, 88RD YEAR Cublished Daily and Semi-W eekly y rHE BRITISH WHIG PUBLISHING CO. LIMITED. J GO BIMOtE ......c:000s.,,. President Leman A Guild ... Managing Director . and Sec.-Treas Telephones: jusiness Mice SUBSORIPTION RA (Daily Edition) year, delivered in city . year, if 'paid in advance .. year, by mall to rural offi vear, to United States Sgmi Weekly dition) 00 ear, mi CAS 2 Joa: of not paid-in advance $1.50 ear, to United States .......51.80 x and three months pro rata ed is one' of the best: job offices in Canada. nm One Attach printing The cirtuiation of THE BRITISH WHIG is authenticated by the | n Audit Bureau of Circulations rR ---- Te NATIONAL V. MILITARY SERVICE. There is evidence that the National Service Commission is having its diffi- culties and that they are not so easily solved. The trip of the premier and the chairman of the commission across the continent, and the meetings they addressed at various points, in conjunction with representative men, had one very desirable effect. They stirred up the public interest in the] {ssies bf the war. They started a 9 of the city. government to this end, as in Eng- land, 'may hive to be changed or .re- constructed. But what is the gov- ernment or any parliament to the needs of the hour, Ald. Hughes attended only half the meetings which the finance committee held during the year. Is that the best he could do? Is that the way the electors of the city want their busi- ness attended to? ALDERMANIC CONTESTS. Saturday evening saw many re- tirements from the aldermanic elec- tions, and in three of the wards there were acclamations. toral division--Victoria--were the old members elected, and they are to be congratulated. Their choice by unanimous consent is to be taken as an expression of confidence, and it must be very much appreciated. In St. Lawrence two new men found seats in the council, Dr. Bell and W. J. Hooper, ahd they, with Ald. White, have assumed a large responsibility in representing the business division May they be equal to it. In Ontario Ward the old members, Col. Kent, the veteran, and Ald. O'Connor, will have as a colleague Dr. Boyce, and he will no doubt 0 value to the fullest the guidance they will offer to him. In four wards there are to be the keenest contests, Frontenac, Rideau, Sydenham and Cataraqui, and in all the electors have what they usually desire, namely, the opportunity for a choice The want in Kingston, be- fore voting day, is a vigorous dis- cussion of the questions which af- fect the city and its interests. Every man who aspires to represent the city' should have a programme and the chance to present it. The public should know where every candidate stands on public issues. sence of meetings, at which the can-| didates can be heckled, in the good old English fashion, the electors should not hesitate to ask them ahout the things that are talked of. There is a lot of looseness about the city business, and the people In only one elec-| In the ab-| par ai | oJ3LIC OPINION | 1 EE as Bribery in the East. (Montréal Gazette) two-dollar bill once sufficed to bribe the dishonest elector and to put the "telegrapher' to work. But that was in the East. A All Coming In. (Brantford Expositor) The Toronto World and the Mail and Empire announce that they will acc no more liquor advertising Next! ept when somehow and ffoin somewhere must. come the leadership that will; lift this country out of its state of in- differegce tothe tremendous issues that confront jt on every side. | WASTE IS MUCH ; WORSE THAN WAR - Mr. Rainy in Congress. "If the war ends one year from the first of next March England will have in annual budget of $1,200,000,000; Germany will have one of $1,300,.- 000,000; Austria-Hungary will have Tone of $1,400,000,000; Russia, witha A New Version. (Brantford Courler) "Not they said the Hun with aspect sly. much,'"', replied the Allies as winked the other eye. The Suffering Belgians. (Pro Belgica) There are 2,575,000 Belgian chil- dren whom, the Germans still hold captive and oppressed in Belgium. Of these, no less than 1,845,000 are under 12 'years of age. Think of them on Christmas Day. Bar on Princesses. (London Advertiser) In a few years 3 European cat will find it rather difficult to look at a king. Few of the royal houses will be anxious for intermarriage after this war. Who could think of a British prince marrying a Hohenzol- lern princess by arrangement after this war? 