0 THE FARMERS

OF P.E.i. -

The undersigned. as Producer Members of the F. E. 1. Potato Mar-

Board desire to 'n(tetittTi:ients made in the

certain three

state our position with respect to public press over the signature of

Date; Members of our Board:

1.

Neither the Potato Board nor its Chairman was responsible for or had anything to do officially respecting the questions on the Ballot used for the Pleblscits last spring.

The proposed marketing plan of the Potato Board is not a one man plan. It is a policy based ongthe principle that only by establishing uniform costs for our potatoes when selling them to the trade is it possible to maintain any degree of uniform- ity and stability in prices when they are being sold in mar- kets outside the province. In other words. such 1 the principle of collective bargaining being applied in the be let that cost price will have. an effectivie influence on selling prices. This policy would and- must be flexible according to market de- mands and will, if accepted by the farmers. be administered by persons experienced and qualified in the potato trade. Such personnel can be secured and the general policy would be supervised by the Potato Board and an Advisory Committee of competent persons as was the case last year. The Board meeting held on September 7th. which approved in detail the proposed marketing policy, was called by agreement of all members of the Board at a meeting held on September 3rd.

The entity of D. A. MacDonald as a legal means to operate 3 Selling Agency was used last year as either a corporate or personal entity has to be designated as a Selling Agency in order to carry on a business of this kind. it is the feeling and intention of the Producer Members of the Board that if this policy is approved the Board will seek to have incorporat- ad a separate legal entity which will be controlled by the Board and through which the actual business or marketing operations can be carried on. We. as Producer Members, do not favour the system of license fees now in effect. but under the present system of marketing this is the only known legal way such funds can be secured. If a Central Selling Agency was in effect the present licensing system could probably be eliminated bv arranging a levy system which would be. fair to all producers.

Yes, the Dealer llrlcmbers sought to have the compulsory fea- ture. which-they like to call it. deleted from the policy. This they know and some have so stated. would render the policy ineffective and put the pool in the same position as just simply one more dealer in the Province. We, as Producei Members. want an effective Marketing Board that can do a worthwhile job for you over a long term period. We supported our Chairman on this point and will continue to do so.

As Produce: Members we have told our Chairman and Man- ager to proceed to arrange or attend meetings or give any in formation or assistance required by you farmers during the present campaign. Those, meetings are not the sole action of the Board Chairman. We fully indorse what he has done. We hate attended meetings ourselves and have asked other peopl. more familiar with details to attend the farnicrs' meetings with us. Mi MacDonald does not propose to handle or sell all our potatoes. He is solely one member of our Board who has been appointed Chairman and Manager by us. and this Board proposes to hire competent people to carry out the marketing policy if it is approved. Mr. MacDonald is only the Chairman and Manager of the Board which will supervise this operation on behalf of our farmers. We know we will have the hclp and co-operation of many experienced and sincere people in the potato trade

We, were told by our Chairman that the Premier of the Prov- ince had suggested a compromise plan and lliat the Govern- ment was giving it some further study as they did not have any details worked out. No concrete plan has yet been forni- ally presented to the Chairman or any Producer Member of the Board.

0

With reference. to the new Agreed Freight Charge Contra.:t recently announced. it was publicly acknowledged that rep- resentatives of the Government. dealers. and others assislcd in the negotiations for this Agreement. We have examined the file in connection with this matter and can state definitely that our Chairman certainly did a great deal more than con- firm the Agreement. In fact, he did all the groundwork for both its signature and 'approval. We also state that only by having an overall organization authorized to represent the in- dustry across the province and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement could such be secured.

No one has state.d that otir marketing policy

Section of the Co-operative Marketing Act outlines the intent

must be com-f pulsory in 'order to get assistance from Ottawa. The followlngi

WINNIPEG. (CF) -'- Canadian gransrles are building with millions of bushels of unsold wheat but pro- vided. it is high-grade, dry and free of pests, it could keep for years without much loss in weight or quality.

"There is not another country in the world where wheat can be bet- ter stored than in Canada." said Dr .J. A. Anderson. chief chemist of the board of grain commission- ers. in an interview.

Grain storage for even 10 months is impossible in many tropical countries due to a combination of insects, rodents and excessive heat, although the Eeyptians of biblical times stored the harvest from seven fat. years for seven lean years. Wheat stored in the Pyramids approximately (.000 years ago was discovered last year still good enough to grow.

