Western Star (Corner Brook, N.L.), 1945-03-17

              The Westren Star Vol. 45, No. 49 Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Saturday, March 17, 1945 Price Five Cents Plans For Civil Re-Establishment Announced Rhine Battles Mark Completion Another Phase German Defeat By FRANK HINDS Canadian Press Staff Writer A Summary Of The War News Allied operations on the Western Front have entered what anay be their final phase. • ' Last summer it was at Caen that the Canadians pinned down strong German divisions while the Americans raced through central France. Then the Caen hinge was sprung and the Canadians rolled up the Channel coast. In the dense woods of the Hochwald (Hoch Forest) the operation has been repeated. To this vital "hinge" sector Marshal Rundstedt hurried his best divisions, even giving it priority in men and material above the Ruhr district, sections of which west of the Rhine fell to American troops. , Front dispatches tell us that this brilliant campaign did not develop as Allied commanders originally had planned. Tremendous forces had been assembled at the northern end of the front for an attempted break-through, but were bogged down by weather and stubborn enemy defence. But the result was the same —or perhaps was even more far-reaching than dreamed of, for Rundstedt could not weaken that stubborn defence when the 9th Army assault was launched to the south. The clean-up west of the Rhine marks the completion of another phase in Allied plans to defeat Germany—perhaps the mpst important phase in the w<st since the landings in Normandy last June. Gen. Eisenhower said recently that the war in the west would be decided on the west bank of the Rhine. Big Drives Now is the time that startling new developments may be expected—perhaps an all-out /iffensive launched simultaneously from east and west, perhaps even new landings to fulfil the warning of the Big Three after Yalta that Germany would be crushed from the east, west, north and south. Meanwhile the crushing process from the skies continues Knabated. The last three weeks have seen an air offensive staggering in its proportions, and even greater attacks are promised. During February Britishbased Americans planes dropped 51,000 tons of bombs on enemy military targets, and the RA.F. Bomber Command, ■with which the Canadian oomber group operates, 45,750 tons. The pattern of east-west co-ordination was traced early by these sky raiders (many of them R.C.A.F. aircraft) which flew in "trains" 200 miles long to disrupt communications as vital to support of the Germans' Russian front as to the west. In The Pacific The heaviest Superfortress raid on Tokyo to date blanketed 10 square miles of the heart of the city with fire as more than 1,000 tons of incendiary bombs rained from 300 of the huge bombers. Fires left burning £ould be seen for 150 miles. The island fighting in the Far East continues as the Japanese radio insists American troops from a naval task force have landed on the southernmost island in the Philippines, Mindanao, and that fierce fighting is in progress. On Iwo Jima in the face of American expansion of its hold on the shore line of Vie island, the Japs are holding their prepared strong points tenaciously. WINTER MIRAGE All this week telephone calls have been received at The Western Star Office from residents demanding information about what appeared to be a new housing development on the Bay. One caller telephoned very early one morning: "There are three houses sitting right on the ice," he exclaimed almost hysterically, "I saw them when I got up this morning." "Did anyone else see them?" enquired the skeptical reporter."Yes, my wife did . . . what's that . . . (an aside to someone) . . . good heavens! My wife can see five. I'll call you back." A few minutes later there was another call. "I can see four now, but my wife swears she saw five, and I know there were only three the first time!" But there is no housing developmentdevelopment on the waters of the Humoer Arm. The structures are portable camps which have been built at Hughes' Brook, and 3 were left on the ice aftet being hauled across the Bay on the previous afternoon. There are ten in all. On the following morning they were picked up by a crane and loaded on tractor sleds to lie transported to Pynn's Broqk Road. The camps were built by Andrew Hull during the winter. Britain's Mulberry Harbours An oblique view looking south west. Pierhead for coasters and ships, Tanks Landing ship. Pierheads and a Barge Pier with their respective floating roadways ashore, are all surrounded by breakwaters affording protection for the un loading of the vital supplies to the Beachhead Forces. EMINENT SCIENTISTS REPORT ON THE COUNTRY'S HEALTH SUGGEST REMEDIAL MEASURES (Statement released by the Publio Relations Officer.) In August of last year a field survey of nutritional conditions was caried on in four districts of Newfoundland by a group of eminent scientists from