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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1939-10-19, Page 6(NEWS PARADE ... a: QUEBEC ELECTION (By Elizabeth Eedy) A regime that rode into power in 1936 on a, wave of popular dis- gusrt with the methods of the Tas- ohereau government may ride out again next week if the people of Quebec fail to endorse the policies of Premier. Maurice Duplessis, Union. Nationale leader, who poses as the champion of French-Cana- dian liberty. • If M. 'Duplessis is defeated at the polls 'October 25, it will, mean that the people of Quebec believed his talk of "provincial rights," federal "tyranny", coming con- scription, to be just catch-words— a smoke -screen to cover the ma- chinations of a regime said to be financially and politically bank- rupt. Climbing on the Band -Wagon If M. Duplessis' government is returned to office, we will have evidence that he has made suc- cessful capital out of French -Can- ada's traditional lack of desire to participate in war and its fear of losing power to the Dominion Gov- ernment. As Jean -Charles Har- vey's French-speaking weekly "Le Jour" expressed it: "There will rally to M. Duplessis' side a crowd of political adventurers of every shade — separatist, Anglophobe, isolationtist, Laurentianist, sectar- ian, all the ragtag and bobtail of last-ditch nationalism in Quebec." In Bad Financial Shape M. Duplessis' calling of an elec- tion at this stressful time in Cana- dian life is branded by Federal Minister of Justice Lapointe as "an act of national sabotage"— against Canadian unity. Mr. La- pointe does not hesitate to say that the true reason of this election is the unfortunate financial situation in which the Quebec Government finds itself. "They have spent Pro- vincial funds like drunken sailors," he says. (The funded debt of the Province had increased from $149,748,000 on June 30, 1936, to 3285,000,576 on March 31 last). Mr. Lapointe infers that there are many millions of dollars in unpaid' warrants in the hands of contract- ors for Provincial works who have not yet been paid in cash. Into Federal Arena This provincial struggle in Que- bec has been carried into the fed- �ral'`gip°by Anni, 4s•„ of, Primal een campy at?'no.:aa a?l<a a*M.. Du-' plessis Mr "Tapointe has stated that an election victory for the Union Nationale Government in Quebec would be his cue, and that of the other Quebec Ministers, to retire from the Federal Govern- ment. If M. Duplessis is to be defeat- ed, there 'will have to be a big turnover of seats in Quebec's Le- gislative Assembly. The Opposi- tion at the moment consists of only 17 men ou'• of a total of 90 legisla- tors. These seventeen belong to three separate political parties: First, the official Liberals, surviv- ors of the Taschereau regime led. by M. Adelard Godbout; second, the Action Liherale Nationale, Liberals who are very much op- posed to war participation, headed by M. Paul Gauin- thirdly, . the very small National party. The eyes of all Cai-aaa are turn- ed on Quebec. October 25 may nmrk a turning point not only in the history of Quebec, but in the affairs of the Dominion as well. War Increases Retail Prices Costs of Commodities in creat War Days Are Recalled Immediate large increases in- the Canadian cost of living as a result of the war are not likely, if the experience of the 1914-18 period is valid for present conditions, says the Woodstock Sentinel -Review. It Is true that during the previous war years retail prices of all com- modities moved steadily upward, reaching a peak in 1920, when a sharp decline set in. For the early years of the war, however, the rise was not much greater than that which would have taken place as a result of a general stimulation of business activity in peace -time. Doubled Between 1913 and 1920 In 1913, the general index of re- tail prices was 65,4. It rose to 66.0 itt 1914, 67.3 in 1915, 72,5 In 1916, 85.G in 1917 and 97.4 in 1918. in 1920 it reached the high point of 124.2: The retail index of food prices rose , from 66.2 in 1913 to 114.6 in 1918 and Continued 'o rise to 141.1 in 1920. The e`. thing index also rose steeply froin 63.3 in 1913.to 109.5 in 1918.and 153.2 in 1920. In both these cases the rise was not abnormally large in the early war years. The index of fuel prices declined slightly in the first two years of the *war, ft'bm 65.8 in 1913 to 63:2 ra 1915. It rose to 78.9 in 1918 and reached its peak of 109:2 In 1921. Ontario Government Opens Aircraft Training School at Galt In a converted foundry at Galt, Ont., two hundred youths ranging in age from 18 to 25 have commenced their training period to qualify as ground crews for the R. C.A.F., as the Ontario government's six-month aircraft training school was officially opened by Hon. N. 0. Hipel and