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There could be more than a shade of reason in the contention recently adVanced by a number of Richmond Hill residents that the time has come for a change in the voting houra at municipal elections. For many voters now working in the city the present hours of 9 am. to 7 pm. create somewhat of a diffi- culty in going to the polls, It is im- possible for them to vote before they go to work if they are due there at nine. Leaving their place of business at five o’clock, doomed to the slow‘ downs lofl rush hour traffic, they sometimes find it a problem 'to get home and to the polls in time. The situation for those who work to six is that much worse. There is al- ways the risk that weather condi- The large attendance which fea- tured the meeting of members of the ighland Park Ratepayers’ Associa- ion, this week, in spite of very bad weather, gave an emphatic demon- stration of the fact that the newer residents who have chosen to make Markham Township their home are taking a keen interest in local gov- ernment. Highland Park, one of the lauest of the district’s subdivisions, differs in several ways from other property developments which are increasing local population rapidly. Its size alone places it apart. It has little in Congratulations are due to two Richmond Hill residents who have been very much in the public eye dur- ing the last week â€" Messrs. Neal and Parker. Revival of the Thornhill Busi- ness Men’s Association, recently ac- complished, is a step very much in keeping with tne times. The grow- ing importance of Thornhill as the tide of population sweeps northward, the increase of business and oppor- tunity which follow that flow, ,de- mand that the merchants and blisi- ness men of that community exercise vision and aggressiveness in order to capitalize to the fullest possible ex-. tent on what is happening. There is more than one angle to the subject. Fundamentally a busi- ness men’s association, 2. board of As successful candidate for the office of Reeve Mr. Neal won a. vic- tory which shows that he has the con- fidence of a large number of citizens â€" that his long years of faithful ser- vice to the community are recognized and appreciated. York County Council’s budget for 1951 is “bad news” for Richmond Hill taxpayers and for taxpayers, too, in other parts of the county. In one sense, however, the village itself gets one of the worst blows because it pays out a largely increased amount withOut getting anything, comparatively speaking, either for the increase or the original amount. In 1950 Richmond Hill taxpay- ers contributed, through the county rate added to their tax bills, $5,134.- 84 to York County. This year, with over a mill increase in the county rate, they will pay out $6,970.01, a jump of $1,836. Mr. Parker, in deciding to contest the seat, showed courage, initiative and a belief in the principles of dem- The amount paid by Richmond Hill to York County amounts to ap- proximately $3.32 for each man, woman and child in the municipality. The question may be asked quite fairly, as it has been asked before -â€" What do we get for it? I would like through your col- umns to say a word regarding a letter given to Markham Town- ship Council dated February 5, 1951, and signed by Frank Brum- well, secretary, Markham Peder- ation of. Agriculture. The letter gives figures regarding assess- ments and in two different places it refers to “assessment: as giv- Dear Mr. Editor: THE LIBERAL, Richmond Hill, Thurs., February 15, 1951 J. E. SMITH: M.P., Publisher $6,970 - - - What, Do We Get For It? Should Polling Hours Be Changed ? An Independent Weekly â€" Established 1878 Subscription Rate, $2.00 per year; To the United States $2.50 Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association “Any Assessment Commission- er or Assessor or other person in the empIOy of a municipality who in the course of his duties ac. en by your assessor." I would like to make it known that I did not at any time give any figures to the Federation of Agriculture. Section 211A (1) of the Assess- ment Act reads as follows: â€" Qangratulations Are "Dear Mister Editor” Highland Park Ratepayers Thornhill Business Men TEIJB liberal Voting hours of, say, from noon to 8 or 9 would give everybody an opportunity. Those on shift work -â€" and there are a number in the vill- age, would get a fair chance of ex- ercising their franchise. Those on the more or less standard nine to five day would have no excuse for not votâ€" mg. ~ the way of “old residents.” Practi- cally all of those who live therein have, up to recent days, been city dwellers. Few of them have, as in other developments, built their own homes. In other words, its popula- tion represents a large group of people who have, almost overnight, trans- ferred to a part of the country where the form of local government varies considerably from that to which they have been accustomed. tions can