PUBLISHED BV
THE UNITED FARM ERS of ALBERTA
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF
The united FARMERS OF ALBERTA The ALBERTA WHEAT POOL
AND OTHER PROVINCIAL MARKETING POOLS
CALGARY, ALBERTA, APRIL 1st, 1930 No 7
Legislature Endorses Principle of Public Ownership of
Power
Staff Correspondence
f
High Lights in House of Commons Debates
By W. T. LUCAS, M.P.
Official News from the Alberta Wheat Pool
A. J. McPHAIL on European Tour
■i
News and Comment from the Livestock Pool
By DONALD MacLEOD
I (2A8)
THE U. F. A.
April l8t. 1930
Gillette
announces
a NEW BLADE a NEW RAZOR
TODAY Gillette offers an- other great contribution to man's shaving comfort — a New Gillette Blade and a New Gil- lette Razor (patents pending).
The new blade can be used in your present Gillette Razor.
Used together, the New Gil- lette Blade and the Nev/ Gillette Razor abolish forever two un- pleasant factors in shaving — "razor pull," and the tedious dry- ing of razor parts. These are only two of the advantages of the new razor and the new blade. Read the other advantages sum- med up under "Quick Facts."
GILLEITE SAFEl-Y RAZOR CO. OF CANADA, LIMITED, MONTREAL.
QUICK FACTS
1. New blade can he used in your old Gillette
2. New processed steel; new blade resists rust
3. Cut-out corners of blade pre- vent "razor pull"
4. To clean, turn guard at tight angles . . . then re-tighten . . , rinse . . , shake dry
5. New shape guard channel gives full shaving clearance
6. New shape guard teeth meet skin smoothly, naturally
7. No projecting posts to dull blade edges
8. Reinforced razor corners pre- vent damage if dropped
9. Square blade ends safer to handle
10. Shaves easier around mouth, nose, ears
U. New blades same price as old
12. New razor, 2-fK. gold-plated, uith one neut blade, i:> case, fl.00
.00
The New Gillette Blade in the new green packet
April 1st, 1930
(269) 8
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CmCCLATION Avenge net paid circulation, six months ending March ISth. 1930 M,2B1)
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE H. E. O. H. SCHOLBFIELO, J. JESSE STRANO
PnbUsbed on the 1st and 16tb ol each month by THE UNITED FARMERS OF ALBERTA LoDgheed BoUding CALOART - ALBERTA Official Organ of IHB ALBERTA WHEAT POOL THE ALBERTA LIVESTOCK POOL THE ALBERTA DAIRY POOL THE ALBERTA EGO AND POULTRY POOL THE ALBERTA CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE
Editor W. NORMAN SMITH
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Vol. IX.
CALGARY, ALBERTA, APRIL 1st, 1930
No. 7.
Principal Contents Page
Editorial 3
News op the Organization ; 4
University Week for Farm Young People 5
Report op Educational Committee to convention — 6
"W heat THE Riddle op Markets" 7
The Onle Road to Permanent Peace — 8
High Lights in the Debates in Parliament L_ 9
Some Further Features op the Wheat Situation 10
Wheat Pool Meetings 11
Principle op Public Ownership Endorsed 12
The 19.30 Session op the Legislature in Review 14
The Risks op Credit Trading 15
Premier Brownlee's Leadership 16
Assembly in Closing Days op Session 17
Minister op Education Explains School Bill 20
News from Alberta Wheat Pool Head Office 22
Wheat Pool and Option Market 22
Wheat Pool ib a Friend of British Consumer 23
McPhail Speaks on European Trip : 25
Activities op the University op Alberta 28
Interests op the United Farm Women 30
How Some op Your Money is Spent 30
U.F.A. Junior Activities 34
News and Comment from the Alberta Livestock Pool 38
Principle op New School Bill Endorsed 46
Correspondence 48
U.F.A. Veterans' Section 51
Report of Canadian Council op Agriculture 64
EDITORIAL
ALBERTA'S POWER POLICY
By almost unanimous vote of the Alberta Legislative Assembly public ownership has been endorsed as the guiding principle to be followed in the development of the electrical power resouices of this Province. The adoption, with only one dissenting vote, of Premier Brownlee's amendment . to Mr. White's resolution on this question, marks, we believe, the settlement of one of the most important issues with which Alberta has been confronted since the earlier days in its history.
The views of the Government were very clearly and forcefully presented by the Premier and Mr. Reid. The transfer of the Natural Resources will remove all obstacles in the way of working out definite plans for the Piovincial development of power resources. Investigations have been in progiess for some time past, and the Government are looking for a man capable of taking charge of this work. With the advice of their technical experts they will undertake such development as from time to time may be economically sound and expedient.
The Premier paid a well-deserved tribute to Aid. F. J. White, M.L.A., the leader of the Labor group in the Assembly, who sponsored the motion which gave place
to the Government amendment. Mr. White has been a keen student of power problems for many years past, and has done much to crystallize public opinion in sup- port of public ownership. This may be said also of many of his colleagues, both in and out of the Legisla- ture. The Labor majority on the council of the city of Edmonton last year were able to render services in this regard of the first order.
The investigations which the Government have under- taken prior to the announcement of their decision will greatly facilitate the working out of future policy. De- velopment will be carried on with a maximum of economy and of efficiency, and as far as may be in accordance with a comprehensive plan. The high standard estab- lished in the public utility today under Government con- trol, has created public confidence in the ability of the administration to undertake the still laiger task in the field of electrical power, while, in addition, guaranteeing to this and future generations of Alboitans that the power resources of the Province shall bo conserved and used for the benefit of the people as a whole, rather than
for groups of private investors.
* * *
PROGRESS AT OTTAWA
Resolutions adopted by the U.F.A. Annual Conven- tion in January are now from day to day reappearing under front page headlines in the daily press of the Dominion. Translated to the order paper of the House of Commons by U.F.A. members or their colleagues, a number of these resolutions have been adopted, while others served to bring important issues of policy to the notice of Parhament, and through Parliament, the whole of the newspaper reading public. Where immediate attainment of our objectives has not been found possible, the way has been paved for future successes.
The Alberta farmers, through organized effort, first in the Locals, then in their constituency a.ssociations and the Annual Convention, and finally through their elected representatives, are exerting an influence upon national policy today such as no other democratic force has been able to exert since Confederation.
* * *
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF BROADCASTING
{Red Deer Advocate) The Radio Commission's report (in favor of public ownership) is in accordance with the expressed views of representative organizations such as the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Legion, the Dominion Trades and Labor Congress, the Professional Institute of the Civil Service, the Conference of the National ('ouncil of Edu- cation, the all-Canadian Congress of Labor, the United Farmers of Alberta, and many newspapers and trade interests outside those favored by the present system.
4 (260)
T H E^-'U. F. A.
April Ist, 1930
NEWS OF THE ORGANIZATION
Aetlrltles of U.F.A. Locals aad District Aasociations and Information from Central OSic« — Notes on Co-operation
U.F.A. Deficit Fund Now Totals $778.96
Locals Send in Contributions Towards Wiping Out Defcit
Contributions to the deficit fund total S778.96, according to the latest U.F.A. Central Office records. In various communities socials, dances and whist drives are being arranged in order to raise monies for^ this purpose.
A vrhist drive was held reoently at the home of Mrs. E. W. Brown to raise money for tlie dcffit fund, reports J. Jy. Strang, scfrrtary of Ptnrline U.^.A. I oral, and realized S7.75. "Mr. and Mrs. Brown send you their best wishes and hope j'ou will soon he on the other side of the books," adds Mr. Strang.
"Please fnd enrlosed $.5 for the deficit fund," writes Mrs. Probst, secretary of I.ouj;hced U.F.W.A. Loral. "We, as a Local, feci that if each Local could send in a like amount the need would very easily be filled. This is a year when monev is scarce, and we felt that it Tvoulcf be useless to consider an enter- tainment or tea just at this time."
Alcomdale U.P.A. Local are holding a whist drive the proceeds to be con- tributed to the deficit fund. At the last meeting, reports W. G. Purches, secre- tary, a resolution was passed supporting the efTorfs of the Albeita Good P.oads Association regarding the reduction of automobile licenses, especially where cars or trucks are used for part of the year only.
"I am pleased to inform you that our membership drive has been a great suc- cess," writes John Sim, secretary of Wiese L'.L.A. Local, "^ou will remem- ber we had only 18 members last year, double the number of the previous year. We divided our members under two captains, Messrs. Caugler and Robertson, and the result is that we have now about 54 members. Owing to the excessively bad roads, w e had to adopt some methods that are costing the Local secretary a 'heap o' work' but it is a very satisfjing kinri of work w hen we see we have accom- plished something. I am enclosing 20 Wheat Pool reijuisitions and .S20 in cash, \Nhi( h is over half of our members; and by next mail I hope to have another sheaf ready to mail. I think this is the best answer to the circular we had from you a few weeks ago, and believe if I'll Locpls would do likewise, the dtficii uuuld easily become a balance. Here's hoping they may."
Previously acknow ledged S489.61
Kirkdale U.F.A 10 00
Cornwall Valley U.F.W.A 5.00
Ensign U.F.A 15.00
Broughton U.O.A 7.00
Malmo U.F.A 10.00
Cenile U.F.A 7.1o
Lavoy U.F.W.A 6.00
Poplar Hill U.F.A 10.00
Standard U.F.A 10.00
BufTalo Lake U.F.A 10.00
White Swan U.F.A 5.00
Majestic Springwater U.F.A 5.00
Carrot Creek, U.F.A 5.00
Calumet U.F.A 11.25
Water Glen U.F.A 11.20
Bow Island U.F.W.A l.'i.OO
McLaup-hlin U.F.A 10.00
I yncott U.F.A 18.00
Starline U.T'.A. and U.F.W.A... 7.75
Louphecd U.F.W.A 5.00
Bonnie Brier U.F.A 5.00
Milo U.F.A 10.00
Elbridge U.F.A 11.35
Eastervale U.F.A , 5.00
Notre Dame U.F.W.A 5.00
Verdant Vallev U.F.A 10.00
Sniiit River U.F.W.A 10.00
Well in p ton U.F.W.A 10.00
East Kleskun U.I.W.A 5.00
Excel U.F.A =.00
Scandia U.F.A 10..35
Scandia U.F.W.A 10.35
Olds U.F.A 1 .00
S778.96
New and Reorganized Locals
C. D. Lane is .secretary of Lakes U.F.A. Local, near Neutral Hills, which was organized recently.
W. W. Wraight, of Veteran, was suc- cessful in re-organiying Throne U.F.A. Local recenth. .1. W. Ellerby is presi- dent and F. W. Sharplin secretary.
I. V. Macklin, director for Peace River north, organized Elmworth U.F.A. Local recently. G. S. Mover is president and Mrs. Koy Macklin secretary.
Smoky Community U.F.A. Local, in the Bezanson district, held a meeting recently for the purpo.se of re-organizing. G. W. Ferris was elected president and R. H. Ramsay secretary.
Pavsland U.F.A. Loc.o], in Camrose con.stituency, was orp-anized at a meeting held March 1st, thirty-! hi ee members signing the roll. D. L'abbitt is president and P. H. Forbes secretary.
Claremont U.F.A. Local held a rripet- ing recently and decided to reorganize states E. C. Palmer, .secretary. J. W. Ilurman is pre^-idtnt and D. Eaves vice- president; there are 12 paid-up members, with every prosj^ect of more. "I think we will have a 100 per cent sign-up" writes Mr. Palmer. "We have 100 per cent in the Wheat Pool. We were not ■represented at the recent Convention but the following resolution was passed unanimously: 'That the Claremont U. I'.A. Local heartily endor.se the resolutioii passed at the recent Convention re the conscription of wealth, as well as man power, in the event of any future war but that every effort and support be given to the preservation of peace'."
U.F.A, Local Items
From a membership of eight last year to 28 at the present time is the record of Universal U.F.,\. Local, states the secretary, F. E. Bailey.
Scenic Heights U.F.A. Local have in- creased their membership over that of last year by 400 per cent, states E. H. Keith, secretary.
At a meeting of Argyle LT_f a. Local on March 22nd a resrlution was passed heartily approving the marketing policy of the Alberta Wheat Pool.
Bradenville U.^.A. Local, at a meeting held at the home of E. E. Braden, de- cided to give a dav's free work to raise money for the I ocal, says a report from Stephen W. Gilbert.
"At our last meeting," says a letter from .John A. .Tacobs .Jr., secretary of Allister U.F.A. Local, "our Wheat Pool delegate, Mr. Clay, gave us a very good talk. We hope to have more of Mr. Clay's meetings."
"Since our hall burned down last fall we have been meeting in the home of our president, J. E. McDonald," writes G. L. Watt, secretary of Grimshaw U.F.A. Loc.il. "At our last meeting we decided to build again, but -smaller, and more like a club room.''
"We had a well attended and interest- ing meeting last Saturday," states Mrs, Burton, secretary of Stanmore U.F.A. Iccai, "when two of the young folks- Amy Adams and Leonard Z'inger — staged a debate. Both debaters had prepared their arguments well, and delivered them ably."
"Regnrdless of road and weather con- ditions the regular meetings have been well attended and very interesting," writes Mrs. Russell Johnston, secretary of Hclmsdule U.F.A. Local. "We took in ovei S40 at a pie social and dance given in January; we are having a play on March 14th."
Eight new member joined Carrot Creek U.F.A. Local at the last meeting, says a letter from the secretary, W. E. Irwin. M. Irwin, of Portland,' Oregon, was a visitor, and gave a short talk on co- operation. At the next meeting there will be a debate: "Resolved thst horses are more suited for this district than tractors."
Diamond Valley U.F.A. Local recently passed the following resolution, which they would like other Locals to discuss: "Resolved that we go on record as urging the Provincial Government to make it compulsory for all car and truck dr. vers to take out an accident and liability insurance policy, prior to the driver being issued a driver's license."
The entertainment of Irvine U.F.A. Local, in the form of exhibition boxing bouts, with a dance following, proved a
April Ist, 1930
THE U. F. A.
(261) 5
hupe success, rerorts J. E. von Schmidt, secretary. On March 8th, James Mur- ray, district agriculturist, addressed the Local and was tendered a hearty vote of thanks and a standing invitation to attend the meetings.
Beddington U.F.A. and U.F.W.A. Lo- cals met jointiv at the community hall on March 12th, when W. E. Turner of Calrarv spoke on co-operation in Eng- land, Mrs. IT. Bandrroh pave a paper en- titled "Canadian Citizen.'ship" and Ceorge Church, Director for East pnd West Calgary, pave a tflk on U.F.A. work. The ladies served lunch, and the evening closed with a couple of hours' dancing
The program committee of McLaughlin joint U.F.A. Local arranged a novelty concert on March 14th; "judging hy the api>lause and encores," writes the secre- tary, Mrs. I. McLaughlin, "every item was a winner. After lunch, the floor was cleared for the d.ance, which v as en- joyed by a large numf er of vcung people. Tfie school was crowded and the financial returns gratifying."
Blueberry and Whitburn U.F.A. Local had a very good entertainment and dance recently, in aid of the piano fund, states E. G. Thomlinson, secretary, who adds "At rur ne.xt meeting we are holding a debate, 'Kesolved that it is in the best interests of the Province to abolish the Beer Parlors'; Mrs. Walter Mitchell and H. W^alker will take the affirmative, and A. J. Gunache and I. G. Huston the negative. '
At a recent meeting of P,io Grande U-.F.A. Local Mr. Grafton, Pool field man,
fave a talk on the market situation, and . V. Macklin, U.D.A. Director, spoke on the benefits the U.F.A. has brought, and the need for holding together more than ever in the future. "We hold a whist drive after our monthly meeting," writes Percy Hunkin, secretary; "a very sociable time is enjoyed by all, and w e have made enough money to get a set of card tables."
Elbridge U.F.A. Local sent their first order, of $191, to the Co-operative Whole- sale on February 12th. E,eturns were discussed at the March meeting, re- ports H. S. Brow n, secretary, "and anoth- er order for S200 was collected. Everyone was well satisfed, both as to price and quality of goods. We believe that co- operative buying will mean more to the farmers than co-oj ertit.i\ e selling. Please publish that this Local is not in S3'mpathy with the propaganda that Carl Axelson is peddling through the country."
The membership competition between the Berrywater U.L.A. and U.F.W.A. Locals was won by the ladies, "hands down" reports P. J. Haslam, secretary of the U.F.A. Local. The losers are to entertain the winners in the near future. Four papers on the development of the Wheat Pool, written bj' school chiWren, were read, and prizes were awarded to the contestants, Ethel Campbell, Annie Mc- Lean, Delia Carr and Kenneth McLean. A program was given by Misses Annie McLean, Ethel Campbell, Margaret Old- field, Freda Boulter, Master Gordon Campbell and Messrs. Sims and N. S. Campbell, following which the ladies provided lunch.
"Resolved that it is detrimental to the public welfare for women to earn an mdependent Uving" was the subject of a
debate between Beddington and Balzac U.F.A. Locals on March 21st, in Balzac community ball. The affirmative was upheld by Mrs. Shuttleworth, Messrs. Bert Church and Shuttleworth, while Mrs. Haves Laycock, Mrs. G. W. Wall and O. f!hort took the ne^'ative. The judges, P.ev. C. R. Binder, Mr. Forrester of Airdrie, and W. N. Smith of Calgary, deci('ed in favor of Babac for delivery and English, and for Beddington for argu- ment. The large crowd in attendance enjoyed the debate immensely, and also the dance which followed. Mr. Davies was in the chair.
A discussion on "Future Selling" took place at a largely attended meeting of the Calffary U.F.A. Local on March 27th, w hen W. Mcl.eod, of the Alberta Wheat Pool, and W. .1. Thompson gave able addresses. R. O. German presented a diagram prepared by the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture, showing that of every dollar paid by the consumer for bread, only one sixth is received by the wheat grower. Mr. German pointed out that it would require an increase of 60 cents per bushel in the price of wheat to warrant an increase of one cent per loaf in the price of bread.
Officers of Calgary U.F.A. Local for 1930 are: president Guy Johnson; vice- president, Wm. McLeotl; secretary, R. N. Mangles; directors, E. R. Briggs, N. P. Davisson, R. O. German, F. McNeill, E. S. McRory, W. N. Smith.
Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Flock were guests of honor at a gatheiing held under the auspices of Raley U.F.A. Local, the president, Herbert Walter, acting as chairman. Mr. and Mrs. Flock, who for many years served as presidents of the U.F.A. and U.F.W.A. Locals, are
To U.F.A., U.F.W.A., and Junior Locals:
• Preparations are being made by the Department of Extension of the University of Alberta for the twelfth Annual Conference for Farm Young People. The dates of the Conference this year are from June 4th to 11th, in- clusive. The program begins on -the 4th and it is therefore necessary that delegates should arrive the previous day. Any farm young person either girl or boy between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five may attend. *The program and cost of attendance for the week is outlined in the enclosed pamphlet.
It is our earnest desire to make it possible for every farm bo.y or girl who is interested to take advantage of this valuable experience and we are sure the organization as a whole will lend its support. With the co-operation of our Locals we hope to be able to defray the railway fares of every one of our dele- gates. Surely we can engage in no more worthy activity than that of furnishing our young people with an experience which cannot fail to give them a new vision of life and service. Any boy or girl who wi.shes to attend at their own expense may do so, but will not have any voting privileges at the business session unless the Conference decided to grant this privilege.
leaving the district. After a musical program by Misses Hazel Walter, Lilian Clausen, Helen Brown, Margery Flock, Margaret Ernst, Bernice Flock, Mr. F. Weatherhead and Mrs. Herb Walter, addresses were given by Messrs. Darby and Carson. The former represented the Raley old-timers and gave a number of interesting reminiscences, while the latter, representing the Woolford people, snoke of the active part taken by Mr. and Mrs. Flock in the U.F..A.. and Pool movements. The chairman then presented the guests of honor w ith a Chandler pastel, express- ing the hope that this token, hung above their new hearthstone, might refresh the memories of old friends. Refreshments and dancing followed.