Hon. Dr. L. J. Simpson. An instructor is shown, LEFT, explaining the fine points of propeller construction to a group of eager sutdents, while another group, UPPER RIGHT, are being shown the intricacies of a modern airplane engine. Hon. Dr. L. J. Simpson, minis- ter of education, is shown, LOWER RIGHT, examining a milling machine. Farm Forum • • WAR MEASURES ACT AND FARM FORUM In Canada the War Measures Act is in force again, and under its authority there has been cre- ated in Ottawa an agricultural supplies committee the purpose whereof is "to keel: agriculture functioning in a manner which will supply the food and fibre needs of the people of Cai_ada and their Allies in the war during the period of the war and to leave the farmer, as far as possible, in a position' to follow his natural peace -time pursuits at the end of the war." To Promote Higher Quality "Sateeal, sub -committees, aided my' hdvisory boards, have been ap- p'oiatted' to deal with farm pro- ducts, the purchase and distribu- tion of feeds, seeds, fertilizers, in- secticides, etc The chief aim on the part of the government, says B. Leslie Emslie, well-known Ca-' nadian chemist -agronomist, will be the promotion of higher qual- ity in farm produce, be it grain, canning crops, neat or milk, and advice will be disseminated -freely on fertilizers, insecticides, seed fungicides, feeds a id mineral sup- plements for livestock, etc. Pro- fiteering will be prevented and the farmers' interests protected. Donates Proceeds to Red Cross J. L. Stewart, general manager of the Canadian Automobiel Chamber of Commerce, who announced that proceeds of advance admission tic- kets to the National Motor Show, opening in Toronto on Saturday. October 14, Will be donated to the Canadian (led Cross Society, Tending Towards Treeless Canada ? We Cut and Burn and Make Practically No Effort to Re- place Our Forests An average a million trees a week were planted in Great Bri- tain last year, the Forestry Com- mission have more than a million acres under control with a staff definitely looking after it, says the Niagara Falls Review. In the handling of our forest re- sources Canadians will be classed as fools by future generations. We cut and burn, and make practical- ly no effort to replace. Nature, giv- en a half.' chance, does pretty well, but therels the rub. We don't give .nature a break, We by careless- ness or vicious intent send fire through young and old forests and burn more than we use. Profit By China's (Example Canada will be compelled to take an advance step in forest protec- tion and development. Otherwise we head for conditions in China— a land of floods, drouth and pov- erty. With China's example before us we have little excuse. Books And You BY ELIZABETH EEDY "BACK ROADS" By Katharine Haviiand-Taylor This is the story of a 'country doctor, Ezra Winters of the gal- lant heart. Every community has at one time known a pian like him. He knows that his people need him and when they call, he goes regardless of the size of the fee expected. When Caleb Densey's third wife —who was incurably ill—dies, Ca- leb hires a young physician to come to Hillsborough, and threat- ens the citizens of Hillsborough who are in debt to him if they consult Ezra and not his imported protege. He spreads gossip and even manages to destroy some of Dr. Winter's property. But Ezra gains the admiration and support of a wealthy and influential girl, who pledged herself to help the man who has been so generous'and kind to her. Ezra, firm in the knowledge of his duty, loved by a few loyal supporters, defies Caleb, . creating a poignant and dramatic climax. Katharine Haviland-Taylor por- trays country people and customs with a tolerance and love that shows how deeply sympathetic is her knowledge of them. "Back Roads" ... by Katharine Haviland-Taylor . . Toronto: J. B. Lippincott, 215 Victoria Street, .. $2.75. REG'LA9tl. FELLERS -The Cat's Meow NTARIQ UTDOORS By VIC BAKER IF YOU ARE GOING GUNNING •;.There will be thousands of gun- ners in Ontario this fall who will go into the hunting fiald in pur- suit of their favourite game. Near- iy all of them are safe gunners. But in order to bring to the attention of everyone and in the interest of making and keeping ,grinning a safe sport, a set of rules has been drawn up known as "The Ten Commandments of Safety." These have been devised after studies by sporting arms experts, game officials, outdoor editors and others. They are believed to cov- er every essential safety observ- ance which a gunner should obey. They are: Ten Commandments -First Commandment: 1`treat es ery gun with the respect due to a Ioaded gun. This is the cardinal rule of gun safety. Second Commandment: Carry only empty guns, taken down or with the action open, into your automobile, camp