The Huron Expositor, 1949-01-14, Page 2•
,'U F HURON X O I QR'
OSIFER 0
bed 1,0'
ean, Editor.
eaforth, Ontario, ev-
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SEAFORTH, Friday, January 14
Reasonable Approach
One of the most reasonable ap-
proaches to the oleomargine ques-
tion that we have seen during the
long drawn-out discussion was that
of R. W. Morrison, newly -elected
President of the Ontario Federation
of Agriculture, when he is reported
by the daily press to have said:
"Our federation is not opposed to
the manufacture of oleomargine, as
such. Our complaint is against yel-
low margarine which will only con-
fuse the public and -lead to the boot=
'legging of butter."
Mr. Morrison who, until recently,
operated a mixed farm which in-
cluded the production of dairy pro-
ducts, went on to say that:
"Our federation is sympathetic to
the consumer and there is no deny-
ing the difference in selling price for
margarine, which costs 45 cents, and
butter, which' is 72 cents," said Mor-
rison.
"Yellow margarine is a different
matter," he said, "There is nothing
to stop an unscrupulous person from
buying margarine, which looks like
butter, for 45 cents and repackaging
it to sell as genuine butter at 72
cents."
Once the quality of a food product
has been determined and it has been
proven that it is' not injurious to
health, there appears no legitimate
reason why that product should not
be made available to the public. But
as Mr. Morrison suggests, it is not
only desirable, but necessary, to en-
sure that such a so-called substitute
be marketed in such a manner that it
cannot be sold to the public as the
original.
•
" The Books Drive On"
Probably never in Huron's hun-
dred -year history has a concerted
effort been made to draw attention
to the many attributes which go to
make up the County of Huron—its
'beautiful scenery, its quiet rural
roads and bustling highways, its
pleasant villages and busy towns, its
well -kept farms and prize winning
stock. It" remained for the Huron
Library Association with its film,
"The Books Drive on," which was
previewed in Seaforth Tuesday eve-
ning, to do this and more.
Born in the minds of Mrs. Alice
Eckmier, County Librarian, and her
husband, the sixteen hundred foot
film was commenced in 1947, and oc-
cupied more than a year in the mak-
ing. The running commentory by
Tom Rafferty complements the ex-
cellent color photography of Bob
Henry, of Goderich, as the camera
seeks out and finds characteristic
scenes throughout Huron.
"The Books Drive On" is the story
of Huron County's unique library
service—the first to be established in
Ontario—which by careful planning
and close co-operation brings to ev-
ery corner of the county a better
way of life through books., The dis-
tribution of the books throughout
the county to hamlet, village and
town provides the thread with which
the picture is built.
As the library truck makes its
ounds in every season of the year,
e camera records the day-to-day
etivites of the districts through
thick it drives. It shows the farms
th their rich fields of grain and
Tided stock, points up the place
Mage library occupies in the
,its peo$e,, and shows work -
pt ,the larger libraries, such as
ih nthingelse the Airs
e, diversityj form that
• lrf"
±�� e in Huron.
or.
e,sse !too, in ' nfargettab1e
a°pan
fashion, the beauties that lie almost
atour front door -the scenic drives,
the long views of river, hills and
trees, The film might well serve as
the introduction to a "See Huron
First" campaign, for there is little
doubt that not more than a few citi-
zens of the county appreciate the
scenic advantages which the county
holds, and which are so readily
available to all.
The Seaforth. preview, which was
arranged by Reeve Frank Sills,
chairman of the County Council
Library Committee, is the first of
showings which will be held through-
out the county during coming
months.
While the picture is the work of
so-called amateurs, it far exceeds in
so many ways a number of similar
efforts by professions that we have
seen that it would seem reason-
able that it be made available for
distribution to a larger audience
than is available in Huron. The Na-
tional Film Board, for instance,
might well consider taking over
"The Books Drive On," thus assur-
ing it that larger audience which the
film so richly deserves.
Mr. and Mrs. Eckmier, the Huron
Library Association, and the mem-
bers of Huron County Council, who
through the county grant made pos-
sible the project, deserve credit for
an unique contribution to the docu-
mentary record of the county. In
view of the assured success of the
Library Association's first effort in
this line, it may well be that it would
consider further films to record in
similar interesting, manner other
aspects of life in Huron.
•
Dust In January
It is not often that this district
enjoys weather in January such as
there has been during the past two
weeks. Were it not for calendars,
one might well assume the month to
be April.
