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The Clinton News Record, 1932-01-07, Page 3H;URS, M.N. 7, 1932 e TEE CLINTON NEWS -RECORD PROIYI NENT PUBLIC MAN PASSES IN DEATH OF Baptist; and a member of the Rid- SIR GGEO . RGU E, FOSTER Was Canadian Statesman and Orator of International l:@ nat301'lal Fame Lived to Ripe Age. let. Hon Sic George Eines Foster died at his residence, Ottawa, abort- ly after 5 o'clock last Thursday eve. ring, The 'veteran statesman had been seriously in for twoweeks and sank into unconsciousness the pre- vious' day, from which he did not rany. Ho .was 84 years old. For several days .little hope was entertained for 'Sir George's recov- ery. Until six months ago his health \vas remarkable for a roan of his years, iris mind was clear and keen. iris ,speeches in the' Senate showed all his old-time vigor. .Then' he was stricken with a cerebral`herorr'hage. A fortnight, ago he suffered a second' and more serious apoplectic seizure, Re rallied, however, and ,with the strong ' constitution, be fought ; a great but losing battle.' 'Christmas Day found his condition very eriti- cal and a bulletin issued on Sunday night by his physician gave little hope that he would survive. During his illness inquiries. poured into his home from all parts of the world as to the health of this • great Canadian. Sir George had travelled much, and from the- moth- erland, from Europe, from the Unsi- ;ted States, in fact, fioin;almost ev- ery part of the globe, canoe mes- sages expressing the sincerest hope that he would recover. 'Wherever he wenthe made friends, who. awaited anxiously fox word of his condition. Lady Foster was in almost con- stant attendance upon her distin- guished husband during his illness. The funeral was held on Saturday at '2 o'clock in the afternoon with eerviees conducted at the residence of Rev. Dr. John W. Woodside, pas- tor of Chalmers United Church. Bur- ial in Beechwood ,Cemetery, beside the grave of Sir George's first wife, The "Grand Old Man" Regarded by political friends and foes alike as the "Grand Old Man" of Canadian public life, Itt. Hon. Sir George '.Hulas Foster, had had his "exits and entrances" upon the stage of Canadian politics for half a cen- tury. Through. him not a little of the history of this Dominion was written and with him had lain a close link between the Canada of to- day and the scattered provinces of pre -Confederation tines. Sir George was 17 years of age when Sir John. A. Macdonald brought into being the first government of a United Canada in 1867. The strenuous days wheal Canada was in embryo, the colorful years of his country's birth and de- velopment from colony to nation, were all part of his lifetime. In that development Sir George Foster play- ed a notable and .useful part. A parliamentarian Of unusual ability delighted to express itself in the polished period and the rounded phrase, an administrator upon whose shoulders 'had lain heavy responsib- ilities, but in whom reposed the cap- acity for discharging thein honorab- ly and efficiently,. Sir George was al- ways a sturdy combatant on the field of political polemics. His eare lier role in pert* affrays was that of the skilled fencer; the verbal rap, a larger majority. Three years let er he was taken into the Cabinet of Sir John A. Macdonald as minister o9 marine and fisheries. That portfolio he retained for three yeas, when, on the resignation' of Sir Charles Tup- per from the ministry, he became minister of finance, In : the subse quent administrations of Sir John Abbott, Sir John Thoriipson, Sir Mac- kenzie ankenzie Bowell and Sze Charles Tup- per, lasting from 1392 to 1896, Sir George continued to hold the finance ortfolio. Tasted •Defeat In 1896 the Conservative Govern. ment went forth into the wilderness, where it remained far 15 years. Twice contesting seats in that per- iod, once in St. John, N,13., in 1900, and again in Northern Ontario in 1903, Sir George tasted political' de- feat. But in 1904 he returned to the House of Commons, sent thither 'by the constituency of North Toronto. Until his elevation to the 'Senate in 1921 he sat for this riding, not again courting the politica'. favors -of his native New •Brunswick, • • When the Government of Bir Ro- bert L. Borden succeeded that of the late Sir Wilfred Laurier foliewing the reciprocity election at' 1911, -Sir Georgi: Was given the portfolio of trade and commerce. While occupy- ing that office he was responsible for the perferential 10 -year trade a- greement with the West Indies eoI- onies, and he also made extensive travels in the Far East in connec- tion with a campaign of expansion for Canadian trade. In 1912 Sir George effected an arrangement with h the British Government whereby the British consular service was of- ficially