and.. home. Third Commandment: Always be sure -that the barrel and action are clear of obstructions. Fourth Commandment: Always carry your• gun so that you can control• the direction of the muzzle even if you stumble. Fifth Commandment: Be sure of your. target before you pull the trigger. Sixth Commandment: Never point a • gun at anything you do not want to shoot. Seventh Commandment: Never leave your gun unattended unless you .unload it first. Eighth Commandment: Never climb a tree or a fence with a loaded gun. Ninth Commandment: Never shoot at s flat, hard surface or -the surface of water. •Tenth Commandment: Do not tris gunpowder and alcohol. • Tomato Is Berry Strictly speaking, the tomato, or love -apple, is neither a true frltiit nor a vegetable, says the British Family Herald. It is a berry—a berry being any seed - bearing body ,in which the seeds are internal and surrounded by sof material. Gooseberries and currants are also berries, so are grapes, cucum- bers, marrows, and melons. But raspberries, blackberries, and lo- ganberries, despite their name, are not berries—because their seeds are external, They are proper fruits. VOICE of the PRESS FOOLING THEM Under the new censorship rules we understand the armies are not giving their right names. -Bran- don Sun, EXPLAINED Now it can be told. Railways couldn't open the windows so they air conditioned the trains.—Que- bec Chronicle -Telegraph, KEEP TWO DOCTORS AWAY The old saying is that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Make it two a day and help also to keep the wolf away from the doors of our apple producers.—Saint John Telegraph -Journal. CONFUSED ANATOMY The lack of shoes for Canadian volunteers makes us wonder if the Department of Defence has been led astray by Frederick the Great's epigram that an army marches on its stomach.—Toronto Satur- day Night. TIME TO CURB PROFITEERING The housewives are not inter- ested in the appointing of some commission that may bring down a 53,500 -word report on food prices next year. It will be all history by that time. What the people are interested in is some direct action without delay to curb profiteering.—Windsor Star, A GREAT HIGI-IWAY While we keep our attention fixed on more spectacular things, one of the greatest public works projects ever devised by human beings is slowly corning nearer to completion. This is the great mo- tor highway which will some day link Alaska with Argentina and provide a smooth and up-to-date roadway for tourists all the way no and down the two American continents. It will be 15,000 miles long when completed. Of this length, some 8,500 miles will be north of the Panama Canal; and it is noteworthy that all but a comparatively small portion of this North American section is now passable for automobiles.—Guelph Mercury. A plan for nation-wide identi- fication of dogs by "noseprinting" to,. cliznirra6a- Od.ag n t*Iline''!-..was_... presented to the American Hu- mane Association's 63rd annual meeting. Richard Meaney, New York City delegate, submitted to the conven- tion a system he has worked out with the aid of the Federal Bu- reau of Investigation. He said he hoped to end the stealing of valuable dogs for re- ward money or for sale. Isle of Atlantis Said No Legend Captain Claims It Never Sank Into. the Sea The island of Atlantis ien't a Ie. gend, and It never sank tato tho sea as Plato said. Take the word of Capt. 3. 14, Mott, who is a citizen of Atlantis and has a passport to prove it. "Twenty countries recognize my Passport," he said. "There are 26,- 000 citizens of Atlantis. We have a capital and. a king." Plato's story of Atlantis as an is- land whose people attained tut ex- traordinary xtraordinary degree of civilization, only to be destroyed when an earthquake sank the empire be- neath the sea, is generally .accept, ed as a myth. "Atlantis never sank," Mott said, "The old Empire consisted of the West Indies, Mexico, Central Am- erica and the northern part o5r South America. Its people were the ancestorsof the Aztec and Maya Indian tribes of the Yucatan pen- insula." Coral Atolls Off. West Indies -Mott hails from a modern Atlau tis =•- numerous coral atolls in the Vilest Indies oil the 'southeastern tip of the United States. Ile form- erly was a Danish sea captain and aviator, but renounced his Danish citizenship in 1904 to become a citizen of Atlantis. The Atlantis government was es- tablished by Danish settlers when the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Den:ark. Its capital is located at Odino, among the Lesser Antilles. King Age L is head of its government, which is patterned after that of England, Its citizens speak Esperanto. LIFE'S LIKE THAT )By Fred Nehelr "Do not =eke the li tzkc of conk sing this with any ordinary brtsht'° Ely GENE ;BYRNES