cause a bad tie-up â€"- an ever-.present possibility in early December. trade, a chamber of commerce, ex- ists for the purpose of promoting the business and well-being of members. That is only reasonable. But. on the other hand there is a lot of truth in the saying that “He who gives â€"-â€" gets.” Designed primarily for the purpose of building business such an association, whatever its title, can do much in promoting the welfare not only of its members but also of all its citizens. That is not to say that such a body need be an “interfering” one. There is no need for it to attempt to take over the functions of-legally es- tablished bodies such as councils, It would not seem that those voters who normally go out in the morning would be unduly inconven- ienced. Their proportion is not large. In the recent electiorf for reeve, for instance, those who voted before 1230 noon totalled 164 out of a' grand aggregate of 771 who went to the Voters, too, are to be compli- mented on the manner in which they turned out. With no major issues at stake, and in bitterly cold weather, they showed an interest in municipal affairs which would be a credit to many larger places. The new reeve takes over ofilce at a time when major changes are Up to a couple of years ago some part of the money paid out was re‘ turned towards the High School. But it appears now that the only return which Richmond Hill gets is the ser- vices of county police courts. From the number of local cases tried there that would appear to be a pretty slim return for a sizeable amount of mon- ey. But the important thing is that, in~the few months in which their as- sociation has been established, they ocracy. “Both men fought a clean fight and Richmond Hill is no worse off because of the contest. To Victor and vanquished alike congratulations are due for the way in which the cam- paign was conducted- It may be claimed that Richmond Hill receives some return from the use of county roads such as the Mark- ham and Vaughan roads. If so that too is a pretty thin repayment. This newspaper has expressed itself em- phatically before on the conditioii of those roads for which, it In st be re- membered, residents of Mar 'ham and Vaughan townships are also paying in part. ' Boiled down, 31 looks as if that $3.32 for each man, woman and child Telephone, Richmond Hill quires or has access to any in- formation furnished by any Per- son pursuant to sections 16-17, which relates in any way to deter. mination of value of any real property or the amount of Assess- ment thereof cx“ to the determina- tion of the amount of any business assessment and who wilfully dis- closes or permits to be disclosed an such information not required to be entered on the Assessment; F. J. PICKIN G, Managing Editon Order facing Richmond Hill. Rarely have there been, in the life of the munici- pality, so many outstanding problems. He has proved himself, by his fefusal to oppose the late Reeve J. A. Greene last year, a “good sport.” He has shown himself to be, by his past ser- vices, a capable administrator. He as a good, progressively-minded council to work with him. boards of trustees or other forms of local government. But, working with them, it can be g1 strongly construc- tive force for the betterment of all sections of the pOpulation. Fortunately business men of Thornhill are well aware of those facts. They‘ have proved in the past that they have vision and initiative. There is little doubt that they will continue to exercise them. Their new association is one which deserves to succeed. In its efforts to do a con- structive job it will have the good wishes and good will of the whole dis- trict. ' i have shown a keen awareness of 10- cal conditions, have evinced a con- siderable desire to improve those cbn. ditions for themselves and their neighbours, and to fit into the scheme of things in the part of the country they now call home. ' The election is over. Now is the time to get down to the job. The new reeve will carry the good wishes of the people with him as he tackles it with his council. in the Hill is a pretty poor invest- ment. The \nearly seven thousand dollars which this municipality will be taxed this year is money which would go a long way towards local improvements. Our Village council- lors would breathe a sigh of reliei, in facing this year’s heavy expenditures and the necessity of spending money on a sewerage system, if they had that amount to play with. In all fairness to them it should be emphas- ized that they have no control over it. It has to be taken into their calcula- tions regardless. t It is almost needless to say that they are welcome citizens. They can contribute much â€" and undoubtedly will â€" to the development not only of their own area but the whole dis- trict. The interest ‘which they have shown to date in municipal govern- ment is a very hartening and welcome asset to this community. As has been said so many times, Canada