Milo U.F.A. Local has met the problem of .securing a good attendance by holding U.F.A. and U.F.W.A. meetings at the same time and place, followed by a social evening. John Glambeck, secretary of the Local, writes as follows: "We held our first joint meeting in February, in the Union Church basement, when the delegates to the Convention gave their reports. As there was a ratepayers' mu- nicipal meeting the following Saturday, several matters in regard to improve- ments in the district were discussed, and delegates appointed to present the views of the Local at the meeting. This joint meeting was well attended. V. J. Ber- trand, our past president, invited the Locals to meet in his new house in March; this was a wonderful success. The men met in the basement, the ladies, whose membership is almost twice that of the men's Local, taking possession of the upper rooms. Later, there was a program of games and lunch was served. The next joint meeting will be held at the home of James Burk, and the two Locals will debate on the new School Act."
Method of Financing
Following is the plan adopted by the Central Executive to assist our boys and girls to attend the Conference.
1. Every Local is requested to con- tribute at least $5 to the Junior Confer- ence .Fund, whether sending a delegate or not.
2. Every Local sending delegates will be required to contribute not less than $5 per delegate.
3. If the Junior Conference Fund is sufficient, the railway fares of all dele- gates will be paid out of the Fund- If the Fund is insufficient to pay the total railway fare, the amount subscribed will be pro-rated among all the delegates.
We feel sure those Locals who have no young people within the age limit (16-25) will be glad of the opportunity to share in this investment in the future of rural Alberta. This is one of the most vital and far-reahcing projects our organiza- tion undertakes.
Send in to Central Office, Lougheed Building, Calgary, all contributions and names of all young people who wish to attend the Conference. On receipt of your contribution we will forward you credential certificate, which must be filled in and given by the delegate to the registrar on arrival at the University. These certificates will entitle the delegate
University Week For Farm Young
People
6 (362)
THE U. F. A.
April lat, 193U
to rebate on railway fare. At the same time write to thn University of Alberta, Edmonton, (fivine them the names oi your delegates on the form provided on the enclosed folder, or on a separate sheet of paper, giving the information required. It will be noted that the University re- quest a $1.00 rerif^trftt ion fee w hich will later be deducted from the board.
We confidently anticipate an early contribution from you accompanied by the names of your delfpates. We would also ask that the names of the delegates be registered at the University as early as possible. The University does not feel justiPed in holding the Conference unless at least 75 delegates make application. Therefore it is important that aelegatea' names should he sent in early, as delay interferes with the completion of plans
for the week and might result in its cancellation.
Yours fraternally, SENIOR COMMITTEE ON JUNIOR WORK, H. E. G. H. Scholefield, Mrs. A. H. Warr, Mrs. P. C. Hepburn.
SEND ADDRESS LABELS
Several cases of persons receiving two copies of The V.F. A. have recently been reported. It would be of great assist- ance in keeping the mailing lists correct, and in preventing unnecessary expense, if any others who receive two copies would send in to the office the two address labels which are stencilled on the front cover of the paper.
Report of Educational Committee to the Annual Convention
The following report, submitted by the Educational Committee of the Central Board, was adopted by the Annual Convention. Your Committee on Education wish to commend the efforts of those who are endeavoring to make a study of the fundamental princi{)Ies of co-operation available to the school children of this Province in their regular school course. We feel that the economic structure of the morrow will he largely influenced by the outlook on life given by the schools of today. The comjietitive view point given by schools in tne past has resulted in men at the top who do not know what to do with their wealth and those at the bottom who do not know what to do without it. We believe that the time is ripe for a more general application of the principles of co-operation in the hope that such application will correct many of the economic evils of today, the solu- tion of which is not immediately apparent.
To make room for new material on the course, we suggest that a subject such as trigonometry could be made optional, and that the farm youth who failed to study that subject would not in consequence Buffer any serious handicap in his adult life. The probh^ms which will confront the citizens of tomorrow will not be solved by higher mathematics so much as by a higher outlook on life, and we believe that a study of co-operation does give a higher outlook and a better p in- ciple for the equitable working out ot our economic affairs.
Of the present course in high school, we would say that the amount of material to be covered by the student in some of the subjects is too great.
We commend the new School Bill. We recognize that the education of all of the youth of Alberta is the responsibility of all of the peonle of Alberta. We recog- nize that ability to pay is a basis of taxation which is almost world wide, and that the new School Bill simply brings school taxation into line with taxation in its other forms. We realize that our I'niversity anil normal schools are sustained chiefly by taxes gathered from the whole of the Province, and that the new School Bill simply pro[io8es to sustain Jthe rural schools out of taxes gathered in the same manner from the whole rural area.
Notwithstanding the fact that we have
an eoualization grant, there are many schools still unable to operate for the full school year. The changes proposed in the new School Bill will correct this un- fortunate condition.
Of the salary schedule in the rural schools, we would say that while it is quite sufficient for the inexperienced who are just stepping out of 'Normal, it does not seem to be sufficient to retain the services of those who are eminently suc- cessful in that occupation. We feel that the importance of^ primary education would justify the retention of our most successful teachers at their present occu- pation even though it involved a little more expense. The proposed School Bill would make this more possible.
In conclusion, we submit that the new School Act seems to us about as well framed and complete as it is possible to make it without experience of its opera- tion, and we recommend that the people of this Province give the said act a fair trial. We are satisfied that it will be better than the old system, and that any defects which its operation brings to light could be remedied by the Depart- ment.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
I. V. MACKLIN, (Mrs.) A. H. WARR, JOHN FOWI.IE. (The foregoing refers to the ori]3;inal bill, which, however, has been submitted in modified form on a voluntary basis, as indicated in the reports of the Legislative Assembly in this issue. — Editor.)
Okotoks-High River to Hold Nominating Convention
Plana for a convention of the con- stituency associations of Okotoks and High River for the purpose of bringing about union between the two, were con- sidered at a meeting of the directors of these constituencies held at Okotoks on March 24th when W. 0. S. Heaver of De Winton presided and W. R. Barker was appointed secretary. The joint con- vention is necessary in view of the merging of the two constituencies under the terms of the Redistribution Act.
After some discussion it was decided that the convention when held, should -be a nominating convention and the place agreed unon was High River. It was also deciaed that the representation of the various Locals at the convention should be on a basis of last year's mem- bership as shown by the records at Central Office and that every five mem- bers or major portion thereof should entitle a Local to one delegate.
A committee, consisting of the prew- dents and vice-prepidents of the two con- stituency associations, with H. C. Wingate of Cayley as chairman, was appointed to fix the date of the convention.
Official Statement by Alberta Co-op. Oil
Consumers Limited
Broadcast Describes Plans of New Organization
The following official statement was recently broadcast by the Alberta Oil Consumers Co-operative Ltd.:
"Alberta Oil Consumers Co-operative Ltd., U.F.A. ■ Offices, Calgary, wish to announce to all consumers that contracts will be available within a few days and will be mailed on request to U.F.A. Locals or local committees.
"A price list of lubricating oils and greases has been sent out with covering circular letter. Prices quoted do not mean the actual price to the consumer, as a patronage dividend will be returned to all members.
"We cannot too strongly advise groups of consumers who are considering buying co-operatively that they make no agree- ments without consulting Central Office.
"Districts wishing to hold meetings with a view to organizing can arrange a public meeting by consulting with Cen- tral Office to set a date for such meeting and Central will provide a representative to explain and give all the necessary information.
"We can ship immediately all orders received at Calgary office for Red Head lubricating oils and greases to any point in Alberta in tank cars, car lots or single drums or half drums, as per price list.
"We also wish to announce that the Alberta Co-operative Wholesale Asso- ciation at Edmonton would like to call to the attention of farmers, Co-operativ« Stores and Lumber Yards, that they are now ready to ship dry, well manu- factured spruce lumber in car lots to any station in Alberta at wholesale prices."
IMMIGRATION TO CANADA
Immigration to Canada for the ten months of the current fiscal year, April 1, 1929, till January 31, 1930, totalled 144,749, a decrease of 3,528 or two p«r cent, compared with the corresponding period in the previous year. Of the total 69,592 were British, 27,375 from the United States, 25,488 from Northwestern Europe and 32,294 of 33 other races. British immigration for the ten months under review shows an increase of 7,534 compared with the similar period in 1928-29; imniigrafion from the United States increased by 929; from North- western Europe the increase was 257, while immigration from vll other coun* tries decreased by 12,248.
April 1st, 1030
THE U. F. A.
(268) 7
Wheat— the Riddle of Markets"
A Book Review
"Wheat— the Riddle of Markets," by C. W. Peterson, editor of the Farm and Ranch Review, is a book to be read by Canadians who are interested in the problems of Canada's principal industry; and today not onlj' every wneat grower, but also citizens of every other class, find in these problems, whose solution is vital to our national well-being, an all- absorbing subject of study and topic of discussion. The book contains an emi- nently readable and fascinating study of the subject by a Western Canadian whose interests for many years have been linked with the industry of farming, and who has been able to draw upon first-hand experience and an extensive knowledge of Western agriculture.
"The great, unsolved problem that confronts the wheat grower the world over is whether the production of wheat will presently outstrip consumptive de- mana," are the opening woras of the preface. The 121 pages of ten point type which make up the book are devoted to the preparation of the reader for the author's answer to this question. On the whole, after endeavoring to strike a balance between prevailing tendencies in the field of production in many countries, and the tendencies to increasing popula- tion and the demand for higher standards of living, he does not seem to think it will. To accept this answer as conclusive would, of course, require a most exhaustive examination of all the relevant evidence and statistics — and some factors are incalculable — but the facts presented are significant and the book cannot fail to whet the appetite of the reader for further investigation of this important question.
The book opens with a short history of world wheat prices, from 1600 A.D. to the twentieth century, and, as is clearly shown, the "facts revealed are quite contrary to popular belief." In other chapters future trends are anticipated, and the Canadian Wheat Pools ana their role are dealt with. The author is doubtful of the feasibility of "any world- wide organization of wheat growers for the sole purpose of exercising price control," but believes that ''relief is possible without the power of a hundred per cent organization," and that "the governing factor is the export surplus, which is produced by comparatively few countries."
Pool's Selling Policy
Mr. Peterson quotes from various author- ities, including a German periodical which has the reputation of being well informed on the subject, in vindication of the Pool's Belling policy, especially in reference to the Argentine situation of the past year. This authority declares that "The policy of the Pool was, under the actual circum- stances, the only just one," and that whatever the subsequent development this will "not be the fault of the Pool's Belling policy."
In setting forth the necessity for the Wheat Pool form of organization, Mr. Peterson says; "No manufacturer could exist without some sort of control over the selling price of his product. The situation of tne farmer is exactly the same. The farmer is obviously in a preferred position when the agency controlling the marketing of his wheat is wholly re-
sponsible to him for results. There can be no sound argument against the pre- ponderating producing group within the nation taking up this very rational po- sition."
In a chapter devoted to agricultural mechanization, the author expresses the opinion that we are only at the beginning of this process, and he quotes statistics showing that of late years the number of farmers in Western Canada has actually decreased while the cultivated acreage has increased. We are inclined to think that the statistics given in this chapter may have been factors in leading Mr. Peterson to abandon his former conception of what constitutes a proper immigration policy for Canada, and brought him more into line, in this respect, with the position taken by the United Farmers of Alberta ' over a perld of many years.
Mr. Peterson's book will no doubt provoke some dissent. He punctures a number of current superstitions fsuch as those of the business man who believes that under any and all circumstances "diversification" and "intensive farming" are the road to the farmers' salvation). There may possibly be points at which his views will not coincide with those of other close students of his subject.
Not Agriculture Alone
In some respects his departures from orthodoxy are striking, and in others slight; perhaps without rather extensive departures it may be impossible to come to the heart of the problems of production and consumption. He comes very near to it, we think, in a speech by the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture which is quoted in the concluding chapter, to the effect that, not only in agriculture, but in industry as a whole, including products "as diverse as copper, . . . ana textiles," and lumber, newsprint and other com- modities, production has outrun con- sumption, and that "world buying power is not being maintained at a satisfactory level. Although overproduction in a single industry is a matter for correction within the industry, when overproduction becomes general in many lines, that fact con.stitutes prima facie evidence that it is the price structure, which in turn is governed by the monetary situation, that is at fault."
In this the U. S. Secretary of Agricul- ture, Mr. Hyde, and Mr. Peterson who selects the passage for quotation, seem to approach (though they do not pursue the subject to its conclusion) the position taken by H. E. Spencer, M.P., in the speech reported in The U.F.A. of the current issue, and by such critics of our present credit system as Major C. H. Douglas. But the problems arising from the inadequacy of consumer purchasing power in general are properly not the subject of this book, however worthy they may be of separate treatment.
"The value of the book to the reader for reference purposes would have been enhanced if authorities had been given not only in some but in all cases w here statistical tables and charts are used.
— W.N.S.
"Wheat— the Riddle of Markets" is obtainable from the Farm and Ranch Review, Ltd., price $1.00.
ABOLITION OP POVERTY.
The abolition of poverty will come. It is indeed within measurable distance. Every step in the direction of co-opera- tive marketing must tend to educate pro- ducers and consumers to see the advant- ages of Co-operation on a basis of each for all and oil for each. The old belief that man must be governed by the war- fare of "nature, red in tooth and claw" is passing. The discovery that there is an abundance for all when people work in harmony with Nature, may, in time, make a peaceful revolution. — Ottawa Citi- zen.
O.S,A. Distributes Seed
The Olds School of Agriculture, through its Experimental Union, is distributing seeds and plants listed below, free of charge, apart from the fifty cents' mem- bership fee to the Union. Wheat, Re- ward, Garnet, Marquis; Oats, Victory, Alaska, White Cross, Banner, Liberty; Barley, O.A.C. 21, Trebi, Himalyan; Rye, Prolific (Spring), Rosen CFall); Peas, Carleton, Golden Vine; Potatoes, Netted Gem, Early Ohio, Bovee. Each lot of the foregoing will consist of 4 lbs. Garden Peas, Progress, Perfection (4 oz.); Early Cabbage, Golden Acre (J oz.); Early Par- snip, Hollow Crown (1 oz.); Grimm Alf- alfa (2 oz.); Raspberries, King, Turner, (12 plants); Red Currants, Black Currants (12 cuttings); Willows, Northwestern and Russian Poplar (50 cuttings); Caragana (50 plants); Manitoba Maple ("12 plants); Timothy, Gloria, (4 oz.); Western Rye, Improved Strain (4 oz.); Turnip, Lord Derby, (2 oz.); Beans^ Golden Wax, Refugee (2 oz.); Perennials (Assortment 12 roots); Annual Flowers, Coreopsis (mixed colors), Linaria, Baby's Breath and Chrysanthemums (small quantities of each).
Each member may obtain from one to five of any of the above. No orders will be accepted after April 15th.
New Days- -New Ways
(By POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT)
Fifty years ago the ox cart lumbering laboriously along at the rate of about 4 miles an hour. Today, the air mail roaring through the heavens at more than 150 miles an hour. One minute a mere speck on the horizon, another and it is gone, rushing along with its messages of joy or sorrow, its prosaic business letters, or merchandise from the marts of the world.
The new Prairie Air link reduces the time for mail to reach Wmnipeg by 21 hours, Montreal by 24 hours and New York by 36 hours.
The cost of this modern service is only 5o for the Ist ounce and 10c for each additional ounce on mail sent anywhere in Canada or the United States.
To Great Britain, the British Empire, France and all places in North and South America (except Canada and U.S.A.) the rate is 7o for the Ist ounce and 12o for each additional ounce. To all other countries the rate is 13o for the Ist ounce and 14c for each additional oimoe.
Where it is desired that air mail be conveyed by air from England to any European country, India, or the Orient; or from the United States to Cuba, Mexico, the West Indies and any South American country, an extra fee is charged, and rates will gladly be furnished on request.
RAYON FROM BLACK SPRUCE
The slow-growth black spruce of Nor- thern Canada on account of its consistent yield of cellulos, has proved to be the most valuable wood in the world for the manufacture of pulp used in rayon manu- facture.
8 (364)
THE U. F. A.
April let, 1930
The Only Road to Permanent Peace
How the Glutting of the World's Markets Drives the Nations Towards War— "Peace Largely a Matter of Consumption" — The Newer Economics
A Speech in the House of Commons By H. E. SPENCER, M.P.
Two important contributions to the discussion of the causes of war are printed on this page. The first is the report of a speech made by Henry E. Spencer, M.P., in the House of Commons on March 6th, in which he set fbrth that reduction of armaments cannot itself ensure peace unless the problem of consumption of goods produced for the markets of the world be solved. The second, from a well-known B itish weeklj'^ peiiodical, deals with a special phase of this subject — the influence of the armaments ring, Mr. Spencer's Fpeech was mnde durii }; a debate on a refolution moved by Miss Agnes Macphail, M.P, asking that for every hundred dol'ars spent for war one dollar be spent to promote peace by setting up a chair of international relationships and by instituting international scholarships in each Cana- dian university. Miss Macphail, in the course of an eloquent and notable speech, made it clear that she was concerned less with the actual teims of the resolution than with its main objective. The debate continued during two succeeding days, and an amendment by William Irvine, M.P., was carried, referring the resolution to the committee on industrial and international relations for consideration and a report to the House. The resolution em- bodied a proposal made by the last Annual Convention of the U.F.A.
In the course of the debate Mr. Spencer said:
The subject under consideration is a power of the people, and if you ci:t down
very important one indeed, and our the payroll of the people you simply
thanks are due to the hen. member for increase the quantity of the goods on the
Southeast Grey (Miss Macphail) for shelves that cannot be sold, aprain brincing it before us. Of course
there are many views in repard to this question, but in the main there are two schools of thoupht; on the one hand, those who believe that the best way to prepare for peace is to be ready for war; and on the other hand, those who think that by cutting down armr,ments ve can preserve peace. Personally 1 do not think either school is right. If I had to choose between them 1 would prefer to accept the opinion of those who believe in disarmament because less harm would be done at the outbreak of war; and in my opinion war is inevitable while present economic world conditions continue.
What are the causes of w ar? In times gone by we had religious wars; I think those are a thing of the past. We have had territorial wars; I think they also are of the past. We have had wars brought about by national animosity; surely with our peace conferences and the various nrbitration and peace treaties of the last two or three years we have eot beyond that stage. Then why is it that everyl ody thinks that war is inevitable? It is because people realize that most wars originate in economic rivalry. And v\ hen we have found what is wrong in the economic sense, and taken the proper corrective measures, we shall have made war impossible by removing the cavi.se.
It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that we have not given sufficient study to the result of the mechanization of industry. Today through that great revolution in industry, through the aid of science and invention, there is no difficult}' at nil in producing greater and greater <;uantities of poods with less and less man lower. In other w ords, w e are rapidly transferring the lead frc m the shculders of men to machines. In doing this we are of course throwing more and more men out of employment. Even in Canada today we are up against a big problem of unem- ployment. This I roblem confronts the United States and Cieat Britain and most other countries of the world to a Btill greater extent. We have to recognize the fact that the pajToll is the purchasing
Problem of Production Solved
The problem of production has been solved; we now have before us the prob- lem of consumption. What is the usual suggestion as a means of getting out of this dilemma? The most orthodox sug- gestion is to produce more, to consume less, and to export the surplus. To my mind that suggestion is absolutely absurd. According to my knowledge oi economics, with all the money paid out in the cost of production it is impossible to buy back the goods In the figure of price. At least some economists go so far as to say that we do not spend more than sixty cents of the producer's dollar.
If we have not the money to buy back the surplus goods we export, how are we to have the money to buy the goods that are imported in exchange for the goods sent out of the country? The biggest struggle in the world today is the effort made by all countries to fnd markets outside their own borders. In peace we have economic war; on the other hand it might w'ell be said that "war is economic peace," because in peace times, with a curtailment of credit, you have not suffi- cient purchasing power to }iny back the goods that are made. Credit is put in operation to produce more goods, but not to purchase goods, and therefore we arc coniiiiucllii prcdudng more and more goods for am already i/lul id market.
It is this struggle of one country com- peting against another for similar markets that is creating the economic warfare. W hen w ar breaks out, as it unfortunately does now and again, we have economic peace, bccau.se then there is no such thing as a consumer's problem. War is the greatest consumci of goods in a given time, and so we fnd that in war time everyone is prMty well off, everyone has money. Poverty is at its low est ebb. If we do not have war, we have the accu- mulation of goods and increased unem- ployment.