opened to the use of Cana- dian commerce; and in the same year he became a member of an int vestigating board comprising six Members. from Great Britain and the' overseas dominions, whose duty it was to veport'tpon the natural de - sources .of these countries, their de- velopment and the extension of trade between the various parts of the.em- •pire. This commission held sessions in Great Britain, Austra'ia, New Zealand, Canada and Newfoundland. Visited Battlefields During the Great War, Sir •George with other members of the Canadian Parliament, visited the western front There they were conducted to a, num- ber of Canadian battalions in re- serve positions, Sir George deliver- ing brief speeches of encouragement to the troops and meeting the office; era. During 1916 he attended the al- lied economic conference at Paris, as one of the four representatives of the British Government, • and in that year he was appointed a member of the Imperial Privy Council, n dis- tinction which carried with it the title of "right honorable." Following the war, Sir George ac- companied Sir Robert Borden to the e conference, Two years inter, it Robert's absence from. Ottawa, eeanne acting prime minister. His tion to the Senate in 1921 was prior• to the defeat of the hen administration, in which he again held the office of "sinister ade and commerce. From that on Sir George devoted the major of his efforts to stimulating Canadian support of the League of Nati ans. Peat in 8 he b clava t lee was his arm, caustic and satire eleig ical comnient withering the aspire- hadg tions and antagonisms of many an of tr opponent. In his latter years his time speeches were much more -mellow and the publiccameto understand part him as the kindly gentleman he was. A student of the classics. Sir George possessed a vocabulary rich in allus- ian and apt imagery, In the later years of his life he des voted his efforts to advancing in Canada the objects of the League of Nations, Present at the Versailles conference, which gave the league birth, Sir George was its enthusias- tic proponent in this country. In every large city in the Dominion he appeared and lectured an the aims of the league, seeking with some success to enlist the enlightened op= inion of Canada on the side of inter national amity. On several occas- ions he load represented Canada at Geneva; and it was a compiiment to his outstanding •sincerity and ability thata government to 'width he was. opposed' from a partisan viewpoint selected him to be a member of the Canadian delegation to the league in 1026. Always for ,Temperance Side by side with international - good -will was Sir George's strong protagonism of temperance. A life-long prohibitionist, a one of the earliest acts of his politieal career was the intrsduction of a, resolution into the House of Commons affirming' the principle of prohibition,one of;' Itis great speeches in the Senate in 1980 was on this subject, a strongly voiced support of the action• et a Liberal' administration forbidding the In 1 clearance of liquor -laden vessels to Knigh United States ports. and 5 Sir Georg Foster.was first elected Comm to the House of Commons for King's Sir - County, New Brunswick, in 1882., On eral m Sir George was born ie Carleton County, New Brunswick, oh 'Septette, ber 3, 1847, a son of the late John Foster, of United .Empire Loyalist descent. Tae watteducated at the University of New Brun'swiek, Fred- ericton, where he even several schol- arships and medals. Graduating ill 1868, he taught in different high schools anedsminaries, and three years later was selected as professor of classics and ancient literature oil his ahna ,nater. - In the following years Sir George continued his stud- ies at Edinburgh University and Heidelberg. In 1879 he resigned from the faculty of U.N.B. • Twice 14lairied • Sir George was married twice first in 1889, 'Miss Adeline Davies, oldest daughter of the late Milton Davies, of Hamilton, Ont. She died in 1919, and in 1920 he married Jessie, daugh- ter of the late Sir :William Allan, M.P., ' of London. The latter cere- mony was held at Geneva while Sir George was representing Canada at the deliberations of, the first assem- bly of the League of Nations. There were no children. his death Sir George was the t standing member of the Do - Privy .Council, which he en - tinder Sir John A. 