Loading...
Zurich Herald, 1940-12-05, Page 2Saving Ontario's Natural Resources By G. C. TONER Federation of Ontario Anglers (NO. 19) OUR NATIVE TROUT Mention trout to the average angler and he thinks of only two kinds, the native speckled trout and the native lake trout. If the angler has fished elsewhere the word "trout" will recall to his mind other kinds; perhaps rain- bow trout of the West; steelheads of the Pacific coast or brown trout of New York or Pennsyl- vania. However, there are in Ontario no fewer than three in- troduced non-native species and four indigenous kinds. The non-native species are the rainbow, the steelhead and the brown. The rainbow trout or- iginally lived in the mountains of western Nowth .America in the fast rivers and streams. In On- tario they are found in several rivers flowing into the Georgian Bay and Lake Superior and in some northern Ontario streams. The steelheael trout is n.ot a true species for moat biologists now regard it as a sea -going rainbow trout, This last has a tendency to run downstream after spawn- ing and where the rivers are short, as on the Pacific coast, they sometimes reach the sea where they find plenty of food. And Non -Natives The steelhead is a rainbow trout that lives permanently in salt water except when on the spawning runs into the rivers. Both the United States Burueau of Fisheries and the Ontario Game and Fisheries Department have planted steelheads in Great Lakes wasters where they have largely reverted to the rainbow type from which they are indis- tinguishable. The brown trout is a native of northern Europe. Two varieties have been widely introduced into the streams and lakes of eastern United States and Canada. Most of the original stock carne from Germany, hence the name "Ger- man brown," but some lots of eggs came fnoan Loch • Leven in Scotland where a somewhat dif- ferent variety of brown trout was native. These Scottish fish are known as "Loch Leven trout" but are indistinguishable after one or two generations in our waters. SCOUTING .. ■ 17,000 used medicine bottles of the desired size were collect- ed by the Boy Scouts of Saint John, N.B., for the district hos- pital unit of the R.C.A.M.C. a * * A number of British Scout Troops have suffered the loss of their meeting places "through enemy action." In one recent week two Troop- Headquarters were struck by German bombs and reducedto ashes. * * * Not forgetting, in spite of the war, the Scout's promise to be kind to animals, the 1st Hai- mondsworth Boy Scout Troop, England, has converted its cycle trek -cart into an animal ambu- lance, and is helping look after animals, particularly cats and dogs, injured during air raids. * * * Wide publication in Canada of a Louisville, I' y., dispatch an-' nouncing that two experimental troops of Air Scouts were to be organized by the J3oy Scouts of America brought inquiries to Dominion Scout Headquarters concerning such plans for Can- ada. There is no intention of teach- ing Canadain J3oy Scouts to fly, Two. new Scout Airman Profic- iency Badges recently inaugur- ated, the "FIying Lions," were adopted with the object of gen- erally instructing Scouts in the principles 'of aviation, but par- ticularly with the purpose of qualifying then to give landing directions and other aid to flyers girding to find an emergency landing place. Special attention in the instructions is given to pro- cedure to be followed and help to be renderedin case of an aero- plane crash. Correspondence Music School Progresses The Correspondence Conserva- tory of Music, Toronto, bats receiv- ed many enrollments from musical aspirants throughout Canada. Its progress is dee to the unique musical courses written by Can- ada's most outstanding musician- teach ers. A private in the Royal ,Sussex Regiment is claimed to be the oldest soldier in the British Army, When he enlisted in a gnome defence unit at the out - 'break of was', he gave his age AN 64; he wets really 69. Torpedo Boats U-leip Patrol English Coast Somewhere off the coast of England, this torpe do boat is really making the spray fly as it speeds along on patrol duty, So high does the water leap that it obscures the lines of the craft and gives it the ap- pearance of a submarine. Scores of these tiny craft aze doing a' full-size job in protecting Britain from raiders. THE WAR. EV E E K --Commentary on Current Events BULGARIA, MAKES STAND; BALKAN TENSION DROPS When the Bulgarian goverument, fortified by the