Fault in Credit System In the la.st hundred years we have advanced tremendously in the matter of
industry; we have revolutionized the pro- duction of goods, but during that last hundred j-ears we have carried on with an old . credit system that was all right in the old days but which does not fit our conditions of today. As long as we stay with this policy of exchange that is out of date, then just so long shall we have 'before us the very serious problem of getting rid of the goods that are pro- duced. Various suggestions have been made for the solving of this problem. Some supFcst the elimination of arma- ments. That certainly would help to the extent that if war did break out fewer people would be killed in a given time; but if 3'ou take the people away from the making of goods, in the way of arma- ments, you increase more and more the number of unemployed. Another way to solve the problem is to get rid of people. Great Britain is doing her level best to migrate her people. The United States is doing her very best to keen people from coming into her country. The mat- ter of birth control has also been suggested and yet none of these seem to me to be a solution of the problem.
In supporting the amendment to the resolution placed before the house by the hon. member for Southeast Grey, I do so because I think we might, in that committee, secure certain information that would be useful to the house. But I agree with the hon. member for Wetaskiwin (Mr. Ir\ine), that even if we do set up international scholarships, if the scholars are taught not along the lines of the newer economics but simply in accordance with the present methods of teaching — which, by the way, have brought us to this checkmate — then I say we would not be gaining our end. If we can ensure the tea'hing to the students of the newer economics, and if these stu- dent.s, with their ability, can go out into the world and preach those new'cr econo- mics, they will be doing something to solve those questions which relate to the purchasing power of the people. The resolution is an excellent one and should be passed by the house.
In summing up, Mr. Speaker, I would say that peace is largely a matter of con- sumption. When we have solved the problem of consumrition, made it possible for the iieople of the world to enjoy the goods of the world — which they are doing today only to a very small extent— we will get rid of the miseries of war and poverty and ciime, and all those things that are detrimental to any nation, even to our own.
Light on the Armaments Ring
By E. MIDGLEY in The New Leader The invc'stigations now in progress concerning the allegations contained in Ilerr Otto Lehmann-Russbuldt's book, "The Bloody International of the .Arma- ments Industry" (published in Germany), is an appropriate moment to recall the stiitements made in this important book. Mr. Lehmann-Russbuldt has done a valuable service in destroying any lin- gering illusions as to the patriotic virtues of big business in wartime.
(Continued on page 52)
April iBi, 1930
TH E U. F. A.
(265) 9
High Lights in the Debates in the Federal Parliament
U.F.A. Groap Seek Abrogation of Australian Treaty— No
Federal Aid for Highways— Estimates to Go to Select By W. T. LUCAS, M.P.
Committees — Parliament and Divorce— Liquor Clearances
According to the rules of Parliament, when the Finance Minister wishes to fto nto Committee of Supply on the first three days of the week, he does so by mov- ing the fullering motion:
That Mr. Speaker do now leave
the Chair for the House to resolve
itself iDto Committee of Supply.
This is an^anrient custom and preserves to the representatives of the people an opportunity to present grievances before granting supply to His Majesty. On March 4th, when said motion was moved, Mr. Senn, Conservative, moved the fol- lowing amendment: "That all the words after the word 'that' be iftruck out and the following substituted therefor:
"In the opinion of this House Ordcr- in-Coumil No. 1757 passed on the 2blh day of September, 1925, respect- ing certain trade arrangements with the Dominion of New Zenliind, should be rescinded forlhnitb and immediate steps taken to negotiate a treaty «ith that Dominion on fair and equitable terms."
In 1 925 Canada negotiated a treaty with Australia iu which the two Dominions ex- tended to each other certain advantages in respect to lower tariffs. There was also a clause inserted in which it was staled that the provisions of the treaty could by order-in-council upon request be extended to any other British Domin- ion. New Zealand took advantage of this clause and asked that the provisions of the Australian Treaty be extended to her, and the Canadian Government by Order-in-Council No. 1757 made the Australian treaty applicable to New Zealand. So that in effect it is the same as if a treaty had been negotiated with both countries.
• • •
Under the terms of the treaty the dutyv on fresh meals imported into Canada was reduced from 3c. to ic. per lb.; eggs from 2c. per dozen to free; butter from 4c per lb. to Ic; honey from 3c. to free; tomatoes and other vegetables from l^c. per lb. to free; also a reduction on some other farm produce.
In order to give Australian raisins a prelerence in the Canadian market, the general tariff on raisins was raised from 2-3 of one cent to 3c. uer lb., and raiaina from Australia enterea free.
In return lur these changes in the Cana- dian tariff, the Australian tariff was ma- terially reduced on printing machinery, typewriters, cash registers, computing machines, newsprint, gla;^ed and unglazed paper, iron and steel tubes, automobiles, gloves, corsets, goloshes, and on hsh, dried, smoked or preserved. So that it w ill be noticed that a bat little protection the Canadian farmer en;oyed was re- moved in order to beneht the already highly protected industries. The Cana- dian larmer received no advantages in the Australian or New Zealand markets, but was subjected to a keen competition from these countries in his home market, and on top of this was compelled to pay 2 1/3 cents per lb. on all the raisins he consumed.
In regard to butter, in 1925 our total imports from all countries amounted to 198,341 lbs., vhile in 1928, total importe
amounted to 35,928.249 lbs., New Zea- land sending 33,764,4fi4 lbs., and Aus- tralia, 271,000 lbs. In 1925 total im- porte of meats was valued at $4,981,456, while in 1929 it had risen to $7,432,660.
A very funny situnlion developed during this debate. I might say here that an amendment on going into supply is always treated by the Covernment as a vole of want of confiden<'e, for if it should carry it means supply could not be granted and therefore tne Government would be unable to carry on. However, a Government which has a majority can and usually does w hat it like<«, and on this occasion, no doubt ^eosinc public opinion was b», ing aroused over the discrimination shown to atcri' ulture in said treaty, the Government had one of its own meml>er8 move an amendment to the amendtneiit as follows: "That all the words after ' be ' in the fourth line be struck out and the following substituted therefor: "Superseded a# soon as possible by
a treaty' with thut Dominion and that
immediate steps should be taken to
negotiate such treaty."
When the vote was taken we had the peculiar situation of the Government voting to defeat itself, and the opposition TotinK to save the Government. Under these circumstances and because of the fact that the Covernment had taken from us the right to move a sub-amend- ment setting forth our viewpoint, our group for the first time refused to vote on either amendment, but as soon as the Government again moved to go into supply, Mr Gardiner mo\eQ at an amend- ment the resolution passed at our annual U.f.A. Convention, calling upon the Government to denounce the Australian Treaty. The debate at this time has not been concluded.
* * •
A very interesting debate took place on the motion of Mr. Kellner, asking
W. T. LUCAS. M.P,
that the Federal Government consider the advisability of a further substantial grant for highway construction. The discussion centred largely on the construc- tion of an all-Canadian highway. Strong arguments were put forth in favor of sufh an undertaking, but the Govern- ment maintained that this work belonged to the Provinces and voted solidly against it, while Conservatives and in- dependent groups voted for it.
* • *
On March 12th, the writer introduced a motion asking that the estimates be referred to select standing committees, before being submitted to the committee of the whole^ the idea being that an economy in time and expenditure might be effected. It is hoped that in being able to call officials from any depart- ment before the.se committees, much more detailed information may be se- cured in regard to proposed expenditures. Uiider present conditions, nours are sometimes s| ent wrangling over a vote of a few thousand dollars, and then at the close of the seseions millions are rushed tbrough without proper conaideratioa by the House. I am pleased to say that this motion received favorable con- sideration and with a slight amendment was adopted.
* • •
On the following day Mr. Luchko- vich moved a resolution asking that the grant for technical education be continued for another ten years. The Prime Minis- ter invoked the B. N. A. Act to show that education was a duty primarily assigned to the Provinces and stated the Provinces were to-day in a relatively better position to meet an obligation of this kind than ever before. The debate was not con- cluded.
* • •
A very tense feeling has developed in the House this session over the Bill introduced by Mr. VVoodsworth, having as its object the creation of divorce courts iu the Province ol Ontario. The purpose of the bill is two-fold, first, to relieve Parliament of the task of deciding upon and granting divorce; second, to place the granting of divorce in Ontario under the jurisdiction of the courts of that Province so that more effective methods may be followed in dealing with such cases to secure justice to the parties seeking divorce and to their children. When the bill came up for second reuding, the vote was declared a tie, but was de- clared carried by the casting vote of the Speaker. A recounting of the vote in- dicated that there was one more vote against the bill than at first reported, which showed the bill lost without the Speaker's vote. However, in order to clear up any misunderstanding, William Irvine moved to have the bill restored to its place on the order paper and this carried by a majority of seventeen.
A bill introduced by Mr. Bourassa to amend the Marriage and Divorce Act, which apparently had for its object the repeal ol the Divorce Act of 1926, which was passed by this Parliament for the purpose of putting the two sexes in the Western Provinces on a basis ol equality, im BO far as divorce vas concerned, vas I
10 (300)
THE U. F. A.
April let, 1930
am pleased to say defenfed by a majority of fifty-six and was supported only by a few members outside the Proyince of Quebec.
On Friday, March 14th, the Prime Minister introduced Bill No. 15 to amend the Export Act, which has for its purpose the refusal of clearances of liquor to countries where importation is forbidden. The Prime Minister spoke at preat length on the question and stated the Bill was purely a Canadian measure intended to safeguard the morale of our own public service and to do duty as we see it towards our neighbor.
The leader of the opposition also spoke at great length, and while he stated he would support the bill he severely cri- ticized the Government for not taking action sooner, in view of the fact that the Customs Committee and the Royal Commission appointed in 1926 reported in favor of the refusal of clearances to the United States. fie pointed out that while the Convention entered into be- tween Canada and the United States in 1924 for the suppression of smuggUng
between both countries had not proved satisfactory, the United States had made further representations to Canada, part of which were aa follows: "It remains convinced that the only effective means of dealing with the smuggling problem along the border is the eoncluoion of a treaty amending the Convention of June 6th, 1924, to the end that clearances be denied to shipments of commodities from either country when their importa- tion is prohibited in the other."
In view of the fact that the United States signified its willingness to negotiate a new treaty on the above lines, it does seem that would have been the most satisfactory manner to have dealt with this troublesome question. It would have been a reciprocal arrangement, while under the present bill Canada gets nothing in return for her action. While some doubt is expressed as to whether the present bill will have the desired effect, there is almost an unanimous opinion in the House that our Canadian officials should not lend their assistance to the breaking of the laws of a friendly neighbor.
Editorial Note. — Since Mr. Lucas' re- view of proceedings in the House was written, certain matters dealt with have come to a definite issue. A sub-amend- ment to Mr. Gardiner's amendment on the Australian Treaty was moved by Hon. H. H. Stevens, Conservative mem- ber for Vancouver Centre, urging the Government to take steps to revise the treaty. This was defeated on March 28th by 103 votes to 51; and Mr. Gar- diner's amendment was then voted on, being defeated by 141 votes to 16.
On March 24th, Premier King inti- mated that a treaty designed to suppress the smuggling of merchandise generally between Canada and the United States was being negotiated between the two countries.
The bill to amend the Liquor Export Act, whose conditions are described by Mr. Lucps, passed third reading on March 25tL, by a vote of 173 to 11.
Mr. Woodsworth's bill respecting di- vorce, which was restored to the order paper i fter being lost on division, has not as yet again come to 8 vote in the House.
Some Further Features of the Wheat Situation
Grower Must Face Realities in Order to Meet Them Intelligently
— An Important Address by Dr. Newton— Protein Content By JAMES P. WATSON
and the Overseas Miller — The "Equal to Marquis" Idea SvQ
We publish helow the third of an important series of articles on the wheat situation by James P. Watson. Previous articles appeared in The U.F.A. of March Ist and .March 15ih,— Editor.
In these brief reviews of wheat condi- tiouE, readers will have noticed that there was nothing very original about anyt hing said. It is only a process of repetition, until by and by it finds a subconscious level in the mind of the grower. The grower must understand the situation, and face it without illusion, if his power of resistance to adverse influences and hia loyalty to his fellows is to increase in- telligently, on the assumption that "it is better to take up arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them," than to be stampeded in ignorance back to the pit from which he was just emerg- ing.
This article will serve two purposes; it will continue the discussion of the wheat situation, and at the same time give you the essence of an address before the Agricultural Committee of the Assembly by Dr. Newton, field crops professor at the University. Professor Newton was sent overseas by the National Re- search Council to investigate the feasi- bility of adopting the protein method of grading Canadian gr)>in. So the thoughts expressed here w ill be mainly Dr. New- ton's.
The reason for the venture overseas was because in the United States protein content had been successfully used as a factor in grading. This success was due to the general fact th»it the average pro- tein content of U.S. wheat was low, and millers were prepared to pay a premium for the higher qualities. In the U.S. 80 per cent of the wheat crop is consumed At nume. In Canada, 80 per cent is ex- ported. In the U.S. the wheat is sold to the miller for the most part. In Britain the Canadian orop has usually
betn sold first to the merchant, then by
the merchant to the mjller.
* * *
From this point Professor Newton asks questions of the British miller. Would you favor the adoption of the protein content as a factor in grading Canadian grain? What are your -chief objections to it? Let us consider the replies to these two questions, as they bring out a mass of information on baking and baking systems. First, the miller and baker say there is no relationship between protein content and baking strength, ana if no relationship, then its adoption as a sys- tem would be useless. They then com- pare the different kinds of bread in Canada with those in the United Kingdom. In Canada the structure of the loaf is ditferent; it is set to rise with an elastic framework, retains the gas, and forms a well piled loaf with a very strong flour. In Britain and in fact all over Europe, they use a m.uch weaker flour, they desire a smaller loaf with a closer texture, a mellower product; and certain officials in the baking industry had characterised the Canadian type as harsh and full of wind. The British loaf is composed of white wheats which in themselves are not strong enough, and high protein wheats such as Canadian are used in small quantities to give the dough a "hft." The higher the protein content the less quantity is neeaed to fill that function.
Main objections to the adoption of the test was that any such test in Canada was merely mechanical, and did not give evidence of quality as well as quantity. Millers were used to dealing with samples in their own way, a kind of wash te.st for protein and a baking test to establish its suitability for their purpose. They were emphatic in this, that they were getting their protection from our standard certificated grades. They knew what to expect when purchasing any of the con- tract grades, and they could base the baking strength of any flour on the num-
ber of sound, hard red vitreous kernel equal to Marquis contained in the certi- ficated standard sample.
Get that "equal to Marquis" idea, for on that the professor built up an indis- putable case for the preservation of the identity of different wheats, the danger of growing and mixing different varieties; somewhat reluctantly affirming against the qualities of Garnet. His investiga- tion broueht the information that 30 per cent of Marquis gave the same results obtained by the use of fifty per cent Garnet.
« « •
Apart from the impracticability of setting up a baking test allied with the protein factor in Canada from a marketing point of view, owing to the time feature, the main difficulty was the INNATE CONSERVATISM of the British baker against new methods. But that was not the whole story. There was the question of volume. High protein wheat is usu- ally composed of small hard kernels. That meant less flour per bushel than from big starchy kernels. This, he said, was why Au.stralian white wheat always sold at a higher price level than three northern. ("The Professor is stating the case as from 1923 up until August, 1929, During that period the price ranged from 5 to 7 cents in favor of Australian, but from August, 1929, up until the end of January this year, Canadian, No. 3, was quoted 5 to 8 cents higher than Austra- han. And up to that time some 98 million bushels had been exported, so that some No. 3 must have been selling at these quotations.) Australian he claim- ed was much drier, containing several per cent less moisture, had a good color, and was desired on account of the extra brightness it gave the flour. These points were used to illustrate that strength was not the only desired factor.
Coming again to these United States and Canada, millers mill flour to a de- finite chemical standard. For bakery use that standard, is eay, 13 per cent protein;
April l8t, 1930
THE U. F. A.
for household use, say 11 per cent. A wheat nith a low ash content is desirable.
In Europe what is wanted is not a chemical standard, but a flour that can be said to have a standard BAKING BEHAVIOR. This is acconnplished bv getting wheats from all over the worla. milling them io the test mills, baking, ana so on, and it bad been found over a long period that general satisfaction had been obtained from the use of from 40 to 45 per cent Manitobas. One large mill, during a low price period a year ago, used 70 per cent Manitobas, only to have received complaints from baker customers, and had to drop again to 45 per cent.
Dr. Newton visited the famous Lyons, Ltd., where he was shown figures which proved that Lyons preferred and used Canadian. When piices of Canadian wheat went higher last year, Lyons im- ported Canadian milled flour to satisfy that desire. The manager of the bakery tried to introduce the bigger loaf a la Canada, but other bakers objected very strenuously.
• • •
At this point a very discouraging ele- ment was introduced. In England, dur- ing the last struggle, millers had made use of larger quantities of cheap Argen- tinas to make up for a reduced percentage of Canadas. Manitobas had dropped to 25 per cent in some cases; in a few io- Btances to 10 per cent, and Dr. Newton feared that it had dropped in one or two points to zero. Bahia Blancas were of exceptional quality. Even Kosafe was of splendid quality. But nevertheless this had been offset since by complsint on the part of the consumer of deteriora- tion of bread, and a bold statement that it was no longer fit to eat.
Proposals to establish a single Canadian Demonstration bakery were futile. Bak- ers in England refused to consider the installation of the electrical high speed mixer as in Canada, a machine which subjected the dough to cave man tactics, and battered and broke up the globules or w hatever it is in the gluten to make the loaf mellow. Why should they install machinery to make them use Canadian w heat il they had to pay a higher price for Canadian? That's a wow, can you answer it?
The importers preferred to stay on the present basis of Canadian certificate final, though a sore point was that a certificate ibsued at Fort William did not pi event tampering at Montreal. There was no appeal from final certificate as was found in the case of the fair-average-quaiity system of other countries. However, the professor thought the introduction of the 75-25 standard would rectify that. Wheat which was bought for future de- livery could have no guarantee of protein content at time of sale to cover delivery eay three months later.
• • •
Leaving England the professor then went to foreign countries to ask que»- tions. In Scotland he found a distinct preference for Canadian. The system here is quite distinct in that the millers grind w heats separately, preserving the identity of varieties from the various countries. Then the bakers do the blending to euit themselves. The long process is much in use, requiring a strong fiour. But even here there was a tendency to reduce the period, and the Scottish Co-op. had obtained an average of 7i hours at its bakeries. This per- mitted the use of weaker wheats, and one type which was otlering real competition to Manitobas in Scotland, aa in Europe
generally, is what is known aa Gulf hard red winter, grown in Kansas, U.S.A.
In Norway, the previous mix of 75 per cent Manitobas was being curtailed some. In France and Italy, where pro- tective temporary tarifTs were imposed to enable the sale of the exceptionally large crops grown at home, the millers said they were not interested in protein tests, as they would buy in the cheapest market irrespective of tests. Germany, with its scientific mind, was more favor- able to the idea.
• • •
Summing up, Professor Newton said that constancy of quality is the only hope of Canadian maintaining itself, and that constancy would find its own price level. Indiscriminate adulteration not only reduced the value of the adulterated but created undeserved price levels for the better qualities. Varieties other than Marquis should be kept separate, as this enabled the miller to temper properly before going to the rolls. Some used steam hatha, some hot water, some cold baths, and so on, and certain wheats re- quirea these different processes and vary- ing duration of tempering, so that mixing varieties here was detrimental.
Wheat Pool Meetings
(By Pool Publicity Dept.)
April 1.
Riviere-Qui-Barre — 8 p.m., conducted by
A. P. Brown and L. Normandeau. Aldersyde — 8 p.m., conducted by E. E.
Eisenhauer and W, S. Morrison. Borshchow — 7 p.m^ conducted by A.
W. Fraser and A. D. Babiuk. Amisk — 2 p.m., conducted by A. C.
Walmsley and J. A. Cameron. Rosyth — 8 p.m., conducted by A. C,
Walmsley and J. A. Cameron. Compeer — 3 p.m., C. A. Fawcett and L.
Hutchinson. Winnifred— 2:30 p.m., A. W. Framme, C.
Jensen and N. Nelson. Whitla — 8 p.m., A. W. Framme, C. Jen- sen, and N. Nelson. Hackett Model School — 8 p.m., Geo.
Chard with lantern. Jarrow — 2 p.m., Andrew Holmberg, Geo.
Bennett and J. P. Watson.
April 2.
Egg Lake — 8 p.m., A. R. Brown and L.
Normandeau. Okotoks — 8 p.m., E. E. Eisenhauer and
W. S. Morrison. Padola School — 7 p.m., A. W. Fraser and
A. D. Babiuk. Loyalist — 2 p.m., W. Wraight and L.
Hutchinson. Throne— 8 p.m., W. Wraight and L.