boasts of the fact that all its qualified citizens have \a chance to share of the government of their country. It would not seem com- pletely consistent to make that proud boast and then to negate it by failing- to give them the opportunity of so doing. There is nothing novel in the hours suggested. Some neighbour- ing municipalities follow them. Rich- mond Hill has always had an out- standing record for voting. It would seem reasonable that with chang- ing conditions every effort should be made to ensure that its citizens are enabled to maintain that record. It is, we believe, possible for a municipality to move towards With- drawal from the county system. Stud- ying the figures which have been presented,,analyzing the return for the amount, the question arises as to whether Richmond Hill isn’t justi- fied in taking steps in that direction. polls. In any event the main thing is that ALL voters should have an opportunity to stote their choice. roll to any other persons not likewise entitled in the course of his duties to acquire or have acc- ess to the information, shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $200.00, or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.” J. A. Fleming- Assessment Commissioner Markham Township. Seven international experts, of whom five were blind, recently met at Paris under the auspices of the United Nations Educa- tional, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to plan the adoption of a single world script (Braille) for the blind. In this group are Professor Nickola Bassili (left) of the School for ' Blind, Cairo, and Sir Clutha MacKenzie of UNESCO. One of the most appealing fac- tors of tuberous begonias is that they will grow in partial shade in your garden where it is hard to‘get most plants to grow, let alone bloom. Begonias give a profusion of color ' and bloom from spring until fall. They may be started in the next two weeks in flats using a mixture of equal parts of soil, peat-moss and sand. Leave in these boxes or flats un- til second leaf has formed then they may be transplanted- to four inch pots until ready for garden. This will give well started strong sturdy plants. “For the first time Richmond Hill is divided into three polling sub-divisions for the coming Dominion election. The divisions are as follows: 1st, all that part of the municipality east of Yonge Street; 2nd, all that part west of Yonge Street and south of Rich- mond Street.” “Atithe regular monthly meet- ing of Richmond Hill Fire Bri- gade the auditor’s report. showed the total reeéipts to be $538.01, expenditures $307.55, leaving a balance in the treasurer's hands of $230.46.” Tuberous Begonias SIXTY YEARS AGO February 12, 1891 Should my Gloxinias be stgtt- ed now? Answer: As these are bulbs they should be started now using a sandy loam mixture. Place in a bright window. After leaves have 101-- med it is better to water from the bottom as strong sunlight shining l on water dropped on leaves scalds and leaves white FIFTY YEARS AGO July 4, 1901 “Negotiations for the entrance into the city of the Metropolitan and other suburban railways were begun yesterday.” Answers to questions sent In by readers; Question: What will I «do With young, Jer- usalem Cherry plants I have started ? Answer: After frost danger is past plant in your garden for the .le- mer. As these are a Christmas plant they will flower and set fruit in late summer. Remove from garden and repot ushlg cr- dinary garden loam, take indoors and you will see fruit grow and color. Question: “The following are the newly elected officers of King Plow- men’s Association: president. S. Jamieson; vice-president, P. Me. Murchy, secretary J. '1‘. Saigeon, treasurer, G. Lawson." “Almost everything these days seems to have an upward tenden- cy. The Whitney government a. few days ago raised the mem- bers' yearly indemnity from $1,- 000 to $1,400, and a. few uays later York County Council rais- ed the councillors’ pay from $3. to $5. per day." Snow has covered the hills and valleys for the past few weeks and the ski enthusiasts are hav- ing themselves a time. Skiing can be fun . . . but it can be dangerous too. The first rule for safe skiing is . . . Don’t attempt hills beyond your ability. This causes more accidents than any other single factor. Don’x, ski alone . . . . but if you must, do February 9, 1911 “The following teai’n will ‘rep- resent Richmond Hill High School at Aurora next Thursduy: Earl Blanchard, Stanley McConâ€" FORTY YEARS AGO The Gardener’s Column Excerpts from the files of The Liberal Home paper of the Richmond Hill district since 1878 Experts Meet to Aid Blind Readers " Way Back When (By Al Rice) Will Dahlia tubers cut from main stems now sprout‘ before planting? Answer: Yes. The tubers may be re- moved now and packed in a box of sand or peat moss. This will encourage them to sprout. To get a good early start these may be put into pots around the end of March and watered