What little snow there has been,
has almost gone; the fields and roads
are bare. In fact, if there is not
soon some snow, road maintenance
people are going to find it necessary
to worry about dust preventatives
rather than snow removal.
But just to make certain we don't
get too optimistic too soon, the wea-
therman on Wedneslay introduc-
ed a near -zero spell, with accompany-
ing snow and winds.
s
WHAT OTHER PAPERS SAY:
A STRONG TOWN
(The Winchester Press)
A town is only as strong as its in-
dividual citizens; only as modern
and progressive as its citizens care
to make it. It can only progress as
its citizens allow it to.
How strong is any town? A strong
town is made up of people who are
civic -minded; people who get out and
vote at -election time; people who
support town organizations and, if
a worthwhile organization gets into
difficulties, attempt to keep it going
rather than let it fall by the way-
side. Its people not only take an in-
terest in the town, but are willing to
go out of their way to further the
town's interests. Its people are
working people, business man, pro-
fessional man, housewives. But re-
gardless of what the individual is or
what he does for a living, if he is a
worthwhile citizen he will take an
interest in the town and try to make
it a better place in which to live.
But there are other people in the
town, too, besides these progressive
ones; people who obtain their living
in Winchester, but who don't wish
to return anything to the town.
These are merely residents; the
others citizens, Perhaps they serve
a useful purpose as critics of the
work done by citizens, but by them-
selves they do little.
Winchester has a Iarge number of
citizens, judging from the things
they have accomplished making
the town a better place in which to
live. Every �
town has its reside ts.
Every
Let's be thankful tie Iarge major-
of
a jor-
of its people are citizens.
LAZY MEADOWS.
By Harry. J. Boyle
•
It's strange the notions you get
when you're sick, in bed. Waving
succumbed to the attack of a flu
bug, I was sent to bed. • This, I,
might add, came about after a long.
and furious argument with my wife
and a weak spell which I took `
while putting down hay one nigbt.l
The world started whirling around j
in gay abandonment, and I sudden -1
ly realized what might have
pened if I- had tumbled! over with:
the lantern into the depths of the
mow.
I was determined to „ get up for
the New Year. Nineteen hundred
and forty-nine wasn't going to i
catch me flat on my ,back. No,
sir! I was going to get up. I
spent the whole day in demanding
to know what was going on at the
stable. Ed. Higgins had been do-
ing my chores for. me, and when I
couldn't find anything wrong with
the work, I had to adopt a new
tactic. It wasn't fair to have Ed.
working on New Year's Eve when
he should be at home. getting
ready for the dance at the school-
house.
My wife just smiled at me in a
tolerant way and said, "You- stay
in bed where you belong. All
you're trying to do is convince
yourself that you should be up.
The doctor said you weren't to get
out of bed until next Wednesday,
and that's where you're staying!"
I dozed off then. When I woke
up there was a maddening smell
of sage and •savory and stuffing
for the goose, which my wife was
getting ready for the next day. I
lay there as long as I could. The
door would open and I would cock
my ear trying to hear who it wan.
The breadrean had come. Then I
heard laughter and that was ever
more trying. There's nothing as
bad -as laughter when you haven't
heard the joke,
The telephone rang. Wiry
doesn't my wife go and answer it?,
That's dreadful! I start to get
out of bed when I bear the kit-
chen door open and she comes out
to speak. I wonder who it is. I
listen, and she's talking about zne.
"Poor man, I don't think he'll be
able to get up for New Year's!
Yes„ it .is a bad time of the
year to be sick .. .' and so on.
I've got to get up. There's
Michael racing through the dining
room on that new go-cart or pedal
cart, or whatever you call it, that
he got for Christmas. 1 distinctly
told him not! We've got comipany
for tomorrow and the boor will be
a mess. Why doesn't his mother
stop him.
There's the sound of the calves:
bawling again. W'hy doesn't some-
body
feed "them. I've simply got
to get up. I'll feel better when I
stand on my feet. These are the
thoughts that are running through
Imy mind. I get out of bed and put
my feet on the carpet and then
I stand up.
Whoops! This isn't much of a
deal! The room starts whirling a
bit and then down it gees and up
it comes, and there are stars in
front of my eyes, and then the
kitchen door opens and my wife
stands listening. I sneak back in-
to bed and pull the covers up and
glory in the comfort. Things will
' just have to get alofg without me
'fpr a day or so!