Hutchinson. Lougheed — 2 p.m., A. C. Walmsley and
J. A. Cameron. Grassy Lake— 8 p.m., A. W. Framme, C.
Jensen and N, Nelson. Foremost— 2:30 p.m., J. D. Madill and
Geo. Bennett. Viking — 8 p.m., A. Holmberg, Geo. Ben- nett and J. P. Watson. Wiese Local — Evening, George Chard. April 3
Morinville — 8 p.m., A. R. Brown and L.
Normandeau. Paraskewa School — 7 p.m., A. W. Fraser
and A. D. Babiuk. Coronation — 2 p.m., W. Wraight and L.
Hutchinson. Poplar Park School — 3 p.m., J. W. Laing
and J. A. Cameron. Sedgewick— 8 p.m., J, W. Laing and \ A.
Cameron.
Chin— 2 p.m., T. P. Bowlby. C. Jensen and N. Nelson.
Coaldale— 8 p.m., T. P. Bowlby C. Jensen and N. Nelson.
Avonglen School — 3:30 p.m., A. Holm- berg, G. Bennett and J. P. Watson.
Albert School — 7:30 p.m., A. Holmberg, G. Bennett and J. P. Watson.
April 4
St. Albert — 8 p.m., L. Normandeau.
De Winton — 2 p.m., E. E. Eisenhauer and W. S. Morrison.
Shepard — 8 p.m., E. E. Eisenhauer and W. S. Morrison.
Chipman — 2:30 p.m., A. W. Fraser and A. D. Babiuk.
Wyoming School — 3 p.m., J. W. Laing and J. A. Cameron.
Barnwell— 2 p.m., T. P. Bowlby, C. Jen- sen and N. Nelson.
Taber— 8 p.m., T. P. Bowlby, C. Jensen and N. Nelson.
Irma — 8 p.m., A. Holmberg, Geo. Ben- nett and J. P. Watson.
Roseberry School — 3:30 p.m., A. Holm- berg, G. Bennett and J. P. Watson.
April 5
Villeneuve — 8 p.m., L. Normandeau. Iron Springs— 2 p.m., B. K. Talbot, C.
Jensen and N. Nelson. Lakeford School — 1 p.m., A. Holmberg,
G. Bennett and J. P. Watson. Carseland — 2 p.m., E. £. Eisenhauer and
W, S. Morrison.
April 7
Lamoureux — 8 p.m., L. Normandeau. Dalemead — 8 p.m., £. E. Eisenhauer and
W. S. Morrison. Hillock— 7 p.m., J. T. McDufiPe and A. D.
Babiuk.
April 8
Beaumont — 8 p.m., L. Normandeau. Langdon — 8 p.m., E. E. Eisenhauer and ^ W. S. Morrison.
Buczcaz — 7 p.m., J. T. McDu£fe and A. D. Babiuk.
April 9
Leshniw — 7 p.m., J. T. McDuffe and A. D. Babiuk.
April 10
Myroslawna — 7 p.m., J. T. McDuffe and A. D. Babiuk.
April 11
Bruno School— 7 p.m., J, T. McDuffe and A. D. Babiuk.
CANADA'S MINERAL PRODUCTION
The value of the mineral production in Canada last year reached a new high mark with a value of $303,876,000, an increase of 10 per ceqt. over 1928. Records were established in 1929 in the output of asbestos, cement, clay products, cop- per, gold, gypsum, lime, nickel, pe- troleum, salt, stone, sand and gravel, ainc, and in the value of natural gas.'
In order of total values the leading mineral products of Canada are: Coal, copper, gold, nickel, cement, lead, asbes- tos, clay products, silver, zinc, stone, natural gas, sand and gravel, lime, pe- troleum, gypsum, cobalt, salt, and plati- num metals. The list of 19 products in- cludes all that reach an output value of $1,000,000 or more annually. Together they make up about 98 per cent of the total value of Canada's mineral produc- tion. In addition to these main products about 50 other minerals were recovered in commercial quantities during the year. Canada produces 90 per cent of the world's nickel; 85 per cent of the world's asbestos; 55 per cent of the world's co- balt; 9 per oent of the world's gold; 8.7 per cent of the world's lead; 8.4 per cent of the world's silver; 6.4 per cent of the world's zinc, and 4 per cent of the world's copper.
12 (208)
THE U. F. A.
AprU^lit, 1980
Principle of Public Ownership and Control of Power Is
Almost Unanimously Endorsed
Goreroment Amendment to Labor Reeolatlon Carried on Division in Le^islatnre With Only George Webster of Calgary
Opposing — QoTeinment Looking for Man to Take Charge
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
EDMONTON, March 18.— Definitely committing Alberta to a policy of Government ownership and control of power development, the Legislative Assembly adopted on Tuesday afternoon an amendment by Premier Brownlee to a resolution of Fred White, Labor Leader. The amendment was worded as follows:
"Whereas the return of the Natural Resources of Alberta to the Province affords the opportunity to control the development of all water power sites in this Province, excepting those in the national parks,
"Therefore, be it resolved, that the Legislature give its approval to the principle of Public Ownership and Control of power development and is of the opinion that in framing policies for the administration of the Natural Resources this principle should be fully safeguarded, so as to facilitate the Government undertaking the whole or such part of power development and distribution as the Government from time to time, with the advice of its technical experts, may consider economically sound and expedient." The Premier stated that all obstacles in the way would be removed by the assumption of control of the natural resources by the Government this summer. Experts in steam and hydro power engineering had been at work for some time, said he. The Government was looking for a man capable of taking charge of power development for the Province.
The original motion moved by Mr. White and seconded by Andrew Smeaton, Labor, Lethbridpe, was as follows:
"Whereas, the return of the Natural Besources of Alberta to the Province affords the opportunity to control the development of all water power sites in this Province;
"Therefore, be it resolved, that this Legislature gives approval to the prin- ciple of public own rship and control of power development and distribution of same and is of the opinion that the Government should immediately con- sider the introduction of a Bill bringing Buch principles into operation."
Support was given to the motion as smerided by all sections of the Assembly, Bpeec'hee being delivered in favor by Messrs. J. T. Shaw, D. M. Dugjran, and Hon. li. G. lleid, Mr. Shaw taking the occasion to criticize the Government for delaying pronouncement. Out of the fifty-five members present, George Web- ster, Liberal, Calgary, who gate the only adverse speech, found himself alone when a recorded vote wan taken on the demand of the Premier and others.
WHITE PRESENTS CASE FOR RESOLUTION
In his opening remarks, Mr. White stated that ne felt sure everyone was de- sirous of securing chcaf) energy. Alberta, said he, was in a particularly favored position in having at least three sources of abundant power, water, gas and coal. Of water power sites there were many. Authorities had said that in the Bow Valley there were jiotentialities for the cheapest power in Canada. Then there were sites close to Edmonton and again in the far north. Situated between these were coal measures and gas and oil de- posits. He envisioned the possibility of bringing the benefits of electrical pow er to towns and hamlets and farm homes to a
greater degree than was possible in other rovinces of Canada. The opportunity was now definitely before the Alberta GoTernment. They
would now no longer have to negotiate with another Government two thousand miles away. While Alberta had been awaiting this favorable development, otiier interests had been busy getting franchises. He hoped that the words of Sir Adam Beck would not be app1ical>le to Alberta: "You gave' away peanut stands and bought back jewelry 8hoi>s." A corporation in the United Stales hao re- cently estimated its franchises as being worth some $30,000,000.
Mr. White went on to compare the publicly-owned systems with those owned by profit-seeking corporations. Where public ownership prevailed there was the greatest «ise of |)ower, said he. In areas in the United States where the utility was in the hands of power companies there was the smallest use of energy per capita. In Ontario, the use of electricnl energy was almost universal. The explanation was to be foun«l in the rales charged. In Ontstio the ra'te averaged 1.71 cent.s per kwh., while in the U.S. the average was 7.3ti cents. In the United States 26 per cent of the users provided fi8.2 |)er cent of the revenue of the companies. The policy of t hese companies was to make the small constimer |>ay the big rate, and the large consumer so small a rate that the bulk of the l>urden of maintaining the generating stations was borne by the cl<imeetic user of electricity. In Ontario, provision was being made so that, nr,t- withstanding the cheap rates, the capifjii, outlay would be taken care of in twenty years, and the system would be then so situated that the very best service at (he rheaf)est possible rates could be given to the people.
There was no complaint, said the speaker, at the rates now prevsiling in Alberta; but that he felt was largely due to the presence in the field of the muni- cipalities. The demand for electrical energy was increasing at a very rapid rate.
Mr. White reminded the Assembly that wherever private capital had been allowed to develop this utility it had beeo
necessary to set up a public utilities com- mission or some such governing body to curb, control and regulate these or- ganizations. He saw no reason for build- ing up such interests and then building up another organization to watch them. Public ownership had as its motive the benefit of the people themselves. He recalled the fight the West had had to keep intact the Crows' Nest Pass Agree- ment. It was not always easy to keep a Government to the pledges of its pre- decessors. It would be found so in power matters.
In Ontario, said the speaker, they were planning to take power out to the re- moter districts. It might be true that Alberta would have a special problem in this respect, but even at that he was sure that thc^ more densely populated areas would not have to pay as much under public ow nership as to corporations hav- ing control.
There was another aspect of the ques- tion, said Mr. White, in closing. It bad been found, particularly in the United States, that where private concerns bad obtained control of this utility corruption followed in their wake. We were told by the proponents of private capital develop- ment that we should "keep this thing out of politics." He believed that the beat way to keep it out of politics was to make it a public ulilUy.
PREMIER STATES GOVERN MENT'S VIEW
It was obvious when Premier Brownlee arose that his remarks on the subject were of more than usual interest. He paid tribute to the Labor leader's thoroughness in preparation when dealing with such matters. He always enjoyed bearing Mr. White. Last year the debate had dwelt largely on the relative merits of private ana pul)lic ownership, and he, the Prem- ier, would not enter that field. He wished to say at the outset that there bad been criticism of the Government for not embarking on a policy of public owner- ship and distribution before this. He would venture to say that the Province would be in a better position than if they allowed themselves to be hurried into some big scheme prematurely.
Three principal questions had to be satisfactorily answered, said the Premier, before in his opinion a government was warranted in entering upon any enter- prise of this character. Fiist: were they able to find the necessary capital? Seconci: could experienced and efficient manage- ment be obtained and was the public willing to allow the payment of adequate salaries? Third: could they ensure free- dom from political interference, and was there a willingness to allow development on sound economic lines? Answering these, Mr. Brownlee thought that over long periods the Government ought to be able to provide the necessary finance now that the railway burden had been lifted. He believed that public opinion bad come to the point where it was easier for the Government to pay adequate salaries for technical akill. He felt that there v«b a
April IH, 1930
THE U. F. A.
(260) 13
decided leDtimeot seeinBt political inter- ference with publicly-owncd utilities
FMPHATIC DECLARATION FOR PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
At this point the Premier came out emphatically with the declaration that the Government was in favor of public ownership. He believed that <he Govern- ment could operate such a utility as effi- ciently as a private corporation, and could give bark to the consumer in service and reduced rates what the private cor-
E oration would take in profits. They had een moving as rapidly as possible in this direction.
To be ready to undertake the re- sponsibilities of owning and onerntinK a power system, said Mr. Brownlee, had required certain conditions. First: con- fidence on the part of the people in the Government's ability to mansge the utilities already in hend. This had been done in the case of the Provinciel tele- phone system, which was admitted even in the East to be one of the best systems in Canada, equal to any in fa<t; second: confidence on the part of the {>ublic in the economic stability of the Province throUKh the removal of some w hite elephants. This had been established by the sale of the railways; otherwise the capital ex- penditure could not have been justified; third: being in a strategic position to take over the projects now operating. With- out control of the natural resources they could not have expropriated these pro- jects and would have had to negotiate a price. This would have placed the Government under handicai); as the other parties would have been aware of the Government's inability to force them to sell. This condition had also been met. "The Alberta Government was now about to be vested with the powers of the King in the right of the Province. The last obstacle would soon be passed.
The Premier then went on to tell of the investigations carried on during the j^ear by a Prof. Christie, an expert in .steam engineering from Baltimore University, who had been consulted by many govern- ments. The Government had also ar- ranged to retain the services of a hydro expert, a Mr. Akers, of Ontario, who was now at Ottawa collecting all information from the files there. Both these men had confirmed the Premier in the belief that power development in Alberta must be a monopoly, w hether private or public. He counselled pa- tience. Many problems had been solved and much progress made. The Govern- ment were prepared to face this one also. It would be the next big Government activity, if, as be expected, they were re- turned for another five years.
It was a question whether to acquire all control at one time or to proceed to- wards the goal step by step. With com- paratively hard years ahead and many demands be was not sure that it was the best time. He agreed with the principles contained in the recital of the resolution, but not with the word "immediately." Before moving his amendment, the Prem- ier stated that the Government was look- ing for some man who would not only be well enough qualified to take over the administration of the resources, but able to go ahead with the work of power development. In answer to Mr. Duggan as to tne willingness of the public to allow Government to pay salaries equal to those raid by private enterprises, Mr. Brownlee admitted that some of these companies psid most exorbitant salaries: but stated that the Ontario Hydro haa on its staff at least three of the best technical men in the power buainese in
Canada. He believed that public opinion in Alberta was as advanced as that of Ontario.
Opening his brief remarks somewhat sarcastically, J. T. Shaw, Liberal leader congratulated the Premier that the Gov- ernment had arrived at this stage "after long deliberation." He knew of no reason why they should not have done so years ago, rather than have "investigated and struggled with this terrible problem so many years." He thought that the peorile of Alberta should have been "in on the ground floor rather than the swindle floor." People might have been spared many burdens if the Government had announced this decision years ago. They could not afford this dilly dallying with the problem. He him*.p|f would have had no difficulty in reaching this conclusion 3'ears ago. He hoped that now the Gov- ernment was committed to the policy of public ownership, action would not be delayed so that the people would unduly sufTer.
FOLITARY OPPONFNT STANDS HIS GROUND
The Assembly showed its admiration of the persistency and courace of George Webster by applandine when he rose. Mr. Webster said that he had been wait- ing for encouragement but had found none, not even on bis immediate right, referring to his leader Mr. Shaw. How- ever, he was willing to stand alone if necessary. He granted the sincerity of those w ho espoused the principle of public ownership and claimed the richt to be regarded as equally sincere in his oppo- sition. He was convinced that it was a dangerous field to enter and did not believe that conditions warranted it. He also felt that the Province could not afford at this time to discourage private capital from coming into Alberta; and he felt that would be the effect of the Govern- ment's announced policy.
There could be no harm done, declared Mr. Webster, if such companies as were now in the field were allowed to proceed providing that they were properly super- vised in the matter of rates. He was not afraid of any public service corpora- tion getting out of hand if the Govern- ment was maintaining control. He con- tended that an analysis of conditions in such places as Ontario, Quebec and New York would show that while rates mieht be lower in Ontario, the taxpayer paid the difference in the ultimate either by direct taxes through the higher rates charged the cities by the publicly owned system or by loss of prosperity.
He asked if anything were being done to watch the development of future tax rate bases which would be affected by the big prices paid to some of the towns for franchises. He had heard that one company had paid as high as $1,000,000. The Premier stated that these companies were operating under Dominion charters. The value of an asset could be determined when the time came.
Mr. Webster hoped that the Govern- ment would never take over these com- panies; but if they did he hoped there would be no watered stock. He reminded the House with reference to the Alberta Government Telephones that there was some $22,000,000 tied up in that utility. He declared that the rates were unbal- anced in such a way as would not be per- mitted by a private corporation. Cal- garv, for instance, was paying too much and many rural parts were not paying enough for this utility. He accused the Government of not going far into the remote sections with the telephone. They might better do thii than go into
the power business. He asked that the Assembly consider the fact that an in- vestment of one hundred to one hundred and fifty millions of dollars would be required. The Province would be en- gulfed with debt. Population was too sparse. There was not more than an average of one house per mite when there should be at least three. He contended that it cost five times as much to serve a rural customer as one in the city. In conclusion, Mr. Webster was of the opin- ion that if the Government would give attention to public health, education and roads, it would do much better than to go info the power business. DUGGAN GTVFS CAUTIOUS SUPPORT
"For once," said D. M. Duggan, rising to Break, "T find mvself in complete agreement with an amendment offered by the Government." The situation lent itself to public ownership, he continued. Consideration along these lines had fre- quently been premature. The Province was now emerging from a difficult finan- cial condition. He would not, however, embark on a nower scheme till the neces- sity arose. The amendment clearly pro- vided that if the experts engaged by the Government advised it sound to enter the field of power development and dis- tribution, the Government could and would do so. When this was done, the Conservative party would give support. Though the Government had committed itself to the principle he thought it should carefully guard its steps. He honed also th.<it the Government would make clear that they did not intend to take over the svstem of the Calgary T.ight f: Power Co . They should carefully guard the interests of capital by making a definite pronounce- ment.
ITon. R. G. Reid dealt with some of the criticisms offered, after first commending Mr. White on his excellent introduction to the debate. Mr. Shaw had accused the Government of "delay, delay, delay." He would point out to the honorable leader that every time in the last nine years that the Government had been accused of delay it had ultimatelj' inured to the benefit of the Province. So it would be in this case. When the advisers of the Government would say that it was wise and expedient to embark on the policy of public ownership, either par tially or wholly, they would do so.
Mr. Giroux: All the best franchises are grabbed now.
Mr. Reid: Franchises are but a small
Eart of the picture. Power sites are the ig factor; and no further disposition of water powers is being made in the mean- time.
CAN'T FULLY CONTROL PRIVATE CORPORATIONS
The critics themselves did not agree, said the Provincial Treasurer. With Mr. Shaw it was "Too slow, too slow"; with Mr. Webster: "Too fast, too fast" The Government was in the correct middle position. With respect to Mr. Webster's contentions about Government super- vinion of private corporations, Mr. Reid said that he had recently read a state- ment by an authority that "there haa not yet been devised by man, any Public Utility Board which can fullv control such corf>oraf ions." He had himself made a meticulous examination of rates of various power systems and found that the rates of Ontario were the lowest. Private corporations piled up stock which roust have dividends and consequently higher rates.
It was contended by critics that there waa more rapid development under private
14 1270)
THE U. F. A.
Apnl IM. 1930
ownership. The facts were that in On* tario one of the most marvellous develop- mente had taken place that the world had ever seen. True there had also been big developments in Quebec, especially with regard to industry. There was authority for saying, however, that in the latter case not accessibility to markets only but availability of suitable labor hacf been a big factor.
In conclusion, Mr. Reid said that when embarking on a power scheme the Gov- ernment would have to consider the matter of its being self-supporting. They would need to face the whole problem invoUed. He was of the opinion that it could be done without loss to the Pro- vinre.
Mr. White accepted the amendment and the vote was taken as recorded.
Agriculture is Canada's outstanding primary industry, having a production value of nearly $2,000,000 annually. When considered in rpiation to the subsidiary industries dependent upon it, agriculture is the real leader in Canadian enterprise. As an industry it provides gainful occu- pation, directly and indirectly, to more than ^fty per cent of Canada's popu- lation.
The 1930 Session of the Legislature in Review
Alberta Not Being Ridden by "Too Many New Laws"— Taking i
Over the Resources — Public Ownership of Power— Pool gCM By NORMAN F. PRIESTLEY
Guarantee— The New School Bill — Mines Act — Frauds The V.F.A. Staff Correspondent Prevention
"Rather a dull session, don't you think?"
"Not much doing at the Legislature this year, eh?"
These and rimilar comments have been frequently made during the past six or seven weeks, both in the inside circles of the law makers and on the street; and to judge from a certain point of view it is true. The 1930 session has been marked by no bitterly contested, hard fought debate; nor has it provided any scandal; nothing in fact which justifies lurid, sprawling head- lines, if anything ever does. That is not sufficient reason, however, for as- suming that the fessioo has been un- eventful. On the contrary the fourth session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Alberta may well prove to be one of the most important in the history of the Province. i
Four measures affecting vitally either all of the people, or large blocks of them, have been presented. There is, first of all, the transfer of the natural resources. It is no small thing that Alberta should become in the twenty-fifth year of her age "mistress in her own household." With the formal ratification of this agree- ment by the Imperial Parliament, the Province emerges completely from her territorial status and takes rank in fact as well as in name with the other Provinces of the Dominion. To anv who are accus- tomed to think in money terms it may be of value to note that this is probably one of the biggest real estate deals ever con- summated. The ownership of over one hundred and forty thousand square miles of land changes hands. The ad- ministrative life (if the Province will feel the change, v» hich will necessitate the creation of at east one new depart- ment of Government.
