newspaper question at present being debated has to do with tze Hearst publications. Strong pressure is being put on the Dominion Government to have them barred from entrance into Canada. "Does the Government intend at this session to take action to keep out of Canada those infamous—sheets known as the Hearst papers?" was a question asked in the Dominion House by a member of the Acting Premier, Sir George Foster. The reply was that the Government has had the matter under con: sideration for some time, and was still considering Tt is understood that there is no Jaw at present which would permit; of it, though strange to say there is a law which will keep "undesirable" people out of Canada. They were barred from Canada during the war, but when the various war measures were rescinded, they of course could come in. The opinion is strongly held here that Hearst is doing all he can to stir so much mischief between Great Britain and the United States that) the end will one day be war.
This opinion "is borne out by many editorials which have appeared in the-Hearst papers and lately by a cartoon representing the latest British warship with the text of an editorial beginning: "Such batt!s ships as this one are built to menace Us. They must be. There is no other nation against whol England would need such ships England is not only strengthening her huge navy; she is enlarging her army. She has appropriated $300,- 000,060 to build up an Air Fleet. And we Pay The Bill.... The money to build these battleships and those airships and to enlarge the British army is money due Us—interest due on the—gigantic loans England obtained to use in her war."
Tt cannot be wondered at thut Canadians want such stuff as this kept out of Canada, not that it has any effect except to make them angry. It can also be said that Canadians fully appreciate that the Hearst papers do not by any manner of means represent the majority of American opinion: as one paper says: "They find their constituency in the dress of the population attractd by sensation-mongering, and among the hyphenated Americans who react to European hatreds and amrrels, especially the people of Teutonic birth or descent."
Tan Cost oF Lryine.
Turning to the high cost of living, prices of the commodities of life continued their steady march in the past months, increases he-ing recorded by the Cost of Living Branch of the Department of Labour in all, except a decrease, which was due to the season, in eggs, butter, and milk. Sugar advanced two cents a pound and potatoes 2 cents a bag. An average family budget of 6 cities is compiled the Department at $15.98 for March compared with $15.77 for February, $13.07 in March, 1912, and $7.68 in March, 1914. A sharp increase in the prices of building materials and metals is also noted.
The public is getting more and more incensed at the high prices which have become a really very serious question. The price of potatoes seems to have been che last straw which has goaded the people to prevent by some means or other having their backs broken. The price per bag has gone up from about $3 to in some parts more than double, and of course this seriously affects thousands of families who depend so much for a principal part of their meals upon potatoes, Substitutes are suggested such as rice, but: evea this has doubled in price, and not satisfactory. Boycotts. of potatoes are being formed all over the country; the women pledging themselves to buy no potatoes till their price is reduced, but it 3s doubtful if this will achieve its object.
So far as it is possible to _judse the main factor in the case is speculation, as it has been proved to be in sugar. This latter com. monty is going up by leaps and bounds, it was five cents a pound before the war now it is 90, and reports state that is is likely to even higher, much higher. Specul. tion in the raw material at Cuba is said to be the main cause of this.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.