The Washington herald., 1918-07-29
WAR VETERANS
PLAN CANADIAN.
LAND PROGRAM
Association to Push Social
Reform-The G. A. r.
Of Dominion.
By FREDERICK N. kERBY.


BY FREDERICK M. KERBY.
Toronto, Ont, July zs.-A movement,
born In Canada and destined 10 haye
the most far-reaching effects Is cel-
ebrating its second anniversary here
today. It is the Great War Veterans
Association Of Canada, with a men,
bership already Of 1000.
The association was formally or
ganized in Winnipeg, April Is. l9l7. as
the outgrowth Of local organizations
OF men returned from the front, who
needed a central body to take up
grievances with the Dominion govern
ment of Ottawa
It's growth and success have been
remarkable. It's future program is
big with possibilities. And its exten-
sion to the United States Is inevitable
Ninety-hve Per Cent join.
Between 500 and 1000 Canadian
soldiers are returning to Canada
every week, and the association
reaches all; s5 per cent are joining.
Its FIRST efforts were devoted to
the vast number Of claims. griev-
ances, pension matters and relief
cases of soldiers and their depend
ents. Its central once, occupying
the whole foor of an Ottawa once
building. is the recognized chapel
Of communication between veterans
and government departments. Last
year the association'had an order-in-
council passed materially increasing
pension allowances. The Veterans
Association also had much to do
with putting through the Canadian
conscription, act
But its most significant activity
lies ahead. 1t is looking forward to
the problems OF reeonstruction after
the war-and no halfway measures
will do. It's members. all young.
went to the trenches with high
idealism. willing to sacrifice all for
a cause. they are determined that
the fruits of victory shall mean a
better Canada for the average man
to live in.
Rehabilitation of the army into
civil life is the most important prob
lem before u.s." Secretary Robert n.
Stewart told me in a two-hour talk.
IF peace should come tomorrow
and rehabilitation be made neces-
sary at a time when munition-pak-
ing would automatically cease. ades-
perate problem of unemployment
would be presented. There is one
obvious remedy-land!
''Rich lands Of the West. near the
railways, are now held idle by spec
ulators and land and railway COM
panies. Sacrifices glorious and pre-
cious have been made on Flanders
fields and sacrifices must be made
at home. Agricultural production
must be increased, and our return
ing army can be used to increase. IL.
I'VE also want to see the conven-
ton urge the government to plan
afforestation. to encourage develop
ment OF industrial villages in min
ing districts with soldiers as en-
ployes. and to encourage any Ie-
Ultimate enterprise that has in view
the increase OF national wealth.
Fulfilling Of the pledges made by
the government and people Of Can
ada TO care for the returning army
entails a wholesale reform. OF the
existing order Of things. and recon
sideration OF the status Of many
established institutions"
That expresses the spirit of the
movement-"Wholesale reform Of the
existing order-of things"
These men, who have seen expert
ments tried with whole divisions of
mel in battle, are not afraid to try
experiments with the existing order
OF things. In April they urged the
government include in the taxation
measure a heavy tax on land held out
Of use for speculation. The acting
finance minister replied that the gov
ernment would give the proposal the
most serious and careful considera-
ton"
The government has to,
When all Canada's soldiers return.
there will be more than half a mil
lion potential members of the Veter-
ans Association. With their female
relatives and dependants, who now
have the suffrage. this group will hold
the balance of power on any public
question
So far the association Is strictly
nonpartisan, but its poli--cal power
is great, nevertheless.
1t hopes to break up the two-party
system of Canada. and substitute
system of proportional representa-
ton by which groups of voters who
think alike will vote together to send
representatives to Parliament instead
Of sending representatives from geo
graphical districts.
The contact these men have had
overseas with men from other coun-
tries has taught them what New
Zealand and Australia have done
to popularize government. help
settlers and protect labor.
Most of the veterans may be ex-
pected to align themselves POLITICAL
ly with a western radical group. or
a national labor party. which they
believe will emerge from the pres
ent moribund political parties of
Canada. !
II am advising them I believe thes
should get ready for the organiza-
tion of the Great War Veterans As
sociation Of the U. s. A; the two or
ganizations could then work to-
gether." said Stewart. There is no
doubt a similar moyement will crvs-