In this connectif n it is to be noted that the Assembly passed a resolution committing the Government to the prin- ciple of i)ublic ownershij) and control of electrical energy. The effects of this decision cannot be adequately estimated but that they will be far reaching is be- yond question.
* • •
Another measure of more than ordinary significance to the whole economic struc- ture of the Province is the a<'t gimrantee- ing to certain Canadian banks their advances on the wheat croi) of 1929 to the Canadian Wheat Pool. The eyes of the world have been and are mill focnssed ujion the strtiggle of the Cana- dian farmer to obtain a \\\nt [irice for the 8f)lendid wheat of whiih he reaped only some three fifths the quantity of the year 1928.
It must have been evident to all ob- ««rver« that a concerted attempt has
been made to destroy this co-operative effort. In the success or failure of the Pool is bound up the success or failure of tens of thousands of families on the farms, for the year 1929-30; and, what is more important still, the sustaining of their morale. Governments have recognized that the development of the co-operative spirit and all that is involved have been endangered. So it was that following a conference of Premiers Brack- en, Ferguson and Brownlee, the three prairie Governments took similar and simultaneous action and placed their financial resources behind the Pool to the assurance of the banks.
* * •
A third piece of legislation which is expected to have far-reaching effects upon the future of our people is the com- plete revision of the School Act in a bill presented by the Hon. Perren Baker. It is true that its chief provision, the setting up of a larger school administra- tion area for rural schools is not man- datory, it l)eing now left to be volun- tarily undertaken by such districts as are ready for the reform; nevertheless the principle has received the assent of the Legislature, and it is not anticipated that the bill will be thrown out.
Education is recognized to be funda- mental to the progress of a modern democratic state, and whatever the im- mediate results of Mr. Baker's bill, there is little doubt that a few years from now it w ill be recognized that in the realm of education the rural areas of Alte.»^v made a very definite step forward .q 1930.
• ♦ ♦
The re-enactment and thorough amend- ing of the Mines Act will bring into conformity with present day ideas a body of law and regulations which affect directly the second largest industry of this Province. Whole towns and many villages with their thousands of working miners and their families will know some- thing of improved conditions and greater security as a result. The ordinary user of coal has little appreciation of the ex- tent to which It has been found necessary to define and guard by law in the minutest details the rights and very lives of those who sweat amid the dust and damp and darkness of the underground at great risk every day, in order that domes- tic comfort may be assured and industry and commerce carried on.
A measure not to be lightly regarded is the Security Frauds Prevention Act w hich has been re-cast this session. The new act will permit of more summary and drastic action to compel those who make a living in the brokerage business 'which as Attorney-General Lymburn,
said "offers peculiar opportunities to men who are disposed to be crooked") to do so in such a way that the interests of other citizens shall not be brushed aside.
* • •
There are those who complain about the making of too many laws. Perhaps they have heard or read something of the doctrines of the philosophic anar- chist. Not a few people who know nothing of philosophy are dis7)osed to rebel these days against the tendency to too much regulation of life by the state. Few of us would be happy under a Mussolini. An examination of the work of the Alberta Legislature this session will show, however, that there is no ground for that thought here. "But,' says someone, "the Assembly passed, or will have passed, some seventy-five bills this year. True! but let us make a brief analysis.
Of the seventy-five all except six, leaving out the new city charters of We- taskiwin and Drumheller, are amend- ments, in many instances very slight, to existing statutes; or are consolidations or re-enactments of toMi er acts. Under this latter heading come such measures as the School Act, the Mines Act, the Mechanics' Liens Act, and the Security Frauds Pre- vention Act. The life of this young country is of necessity changing rapidly, at a rate, perhaps, more rapid than that of the older communities of the world; and law can only be experimentally applied in many instances and then ccanged to meet the changed conditions.
Three of the six new laws passed or dealt with are really administrative in nature. They are the Natural Resources (■Temporary) Act, an Aft Respecting the Control of Electrical Energy^ and the Unemployment Re lief Act. With the first named our only concern is to say that some machinery must be set up to take care of the administration of lands, mines and fisheries, etc., when the con- trol ot these things is taken over from the Domitiion this summer. The control of Electrical Energy Act is really a hcensing act, laying down the Canadian electrical code, providing standards for the sale and installation of electrical supplies. The necessity for this can be well understood in view of the very rapid extension of electric power development throughout the Province. The Unemployment Re- lief Act has been rendered necessary by the expenditure this winter of large sums of public money and to provide for similar contingencies in the future.
In the final analysis then there are only three pieces of legislation which are new departures; and of these one, that roviding for the Acquisition of Pure- red Bulls, is really supp lementarv to
April 1st, 1»3U
THE U. F. A.
(Z71} 18
that presented by the Hon. George Hoadley last session — the Pure-bred Sires Area Act. In this year's bill Mr. Hoadley makes provision for the purchase and re- sale by the Department of Agriculture of pure-bred bulls to farmers residing in such areas. Another of the thiee is that of the Hon. Perren Baker which es- tablishes the wild rose as the floral emblem of Alberta.
• • •
The remaining act is the only one of those passed or under consideration which definitely establishes a new prin- ciple at law. The "Act Respecting the Removal of Sex Disoualification" was fittingly presented by Alberta's one lady legislator, Hon. Irene Parlby. The act provides that "Any person shall not be disciualified by sex or marriage for the exercise of anv public function, or from being appointed to any civil or judicial office or po.<st, or from entering or assum- ing or carrying on any civil profession or vocation, or for admission into any incorporated society."
A challenge to the right of Mrs. Jamie- son, a woman magistrate in Calgary a few years ago, to act as such by reason of her being a woman, brought this question to the fore. After an exhaustive analysis of common law, Mr. Justice Stuart up- held her right. This act will set at rest, as far as Alberta is concerned, any doubt which may continue to exist.
It will be seen from the foregoing that Alberta at least is not being regimented and state ridden by a lot of new laws. The facts are that if the old method of pre- senting to the Legislature all amending acts under one bill for the amendment of statute law still prevailed, only some ten or eleven bills would have been pre- sented this session.
o
Members Pay Tribute
to Brownlee's Leadership
An interesting little affair marked the close of the afternoon's sitting of the Legislature on Friday, March 21 st.^ From tht Press Gallery Gordon Forster, of Handbills, could be seen during the hour preceding adjournment moving around among the F.F.A. members, sit- ting next to each one in turn as the com- mittee wended its way through the stages of the School Act. He carried vith him a thin green backed book cover, after perusing which the members affixed their signatures. He worked quietly, resting between times, then moving again.
The staff correspondent of The V.F.A^ going down into the corridors upon ad- journment found something afoot. A meeting of the U.F.A. members was being held, though it was almost seven o'clock, and every one was hungry and tired. Now the Council Chamber, where such conferences — the Opposition members pre- fer the word "caucuses" — are held, is sanctum sanctorum even to the repre- sentative of The U.F.A. at such times; but kind friends seeing the wistful look, no doubt, let him in on the secret though not into the room.
It was supposed to be a business meet- ing; but after a few preliminaries, we un- derstand, Gordon Forster rose and ad- dressed Mr. Brownlee somewhat as fol- lows: "We, the Farmer members of the Letfislature, in meeting assembled, desire to express our continued appreciation of the work and leadership of our Premier and assure binn of our loyalty and sup- port in the future." He then handed to the Piemiei the little booklet with the sienatures of the entiira U.F.A. group
attached, subscribing to those senti- ments.
Mr. Brownlee briefly replied, thanking the members and assuring them that it was a pleasure to lead such loval fol- lowers. He believed that no Premier in Canada had ever been supported by a more loyal and faithful group.
The esteem so simply and unostenta- tiou.^ly expressed will no doubt help to brighten the life and lighten the load of the big man upon whose shoulders rest so large a share of the responsibility of carrying on the public affairs of this young and expanding Province of Al- berta.—N. F. P.
SOCIAL INSURANCE
The question of Canada's possible future need of some sj'stem of health in- surance similar to that in vogue in Great Britain, will be a prominent subject of discussion at the forthcoming Annual Meeting of the Canadian Social Hygiene Council, to be held in Toronto from April 29th to May 2nd, inclusive, states
the bulletin of the Canadian Social Hygiene Council.
"The British system provides for the compulsory payment of a small weekly sum by every emf)loyed person receiving less than a stipulated wage. Such persons are then given free hospitalization, free medical service, free medicine, nursing, all of which i.« paid for by the government.
" What system of health insurance should be adopted in Canada or indeed, whether any such system is advisable at the present time, we do not feel pre- pared to state now," said Dr. Gordon Bates, General Secretary of the Council. "But public health authorities, and others in a position to know, feel sure that sooner or later Canada is Hkely to have some form of health insurance, atid our purpose in discussing it at our Do- minion-wide Annual Meeting at the end of April, is to so co-ordinate upon this nationally-important question the atten- tion of those who realize its importance, that when the time comes to take definite action, we will have a plan of action ready, and be prepared to act in unison."
The Risks of Credit Trading
(From Canadian Co-operator)
One of the virtues of Co-operation is its greatest weakness. In private business the policy of the proprietor is dictated by his desire to make pro- fit out of the consumer. There is no real community of interest between them. The aim of the co-operative society, on the other hand, is to serve its members. It exists for that pur- pose only. There is, in consequence, often the inclination to give them aid which is not justified by sound business considerations. In the past, many co-operative societies have met dis- aster immediately after the close of a period of depiession. They have sought unduly to assist their members with credit accommodation while pasning through it. On a return of greater commercial activity they have found they could not meet the pressure upon them promptly to discharge their own liabilities, owing to having so much of their resources in a "frozen" condition, that is to say tied up in book debts not immediately collectable.
We are now passing through such a period of depression. Great care is consequently necessary in the regulation of credit transactions. Sales can easily be made to people unable to pay for their purchases. While societies doing a credit business should treat their mem- bers with as much consideration as cir- cumstances will permit, it should con- form with sound business principles. In giving credit boards of directors should not overlook the fact that they are acting as trustees of the funds of the general body of members, and are often virtually loaning the savings of one member who does not ask for credit, to a neighbor who does, and without the consent of the former. It should be remembered that no society is financed on a basis which will enable it to carry its members financially through a period of depression. It is much more in the interests of a society, as well as of its members, to encourage retrenchment in buying rather than to stimulate sales on a credit basis.
Effect of Cash Basis
At least two of our Western societies have recently gone on a strictly cash basis. Both of them report satisfactory rsults. One effect of cash trading is to reduce, in favor of the consumer, the cost of operation. Funds are also avaiahle
to buy to the best possible advantage. Unproductive capital becomes income earning. People who pay their way do not also have to carry those who incur liabilities they cannot, or will not, dis- charge. Thrifty habits are encouraged because a credit buyer is a careless buyer. Unnecessary articles are often purchased which financial circumstances do not justify because payment at the moment seems to be remote.
It may be that, in some cases, cir- cumstances will not permit the im- mediate introduction of cash trading, even though it may be admitted to be desirable. If credit is continued, how- ever, sound business principles, and the general interests of the members, demand that it should be systematically regulated on a basis authorized by the directors, after careful consideration and with due regard to the financial capacity of the society, and that the terms thereof be strictly observed. Unregulated and un- supervised credit almost inevitably leads to heavy losses if not to disaster.
Financial Reserves More attention should be given by co-operative societies in Canada to en- couraging the building up of domestic financial reserves of their members in- vested therein in good and average times, so that instead of members being under the necessity of asking for credit in times of depression they may have the satisfaction of feeling they are free of debt, and have, in addition, funds in- vested in the society upon which they can, if necessary, draw to satisfy current needs. Many thousands of workingmen co-operators in Great Britain, in times of industrial depression or long periods of strikes, have found themselves able to continue normal buying on cash terms because of the accumulated purchase dividends, and compound interest there- on, remaining with their societies as loan capital. The Canadian movement, as a whole, ought to give serious considera- tion to the subject with the view of working out the best plan of em[)loying such loan funds of the members to the end that they will serve the purposes of the movement in its development, and at the same time give absolute confidence to the members they will be withdrawable on demand, or at short notice, in nas« of need.
16 (272)
THE U. F. A.
April iBt. 1030
PREMIER BROWNLEE'S LEADERSHIP
An Analysis of "Th ■ One Man Government." By NORMAN F. PRIESTLEY
A flneerinfj phraw thnt we hnvp heard occasionally in quii't plac*.!* durine the past few year? now fuxlinp iitterfnce on the j>iil)lic platform, and, a? a reMilt, IB making its apr)earance in the pri>s8. An election is approachinp. The Alherta Lepiflature is descriV>ed ae a "one man Government." There are variant read- inuR of the phrnw I'tit the intent is the same. I-et up examine thio thing and see if the appellation is merited or fits the case.
We are told thnt John lirownlee is
the hrsin of the whole Government: that
hf i« not only it^ brain, hut its voice too;
that without him even such meagre
rimnants of the old partiee as the rout of
19V 1 left in the Legislature could and
would tear into shreds the politi»al
rretentions of the Farmer movement.
The u serf of this phrase mnintain that,
were it not for the IVfinier's valiant
appearing at every breach in the walla,
the hastily erected citadel of the U.F.A.
would have fallen long ago and revealed
the pitiful emj tiness of ignorance and
ineCRciency which lies behind.
• * •
What are the facts? Let us go back to 1821! In that year, flushed forward unexpectedly by the force of a grrat surge of social consciousness on the part of some 60.000 voters in the rural areiife of Alberta, s<)roe forty men, who were them- selves part of that" tide, found themselves confronted with the tank of taking over the reins of Government in this young Province. To elmost all of them it waa new work. As citizens they had felt the effect of government on their lives and had some conception of its (lossibili- ties for their well-being or hurl; but of the machinery bj w hich it was operated they knev only from distant observation, largely through the glasses of the daily press.
They were, however, men of sound sense, possessed' by ore of 'he great ele- ments of wisdom: knowledge of their own limitations. They knew that at least one branch of government rei|uired expert knowledge, that no man un- trained in the intricacies of that body of law upon w hi< h government has come to rest tnrough the centuries, couH func- tion as the head of the legal department. They looked around, and, d«)uliile88 guided by wise leadership, selected a younji attorney for that office who had eerved them for some years in f)thfr fields. Bo it was that .lohti Browtilee entered the Alberta Government.
Time passed, and these men from the farms found in this big. unassuming lawyer not only one devoted t<i their ideals, but one whose keen and versatile mind could take anv problem they pre- sented and as.'ist them to its solution. Their confidence in him grew; and when it was thought necessary to elect from among them a new first minister these farmer representatives chose the voiing law yer t heir leader. And w bat a leader he has |)rove<II
Critics of this Government and its Premier know — at least those of them nho presume to shape public opinion shotilo know — that in the political arena a leader must lead. It is the ganius of Britiefcu repreeentative government that tile man «bio_become« the head, be it
in Province or State or Dominion, or in the Mother of Parliaments, is selected, not by the multitudes who have never seen him, and only know of him as the Pgtire hend of the f)arty to which they belong, but by the vole of elected repre- sentatives who have seen him, known him, learned of his capacities and felt his power. A Premiei is a f'rst minister, a leader of leaders. It is strange that men should criticize 'ohn Rrowtilee for being that, pre-eminently thai.
"Ah!'" say the critics, "but there is a difference between being a leader and being a dictator " Then their rhetoric and prejudice carry them off to Italy and talk of Mussolini. To those who really know, as the French say, "It is to laugh! '
• • •
Now the ultimate test of leadership is the answer to the question, "Do men follow ?" These forty members of the Al- berta Legislature who have come from the farms of the Province know their direction, they have tried their leader, they have tested his philosojih;' of living, they believe he knows the way and can see their immediate objective,. Whv should they nf>l follow? Ask them. Ask also many observers, w ho, having tradi- tions that differ, choose to follow dis- tantly; or, if holding contrary views con- scientiously, oppose but still admire. "Where", they say, "in Alberta, or in Canada for that matter, is a mind so versatile, a judgment so keen, coupled with so great a capacity for work?"
flere is a man with a trained mind, edu- cated in some of the best' schools of Can- ada; not a brilliant, flashy orator, who attracts admiration to hiro.self by dazzling phrases, carving his way to heights of popular acr laim bv slashing his enemies with a vicious ton?iie. Here is a man w ho ftlays a serious game, i» at grips with reality, a man who envisions a great future for the race, a man w h»>, w liile at work ir. Iht pillared chamber on the hill, thinks of the people of the prairie, the briilee and the bush, who amid pioneer conditions struggle for life, more life. Here is a man who will knit his brows and press his temples at the end of weeks ol hard and harassing toil to find a way to ensure that a miner "at the working face ' in a lignite coal mine shall not work in dust and smoke, but shall have pure air. Here is a man who would fiiit beauty and stability into the life of little dingy prairie towns. Here it' a man who will not lake his opponents at their Worst, but with courtesy towards them and fpith in them will win them if he can. Here is a man who never treats lithtly a chance, unskilful question, sincerely put. Here is a man who is in danger of wearing himself out in his de«ire to meet everybody on the le\el of iheir need. And wiih it all, work, work, and more and harder work!
• • •
■'This one man government!" It ia very evident that those who use these termo do nut know ihe inside workings of the Government group in the Legisla- ti;re. Because the Premier so often speaks the final, the d«;cisive word in debate, is not to say that it is his word only. He speaks for his fellow ministers and for the private members who sre eeated behind them. He is the interpre-
ter of their wishes and the voice of their decisions. They choose to let it be so. It is his function; and, recogni/ing his con- summate ability, they elect to have it exer<ised to the full.' That they do so is proof of their worthiness for the office they hold. If per'^onal ambition were the paramount consideration among them, jealousy and rebellion might have arisen m their ranks long ago. It is charac- teristic of big men, who sincerely desire their country's good, that they put aside the thought that another man's eminence is achieved st their own exfiense. They sre ready, if necessary, to say "He must increase, and I must decrease." The Cause with them is everything.
• • •
We have not cho«en in this article to discuss other personalities that enter into the picture. It is sufficient to say that no leader ever achieveb success without loyal and competent supporters. It is doufitful if anywhere in Canada a Provincial Asst mbly can be found having a more l«>yal and efficient group of law makers. The Premier himself paid tribute to them in similar words at the hour of adjournment the other day. This can be said in addition, moreover, that Premier Brownlee does not interfere in the work of the Dfpartmenfs; that he relies upon the efficiency in their respective fields of the other members of the Executive Council, and that they do not fail him. It is also true that w hen any major problem arises, when unusual demand or rer)re8entation8 are made by any body of citizens, the Premier ne\er fails to consult hi.s fellow ministers. As we said before, it is their decisions, their joint decisions, to which he gives voice in the Assembly. That it makee him pre- eminent, brings him constantl.y before the jiublic eye is inevitable. It is in the nature of gf)vernment. Where is the country or Province in which this does not obtain? Ramsay Macdonald, Mac- kenzie King, Hoover, Tolmie, Ferguson, Taschereau, are names synonymous with the Governments of w hich they have been elected heads. The average citi/,en of Al- berta, we will venture to say, would have difficulty in naming two other ministers in the cabinets of these men.
The fact is that the Executive Council, the Government of Alberta, is a well- balanced, efficient aggregation. It i^ so successful that they who aspire to its place of power have so little real grounds lor criticism that they must resort to some CPtch phrase, to some ai)peal to prejudice or (ear, in their attacks upon it. Vve will make this further venture, that they who use these tactics show little grasi) of the present political situation, when they attempt to make capital by attacking even indirectly the position of Alberta's popular Premier.
— — o— — — —
Preparations are being made for taking another decennial census in Canada. It is to be taken in 1931.
o
"I would prefer an uneducated people to the sort of eeducated people we are now obtaining; people who are able to read but cannot sift their reading." — St. John Ervine.
April l9t, 1930
Assembly Deals With Grist of Legislation in
Closing Days of Session
Adjonnunent Pending Consnltation re Natural Resoarces
Final Touches Given Provincial Estimates
Premier in Role of Smiling Prophet- Resolution on Unemployment Insurance
EDMONTON, March 10.— Premier Brownlee will be back in office in nineteen- thirty-two. He said so himself, so who is there among us who wOuld willinsly dispute the statement? This prophetic utterance was a public statement, and came in reply to the quizzing of J. T. Shaw about the methods employed by the. Government in the revision of the statutes in 1921. The Premier smilingly stated that he would employ the same method in the new revision in 1932. So that's settled.