'Macdonald 5. On Images minion tered in 188 014 Sir George was Created a t •Commander•, of St. M'ieheel t. George, and in 1918 Knight ander, Grand _Cross. George was president of see. ining and development com- and first vie -president and 1 managor of the Union Trust y, of Toronto. Ile was . a , however, the election was ponies, voided.' Undeterred, he again con- genera tested the seat and was returned by Compel eau "Club, Ottawa, and tire Toronto and National. clubs, Toronto. Sir George was always fon boating and fishing and he w tl of as an enthusiastic gardener. He was, a lover of cricket and an -a bicyclist until late 'maze. Premier's Tribute ,Premier R. B. Bennett expressing his deep regret at death of Sir George, stated: "Rt. -Iron. Sir George` E. Foster was the- sole surviving colleague of; Sir John A. Macdonald." He was the senior member of the King's Privy Council for Canada, having been ap- pointed minister' of marine and fish, eries on December 10, 1885. 13e had. a long, distinguished and strenuous public career.' He early gave evi- dence of those powers of . concise and log•ieal statement and clear ex- also ecient in the position for which he was so long distinguished. A shined debater, he. became pre-eminent as a parliamen- Carion. Those who recall his speech- es will remember his, calm, impas- sioned and convincing .logic express sed in language at once simple and classic. "He was a firm believer in the British Empire, was convinced of the value of Imperial preferences, and was responsible for the negotiation of many trade agreements. Our sys- tem of trade commissioners was es- tablished under hie direction. He has left behind him enduring memar- ials in statutes which are now- part of the law of the country. . Believed in League - "Ha earnest'.y believed in the League of Nations, which he was convinced was an organization for effectually promoting the Mainten- ance and preservation of evorli] peace. He was a great public ser- vant. He successfully withstood pa litical attacks of more than ordinary bitterness without resentment and by g perseverance e cr wn e ed tt career of great usefulness, was hon- ored by his sovereign, and -respected- and esteemed by Canadiaus in every walk of life, regardless of their po- litical affiliations. "The public Iife of Canada will be poorer for his passing." King's, Tribute Rt. Ron. W. L. Mackenzie King, leader .at the Liberal .party and for - met. prime minister of Canada paid the following tribute to Sir George Foster: "Public life has lost, in the passing of Sir Goerge Foster, the oldest member of the Privy Council of Can- ada. Alike in years and length of service, Sir George was also the old- est member of aur Parliament. He, alone remained of those who held of- fice' in f-fice'in the Conservative adnzinistre- tions evhich preceded the Government formed by Sir Wilfred Laurier in 1896. Even at that time he had been a minister of the crown for mare than 10 years. Ever since he was active in the i»litieal life of aur country, "It is inevitable that a paiticai career of•such-duration, characterized as it was by a certain relentlessness, and an intensity of purpose anrj feeling, should be, variously viewed by those whose policies it contributed to support, or to oppose. There were years when Sir George experienced, as few others, all that was bitterest in political controversy. "It was an evidence of Sir George Foster's greatness that years of poli- tieal strife served to mellow, rather than embitter Kinn, The war and Ith appalling sufferings and loss helped to reveal how broad and deep his sym- pathies were, In particular, the closing years of his life will lie re- membered by its devotion to great causes, and the zeal and fidelity witiz which they were espoused, "I think I may today speak of the Liberal party as a whole when I say that, in the passing of 'Sir George Foster, the citizens of our country, ir- respective of political affiliations, mourn the loss of a great Canadiaxl, statesman whose name will find its place among those of the foremost men of modern times," Borden's Tribute "Even at Sir ;George Foster's very advanced age, the , tidings of his death come as a distinctshock," said Sir. Rapert"Barden, wartime premier of Canada, in paying: tribute to, SirJ George. "For half a century," he continued, "Ise gave unstinted and distinguished service to 'Canada. Frointhe very first his pre-eminent ability placed ltim in the forefront of pattii-iareentry, debaters and with little delay ad-: vaneed hint to Cabinet rank as min- ister of finance. "For more 'than a quarter of a cen- tury I was closely "associated with him in active public life and enjoyed the privilege of his intimate friend- ship. His splendid qualities needs' not be enumerated or teoalled: they are known: to all Canadians. Above and beyond all other considerations:; he stood for the unity of the Britislf Empire.: This was his constant ideal, and in hint it had a most force- ful, ardent and valiant protagonist, Powers of Analysis "His wondesiful gift of 'expressieits his powers of keen analysis and the overmastering force of his convic- tions were illustrated both in Par- Sir George was as well si'scru ulous- have !lament and on theP public giatfprm ly conscientious public servant and '�Y spoon: in hiscommanding eloquence. loyal friend." "There were those who in his ear- Regretin Britain ly days spoke of him as cold—a eom plate misinterpretation of his nature, Re was extremely" sensitive, and in critical or solemn 'mo-pes is he was st'isrc13 to the depths of his being by such emotions as few man are priv; ileged to feel. This was in some measure the secret of his remarkable posher. "Canada is iasfinitely the richer for his ideals ' and for his memorable career, and, although the years had told upon him, she is the poorer for his lass, We whp knew him best mount his" most deeply, but I feel' that all Canada joins in mourning him as a great Canadian," IVleighen Pays Tribtt`e "Canada -rust now say ` good-bye to one of the great figures of her early history, a valiant warrior anti a devoted. patriot," said Rt. Hon: Ar- thur ltfeighen, former premier of Canada, in paying tribute to Rt. Hon: Sir George I+oster, noted parliam- entarian, arliamentarian,. • "I have all my life had a 'special fondness for Sir George, Foster," continued lair. Meighen. "Through- out nearly the whole of his career he was misunderstood by the Cana- dian people. They' looked upon him as a man of per•w'--lar talent, -but of hard and merciless disposition, want- ing in tolerance and human .kind- ness. "He was quite the contrary and in recent years the public hes came to a truer and higher estimate of. his- character, is character, Sir John Macdonald' re- garded Sir George as the -finest plats form speaker, or, as he expressed it. `the best stomper this country had produced.' Ile was probably right. e nvented L . P.AG..E; a soundless soup- 1- The federal b f London, Dec. 30,..'—(CP Cable) of the death at Ottawa of S George , Foster, veteran Canadi politician, today was received wi regret' by those in Government ci eros who knew him well in the da when visits of ministers from ove seas dominions were not as comm as they are today. Sir George was one of the busie of the Canadian ministers in 191 when Sir Robert Borden, then Oen e bureau o statistics -.I report a decrease of ten per cent; it in marriages during eleven_ months - an of 1931 as compared ,with the same th I months of 1930. That's something r- that cannot be blamed on tariff, for ys r• on there is no customs duty on matches of that sett, no matter where made. st Culture says a writer, implies tl 2 ze ability to overlook insults. Still, we a- dian Conservative primo ntinist brought practically his whole Cabinet to this country. ' have seen baseball umpires who were er' reguear roughnecks, During the war Sir George divided his time chiefly between this country and the continent. ITe attended the economic conferences at Paris in 1916. During the same year when delegates from all the dominion pan /laments came to witness the efforts being put forward by the mother country in the war and were receiv- ed by tile King and Queen Sir George was elected to reply to the royal welcome on behalf of all the domin- ions. A year after the end of the war, in 1918, -Sir George remarked in Lon- don that few people in the United Kingdom head an adequate idea of the trade sacrifices made by the do- minions as a consequence of the war, and added: "Without dictating to the mother country what she shall de by way of preference to bind empire trade in- terests more closely, we yet -do desire to be understood, and to be, if not preferentially, yet certainly sympa- thetically treated, and in no case suf- fel dr -examination compared to for- ign countries. • L%K1NGINEWS C01.14u haark .Lenz went to sleep once while Culbertson was deciding which to play; I asked ati aged man, a man of cares, Wrinkled and curved and white with hoary hairs, "Time is the thing that passes," he opined, While Eky's making card . track mind." While on the job, Santa Claus did his bit to relieve unemployment. and distress. But, alas, his occupation is only. seasonal. - Said' Mat Chan Shan to Chiang Kai- • Shek - "When we attacked, the Japs just rats". "Where are they how?" asked Chiang Kai-Shek. "They're close upon our heels," said Shan. The fate of .Legs Diamond must bring some consolation to Al Capone who is in the security of a peniten- tiary. He is enjoying as usual the protection of officers of • the law, without any of the terrors, of free- dom in Chicago. consequences of a poor investment.. Their „aievance should not be :a- - gainst Canada; but the Conzpstny which made the issue, and againat themselves for buying the shares, Congress proposes a two -billion: loan to save' the railways pfthe Un - ted States, "There wasd n such move made to save ine from the same competition," remarks the sur, vivine horse. Badminton—euphemism ` for close .