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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1948 THE DAILY TIMES-GAZETTE Price Probe Committee Approved In Commons 120 To 80} & ° __/ PACE THREE Let Canada Stand On Own Resources (Government Urged By D'Arcy O'Donnell Canadian Press Staff Writer Ottawa, Feb. 11 (CP)--Finance Minister Abbott told the Commons yesterday that even with all the expert advice available he could not hazard a guess as to how long unset- tled world economic conditions would force Canada to keep operative the exchange conservation measures brought into effect last November. Piloting the Foreign Exchange Conservation Bill through clause- by-clause study, he reiterated that Canada as a hard currency--dollar --country 'could not prosper while there was an impoverished or un- settled soft currency--sterling -- area. He declined to estimate how soon European countries might be able to pay for Canadian purchases in U.S. dollars once the Marshall Plan became effective. Shortly before adjournment Rod- ney Adamson (PC--York West) maoyed that the word "emergency" be stricken from the title of the bill, because the current condition would be a chronic one unless the government changed its policy. No Action Taken No action was taken on the amendment and no clause of the 15. clause bill was adopted. It was not known 'when study of the measure would be resumed as debate on the Throne speech is scheduled to be resumed today and Thursday. Jean Francois Pouliot (Ind L-- Temiscouata) suggested Canada embark on a system of bartering with other countries of the world which had no US. dollars. This would show the US. that other countries could be independent of them. The U.S. dollar should be put aside. Amid a chorus of approval he asked: "Why should we always be subservient with respect to the Am- erican people." Canada had enough wealth and natural resources to be independent of the U.S. Many other persons had made this suggestion, he said. "Let us come back to real trade," he added. "Let us barter and be- come free of the American dollar." In opening proceedings, Trade Minister Howe announced that le. gislation dealing with a proposed increase In the initial wheat pay- ment will be brought forward "with- ing the next few days" and he pro. mised that payment to farmers will be made speedily. Mr. Abbott reiterated that the gov. ernment does not propose to subsi- dize sugar beet production in Cana. da during 1948. + Postmaster General Bertrand as- sured the House a bill will be intro- duced at this session to continue the policy of making supplementary payments to rural mail carriers. 'Only Temporary' While Mr. Abbott would not say how long the exchange conservation measures would remain in force, he did say that the restrictions were meant to be temporary. They were not meant to be protectionist and growers or others who wished to expand production to provide pro. ducts now on the banned list would have to take the normal "business risks." Cecil Merritt (PC--Vancouver Burrard) felt it would be only fair to give Canadian producers some idea as to how long they could ex- pect American competition to be cut off. Mr. Abbott said many Canadians had asked that additional items be placed on the banned list, but the government had not yet seen fit to meet the requests. J. M. Macdonnell (PC--Muskoka. Ontario) said it was a "profound misfortune" that Mr. Howe was given such arbitrary powers under the bill to control imports of capi- tal goods. He charged the govern. ment could swing political support its way through the handling of permits for imports of goods. He said there was not much com- plaint from the business commu- nity because business, men were afraid of what might happen if they criticized the government. PEAT BOG ISLE One-seventh of the total area of irelaud is peat bog. L 4 City to Make Further Count Of Gas Stations With a discrepency between the number of service stations counted in the city by the Police Depart- ment and the number listed by the Retail Gasoline and Automo- tive Service Association, City Council's general purpose commit- tee is to investigate the matter further with a view to making accurate the city's recently-passed by-law . restricting the number of retail gasoline outlets, A list submitted last night by General Purpose Chairman W.J. Lock, and prepared by the Police Department showed a total of 32 gasoline outlets at the present time including one under construction on Ritson Road. Prior to passing of the by-law, however, the Retail Gasoline and Automotive Service Association had informed Council that there were 29 existing outlets and provision was made in the by- law for two additional stations cntemplated © on Smcoe Street South. . The committee was instructed to contact the association to make a check of the two lists. While it was Ald. Lock's opinion that the by-law should be "res- cinded and