W. G. Farquharson, chairman of the redistribution committee, laid on the table the findings of the committee, to- gether with a map of the proposed changes. (The findings were briefly outlined in the issue of March 15th. — Ed.)
The final touches were given to the estimates, the matter of why the Gov- ernment dispensed with the services of the Commission appointed by their pre- decessors to revise and consolidate the statutes being brought up by J. T. Shaw. The Premier made it clear that there was not the slightest intention to reflect in any way on the work of the eminent legal experts who had been appointed to the Commission. It was a question of ex-
Eediency and cost. The Government ad instructed the department staff to undertake the balance of the work, with the result that Dr. Scott had the entire revision complete in time for the session of 1922. The first quarter of the work had been done by the Commission, and so far as expense was concerned, the three-quarters done by the department officials had cost less than the quarter done by the Commission. In 1932 the Government would employ the same method. (Laughter.) The estimates were finally passed.
J. T. Shaw stated that he refused to support a measure which gave the Exe- cutive Council power to make certain rules governing Rural Credits. He want- ed these rights preserved for the Legis- lature. The Premier replied that there would be no pressure on the members, and action would be delayed until after the Public Accounts Committee finished their investigation of the whole matter. The Government was confronted with the choice of two policies in this case, and they thought it well to carry on with the new supervisor, Mr. Percival, and have a report and definite policy at the next session. The bill was given second reading.
In committee of the whole there was a big draft of legislation advanced a stage or reported for third reading. C. L. Gibbs allowed his pipe to go out an awful lot of times asking questions, and there may be an investigation into the high
STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
The Legislative Assembly ad- journed on March 21, until April 2nd, after completing most of the work of the session. The adjourn- ment is for the purpose of enabling Premier Brownlee to examine cer- tain features of the Natural Re- sources agreement with Saskatche- wan which it may be desirable to include in the Alberta legislation, such a course, it is understood, being agreeable to Premier King.
Among important matters dealt with in the current reports are the enactment of a measure for the pre- vention of fraud in the nale of se- curities; a new School Bill, which passed second reading, and the en- dorsement by the Assembly of a recommendation that the principle of public ownership shall be ob- served in the development of Al- berta's power resources.
cost of Government matches. He got a clause in the Town Act held over so that it could be redrafted in such a way that councils would not only name the two days selected for an advanced poll, but would also be left free to select the hours during which said poll would re= main open.
Control of electrical energy is the subject matter of a very important bill, in two parts, the first being the proclama- tion of the electrical code of Canada and the second part being of an emergent nature which might never be needed, or at least not for some time. It was read a second time, and its provisions will be analysed when it gets to the com- mittee stage.
COMPROMISE ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Then came the big compromise. Fred J. White, Labor chief, introduced a sub- stitute for the resolution on unemploy- ment insurance presented by his colleague. The first resolution was too tough for the Government to swallow whole, so the Premier had introduced an amendment; that in turn had been too much for the Liberal Chief, so he introduced an amend- ment to the amendment. The new sug- gestion, in substance, is the calling of a joint conference between Provinces and Dominion, at the same time freeing the Province from commitment to any policy resulting until approved by the Provin- cial Legislature. The Premier stated that while it did not go as far as his o\vn resolution, he consented to withdraw his. J. T. Shaw also withdrew his amendment, and the mover of the original, C. L. Gibbs, sidetracked his also and the sub- stitute resolution became the unanimous choice of the Assembly, without further debate.
The Letbbridge charter amendments were passed on motion of A. Smeaton. Irrigation District Acts and Tax Con- Bolidation Acts were finished in com- mittea. In the Village Aot, eounoils wero
given power to grant monies to boards of trade, at the discretion of the councils.
TWO ACTS DEALING WITH CO-OPERATION
Then came a few fireworks on the regis- tration of co-operative societies. There are two bills, one dealing with co-opera- tive marketing associations and one dealing with co-operative associations. The confusion at times which fogs up this distinction is the cause of funny incidents. In. the co-operative marketing associations the registration fee is increased to twenty- five dollars, but the cause of some dispute is the provision that if the association will forward its requisite return to the Government promptly and correctly each year, that immediately thereafter the Government will refund five dollars. This will be repeated each year for five years, at the end of which time the entire fee will have been refunded.
So, at this point C. L. Gibbs and J. T. Shaw took exception to the return of the entire fee, maintaining that the cost of registration at least should not be refunded. R. G. Reid explained that the cost would be small, l?eing part of the general cost of upkeep of the Co-opera- tive supervisor's office established some time ago. He stressed the idea that the only object in increasing the fee and granting the refund was to encourage the associations to file their returns promptly, as it was in the realm of financing and auditing that associations had gone astray in the past.
The same idea was introduced in the Co-operative Association Act, the fee being increased and the principle of the return applied. J. T. Shaw was afraid that if this were to be granted to co- operatives, it would discourage private enterprise. R. G. Reid thought the case was dilTerent, as these associations were non-profit associations, but J.T.S. thought they existed for the profit of the member- ship. His colleague, George Webster, on the other hand, manifested fear that the high fee would discourage the formation of co-operatives.
George MacLachlan, Pembina, took a prominant part in the debate, in the course of which he pointed out that many of these small consumers' associations only did a business of from $100 a year up, and it would not be fair to penalise them by making the charges excessive. The refund was the only way to safe- guard the member, as the necessity of an accurate and prompt audit was the key to success. In Saskatchewan the fee was around three dollars.
C. L. Gibbs thought the fee should be graduated to suit the case, and while he did not object to the loan of public monies to help organise co-operatives, this money to be repaid, he did not think it wise to saddle the public purse with the entire cost of registration of these associations. Like J. T. Shaw, he wanted them to pay their way. Progress was reported on the bill.
A bill to relieve cities from having to collect school taxes in rural districts and transferring thia job to s village, muai-
18 (274)
THE U. F. A.
April 1st, 1930
cipal district or the Minister of Municipal Affairs, was advanced a stage. This to affect several of the smaller cities.
The Parks Act was forwarded, and the provision made for the preservation of Deauty and historic spots and the forma- tion of parks. Old Fort Edmonton is one of the places involved.
A bill to allow the London and Western Trusts Co. to eat up the Standards Trusts Co. went through committee. R. H. Parkyn moved an amendment to the Calgary City Charter which will preclude employees and customers from being on or loitering around barber shops and beauty parlors after one hour subsequent to the closing hour on Saturdays, which is seven. It passed.
The Municipal Hospitals Act was ad- vanced, several amendments proposed by Minister Hoadley being to give power to the Minister to take a vote in any area after a deadlock or stalemate by the resi- dents. He instanced cases of this in the Coronation district. Another amend- ment was to exclude a doctor from being elected to the board of any municipal hospital.
Approval of a bill by which the Ren- frew Golf Club would assimilate the St. Andrews Golf Club of Calgary was re- fused pending inquiry as to whether the step had been concurred in by members of the latter. There was a suspicion that the process was more concerned with the establishment of an up-town club than a golf club, and so it was held over for further investigation.
An account of the debate on the bill to guarantee advances to the Alberta Wheat Pool, which passed third reading on March 11th, was given in our last issue. o
Bill to Prevent Fraud in Sale of Securities
Attorney General Brings in Measure for Public Protection — Compromise on Jury Act
EDMONTON, March 12.— Two im- portant subjects, ,as well as a dozen or so bills in committee, took up the time of the Assembly on Wednesday. An agreeable termination came to the reso- lution of J. T. Shaw on the clarification and emendation of the Jury Act to prevent whittling away by the judiciary of the right to trial by jury in civil cases. A compromise having been arrived at, on that matter, deep and studious thought was given in committee to the new pro-
Eosals in the Prevention of Fraud in the ale of Securities Act, and the debate was interesting and timely. Many bills were advanced so far as to bring the end of the session into clear view, and the royal assent was graciously given to nine bills, including the Wheat Pool Guarantees Bill.
The evening previous the Liberal chieftain had introduced his motion on the Jury Act. He built up a strong case for the preservation of the right of jury trial in civil as well as criminal cases. He used illustrations of recent judicial actions, one with respect to an action for recession of contract in the case of sale to a farmer by the Minneapolis Thresh- ing Machine Co. of machinery which it was claimed did not turn out to be as represented. But the learned judge had refused trial by jury, and Mr. Shaw built tip from that incident a case to the effect tbat the judiciary were whittling away at the people's right to jury trial.
The Attorney General, who thereafter took up the parable, objected strongly to the implication that the judiciary was whittling away that right. He conceded the fact that such right should be avail- able. He was willing even to amend, extend or otherwise deal with the act to make it conform to the wishes of the Assembly^ but he would not do so if the words which the Liberal leader had chosen were allowed to remain in the resolution.
He pointed out that under the act, the right of trial by jury, at the request of either litigant, must be granted in cases where the amount involved exceeded $1000. In the case specified by J. T. Shaw, damages asked were placed at $750 and therefore the judge refused trial l>y jury. If the Liberal leader would strike out the obnoxious words and sug- gest an extension or clarification of the act, the Government would accede to the request and make a survey and have a report ready for the next session, and then if it was not found to meet all re- quirements the members of the Assembly could amend it further at their pleasure.
P. J. Enzenauer. — Let me get this clear. Is it so, that if a case involved does not amount to $1,000, the act makes no provision for trial by jury?
Attorney-General. — Yes. The amount has to be a minimum of $1,001.
J. T. Shaw, closing the debate, said that as the farmer litigant in the case mentioned had traded in an old machine at $750 and given a promissory note for $850, he did not see how the learned judge could assume that the case was beyond the pale of the jury provisions. However, as his desire was the clarifica- tion of the act in the master, and as he knew perfectly well that it could not be accomplished during the present session, he was quite agreeable tliat the Govern- ment should review the matter during recess, and so he begged leave to be al- lowed to suggest an amended motion with the objectionable words left out. He then stated that if the Attorney General would move this motion he would be very pleased to second it.
The Attorney General laughingly thanked him for the honor, but adopted an attitude of "after you, my dear Joseph." It was finally agreed that the Liberal chief would move it as a substi- tute and the Attorney General would second it.
That was fine, but Mr. Speaker pretty near upset the applecart and dissolved the harmony by informing the Assembly that he was fed up with the irregular prac- tice of moving substitute motions without notice. Of course he used dignified language, not having the poetic license allowed a mere scribe. However, after reading a lecture on procedure in a few simple words, he allowed the substitution on the unanimous consent of the Assem- bly, and so that is that.
TO PREVENT FRAUD
IN SALE OF SECURITIES
Everybody interested in the purchase of securities — and who isn't in these days when so many people are piling up im- mense fortunes by the simple expedient of taking a few shares in eyeglass con- solidated or niblick-putties? — ^will follow with keen interest the attempts of the Attorney General to make the game clean, honorable, straight and above board. He is being helped con.siderably by the stock exchanges themselves, from whom many suggestion with respect to the better regulations and survey of all transactions have been received, and por- tions of the new bill are drafted to em- body such suggestions.
Perhaps it might be as well right here to give a brief review of some of the more drastic parts of the bill, as well as the comments of several members thereto. The preamble makes it clear as to the meaning of the word "broker," which formerly meant a person only, but which now includes a company and officials of a company or partnership which trades in securities, and shall also include a security issuer (that is the issue of stock by a company or individual who is the actual owner of same) unless the context of the bill definitely indicates the contrary.
The definition of "fraud" is very im- portant, being as follows:
(c) "Fraud," "fraudulent" and "frau- dulent act" shall, in addition to their ordinary meaning, include: fi) any intentional misrepresentation
by word, conduct or in any manner of
any material fact either present or past,
and. any intentional omission to disclose
any such fact;
(ii) any promise or representation as to the future which is beyond reason- able expectation and not made in good faith;
(iii) any fictitious or pretended trade in any security;
(iv) the gaining or attempt to gain, directly or indirectly, through a trade in any security, a commission, fee or gross profit so large and exorbitant as to be unconscionable and unreasonable;
(v) any course of conduct or business which is calculated or put forward with intent to deceive the public or the pur- chaser or the vendor of any security as to the nature of any transaction or as to the value of such security;
(vi) the making of any material false statement in any application, information, material or evidence sub- mitted or given to the Attorney-Gen- eral, his representative or the Registrar under the provisions of this act or the regulations; or in any prospectus or return filed with the Provincial Sec- retary;
(vii) the violation of any provision of this act or of the regulations relating to trading in securities;
fviii) generally any artifice, agreement, device or scheme, course of conduct or business to obtain money, profit or property by any of the means herein- before set forth or otherwise contrary to law and anything specifically desig- nated in the regulations as coming within the meaning of this definition; Part one deals with registration; no per- son shall trade in securities unless he is registered as a broker, or salesman of a registered broker, etc., with a few exemi> tions clearly defined. In the exemptions granted to one who trades a security in an isolated case, care is taken to prevent an ex-salesman from trading under cover of this exemption. Exemptions from registration extend to non-profit sharing companies, and the balance of the first part deals with bonds and penalties and forfeiture and cancellation for offences.
Some discussion took place with regard to the latter parts of the penalty section.
During the week commencing March 10th, and for a portion of March 17th, staff correspondence was taken over by James P. Watson, during the absence of Norman F. Priestley, who returned to the press gallery on that date after visiting the agricultural schools of the Province in reference to a text book on Co-operation which he is pre- paring.
April Ist, 1930
THE U. F. A.
(275) 19
The words preceding the penalties state — "The Attorney General may order that" fand then follows sub-seetions outlining the offence and the penalty) and the sec- tion concludes with the words: "and no order of the Attorney General shall be subject to review in any way in any court."
Mr. Shaw thought that was too drastic but the Attorney General remarked that it was in the old act passed last year. It stood.
Part two deals with investigation and action by the Attorney General. This is the same as last year, only the insertion of certain words (which are given in capitals below) increases the scope. For instance, "the Attorney General, or any person, OR PERSONS to whom as his representative OR REPRESENTA- TIVES he may in writing delegate such authnritv, may examine anv person, COMPANY, PROPERTY or thing what- soever at any time in order to ascertain whet her any fraudulent act, or any offence against this act has been, is being, or is about to be committed," etc., and this section makes it clear that no bank shall be exempt from examination insofar as the sale of securities are concerned, even though it seems that employees or offi- cers of banks are exempt from examina- tion under the Alberta Evidence Act or the Canada Evidence Act.
With regard to this clause Mr. Shaw drew the attention of the Attorney General to the danger under these pro- visions of companies or individuals sufTer- ing unduly at the hands of over-officious investigators and the need for careful handling, as witnessed he said by the recent cases in parts of Canada. Mr. Duggan also stressed this point, and the Attorney General replied that he was deeply conscious of this danger, and the Department was fully alive to the need for careful survey.
A clause which provides that where an accused person refuses to- furnish in- formation, this shall be deemed to be prima facie evidence upon which the Attorney General, the Supreme Court or a judge thereof or a police magistrate may give a judgment in their several capacities, provoked some more obser- vations from the Liberal leader.
It was fundamental in law that no man should be convicted out of his own mouth, and he thought it unwise, but the Attorney General said it was designed to provide for the case where reasonable evidence existed to convict but the ac- cused deliberately refused to open his mouth. If a man is innocent, he affirmed, he would at least try to give information. It was unusual legislation, he admitted, but very necessary. Mr. Shaw thought it would encourage third degree methods, and spoke as though the third degree is a common legal trait.
There was some laughter when the Liberal leader said that possibly a man might shut his mouth on investigation, because while innocent on the charge investigated the man feared that by speaking up he would give away some other offence of which he had been guilty.
That was too much for the Minister of Education, who with a mere layman's understanding did not see how guilt should not be guilt under certain con- ditions.
PANEL OF AUDITORS TO INSPECT BOOKS
Part three deals with audits, accounts and information. This is of primary importance. The regulations are that each exchange shall keep a panel of auditors to inspect the books of each person or company doing business on the
exchange. Twice each year shall an audit be made, once at a specified time, to fit in with income tax returns, and the other to take place at a time unknown to the company or person, so that the element of surprise will be a factor in the prevention of illicit practices. The ex- changes are given absolute power to enforce the audit and secure returns. This is already in effect in the bigger exchanges, and the smaller ones will have to step up.
Part four provides for regulation of trading. Stringent new provisions and penalties are drawn up, directed at the practice of a broker selling for his own account against a customer's buying order, thus preventing the purchase from having any effect upon the market and relieving the broker from carrying the stock. The customer who has been so treated may elect to treat the contract as void, and recover whatever he paid with interest. This is also considered an offense. Ex- changes shall keep a record showing the time and place at which each transaction took place and shall supply to any custo- mer of any member of such exchange upon production in writing confirmation of any transaction v ith any such member, par- ticulars of the time at which such trans- action took place and certification or otherwise of the matters set forth in such confirmation.
Part five contains general provisions.
Assembly Unanimous in Adopting Report on Redistribution
Chairman Pays Tribute to John D. Hunt
EDMONTON March 13th.— W. G. Farquharson to-day moved the adoption of the report of the redistribution com- mittee, seconded by George Webster. As chairman he paid a special tribute to the secretary, J. D. Hunt, whose informa- tion and tabulations saved the committee weeks of work. He expressed apprecia- tion also of the work of the members of the committee, who had carried on harmoniously in the desire to reach some mutual agreement. He thought its work had wiped out some of the existing anomalies with regard to population, as Mr. Hunt's tabulations showed that there had been 20 constituencies above the average, while 28 had been under. This had been changed to 13 and 15 constitu- encies, respectively. He recommended the adoption of the report.
Col. Weaver stated the Conservative members took the position they had always taken, that any redistribution would be inadequate so long as there existed two systems of voting, one for the rural parts and one for the urban. With this reservation, he concurred in the report, and said that in spite of differences of political thought the result had gone considerable distance towards rectifying some of the discrepancies, and he thought this result and the harmony which had prevailed, due largely to the tact and courtesy of the chairman, who had preserved the peace between the lions and the lambs.
George Webster didn't know whether his character was that of a lion or that of a lamb. However, a great deal of work had to be done, and many things which at times cropped up to make it seem im- possible to achieve any result bad been overcome, and it had seemed that the major thought in the minds of the mem-
bers had been to find a mutual agreement. There had been in all elements a sub- merging of their own political hopes. Of course the committee, by virtue of the resolution of the Assembly which had called them into being, had been restricted along certain lines and the work was the best that could be done under those re- strictions. There had been so much work attached to this, that he hoped frankly that if ever a time came when a new com- mittee should be set up, that he would not find himself one of the personnel.
Fred White mentioned that that day was exactly the 365th since the setting up of the committee. They had worked less than a year, but he thought the time had been well spent. He felt some gratification, because he had been on the committee of 1926, and it had been futile. The arrangement of any con- stituency boundary which had been in existence for a great length of time was a rather delicate problem, as there were no doubt many local conditions which had to be recognized.
ADEQUATE EQUALIZATION NOT POSSIBLE.
The Premier also expressed apprecia- tion on behalf of the Government of the work of the committee. There were some features of the proposed redistribution which were not 100 per cent appreciated by the Government, just as there were features which had not been 100 per cent appreciated by members opposite. The result would affect the Government as much as it did other groups. Personally, he felt that in a young and growing Province there would never be an ade- quate equalization of population, to the ultimate degree, and even in states like New Zealand, where they adjusted repre- sentation by an independent tribunal, there was a fifteen per cent leeway above or below the average. He predicted that within the next five years the present plan would be superseded, and looked for the grouping of municipalities into larger units, which at the same time would not have the disadvantages of the county system as known in the east, so that there would be new groupings for municipal school and administration purposes.
J. T. Shaw had no special observations to make on the proposed changes, as he had only given a hurried survey to the map. He was sure, though, that there was at least one abortion in the suggestion, namely that of the constituency of Cochrane. He had never been in favor of a committee of the Assembly anyway, but had advocated consistently an inde- pendent commission. Membership in the Assembly was too great to start with, and here they were still adding to it. However, having the restrictions in mind it was the best that could be done, and he would not oppose the adoption of the report.
It was adopted unanimously.