backing of Rusia, refused to sign up as No. 7 in the German-Italianerapanese - Hougar- ian-Rumanian-Slovack axis, the democratic world breathed easier. Hitler's plans for a quick push dc'wn into Greece were effectively scotched; his Near East drive was stalled within 250 miles of the Dar- danelles, while Axis partner Mus- solini's legions floundered about in Albania. How Long A "Breather"? There was unconcealed relief in Sofia, where a government official declared that "it now appears cer- tain to us Bulgaria will not be in- volved in war this winter." Never- theless the most optimistic observ- ers there believed that only a tem- porary respite was being afforded by the "Bulgarian breathing spell," that the 'cheek -Italian war would inevitably spread to involve the remaining Balkan countries. How long could Yugoslavia resist Axis advances? How long could Turkey stay out if Greece found herself in serious difficulties under a new It- alian counter -offensive? Air War Grows Fiercer If Balkan tension relaxed last week, the same could not be said of the state of affairs in the Battle of Britain. Both sides intensified their air bombardments (the R. A. F. launched terrific attacks on Ger- man and Italian war factories, ports, railway centres, supply bas- es; English towns and industrial centres underwent merciless treat- ment by the Luftwaffe). Accord- ing to the British version, damage to Germany's industrial machine was much heavier and far more concentrated than anything the Nazis had been able to accomplish in England. Both suffered heavily, wrote Edward Beattie Jr, of the Associated Press, but England could count on the advantage of Canadian and other Empire produc- tion and a growing stream of new planes, guns and shells from the United States. .At the worst Eng- land could even move her factories to Canada, while Germany had only the doubtful and difficult possibil- ity of transferring her war plants to Russia. Invasion Still Possible Some experts in London last week held the view that growing British war strength, especially in bombers, and prospects for greatly inereasecl American aid, might cause Hitler to abandon other plans in favor of invasion of Britain this 'winter. Profiting by the period of heavy fog which greatly restricts flying activities, the Germans might be tempted. to risk an invasion with- out the usual air preparations, counting on the element of sur- prise and the difficulty of dislodg- ing their troops once firmly en- treneb:ed. Hitler, they evidently be- lieved, might be feeling that the risk of a winter invasion was now less than that of a Mediterranean adventure; that if he waited till spring, he might be too late. "We Must Have Ships" Ilitler's use of long-range bomb- ers, operating from Brest in an at- tempt to cancel -out American help by blockading Atlantic shipping laues still constituted a most ser- ious menace to the British war effort—one which was evidently up- permost in the minds of Britain's war leaders last week. Ronald Cross, British minister of shipping, said in a broadcast that Britain was "anxious to get more chips built overseas. We are looking primar- ily to the shipyards of the United States ... We must have ships— our life here and the is:sues which hang on our having enough ships are so tremendous we cannot make tee. sure of our shipping position in the months and years ahead ... By themselves, the resources of the Empire are not enough." U. S. Loans in Gff,ej Lord Lothian, British pimbass- ador to Washington, who returned to the U. S. last week, when asked if his report on Britain's position was optimistic, replied: "Optimistic, provided that we get help from you." The Ambassador told newsmen that financial assist- ance from the U. S. for Great Bri- tain was one of the problems to be met "in the first half" of the new year, but that it could wait for ac- tion by the new Congress which convenes in January. (It was well-known in both Lon- don and Washington that before loans could be made to Great Bri- tain, Congress would have to re- peal or amend the Johnson Act which bans credits to countries which defaulted on their First ('creat War debts; and the Neutral- ity Act, which for -ads loans to bel- ligerent nations). "Total Aid" Forthcoming? Meantime, the United States con- tinued to link its own defense with that of Britain's on an increasing- ly larger scale. Forty-six of the world's most powerful bombers were released for use by British airmen; and