The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-01-03

WorK was aken VPs
When the war started the perma-
nent army Of Canada consisted of O
good-sized police force Of $500 men
and a series of militia units devoted
largely to ceremonial parades. In the
space of time which outsiders have
characterized as remarkably brief the
country was transformed to a war
footing, 100000 men were raised,
equipped and sent overseas and mu-
nitions industry was rapidly developed
on extensive lines.
Today, when the benediction of
peace settles over a belligerent world.
the Dominion faces problems Of mag
nitude scarcely inferior to those of
the war. Demobilization of the forces,
4 reimbursement of industry to a peace
basis, provision for the homecoming
. and settlement Of soldiers, employment
of labor displaced by peace conditions
and also after-war finance-these con-
stitute complicated problems to which
the country is now addressing itself.
PROBLEMS or HeaoJustmenG
For the last fortnight in the Cana
dian capital there has been an activity
second only to that in 1914. Military
authorities dealing with demobiliza-
tion, manufacturers considering the
adjustment of trade conditions, rail-
way men planning to resume their sus-
pended constructive activities, labor
men graphing with the questions of
after-war adjustments, were first here
In series Of government conferences
and these were followed by joint con-
ference between the federal and the
local governments of all the provinces.
Projects are now well under way to
meet the new order Of things.
The forces intended for overseas
service now In Canada are to be demo-
bilized as soon as possible. They num-
Der about thirty thousand. Those over
seas are being brought back on sys-
tematic plan.
A problem coincident with demobili-
zation and for the present attracting
fully as much attention, is that of ma
tional reconstruction following the
war; A lot of munition plants are
shutting down. many of them engaged
on United States orders. TO a degree
which was not anticipated, however,
these manufacturers are turning to
other lines. and the displacement Of
labor, according to government re-
ports, is considerably below expecta-
ton.
Those who have studied the problem
and consideration was not left until
peace came-have reached the conclu-
sion that Canada's economic salvation
and the sustenance Of her industry on
the lines of present development lie in
building up an export trade. What the
country could do when put to the test
Was revealed In the munition business.
Seeks Reconstruction Orders.
A trade commission has been sent
over to London, headed by Lloyd Har-
ris, who was chairman Of the Cana
dian war mission at Washington. Mr..
Harris is millionaire manufacturer,
with a reputation as Give wire" in
getting business. 1t is asserted that
be directed something like $500, OOO,-
600 Of American business to Canadian
munition channels.
Mr.. Harris Is now going overseas to
endeavor to repeat the performance.
It is assumed that reconstructing the
devastated areas will call for heavy or
ders for all sorts of material and Can
ada hopes to be in on what is going
on. A central commission at Ottawa
Is being constituted to allocate the
business that Is now. In prospect and
to work in close cooperation with the
London body.
The munitions business from the al
He'd governments, In which Canada
shared so generously, came not so
much on the basis of competition as
upon the country's capacity to deliver
the goods expeditiously at a fair price.
The same system, It is expected, will
be applied In respect to the business
arising overseas In connection with re-
construction.
With regard to the returned soldiers
the projects Of the government provide
for their being placed to a considera-
BILE extent on the land to increase pro-
duction. Vast areas In the West are
to be opened up. For land purchased
the soldiers will pay 10 per cent down
and the rest gradually In 20 years.
Each man Will be given loan up to
$500 to buy implements and furnish
ings.
Preparations also are being made for
land settlement Of immigrants gener-
ally. They are to be assisted Jointly
BY the Dominion and the provinces Up
ward Of one hundred and twenty-five
thousand soldiers have intimated their
desire to 60 on the land, but from the
propaganda now being carried on 1t Is
expected this number will be material
ly Increased.
There is to be, moreover, system
of national technical education direct
81 by the provinces and sustained by
federal grants. Vocational schools nre
operating all over the country to train
the mnimed and wounded for new
lines Of work.