The Legislature consented to the establishment of a research council for Alberta; regulation and construction of Provincial Parks is assured; George Hoadley got his agricultural pests legis- lation tuned up ready for the season; and Red Deer had its ordinances duly or- dained.
CO-OPERATIVE ACTS ARE AMENDED
The following amendments were sug- gested to the acts respecting co-operativa marketing associations and co-operative associations. Provisions referred to pre- viously, namely, the increase of the regis- tration fees to $25 with a yearly rebate of five dollars for correct returns, have been expunged. The following are the new suggestions adopted by the Assembly.
20 (278)
THE U. F. A.
April let, 1930
Co-operalive Marketing Associations Act: New section to take the place of Sec. 46 — "There shall be paid to the heeistrar upon filinp the memorandum and articles of association a fee of five dollars, and upon filing an amendment to the memorandum or articles of asso- ciation a fee of two dollars and fifty cents."
Co-operative Associations Act: New schedule of fees; application for registra- tion and filing bylaws or rules, $5.00; filing amended bylaws or rules, $2.50; every cancellation of entry, $2.50; each search, 25 cents; filing any document, 25 cents.
Second reading of the new Mines Act was given, after the Premier had pro- mised to draw up a list of the few con- tentious clauses so that members could study them over the week-end. Delay of this bill till the closing days of the session was determined, as the latest draft had been only recently mailed to parties concerned, and the Premier wished them to have time to make any repre- sentations.
P. M. Christophers, fighting miner from the Rockies, said second reading was "O.K. for him," but intimated that he sure as the dickens had some amend- ments to suggest when the proper time came.
Over an hour's discussion of the Me- chanics Liens Act Amendments Act took place, some very contentious, if not fiery stuff having been found therein. Labor was kicking for security for wages for cutting brush or other labor; farmers were kicking because they got no notice when a plaster was placed on their property for materials or labor; Sam Brown wanted everything stricken from the register as soon as paid; some others wanted a lien to be on the buildings only; some thought it might extend to a quarter section; some though}; the power of the judiciary to assess it against the whole area owned by the party against whom claim was levied was altogether going too far, and a whole lot of other things which could not be heard in the press gallery.
o
New School Bill Is Moved in Assembly
All Anthority Rests in Hands of Elected Representatives
EDMONTON, March 14.— It seems that more and more as time goes on does the U.F.A. system of democratic repre- sentation finds its way into all admini- strative channels of the Province. "From the ground up" is now much more than a mere phrase.
If your correspondent is right in his conception of some of the provisions of the new School Act, it would seem that in the new voluntary divisions to become operative under the terms of the act. each of the school districts concerned select a delegate, who when they meet, in turn select directors who form what will be known as the divisional board. In view of widespread statements to the effect that the bill aims to take away con- trol from the people and place it entirely in the hands of governmental officials, let it be clearly stated that all authority rests absolutely on the elected representa- tives. The divisional board under the new bill establishes rates of pay, makes the necessary requisitions, ana assumas all the functions which in last year's bill were assigned to the Keneral board. There i*
uu general taxing area under the measure, nor any general board.
STILL IN THE DARK AQES
The Minister of Education, Perre n Baker, dealt with the principle of the bill on second reading today, and the debate was adjourned immediately thereafter by George Webster, Calgary. Wetaskiwin and Drumheller city charters were in committee of the whole and advanced several stages. Apropos the former, please take note that no PERSON need apply for position as mayor or alderman, as it is expressljr stated that "any MALE" with the requisite qualifications can be elected to these high offices. The Hon. Irene Parlby lifted her eyebrows slightly when she made the remark that she was very much surprised in these modern times to find a city like Wetaskiwin still living in
In the new school bill an effort has been made to effect a more logical arrangement than in the existing act, which, as a result of the many changes which it has under- gone, has become rather confused and difficult to under^'tand. The new bill is divided into seventeen parts, each with an appropriate title indicating the matter with which it deals. The provisions of the bill are in the main similar to those of the existing act, the cjiief difference, apart from the provision for the estab- lishing of divisions, being that the quali- fications for voting in school elections are made uniform throughout the Province, by providing for adult suffrage in con- nection with the election of trustees and for a property qualification for voting on bond issues.
A Radical Change
Part XVI of the bill, which deals with the formation of larger units of admini- stration, or divisions, differs quite radi- cally from that of last year, in that it provides for the formation of a division only after a vote favorable thereto has been recorded in the area affected. Where- as the school bill of 1929 provided for the grouping of all the rural school districts of the Province into divisions, forming a general taxing area, and for the creation of a general board, through which the divisions would co-operate in raising a general fund for the payment of the salaries of all teachers, and by which a salary schedule applicable to all rural teachers would be established, under the modified scheme no general board is possible, and the fixing of the salary schedule and the paying of the teachers will be done by the board of each division, the money being raised by a common mill rate over the division.
An amendment to the School Grants Act will provide for the payment to an"y division of an equalization grant sufficient to ensure that the payment of teachers' salaries shall not require a levy of more than eight mills within the division, this being approximately the average re- quired for this purpose among the rural Roboob of the Proviac*
the dark ages. This gave a cue to Labor members, who hammered at certain pro- perty qualifications in the bill. Chris. Pattinson stated it was absurd to find that one could not be elected as alderman of Wetaskiwin unless one had $100 in col- lateral when one without any collateral could be a member of that Assembly or even sit in the scorner's seat at Ottawa, or words at least to that effect. The bills were held over till- later.
Mr. Baker, moving second reading of his bill, made it emphatic that there was no deviation on the part of the Govern- ment from the belief in their original policy, namely, the complete reorgani- sation of rural school administration and the embracing of all rural school districts in divisions. The new measure might be disappointing to ardent advocates of the larger unit, but no Government should proceed with social legislation in advance of public opinion.
Notable Progress
During the past decade notable progress in education has been made.
The enrolment in our schools has in- creased 35.6 per cent and now totals 164,850.
The constantly increasing number of pupils has been taken care of by the opening of 1,217 new classrooms, making a present total of 5,345.
The period of operation has been greatly increased, 93 per cent of all our schools now operating for 160 days or more, as compared with 66 per cent ten years ago.
There is greater regularity of attend- ance.
Teachers are better trained today. The academic requirement has been raised, the period of training has been lengthened, practice teaching is greatly increased, and a School of Education has been established within the University, for the superior training of graduates.
The overcrowding, which was quite common in schools of the New Canadians particularly, has been largely overcome by the building of over one hundred two- roomed schools.
The general level of attainment of the pupils in the schools has been very con- siderably raised as a result of these im- proved opportunities, as is evidenced by the fact that: ' Grade eight examinations were written in 1,804 rural schools in 1929, as compared with 886 in 1921.
Rural High Schools
Further evidence of this is seen in the greatly increased enrolment in the high schools. 13 rural high schools have been organized, including 62 school districts. Grade nine examinations last June were written in 841 rural school districts, and Grade X examinations in 357. The total enrolment in high school grades in the Province is 19,433, an increase in the last ten years of 11,501. High school enrolment during the past three years has increased 34 per cent. Of our total school enrolment 11.78 per cent is in the high school grades. Ten years ago the per- centage was 6.53.
The curriculum has been revised, in aceordaDce with the best modern thought.
Minister of Education Explains
Provisions of the School Bill
Detailed Explanation of New Measure Given by Hon. Perren Baker
\pril iBt, 1930
THE U. F. A.
[•^77) 21
The unit syefem has been adopted in the hi^h school grades, and the list of authorized text books has been revised.
An effort is being made through corre- spondence courses to reach the children who have no school to attend. 1500 such pupils have received instruction since this work began, and there are approximately 400 now enrolled. Of the 13 who wrote the Departmental Exami- nations last year all were successful. Several of these had never attended any regular school.
Although we have these gratifying evi- dences of progress, there has grown upon me a conviction, which I may say is shared by officials of the Department, that the rural school at least has about reached the dtgree of excellence which it can reasonably be expected to attain under the existing system of school ad- ministration. This system does not en- sure the full-time operation of all the schools. It affords no effective means of providing secondary education in the rural areas. It does not spread the burden equitably. It provides no way of making an intelligent selection of teachers. It makes no provision for adequate supervision. It cannot bring about continuity of teacher service. It affords no satisfactory means of elimi- nating the unfit. It does not hold for the rural schools their proper share of the more effective and experienced teach- ers, because under it no salary schedule is possible, and for this, and several other reasons, under it rural teaching can never be made much more than it is — a practice ground for novices, a handy means of livelihood for the period between school days and matrimony, or a stepping - stone to other occupations. These ends are justifiable enough, but the rural child deserves something better, and it can be given to him.
Solution Needs Larger Unit
For the solution of this problem we must turn to the larger unit of admini- stration, since nearly all of these weak- nesses are wrapped up in the very nature of our inherited system of rural school administration. This conclusion has been arrived at by practically every student of school administration on this Continent,, on making a study of conditions similar to ours. It is corroborated by the ex- perience of New Zealand, Australia and England and Scotland, and many of the States of the American Union, where the disjointed system of extreme local con- trol, to which we still cling in Canada, is no longer tolerated, but has had to give way to the more effective sy.stem of larger units. The officials of the Depart- ments of Education of every Province of the Dominion, with the possible exception of Quebec, where quite other conditions prevail, know that the existing system ought to be replaced by the more effective larger unit. The movements now under way in the Provinces of Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, looking toward the inauguration of the larger unit, are but a carrying over into the field of education of the modern methods and systematization which have revolutionized industry, transportation and commerce.
The establishing of larger units will bring about the full-time operation of all the schools, the solving of the problem of secondary education in the rural areas, in so far as ii is capable of solution, ana the more equitable distribution of the cost. It will bring about a more intelli- ent selection and placing of teachers, t will prevent much of the shifting about of teachers. It will provide thorough supervision-, T* will mak(^ possible the
elimination of the ineffective, and, by offering some prospect of advancement, through the establishment of suitable salary schedules, and by enabling teach- ers to serve under a more disinterested and responsible control, it will enable the rural schools to hold a larger share of the better teachers.
Must Have Public Support
The bill that was presented last year provided for the complete reorganization of rural school administration, and the embracing of all rural school districts in divisions. As stated on previous occa- sions, it was introduced for the purpose of foqussing public attention upon the problem, and in the full knowledge that its proposals might be more far-reaching than public opinion would sanction at the present time. It is fully realized that no Government can proceed with social legislation in advance of public opinion. No greater disaster could happen to edu- cational reform than the premature enact- ment of legislation which has not behind it sufficient public support to make it workable. The measure now before the Assembly, while it may be disappointing to the more ardent advocates of the larger unit of administration, proceeds on sound ground, in that it provides that divisions will be organized only in areas where there is sufficient public support to ensure the scheme being given a fair trial. We believe that a number of divisions will be organized in the near future by the vote of the people, and ihat they will fully vindicate the faith we have in the larger unit of administra- tion as a means of greatly improving rural education in this Province.
Motion on Teachers* Superannuation Lost
Committee to Make Survey of Subject and Report — Scheme Not Favored
EDMONTON,- March 17.— Hector Lang, Medicine Hat, whose suggestions by way of resolution have from time to time been accepted by the Assembly, found his usual luck had forsaken him when he moved for the appointment of a committee of the Legislature to survey and report at the next session a scheme for teachers' superannuation. The battle was fought by proponents of the resolution mainly on the principle of pensions, but while conceding the principle involved, the Government swung into action on the ground that schemes were still in the experimental stage in other Provinces and the result had been that theories which seemed very desirable when first enunciated had to date failed very ma- terially in practice. The entire weight of the Government benches plus the staid Conservative group was counted again.st the resolution, while Liberals and Labor present to the number of i.leven stood up for the resolution on division. The resolution reads as follows:
Resolved, that the matter of the superannuation of the teachers of the Province be immediately referred to a committee of the Assembly with a view of surveying the whole field and draft- ing a scheme for consideration during the 1931 session of the Legislature. Mr. Lang drew attention to the terms of a resolution introduced by him a year ago to the effect that the Minister of Education should forthwith make inquiry into cases 'of those teachers who having rendered long service in the profession.
were unable to continue in the profession on account of illness or ill health and authorise provisions with regard to such teachers as in his opinion would be fair and reasonable. This resolution had re- ceived the unanimous support of the Assembly.
The mover emphasized the fact that the teachers of the Province had given this resolution unanimous endorsement as a step in the direction of a pension scheme in the Province, and he made much of the fact that the civil servants had a superannuation scheme in effect in which normal school teachers and school in- spectors were included, so that the teach- ers themselves were next in line for con- sideration. School boards, parent teachers' associations and other such bodies were favorable to the scheme, which he affirmed would be on a contributory basis.
Objections to any scheme previousljr had been centered on the financial posi- tion of the Province. He thought this had been overcome on account of the successful solution of the railway prob- lem and the return of the natural re- sources; that the time had arrived for the making of an exhaustive survey of the whole field by a committee of the As- sembly and the subsequent bringing in of a scheme for consideration of the members next year. He stressed the contention that a pension scheme would give more permanence to the teaching profession; the average teaching period in Alberta was three and a half years as compared to five and a half in Ontario; largely due, he thought, to the existence of a pension scheme in Ontario.
Proposals of the teachers in Alberta were that the scheme should be contri- butory; the plans were to pay a pension to teachers for total disability or super- annuation amounts varying from $480 to $1500; this being based on salaries re- ceived, and the number of years of teach- ing service; teachers to contribute three per cent of their salarie.i and the Govern- ment to contribute a supplementary amount suflicient to guarantee the actu- arial soundness of the scheme. He esti- mated the Government's share at be- tween $130,000 and $140,000, or about two-thirds of the amount to be paid by the teachers.
BAKER PRESENTS VIEW OF GOVERNMENT
The Minister of Education did not think the argument that there was any analogy between the civil service and the teachers was sound, as the former were directly in the pay of the Province. He reviewed efforts at superannuation in other Provinces, and pointed out that no scheme which was actuarially sound had yet been evolved. Not one of the schemes which were in operation would, he felt, satisfy the Alberta teacher.
Going further, he did not think a resolution which committed the Assembly to expenditures estimated at a minimum of $130,000 per annum, should be passed lightly, without considering two points at least — the actuarial sums the Govern- ment of the day would be responsible for, and whether the Assembly could add this amount yearly to the budget of the Province. There were elements in this very Assembly which would commit the Government to increased expenditures for services and at the same time damn them for increasing the public debt. (Applause from Liberal benches.)
Joseph T. Shaw, Liberal leader, did not think the terms of the resolution com- mitted anyone to anything. He then dealt in a lengthy way with the principle of the payment of pensions, enumerating
(Oantinund on oaKf* 3rt)
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22 (278)
THE U. F. A.
April Ist, 1930
News from Alberta Wheat Pool Head Office
Information for Member* and Loeals Issoed by the Pablieity Department of the Alberta Wheat Pool
The Wheat Pool and the Option
Market
When the Wheat Pool guarantee bill was being discussed in the Alberta Legis- lature, it WAS mentioned that the Pool had purchased future options on the Winnipeg Grain Exchange at certain times. This has led to the circulation of a report that the Wheat Pool has been engaged in gambling on the Winnipeg Grain Exchange, and several newspapers have suggested that the organization has been unwise in this respect. Pool mem- bers can be assured that the Pool has never made a business of gambling on any exchange. In fact, it has deliberately avoided the practice as much as po8.^ible.
On rare occasions during its existence the Pool has purchased futures when traders had forced price levels down artificially. At certain times the Pool has sold wheat to millers who had previously protected themselves by buying options. The Pool accepted the options in pay- ment, because if it had not done so the millers would have immediately sold them, having obtained their supplies of required wheat. With the options in the Pool's hands they could be sold in reason- able amounts from time to time without creating a market disturbance. The operations of the Wheat Pool in the purchase of futures can not even in the widest sense be construed as gambling. They were the undertaking of ordinary business precautions with the legitimate end of view of protecting the market price for the wheat producers of Western Canada. Even at that the entire pur- chases during the Pool's existence would only be a fraction of the business trans- acted on the Winnipeg exchange in one busy day in the fall months.
In the field of commodity marketing there is a legitimate and useful place for exchanges. They bring producer and consumer together, enable millers and similar processors of raw material to protect themselves from market fluctua- tions. They perform other useful ser- vices which would be difficult to fulfil without them. Thus far the producer and consumer has no grievance against the commodity exchanges. The one outstanding grievance, which the passing years have failed to minimize, is the manipulation of prices by men who are only concerned for selfish reasons. Possessed of great wealth and power these men have entrenched themselves in positions from which they can wield enormous power, only too often to the disadvantage of the people whom the exchanges are supposed to serve. From a legitimate purpose the trend has always been to divert these exchanges into huge lotteries which cost the individuals and the nation huge sums of money annually, and money they can ill afford to lose.
The operations of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange are kept pretty mucli of a se- cret, but an idea of manipulations can be gained by investigations conducted in conneetion with the Chicago Grain Ex- change. Senator Lynn J. Frazier, of Nortn Dakota, estimated that the man-
ipulations of that market on the single season's crop (1925) cost the producers at least 500 million dollars, and he esti- mates the aggregate commission from all commodity exchanges at 100 million dollars a year. It may safely be as- sumed that the Canadian people pay a proportionate toll to the gambling in food stuffs. Seldom is more than 50 million bushels of cash grain handled in the Chicago Board of Trade during the course of a year, yet sales of 150 million of futures are not uncommon in a single day. In 1928, for every bushel of actual wheat sold on the Chicago Exchange about 400 bushels of paper wheat are traded in.
Senator Frazier relates how eight traders, possessing enormous financial backing, each customarily traded in two million bushels, and rigged the market for their own benefit over a period of four months. The price changes over that period corresponded with the purchases and sales of this group of super specula- tors. One trader changed his position from the long to the Short side of the market or vice versa, eleven times in a few weeks, and always buying or selling enormous quantities. Most of these speculators do not care a straw for the welfare of the producer,, the farmer, his wife and family, their only idea being to gain wealth for themselves. It is against this type oi speculation that the ordinary farmer is so highly indignant.
As far as the Wheat Pool is concerned, its entire concern is the welfare of the farming population. Its operations on 'he grain exchanges have only been in the in- terests of the producers.
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Is the Pool Defensible?
In spite of the fact that there is a glut in other products than wheat with a consequent depreciation in price, many eastern newspapers, and notably papers which cater to the financial interests of Canada, are sparing no pains to blame the demoralized world commercial situa- tion on the Canadian Wheat Pool.
There is an over-production and low- ered prices in silk, wool, sugar, coffee, dairy products, silver, copper, zinc, iron and many other commodities, as well as wheat. This fact is deliberately over- looked by these anti-Pool newspapers, who are concentrating a prejudiced cam- paign to desfroy the Wheat Pools of Western Canada.
There are notable exceptions on the part of some prominent eastern papers to this program of anti-Pool propaganda. Toronto Mail and Empire has steadily adhered to an attitude of fairness to the Pool. A recent editorial from its columns is herewith quoted in full:
"Will the Western Wheat Pool finally win out in its fight for higher prices? To the augurs of the market-place the omens do not look favorable. A different ques- tion, one that is open to others than sooth-savers, is: 'Is the Wheat Pool a defensible organization?' Are those right
An address by A. J. McPhail, President of the Canadian Wheat Pool, on his recent Euro- pean tour, is published in full in this issue, couunencing on page 25.
who criticize it as a combination against the law of supply and demand? Has the Wheat Pool a public value? In its own ranks it has very able exponents whose arguments command the respect of un- prejudiced people. The Pool is entitled to fair play on the part both of its market adversaries and of the Canadian public. It ought not to be judged by the results of a single year, whether favorable or adverse. It may be beaten in its present campaign and yet deserve the confidence of its members, of the farming community as a whole, and of the public of Canada.
"The large company that assembled at the Empire Club luncheon yesterday (March 7) to hear Prof. Fay, of the Economic Department of the University of Toronto, would go away satisfied that they had spent the hour profitably. They learned the conditions out of which the Pool sprang. They were shown what a rock of refuge the Pool is to the individual farmers, who in the past were left to solve their own market problems, very com- monly to their great disadvantage. How- ever it fares in its present contest with traders in wheat-importing countries, the Pool is likely to be voted a power for good in the West. The marketing of commo- dities is today the practical question of uppermost interest in commercial econo- my. Co-operation is the principle trusted to bring about a great change for the better in the lot of agricultural producers. Why should nearly all other industries and trades have the benefit of systems of a more or le-ss unifying character, and the farmers be denounced as economic here- tics because they attempt to devise ma- chinery for common guidance and com- mon benefit? We doubt if the farmers joined togeth er in this Wheat Pool ever carried on so sanely in the interest of their occupation as they are doing now. Rancor against the East or against any- body has not been expressed by the Pool. The organization is not assailing other people, but is simply endeavoring to bring about reforms in marketing, re- forms that must be the hone of the West- ern farmers, who, as Prof. Fay showed, cannot be said to have a living margin in the present returns from their labor and invested capital.
