Page 2 THE WILLIAMS LAKE TRIBUNE Wednesday December 23, 1959 ~ EDITORIAL PAGE THE STIRRINGS OF FAITH There is no other time of the year, no other cele- bration quite like it, No other commemoration could have endured man’s capacity to cheapen, to deride, and to commercialize. But Christmas has. For almost 2,000 years the anniversary of His birth has held a special place in our hearts, gaining new converts and strengthening old with its simple story of an abiding faith. It is a story a child can understand and an adult marvel at. To those worried Christians who decry our manner of observing Christmas as a threat to Christianity it- self, we suggest they observe more closely, and be of good cheer. Don’t confine yourself to translating the artificial casualness of so-called “ moderns ”’ as a blan- ket condemnation of mankind. Look in the eyes and hearts of the children and share their wondrous belief, for this is the first stirrings of Christian faith, and no finer introduction could be imagined than the story of Christmas. SURPRISED DISCOVERY —wNanton (Alberta) News Oldsters will remember that the phophets said that the movies would be a death blow to the stage, that radio would finish the job, that TV would wipe out both the movies and radio, and so on, until canned entertainment was all that would be left. Well, some heavy blows have been recorded but today we find our- selves with the curious picture of the stage being flour- ishing at the amateur level, of radio still holding its ground, better movies being produced, and so on. True, people complain that no one reads books any more or plays or sings any more. We wonder if these complaints are legitimate. There are more books be- ing published every day so someone is buying them; there are more libraries being scattered about the land than ever before, so someone is reading. There are more barbershop groups, more glee clubs and more choral societies than ever, so someone must be singing. There are more symphony orchestras; there are more records sold; there are more performers than ever. There are more drama groups drawing more crowds there are more reading groups and more study group than ever. There are more art exhibitions and more pook-mobiles than there were 20 years ago and 10 times as many branch libraries than there were when movies and radio poked their way over the horizon. It is true that many people do not read enough to understand the background of the TV plays they see and are much too lazy to ferret out anything which they do not understand. It is true that they seldom try to gain any proficiency on a musical instrument. It is true that many people sit supinely before a screen at home or in a theatre without ever judging the material before them. It is true that many people pride themselves on being low-brows and avoiding the disciplines of hard thinking and sound understanding and a fruitful imagination. But someone is reading books; someone is viewing entertainment critically; someone is being sufficiently creative to do amateur acting and amateur painting. Maybe things aren’t too bad after all. And perhaps the competition which made the movies better will im- prove TV as well. IN GOOD COMPANY —Campbell River Courier , Many newspapers, both weekly and daily, in Brit- ish Columbia, are not looked upon with favor by the present government of this province. The Courier is one of the many, but we travel in good company. A newspaper without a policy is as flat as mush without salt and is soon pushed aside as unwanted and unread. There is sufficient difference of opinion among newsgatherers themselves to present both sides on any controversial issue, and John Q. Public is quite capable of sorting the straw from the chaff. Canadian newspaper men and women are dedicated to their profession. It is their duty and their right to gather the news and interpret the fine print clauses of government business. It is the right, and duty of newsmen to criticize or support any government action which may be for or against the best public interest. The people of this country and of this province are entitled to know the all facts on any controversial issue, before any definite action is taken and the only way that this can be done is through news columns and editorial comment. oe The giving of any special privileges or the giving away of crown lands to further the interests “of-a special few to the detriment of the whole is not in the pest public interest. A government which cannot stand criticism is not a good government, especially when it cangot answer fully and sensibly to its critics. Muzzling of the press js no