'What Can They Do? (Montreal Herald) The United States Government have been "supplied with the names of the seventeen Americans who were slaughtered by a German sub- marine in the Mediterranean last Thursday. The awkward question mow arises, what are they going to do with them? "DEMAND FOR NATION-... : AL GOVERNMENT ilobe. Te reception accorded fervid ap- peals makes it quite evident that there is a disposition in both political parties at Ottawa to resist the wave of sentiment sweeping over the country in favor of a coalition or national gov-' ernment. Those near the top in the wave of enthusiasm that will not have! have a right to know who is re- game of politics seem to think that spent itself _mntil it has swept this land from ocean to ocean. Following this comes the registra-| hoped the-work will be expeditiously | and efficiently done. Some months may elapse before the commission sonsible. For instance, with regard to the machinery hall. The Property Committee handed over the use and The building is still under the con- trol, it is assumed, of the Property Committee, and it cannot shed its ac- the game, if they keep on playing it, | will go in theif favor. The leaders in our politics are opposéd tothe forma- | tion of a national government--Tthage out, and those in the Opposition who know that they would not be let in, were a national government formed of will have a complete record of the countability in any mysterious way. the best men, regardless of politics, to man-power of Canada, for that is the] aim the commission has in view. is not & recruiting method, save and except that the commission will know who are available for industrial pur-| poses, and who are indispensible | should conscription follow, as it may, members of the committee may feel w Again, the Works Committee ean- It not escape criticism for the manner need, in which its business is being done. The mayor cannot be blamed for over expenditure with regard to which he was not consulted. The be found in the country. Nobody therefore, attach too much im- portance to the resistance that comes from sections of both parties at Ot- tawa to the movement for a new and efficient government during the per- iod of the war. ' Because the name of Hon. W. T. hite thas been mentioned as that of in order that Canada may contribute that they were not called upon to a possible leader of a national gov- her necessary guota for national de-| defend a transaction with which they ernment some of the lesser men in the fence. ! There are some phases of the ser- | had nothing to do. But they are members of the committee all the areout to guile him, and similar men in the Opposi- tion party have knives out for hom as vice which call for close examination, | same, and they cannot escape a reck- ' well because what they want--hboth of and these the officers of the Trades oning because the chairman ignored these groups--is the old party fight in and Labor Congress have now under consideration. them. What the people demand is National service isan assurance that these irrégularities yy, which they all have their place: It is not the fault of Hon. W. T. ite that his name has been men- "distinct from military service, and to will stop, and this assurance should tioned in connection with a new, effi- harmonize their relations is ghe duty | be exacted during ine eanvass of cient and of the hour. i 1 Dr. Richardson has been a working | mayor. He has given the public busi- | ness his daily attention. He has ne-| glected no public duty. He deserves recognition, and it can best be shown | in his re-election. THE WAR; ITS DEMANDS, The one clear thought that rises! out of the mass of written language during the last few days is this: That Germany is not looking for or expecting peace; that she Is calling out every available youth or man: | that she is increasing her influence among her aliies, and that while her diplomats have been talking about peace, she has been planning upon a campaign of prodigious proportions. This campaign may be launched before the new and more aggressive | campaign of the allies, though it is| hardly possible, The allies have be- come accustomed to the ruses of the Germans, and have properly estim- ated the last ome, though it had the distinguished endorsement of Presi- deat Wilson, It is this new and somewhat alarming rumor that makes the al- Hes the more certain of their action, that justifies the change of govern- ment and change of policy in Britain, that calls for new and energetic ac- tion upon the part of every Canadian who is interested in the war. The Canadian Parliament will meet presently, Its programme is said to have been fairly considered. If it does not include the subjugation of everything to the emergencies of war --if the members do not, regardless of party, that it be convert- ed in to a war conference, and with consideration only Yor ways and means for the