The Canadian Forum/Editorial/1921-08

The Canadian Forum/Editorial 1921-08 written by [[|]]

After the War---The Future of the Doctor

IN connection with the recent provincial elections in Alberta surprise was expressed in The Toronto Globe at the defeat of a government which was entirely free from any suspicion of "graft". This was regarded as something phenomenal and the victorious opposition was tacitly censured for taking the field without adequate moral reasons, acting — it was inferred — from the baser motive of class-consciousness. It is true that we have ample grounds for associating moral obliquity with political changes. Have not the sister-words "polite" and "politician" travelled so far asunder in our Canadian speech that they have less in common than chalk and cheese? But that is surely no reason for regarding this unpleasant association as an indispensable factor in a healthy election, or for persuading ourselves that where charges of immorality are laid the issue is necessarily a moral one. A political election is not primarily an affair of morality, but of minds and wills. And even class-consciousness stands higher in the political scale than peculation. We strongly prefer a clean contest of wills, even if they be class-conscious, to a contaminated struggle in which there is much noise of morality but not fundamentally a moral issue. We must wash our bodies and our linen and see that we are clean for the day's business, but we must not drift into thinking that washing is the sole end of man as a political animal.

As a matter of fact the victory of the farmers in Alberta is largely a personal tribute to Mr. Wood, the leader of the movement in that province. As for the late Premier, Mr. Stewart, his personal virtues were outweighed by the fact that his government was not free from men of the politician type, and at any rate these virtues counted for little in comparison with the respect and affection which Mr. Wood in long years of leadership had inspired. Mr. Stewart has been quite unable to achieve the feat performed by Mr. Martin, the Premier of Saskatchewan, and secure the support of the organized farmers by including provincial leaders in his government. In Alberta the farmers took the field and won decisively. Mr. Wood, who is by no means a young man, refused the premiership, and the task of forming the first out-and-out farmers' government has fallen to Mr. Greenfield. Physically the new first minister is perhaps the strongest man in the Province. While he worked as a farm labourer in Ontario he achieved fame as an amateur wrestler. He went to the West as did so many of Ontario's vigorous young men and took up land near Edmonton. His interest in Municipal Government and in the farmers' movement in time earned him a provincial reputation. The quality of his cabinet will reflect fairly exactly the ability which has been developed in the co-operative and political activities of the organised farmers of the province. He can count on commanding the services of its ablest members, and good lawyers will not be wanting for the portfolio of Attorney-General.

A great many people are seriously concerned about the danger of being ruled by a government consisting largely of people who have the same occupation — of "class" government as it is termed. It must be remembered, however, that in a province like Alberta the great majority of citizens belong to the class which now finds itself possessed of power. Majority rule in this case coincides with class rule, and majority rule is a term to which few people take exception. At any rate where the majority and the class consists of farmers there are two reflections which should in a measure comfort these fearful souls. One is that the happiness of the Western Provinces, at least, is intimately bound up with agricultural prosperity, the other, that the farmer is likely from his own experience to know the mind both of the man who works and the man who hires others to work for him. His great defect is that frequently he is not familiar with large business transactions, but here the experience of the great grain companies of the West has given a sufficient training to a considerable number of the leading farmers. On the whole we think, both in Alberta, and perhaps later in Canada, citizens will find themselves sleeping peacefully under the rule of the farmers and their friends.

It has been a matter of disappointment to many that the Orange Lodges of Canada saw fit to [p. 324] parade this year. At a time when the way toward a grievously needed peace seemed to open for the first time in many years, any action, however unintentioned, which could further irritate the exasperated nerves of the Irish people should have been studiously avoided. The Orange Lodges are ostensibly anti-catholic and (from the Unionist point of view) highly patriotic, and while they have lost to a great extent the bitterness of faction — as witness their adoption of Highland tunes and pipers wearing the particular tartan of Prince Charlie for their processions — there is still much in their annual ceremony to irritate those of opposite views who are not acquainted with the Order in Canada. It is inconceivable that any large number of Orangemen considered for a moment that their joining in the processions of July 12th could hold any other significance than their participation in an old-established and picturesque ceremony but it was for their leaders to ponder well what the impression would be on the Irish people if the press should report to them that Canada was indulging in Orange "demonstrations" at the moment when their two inflamed parties had ceased hostilities. Partisanship there is at such a fever heat as is difficult to imagine in this country, and Irish leaders, confronting huge difficulties, as much of sentiment as of politics, need the support and sympathy of the whole English-speaking race — a support not merely expressed in words, but by the suppression of untimely action.

It is important that employees on the government railways, as indeed all public servants, should feel that they are being fairly treated. Good will is a condition of good service. The statement recently issued by Mr. A. R. Mosher, Grand President of the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Employees, suggested that grievances alleged against the management were founded in reality. When the present wage reduction was announced the Brotherhood asked for a Board of Arbitration under the Industrial Disputes Act, five reasons were given in support of this request. Two of these may be quoted, namely, that "the proposed reduction will entail the greatest hardship on those least able to bear it, since employees receiving from $75 to $125 per month are to be reduced from 25 to 30 per cent., while those earning $175 and over are to be reduced from 5 to 7 per cent."; and secondly, that "no proposal is made to reduce the salaries of executive officers". Arbitration, however, was refused by the management. We are far from denying that some wage reduction should be made on the Railways. Reduced freight, express and passenger rates are badly needed. (For instance, it now costs 45 cents to ship a basket of fruit by express fifty miles to Toronto.) Overtime and demarcation anomalies which have been inherited from the famous Mr. MacAdoo cause increasing irritation and should be reviewed. But dictation in the public service is a poor substitute for discussion. The Railways have now strengthened, not weakened their case, by making a concession. In a later announcement they promise to take into their confidence the workers on whom the reduction bears unequally. We may hope that in the long run the Canadian National System will build up an esprit de corps like that of the C.P.R. This needs strong leadership; but the feeling of partnership, on which it thrives, needs frankness also.