answer to the government’s shortcomings. Peace on “Earth... May ihe true message and deep meaning of Christmas fill all hearts with joy. a RVD Si re * " TONY'S LEATHER GOODS Keeping As in season, here is it used a winter scene of Williams Lake taken 1924. LOOKING BACK ALONG THE TRAIL ONE YEAR AGO December 23, 1958 Another step in the long pre- liminary procedure necessary before a new hospital can be procured for Williams Lake and district. was taken last week with the granting of let- ters patent to the Central Cari- boo Hospital Improvement Dis triet . . . An aura of mystery the identity of an aire h brought to light last week when paris of a plane were discovered on the bank of the Fraser River about a mile from the mouth of the Chilcotin . . . According to a telegram received this week irom the company holding the contract to supply artificial ice equipment for War Memorial Arena, the equipment on to Williams wanis Health Centre will be officially opened on Saturday, January 17, it bas been announced by building committee chairman Fred Wat- erhouse . . . Salmon fishery ex- perts have expressed satisfac- tion with a proposed $521,624, 000 plan to dam the salmon- rich Fraser River system. its The I o FIVE YEARS AGO December 23, 1954 Townspeople were shocked Monday to hear of the sudden death in Vancouver of former brand inspector Joe Smith, one of the most widely known men in the South Cariboo . . . Gin- ter Construction Company com- pleted the final gravelling of the 13 miles of highway south of Macalister Tuesday morn- ing, just ahead of their sched- uled completion date of Dec- ember 25... Harold Edmunds, district's largest breeder of commercial turkeys, states that this year he disposed of close to 1,000 of the popular bronze breasted variety in Williams Lake and Quesnel, with about 500 going to each centre... Samples of netted gems from the Edmunds Ranches at Mar- guerite took second place in the cooking quality competi- tion at the recent B.C. Seed Potato Growers’ Association show at New Westminster last month. Tv Decembe v YEARS AGO 2, 1949 About 600 persons attended the Williams Lake School Con- cert last Friday night to watch the large and varied program of school talent put on their annual plays and dances The Aluminum Company of Canada Limited has received preliminary approval of a water licence on the Nechako and Nanika Rivers where it pro- poses to construct a hydro-elec- tric plant the world’s largest aluminum reduction plant, it was announced by the Honorable E. T. Kenney, mini- ster of lands and fore: Sixty-one miles of new trom Atlin near Whitehorse, Y. T.. linking Whitehorse with the B.C. cen- tre, was red opened re- cently. to power Ss. highway Corner, to Jakes dec TWENTY YEARS AGO December 25, 1939 Forty-seven purebred = sows: and two registered boars arrived in this district from Edmonton last Friday, for distribution to farmers from Quesnel to Canim Lake . The Williams Lake hockey rink is now almost ready for the day when freez- ing weather will permit flood- Captain Hans Lang of the scuttled Graff Spee, Wednesday committed suicide by shooting himself. r ie Gk 3) mM : — LOOKS AT — The TV quiz scandal—and many others By A. J. Drinkell The Decethber 12 Post carries an editorial recent scandals on the TV It is a scathing com- mentary upon the ways of modern soc- In part the S. says “Quiz are only a Even a cur- at iety. BLP. andals sympton. sory glance our society reveals that the ethies of the quiz show are by no means confined to television. In many for instance, we tacitly approve the policy of automatic promotion— that sleezy practice of sending dullards up from grade to grade, when they can't, or won't, do the required work, but must be advanced because “there's no place else for them to go.” Ultimately they are “Gradu- ated,” ill prepared for the jobs they will seek with fraudulent diplomas. In our colleges responsible educators now estimate that perhaps as many as one third of all students cheat “rather regul- arly’ on their examinations. It is really not surprising that they do so. Their more cele- brated classmates, the football team, very probably recruited by one or another of the under- cover dodges employed by col- lege administrators to circum- vent the pious codes they pub- licly endorse. On the labor front we assailed by the dismal memory of Dave Beck and the spectacle of a Hoffa triumphant over the majesty of Federal authority We see featherbedding and thuggery upheld in cynical dis- regard of the national welfare. FAVORITE GAME The Income Tax? Cheating on it is now a national game. New loopholes are greeted with hosannas, passed