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PAGE , FOUR

THE GUARDIAN '

so V...-.-....o......A ..A..-. Authorized as Second Class Mall Post Office Department, Ottawa. The Island Guardian Publishing Co. .

President and Auoblste Editor, Inn A. Burnett.

Associate Editor. Frank Walker.

CIRCULATION "Covers Prince Edward Island like the dew"

"The strongest memory is weaker than the weakest ink". - I

"('i'iiAI:i."o'it1Tt:7'rv()"w:-i. Fltll)At'j)I5VC.'2E.7lii572'V-

Her Majesty's Broadcast

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's voice, reaching her subjects in all parts of the world yesterday in her first Christmas Day broadcast, provided a thrilling and heart- warming experience. Her appeal for the prayers of her people that she might rule with wisdom and strength was fitting not only to the occasion, but as a prelude to the forthcoming Coronation ceremony which is essentially one of dedication and zonsccration.

In carrying on the tradition of at Christ- mas Day broadcast Her Majesty followed the example set by her grandfather and father, and in fact spoke from the same room-Hthe study at Sandringham -- in which the previous broadcasts were given. The significance of the occasion was enhan- red by Her Majesty's reference to an ear- lier glorious period in British history-that of the first Elizabethans-and by the em- phasis which she placed upon her own need of divine guidance at all times.

It was a wonderful address, springing directly from the heart and reaching out to the hearts of all her hearers. For our neighbours to the South, and millions of others among our friends and allies in the United Nations elsewhere, must like us have been moved by the sentiments ex- pressed with such warmth and sincerity by the Queen. Here truly was revealed the symbol of our British Sovereignty, out- weighing all its material trappings and ex- pressive of its deepest faith and emotions.

Questioned Divorce Jurisdiction

There are few more important branches of the law than those dealing with marriage and the family. It is of the first import- ance that doubt should not be cast on the marital status or on the legitimacy of chil- dren. To take the most material point of view, in everyigeneration the ownership of almost the entire private property in this country depends upon the validity of,mar- riage.

Marriage and Divorce are,Vof course. Dominion matters, as the solemnlzation of marriage is a Provincial one. The Domin- ion Parliament, however, has followed a hands-off policy with the consequence that the Provinces are left, for the most part with the law on marriage and divorce as it was before Confederation.

In this Province we have a pre-Confed- eration Court of Divorce as well as Divorce law, dating from 1835. Only Parliament at Ottawa can amend the law but on the principle that the Province can set up courts of law and confer jurisdiction on them, the

'Prince Edward Island Legislature in 1949 put through an Act authorizing the Su- preme Court to deal with matters coming under the jurisdiction of the Court of Di- vorce. The first divorces were made ab- solute some days ago. '

It is now being objected by at least one,

respected member of the Bar that although the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island confirmed the jurisdiction conferred on it in an opinion delivered on Dec. Il, 1951 it is possible that at some future time an appeal might go to the Supreme Court of Canada which conceivably might come to a contrary decision. The effect would be disastrousvto those who acted on the as- sumed validity of their judgment rendered by the Supreme Cotirt.

The arguments against validity of the legislation relate to the difficulty of differ- entiating between substantive law and pro- cedure. If the designation of a particula: forum is a matter of substantive law, then it could only be determined by Federal leg- islation. The point is, however, that only a ruling by the highest court of appeal can be conclusive. The matter is certainly of sufficient importance to warrant” that pre- caution whether'the doubt be slight or

heavy.

intomtlml "Affairs

59

Reviewing events of the past year, the annual report of the Council of the Royal Institute of International Affairs draws at- tention, to the fact that those events have helped bring home ,to the individual the ef- fect -of lnternstlonsr relations on his own affairs. World events play an increasingly put in shaping. the way of life ' well-beln (of the indiv- " gnowlngicoinp exlty ottom-

v x

THE GUARDIALV. til-iA1u.oT'rgTowN Aftermath

course of those events. ,

The report of the Institute goes on to say that there had been no shortage of sub- jects worthy of study duririg the year and their difficulty had been mainly one of selecting the subjects which would most; re- pay further study within the limits impos- ed by its budget.

The Institute is an unofficial and non- political body devoted to research and the dissemination of information on interna- tional affairs. It is dependent on subscrip-

'tions and donations for its expenditures,

but the books published during -the year and the long list of studies initiated under the directorship of Professor Arnold Toynbee testify to the scope and value of its activ- ities.