GOOD FOR 20 YEARS

Dr. Anderson said that if neces- sary any amount of high-grade Canadian wheat. free from dirt and insects and stored under ideal conditions. could keep a good 20 years. Actually Canadian wheat has never been stored much more than five years.

Some Western farmers

Dealers Preview 1955 Dliryslers

might

sler Cnrporatinn of Canada. Lim- ited this week presented its com- plete line of the much-anticipated 1955 models at a special preview showing and dealcrs' convention held here.

Among those attending were F. R. McLaine of F. R. McLain-3 Limited. H. H. Cameron of W. G. Barbour Ltd.. and E. K. Johnston of Jobnstone Motors Ltd.. Murray River.

Close to a thousand Chrysler of Canada dealers from every part of Canada were on hand to have a close-up look at the new Ply- mouths. Dodges. Desotos and Chryslers. The cars were elaborate- ly displayed in a section of the newly-enlarged passenger c a 1' plant. the setting amid spotlights. rich drapcs and carpeting accent- ing the sleek styling and brilliant colours of tne vehicles.

At their meeting here the deal- crsx learned that V-R engines will be available for the first time in all five of the company's lines this year. With the engines and com- pletely re-styled bodies will go a

ours and interior fabrics. Addressing the initial buslncss session. E. C. Row, president and general manager was highly opti- mlstlc concerning the future of the Canadian economy. A com- prehensive economic survey of Canada covering the period 1951- l97l had been undertaken three years ago. he said, and for these three years the fo r e c :1 st had proved to be very conservative. "I can tell you that the outlook

wmosoa. om. Nov. 4 -Chry-R

considerably enlarged range of coi- 1 visitor

CAN STORE CANADIAN WHEAT .FOR YEARS SAYS GRAIN BOARD CHEMIST

have bins of grain three years old. but the age of the kernel is incidental.

”There is no way to tell the age of wheat unless the indhgdual farmer keeps track of it himself," Dr. Anderson said.

"Suppose the farmer rlas No. 5 wheat of the 1954 crop piled on the ground while his barn is full of 1952 No. 2 variety. If the 1952 stock is dry. safe and of good grade, why sell it to make room for the wheat on the ground? on the other hand, if the demand is for No. 2 he may have to sell his barn-stored wheat."

ELEVATOR STORAGE GOOD

Canada's terminal elevators are unexceiled for storage, Dr. Ander- son said. Canada's lower temper- ature gives the edge even over the United States which has similar facilities.

Simplest storage is the conical

grain pile on It straw-covered high ground. surrounded by s paper- llned fence. This keeps the wheat reasonably safe over the winter but it must be removed in the spring before mould from'heating sets in and fungi ruin the grain.

Dr. Anderson said Canada's in- sect problem is trifling due to low temperatures and the government control program.

VIGILANCE NECESSARY

Despite natural advantages. Can- ada. needed to be constantly alert for dangers of wheat spoiling. Farmers who have damp wheat may have to employ forced ventila- tion of granaries. or turn stored grain and clean out dirt to prevent heating. They also needed to check temperatures regularly. .

If damp grain over l'l-bar-cent moisture is harvested. the farmer may have to purchase a drier. Dr. Anderson said.

Georgetown

.fMr. and Mrs. Daniel Bushey of Souris motored to Georgetown on Nov. 7 where they were guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam Murphy.

Students at st. Dunstan's Col- lege who spent the week-end at their homes in Georgetown were: Bernard Walsh. Gerald Munphy. Jackie Lavers. Gerald D. Murphy. Stewart Hansen and Ernest. Roche.

Mr. D. A. Maccormack was a to Charlottetown on Nov. 6. .

Mr. Donald MacDonald was It visitor to the city on Nov. 6.

Mr. Joseph "Sonny" Johnson. Canadian National Railway reliev- ing Statlon Agent is at present em- ployed ln the C.N.R. Station at Borden.

Mr. and Mrs. Chaster Walker were visitors to Charlottetown on Nov. 6.

for Canada's future prosperity is excellent, both on it short-and a. long-term basis.” Mr. Row assert- ed.

Mr. and Mrs. Everett MacKen- zie and son Wayne of Summerside motored to Georgetown, where

2. It

do so last year.

dence will be established in the trade more. stable markcts. The curbing of selling futures will allow the law of supply and demand to work.

which will result lr

is unfortunate that the Selling Agency was not. allowed to operate for one year t.n prove that such a marketing system will not divert customers to other areas. It certainly did not

of that. namely.-

"3. (4). No agreement shall he made under this section un- less the co-operative plan applies to such a. proportion of the primary producers within a certain geographical area or to such a proportion of an agricultural product produced in such are: that the Minister is of opinion that the. market- ing of the aforesaid agricultural product under the co-open ativo plan will benefit tbs primary producers."