public endorsement began to be sought, for "total aid" to Britain. Japs After Singapore By contrast, the United States' relations with Japan did not im- prove, as Japan gave more and more indication of preparations to flout American interests in the Par East, Withdrawing almost all troops from China's southern provinces, Japan renewed pressure on French Indo-China, demanding air and nav- al bases, including Saigon, most important French port in the Orient. In. th e s e they were aided by Thailand. ("Time" mag- azine, Nov. 25, said: "South of France's naval base at Cam'ranh Bay, south of Hong Kong, south of Manila, Saigon dominates the sea lanes from all these points to Sing- apore. If Japan took Saigon, it might be in a position to cut In two the naval strategies of the white man's empire") Mutually Assures[ Soviet Russia last week sounded out General Chiang Rai-Shek's gov- ernment on whether peaee with. Japan was contemplated and re- ceived positive assurances to the contrary. "We will fight to the fin- ish" was said to be the Chinese answer. At the same time the Chin- ese Ieaders, according to New York Times' Hallett Abend, expressed certainty that Russia wouldn't ne- gotiate any deal with the Japs at the expense of China, that Soviet aid to China was as sure as death - and -taxes. * * ., Westerners Get Action It has been said that Premier Bracken's coalition government in Manitoba constitutes the greatest threat to the Mackenzie Ring ad- ministration at present found in Canada. Representing a solid bloc of men who want to get the West the "squarest" possible deal, it forces action on issues the Federal government might otherwise cir- cumvent. More or less as a direct result of the Western pressure there came from Ottawa last week an announcement that the Domin- ion gomernment would take deliv- ery (at 70c a bus. for No. 1 North- ern) of all the 1940 wheat crop and set about constructing addition- al wheat storage space to house the whole of it. Further, the Min- ister of Trade and Commerce de- clared: "We all fully recognize that a wheat policy covering the 1941- 42 crop year must be announced some time in February, well in ad- vance of the seeding season " "Till it Hurts" Immediately after conclusion of the Throne speech debate, Parlia- ment at Ottawa forecast adjourn- ment until Monday, Feb. 17. The Opposition had pressed throughout the session for more and fuller iu- formation on the various phases of the war effort but the Government withheld such on the ground that it would be of too much value to the enemy. Between adjournment and reassembly in February, the Dominion- Proviucial conference will meet in Ottawa to consider the important fiseal and social ree forms proposed in the report of the.. Rowell-Sirois Commission. The Finance Minister, speaking In the House, warned that an "ex- cessive and dangerous" optimism as to the outcome of the war exist- ed in Canada. "We must engage the enemy ourselves," he said, "in our civilian activities—by the mak- ing of sacrifices, the foregoing of pleasures, the devotion of our sub- stance to the cause." ... Announc- Ing that Canada's next war loan would be floated next summer, Mr. Ilsley stated that financing Can- ada's war efofrt meant being "tax- ed until it hurts." • Revenue freight loaded at rail- way stations in Canada and re- ceived (roan foreign connections during July, 1940, amounted to 8,943,066 tons compared with 6,274,181 tons in July, 1939, an increase of .more than. 40 per cent. SIRS REPORT: r= 6 ITS BACKGROUND ► Momentous Decisions, Made Upon Its Recommendations, 'glial Affect All the People of Canada This is the first of a series of articles on the significance of the. Rowe1C.Sirois Commission and its report. They will stress particu- lardy the effects of its implemen• tat.on on our farm and rural population. On January 14th, a Dominion - Provincial Conference opens at Ottawa to discuss the recommen- dations of the Rowell-Sirois Cc: ,mission ' What is the background of this Ocmmission? How did it come: into being? What conditions did it uncover in its two and a half years of inquiry? These are questions mauy Canadians are asking. Momen- tous decisions, — for action or against action, for this reform or for that reform—will be made in the coming months. These concern every tax -payer, because they affect his pocket -book. They interest every Candaian because they affect the whole present basis of Confederation and will influence