The Institute and its affiliated organiza- L

tions, of which the Canadian Institute of International Affairs is one, continue to bring to the general public, through the activities of members and through publica- tions, the results of research which are es- sential to the fuller understanding of cur- rent problems.

Good Work In senate

Turbulent debate in the Commons over the famous Currie report, says the Ottawa Journal, has diverted public attention from a great deal of fine legislative work being done by the Senate. Indeed, comparing the work of the two houses of Parliament dur- ing the pre-Christmas session, what em- erges is that the Commons produced all the theatricalism and talk and the Senate all the useful if unspectacular legislation.

And some of the Senate's work, while not spectacular, was certainly distinguish- ed, notably its amendments to the Govern- ment's proposed changes in the Criminal Code. In this the Upper House, not the Commons, became the champion and pro- tector of what a famous member of the U. S. Supreme Court has called "the ultimate values of all democratic living," and the speeches and comments of Senate lawyers such as Hayden, Farris and Roebuck, all with a note of civilized comprehension of freedom's deeper values, made one realize what, in a democracy, a second chamber can mean.

"The truth," concludes our Ottawa con- temporary, ”is that in these past three weeks of Parliament, the 'public had an op- portunity of glimpsing not only The Sen- ate's usefulness, but its vital need, and also an occasion for realizing what injury is being visited upon our parliamentary and constitutional setup when, through some lack of understanding or sheer carelessness or perversity, one-fifth of the membership of such a, body is left unfilled."

EDITORIAL NOTES

Boxing Day.

0 O 0 Festival of St. Stephen. C O 0

It is scarcely noticeable yet but the days are steadily lengthening. Come what may in the way of weather, at this point the win- ter can no longer be excessively long.

0 O 0

True liberty is a tender thing, like the down on a peach.' The United States. by over-harshly upholding it is in some danger of destroying the very thing Amer-

icans prize. I O 0

Mount Allison University and Maritime education will be the gainers by the prin- cipal legacy left by H. S. Sharp of Sum- merside. Twenty-five annual scholarships should go far towards seeing that students with character and ability are not denied

an education by lack of funds. 0' I I t

"Live a day at a time and don't worry about the little things," seems like good ad- vice for living a long and happy life. The authority, at any rate, could not be better- Mr. Alexander "Sandy" Cameron of Elms- dale, who yesterday celebrated his 101st birthday.

A dozen lives lost by fire during the year calls for greater attention to the common fire hazards, around .the home. Inflam- mable material, faulty heating equipment, careless habits and lack of fire-fighting equipment can,all be corrected to some ex- tent. In matters of home safety, even more than on the highway; "the life you save may be your own."

0' I O

Alonso de Sandoval, Peruvian nobleman and early ethnologist, died this date 1652. He gave up court life to live amongst Indians working at forced labour and then amongst African slaves in Columbia. His work, "The Nature, Sacredt and Profane Rul, Rites, Habits and Superstitions of the Negroes" describes the diversity of the Negro peoples, their language, tribes, classes and reilglom. He stressed the refinements of their customs in-contrast with the coarse manners of their mesten - undo condemned sieve trsdln:.as."sn affair of the devil."

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PUBLIC FORUM

This column II open to the discussion by correspondents of questions of interest. The Guardian does not: necessar- ily endure the opinion of -muespondents.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Sir.-.Vla.v T Illfll(i' a row com- ments on your editorial in the Dec. 18th issue of your paper,

entitled; once?"

Your quotations from the Van- couver Province did not strike me as strong arguments against a comprehensive health service for all cltizensi. The first objec- tion is that "the cost of health insurance must be met and there is no where from which to draw the revenues to meet the costs except the pockets of the people." Of course that is true. When hos- pitals and doctors get. paid for their indispensable services that is where the money comes from, the pockets of the people (at. pre- sent some doctors do not receive remuneration for some of their work).

The Dominion Bureau of Statis- tics estimated that in Canada the private expenditure for medical health and dental care in 1951 was 496 million dollars. The pro- vincial and federal governments spent about 175 million for pub- lic health services in 1951. Hence

"Proposed Health Insur-

the people of Canada are now paying roughly 675 million dol- lars out of their pockets for medical care.