.ears►g llP:.
lntergeong items Picked Frorn.
The Huron Expositor Qf Twenr
ty five and Fifty Yeaten; Pgo• '
From The Huron Expositor
January 18, 1924
.Mr. Ross Scott, of Loudon, spent'
the weekend at his home in Bruce -
field.
An enjoyable evening was spent
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thos,.
Chapman, Brucefield, on Thursday
evening when they entertained the
teachers and officers of .the Sun-
day School. Mr. and Mrs. J. D.
Gemmell were presented with a
Suitable gift prior to their leaving
Sunday School work..
Mr. lames Nichol, who was re-
lieving at the Sterling Bank, Hen-
sall,has gone to Godierich to take
a position there.
Messrs. Robert Scarlett and
George McKee, of Winthrop, at-
tended the Hon. Arthur Meighen's
banquet ie. London on Friday of
last week.
A moat succeseful euchre and
dance was held in St. James' Par-
ish Hall on Tuesday evening when
a large number were entertained.
The prize winners in euchre were:
Lone hands, ladies' Miss Hioknell;
gentlemen, T. G. Scott; games, lad-
les, Mrs, Patrick Givlin; 'gentile -
men, J. V. Ryan; consolation, Mrs.
Cadieux and Joseph Cronin. The
table runner was won by Mrs. W.
Nicholls and the "buffet set by
Rev. Father Laronde, Zurich. For-
syth's orchestra furnished the mus-
ic for dancing.
Mr. W. R. Reid and Mrs. J. F.
Reid were in London on Friday
last attending the Arthur Meighen
banquet.
Have Moved To New Home
Mr, and Mrs, Charles Thiel have
maxed' into. ,their new borne and
are getting nicely settled. We wish
them every success. Mr. Leeland
Willert and family have occupied
the homer vacated by the Thiels,
also' the Variety Store and Snack
Shop„and and we welcome Mr. and
Mrs.. 'rancis Kipper to the village
dairy which he purchased front.
Mr. Willert, and is moving into
the living quartera •adtfoining the
dairy on Victoria St.—Zurich Her-
ald.
Twins Celebrate
1 I Dr. C. Mackay has purchased a
handsome new driver from Mr.
Dale, Constance.
Mr. Malcolm McDermid, of Hal-
lett, is recovering nicely from hie
recent operation for appendicitis.
Mr. Wm. Hopper finished drill-
ing an artesian well for Mr. Con
truck w -a
• •
Just A Smile Or Two
As saon as they landed, the crew
of the R.C.A.F. plane were asked
by an intelligence officer for a full
report on the success of their
bombing mission over Berlin.
Said the pilot: "You know, I
deserve all the credit for this trip.
It was my good flying ability that
got us over the enemy target."
"Very good, young fellow," said
the intelligence officer, as he jot-
ted this• all down.
Said the navigator: "I don't
know what the pilot's bragging
about. If it hadn't been for my
careful plotting of the course, we
would never have reached the tar-
get. All he did was steer the
plane. I'm the one that really de-
serves all the credit."
Again the intelligence officer
jotted it all down and said: "Very
good."
Next carne the airgunner, who
said: "I don't know what the pilot
and the navigator have done to de-
serve all that credit. The pilot
acted as the taxi-driver; all he did
was steer the ship. The navigator's
plotting wasn't so hot, either. He
got us right into a flock of Ger-
man fighters„ and if it hadn't been
for my accurate shooting we would
never have reached the target. I
had to knock off a few Jerries to
get through. I'm the guy that
really deserves all the credit for
the success of the 'trip."
"Very good," said the intelli-
gence officer, continuing his
memo.
At last came the most important
man on the bombing mission, the
air -bomber, The intelligence offi-
cer looked up and asked: "And
what have you to report?"
Said the air -bomber: ;'I missed,
Huron Federation Of
AgricultureFarmNews
Fertilizers Go Back a Century
The use of barnyard maniere is
as old as agriculture itself, Its
value was known to the Romans,
and a tenth century text -book indi-
cates that the Arabs too were
acquainted with its properties and
with the value of soil composts.
Old text -books also give much
information about such substances)
as waste wool, bones, wood ashes,
and fish refuse for fertilizers.
Early in the nineteenth century,
chemists and botanists began
studying the phenomena of plant
growth and by 1844 had shown that
all the substances used for manure
fall into groups containing one or•
more of the elements, nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, organic
matter and lime.