England, Canada and the United States. The personnel of the Party was as follows: Dr. Russell M. Wilder, Mayo Clinic, Minn.; Dr. N6rman Jolliffe, Bellevue Hospital, New York City; Dr. W. H. Sebrell, Federal Security Agency» U. S. Public Health Service, Betherda,Betherda, Maryland; Dr. H. D. Kruse, Associate Director, Milbank Memorial Fund, New York City; Dr. F. F. Tisdall, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario; Air Commodore J. W. Tice, Director of Medical Services (Air), R.C.A.F. Headquarters, Ottawa; Dr. Paul Zamecnik, Harvard University, Boston, Mass.; Col. J. D. Adamson, Senior Consultant in Medicine, R.C.A. Medical Corps; and Professor of Medicine, University of Manitoba Medical College; Dr. Oliver H. Lowry, Public Health Institute, New York City; Dr. B. S. Piatt, Director of Human Nutritional Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Great Britain; Dr. P. E. Moore, Superintendent of Medical Services, Indian Affairs Branch, Department of Mines & Resources, Ottawa. The group of Investigators were fortunate in that it was arranged that F/O Syme, of the R.C.A.F., who is an expert photographer, accompanied the Party. He was able to take many scientific pictures with a specially designed camera, which will contribute valuable evidence in support of the information obtained.Dr. Lowry and Dr. Zamecnik took back biological specimens which will be studied. The scientific photograhps will be developed and studied, OPERETTA AND PLAY BY C.B.P.S. PUPILS A capacity audience greeted the youthful performers at the Prize Giving Exercises of the Corner Brook Public School on Friday evening, March 9, at the Majestic Theatre.The Staff House pupils presented an operetta entitled "Fairies Are Really Truly". Two mortal children, played by Marjorie Hull and Byron Matthews, are taken to Fairyland, where they meet the Fairy Queen, played by Marilyn Anthony, and because their belief in fairies greatly pleases the queen, she crowns them queen and king of mormCARNIVAL REPEATS SUCCESS The second Carnival this season was an unqualified success. Decoration of the rink and ice surface was even better than on the previous occasion and presented a colourful appearahce. The ice surface was decorated with Clowns Heads, MoOns, Stars etc. as well as amusing cartoons, one of which depicted Jim Marks, the iceman, as the Chief Rink Rat. With the usual fanfare by representatives" of the C.L.B. Bugle Band, the costumed skaters came on the ice and added to the already colourful spectacle. The first item of the show was a skating exhibition by Joan McCallum and Dick O'Brien. The pair gave a splendid performance as they glided and turned under the spotlight and were loudly applauded at the end of their turn. It is regretted that up to the present the names of the young ladies who participated in the skating drills are not available DESIGNS FOR NEW HOUSES 11. J. Reader, Chairman of the Town Council of Corner Brook West returned home on Tuesday full of enthusiasm regarding Mount Bernard Housing Scheme, after spending some weeks visiting small towns in Canada and the United States. Mr. Reader was particularly impressed with - the housing development at New Haven, where each house has its own individuality and where the houses are built with a view to accommodating the families of working men. "The kitchens are large," Mr. said, and the appearance throughout is attractive. These houses are planned for families where a great deal of money is not earned, but where there is a desire for pleasant living. The houses at New Haven cost from two to three thousand dollars to build. We have a housing problem in this country, and Corner Brook West is particularly in need of. a housing scheme." Mr. Reader said that an architect in Montreal has already designed five types of houses which will he suitable to tTle location of the proposed housing scheme, and which have been planned with a view to the incomes of those who are interested. Where Over 600,000 Japs 'Wither on the Vine' M;.p above shows irtst in the Pacific war theater where more than #OO.OOO Jap troops have been by-passed by island-hopping Americans and left to "wither on the vine. In some places the Japs are welt-equipped in others they are badly oft physically and get no supplier Mist the eftemy forces in the Philippines are in the big southern Island of Mindanao Their leaders <-on€®str®tcd them there to meet an expected American invuion. but Genet*j nscArthUf crossed them up by landing on Lingayaa Gulf, Luton. —v. ENTIRE COUNTRY TO BENEFIT FROM GOVERNMENT'S PLAN Educational Benefits-Vocational Guidance And Training-Encouragement Of Small Enterprises - Unemployment Benefits - Unemployment- Provisions For Dependents- Honourable A. J. Walsh, K.C., Commissioner for Home Affairs, broadcast on Wednesday, March 14, an address on the Government's plans for Civil Re-establishment. Honourable Mr. Walsh's address was as follows: My purpose this evening is to give to the people of