After discussions with officials administering this policy and after our experiences of the past. we. as Producer Members. agree that the only way the intent of the policy could be carried through to the benefit of our island producers was by having all our potatoes bargained for by one collective agency.

I. The Board applied to Ottawa on August 26th for a Marketing Agreement for the coming season. Since that time negotiations have taken place at Qttawa with respect to it. The only auth- orlty that can decide what initial payment can be guarpnteed is the Dominion Cabinet and there is evidence to the effect that no definite decision may be made on this point until the position of the Board and Selling Agency with the producers of this province is clarified. if. however. the lnftlal payment which the Government will guarantee is not considered by us to be. high enough for this season then other financial arrange- "Wnts. which will pay a substantial initial payment. can be worked out with the banks. The persons administering the Co-operative Marketing Act in Ottawa have indicated that an application on file for this year smiws the willingness of the Board to work under their policies and. should we require a guarantee for next or any future year. we would he in a much better position than if we completely ignored their policies after receiving assistance last year through not applying again or designating the Selling Agency setup which was established to work in conJunction' with them last year.

10. The suggestion on the part of our Dealer Members that the Dominion Governmentrassistance policies to farmers "IS JUST BLUFF" can hardly be substantiated after our experience last year and in view of what they are doing every year to assist farmers in various parts of the country who get into market trouble because of unforeseen circumstances. Surely it is not necessary for us to.clte.examples of the. various types of as- alstanco that are being given to growers of different com- modities across Canada!

Fr W9 RIF" that the great majority of our potato dealers in the evince are experienced. competent and have always tried to do a mild Job for themselves and the. farmers with whom they deal. lin- we Ealtfly. this is not the case with all our dealers. We contend that " S T!” get much higher returns for our producers through a Pool ”m'1'Dl Alency ...ganis.atmn than could be obtained through the k " market as they suggest. We base this contention on the FACT "I. .0”??? reducers of perishable products in various parts of Can- ”" "' "limit! considerably higher net returns for their products MY Msanlaln -their boards and selling organizations. This is admit- I- "U! in rltlsh Columbia and Ontario. and we quote the fol- hulttll public statement from Mr. Bonham, President of the Ontario ommltltl Vegetable Growen' Association. in reference to the new o Peach Marketing Scheme:-

"Ttiero have been problems and the'Marketlng Board has not had an easy time but a job has been done." Mr. Hon- barn continued. "There can be no further arguments about the value of the effort. It glves' every peach grower from lo cents a basket upward for all his peaches over what it- wmlld 'hIVP I0t5Even dealers who were opposed are now "Wildly and. have come. to a realization of what can no done. The peach Industry has been put in the position where it belongs."

I W! llree with the production figures of our potatoes as have hfett published. We state that the records show that butt: Prince Edward island seed and lablestock can command I Prcmiu i on r.-Jr I-tr,-1 m By requiring mun dealer to

-i

The proposed marketing policy is so different from the oper- ating policies of the Potato Growers' Association that predict- ing what may happcn to the pool based on the history of that organization is not sound. The Potato Growers' Assoclatioii tried to sell all the potatoes direct. the proposed pool proposes only to maintain a degree of uniformity in the, cost of the farmers' potatoes to the dealers. and if the established trad.- cannot sell all those potatoes at the, proper price then the pool will be in a poistion to move them direct.

The policy does not. propose to take away personal contact or good will. It provides that any pcrson having special con- tracts or putting up a-spacial pack of potatoes for which they can obtain a premium will be able to do so. We ask our fellow Dealer Board Members if they disagree to be fair at least in making comparisons.

The financing of such a policy can easily be arranged. Prompt payments can and will be made when potatoes are shipped either through the dealers or direct to the growers-Just as the producers want it.

Respecting errors in judgment-these undoubtedly will be made but we are going to make sure that. the most competent men available are secured to do this job for us. No person who is involved in is private potato business of his own will be again given the opportunity to work in the Selling Agency. Errors in Judgment in marketing surely must be made from time to time now and we, as producers. feel that eventually we always pay for them.