The first three of these could be
made from materials not previous-
ly drawn upon by farmers, and
could be manufactured into pro-
ducts easy to transport and han-
dle on the farm. They became
known as artificial fertilizers, or
as more commonly known today—
commercial fertilizers.
The study of both plant growth
and soil fertilization has made
great strides since those first fun-
damental studies in 1800. But when
in 1843, J. B. Lawes, of Rotham-
sted, England, established the first
fertilizer factory and demonstrat-
ed their value, he set the stage for
improved agricultural production
i
i Europe, particularly in England,
France and Germany, which play
ed its part in providing foodstuffs
for the rapidly increasing popula-
tion. Since that time the use of
commercial fertilizers has extend-
ed to almost all parts of the world.
Developing More Efficient Poultry
Breeds At C.E.F.
Progress was made during 1948
with three new breeds of chick-
ens being evolved at the Poultry
Division, Experimental Farms Ser-
vice, Dominion Department of Ag-
riculture, a large white breed, a
broad -breasted white breed, and a
small white, plump breed.
The large white breed is being
bred to combine in one bird the
greatest number of desirable char-
acteristics from several different
breeds. High market quality, with
less emphasis on egg production,
is the main aim behind develop-
ment of the broacabreasted White
breed. The third bird is being
bred as a small, plump breed with
the minimum body size required
to produce large numbers of stan-
dard. size eggs, so that .maximum
produetion may be obtained on the
smallest possible outlay of feed.
Each elle three breeds show-
ed increased egg produetion duriieg
the year, that of the large white
breed apprd.aching the perforin-
ance figures for standard Barred
Melte. Uniformity of type is Anna
more evident in the pullets raised
during 1948, but further selection
work for uniformity of type and
increased egg production must be
done. The scientists also aim to
get a white rather than a brown
or tinted• egg in all three breeds.
A considerable amount of cross-
ing has been carried. on, using the
broad -breasted white breed. Not
only does it have excellent :breast
conformation itself but when cross-
ed with standard breeds it seems
to improve the breast conforma-
tion of those breeds.
Gains were made in egg size and
uniformity of type for the small
white breed. The greatest diffi-
culty encountered was a somewhat
higher mortality figure for the
chicks, but more careful attention
to management factors promises
to improve this situation.
Eckert this week. He s
ter at 40 feet, which`rose to with
in 11 feet of the top.
Mrs. W. E. Glennie, of Hunts
ville, is a guest at the home o
her sister, Mrs. J. H. Best.
Mr. Charles Clark returned to
Windsor on Friday last.
.On Sunday afternoon last the
following members of First Pres-
byterian S. School were presented
with prizes for regular attendance
during the past year: Miss Janet
Cluff and Miss Margaret Grieve
were each presented with a gold
brooch, not having missed, one day
during 1923. Those who missed
one day only were: Harold Cum-
mings, B. Grieve, A. Edmunds,
Nora Stewart, Dorothy Wiltse, K.
Stewart, B. Wiltse, R. Allen, G.
Hays, B. Dorrance and J. Scott.
Mrs. S. Neely, who has been
spending several weeks at the
home of her son in London, re-
turned.on Tuesday.
Mr. R. N. Bissonette spent the
week -end in God.erich.
Farmer injured OY Cow
Alex McDonald,. of the Oroen-
arty„ bine, iS ree_4v4 rigfAct . n -
juries received when •Mickel; Whale
ass/siting a veterinary treat an aril-
ing cow. The veterinary, Dr, Titre -
bull, and Mr. McDonaldwere
the act of giving the animal "an '
injection when it .suddenly Welted
out. knocking thefarmer; l►aek-
ward, causing him to strike his.
head on the cement wall of the
manger.. 'Mi, McDo Said ,.s;uffered:
concussion and was unconseiolle
for three days. His condition- le
now greatly improved andhe. ire
recuperating succeshfuily.—Exeter•
Times -Advocate.
New Year's Babies At Hospital
Three New Year's Day babies,
two girls and a boy, were barn in
the Wiagham General Hospital.
The happy parents are Mr. and
Mrs. Hugh Cummiu, Lucknow, a
daughter; Mr. and Mrs. Russell
Kelly„ Wingham, a sog; and Mr.
and Mrs. Eldon Kirton, Bluevale,
a daughter. Wingham Advance
Times.