from willing lip to eager ear. Executives openly boast of living off their expense accounts. Too often the status symbols of the suc- cessful are the credit card and the company yacht, used for private entertainment. Wash- ington? The home freezes and the mink coat are old stuff by now. So, also, is the strange case of the Miami televisi licence, the vicuna coat, Goldfine rv the innocent phone calls of Sherman Adams the Congressional _ payrolls stuffed with relatives. The eatalogue of American Van Durens is thick and blowzy. It includes American busine: es which caused the Federal Trade Commission to announce recently that advertising abuse was at an all time high. The gyp repair men who fatten on the anguish of homeowners in trouble, the fast talking bunco artists. It e' includes thos suburban ministers who preacb their Sunday sermons on racial e of our schools, are is ion — to all white con- gations. r, we regret to say, is the press without blemish. By our preoccupation with the bosomy starlet, the sweetly smilil of television, we encour readers to accept phony stand- ards of success, helping the creatures of publicity to re- wards their contributions donot Adv merit. Television, we repeat, was guilty of gross negligence aeaut of 7 issue of The their Saturday Evening having reference to the networks, surrendering pro- aming to the adver- -. Television paid be- penalty not the cause it was the only because ob- offender, but was the most vious target. That is only a part of the indictment but should be sufficient to cause our readers to wonder if much of it cannot be applied to our own wa of life, and just what can we expect of our young people if that is the best we have to offer by way of example, Coming at this season of the year it could with justification have said that even the spiritual significance of Christmas is rapidly becoming lost in a welter of brazen com- mercialism, And yet, it is as well if we keep things in true perspective. While we may ap- pear to have degenerated into a modern Sodom and Gomorrah, awaiting the annihilation ex- plosion of: the hydrogen bomb, there still are potent forces at work preserving the higher moral standards. Eventually we must surely become complet- ely disgusted with the present trend and the pendulum will again swing on a more normal beat. Letter to the Editor The Editor The Williams Lake Tribune NOT PARSON-LIKE? Dear Sir Regarding the section in your paper, “Speak- ing Parsonally.” Would you give consideration to changing the title of this section? Two recent articles have caused me much alarm, and I would suggest the title be, inferred, “Speaking Person- ally.” Three weeks ago, there appeared in this section of the paper the pagan intimation that New Year’s was the time for re- yelling. The inference seemed to be that once the artificial “religion” of Christmas is over, to normal and let’s get back have a “go.” Then, in your last issue, in this same section, a half-hearted, personal stand on the Lord’s Day. This kind of writing might reflect a popular gospel, but certainly not the gospel of our Lord. If you are unable to between these two kinds of gospel, I suggest you change this title. Recent advice not been parson-like. REY. A. M. MeNEIL Editor's Note: But neverthe- emanated from a parson. distinguish has THE WILLIAMS LAKE TRIBUNE Bstablished 1931 Editor, Clive Stangoe Published ever Wednesday at Williams. Lake, B.C., by the Cariboo Press Limited. ~ $3.00 side Canada $4.00 ing rates on application Authorized as Second Class Mail by the Post Office THE MACDUFF OTTAWA REPORT GATHERING OF THE CLANS OTTAWA — Canadians have been treated to a stimulating exercise in the old game of pol- itical press-agentry in recent weel The Progressive Conservative Association of Canada, to give it its formal title, gathered n00-strong in Ottawa to sing the praises of John Diefenbaker and assure the leader that the grass-roots were still wellnour- ished and appreciative. A week later, the national advisory council of the National Liberal Federation held a meet- ing in the same hotel in the same city for a somewhat simi- lar purpose. But not to praige “Ceasar” Dietenbaker. Rather, to make arrangements to bury him with all possible speed — politically speaking, of course. The internal problems of the Conservatives and Liberal party association$ have been examined in a previous report. This one will devote itself to an appre- ciative glance at two politicians, one entitled, “Here Are the Facts,” another “Here's the Truth About the ‘Facts’.” As you might guess, one is a sequel to the other. And each one is a press agent’s dream. “Here