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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1941-07-24, Page 7THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1941 NEW CABINET MINISTER Canada's news spokesman is a Rhodes scholar, an expert on consti- tutional law, and the son of Icelandic immigrants. Hon, Joseph Thorson, new minister of national war serv- ices, at .Ottawa, whose role it is to be Canada's front window from now on, 1s another Horatio Alger hero who has leaped out of the fiction pages into real life. To see the new minister behind his glossy desk, sil- houetted against the Gothic wind- ows of his temporary but fancy new office, while the petals of peonies Senator Cairine Wilson sent him fluttered onto his letters of congrat- ulation, it seems hard to realize that his first baby accents were lisped in Icelandic. But let's take a look at the man. Before we go any further up into the pleasant but nebulous clouds of fancy, let's take him apart a bit, and see bow he got where 11e is, says Austin Cross in "Canadian Business." 'It seems to be almost an axions in this country that the harder the road is, the easier it for Canadians to get there. Young Thorson went through his school life, better than some, worse than others, and then distinguished himself at Manitoba College so emphatically that he was made a Rhodes scholar from Manitoba in 1910. That took hirn to New College, Oxford, where he en - 'rolled as a student at law in the Ilonoralile Society of the Inner Tem- ple. He took a B.A. at Oxford in 1912 and his bar examination in 1914. The same spring he was called to the bar in London. A year later, he was called to the Manitoba bar, Scarcely had he returned from Europe to Canada when be was on his way back to Europe again. He enlisted with the 223rd Canadian - Scandinavian Battalion, became cap- tain and adjutant, then -finally comp- any commander, He went through the show at Cambrai, and spent some time as O.C. of 0 German prison camp in France. Back again at the corner of Por- tage and Main one day in 1919, he resumed his law practice with Phil- lips and Scarth. He soon was offered a lectureship in the recently formed Manitoba Law Scbool. That was 22 years ago, and he has been a lect- urer there ever since. He was also first dean of the law school, having assumed this academic dignity at the ripe old age of 32, But just being a successful lawyer and aprecocious dean wasn't enough • THE SEAFORTH NEWS for this deep -thinking, restless, Ice- landic Canadian. A student of constl- tutional law, this naturally took him into politics, first in a theoretical and later in a practical way. He first threw his hat into the ring in 1926, stood as a Grit in Winnipeg South Centre, in which riding he had been born, and was successful the first time out. He was, therefore, stili in his thirties when he origin- ally went to Ottawa. The 1930 elections swept him out of office as it did just about every other Grit in Manitoba during the Bennett avalanche. He was beaten by W. W. Kennedy, the man he had beaten back in 1920. But there is a sentimental streak in Mr. Thorson, and he decided then and there that the next time he ran it would be in Selkirk, where so niauy of his own Iceladnic people are domiciled. By 1936 the political pendulum was swinging the other way and Selkirk returned Mr. Thorson, with the oth- er luckless candidates losing their deposits. Selkirk also gave him a re- turn mandate in 1940. A little side- light of the 1935 campaign might be mentioned. Mr, Thorson had studied Ukranian, and during the battle gained dozens of votes by speaking to the surprised Ukranians in their own Slavonic accents, Parliament is not just a place where you sit in your seat, try to guess what your constituents are thinking, and listen to what the Whip tells you, It is the committees where the head men get the meas- ure of an M.P. They get the measure of a man in the committees.That's where they look 11101 over and try to decide, as in the radio quizzes, whether he is true or false. Mr. Thorson still chuckles when he re- calls the first committee they hand- ed hint to run. He was, if you please, chairman of the select committee on judges' salaries! Por a lawyer, this was like being ip' a game preserve all by yourself, and with special dis- pensation to shoot what you liked. When Mr. Thorson came back to Ottawa in 1935. Mr. King had already made a mental note that he'd use this man who was so well up on bis constitutional law just as soon as he could. That is why the prime minis- ter beckoned to hint to go to the league . of nations in 1938. The Sel- kirk member recalls rather grimly that he had got back as far as Lon- don when Munich was signed. Other honors have followed, and this year he headed the special com- mittee on war expenditures, the most Duplicate Monthly State ents We can save you money on Bill and Charge Forms, standard sizes to fit Ledgers, white or colors. It will pay you to see our samples. Also best quality Metal Hinged Sec- tional Post Binders and Index The Seaforth News PHONE 84 The World's News Seen Through / THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR. An International Daily Newspaper is Truthful—Constructive—Unbiased—Free from Sensational. inn —Editorials Are Timely and Instructive and Its Daily / Features, Together with the Weekly Magazine Section, Make the Monitor an Ideal Newspaper for the Home. The Christian Science Publishing Society One, Norway Street, Boston, Massachusetts Price $12.00 Yearly, or $1.00 a Month. Saturday Issue, including Magazine Section, $2.60 a Year, Introductory Offer, 6 Issues 25 Cents Name Address SAMPLE COPY ON REQUEST contentious organisation that sat on. Parliament Bill this session. Mr. King put him in there as chairman