quashed," Ald. Michael Starr declared that it was "the best thing that could have happened" to have the number limited. Gaso- line stations were beginning to "grab every good corner" on Sim- coe Street South, he charged, and Ald. R.D. Humphreys added that the same thing was happening on Ritson Road. Dates Set For Skating Show PF, V. Skinner, President of the Oshawa Skating Club today an. nounced that definite dates have now been set for "Ice Frolics of 1948" the annual ice extravaganza presented by the Oshawa Skating Club. This year the "Ice Frolics" will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 23 and 24, at the Oshawa Arena. Mr, Skinner stated that this year's show will once again be up to the high standard set by the Oshawa Club in past years and arrange. men re being made to augment the local skaters with some out- standing talent. With so many top- notch skaters at the Olympic games it has made it very difficult for any club to arrange their talent but the Oshawa Club are now sure of their choice of some of the finest skat. ers in the world coming here on March 23 and 24. St. Andrew's Managers Elect Year's Officers E. F. Cuthbertson was re-elected chairman of the Board of Managers of St. Andrew's United Church for the third consecutive year when the Board held its first meeting of the year on Monday night. Mr. Cuthbertson has been a member of the Board for the past 10 years. Other officers of the Board elect- ed were: Vice-chairman, C. F. Lit- ster; secretary, N. C. Fraser; treas- urer, R. Burr; envelope secretary, L. M. McMurtry; finance and mis- sions, G. G. Wanless and R. Argo; property and maintenance, F, Gil- more, H. H. Tonkin, J, H. Mec- Diarmid and I. McNab; ushers and choir, E. W, Peterson, F. J. Perry and E, G. Nichol. ' : Production, Earnings Up But Canadians Save Less Ottawa, Feb. 11 (CP)--Canadians produced more and earned more in 1947 than 1946, though much of the 'enhanced value of their production was created by price increases, ac. cording to a preliminary report is. sued today by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 'The estimate indicated a gross national! production of $13,100,000,- 000 for last year, an increase of $1,400,000,000 over 1946. The national income was $10,- 700,000,000 compared with $9,600, 000,000. Of the 1947 amount, $10,-: 000,000 was personal income, as against $9,536,000,000 for personal Income in the year previously. The bureau noted that, with con- sumer spending up by $1,000,000,- D00 from 1946, personal savings de. tlined despite the higher income. [Dn 1946, personal savings were 11.1 per cent of income, dropping to 75 per cent last year. While the increase in gross pro- fuction was 12 per cent over 1946, the bureau observed that only some of this was the result of "increased real production." "A substantial portion was the result of price increases," it added, though it did not specify what amount this would be. On the personal income side, the biggest factor was salaries, wages and supplémentary labor income, which rose from $5,195,000,000 in 1947 to am estimated $6,125,000,000 last year, The net income of agriculture and other unincorporated business was $2,467,000,000, compared with $2,- 179,000,000 in 1946. In the disposition of personal income, the largest amount -- $8,- 711,000000 -- went in consumer goods and services. The next larg. est block of $780,000,000 went for di- rect taxes. The remaining $768,000,000 was listed as personal savings. The sav- ings item dropped from $1,060,000,- 000 in the previous year. This rooftop view shows spectacular billows of smoke rising high from the blaze in the former Burrow, Stewart and Milne stove foundry, one of Hamilten's oldest buildings, yesterday. Every piece of Hamilton fire loss estimated at $250,000. Smokiest Fire In Years Fought By Hamilton Fire Department 3 % 3 PE Be i equipment was brought into play fo combat the fire which resulted in a New All-Time Records Made By Sun Life Montreal, February 10th -- New all-time records were made by the Sun Life of Canada during 1947, with over $380 millions of new busi. ness for the year bringing the total now in force to nearly four billion dollars. Payments to policyholders and beneficiaries over the year amounted to more than $100 mil- lions while the total of such pay- ments since the first Sun Life pol- \icy was issued in 1871 now exceeds two billion dollars. Arthur B. Wood, President of the Company, in an interesting review of the year's operations at the 77th Annual Meeting held here today, stressed how life assurance dollars go to work for the mation. During 19847, continued Mr. Wood, the Sun Life of Canada had distri. buted to its policyholders and bene- ficlaries the sum of $102,000,000, of which $32,000,000 was paid to bene- ficlaries of policyholders who died during the year. The sum of $40,- 000,000 was paid out to living policy- holders. Other payments included $13,000,000 