Are the Facts,” a slick- paper booklet adorned with a smiling picture of Prime Mini- ster Diefenbaker, is distributed in English and French from the public relations department of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, national head- quarters, 141 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa. SINGS THE PRAISES It shamelessly sings the prai- ses of the Diefenbaker govern- ment and its accomplishments. So shamelessly, in fact, that “Here’s the Truth ete.” was rushed into print a week later by the National Liberal Federa- tion to show the other side of the coin. ! Y The Liberals made it clear that their target is not the Diet- enbaker government itself, but its big, bad ‘public’ relations man, Allister Grosart, the party’s nat- ional director. The hand of Mr. Grosart, a shrewd publicist who played a major part in Conservative elec- tion successes in 1957 and 1958, shows through in “Here Are the Facts.” “Across the nation went the electrifying assurance: “John Diefenbaker Keeps His ’Prom- ises,” goes the Grosart account of conditions under the Tories in late 1957. “The nation will be electrif- ied,” reply the Liberals, “when the Conservatives can point to — By Clive Stangoe — Ever thought of retiring to an island in the I guess most Cariboo residents have particularly in the winter, South Seas? entertained such visions, so you'll be interested in buy a chunk of floating real estate in that balmy clime. Bob Hinsche, whose brother Fred owns the 141 Mile House, is now on his second island, having already — purehased, and disposed of one. Fred isn’t too clear on his brother’s hold- ings, since letters be- tween the two are far between, but he says the first one Bob owned was about 18 miles long, and he was the sole occupant. The traveller chose the Fiji Islands to settle on, a cluster of up to a thousand dots in the Pacific. Although he couldn't give us much information on his broth- er’s island estate, Fred has a couple of little gems of infor- mation, like the fact that the bats on Bob's domain are the size of crows, and in that is land paradise you don't wait for the ground to warm up to plant seeds, you wait for the season when it cools down. Sorr we don’t know the price of real estate in the Fiji Islands. Readers of the coast dailies may have noticed a familiar tame among successful final- ists in a competition sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera Company. “The name was or Mrs. William Beames in private life, and she is the sister-in-law of local high school principal Tom Beames. Mrs.,Beames goes next to a one promise that has been ful- relations, it appears, is here to filled to the letter.” stay. CAPITAL HILL CAPSULES prime Minister Diefenbaker is in high good spirits as his gov- ernment prepares to submit its record to Parliament at the ses- January 14. The CONTRADICTIONS “Canadians worked earned more, saved more spent more in 1958 than in any ” boast the Con- more, and year in histo servatives “Canadians worked less, earn- ed less, and spent less,” declare the Liberals, quoting liberally ~ from the government's own Bureau of Statistics report. “Tax levels are lower,” say the Conservatives, despite the “modest” increases in Finance Minister Donald Fleming’s last budget. outlook, a “pread-and-butter” session, with no outstanding issues. But the Liberals, already preparing, for the 1962 election, may be able to. set a few fires to enliven the proceedi Informed whispers in govern-~ ment circles are that the mucb- publicized and often-promised railway link fron: northern Al- berta to Great Slave Lake may be postponed once again. The re- out “Total taxes are higher, ply the. Liberals, pointing that Mr. Fleming's “modest” in- creases totalled $352,000,000, ay 5 compared with bis $26,000,000 reason: Emphasis on mineral in tax cuts the year before. exploration has shifted to north- isjational’ debt percentage (ert) Quebec, Whete denostts are : Se closer to existing rails. If it’s lower,” say the Conservatives. “Tories piling up the national so, it means a $60,000,000 set- back for the patient settlers of debt fast fast!” cry the Liber als. the north. Both statements are true, in- 8 os ae ee daentaliy. “The ‘total debt is | MecBulhccelebranne its first, Christmas, confidently predicts a bright holiday season for its readers and subscribers. looks forward to higher, but an overall increase in the gross national product (partly due to. inflation) has kept the percentage fairly even.) “Farm aid doubled,” shout the Tories the inside story of a happy new Thanks year, for your atten- tion in ’5! SPEAKING “Farmers worse off,” call back