because he wanted a smart person for this ticklish job. This job he may have to give up now, since he has graduated to a five figure salary. It goes without saying that Joe Thorson wasn't made minister of the very important portfolio of nat- ional war services just because he's a constitutional lawyer, for that commodity comes a dime a dozen on Parliament Hill. Nor did they pick him because he was an old timer, as political lives go, and deserved the job. First of all, Joe Thorson is as easy to get on with as an old shoe. He's as democratic as a newsy. He's got a braiu that grabs everything like a bear trap. Farsighted, he can see things coming before the nor- mal man sees anything at all. Now all these things may not necessarily make him a good spokesman for the war effort, or a window dresser of national sentiment. The truth is that no one knows exactly what this job needs. This isn't a place where pre- cedents are any good. This is pion- eering all the way, and it looks just like the right spot for Joe Thorson. Since lee's on the spot, let's see what sort of place this spot is. What in short, did the new minister in- herit when he was sworn in as a privy councillor early in June? This seems a brief answer: Government motion pictare bur- eau, and its photographic department (previously with dept. of trade.) Travel and tourist bureau (anoth- er quitting trade and commerce). Canadian radio gets new daddy (was previously Hon. C. D. Howe's baby). New department becomes the voice of the government. Of the four branches, the first two are self-explanatory. As to radio, no one really knows just how Mr. Thorson plans to use it, but the consensus is that Canada has as yet only begun to line up the microphone with the war effort. Mr. Thorson will have the job of making the radio excite a greater popular interest and enthusiasm. The fourth objective, is that of explaining Canada's war effort. Aud now a word about the man himself. He dresses casually, in the best professorial style. The day I saw him, his shoes were not shined, his suit not particularly pressed. There was nothing smart about 111s tie, nor even his shirt. Thorson is not clothes -conscious, as Hon. Nor- man McLarty, with his wing collar and bow tie seems to be, nor has he that excellent sartorial taste which characterize Hon. James MacKin- non's whole ensemble. (Best dressed man in the cabinet for my money). Like another great professor, the late Oscar Douglas Skelton, Joe Thorson wears clothes to cover the body, not adorn it, and it is doubtful if the additional "ten grand" or so' will do much more in this way for Joe Thorson. He's great .fun 1f you meet hint late at night in Bowles' Lunch, the one -arm, all-night emporium where they all have to come if they want to eat late at night or early in the morning. You could go into this great democratic meeting place and often find Joe Thorson munching something light and downing a glass of milk before he goes to his room. You can approach him as easily as you'd beg a light from a soldier. and. BACK TO HURON If your conversation is interesting enough, he'll kick over his echedule of going to bed far you, and stay on and on. Like the old 18th century coffee shop circle, Thorson loves a feast of reason, particularly with a glass of milk, When I saw him last, the elfish grin on his tanned wrinkled face he was expressing extreme pleasure that the Hon. Senator Cairine Wil- son had sent him a big bouquet of peonies -from her garden. The petals were falling, but he had been trying to preserve the dowers as long as he could. His desk was piled high with wires and letters of congratulation. The only reason his phone did not tingle oftener was that few then knew his hide-out, where he sat sur- rounded by four walls of trylobile- tinted Tyndall limestone from his native Manitoba. As I was waiting in the lobby for him to come out and see me I sup- pose I lost the better part of half an hour while fellow members, one att- er another, button -holed him for this and that. For he was a cabinet min- ister, and the pressure was on. Mistress (to cook at 5.45 p.m.)— "I know it's the third time this week, Mary, but my husband just pboned from the gold club that he's bring. ing three men to dinner. How long will you need to get ready?" Mary—"I'm ready now. I packed my trunk the last time it happened." PAGE 'SEVEN Official Statement re Military Training Department Asks That Letters About Regulations Be Ad- dressed to Div. Registrar Officials of the National War Ser- vices :Department report gratifying and ready response from young Can- adians being called for military train- ing under the National Resources Mobilization Act. They state, however, that while each man receives a mailed individ- ual and personal notice of his call to training, as his period arrives, a number of enquiries are still being sent direct to Ottawa. Major-General LaFleche, Associate Deputy Minister of the Department of National War Services, under whose direction the mobilizing of trainees is being car- ried out, points out that the Regula- tions have been planned to smooth out possible difficulties for the trainee by dividing Canada into thir- teen Administrative Divisions, with officials and headquarters offices in each Division, authorized to handle procedure and operations locally. To the Divisional Registrar of Na- tional War Services in the area in which they are registered should be forwarded all communications con- cerning business arising front the provisions of National War Services Regulations. All Wren from 19 to 45 are warned that notification must also be given promptly of change pf address or marital status. Failure to do so incurs the risk of fine or im- prisonment. Young men in this area, liable for military training, requiring