many of the future trends in social welfare, national development and the standard of living. Grew Out of Crisis The Royal Commission on Do- minion -Provincial Relations — to give its full title — grew out of grave financial and social condi- tions created in Canada by the financial burden of the last de- pression, falling unequally on the various governments. The collapse in 1929 and subse- quent years is too well remem- bered to need recalling in d3 - tail. Mass unemployment on a vast and prolonged scale appear- ed for the first time in Canadian history. Family resources of the unem- ployed were soon exhausted. Work became impassible, for many thousands, to obtain. Pri- vate and church .charity were soon overwhelmed. Governments had to step in. Plight of Municipalities The hardest-hit municipalities soon came tb the end of their tether. They tried to increase taxes, but 'revenues fell rapidly in spite of heavier imposts. They tried to provide work for the an - employed, but this involved ex- penditures they could not fin- ance. They cut essential services to the bone and into the bone. They borrowed to bridge the gap between revenue and expendi- ture. Still unemployment increased. Destitute people required food, clothing, shelter, medical and dental care, schooling, civic ser- vices of various kinds. They had to be supplied at least with the niinimun necessities of life. Municipalities in the wheat arec.s. cd the West found them- . Thumbs Up ! Their fares reflecting deter- mined courage, two London tote are shown as they left a bomb shelter for a bus scheduled to carry them to the comparuthu safety of the English country - silo. Their ;some was destroyed in a German air raid. selves in similar plight due to crop failure and the partial or conmplete loss of income of their residents and tax -payers. When municipalities had bor- rowed to the limit, and their credit was gone, they had to ap- proach senior governments for grants, or loans. As the dcpressAen deepened, the weaker provinces followed the same path as the municipali- ties: namely, rising expenditures, Falling revenues, more onerous taxes, stringent economy, sacri- fice of essential services, use of all reserves, borrowing, which entailed heavier interest costs at higher lntereet rates, and finally, in the case of several provinces, the complete exhaustion of pro- vincial credit. The Load of Debt After the exhaustion of muni- cipal credit and provincial credit in the hardest-hit areas, it was only possible to continue to main- tain normal activities of govern- ment and relieve the distressed by borrowing from the Dominion Govrnment. The old principle of financial independence of government was violated over large areas of Can- ada. Weaker units were tending to become financial wards of the Dominion Government. The sound policy, that the gov- erment unit which collected money should also spend it, had to be abandoned. Vast expendi- Here is the: Sweetener o Use for Easy Digestihi[ity P512 Bee Hive Syrup tures and borrowings shackled a heavy dead-weight de'"t load on many governments, which even a return to normal times would not lift. Remedy Must Be Found The health and welfare of hun- dreds of thousands of people were suffering because govern- ments empowered to help them were not financially able to do so. Remedial action was impera- tive. Either the loads on certain governments must be lightened, or their revenue sources must be amplified, or these two proced- ures could be combined. The government, early in 1937, appointed the Royal Commission on Dominion - Provincial Rela- tions to inquire into these con- ditions, to find facts and to make recommendations. New Architecture Aids Camouflage Great Britain has entered a new phase of camouflage, with a special kind of architecture which blends with the landscape. Thin fact is reported in Nature, Britain's official journal of sci- ence. "Photographs (from the air) of enc of the few buildings which has been deigned from the out- set in co-operation with camou- flage experts make one realize what could be .achieved," it states. The huge the English with fields, hedges, and tinuishable melt" structure is part of landseabe, complete woods, roads and is as nearly indis- ne could be imag- REG'LAR FELLERS -- Round Trip 13y GENE BYRNES t KNOW WHERE .n4OSE ROCKS CAME FROM/ THey weRm. eROUC,HT DOWN BY SEARCH MB I C,U!tfS; THEBACK Y MUST AFTEBR SOME MORE ROCK% «a..1t.tl�AR.5! . Ml nwx tom* ..M+eea+il