ggysrnnrppn 13. a 1941M

r

PROGRESSIVE)

l.—_ABllllillLTlliiE -

We will immediately proceed to bring about i complete reorganization of the Department of Agri- culture, so this institution of government may be transformed into a province-wide instrument of Agri- cultural Leadership, embracing within its scope of service, for, particular attention, those more remote and hitherto neglected areas of the Province.

ILABORATION OF AGRICULTURE-

(a) in as much as. the present systeii of soil analy- sis has proved impractical, ineffective and of no material value to island farmers in general, we will inaugurate a practical system whereby the soil of every producing farm in the Province, and where deemed advisable, farms now aband- oned, may be tested to determine chemical de- ficiency.

Q) We will provide a "Field Service" that will be adequately competent to recommend and ca- operate with producers in having corrections and recommendations applied in line with discover- ies made through such soil analysis.

s

(c) We will encourage greater production of home grown grain from land thus newly enriched and stimulated, but on on intensive rather than ex- pansive scale, to the and that labor, and other incidental outlay involved, and constituting cost of production, be held to a minimum.

(d) We will encourage a gradual, but sane, increase in livestock production for commercial consump- tion purposes, and as consistently and rapidly as changing circumstances and approaching pros- pect of markets may warrant. By encouraging specialized breeding of high grade animals rep- resenting cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry, and foxes first for foundation breeding stock on our island farms, and then for sale and export to other areas wherever there may originate a demand.

O

le) We will procure and make available to such farmers as may require it, the necessary mach- inery for the drainage and ditching of low-lying land. We will assist the farmer by means of e subsidy on grain, pasture and hay‘fartilizers. The digging and distribution of muscle mud will be given the same careful consideration as was given ‘when the Mathieson Government inaugur- ated it V

2.—-FlSllElilES- -

The fishing industry is of tremendous value ta our provincioLeconomy and holds forth an‘ oppor- tunity for decent livelihood for a large number of our people, when maintained in, and enjoying‘ e healthy state of efficiency. Prices for the past year or more have been deplorably low, while cost of equipment and supplies has soared to illogical levels. The industry must, and will, receive real assistance from the Progressive Conservative party--upon com- ing to power—-not just opportune lip service and

ipromises that vanish over night. There will be e bold,and. vigorous policy odoptEd, that will lead to and include orderly marketing, adequate cold storage

facilities, and the local processing of the product into a variety of forms that will appeal to and find an outlet in the discriminating markets of the world.

3.—lillAllS --

being fully appraised of the important contri- bution Good Roads can make to the econonlc pros- perity of our Province, and equally conscious of the utter inadequacy of the service provided for the post ten years in this respect by the Dlltflfl" _ment of Public Works, the P gresslve Conservative Party will, when elected, comp etely revolutionize the load Policy at the present administration. ~ r We wil introduce and ut into effect a new Road Act at will provide or proper construction of our main highways and bridges throughout the Province,~-including Brighton and the West liver Bridges, as promised by the Honourable John Bracken;

.the resumption of hard surfacing, as condition of . labor and ovolleble supplies, permit, and we will

give immediate. priority attention toward the Improve-

" ment of our se ondary roads, retrieving them from

their present dep oroble condition and, restoring them to a state of proper usage for public transportation and travel.

We will introduce a system of permanent Rodd Petrol that wlll provide efficient road supervision throughout the year, and with sufficient authority to authorise emergency repairs wherever needed, ond until such time or permanent construction can be effected. l

We will incorporate in the duties _of such Reed Patroltha supervision of all lailroad.l.evel Crossings and slrnllerpoints of halord on travelled roads and

' highways ta the effect that all obstructions to vision

shell be removed far a sufficient distance as to ren- der sscli paints free of avoidable danger.

V w. _

sL-EIINSATION -

(a) We recognize the value to the State of o sound-

- ly educated people, and the right of every child to acquire an_Education adequate to meet its adult-age needs. '

b! The Progressive Conservative Party pledges that, upon assuming the responsibilities of gov- ernment again in this Province, we will make such adjustments in our Educational system and practices that our convictions concerning our Educational problems will be satisfied, and every obligation to our children complied with, to the fullest possible extent. J

to) To the end that this may be accomplished, we vigil work in closest harmony and cooperation \

th the Prince Edward island Teachers‘ Fad-‘

eration.

(d) We will offer generous scholarships to students entering the teaching profession, with a view to continuing therein gs a vocation.

(a) We will adjust recent increases in Teachers‘ salaries, so that urbais and rural teachers will benefit on an equitable basis. Discrepancies that have already occurred will be corrected, and further salary increases made, as rapidly as gpportunity occurs. l

(f) We will make provision for special remuiiera- tion increases, to married Teachers under obli- gation to maintain a home and the support of a family, and who have embraced the Teach- ing Profession as a vocation.

