii land from tlin falling lirniirlios, aiirl flit‘ land by close piisliiririg would in some ybiirs (‘Ul\1pl(‘l('l_\' ('l(‘fll‘ ll- self.

"it. Is admitted flint close pastur- lflE. especially with sheep, will ef- lF-‘Cl-"lllly kooyr down wood, yr-t l see marry places in the Island. formerly cultlirnted, now growing up into young wood; but this ls be. cause tho fences are neglected. Cat- tle that are allowed fherringe of the wooils are eager only after the grass, but if they were confined to a spot they would browse every- l-lllnl. To make a (rial of this fiery principle of improvement. I have directed ri out to be mode through "IQ woods (for stopping tlie com- niunlcatlon of the fire) and to cut off‘ about. 100 or 150 acres on Pt. Prlni to be burnt and pastured.

"Oct. I804: This has not been done from apprehension that the communication of the fire could not be "wit"! with sufficient certainty and 1f the flre should have spread l1 mllht have done u great injury to the buildings. &o., of the ad. joining settlers. l-led the neigh- bourhood been unlettled the experi- ment mllht have been made.

"Much of this 1s spruce wood. which iiu very only roots, and will (I un told) grub 1n 3 or 4 years afterwards. Spruce generally grows on poor land. but here the land poems to be good. and the

spruce prevails only because of use

DELAYED ACTION

(Demand for the artificial teeth attached to denial plates 1s stated to be tlve Umes what. 1t. was before Britain's National Health Act came lrita force, and factories making them are said to be "weeks behind with their orders").

Hark! As of waves that, break

upon the strand.

long, dull roar of ocean's

foam-crowned rollers,

There ls a sound of chomping ln the land.

The endless gnasblng of replenish- ed molars.

Whence comes this known before?

Who filled the gaps. by time and chance created?

It. 1s. it 1s the opening dental roar

From Britain's bulldog breed with Jaws replated!

But, all ls not yet. well wtthln the State:

Mouth-joy ls incomplete and slight- ly fractured

For there are those who still must stand and watt

For teeth alas! as yet unmann- lectured.

W111 there be ctvll war. a thing se- cursed- I

‘Twlxt those. quick off the mark tn such adventures.

who got their National Health Act teeth in ftrst.

And those who have tn queue for Raven's dentures?

—Luolo 1n the Manchester Guardian.

The Age-UIiIStory l

D

I will cry unto God most high, unto God, that. performeth all things for me.

m, N0 roars!

The

tumult. never

Swordfish have no teeth but de- pend on their swords to slash their prey. exposed situation killing the other ivoods.

“Laird alleges that all trees die outright when girdled, and that the contrary is owing to its being im- perfectly done. l think he in ln the right. for I examined sewers-l

frees that. lied been girdled and.

still retained leaves (particularly maples) and I always found some corner of bark that. had escaped and kept up the communication. Girrlllng is not in general practice in the Island for cleaning but I see 1t occasionally done to trees beside roads."

—Lorcl Selklrkh Diary. The dates above given (August. 15, 1803 and Oct. 1804) are confusing, but the explanation is that. Selkirk left the Island in September, ‘.1803, and after on extensive tour on the continent, returned at.’ the end of the some month tho following year.

' -I~3\Qi

vueuc FORUM l

This column is open to the discussion by eorrespondento of , ' of u. “ The Guardian does not. neeessii 11y endorse the opinion of w. l espondents.

lf¢>oo¢>ooeooaoo¢>oo<s run sombre vacancy

Sir. - In your Publlc Forum of November 29th appears another letter giving the reasons ivliy the Senator to replace the vacancy created by the passing of the late Senator McDonald should be a resident elector of King's County. and stating that. the lion. J. P. lifclnuvres name was not. on the Domliiluu voters’ 11st. for Klngs, but. was on the 11st for Queen's in every Federal election since he ivas twenty-one years of age. This is not correct, as there were no voters‘ lists when Mr. McIntyre was a young man.

But assuming this to be correct, your correspondent should also have stated that Hon. J. P. Mc- lrilyre has both a franchise and a property vote in King's County all down through the years. Why your correspondent. picked on one franchise and left our; the other. can easily be seen. Legally. 11 Mr. McIntyre ivished. his name could be placed on the voters’ ‘list for King's. as he has a residence 1n ll. Thus SO11 506 "Eflclldfi" 51g“. merit does not comply with the law. lt. ls up to Mr. McIntyre w choose

his residence and 1f he prefers,

Queen's for voting Purposes, what can be sold about 1t?

Mk. McIntyre nominated bwlce in King's as a Federal Liberal nominee and if successful he would have chosen King's and his namé would have been on the voters’ list. This knocks the props from under Euclld's argument.

Mr- 1-. Douglas. M. n. 1s practically 1n the same position as for as the Federal voters’ 11st is concerned; when he was nomjngt- ed for Queen's it was natural may lie would want to vote 1n his County. I see in the some issue of The Guardian that. Mr. Douglas is sixty-seven years of axe. 'l‘lits would Just leave hlm on the correct side of the blue line. m; enjoys the best of health. botli mentally and physically, and 15 respected an both sides of the House: a quiet unassuming gentle- man. with hatred towards no per- son. and fully qualified to repre- sent the Province 1n that august. body.

“Euclld" is llOW following the "line" that should have been followed a few years ago when e11 well established precedents were shattered by the resident Federal Member for King's, which 1e now lllslwtv- "As ye sow. o0 Sllflll ye reap."

As I have slated before. tho four Senators can be appointed from any one of the three Counties or. 1f the Prime Minister wishes. all from Savage Harbour.

I find Euclid died at Alexandria, 300 3.0.. at the age of seventy- lwo. r am. sir. era,

BLACKSTONE

J. P. Maeltlsrglpson d: Sou man's consume

srooii m oiisioiii liIIL'l'

- qualify.

The High Cost of Living

Its Cause and Remedy

l. THE GOVERNMENTS SEARCH FOR ASCAPE GOAT B! l. L. B. Williamson, M. B. l,

Ten years ago a Canadian dollar would buy fourteen onfl y quarters loaves ‘of bread of standard weight and quality. Today j; buy only geven and one half loaves of the some weight and quail“ Ten yearn ago our dollar would buy a yard of good woollen cmhll’. today 1t. will buy less than an half-yard of woollen material of the ‘m;

On the average. the Canadian dollar today will buy less thong thirds the amount of essential consumer goods that it bought be!“ the war: in more technical terms. the cost. of llvln: index i; up“? 159.6 or 59.6% higher than before the war. In the business world tho dollar will buy approximately one-halt of the goods that ti. bought in‘ fore the war-in technical terms. the wholesale price index 1s up m 3917' or more than double what 1t was ten years ago. 1

2. Who suffers?

Such conditions as these introduce serious stresses and sci-sly“ the whole economy and create a multitude of inequities before q 5:‘ anced adjustment ls restored. The question which 1s urgenily pm!‘ ' upon Canadians 1n all walks of life ts this: What has happened ‘y? everything costs nearly twice es much as it d1di~what has hapuml that our dollar will now buy no more than .600 bought a few yea" ‘m