The Benson signal., 1916-09-02
MAKING RAPID STRIDES
Canada improving in Every Way
J-AgricuIturally, Commercially
and Financially.

The reports coming to hand every
day from all branches of industry in
Canada speak highly of the construc-
tive ability of that country.
Recently the managing directors of
the Canadian Credit Mems AssOcia-
ton gave out the statement that busi-
ness in Western Canada was good. In
every branch it is better than in 1918,
and everyone will remember that in
that year business was excellent. He
says:
'@The beauty of it is the way in
which payments are coming in. Mer-
chants all over the West are taking
their cash discounts. Such a transfOr-
nation l never saw.
"From the records in the Office I
knew it was getting better. We clear
here every retail merchant in the coun-
try every three months, and we are
therefore in the closest touch and have
intimate knowledge of the way trade
Is going and how payments are being
made. Conditions at the. present mo-
was possible that they should be.
"The statements which we are re-
ceiving with reference to the standing
of country merchants indicates that
there will be very few failures this
fall. 1t is quite remarkable. Men who
have been behind for years and in the
hole are actually paying spot cash for
everything, and taking their cash dis
counts. Banks and loan companies
this fall will have more money than
they know what to do with.
'"This is about the condition of trade,
and am glad to say there is no exag-
geration in what I have said. The
business of the prairie provinces is in
splendid condition"
Crop reports are also good. From
all parts comes the word that the crop
conditions were never BETTER and the
situation at the time of writing is
that there will be fully as great a
yield as in 1915, when the average of
wheat over the entire country was up
wards of 80 bushels per acre. The
harvest therefore will be heavy one
and, following the magnificent harvest
of last year, the farmers of Western
Canada will all be in splendid shape.
Old indebtednesseS, much Of which
followed them from their old homes,
are being wiped out, improvements are
now being planned, and additional
acres added to their present holdings.
During the past year there was a
large increase in the land sales both by
the Canadian Pacific and Canadian
Northern land companies, as well as
by private individuals. A great many
of the purchases were made by farm
ers who thus secured adjoining quar-
ters or halves, the best evidence prob
ably that could be had of the value
of Western Canada land when those
who know the country best are adding
to their holdings. A number of out
siders have also been purchasers, but
very little land has changed hands for
speculative purposes.
An evidence of the prosperity of the
country is found in the fact that such
a large number of farmers are pur-
chasing automobiles.
Alleged hard times in Manitoba have
not dampened the ardOr of motorists
or prospective ones. The automobile
license department reported a few
days since that there are 1000 more
private owners of cars in the province
this year than last. The number OF
licenses issued this year was 1O,4O0, as
against $500 last year. At an aver
age cost of $1,000 each the newly pur'
chased cars represent a total outlay OF
$1.600,00O. while the total number OF
cars in the province are worth approx
imately $1O,OOO,OO0. The new cars are
of modern types.
Many people, for some unexplained
reason, have feared and continue tC
fear that this country will experience
dullness after the war. There seems
to be no justification for such a specu
lation.
On the contrary, there are SOUND
reasons for belief in the prediction OF
Mr.. Kingman Mott Robins, vice presi
dent Of the Farm Mortgage Bankers
Association of America, who, in the
Monetary Times, declares that Canada
will experience her greatest proper
tionate development in production i'm
mediately after the conclusion of the
war. The country will certainly have
exceptionally favorable commercial
conditions to take advantage of.
There will be the great need of Eu
rope in the work of reconstruction
Correct Answer.