Newfoundland, and particularly to present and former members of our Armed Forces, an outline of the Government's plans for the re-establishment in civil life of Newfoundland men discharged from the armed forces. Plans for Civil Re-establishment of discharged servicemen should not be confused with general reconstruction or rehabilitation plans for the country as a whole and for its people. The latter, however, are important in that they will provide additional employment opportunities for servicemen when they return to civil life. 1 wish to make it clear at the beginning, therefore, that the matters with which I shall deal this evening are those designed primarily for the benefit of our discharged servicemen. i Over three years ago the Government constituted a general committee to consider the question of Civil-Re-establishment and to make recommendations respecting the same, and later appointed a Director of Civil-Re-establishment. A number of Sub- Committees of the General Committee were appointed to consider different aspects of (the problem. These subcommittees considered certain plans which were being formulated as to post-war economic development, and the General Committee approved of certain schemes  mended them to the Government. I must here express the appreciation and thanks of the Government to the members of the Committee for the great contribution which they have made towards the formulation of definite plans and for the careful examination which they gave to all proposals submitted to them for consideration and for the valuable recommendations which they have made respecting them. The work of this Committee was directed largely to planning of national policy in the wider field such as developments in the fisheries, agriculture, land settlement and communications, the plans being of a long range nature. The questions relating to the immediate problems of re-establishment of returned servicemen have also received the detailed consideration of the appropriate Departments of the Government, and particularly of ttye Civil Re-Establishment Department. In November, 1943, a Committee of the Commission of Government met a Committee of the Board of Trade and outlined the civil re-establishment benefits which had then been decided upon for discharged men. These included the following (a) Deferred pay at the rate of 30 cents a day or $109.00 a year in respect of service from the Ist January, 1942; (b) A civilian clothing- allowance of $50.00 to $60.00 to supplement the United Kingdom Grant which was at that time not sufficient to provide a civilian outfit; (c) Transportation with travelling expenses to the point of enlistment or the place of residence; (d) Supplementation of dependants' allowances during the period of discharge furlough which then varied front 14 to 28 days; (e) Supplementation by 30% of United Kingdom pension rates. This amount of supplementation has since been increased to 60%; (f) Assistance in obtaining employment. At that meeting it was intimated that the Government had under consideration other measures including maintenance allowances during unemployment or incapacity, free medical treatment with allowances in certain cases of nonpensionable disability, vocational training and educational benefits. In formulating our present plans we have had the benefit of having before us the plans developed for other countries and particularly for Canada, whose programme has been commended for its generous provisions for aiding the exservicemen and women to reestablish themselves. As may well be expected, our plan follows somewhat along the lines of the Canadian plan adopting in many instances their basic principles for application here with reference to the general economy and financial ability of this country. The principles which guided us in drawing up our scheme are as follows: (1) A discharged man should have the opportunity of improving his educational and technical competence, with due regard to his capabilities and the probability of employment; (2) A discharged man should be encouraged to engage in the country's basic industries; (3) The transition from war service to civil life should be made as easy as possible without financial embarrassment.Although I should prefer to deal with the benefits available under our scheme in the order of their relative importance in assisting our servicemen to re-establisn themselves, I shall have first to give details of a general securitv provision called a maintenance allowance, as this will be available to men who wish to improve their educational and technical qualifications and to those who teceive assistance in other forms as well as those receiving medical treatment and those who may- be delayed in obtaining employment. In a general way, our scheme provides maintenance allowances, educational benefits, vocational guidance and training, agricultural courses, assistance for fishermen, assistance for certain small individual enterprises, unemployment