distributed in payments to annuitants, and $15,000,000 in dividends to policyholders. In con- nection with these payments, Mr. Wood revealed that of the policy- holders who died, 83% were insur- ed for less than $6,000, while the re. maining 17% for amounts of $5,000 and over absorbed 61% of the total death claim payments. The policy of the shortest duration was in force for only seven days and call. ed for a payment of $2,500 for one premium payment of $58. Through- out the year, over half a million dollars was paid out in respect of policyholders who died during the first policy year, some because of accident, and others from disease, notwithstanding that each had been previously accepted as medically fit. These figures, commented Mr. Wood, give cause for reflection on the uncertainty of life and the im- portance of life assurance protec. tion. During the seventy-seven years of the Company's existence, it has distributed $2,021,000,000 in pay- ments to policyholders and benefi- claries, The assets of the Company at the present time total $1,422,000,- 000 whereas the total of all pre- miums paid by policyholders since inception of the Company is $2,981,- 000,000. Thus, the combiped total of payments to policyholders and assets held for their benefit--$3,- 443,000, xceeds by $462,000,- 000 the sum of all premiums paid by policyholders over the entire Com- pany's history. During 1947 the volume of life assurance sales in North America by all companies combined was maintained at approximately the same rate as in 1946. The Sun Life, however, had experienced an in- crease of over 9%, total sales being $380 million. The new life assur- ance issued by the Company in 1947 was almost exactly double the amount secured in 1938, the year preceding the war, Other interesting figures revealed by Mr. Wood included the assur. ances in force of the Company which now stand at $3,837,000,000. The assets, which increased by $78 million during the year, are invest- ed in government bonds, a wide range of industrial, public utility and other bonds and stocks, and in mortgages. The 1947 mortality experience was very favourable, but the interest rate earned was less than in 1946, namely 3.32% against 3.52%. The problem of low interest rates con- tinues to occupy the attention of all life assurance companies, Mr. Wood pointed out. In recent months, there has been a moderate but de- finitely upward turn, but the future course of interest rates is still very difficult to forecast. While expenses during the year, following the gén. eral trend, showed an increase, the normal surplus earnings of the Company which: amounted 'to $22,- 500,000 are considered eminently satisfactory. The combined surplus and contingency reserve of the Company is now $89,400,000, J) Jce queen in the making. Oshawa Skating Club Pleases Trenton Crowd On Friday and Saturday last the Oshawa Skating Club presented two evening performances and a mat. inee on Saturday afternoon at Tren- ton under the auspices of the Trenton Rotary Club. The ensem- ble of 45 artists thrilled large audi- ences with one of the finest skat. ing performances seen in the town in years. The Trenton Courier-Advocate, telling of the displays, comments: From the opening number "Sym- phony In Pink," in which twelve lovelies, sheathed in dreamy plastic gowns, raptured the crowd with a pleasing ballet, to the grand finale in which the entire cast took part, the Follies was a thing of beauty, lavish in costume, startling in pre- cision, and left nothing to be de- sired from an entertainment view- point. A sweet little Miss, charm- ing Elaine Richards, Junior Skating Champion of the club, stole the hearts of the audience with a solo that held them spelibound. Her sense of balance, poise, and intri- cate Jumps and cartwheels, were amazing, and the entire crowd were convinced they were seeing a future Miss Richards later teamed with Master Glen Skuce in a "Petite Pair" num. ber, and the adroitness and perfec- tion of the two youngsters almost brought the house down. With thir- teen couples taking part, the club, in various numbers, demonstrated the art of dancing and skating com- bined, performing a waltz, polka, and a swing waltz to the delight of the audience. The Oshawa Pets, in one of their many pleasing ar. rangements, titled the "Sailorettes," in which they were dressed as navy "cuties," went through a novelty Indian club routine, wielding the lighted clubs around in the darken- ed areana, producing a marvellous effect. In the lighter vein, hilarious Ger- ry Lacroix had the audience hang- ing onto their seats with his inimi- table version of the "Dumb Begin- ner." Gerry gave a perfect demon- stration of the novice, wobbly knees, bent ankles and all, trying to master the art of the steel blades, and his contortions in an effort to remain, upright, more than gave the crowd their quota of laughs for the evening. Mr. Lacroix, a professional