Studio Under New Management
Last week Mr. Joseph Falconer
disposed of his photo studio to Mr.
and Mrs. I. Hammerton, of Surrey,
England. Mr. Falconer has oper-
ated the studio for the past two'
years, purchasing it from Mr. Dent.
Mr. and Mrs. Hammerton have
both had considerable experience
in the photographing business, re-
ceiving their training at the Lon-
don Art School, London, England,
and coming to Canada last July_
For the past few months they have
been associated with Mr. Falponer
in the business, and on January E
took over the management of the
studio themselves.—Wingham Ad-
vance -Times.
Changes in Office Staffs
At the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Ervin Gingerich, Bronson Line, the
family of Mr. and Mrs. Chris. Erb,
Zurich, were present to celebrate
the 60th birthday of the twin sis-
ters, Mrs. Erb and Mrs. Simon Lit-
willer„ of Manson, Iowa. Mr. and
Mrs. Beckler, Exeter, and Mr, and
Mrs. Mervyn Gerber, of Adams-
ville, Pa., were present. — C_inton
News,Record.
Car Destroyed
A car owned and driven by Win.
Tucker, -.Brussels, swerved and
turned around several times on the
icy road Thursday afternoon. Get-
ting the vehicle under control, Mr.
Tucker noticed flames shooting ov-
er his head. GIancing around, he
saw flames coming through the
floorboards between the front and
back seate—Brussels Post.
Business Changes Hands
Mr. Clarence Yegelow /ecently
purchased the harness and shoe
repair business of Arnold. Stevens.
He took possession on January 1.
Mr, Pegelow, formerly of Toronto,
is an experienced harness and shoe
repair man. He is at present mak-
ing a number of changes in the
shop, but will open for business on
January/10. Mr. Stevens has been
in possession of the :business which
he bought from the late N. Chap-
man for the past two and one half
years. He will now devote his en-
tire time to his farm in Morris
Township.—Brussels Post.
From The Huron Expositor
January 20, 1899 .
The annual meeting of the South
Huron Reform Association, as con-
stituted for Dominion purposes,
was held in Dixon's Hall, Bruce -
.field, on Wednesday last. The fol-
lowing officers were elected: Presi-
dent, Alex Mustard, Brucefield;
vice-president,- J. C. Kalbfleisch,
Hay; secretary, Thos. Fraser,
Brucefield; treasurer, John Mur-
doch,. Brucefield; municipal chair-
men: Hayfield, Dr. Stanbury; Mc-
Killop, Geo. Murdie; Seaforth, D.
D. Wilson; Hay, Fred Kibler;
Hullett, Robert Scott; Stanley,
John Ketchen; Tuckersmith, Hugh
McCartney; Hensall, Dr. McDer-
mid. t3-eorge McEwan, Hensall, J.
A. Wilson, Seaforth, and James
Lockhart, McKillop, were appoint-
ed a committee on resolutions. Mr.
John McMillan, M.P., delivered an
eloquent address.
Mr. John Shepherd, of Chisel -
burst, left Hensall on Monday last
with a shipment of cattle and
sheep for the Old Country. Henry
Ryckman and Daniel McCall ac-
companied him. i
The annual meeting of the Tuck-
ersmith Branch of the Agricultural
Society was held in Seafotth and
the following officers elected:
President, W. G. Broadfoot; vice-
president, Geo. M. Chesney; direc-
tors, Geo. Dale and, David Ches-
ney, Tuckersmith; McKillop, Jas.
Smith, Wm. McIntosh and John
Scott; Hullett, Robert McMillan
and Robert Staples; Seaforth, M.
Broderick- and Geo. A. Sills.
W. J. Knox of Belgrave, and, J.
R. Vercoe, of Carlow. have suc-
cessfully passed their first year's
examination at the Ontario Agri-
culture College.
A pleasant gathering of young
people and a sprinkling of older
ones met -at the home of Mr. Wm.
Kruse in Tuckersmith on Thurs-
day evening. Dancing was enjoyed
until 12 o'clock, when a delicious
supper was' served.
The officers of the Epworth
League at Constance were elected
as follows: President, E. L. Farn-
ham; 1st vide -prey:; Robert Clark;
2nd vice-pres., Mrs.. Waters; 3re
vice -Pres., Laura Andrew; 4th vice-
pres., Susan Wheatley; corre-
sponding secretary, Mary McCully;
recording secretary, Robert Rog-
erson treasurer, Charlotte Clark;
organist, Charles Andrew.