"The Wheat Pool has the backing of banks which a few years ago Western farmers looked upon as their adversaries. It has the backing of the prairie Govern- ments, and it has sympathy from the East such as a few years ago it would not have thought this part of Canada capable of yielding. The Pool has to keep grop- ing its way. There is reason to believe that if it had not existed the plight of the Western farmers at the present time would have been much worse than it is. And the Pool has contributed to the growth of a really national feeling, where- as a few years ago Western agricultural opinion was by its sectional bent a cause of uneasiness to the Dominion.'"
April Ist. 1930
The Wheat Pool Is a Friend Not an Enemy of the British Consumer
I. V. MACKLIN, Grande Prairie
The amount of wheat grown in Canada is influenced mainly by the price received. Before the Pool started action there was a great deal of land in this district abso- lutely idle because of the low price of wheat. Now the price was not low to the consumer, but it was low to the producer. The speculator middlemen were taking their toll. Now suppose the middlemen took a toll of ten cents per bushel! That ten cents might make all the difference between profit and loss to the grower, all the difference between success and failure, between quitting the farm or continuing and breaking up more land. Whatever the producers of West- ern Canada have done to get closer to the consumers in Great Britain, if it has not already benefitted the consumers it will ultimately benefit them.
I believe it has already benefitted them. I paid 62 cents per hundred freight rate on wheat in 1921 from here to Fort Wil- liam. I now pay 28 cents per hundred to tidewater at Vancouver. Whatever the farmers have done to get lower freight rates and to eliminate the profits of the middleman, goes to give the grower more returns and he immediately breaks up more land and produces more wheat. There have been millions of acres of brush and semi-brush land along the north of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba brought into the production of wheat since the Pool started which would have been in brush yet if the pre-Pool and after-the-war prices had prevailed. There is much land previously cultivated which grew wheat since 1923 which would not have grown wheat had the pre-Pool prices prevailed since 1923. Western Canada has grown millions of bushels more wheat because of the Pool and we understand that that wheat will be needed for consumption before another crop grows. If that is true, then, had the price to the grower been as low to the producer since the Pool started as it was before the Pool started there would have been less wheat grown and a greater scarcity of wheat in sight than there now is. Surely a little surplus food in the world's cupboard is not a calamity.
"Mother Hubbard's Cupboard"
If " Mother Hubbard's cupboard" were bare, surely that is nothing to rejoice over. Let the consuming public thank the Lord that Mother Hubbard Wheat Pool has got a cupboard (some countries have not) and that the cupboard is not bare. Who knows what the 1930 and '31 crops will be?
The Wheat Pool cannot stop the work- ing of the law of supply and demand. They can, however, iron out the fickleness of it, and this is not detrimental to the consumers. Millions of producers of wheat in many countries cannot combine to keep the price above that set by the law of supply and demand. As long as there is wages and a little profit in it there will be an increasing production until the supply overtakes the demand and the supply is lessened by the price falling to the cost of production basis. When that time comes the price to the consumer will be as much less, under the Wheat Pool plan, than it would have been had the old system prevailed, as the cost of get- ting the vtheat from the producer to the
consumer under the Wheat Pool plan is less than the cost of doing the same thing under the old speculative method. There- fore the Wheat Pool is working for the good of the consumer. The Wheat Pool does not create or upset the law of supply and demand — it only estimates as nearly as possible what it is and the Pool have estimated that demand as a little stronger than the speculative market does. A price to the producer like the speculative market is paying now, would only mean less acreage sown to wheat in the coming year and that is not a good thing for the consumer.
The world needs wheat. The price has got to be fair or it won't be produced. That would be a calamity. If the price is too good, it can only remain that way long enough for those producing it to get swung into action. I see no way of stopping production except low prices. If the Pool has meant higher prices to the producer by the elimination of the middlemen's profits, then it has benefitted and will benefit the consumer. The anti- Canadian wheat attitude behind those placards in British restaurants is a mis- take. We are not against British manu- factured goods. Eastern Canada may be, but we are not. We are not an enemy to the British consumer!
Wheat Duties
German duties against foreign wheat were revised on February 11th, 1930. The present duty on foreign wheat into Germany amounts to 61 3-5 cents per bushel. France has a duty of 53 cents a bushel against foreign wheat, while Italy is maintaining its duty of 731 cents per bushel. In addition France offers an export premium to the extent of 80 cents per 100 lbs. on all grain exported from France. Both France and Germany are maintaining their milling regulations, France allowing only 3 per cent of foreign wheat in all wheat manufactured products milled in France with the exception of special diet bread which may contain 80 per cent foreign wheat. Germany re- quires the use of 50 per cent domestic wheat in all flour milled in Germany.
Centralized Wheat Buying
The subject of centralized wheat buy- ing in Britain was discussed in an article by John A. Stevenson, Canadian corre- spondent of the London Times in a recent issue of the Toronto Saturday Night. The writer intimates that there is a strong movement on foot for the establishment of a wheat import board which would be entrusted with the duty of purchasing all grain imported into Bri- tain. If this should develop, he contends the natural result would be centralized selling in Canada. "If the Grain Trade merchant is to disappear in Britain, his compeer in Canada must prepare for the spme fate," the writer states. "If the British wheat board controlled by a Labor Mini.«try was entrusted with the task of buying Canadian wheat it would certainly first turn to the Pools for its
supplies and the private grain trader would be left at a great disadvantage. Another vital factor would be that the Pools would be, better than anybody else, able to fill large bulk orders without much trouble. So developments in Bri- tain may bring a compulsory pool nearer than most people imagine, but its emer- gence would have to be accomplished by a certain amount of government control.
"This is another aspect to the expected developments which is worthy of at- tention. If the British import board was buying wheat direct from an all- Canadian compulsory wheat pool and all middlemen's profits had been eliminated, the way might be opened up for a really valuable preference on Canadian food stuffs in the British market, and it is the only preference which can do us any good.
"It would be a comparatively simple matter for the British wheat board to get authoiity to pay preferential prices for grain produced in the Dominions. "The bogy of food taxes could not then be raised, and there would be not the slight- est necessity for the British consumer having the price of his bread increased."
New Norway Resolutions
There were over fifty present at a meeting of New Norway Wheat Pool members on March 6th. The speakers were J. A. Cameron, field service man, W. W. Harber, delegate, and J. Lundberg, who acted as chairman. Mr. Harber was first called upon and gave a good explana- tion of the progress made by the Alberta Wheat Pool with what was done at the delegates' meeting. Mr. Cameron out- lined the work of the Wheat Pool and the reasons for the adoption of the various policies of the organization. Frank Olson, secretary, made a few remarks in con- nection with the present problems of the Pool and the responsibility confronting Pool officials and public servants during times like the present. He illustrated his remarks by comparing the present time with slippery and bad roads, and men- tioned how horses often are misused by their drivers under those conditions. Sometimes the driver, while knowing that the horses are doing all they can, still applies the whip. There are times when this can be compared to our treatment of officials. In all walks of life there are difficult problems to solve under difficult conditions. We have our servants in different capacities to help solve public problems. What are we doing, especially in cases where the heavy load of public responsibility results in slowing up of speed during unfavorable conditions? Are we using the whip to our servants or have we some other way of encouraging them? The speaker then introduced the following resolution:
" Whereas we farmers, members of the Alberta Wheat Pool, can see the great difficulty the Wheat Pool officials have had in connection with the marketing of the surplus wheat of Western Canada; and whereas we know the Pool still has on hand a carryover from last j'ear which will be put on the world's markets in accordance with the policy adopted by the Pool, namely, not to dump our wheat at once or at any price but to sell accord- ing to the world's demand and at a fair price both to the consumer and also to the producer; and whereas we know the well-being of a nation is like a tree, agri- culture being its root and manufacturing and commerce its branches; therefore be it resolved that the farmers and Pool
24 iZtiO)
membere assembled at this meeting go OD record as approvinfj the action of our Wheat Pool officials id their endeavor to get 8 fair price for our wheat and that we in the future give the Pool our support in that policy; and be it further resolved that we heartily approve of the action of the Provincial Governments in lending a helping hand to the agricultural class of Western Canada by guaranteeing the Wheat Pool's margin with the banks; and we believe that no fair minded man or woman should criticise these Governments for their action, as in the past guarantees have been given privately owned railways to the extent of over 200 million dollars, besides big grants of land throughout the country.
Mr. Olson, in moving the resolution, stated he would like to see all present voting. Ludwig Olstad seconded the motion and the resolution was carried unanimously.
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Meeting at Egremont
Egremont Wheat Pool Local reports 32 members present at their annual meet- ing held March 11th. A. Rafn, delegate, A. Babiuk, field service man, and H. M. Forbes, travelling superintendent for the Wheat Pool, were present. Delegate Rafn's report of the annual convention was well received. As there were a num- ber of Ruthenians present, Mr. Babiuk gave a lengthy address in the Ruthenian language which was much appreciated by them. H. M. Forbes explained the elevator agents' meeting held at Calgary, and other matters relating to Pool ele- vators, answering many questions which were asked to the satisfaction of his questioners. The following resolutions were passed by the meeting: "Whereas we believe that true co-operation raises the morale of its membership and enlists them in one common purpose for service and benefit, and that this is a spirit and not a force, therefore contrary to the idea of compulsion by legislation, we also believe that' these principles are maintained to the full by the Canadian Wheat Pool; and whereas we are con- vinced that governments are more or less influenced by financiers who use their
gowers to serve their own ends, therefore e it resolved . that we go on record as protesting against any action of the gov- ernment to control the Grain Trade, until speculation and gambling in grain' be eliminated and banking and finance come under control for service and not for profit."
The foregoing resolution was moved by H. King and seconded by G. G. O'Brien.
"Resolved that this meeting go on record as expressing their complete con- fidence in the management of the Wheat Pool by the executive and desiring to extend to them our fullest sympathy in the trying period through which the organization is passing." This resolu- tion was sponsored by H. King and A. Main.
The following officers were elected: E. W. Goodridge, chairman; P. Chaba, vice-chairman; A, S. Petrie, secretary. It was decided that at least two Ruth- enian members should be elected as com- mitteemen and Wm. Bachiniski and Wm. Pzlypirik were appointed. The balance of the committeemen were appointed as follows: R. W. Gooding, M. Vandan and T. Oit.tins •
THE U. F. A An Example to Follow
H. J. Flock, of Raley, has been a mem- ber of the Alberta Wheat Pool ever since its inception and has always been one of its strongest supporters. Recently he sold his section and a half farm in the Raley district to a group of Hutterites. Mr. Flock insisted that as part of the purchase the Hutterites should sign a Wheat Pool contract, which the purchas- ers a|:reed to. "I worked many years to assist in establishing the Alberta Wheat Pool on a firm foundation," Mr. Flock stated, "and did not wish to see my land pass into a non-Pool classification even if I sold it." This splendid spirit illus- trates clearly that the pioneers of the Wheat Pool movement are staunch be- lievers in producers' co-operatives and determined to do all in their power to make them a success.
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Empire Production
The following extract is selected from The Canadian Gazette (London) of Feb- ruary 13th, 1930:
"The whole situation is engaging the attention of British public men of all political parties. There is no denying the great menace to the British Empire of—
" (1) The low wage competition of the Argentine cereal grower.
" (2) The bounty paying practices of producing countries in Europe, such as Germany, France and Czeclio-Slovakia.
" (3) The possible dumping operations of the United States interest supported by a $500,000,000 State Farm Relief Fund.
"Common sense would seem to suggest that the business men and the Govern- ments of the Empire who really do desire inter-Empire co-operation should unite in getting down to these facts and evolv- ing some acceptable means of upholding the interests of Empire production. There are signs that in Great Britain the Empire point of view in such matters is coming uppermost."
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Field Service Notes
Reports would indicate that the grow- ers of Buffalo View district ne£>r Wain- wright Park are well pleased with the recent visit of Delegate Beck and the field man. The discussion on Pool busi- ness at the meeting held, appears to have resulted in a much better feeling of con- fidence in co-operative marketing through- out the community.
Seventy-five growers of the Cadogan district, F-3, turned out recently to hear Delegate Beck give his review of Pool business for the past year. The field man was present and after the question and discussion period which took in prices and world conditions, gave an illustrated ad- dress on Pool affairs w hich was much appreciated and well received.
W. F. Grafton, field service representa- tive of the Wheat Pool, addressed a meeting of the Rio Grande U.F.A. Local on Wednesday evening, March 5th, and answered many questions regarding the present wheat situation throughout the world. There was a good attendance of interested mpmhers w ho expressed t.heir
Apm 1st, 1930
COABSE GRAINS INITIAL PAYMENT
Effective March 12th, the Initial Payments on Rye was reduced 35c per bushel on all grades.
The Initial Payments on Oats and Barley was reduced 10c per bushel all grades.
satisfaction in the Pool's policy in holding their wheat during the past few months.
The Gimli Wheat Pool and U.F.A. Locals held a very fine meeting on Mon- day evening, March 3rd, to listen to an address from the U.F.A. Director, I. V. Macklin, and discuss the grain situation with the field service man of the Wheat Pool, W. F. Grafton. Many questions were asked both speakers and the mem- bers of both locals were well satisfied with the policies of their respective or- ganizations.
John Hallett, delegate for F-5, reports "I have just given the annual report of the Wheat Pool meeting of Novem- ber last in sub-district F-5, with an average attendance of 50 at seven meet- ings. The report was received with much interest. The very large majority of the membership seems to realize their present situation. The efforts of the Pool in trying to protect their interest in the present market situation seems to be vindicated."
A very successful organization meeting was held at Edmonton on Thursday evening, March 6th, when the farmers organized a Wheat Pool and U.F.A. Local. I. V. Macklin, Director for the U.F.A. and W. F. Grafton, field service repre- sentative of the Wheat Pool, addressed the meeting, answered many questions and assistea in organizing the Locals. The Pool members in this district are heartily in accord with the selling policy of the Pool.
A joint meeting of the Beaverlodge U.F.A. and Wheat Pool Locals was held at the home of Victor Flint on Tuesday evening, March 4th. The U.F.A. Direc- tor, I. V. Macklin, and W. F. Grafton, field service representative of the Pool, addressed the meeting and answered many questions. The members of this Local are well satisfied with the policy of the Wheat Pool in holding their wheat for fair prices and are not disturbed in any way from the existing situation.
Wellington Yake, delegate for C-2, reports that meetings held by himself and William Pettinger of the field service department, at Jenner, Iddesleigh and Atlee were well attended, and that the morale of the membership is excellent. The attitude everywhere appears to be "that we are in the Pool to stay." The presence of A. R. Purvis of the Pool Elevator depsirtment at the meetings held at Jenner and Iddesleigh was much appreciated.
Delegate Duncan Scott, F-2, with the field man for the district, recently held meetings at Sulphur Springs and Eye Hill rural schools in the Provost district. Despite bad roads the meetings were well attended and a keen interest whs shown in the delegate's report and in comparison hetween «o-operative and cytnpotitive
April l8t, 1930
THE U. F. A.
(281) 25
McPhail Speaks on European Trip
Frcs'dzntof Canadian Wh;at Pool Sunr:ys S^ituat'on
The first public address given by A. J. McPhail, President of the Cana- dian Wheat Pool, since his return from Europe, was before the Regina Board of Trade on March 13th. In view of the great interest in the visit of the Pool delegation to Europe the speech is herewith reprinted in full.
I appreciate very much the spirit shown by the business and professional men of P.egina, as indicated through the Board of Trade. I was in Hamburg when I received the cable from your President asking me to address you on my return from Overseas. The whole- hearted kindliness of the cable prompted me on the spur of the moment to accept the invitation.
Mr. MacLeod, Mr. Mclntyre and my- self went Overseas, partly in response to an invitation extended by Mr. Thomas when he was in Canada last fall, but principally in keeping with the policy of the Pool, since its inception, of having representatives visit the countries where we sell the most of our wheat, at least once a j'ear. When Mr. Thomas was in Canada last September we had two con- ferences with him in Winnipeg. At the first conference it was quite evident that he had been absorbing a great deal of the propaganda that was circulating at that time regarding the supposed policy of the Pool in deliberately holding up the sale of wheat for higher prices in the future. We proved to him that our policy was quite the reverse of what he had been led to believe.
Proposed Interchange
He was very anxious to find some means of selling British coal in Canada. He stated that Canada bought between sixteen and seventeen million tons of coal from the United States, and he felt that to the e.xtent that United States' coal could be replaced by British coal in Cnaadian markets, both countries would benefit. One of the difficulties was that of getting return cargoes for the "tramp" steamers bringing coal. Ee thought that the policy which he believed the Pool had been folloM'ing of deliberately holding up the movement of wheat, would seriously interfere with the possibility of there being return cargoes available for these steamers. He suggested that the Pool construct storage elevators in the United Kingdom ports, or, if the Pool did not care to do that, the British Government might undertake the work. The idea was that having plenty of storage space in British ports, would enable Canadian holders of wheat to ship at any time and store their wheat in these fa- cilities on the other side. We told him that, as an organization, we would not consider building warehouse facilities in the United Kingdom, nor would we even consider deliberately shipping unsold wheat and storing it in elevators on the other side, whether they were Govern- ment owned or not.
As a result of our experience it has been our policy more and more to avoid putting any wheat afloat, unsold. Once the wheat is afloat and is close to its destination, the seller is, in a large meas- ure, at the mercy of the buyer.
Notwithstanding this, we were, and are, very sympathetic towards a greater interchange of goods between Canada and the United Kingdom. When Mr. Tho mas invited us to send representatives to confer with the Government, we were
very ready to accept his invitation, and very willing to consider any proposal that might help to pave the way for the im- portation of more products into this country from the United Kingdom.
We had several conferences with Mr. Thomas in London and with some of his associates. He appeared to be quite optimistic at our first conference regard- ing the possibility of results. We were prepared to recommend, for the serious consideration of our Board, a certain proposal made by Mr. Thomas, that I think would possibly have facilitated the desired developments. However, due to the very strong attitude taken by the coal people on this side of the water, the whole idea, I think, has been dropped, for the time being at least.
Now to deal more particularly with the present situation. It was stated last week in Winnipeg that it was the policy of the co-operatives, no doubt meaning the Pool, that made it impossible or difficult for the Trade to sell wheat. I am not going to argue the point. I am simi)iy going to state facts, and I have no hesitation in saying that such a state- ment is quite contrary to fact. You will understand why I cannot deal as fully, in a public way at this time, with all the facts as I would like to do.
You will remember that in 1928 we had much the largest crop in the history of this country, with a larger percentage of low grade grain than in any previous year. At the same time, Argentine pro- duced very much the largest crop in the history of that country, much larger than was estimated by anyone familiar with conditions there. I may say in passing that the Pool original estimate was higher than that of any other organization, but, at that, altogether too low. Another fact, equally important, if not more so, was the unusually higlx quality of the Argentine wheat, which enabled British and foreign millers to use larger percent- ages of it in their flour mixtures and, at the same time, do with smaller percent- ages of Manitoba's.
Supported the Market
From January, 1929, on, we were faced with the most severe kind of competition from the pressure of Argentine wheat on the market. In spite of that very strong competition, and in spite of the fact that during the winter months last year, our Winnipeg prices were unduly high as compared with Argentine; we had 173 to 174 million bushels of wheat sold at the first of May out of a total to sell for that J'ear of 255 million, including local pur- chases. No one with any knowledge of marketing could say we were not amply sold at that time. No one could say that we had not taken every possible oppor- tunity of selling our wheat, in the face of very difficult competition and prices that did not appear, to the general public or farmers, at that time, attractive. In order to have this amount sold at that time we had found it necessary to take very substantial advantage of the specu- latively high price levels obtaining in the Winnipeg futures market while at the
same time endeavoring by the same ac- tion to keep them more reasonably in line with selling levels of other wheat with which we had to compete in the European market.
When the big break in prices came in May, to as low as .fl.06 and $1.08 a bushel, we decided to take a definite stand against what we considered a "bear