occasioimlly until time to put out. “There was a good attendance' at the pancake social, at Maple, on Shrove Tuesday and 5-2 was cleared.” “Mr. Grant of Hotel Richmond is erecting a garage and ice house at the rear of the 10:.” February 17, 1921 After cleaning bulbs dust with either Derris Dust or D.D.T. powder. This may be procured at your hardware store. Store in a cool place until planting time. Just before planting mix a solution of Corrosive Sublim- ate (procurable at your drug- gists) 1 oz. to 5 gals. of water, using wooden container only. The simplest way to handle would be to place bulbs in cloth bag or sack and leave to soak for four hours. If bulbs are not cleaned down it is necessary to leave 1 to 2 hours longer. How to treat Gladiolus bulbs for thrip? Answer: aghy, Norman Francis, Carl Sal- geon, Willie Naughton, Dollglas Larkin, Carl Hill.” February 18, 1931 spots. Gloxinias should“come in- to bloom in May. “Richmond Hill tax rate took a considerable drop when council met this week and fixed the tax rate for this year at forty-five mills, three mills lower than last year. Reeve Tom T. Trench spent several hours on the estimates and pencils were well sharpened in figuring the requirements of the various departments.” Question: Question: “The first Richmond Hill Troop of Boy Scouts will hold a. sale of homemade baking and candy in Mr. T., W. Allison’s va. cant store on Yonge Street, on Saturday afternoon.” “Mr. K. Blanchard attended the Durant Mqtor Class held at 1483‘ side last week. A banquet was held at the Prince George Hotel on Friday evening." TEN YEARS AGO February 13, 1941 If you have a gardening or plant problem and would like expert advice write to “The Gardener's Column, The Liber- al, Richmond Hill." The reply will be published in this col- umn, which is written by A1. Rice, Rice’s Flower Shop, Rich- mond Hill. “A local bonspiel was enjoy- ed by members last Satmday. eight rinks taking part. Skip J. Mortson won first prize, sklp Roy Wice was high for two wins and skip A. A. Eden high for one win.” so only on an open, well-popu- lated slope where others can help you if you should be injured. Like all other sports it is wise to learn the proper method of skiim, be. fore you head for the trails. A. few lessons from a qualified in< structor may save many a pain- ful spill. Nekt week we’ll tell you about ski equipment. Willy The Waterduck THIRTY YEARS AGO TWENTY YEARS AGO The 1951 Session of the Canad- ian Parliament opened last week with traditional ceremony, and with the thermometer registering several degrees below zero .n a. typically cold Canadian winter day. ‘ The‘ government is not likely to institute a system of over-all contnols under existing conditions and whether or not it does so at some future/time will depend on the trend of world affairs. How. The session commences amid a rather tense atmosphere, reflect- ing the general anxiety which prevails throughout our land and the world as a result of the ex- isting unsettled international sit- uation. The speech this session left no doubt that the big problem be- fore Parliament is defence of Canada and the free world. Can. ads is going to spend greatly in- creased amounts on the streng- thening of our armed forces, and plans to send substantial mater- ial aid‘to other countries willing to join in the defence of the free world against communism. Our armed forces will be in- creased in number and our pro- duction of modern equipment stepped up to proportions un- known in Canada’s peacetime his- tory. Enlistment in all branches of the service has been progress- ing at a very satisfactory rate and in keeping with plans for de- fence at home and abroad. The speech from the throne which is read at the opening of Parliament plans for the session. This undoubtedly will mean in- creased taxation but just what form these increased taxes will take will not be known until the budget is brought down home weeks hence. Three major items of concern and discussion are sure to be (1) the troubled international situa- tion, (2) the enlargement of our defence forces including large ad- ditions to the army, navy and air force, and (3) the rising ecst of living, threatened inflation, and the controversial question of controls. While war is a distinct possi- bility, the consensus in informed circles is that it is by no means inevitable. There is ground for reasonable hope that the great increase in the military strength of the free nations may be suf- ficient to discourage those who might again plunge the world in- to all-out war. Canada’s Secretary of State for External Affairs who has played such an important role in the de- liberations of the United Nations has given a complete summary of the world situation as he views it, and there is general satisfac- tion here among all parties that Canada’s position throughout the deliberations have been sound and fair. If there were any question about the patriotism of the subject of this week’s “Know Your Neighbour” fea- ture â€"which there isn’t â€" it could SOOn be answered by a study of the service which his family has rendered. For STAN RULE of Oak Ridges, whose picture apâ€" pears on the front page of this issue, has a family con- rection which surely must create a record insofar as mil- itary service is concerned. ‘ He spent four and a half years in the army himself in the last war, becoming a Staff Sergeant. 