- confinement ,with hard labor,. On moderate salaries several New Yorlt city : officials managed to ac- cumulate large fortunes and, when questioned about it, their favorite explanation was that they made their money by betting on horses, If the, investigator believes them, it is a sure sign that he himself never.:' played the ponies. • so C b si sh B p ha The fickleness of fashion ha xnetimes dire consequences, A hinaman reports that the launch' usiness- has been badly damage nee men took to wearing sof irts with soft collars and cuffs ut it might he werse. Think of tis oor fe'.low'wlio used to tnanufectur it -pins, s. Y' d` t e .e A lawyer told us, the other day, or will which he probated recently. raving been written by the testator mself, it is simple and concise, and - e venture to think is proof against cCessful contestation: "I leave to y wife, Margaret, all I posses, in. e hope that it is sufficient for her ells and that she may live long to. joy it." Scientists have discovered a way h. to get rid of weeds. Another way it eves discovered long, long ago by m widows. th ne en Grand Trunk junior stock-boide:re are stili trying to induce Canada to make good their loss. They bought the shares when the Grand Trunk was an English concern managed from London. When the railway, got into difficulties, Canada agreed to take it over on an appraisal to be made by three commissioners, one of wham was an appointee al the company. That comniisslon found that those junior stocks had no value and if they had no value then they lin certainly* have none now, Even if du Noises and gastric joices do not Canada •had made ntoney, instead of mu mix and therefore cause indigestion, losing heavily on the transaction, pre says a medical authority. Too late, she would be under ne obligation to Lot oo late! Perhaps Edison could relieve those stock -holders from tate ter. use his' one. The tribute to a wife is expressed much better in his simple prose than that we saw in verse on a tomb in Greyfriars cemetery, Edinburgh: he was— words can't- say what. ' AlI a. wife could be she was that." ea Glasgow, Galashiels and Dunfernz- o report largely increased savings ring the past two years, They st have.taken from Old Man De- ssion every shilling he took from Won, Binsniughani and Manches- '-g-----.--a--amg"-amgmma"1"-"gm"mmmmmm"g'sm'namw"..... ft you Realiu want a ll ushiess sad nothing about it! Retailers who don't want a bigger business show d say nothing about it, for, if they began talking about it in the farm of advertisements, they would get new customers whctae requirements would just distribute them —, would ewe- . poi them to buy more, deliver more, work more. There's a story told about a retail- er who certainly didn't went a big business. .$e was playing checkers with a •crony in some plat of hiding in the rear. portion 0,e his store. A customer entered; The crony said, "There's Mrs. Black." "Hush", saki the retailer, "If we don't snake a noise, perhaps, she'll go away!" ensemetseurarasinvaanasset Some retailers can never hope to have a big business even if they wanted one --they lack the ability, the energy, the ambition, the under- standing needed to make a big business. , They. are •content with a small business, and would be - really unhappy - if their business was growing rapidly as a consequence of eireumstnaces out- side their control. They would feel like a man in a wagon whose horses were running away with it! Some retailers, .however, i have an urge to make their business larger. They dream of the tine when they will have one big' .stare, or a flock of "ehain" stores. They want "a "titch big- ger income than their present one. Perhaps they dream of a time when they won't have to work, The way to a bigger business is as plain as the nose 00 one's face; it is customer multiplica- tion. A retailer with an urge toward. bigger things should give his main thought and et' - fort to customer nsultiplica- tior. when they will -have much Ieisure to be spent pitching horseshoes, or in bowling or in trava ening, or with books, or in a country Koine. Customer attraction can be acconsplished var- iously, but there is one essential means—press advertising. A.dvertisntents go where personal salesmen and even letters can't hope to go, and they have a profound influence ":on readers of then -they soften resistance, dissolve apathy, Create confidence and goodwill,' and direct the steps of buyers. And they are cheap! And buyers—not sellers—pay for thein, and are glad to pay for thein! .Buyers always go, in largest numbers, and of their own free will, to those stores which spend a lot of money on advertis- ing! 1-'7715Ir19 WIN Why should any ambitious retailer hesitate to contract for adver- tising which his customers will pay for gladly?