Mrs. Stone and Miss Mabel Mc-
Naught, of 'Rapid City, Man., and
daughter of Mr. David McNaught,
M.P.P., formerly of 'Seaforth, are
Visiting their aunt, Mrs. George
Henderson.
Dr. J. G. Scott's spirited Ilene
team made a livelyt\ runawayt,�4;n,
Wednesday when Dr., Chas: `Lu
kay was' drtitting past the 'carding
mill, when abolt eame out ante'
lot' hwetVe' 'froth 'gide to
erde.:� heti them until -they
s 1[h.1 ra: k ii
ieaehed< �ie i way' t c wiieii be
WaS "'that* i" out: :The ponies did
riot step Until they readhed:,.theli'
own' barn eit,Goderloh St 'West
Pullorum Testing Methods
Never before has pullorum dis-
ease control had such safeguards
as are now functioning in Canada
as a result of meetings of the Can-
adian Pullorum Disease Confer-
ence. This informal, loosely -knit
group of Canadian workers in
pullorum disease control in every
province meets annually. It brings
together men who pool their know-
ledge in testing new methods for
the good of the Canadian poultry
industry.
The idea of this conference
arose when the death rate of poul-
try from pullorum became alarm-
ing. From 1939 to 1943 blood -test-
ing of poultry was in a state of
confusion. Apparently pullorum
bacteria changed their form so
drastically that their presence in
poultry blood could not be detect-
ed by testing agents in use at that
time. But clue to the work of men
who are now members of the
Pullorum Conference,' blood -testing
is now more reliable than it ever
was. There are still differences
between the regular and variant
forms of pullorum, although com-
bined stain antigen for whole blood
testing has proved of great value.
As for laboratory testing, which
now requires two separate tubes,
it is probable that the return to
the single tube test is just around
the corner.
Adopting Canadian methods in
diagnosis and control of pullorum,
the United States has obtained
Canadian pullorum cultures" from
the Animal Diseases 'Research In-
stitute at Hull, P.Q.
How To Care For House 'Plants
Those Christmas gift plants will
last longer and bloom more pro-
fusely if they are given ample
sunlight; if. the air is kept "cob'
and. moist; if the soil is never
allowed: to dry mit; if they are
kept out of draughts.; and, if in-
Heath.
it-seat . are kept' under' control.
(t ontiltlted; oil Page 6)
Retires After 60 Years in Business
With the retirement . of Robert
Downing from business, one of
Brussels oldest and best known
stores will change its name. Mr.
Downing, or "Bob" as he is affec-
tionately known to the residents
of this town and countryside, has
completed 60 years of business in.
his boot and shoe store. Coming
to Brussels in 1886, he started
with his father and continued the
business with his brother after the
death of his father. At that time
all the shoes sold were manufac-
tured in their own workshop. Dur-
ing his 60 years as amerchant Mr.
Downing has seen many changes
in the town. At one time there
were two sawmills, a flax mill, salt
block and three carriage shops,
which produced buggies, sleighs
and wagons. Also there were two
Presbyterian .churches, Knox and
Melville, but now only Melville re-
mains.—Brussels Post. ard.
Ken Cameron, who has been
working for the past month or so
at the express offjce, took over
new duties with the New Year, be-
ing engaged by Postmaster E. J.
Hingst, for post office work. Ken
was with the postal corps during
the war. He replaces Anna Pearn,
who has been working there .the
past few months. His place in the
express office has been taken by
David Burgess, who has been
working;in the station with Char-
lie Ober, learning telegraphyy,.
which he is still continuing as
well. -Mitchell Advocate_
Fractures Bones in Wrist in Fall
Mrs. Mary Smith, who conducts
the Riverside Rest Home, fell on
the ice near her residence on Sun-
day evening,• breaking two bones
in her left wrist, revealed by X-ray
taken at Stratford Hospital Tues-
day morning. It will be in a cast
for six weeks.—Mitchell Advocate.