further information regarding their obligati tions or applications for postpone- meat should communicate with the Divisional Registrar for this District, whose name and address are given below for their convenience, along with the names of other members of the Board: Division "A" -- Chairman of the Board: Hon. Mr, Justice W. T. Henderson, Osgoode Hall, Toronto, Ontario. Members of the Board: Mr, Clar- ence Grieve, Ingersoll; Mr, Harry J. Mero, pies„ Truscon Steel Co., Wind- sor, Ont. Divisional Registrar: Mr. William A. Martin, Carling Block, London, Ontario. This administrative division of national war services includes the electoral districts of Huron North and Huron -Perth, Perth, Bruce and other ridings in Western Ontario. Horace was sent to his room for taking forbidden cake from the sup - board. His mother, thinking to make his punishment more impressive, went to his room, and after alt wan forgiven, said: "Now, Horace, what did 1 punish you for?" "Well, Ma! I like that! I've been kept in bed all afternoon, and now you don't know what you did it for!" Back to Huron I have wandered Back where Youth seems like a dream; From the best of friends was sundered, Many a hamlet, road and stream. Took the way my heart directed, Like a dancing child with glee— Huron is a name enchanted, All the honors bring to thee! Back among the maples, queenly, Up the hills all decked like thrones Robins sing their notes serenely, Brooklets murmur o'er the stones. Nowhere is there found a copy— Fertile fields and stately homes; Tonic when the lake is choppy, Charm where'er the Maitland roams. Back where morning conies too early, And the golden day's too short— Hay-fields cut and raked so curly, Wagons hauling loads like sport. Here are men of iron -muscle, Women proud of grit and tau; Long as eye can see, they hustle Keeping Huron in the van. Back again—O what a favor! Every road is lined with joy; Breakfast has the sante old flavor, Kindly faces, grace employ. All too short the fleeting hours— Merely time to wave a hand; Shed a tear upon the flowers, 'Where a new grave breaks the sand. (By Austin L. Budge, Hamilton, au old Belgrave boy.) IMPORTANT NOTICE to Men Liable for Military Training .LOR Public Safety, by Proclamation, dared June 27th, 1941 (under authority of The National Resources Mobilization Act 1940 and The War Measures Act), The Governor in Council has now made liable for military training for the defence of Canada — —all male British subjects resident in Canada at any time since September 1st, 1939, who, on July 15th, 1940, were unmarried, or childless widowers, and who on July 1st, 1940, had reached the ages of Twenty-one years Twenty-two years Twenty-three years Twenty-four years "and also men who attained or will attain the age of twenty-one years on or after the first day of July, 1940, and who were on the fifteenth day of fnly (1940), unmarried or widowers without child oe children." Extract from Paragraph 3 of Proclamation. Men designated in the aforegoing are further required "To submit themselves for medical examination and to undergo military training for a period of four months within Canada or the territorial waters thereof, and to report at such places and times and in such manner and to such authorities or persons as may be notified to then respectively by a Divisional Registrar of an Administrative Division." Extract from Paragraph 4 of Proclamation. SPECIAL PROVISIONS designed to facilitate equitable conditions of mobilization Deferring of Training Periods to Avoid Individual Hardship If the Board is satisfied that the calling out of any man for military training will cause extreme hardship to those dependent upon such man, the Board may, from time to time, postpone the training period of the man: Provided that such man shall apply for a post- ponement order in accordance with the provisions of subsection one of section ten of the regulations. Postponement Applications Must be Made in Writing No application for a postponement order may be made otherwise than in writing, by the man called out, to the Divisional Registrar who issued the "Notice—Medical Examination" and within eight clear days of the date appearing on such notice. Any person who appears before a Board shall do so at his own expense. War Industry and Seasonal Occupations given Consideration In the national interest, applications for postponement of training of key men engaged in war industries, or in essential occupations, may be addressed to the Divisional Registrar concerned. Eligible Men Must Not Leave Canada without Authority No male British subject who is liable to be called out for military training shall, after his age class has been called out by proclamation, leave Canada, for any reason whatsoever, unless and until he has been so authorized in writing by the Chairman of the Board to whose juris- diction such man is subject. Eligible men must notify authorities immediately of change of address or marital status If you are a single man or childless widower between the ages of 19 and 45 and if you change your address, or if you marry, you trust immediately notify THE NATIONAL WAR SERVICES DIVISIONAL REGISTRAR IN THE DIVISION IN WHICH YOTJ ARE REGISTERED If you do not know the name and address of your Divisional Registrar, ask at your local post office. ' Failure to comply with this requirement may subject you to a fine or imprison- ment. CIVIL RE-EMPLOYMENT Provision has been made for the reinstatement of men in their positions of employ- ment, after their periods of training or service, under conditions that will facilitate their re- entry to civilian life. Published -for the information of those concerned by the authority and courtesy of THE HONOURABLE JOSEPH T. THORSON, Minister of National War Services. N-1411