We have received the following resolution, in support of the reduction of armaments, from the Canadian Council of Agriculture. "The Canadian Council of Agriculture welcomes the action of President Harding in calling an International Conference at Washington for the purpose of devising plans for checking the rivalry of armaments, and creating an atmosphere under which nations will entrust their safety, not to armed forces, alliances or balances of power, but to a recognition of mutual dependence, and the cultivation of mutual goodwill. We feel assured that the government of Canada will voice the sentiment of the Canadian people if it gives whole-hearted support to this movement for peace, so that, from the free soil of America, there will go a message that will be received with hope by a world shattered by the late war and without hope if wars are to continue". Despite the sentimental tone of this resolution and a choice of words which is naive in the extreme, it expresses without doubt the opinion of the great majority of the people on this continent. Mr. Meighen did yeoman service in London last month and even if he does not sit as an official delegate at the coming conference he can do much to guide its counsels.

So much depends on the Conference that its possibilities are seriously canvassed everywhere. Its importance in public estimation is to be measured by the visible relief with which Japan's acceptance was received. Outside North America, however, enthusiasm in its favour will be more restrained than here. Not indeed that Europe is less in need of peace than ourselves. Europe needs peace even more than we do. But it is realised in Europe, as it is not realised in the United States or Canada, that the most immediate danger to peace lies not in, but outside the Pacific. In time to come, that greatest of all oceans will doubtless be the world's highroad and mart — perhaps battleground as well. For the next few years at least, we must watch the Near East with no less anxiety. The future of England, France, and Russia, the Mohammedan races and the Greeks are hopelessly entwined. Neither Russians nor Mohammedans will have part or lot at Washington. Yet no decisions regarding future [p. 325] policy will ensure the tranquillity of Asia, which do not command their trust and confidence. The movements now stirring in Islam have a deep significance for the whole world. Not until peace reigns from Delhi to Morocco will the peace of Christendom be really safe.

Second thoughts on the Fordney Bill are causing acute discomfort to many good Americans. One thing at least is certain. Its author will be puzzled to recognise his handiwork in many sections of the new tariff. Victim of the politician, butt of the comic papers as he may be, the consumer is at last awake. Within three days of a protest led by the governor of Massachusetts, the duties on mineral oil were taken out. Fish merchants now see themselves threatened by the fish duties, as well as their Canadian associates in business. Most important of all, the financial interests, whose support for high protection was in the past a reasonable certainty, realise that they can no longer afford the luxury of catering to special interests. Bankers are outspoken in their opinion of the Bill; and if they fail at this time to cut the claws of the protectionists, there is at least a prospect that in the fairly near future the graver errors of the present may be righted. Twice since this tariff was first mooted have business conditions altered greatly. Never has there been a time, when arbitrary trade restriction was less advisable than now.

The fatal accident to Dr. W. E. Stone is the second fatality among members of the Alpine Club of Canada during the fifteen years of its history. Distressing as loss of life is, particularly when, as in this instance, a wife must see a husband hurled to death by a treacherous rock, it is some satisfaction to reflect that for more than ten years, during which time many hundreds of parties have set out to climb peaks, no fatal accidents have occurred. The previous fatality was the result of the impetuous act of a young lady who jumped from a ledge on the gentle slopes of Mount Avalanche disregarding the instructions of the guide. Dr. Stone was an experienced climber, having for many years visited the Canadian mountains. He and his wife had to their credit many first-rate ascents. Of recent years they have frequently climbed together, unaccompanied. They were making an assault on Mt. Eon before attending the Annual Camp of The Alpine Club. From Mrs. Stone's account it would appear that a rock loosened in his hand, or underfoot, on a steep pitch near the summit. Constant vigilance is necessary to avoid trouble with loose rock in our Canadian mountains, and for once Dr. Stone made a mistake. Great credit is due Mrs. Stone for her attempt to go to his rescue, and to that powerful and excellent Swiss guide Rudolf Aemmer for rescuing the bruised and famished survivor from the ledge where she was marooned. Our sympathy goes out to the widow who has lost an intrepid companion and to the University which has lost an able President.

An unusual interest attaches to the collection of English pictures which are to be shown at the Canadian National Exhibition this year. It is intended to represent the work of to-day in carefully chosen examples. Mr. P. G. Konody, the art-critic of The Observer, has been entrusted with the work of bringing together the collection, and he has indicated in the press that he has spared himself no pains in his endeavour to secure the right canvases. His work in connection with the Canadian War Records shows that he can act in a very Catholic spirit and it is not improbable that the war pictures, executed largely under his direction, and now reposing — not in perpetuity, we hope — in Ottawa basements, will be found to have had a certain importance in the development of British painting. There can be no doubt that changes are taking place in English painting and in the English attitude to it. The clearest indication of this is to be found in the new policy at the Tate Gallery, Millbank, which has just been re-opened as The National Gallery of British Art. It now represents the English tradition from Hogarth down to the present day and includes the work of contemporaries young and old in very liberal measure. We may count upon this collection that is being sent over to reflect the ideals of the new era in England and to give us an excellent opportunity of estimating the relative worth of our own half-formed Canadian traditions.

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We deeply regret to learn of the death, while flying in Spain, of Mr. Andrew Forson. Mr. Forson contributed several literary sketches and pieces of verse to The Rebel and was the author of "An Incident" in the April issue of The Canadian Forum. Although these were not upon Canadian subjects, many readers will be disappointed that now their promise can never be fulfilled.