(g) We will reintroduce payments to the Teachersf Superannuation Fund.

.(h) We will make an exhaustive study of the merit of introducing "Composite High Schools" into the Province, with special consideration oi the purposes to be served, the original cost, the problem of securing properly qualified teachers and providing the salaries that would be in-' valved.

SCHOOL BOOKS‘

(i) We will maintain our present Provincial School Supply Depot, with instructions to provide all school pupils with supplies at minimum rates.

5.-—WOMEN’S INSTITUTES —

The Wiimen’s Institutes have done a tremendous job in the rural parts of the Province during many years of devoted activity, yet no other subsidiary org- anization has received less tangible assistance from the Province than have these lnstituts.

Recognisiisg this inexcusable inequality of bo- pactmental consideration, the Progressive Conserva- tive Party, upon accession to office,.pledges itself to make adequate correction in this respect.

Furthermore,--if the membership of the institutes throughout the Province desire to become an Autonom- ous Body, with complete control over their own af- fairs, the Progressive Conservative Party is prepared to grant that Corporate Status and will make a gen- erous financial contribution annually to subsidise re- ceipts arising from their own initiative and resource-_ fulness.

E-PIIBLIS NEALTN -

We will continue to give our Public Health and Welfare problems sincerest attention, to the end that homes now afflicted, shall be relieved to the greatest possible extent, and the individual affected, a better opportunity for recovery. qWe will build, a convales- eent ward, or home, for Sanitarium patients, pro- vide an adequate extra mural treatment for pats- ents obliged to return to their homes. Falconwoorl Hospital will be supplied with additional medical ser- vices as requested by the Medical Superintendent. We approve of and will give financial support to a cancer clinic.

n-siinti. ELEGTlllFlliATlllil -

The Progressive Conservative Party is pledged ‘to make provision for Province-wide extension of Rural Electrification, so that electric energy for power and

lighting pttrgosel be made available to every ferns home.

B.—0LB ASE PENSIONS-

The Progressive Conservotli! P_ar introduced Old Age Pensions in Prince Edward ls and and are prepared to pioneer still further in the interest-of our aged (people. When eleated- to,offlee, we will urge that id Age Pensions be granted end paid with- out property lion, and become effective at the age

of sixty-five years.

THE ___GUARDIAN, cnniugrgjigslqwu

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

CONSERVATIVE PARTY PLATFORM

9.—Pil0NlBlTl0N -—

The sole prerogative of purchasing liquor for the Province, shall be withdrawn from the Attorney General, and the administration of the Prohibition Act will be placed in the hands of an independent commission A referendum an the question of liquor administration under its present Prohibition Act will be granted on the demand of a representative num- ber af the electors. v

IlL-FREIBNT RATES — _

We will continue to insist upon the application ot special Railway" freight rates consistent with our economy, and the disadvantages of our geographic location.

1l.-WAll VETERANS and Liens’ ~

Tha Progressive Conservative Party has always been sympathetic towards the cause of labor, and will continue so, following our election to office. At the first session of the Legislature, we will,immedi- ately create o Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Labor that will devote its attention exclusively to the problems of our returned veterans and labourers.

We will institute a properly constituted Court of Adjustment with authority to enquire into all labor disputes arising within the Province, without cost to the participants, and judge thereof according to disclosed facts, and the decision of such a Court shall be final and binding upon all parties concerned. We will not, under any circumstances, align ourselves with powerful Corporations for the suppression of the rights of labor, whether on the street, in the factory, or on the farm.

iz-iiinusriiirs -

(a) We believe it is possible to develop many small and Secondary manufacturing industries within the Province ta a greater extent than has been heretofore attempted. Such development will

s create considerable and expanding opportunity for profitable employment as well as additional source of revenue to the primary producer by the local processing of such products of the farm and the sea, including small fruits, vaga- tables, and lrish Moss, which are now placed on an over loaded market in the raw state, or for which no market is presently available. We will investigate all such possibilities thoroughly and extensively and will take such action as may be iound practicable.

(b) The Progressive Conservative Party when elect- ed to power, will promote and give financial as- sistance to the construction and installation of cold storage facilities in local cheese factories, creameries and airies. ‘

13.——lNiillhlE TAX -

The Progressive Conservative_Party will advocate the substantial reduction of Income Tax Assessment against the‘ earnings of bono fid_e farmers, fisher- men, small tradeib and employees in low wage and salary categories.