The Prince Edward Island potato crop will not be withdrawn from the free market. The proposed policy is designed to make our marketing system free from many of the defects and un- ethical practices which have existed and which honest dealers admit now freely exist in the trade. The law of supply and demand on a free market will be allowed to function and establish the cost price to the trade from time to time or as the market changes. but small surpluses or rumours will not he allowed to drastically reduce prices to farmers as often happens at the present time. nor will any person with ample finances and storage space be permitted to buy potatoes from producers when the price is low. store them, and sell then when the price increases. The pooling system is deal nod to give the true average price for man variety to the producers who ship their potatoes during that particular pool period.

Respecting the attempt to regulate markets and prices as was attempted several years ago. the proposed policy is designed to supplant. that type of regulatory Board which cannot be or ever has been effectively implemented In a marketing oper- ation of this kind. What Is proposed is a smooth working operation which will not require constant court. action or en- forcement of regulations. It is simply based on post being ad- jtisted as the markrt changes to determine the proper selling prices.

We are not going to attempt to answer acciisntions of auto- cracy, loss of freedom. personalities. etc. We regret that farm- ers did not have the opportunity to see this pool system work for it couple of years before being asked to decide whether or not they wish to maintain it. -

Think carefully before you vote, but vote so that we whom you have elected to do somrthtng for you in this controversial matter can be guided by the wishes of the majority.

fsgcl.t IRVING HOGG. Wilmot Valley turtt RICHARD A. MIFFHEE. New Haven (sgd.) DONALD Mncl.EOD. Victoria Cross trad.) DAVID WRIGHT, Lower Montagul tsgd.) ALLIE MacNElLL. O'LOIry.

Ply tti same cost for the profit"! I GNU"! Ml?" '3 '0"”'l

Strange, But True

3! l!. R. MncArthnr

Drinking to the health of a guest

prove to his guest it. poisoned.

eating king lizards of

and during the Mesozonic Age four-legged lizards with flaps of skin that stretched from shoulder to shoulder. and with a wing spread of 12 feet zoomed through the air. '

These terrible creatures to- gether .with monstrous reptiles and dinosaurs disappeared from the earth when the shifting of the continent took place millionsi of years ago. They flourished as

The zipper fastener was invent-. ed by W. L. Judson. because he was tired of lacing his shoes.

Snow falls at the rate of two to three miles per hour.

The three signs of a counterfeit coin which can be most easily recognized are these: A dull sound when dropped. a greasy feeling, and an odd weight.

Believe it or not but the food we eat in lhevcourse of a day weighs less than the air we breathe during the same time. The average individual breathes in 30 pounds of air in a day M more than seven times the amount of water and food he consumes.

Do chipmunks bury the nuts thcy stock up in winter like squirrels'.'

No. the little munk piles his pro- visions beside his bed - enough food to last him through the win- ter.

Convicted of stcaiing a dime from a newspaper bnyis collection box in Charlotte. N. C.. Charles Tim- mons. 84. was fined 310 and court costs.

A cat owned by Bertha Olson. of Rock Lake. N. D., recently gave birth to twin kittens. each of which had two tails.

Let me tell you about the town that boasts a museum of rare and

beautiful tcapots. The town is Trenton. Tenn., and the collector is Dr. Frederick Freed of New

York City.

Nearly all the tcapnls are of for- eign manufacture and were col- lected by Dr. Freed in Europe. Some have detachable bases that have tiny oil lamps and others have an electric unit fnr brewing tea r

Old-fashiniicrl ice trays can be made stickprnnf by keeping Wax paper on the bottom of the dish.

they spent the past week-end as the guests of Mrs. MacKenzic's parenbs. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. B. Mac- Conncll.

Master Gerald Soloman. young son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Soloman. entered the Charlotte-

town Hospital on Nov. '7. and all wish him a speedy return to good health.

Mr. Charlie Mat-Lean is at pres- ent relieving station agent at Georgetown, during the absence on holidays of Mr. Norman Thomp- son, AC.

TEN mu: HOUSE vs. I.

The regular monthly meetinil 0i the Ten Mile House W. I. was held on tober 5. at the home of Mrs. Bernard McQuaid. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. approved. and signed. The roll call was answered by A fen of ten cents. Proceeds from guessing con- test amounted to 82.90. Playing of blanket and other articles amount- ed to sil.80. The blanket was don- ated by Mr. Bernard Mclnnis.

It. was moved and seconded that five dollars be sent to the Cancer Campaign. -

The annual meeting is to be held at. the home of Mrs. .los. Mac- Intyre on November 2. Mrs. Mc- Quaid then served a delicious lunch assisted by her daughter Theresa.

The meeting adjourned with "God save the Queen". A social hour followed.