The Benson signal., 1917-02-24
SEVEN YEARS AGO
AND TODAY
Then He Had 6 Mules, $500
Cash and Some Equity-Today
He Has $4,000 and Owns
2 Sections of Land.

The story of the wealth of Western
Canada cannot be told too often; the
truth will bear repeatings. And in
telling of it it is hoped that advantage
will be taken of the great opportuni-
ties that Western Canada offers by
those who are today struggling for
mere existence, by those who are oc-
cupying lands, high in price and high
In rentals.
From grain, live stock and dairying
in 1916, there was a return from the
three Prairie Provinces of $258, 100000,
or an increase of four million dollars
over 1915, and 118 million dollars over
1914.
A prominent Trust Company says
Some of our contract holders have paid
off their purchase money on lands
bought year ago out of this years
crop, and what one man can do anoth-
er can do. Thousands of Southern AL
berta farmers harvested an average
of 40 to so bushels of No. 1 wheat to
the acre. These farmers have more
real money to spend than any other
people on the American Continent. J.
D. Johnston of Bladsworth, Sask., left
Johnson County, Kansas, seven years
ago. When he left he had $500 in
cash, six mules, some settlers effects
and an equity in some prairie land.
Mr.. Johnston tells his story:
''In my seven years residence in
Saskatchewan, have raised seven
good crops the value of this years
crop alone being Twenty thousand dol
lars. now own Two Sections of i'm
proved land, II horses and mules, 40
cattle, large steam thresher and a
full line Of farm machinery"
We have made five trips to Kansas,
one trip to the Pacific Coast and re-
turn. We have enjoyed the society of
class of people than whom none bet
ter can be found. The climate is
healthful and invigorating. The soil
is fertile and productive, well adapted
for the production of the best quality
and large yields of all cereals and
vegetables, wild and tame grasses. 1t
is an excellent stock country"
The question of taxes is one that
carries with it considerable weight
Coming from a man like Mr.. Johnston
the same weight should be given the
answer. He says:
The tax system especially commends
itself to me as being simple, reason
able and just. All direct taxes are
io6 hn OF fc n6
market value, exclusive of improve
ments thereon. No tax on personal
property. This tends to discourage
the holding of lands by spectators
who prevent it's cultivation or improve
ment, hoping to realize profits from the
enhanced value Of their holdings due
to the industrial activities of the bona
fidc settlers. It tends to encourage the
settlers to rear substantial improve
ments upon their land without paying
a penalty in the form of taxation
therefor. It encourages the raising Of
live stock and the possession of other
personal property necessary to the de-
velopment of the country.
'The laws are we'll and economically
administered. Citizens of the Domin-
ion vote on election of members Of
parliament and members of the Pro-
vincial assembly, while on questions
of local improvements and school mat
ters the franchise is exercised by rate
payers, irrespective Of citizenship.
The people are enterprising, school
facilities are good Taxation, just and
reasonable. Military service vOlun-
tary. Patriotic fervor unsurpassed,
law and order the rule, and crime the
rare exception. 1t is the land Of
banks, schools, telephones. grain ele-
vators, broad, fertile acres, good eli
mate, good citizenship and abounding
in opportunities for the industrious
man or woman of good morals, in
short, the land Of promise and fulfill
ment, I know of no better anywhere"
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