At present. this expense. or

much of it, is not fairly collected. I know of hard working, thirfty. dependable citizens who have used all of their savings and all that they could borrow and have been financially ruined by long and expensive sickness in their families. That does not seem fair

J. Notes B);

One who certainly know hu- pronouns was the girl who an- swered the ancient: ”I-luven't I met you somewhere before?" query from a. masher lby replying: "1 dont know your name but your Phrase is familiar."-Toronto star.

Classified under "Dramatic Tal- ent. Wanted." Toronto Telegram carried an ad. for "Well-aged manure. bushel. load or yard." And it's the Peter-borough Exam- iner that says: "As a comment on Canadian talent, we think this goes too far!" -Ottawa Citizen.

Solon E. Low, Social Credit leader in the House of Commons, got. in a jibe at two Liberal speak- ers when he said: "They made what. is virtually a bag of dry bones look like grain-fed western red label beef."-W. L. Clark in the Windsor star. '

We notice by the map that I township on the southern border of the District of Sudbury is nam- ed "Stalin." We don't. know for sure, but we have a hunch the township assumed the name dur- ing World War II when this coun- try's feelings towards Joe Stalin were somewhat friendlier than they are today. The good people of Stalin township would prob- ably welcome a. change of name at this time.-North Bay Nugget.

There are now 19 vacancies Canada's Senate. If the Prime Minister wanted to carry out somel reform, now would be his chancel If there is no real desire on the, part of the government. to start the top-to-bottom structural Aupset- ting which is needed. at least the Prime Minister could undertake reform in the crlte;ion for up- pointmenis. The Senate usually is

or right. VVhy not have a sys- tem by which we can all pay according to our ability?

I believe that Mr. Martin has estimated that in

ads 600 million. In that case the pockets of the pcople would be spared '75 million!

If we had what. most of countries of Europe have, rom- pulsory health inqrnnce land none of them are as prosperous an Canada)-it would cost some- what more than we are paying now. As doctors would be receiv- ing their pay for every patient and some people whose health is now neglected on account of the expense involved in treatment would get. the care they need.

We would have no difficulty in raising the small additional amount over what. we are now paying. We haven't the slightest difficulty in raising billion: for the job of killing--but. perhaps I should say defending ourselves from our enemies. Surely we could find just it few millions to co-operatively defend ourselves from our microbe enemies.

Then you quote the argument that national health insurance would not work because of the lack of "personnel and physical equipment." True we haven't en- ough hospital room: and we need more doctors and nurses; but if this is an argument. against II ptmllc health system then on the same ground: there is A stronger

the

argument against our public school system. . Some years ago when the

the Age-Old story an we-c-co;c3o;o-Q09?-vs

Say to than that up of I fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold. your God will come with vengeance, God with I recompense; he

wudsrness shell voters brat: out

unaocmnoucsquput.

lvices. But. now that M. P.'s have

. l comprehensive health insurance would cost. Cami

.. Still older and older

n, pay-off for past political ser-

such a generous pension plan.-a lot better than most private citi- zens can provide for themselves- its necessity real or imagined in

this direction is sharply reduced.

-Financial Post.

Those who already haven't done so will be selecting their Christ- mas trees during the next few days. It. would he :1 poor Chrlslmi-S Indeed for any Canadian family who has 'to go without a tree. Though Christmas is celebrated in all Christian countries. customs

Dionne qunltuplets were a few years old, the late Dr. A113" Dnfoc on s CBC Christmas broad- cast sald. "I would like to be :1 great Santa Claus and see that everybody in Canada 37” "'9 same chance to live as the HV0 famous babies not."

That is what we need. every- body having the some chance to live as everybody else.

I am, Sir. etc. - GEO. W. TILLEY. Cherry Valley, P. E. I.

1 foam G-ma OLD ' Says the son of man: "I am oldl" Yet he knows there are older things: The lurking wolf on the wold; I The windy. spumy wings

of the sen-gull: and the sea-cram

turen. careful and cold.

Likewise, though these be old. There are ever older thlnn: Mountains in snow-clouds stolen; The golden downuoinu

of the spent sun. in his hsmeu of

changing gold. 0 what is is then to be old?

thinu Pulse through the vest untold In seonle journeylngst uojestlc orbs and orbits. myster- ious manifold.

-George Herbert clubs.