skater-of_note, later presented a cleverly-conveived stilt skating "Flying High" stunt and his agil- ity and daring act was greeted with a round of applause. Rudy Eyman kept interrupting the - programme with his vain attempts to master the bend-back-spread-eagle, which the announcer stated he'd been trying for quite some time. In his final effort, Rudolph performed the dif- ficult figure with apparent ease, bending back while skating in a crouched position and touching his head on the ice. Mr. Alex Fulton, tall, handsome, likeable professional of the Club, gave a graceful solo, as did several of his pupils. During the intermission, Mr. Fred Skinner, president of the Oshawa Skating Club, and acting master of ceremonies, called upon Mr, Nor- man Banfield to say a few words, and Mr, Banfield expressed his sin- cere thanks to the Trenton popu. lace for the fine manner in which they supported -the show, and the hearty applause they gave the vis. iting performers. He also compli- mented the Skating Club for the wonderful programme they put on for the benefit of the town, and he only hoped that they would once again honor us with their presence some time soon. Plan to Make Park Rd. S. Much Safer During last anight's meeting of the Oshawa and District Labor Council, Deputy Reeve William E. Noble of East Whitby Township, explained that while it is antici- pated that Park Road South will be paved nothing definite on the matter has been Jearned. He said that the township council had asked for a ay bridge or a wig-wag signal at the Park Road South C.P.R. crossing, but that the railway had refused both suggestions. He hoped it might yet be possible to secure some action. Regarding the number of chil- dren using Park Road South to go to school, he said consideration would be given to the construction of sidewalks sc the children would not have to walk on the road. In reply to a question relating to the possibility of an extension of bus services in Westmount, De- puty Reeve Noble said that such action would only be the result of petitions sent to the Oshawa Rail- way. Such requests should not be sent to the Township Council. J.J. Cullen, James Corse and M. J. Fenwick, were appointed by the Oshawa and District Labor Council last night to represent the Council at the C.C.F.-Labor Conference scheduled to be held in the Union Hall next Sunday. Mr. Cullen was also named as the representative of the Council | on the Oshawa committee of the | Canadian Appeal for Fund. The Council gave endorsa- tion to the campaign and urged its affiliates to do likewise. A dona- tin f $10 was voted to the fund. George Thomson of Local 222, UAW.-C10, was. elected as the representative of the Labor Coun- cil at the convention of the Onta- rio Federation of Labor being held in Toronto on February 20 and 21. The Labor Council requested the Children ! | Ontario Government to approve the hours of 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. for hotel beverage rooms. The Oshawa Printing Pressmen and Assistants Union, A.F.L., was given representation on the Coun- cil. The delegates were Gerald Mc- Beth and Herbert Elford. The de- legates reported that a 35 cent an' hour increase is being sought from local publishers, which will bring the rate of pay to $1.35 per hour-- the same as th Toronto rate. The Union is also seeking eight statu- tary holidays. Approval was given to the usg- gestion that an invitation be ex- tended to the locals in Port Hope to affiliate with the local Labor Council, AID CALLS IGNORED Fort Erie, Feb. 11--(CP)--A telephone "party line" who blocked him from calling for aid, yesterday was blamed by Robert F. Dennis for the death Monday of his 20- month-old daughter. Dennis bitter~" ly described how the party line subscribers refused to listen to his frantic pleas. As a result of not being able to get speedy aid, he said, doctors were unable to save the baby. When You're WORN OUT blame it on 'nerves'. Your kidneys may be 140 Dodds Kidner Pills | Ask Better Lighting For Ritson Rd. S. The Oshawa and District Labor Council at its meeting last night moved that a letter be sent to City Council asking that modern street lighting be installed on Ritson Road South at once, and that school area signs be placed in the vicinity of Ritson Road School. It was pointed out that traffic had increased materially since the new highway opened and that with the coming of the summer months another upsurge might be expected. Comment was made that the street is becoming a speedway and action should be taken to curb spteders. As an added measure of precau- tion, it was suggested that the tea- chers at Ritson Road School be asked to park their cars on a side street so that the drivers of ve- hicles using the street would have a clear view of children attempt- ing to cross the street at the school. The Council also asked City Council to provide swimming fa- cilities at the lake front