conquest of the enemy =the people will be disappointed. The militia department has begun some economies in conmection with its plans, It is the name, title, pay and occupa this week. EDITORIAL NOTES. It is not the fellow who makes the most noise in the council that is the most useful. Toronto has elected Mayor Church for a third term. Mayor Richardson deserves a escond term, and will sure- ly get jt. Id. Hughes would tax the rich man actording to his riches. How would he do it? Tt is a problem that needs elucidation. The premiers of Britain and Can- ada have promised the last man for military service. Where? At home or at the front? The idea of assessing the big house according to its size or worth cannot be carried out. Ald. Hughes will dis- caver this when he begins to investi- sate, Some officers have been parading around Kingston for months, When are they going to the front? Cannot the invalided attesd to all the local services? S---------------- The Toronto Star does not believe that: Canada can rise to the position it @ national government and a purely national and new political policy. The city is now using hydro power, but it is from the Kingston Mills' fall. Between 600 and 700 horse power. More thin enough to carry the load of the power department. * = ---------------------- Curling this year appears to. be confined to the lad r : man and woman in the service of the King, is clearing the way for more | "Practical and less political accom- | Dlishments and it may need behind it @ government which will Bn no "soldiering" in Patriotic and progequsive sense. The of every Christ appearance 1 sons visible to take the annual stand for corner could be of any one influ nfluence of ought to occupy in the war until it has Up, non-partizan war adnrinis- tration. It is not his fault, he has done nothing to encourage it. But it is to his credit that earnest and sin- ! cere men of all parties begin to look to him as one who would naturally desire to see this/country efficiently and strongly governed in this period, tion for industrial purposes, and it is| repair of it to the Works Committee, of them whe are now in the ministry: " ,and know that they would be dropped | budget always heretofore the largest ij "Will you walk into my parlor." |B the world, will have one of $1,000.-| jj 000,000. I wonder if gentlemen who | compose this body realize that in that year-- the fiscal year of 1918--the | expenses of this Government, and we have been in no war, will be $1,650, 1000,000, the largest budget in the jworld, a larger budget than any na- tion in the woild has ever been com- | pelled to meet. | KING SENDS GREETINGS TO HIS FIGHTING MEN | Also a Message of Cheer and Sympathy to Sick and Wounded. | Ottawa, Dec. 26.--The following] | messages have been received from {his Majesty the King by the Gov- | ernor-General, to be communicated to soldiers and sailors: 'Londen, December "1 serid you, my sailors and sol- diers, hearty good wishes for Christ- {mas and the New Year. My grateful thoughts are ever with you, for vic | tories gained, for hardships endured, {and for your unfailing cheeriness. Another Christmas has come around | and we are still at war. But the Em- pire, confident in you, 'remains de- termined. to win. May God bless and : protect you. "Georges R.L" +-=Also--the folloWilg "cable to the sick and wounded: "At this Christmastide the Queen and I are thinking more than ever of ithe sick and wounded among my sailors and soldiers. From | hearts we wish them strength to bear itheir sufferings, speedy restoration to { health, a peaceful Christmas, and many happier years to come. "George, R.L." BIG PENSION LIST IN CANADA BY 1918 Hamilton Canadian Club Hears Address by Members of Government Board. Hamilton, Dec. 26 --That there were 30,000 Canadian women rela- tives of the soldiers of the Dominion, in England, was the assertion of George McLaren Brown, London, representative of the Canadian Pa- cific Railway, speaking to the mem- bers of the Canadian Club .at the Royal Connaught. The speaker ad- ded that, if war ended to-morrow, it would be more than two years be- fore these women would be returned to Canada; 'Eiéut' 'Col! 'Labatt, mem- ber of the Pensiofi Board, also spoke department. 'From 'i 'staff of forty- eight there had been dn increase to more than 400, thé work had become so heavy. By 1918, more than 40,- 000 Canadian soldiers would be re- ceiving pensions, ""Lieut.