The Passing of Alberta’s Great Leader, Premier Aberhart, of Canada

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 226, 19 June 1943, Page 6

The Passing of Alberta’s Great Leader, Premier Aberhart, of Canada

Commonly referred to as “The Gentleman and the Servant” throughout Canada, vast numbers of freedomloving people in the British Empire aid beyond will mourn the loss of this great man.

His slogan was: “Let the people know the TRUTH. If they know the Truth, the Truth will set them EREE!” He was prepared to carry out that most brilliant economic maxim ever coined by man: “He who would become great among you, MUST BECOME YOUR SERVANT 1”

To fulfil his promise of 1935, “that the people would be enabled to buy more of their production,” he had the necessary legislation passed by the Alberta Government. This, however, was denied them by the Federal Government, even although Mr. Mackenzie King (Federal Premier in 1935), speaking of the new Social Credit Government in Alberta, said: “I hope with all my heart they will be successful.” The People’s Legacy: In 1935 Mr. Aberhart took over the Government without a penny piece in the Treasury (compared with New Zealand’s forty millions sterling in London in 1935). Also, among many other setbacks, there was 250,000 dollars unpaid teachers’ salaries, but this was repaid by 1930.

This financial poverty existed despite a land of plenty—grain elevators and stores crammed full, mines and forests standing idle, enough livestock, dairy, poultry and garden produce for ALL. Amazing results produced by Premier Aberhart’s Social Credit Government:— 1. Reduction o£ the Natiotfal Debt and Taxation. 2. No Sales Tax, BUT a bonus o£ 5 per cent, is given to consumers (similar to that in Britain, BUT without debt), which definitely stops inflation and the . demand for increasing wages. 3. Old Age Pensions raised 7/6 per week .at reduced age and NO Means’ Test. (The first province in Canada to do this). 4. Mothers’ Allowance and Nursing Services increased. 5. LABOUR LEGISLATION. — Alberta brought in the first Industrial and ' Standard Acts in -Canada, regulated hours of employment, and allowed men and employers in any trade to confer in order to frame agreements re wages and conditions. 6. The status of school-teachers 'raised to that of doctors and lawyers. From reading reports you may have gained the impression that the AberJinrt Government had not been completely successful. Despite the great hindrances placed in their way by vested interests and the Federal Government, however, he was re-elected in 1940. Surely the people of this wonderful Province were not so foolish as to re-elect a Government that had failed them!

Highlights in Alberta Budget 1942-43 (Compare these with the debt financial budgets of other lands). This is not election year.

National Debt reduced by over $2,000,000. National Debt reduced in six years by over $15,000,000. Increased grants for School, Medical and Farm Services. $1,000,000 set aside as nucleus for Postwar Deconstruction Fund for Fighting Services snd Mercantile Marine. Post-War Rehabilitation Measures: •‘lt is resolved that the minimum measures for the rehabilitation of the men of our fighting forces and their dependents shall be: (1) On demobilisation, persons who have served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine shall receive full pay and allowances covering living costs for a period of not less than three years, and until the individual has been esi blished permanently in the economic life of the country; thereafter they shall receive a monthly income (irrespective of any earned income) sufficient to ensure adequate basic economic security for the family against loss of income through any cause whatever. (2) Disability pensions to be in addition to the foregoing, and to be granted in all cases of disablement from any cause whatever during service in the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine.

(3) Grants and loans for the purpose of acquiring land, for becoming established in business, or for becoming established in any other remunerative undertaking requiring capital. (4) Dependents of persons who have been killed in action and of persons who have died while serving in the Armed Forces shall be provided with a pension equivalent to full pay and all 'allowances, including subsistence, during the lifetime of the mother or widow, and, in the case of the children, until they become IS years of age.

Dependents of persons not coming within the above categories who have died from any cause whatever since their discharge from the Armed Forces and Merchant Marine, to receive 75 per cent, of the foregoing pension. (5) All persons who have served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Marino shall be provided with medical and hospitalisation services free with full pay and allowances for dependents. (G) All the foregoing benefits to bo extended to persons in the auxiliary services.

A People’s Chainpion!— Mt. Aberliart's weekly broadcasts were keenly listened to throughout Canada and Hie U.S.A., especially those on PostWar Reconstruction.

He fought vigorously for Victory Jn War and Peace with the welfare of Canada as a supreme objective. Also, he fought bitterly against Bureaucratic Control, Regimentation, Centralisation, saying; “To us ti Torch is 1 brown, which must light the way that will give Economic Security and Individual Freedom to All and Real Democracy.” Hon. E. C. Manning, Minister of Trude, is the elected new Premier of Alberta. Only 34 years old, but a man of vision, and said to be the youngest Premier in the British Empire.

The fullest possible information of the amazin'' achievements in eight years ot tile Social Credit Government ot Alberta will bo gindiv forwarded to all who semi In to the National Secretary. Southern Cross Building. Brandon St., Wellington, C.l. Phone 42-234. —P.B.A.