the Liberals. “Canadian prestige restored,” say the Tories of external af- fairs policy. PARSONALLY “Canadian prestige s0iNf = py. REV. A. ANDERSON down,” answer the Liberals, quoting British Prime Minister- That Christmas means, for MacMillan and two British news- Many, the coming of Santa papers to bolster their case. Cla is not at all surprising to me. Some of our earliest memories of Christmas lead us back into the lap of a rotund, scarlet-clad, white - bearded semi-supernatural grandfather. It is he to whom we address our heart’s desires. And it is he whom we And so it goes. Every Con- servative claim is answered, chewed over, digested and found unpalatable by the Liberals The Liberals, in fact, freely expressed their disgust at Mr. Grosart’s “nimble, Machiavell- jan” method of publicizing what may expect they referred to label “the Dief- {5 reward us enbaker myth.” ik we And what did they do to good counter the Tory efforts? even Why, they took former Univ- are not good, ersity of Western Ontario prof- we rather essor and one-time provincial suspect that Liberal candidate, James Scott, Santa won't | from his job of Ontario Liberal really Party Organizer to the perma- us up. He is nent job of national organizer, too ki : the equivalent of Mr Grosart’s for that! Then somewhere position of national director in along the way, someone intro- the Conservative organization: duces a second thought by Mr. Scott’s job will be to em- saying that at Christmas we ulate Mr. Grosart in one realm at least: to fan the fires of publicity to help the Liberal Party win the next federal elec- celebrate the coming to the of God Himself in the form of a man. What is more natural to the tion. mind of a child than to say, The age of political public ‘Of course, God is good. and loving, and giving. He must be very old. Why, He is just like Santa Claus.” And unfor- tunately some folk never grow in their understanding of God beyond that point. For them, to think of Christmas as coming of Santa Claus is same as to think of it as coming of God. . I believe this view can justly be described as immature. and hence, misleading. It is immature, first, because it is too good to be true. Ir simply does not take seriously the pro- cesses of life. Just as knowing it is possible to beholds the gifts from Santa - without. a thought for .their Pacific North - West , SO our tendency to see zone competition at the benefits of God’s com- San Francisco, which without recognizing the can lead to a summer to Him. There is no way course at the famed that men can receive some- “Met.” About four ‘thing for nothing, 4 gambling urges and de; tale of Santa Claus. Whatever benefit we receive ci some- body something. And the com- years ago she sang in Williams Lake for the High School students. “OOPS” — Those ing of God cost Him every- embarassing slips can happen to thing. anyone in the publishing busi- To think of God as being ness. Interviewer handling a like Santa Claus is immature story for a paper circulating also because such thinking hereabouts transferred sur- does not take geon Barney Ringwood to the ministerial profession. Story was primarily about playwright Mrs. Ringwood, and mention made that as a minister wife she was required to do a vast amount of work among Dr. Ringwood's parishioners primarily broken relationships. The chief benefit God's coming which we celebrate at Christmas is the opportunity of restored relationships. And although a child may expect to receive gifts irom Santa, even though he has no intention of being good. a per- son cannot receive the benefits of God's coming so long “as he intends to continue in evil. Thus Jesus inaugurated His whole ministry with the words, “The Kingdom of God is at hand, repent, and believe the Gospel.” of Dr. Ringwood figured in an- other, printed error farther afield when the weekly Lions Gate Times had a note to the effect that Felix Nicholson and Barney Ringwood had bought 2% acres on Williams Lake and planned on building a motel. Story ~ was” built on half-truths. Mrs. | Nicholson There is surely a place in and Mrs Ringwood are the ‘H¢ traditions thar surround seaghf—the land ls coir, Henin Yok np el th ably-in excess of 2% acres; it's we need to take care, far moré located on Chimney Lake, not Williams Lake, and no motel is inthe plans. (In case you're wondering, the Times is prin- care than we have been taking; that this tale does not take the place of the event which really is Christmas: the coming of- God to the world in Jesus, the Christ. For God is not Santa Claus, nor is Santa Claus God. ted in West Vancouver, former home of the Nicholsons).