-Col. Labatt asserted. t A Vancouver syndicate hag let a contract for building three eight. thousand eight hundred-ton vessels with a local shipbuilding company. They will cost a million and a quar- ter each. ' THE UPPER BERTH. The Upper Berth is a smallk; cosy bedroom which will hold everything { the occupant has except his feet, el- bows and clothes, The 'inventor of the sleeping-car had a bright, thoughtful intellect, and he arranged it so that a man who had slept in an Upper Berth once would sit up in the chair car on the 'néxt trip, with both shoes spread edrelessly by his side. This is why "we see so many vacant, neglected Upper Berths, filled with nothing but wearing apparel and cinders, < The Upper Berth is situated just under the roof of the car, where the heat from the steam pipes can col- Fleet in ome spot and bathe the sleeper in a warm, glittering coat of perspiration. After a. traveler has ridden across the country in an per Berth, on a parboiled August night, he will be inclined to look - - Random Reels "Of Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax, of Cabbages and Kings" into the life beyond and change his mode of living. Some of the most religious men we' have ever known, were those who had this experience and turned over & new leaf. It is a very simple matter to get into an U r Berth, requiring no more exertion than it takes to climb into & top deck of a windmill. The company provides a neat ladder with infirm lems, and it is an inspiring sight to see a short, stout male pas- senger hoisting himself upward and] emitting a painfel grunt at every hoist, The Jadder is then taken away and lost, so_that in the morning the occupant has to. slide out back- wards and plunge a pair of agitated feet into, the lower berth. This is very annoying to people who have bought, a lower berth for the use of their own feet. Perhaps the best thing to be said about the Upper berth is that it costs Jess than the lower berth and is worth it, An aching 4s one of the things that never jump for Joy. our; briefly," telling ¢f'the Work "of this' | a i ieee are se It's the old wish we're sending to you and it's the best one May your Christmas Time be joyous and | full of happiness and 'may the New Year | bring all good things to you-- So here' so your health and your SEE WE CAN SETTLE THE CHRISTMAS QUESTION FOR YOU. Moore's Electric Shop Electrical Christmas Suggestions Wellington Street. FF -- Table Lamps. Electric Irons. Electric Toasters. . Electric Vacuum Cleaners. BORN. COOK--iAt Forest Mis, to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Cook, a daughter. COOPBR--In Picton, Dec. 14th, to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Cooper, a son. DeMILLE---At Belleville, on Dec. 15th, to Rev. and Mrs. C. W. DeMille, a son. WARD---iin Picton, Dec. 11th, to Mr, and Mrs. Orval Ward, a daughter, am cg on Nov. 25th, BABCOOK -GRIFFIN---At Napanee Ten Tet. Miss Topica M. Griffin to Charles Babcock, all of Napanee, HOLA MAN-~INOAH --At Toronto, Nov. 19th, Miss Mabel Noah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Noah, Hallowell, to William A. Holahan, Toronto. JINKS-MARVIN--{At Picton on Dec. 19th, Miss Verna Marvin to Wil. on miot A. Jinks, both of Hillier. MORDEN-VAN -- At "Picton on Dec. 20th, Miss Gladys Vancott to Thomas Morden, beth of Allison- ville. TRIPP-DOXSEE--In Sophiasburg, Dec 6th, Frances E., daughter of J L. Doxsee to Arthur E. Tripp, only son of Mr. and Mrs. 8. W. Tripp. Hallowell. DIED BENHAM--In Hallowell on Dec. 16th, 'Bwart Benham, son of Mr. and Mrs John Benham, aged 26 years. HUNT-<In Sophiasburg, "Dec. 17th, John 'Hunt, quite suddenly. KEECH---At Hay Bay, on Dec. 20th, Harvey Keech, aged hinety-one years. . ; LEAVITT--In Athol on Dec. 16th' Hosea Leavitt. aged 74 years. OSTRANDER-----At Cherry Valley on Dec. 16th, D. R. Ostrander, aged 67 years.' SCOTT--At Gilbert's Mills on Dae. 19th, Alexander Jas. Scott, aged 67 years gapes, cholera and roup. n excellent tonic a AR Sunkist At all Grocers. Raisins First Car New Raisins Just Arrived. Insist on SUNKIST XMAS WANTS Table Raisins. New Bulk Dates. New Package Dates. New Package Table Figs, 'Fresh Prunes. Wagstaffé's Mince Meat. New Nuts, all kinds. Moir's Chocolate Bon Bons. ! Christie's Plum Pudding. Christie's Fruit Cake. Gi creams and chocolates. E. H. BAKER Montreal and Charles DowneysGarage and Night. Con. Sts. Malaga Grapes. Full assortment of mixed candies DALY GARAGE 335 King Street. Phone 363. We furnish auto supplies of all kinds; gasoline, 'motor oll, ete. Cars washed and stored at rea- sonable rates. Repair work promptly attended to. Satisfaction gusrasteed. J. P. Daly, Prop. Weight? Yes! Wait? No! It's Too Big for The But--a ton of our coal is a gift that will receive a hearty welcome. COAL is our "stockin"' trade Good old Santa recommends 'our coal to those who insist on real quality. CRAWFORD Foot of Queen St. Phone 9.