'Six of his brothers saw service in both wars. One of them won the Distinguished Conduct Medal, another the British Empire Medal, a third one the Military Medal. On top of that he had three sons, four sons-in-law, two daughters and twenty-seven nephews in the armed forces in the last war. Almost looks as if the Rule 1am- ily, if needed, could form a young army all by itself. Stan was fourteen years old when he came to Can- ada with his family. Born in Lancashire, England, he completed his education there and, when he reached Canada, went right to work. His first venture was in the painting and decorating husiness, which he follow- edvurntilhheumoved to Oak'Ridges fourteen years ago. Then he went into the buying and selling of property. After his army service he went back into the prop- erty business and finally built the service station and lunchroom on the south lake road which he sold last year. His latest venture is in the glass busineSs, in which he is in partnership with his nephew, Gordon Howland of Langstafi', who has had twenty-five years experience in it. The two have built a..new store just north of the Oak Ridges Public School to house what is the first business of its kind in the immediate what IS district. Interested in local affairs, Stan was originator of the Oak Ridges-Lake Wilcox Ratepayers Association and was on the executive. He is also a director of the‘Oak Ridges Lions Club and chairman of its welfare commitâ€" tee. He ran once for Whitchuroh Township Council and was the Ratepayers’ Association nominee this year â€"â€" having to decline to run when he moved over into King Township. The picture of Mr. Rule, like others in the “Know Your Neighbour” series, was taken by Edmund Soame, The Studio, 1720 Avnue Road. girls- Quite a family man, Stan and his wife, the former Annie Peck of England, have had nine boys and IOUI' how Your Neighbour mm LETTER 1 by Jack Smith, North York should warrant it. The govern ment is hopeful the upward spit al in living costs may be checke in other ways and that better re sults may be obtained throng these means and voluntary ef forts of the people than by th adoption of an extensive and ex. pensive system of over-all conâ€" trols. I try to answer all correswnd- ence but if I overlook ‘any of these many cards, I hope the senders will overlook the omission. I sometimes receive a letter which says “I voted for you at the last election so am writing to ask etc., etc.” We appreciate the confidence and support of those who voted for us, but would point out that whether or not you voted for us orlagainst us should not be the deciding factor in whether or not you write us a letter. An M.P. is elected to represent all the people of the riding and any time I can be of service in matters pertaining to affairs of the constituency or i any matter of federal jurisdictioi. I esteem it a privilege and duty to do so. Don’t hesitate to write me any time I can bevof service to you, and I do appreciate get- ting letters expressing views on public questions. The address is J. E. Smith, M.P., Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Ontario -â€"â€"- and no stamp is required during the session. Don't forget the in- itials “J. E.” as there are now four Smiths in the House includ- ing two Jacks. “Price Controls should be JP- plied immediately to protect the living standards of our families. Rent Controls should be main- tained. I urge you to give your full support to this legislation." Cards hearing this message are being received by the 'hunareds by Members of Parliament, and the post-card lobby sponsored by Labor organizations promises to reach very considerable propor- tions. These post-card lobbies are not particularly popular here at Ot- tawa as many think â€"â€" they sa- vor 0f high pressure methods, but frankly I have no objection to them. I always welcome ex- pressions of opinions from the electors, and while these printed cards are not as informative or as influential as written letters, never-the-less they do give an in- dication of public opinion. Prospects are that this session will continue well into the com- ing midsummer, and there is no doubt it will be one of great im- portance in our national life. L4 Once again I wish to remifia the people of North York that I welcome enquiries and commun- ications any time I can be of ser- vice to them. ever, the government will as] Parliament for some stand-b1 authority to take immediate ac tion if emergency condition should warrant 'it. The govei‘n