We will insist upon the immediate termination of all arbitrary and absolute powers now exercised by the Regional income Tax Office Administrators, and that competent Adjustment Courts shall be es- tablished in lieu thereof to which income Tax di- putes can be referred for unbiased decision, and th t such Courts shall be located so as to be accessible to the taxpayer without undue inconvenien s: and ex- pense. We will furthermore demand this service be made reasonably retrodctive, in order that injustices already imposed, and ostensibly finalized, may be made subject to review and fairer settlement.

lL-Glllll ssnvicc APPOINTMENTS -

Civil Service appointments that may arise or become necessary through occurring vacancies shall be advertised in the public press, and preference shall be-given to applications of qualified War Vet erans.

fin-PROVINCIAL TAXATION -

(a) Taxation for liudgetdry purposes will not ba in-

‘ “ creased, but revenues required for improved pub- lic services will be secured through _sane ex- penditure of public funds.

lb) The Health Tax an liquor and tobacco now en- roneously cotagorled as ordinary revenue will re- vert to, and be expended for, the purposes for which it is levied.

(c) Complete refund of gasoline tax to farmers ond fishermen on gas used for productive purposes will replace tho partial tax allowance under the ptlllllli Liberal Government.

I

(d) We promise that a proper annual accounting

y of all receipts and expenditures for the current

year will be intelligently made and submitted at

the next following session of the Legislature

so that representatives of the various electoral

districts may_be kept adequately informed as

' to the conduct of public affairs during the year under review.

>(e) Abolition of Land and Road Taxes in keeping with‘ the Conservative policy inaugurated in i921 when Land Taxes were reduced 20%. -

LISEREGONSTRIIOTION INVESTMENT -

immediately upon being elected the Government bf Prince Edward island, the Progressive Conserva- tive Party will invoke the cooperation of the Gov- ernments of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in mak- ing joint application to the Dominion Government - for an extra-ordinary Financial grant, spread over a period of years, and to be expanded as Capital in- vestment for the rehabilitation of Prince Edward island, and other Maritime Provinces, and to pro- mote to accomplishment our Fiscal Recovery.

—ELABORATlON—

Iy making provision for,

(a) The elimination of bottlenecks in our inter- provincial transportation systems, assuring easy and speedy access to and exit from our Prov- ince, covaring light and heavy traffic, both rail- way and automotive, and making such ap- prooches reasonably attractive, as befitting their purpose and location, with particular reference to the immediate necessity of an efficient Ferry operating between the western extremity of Prince Edward island and the New Brunswick mainland. -

(b) Providing in whole or in part as per negotiation

- the cost of making direct connection between certain areas of the Province, now separated by water, by the erection of necessary bridging, so that the present excess inland transportation a’ siileage may be reduced to a reasonable mini- r mum, and usage of our main arteries of traffic ' made conveniently available to all sections of the Province.

in Aiding in the development and expansion of our Tourist industry through providing of suitable Hotel and other accommodation rfor Tourist at- 1.1 traction, and the building of proper highways to l and from our National Pork, and other loca- " tions, constituting our main Tourist centres.

(rl) The erection of a one million bushel groin ele- vator with facilltles for unloading from ships into storage, railway cars and motor trucks, so that farmers will be assured of a constant ond cheaper supply of coarse grains being regularly available, to the and that our hog and othc livestock production may be vastly increased and our potential possibilities become a reality.

iiZ-BOMINIBN-PROVINBIAL RELATIONSHIP s

(a) The Progressive Conservative Party of Prlnci L Edward island deplores the unwise and unjusti- fiable surrender of Provincial Autonomy by our; Provincial Government, as exemplified in the oc- ceptance of the Ottawa dictated Dominion-Pra- vinciol Tax Agreement by vote of a Liberal majority in the Provincial Legislature.

Q) Following accession to power of a Progressive Conservative Administration at Ottawa, it shall become a prime duty and foremost responsibil- ' ity of. the Provincial Progressive Conservative Party to successfully urge for a prompt ra-con- vening of the Dominion-Provincial Conference,-

a reconsideration of relationship as now exist- i ing between the Dominion and Provinces, and a i restoration of that measure of Provincial Auton-

omy so wontonly sacrificed by the Provincid Government now in power in Prince Edward island.

(c) We will insist that the Dominion Government render an accounting in full of the Statutory Subsidies unalterabiy due to the Province, and erroneously submerged in the postwar Domin- ion-Provincial Tax Agreement of i947. Should irregularities be found in relation to such sub- sidies, we will demand reimbursement in full,

(d) Furthermore, we will press for more adequate settlement of the claims of the Maritime Prov- inces against the Dominion, for failure to im- plement the terms of Confederation, as recom- mended In the minority report of the late Chief Justice John A. Mothieson, and appended to the findings of the Duncan and White Commis- sions.

Ill.~ iioiisriiioiiiii sovcniiirsiir- . ‘

The Progressive Conservative Party will offer a return to government by constitutional means and pledges itself ithat when elected, the practice of goi- ernrnent by Order in Council shall forthwith cease

lanes-lei! by the Progressive Conservative Party.