The Waxg '

are fortunate who. as Canadians, have 3" ""1919 Supply 01' suitable trees. The most: humble of Ceno- dlan homes usually can ugoxd some sort of tree and even a poor Wee lqoics nice when decorated. in Canada. the Christmas tree is the centre of activity on ohrlstmas DRY. at. least until the heavily lad- en table attracts the attention. It. isn't so in many other land: where such trees are either un- available or cost too much for the common purse. Those peoples are

iDECElAlljER vs. 195;

IT-

"Search and look". the wise men

ariseth. no prophet". But. they were wrong. which goes to show that very wise people are some- times lacking in good judgment, There was something about Naz- areth especially that made the ex- perts sceptical about the probabil- ity of any great movement having its origin in that place. Just what it. was is not clear. Various opin- ions have been advanced but even .the best Biblical scholars have not. been able to come too unan- imous sgreement on the sub- ject. Perhaps it does not matter. anyway. There is some reason for thlnkl that the town's moral hrepufs. on ms not too good. but las good I. theory as any is that since it. was s small provincial Etown it was considered insignifi- cant. in the over-all picture of the nation. . ' l The loglcaf place for the start of s new era would have been Jerusalem. the centre of religion and culture. But great. events are not always governed by logical iconsfderotions and it has often happened that! the apparently fool- ish things of this world have con- founded the wise. From unlikely places and unlikely people there have been set in motion forces which have stirred clvllizaions and given fresh impetus to the hopes and aspirations of mankind. C I O .

Nazareth is. of course, the su- preme instsnce but there have been many others.” An itinerant playwright in I email English vil- lage goes on to set. eternal stand- ards for the literature of the world. From s shock in the wilds of Kentucky there comes one of the truly great souls of history destined to direct the mightiest sci; of emancipation known to the secular story of men. In more modern times the son of a poor

trial genius of his age.

influential in the growth of indi- viduals and societies. U 0 0

New Testament readers cannot

of the clay said, "for out of Galilee

The Passing Scene By Oblcrtcr GOOD IN UNEXPICTID PLACES

of the greatest stories ever lulc was not. the dutiful boy who 5;”. ed at home. and probably mg. graiuiated himself on being u:u.,. than his wayward brother. but me boy who "come to himself" by the MN! Wall ofttrial and error.

One of the few who understom the greatness of the prisoner of Calvary was a. roiigh police 0fIiCt-. acting under orders and totally uninterested in any current cm; troversy. And, perhaps gt,-,,,,g,.', than anything else. the man whn penetrated beyond the courage and heroism of the dying Jesus into His essential divinity had hm. according to reports. a thief or I; rebel, perhaps both.

No. it. is never safe to despm, 50911114131? mean places. or pegpp for there is no telling what, m,,i ensue therefrom. only last 5u,,,. mer I glanced at 9. piece or g.-ou,.,,- that was being used for dump.,,. tin cans and the like and, to in?- amazement. s'bea.utlful little flow. 913 resigned no doubt to ”bluslum.- hnseeoi . smiled upon me, so"... orce stronger than either hex-ed”, or enttgironmcnt. had caused .iDl'0il. "085 Spring u in on ' drabness. p E midst M

O I I

In considering this sort of thing it is helpful to consult the page; of.human history and the class.” of literature, but it is not neces. ssry to do so. There is not 0.... M10113 us who has not. seen en. dence that heroism, fineness or character. and all that is good, can appear in unlikely places.

The boy who only yesterday it seems was a playful youth with not a seriouslthought in his head, 50 NF 3-5 anyone could sues, is today a national hero. In dangcr his soul rose to height: of grand- eur. Greatness put forth her hand ind Wed him up. Another who was born in near poverty and whose formal schooling was llmn. ed to I few years in the old rrrl

Irish immigrant will always be re- membe ed as the foremost indus-

And so one might go on to give instance after instance of power and mighty influence proceeding from humble, obscure sources. The hand of destiny touches where and whom it will. Heredity and environment are powerful forces in moulding character and usefulness but not always do they have the final say. There are other forces. hidden to human understanding and observation, that are equally

school house is now a worm statesman bearing more than ms share of the troubles of msnklm, still another, born and reared in similar circumstances, mounted the ladder of usefulness "rung by runs" and is now mpected for his skill in the practice of law. The Kiri. who as a. youngster had neither the courage nor the sbil. M to sing a little rhyme at in. school concert. is now an swat of note.

Worth is no respecter of out. ward and visible circumstances. ilnd senius can sometimes come to WW6? in Places where mediocrity is the natural thing to expect,