RP ea. sa a a ora '" -- -- " -- - * < RL Rane OS as eos uk te sige Si i i eee ys rr 2 agp see o 33 y ot aad a ee ae : eke MC es 1 as aes 8 Mg ie ae aye reo gees es, S tA eae ; . "es roe, " c eS wig saah hag fy baie i a . « z . : = i Ws 4 : Big ae ; % . : ¥ Published Weekly by the Stratford Mirror Press, 123 Ontario St. BENSON JOHNSON, Publisher DAVID RAE, Manager Vol 24 STRATFORD, Feb. |, 1946 Circulation 4,200 No. 5 Action Needed To Help Home-Seekers) Much publicity has been given of late to the promised erection of some 100 houses here by Housing Enterprises, Ltd., and the relief of the housing situation that the rent- ing of these homes will bring. It is undoubtedly a fine project and one that will ultimately be of great ben- efit to Stratford, but it does not meet the immediate needs of those re- turned men and new arrivals in the city who must find accommodation now. The successful completion of the Housing Enterprises project is the result of much hard work and care- ful planning put forth by the 1945 City Council. It was due to the en- ergy and foresight of such men as ex-Mayor Montieth, Alderman W. Nichol and ex-Alderman Hardwick that Housing Enterprises was first attracted to Stratford and 'a fair share in this country-wide scheme allotted to this city. There is a ten- dency now to consider that the city has done all in its power to ease the housing situation and to sit back and wait for the completion of these homes to end the problem. . When it is remembered that there is little hope of any of these homes being ready for occupancy before next fall, if then, it is readily seen that some further effort must be made, and made now. A drive to find unused rooms and to induce home-owners with extra accommo- dation to rent to those who could make such good use of it would be of more immediate benefit. The 1946 City Council cannot rest on the laurels won by its predeces- sor. Already it has shown signs of energy and wise judgment in the manner in which is is tackling other problems. A more active interest in the plight of the home-seekers would be most welcome. MISSIONARY CONFERENCE HERE FEBRUARY 10, 11 AND 12 One of the most ambitious inter- denominational church programs ever planned in Stratford is schedul- ed to take place here on February 10, 11 and 12. Sponsored by the Min- isterial association and Laymen, the Inter-Church Centenary Missionary Conference will be held here on those dates and already much inter- est has been aroused. 'It has been announced that six of 3 foremost figures in missionary work will be present to take part in the conference program. These are Can- on Dixon, of the Anglican Church; Dr. Kenneth Beaton, secretary of the Missionary Education Department of the United Church; Rev. E. H. John- son, of the Presbyterian Board of Missions; Miss E. Clark, of the Unit- ed Church's Angola mission field; Miss Chappell, United Church mis- sionay to Japan, and Dr. Jessie Fin- lay of the Vellore Baptist Medical College, India. : A feature of the conference will be a Men's Dinner Meeting on Feb- ruary 12 in St. Andrew's Church. The committee in charge of this af- fair is composed of Judge Lang, E. J. Smith, K. Spackman, N. Robin- : son, G. Todd, V. Ruehl and C. Mur- ray, with R. W. Hardwick presiding as chairman. Can Stratford Afford Air Strip? There is much questioning today of the wisdom of large expenditures on civic enterprises based on the assumption that money will be as plentiful and as freely circulating in the future as it is at the present time. With this city already more or less committed to huge outlays to provide a new hospital and a new sewage disposal plant, it is fitting that any other scheme entailing the spending of public funds should be closely scrutinized and judged on its ability to carry itself. It is in this light that the question of providing an air strip for local use must be viewed. Is the expendi- ture involved balanced by the bene- fits to be derived, and will it carry itself without further help from the city? The answer, according to those Mount Eisenhower (formerly Castle Mountain) at junction of Lake Louise and Kootenay Park Roads, Banff National Park, Al- berta. Renamed recently in honour of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, it is a fitting tribute to an indomitable soldier and a great man. The week of February 3 has been set aside by the Health League of Canada as "Health Week"--an ob- servance dedicated to Canadian na- tional, community health. It is designed not only: to draw attention to benefits which can and _ personal Preventable Illness Costs Appalling Sum 'Health League is seeking to draw 'the attention of all citizens to meth- ods of disease prevention advocated | by the various official health de- | partments. The League also is seek- ing the co-operation of churches, schools and affiliated organizations, service clubs and other public-spirit- be derived from good health, but'ed organizations in spreading mies- also to point out that sickness, much sages on health during this partic- of it preventable, today is costing ular week. Canada, directly and indirectly, an estimated billion dollars annually. This is an appalling sum for a country which appears destined to 'falls on Wednesday, An outstanding feature of the week will be the third annual "National Social Hygiene Day" which February 6. become one of the leading nations|This is an annual event sponsored of the world. by the League in co-operation with In promoting "Health Week" the health departments. PRT eee espe sOeOeOeOeOsOeOsOSOSOSOSOT 3 209004, POSES LO RESS SE REAG ESET eee Oe 8 Oi en ae en oe sate 34 3 3 i : BOYD'S g 33 33 33 A 33 33 33 33 33 ' 17th ANNIVERSARY ; 33 33 33 38 33 3 33 33 2 33 $3 ; 3 33 33 33 as 33 33 33 3% 38 3 4 % oe 3 bo 4 33 i See Page 4 eB $4 # i 33 33 4 3 it : : 33 33 3 Properly ONTARIO i 34 ; 3s ; Fitted ST. BS 29, eves' : >o0 o >, who have studied the matter, is yes. A suitable piece of ground could be acquired by the city, cleared of trees, levelled and seeded for ap- proximately $15,000. This would in- clude the re-routing of Hydro lines: and removal of other obstacles, erec- tion of a wind sock and marking of the grounds. This, of course, would not give Stratford an air port, but: it would be a good start on which private interests could build. There would be no difficulty in leasing the fueling privileges to one of the major oil companies on con- dition that they erect suitable build- ings and maintain service. The lunch- room, sports development and other concessions would also be a source of revenue. Private enterprise could be relied upon to provide a hangar and other facilities. Under efficient management the air strip could in time expand to several times its or- iginal value and give the city a good return on its investment. When the smallness of the expen- diture involved is compared with the benefits which will result, the question is not whether Stratford can afford an air strip, but rather ean this city afford to do without one. CRUCIAL GAME TOMORROW NIGHT There should be no empty pews at the local igloo tomorrow night when Stratford Indians meet Hamilton Pats in one of the most crucial games of the season. It will be the last game of the regular schedule, with third and fourth-place play-off berths hanging on the outcome. Pats and Indians are tied for third place and it could be that the game will merely decide who meets who in the semi-finals. However there is qa dark horse in the picture, for if Owen Sound should whip Staffords in their tilt tonight they would be tied for fourth place with the loser of tomorrow night's tussle. Then it will be total goals that will decide the issue and, if Owen Sound goes on a scoring rampage tonight, that could be tough on the local squad. Whatever the stakes, it shapes up. as one of the most promising tilts in some time. Indians will be at top -- strength and should benefit greatly by the addition of Art Herhcen- ratter, a Kitchener boy just return- ed from the wars and reputed to be one of the best hockey artists devel- oped in these parts in many a day. set.