this sum- mer, ; Endorsation was given to the City Council's attempt to have the Oshawa Railway tracks removed from King Street. Of Food, By D'Arcy crases in living costs, and the Inquiry To Start At Once On Costs Clothing O'Donnell Canadian Press Staff Writer o Ottawa, Feb. 11 (CP)--The Commons, with Prime Minister Mackenzie King providing a fiery windup to a seven= day debate, voted 120 to 80 yesterday for the establishment of a 16-man committee to investigate reasons for recent in- fact-finding body set to work almost immediately under originally planned by the govern- ment, 8 Mr, King, denouncing opposition members for "delaying" establish- ment of the Committee, declined to meet their reguests that the body be given powers to make re. commendations, His charges set off a series of noisy, angry scenes and led the C.CF. to challenge a Speaker's ruling before the main division was called. Only Progressive Conservative and C.C.F. members opposed adop- tion of the committee resolution. Less than three hours after the battle ended in the Commons, the committee held an organization meeting and decided to start for- mal headings today. Health Minister Martin, chosen as chairman, suggested the com- mittee should inquire first into costs of bread, butter, meat, vege. tables, shoes and clothing. Howver, he indicated that before delving into the operations of spe- cific industries, the body might be briefed by economic experts on the. basic factors making for the pres- ent price situation. Urging fast action, Mr. Martin said the "facts must be exposed" but he cautioned the members against either "white-washing" or "smearing". No one who had acted fairly need fear the investigation, he declared. "But we should act without fear or favor." Committee members, he said, had both the right and the responsibil. ity to act "fearlessly" in bringing to light factors keeping prices above what was right and reason- able. By helping arouse awareness, their findings could "significantly influence fair price levels." (v-alaahwz o Flays Opposition In the Commons, taking the floor after T. J. Bentley (C.C.F.-Swift Current) and Hugh Castleden (C.CF..Yorkton) had reiterated requests for the immediate reim- position of prices controls and sub- sidies on essential goods, Mr. King said tht first necessary step in combatting the rising cost of living was to investigate the causes, The government planned to do this, He continued: "There is the simple statement of what the house was asked to do, but what have we had from honor- able gentlemen opposite in the way of acquiesing in that request? "We have listened to a lot of de- powers ® clamation and ridicule; we have had to listen to many approbrious epithets; we have rad displayed anger by honorable gentlemen op. posite; we have had threats of boy= cotting; we have had amendments moved to this simple resolution and we have had appeals from the Speaker's rulings in regard to those amendments, "On what grounds can these ac- tions be defended? There is. only one explanation that can be given, Honorable gentlemen opposite have recognized that the step which the government has taken is one which tthe people of this country want taken and want taken quickly. Therefore, they are doing the best in their'power to obscure the im- portance of that step." The. opposition parties had no agreement whatever on policy "but when it comes to a question of try- ing to embarrass the government they are ready to join hands and dance together merrily enough." But the public had not been "de. ceived by the performance." "There had been efforts to change the character of the com- mittee from that of a fact-finding body to one of} policy. "If we continue with that kind of thing, we will soon find the whole basis of our system of re- sponsible government being slowly undermined, with consequences that no one at this moment may foresee," said Mr. King. Has Wide Power Under the government's resolu- tion, the committee would have "all the powers of a Royal Commission, the power to summon persons from one end of the country to the oth- er, to engage experts to make ine quiry into any phase of this ques. tion, to have highly-trained ac- countants serve the committee in its efforts to find out what is the cause of the rise in prices." Referring to the threats of boy- cott, Mr. King said such threats had been employed by Russia at the United Nations. He hoped the government in Canada would not be carried on along those lines. 'And I hope," he added, "we have heard the last of any suggestions from honorable members that they intend to proceed in accordance with these new revolutionary me-= thods, if they may be so termed." The division on the Speaker's PRICE PROBE l iH #7 (Continued on Page 2) "f¥ N . Y SEDA, and Heater All cars in new car condition HACKNEY Motor Sales AUTHORIZED Ford and Monarch Sales and Service 51 Orchard View Blvd. North Oshawa Phone 4488 W