Joins Bank Staff
Miss Frances Hollyman has tak-
en a position as. junior on the staff
of the local branch, Canadian Bank
of Commerce. She commenced, her•
duties on Monday.—Blyth Stand-•
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1
Looking Forward
(By R. J. Deachman)
We are standing at the dawn of
a new year, looking forward, won-
dering what will happen in the
year which lies ahead. We are not
alone in this world; we have neigh-
bors and much of our happiness
depends on them. It is a more
closely knit world than ever be-
fore. This is true despite the fact
that there are now large areas in
which it would be difficult for a
Canadian to put his feet. We have,
however, reached the time in
which even those who close their
doors exert a profound influence on
our lives and, as we look forward
to the coming year, we wonder
what will happen among our
friends and ueighbors and among
those who, for certain peculiar rea-
sons, do not want us to know very
much about them.
I amconvinced that the situa-
tion in Europe is much better than
it was a year ago. There are signs
that the light is breaking. We
hear now of movements for the
expansion of trade between Russia
and other countries. It is not im-
possible that this movement may
extend to this continent, and be-
fore the year is over we .may be
exchanging Canadian products for
Russian products and taking Rus-
sian goods or Russian gold in ex-
change.
xchange.
Nor are conditions worse in the
areas in which the armies of East
and West now face each other.
There is every prospect for even-
tual clashes where two opposing
forces are in contact but, when
the breaf is long in coming, we
are safe in assuming that the
chances for it are getting less and
less, All is not smooth going in
Sovietland. In a "People's Repub-
lic" a despot has a difficult task.
When we quarrel with our politi-
cal leaders in this, country, we
throw them out of office. That
may be good for them; opposition
may be stimulating. The new ••oc-
cupants• of the seats of power n1.y
find themselves unhappy in their
jobs, but it is quite different in a
despotism. If the people of Russia
quarrel with their leaders, the way
out is normally, assassination. It's
a messy business, at best, and a
new despot is likely to be no bet-
ter than the old one.
Russia wants AO convert the
world to Communism; She is con-
fronted now by the Western na-
tions; they do not want to be con-
verted. 'There is a mere abounds
ing freed,o n under democracy than
there cottla be under despotism.
The barrier's in time may break
'en'd ideas begin to pass backantd
forth between Ressfa and `her
neighbors.. The curse of desjiotism
is that it stifles thought.
.tiSt1b hes other tasks, She is
,ptlolifYig' her • aComfnunism hi the
bear East. China; may taste• pos-
sibly become a Communist nation,
but there is. no hope, under Com-
munism, of turning China into a
happy and prosperous country-.
The Communists have promised to
break up the land holdings and
distribute them among the Chin-
ese people. It is a hopeless task.
Thirteen acres in China is a large
farm, split that once or twice, what
have you? A good many people in
China own their land, that is only
a small area. an acre or two; they
live in hopeless poverty. The
population is rapidly increasing:
Communism is not likely to intro-
duce any great fundamental
change which will increase the
standard of living or take 'the
Chinese out of their misery. If
Russia .moves East she will have
plenty to engage her attention.
Nor is Russia without troub:e at
home. Marshal Tito, the Yugoslav
Prime Minister, is rather restless.
The trouble is an economic one;
Papa Stalin wants him to do as
he is told; Tito has ideas of his
own. He wants to import machin-
ery, biuld his own factories, de-
velop industries. Stalin wants hinr
to be a good farmer; send his pro-
ducts to Russia; get what he can
for them. Nothing may happen,
but Tito is very ambitious—mean-
while he is threatening to open up
trade with Western Europe. The
Marshall will be worth watching.
Ile may form an interesting part
of the European picture in the
Coming year.
We may expect for the next few
years that Russia, balked in Eur-
ope, faced with the prospect of a
gigantic war if she brings America
into the conflict, will look the
other way. Some time, of course,
there may he a great conflict be-
tween East and West with the
Pacific Ocean as its base, but that
is a matter for a distant day; it is
not likely to bring us trouble hi
1949.
Meanwhile tension in Europe
may slacken, confldeeice may re-
turn. America. will continue aid on
a gradually reducing scale. Bri-
tain is planning to reach a self-
supporting basis by 1962. France,
one of the richest of the countries
of Europe, moves more slowly, but
there is hope. Even Italy is im-
proving. There are islands of pro-
gress like Switzerland and Swe-
den, Holland and Belgium. Spain,
another despotierra, is a land of
blight and hopelessness, but 'even
here the recovery of Europe would
help. We are not yet in the open
but there are faint streaks of
dawn. By this time next year
tliere'mair be a far More encour-
aging sign and the man who writes
this message next year may well
proclaim clearer skies ahead for'
19% the signs toiitt that way dven..
now. -