benefits, free medical treatment and employment preference. The benefits are additional to those announced in November, 1943, although the provision for a clothing Mnwtnce has been amended somewhat as I shall Turning now to the educational benefits available under the re-establishment scheme, I may say that these have been framed with a view to giving the greatest encouragement within our means to those who wish to complete interrupted University Courses, to undertake University Courses in preparation Cor an occupation in which there is reasonable expectation of success, to undertake or complete teacher training courses, to complete or improve high school or elementary education, and to take correspondence courses and evening classes. It is fully realized that if a large number of returned men should apply for the benefits under this provision, the outlay will be very considerable. Vet  Government does not hesitate On this account to make these benefits available and considers that those who avail of them will be fitting themselves in the best manner for facing the future and that the country itself will benefit considerably if a large number take advantage of them. (a) For those whose University education was interrupted and who with the help given by the Scheme can complete their Courses, the Government will provide tuition and book* and, if necessary, return travelling expenses, together with a maintenance allowance in the appropriate amount on the scale which I have mentioned, during attendance at the University. The maintenance allowance will not be paid in respect of the long vacation period as it is assumed that the student will then obtain employment Assistance under this provision is limited to $3,000 for the whole course. If there was interruption of a course begun at the Memorial University College, the benefits of this scheme will also be available for completion of the course at that college as well as in a University. The benefits will be discontinued in the case of a student who fails in any subject in an academic year. (b) Benefits similar to those outlined above are available to servicemen qualified for admission to a University or University College, but in this case it must appear to the Commissioner that the applicant is suited for the proposed course and has a reasonable expectation of succeeding therein. In both of the above cases application for the benefit must be made within three months after discharge and the course must be resumed or begun within fifteen months after discharge. TEACHER TRAINING (c) Many teachers have joined the armed forces. It is hoped that the majority of these wiil return to their profession, and it is hoped that many others will be attracted to teaching. Men with the experience and broad outlook which they have acquired would be a great later explain. As 1 have said, the maintenance allowance is payable in connection ■with many features of the plan when immediate earning are not being received. The period of time during which it will be paid varies  with the different benefits and continues in the case of unemployment for one year. The scale «f maintenance allowances is as follows:— For a single man—sso.oo a month. For a man and wife—s7o a month. For a man, wife and one childsB2 a month. For a man, wife and two children —s94 a month. For a man, wife and three children —slo4 a month. For a man, wife and four children —sll2 a month. For a man, wife and five children —sl2o a month. For a man, wife and six or more children—sl2B a month. For dependent parent—sls.oo a month extra. EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS IMPORTANT BROADCASTS ST. JOHN'S: The Director of Civil Re-Establishment, J. A. Cochrane, will give a series of broadcasts on the Government's He-Establishment plan which was outlined by the Honourable A. J. Walsh, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Education on Wed« nesday night of this week. The Broadcasts will be made as follows, on Monday, March 19, at 9.45 p.m., Introduction; Tuesday, March 20 at- 9.15 p.m., Maintenance Allowances; Wednesday, March 21 at 9.45 p.m., Agricultural and Land Development; Thursday, March 22, at 9.45 p.m., Assistance to Fishermen; Friday, March 23 at 9.15 p.m., Education and Vocational Training. The final broadcast of the series will be on Saturday evening at 9.45 p.m., when the Director of Civil Ke-Establishment will deal with Employment - I (Continued on Page 8) (Continued on Page 7) (Continued from Page 7) (Continued on page 2) Now Featuring Men's HATS GOODYEAR and HOUSE LTD. CORNER BROOK Just Arrived "Rennies" SEEDS GOODYEAR and HOUSE LTD. CORNER BROOK In This Issue Letter* to the Editor Page 2 Commentary from the Capital " 3 News About People " 3 London Letter " 3 Church Service* H 4 Sunday at Home " 4 .Vews From Correspondents ** 5 Sport# Section " 6 H ridge " 6 News of the Fisheries " 9 Agricultural Section " 12 Women's Section " 13 The King's Men " 14 Serial " 15