The Connecticut labor news., 1922-06-16
BIG BUSINESS PUTS SALES TAX
 OVER ON CANADIAN PUBLIC AND
 LIVING COSTS TAKE ANOTHER JUMP

al IldIIcHI Has spent the past week in a futile discussion of the budget, which includes the increased sales tax and other revenue propositions. Tn the end the consumer will pay be- tween $I.5o and S2 for every dollar that the dominion treasury receives from the taxation. It Is the old, old story of the government moving along the lines of least resistance, as a result of which the public will again be taxed in proportion to its obliga- tons, rather than upon its ability to pay. The laboring man with a large family will contribute more revenue than the bachelor with bank roll
 The debate will drag along for a few more days, then the vote; and the cost of living will be boosted to the accompaniment of a very determined effort on all sides to reduce wages
 New Immigration Bill. A sweeping change in the present methods of handling immigration is proposed in a bill introduced n par llament by an independent member, whose measure could apparently be used in such way as to restrict or entirely exclude Oreintals, although no direct mention of them is made The proposal is that all intending to emigrate from their native coun- l tries to Canada must first apply for entrance to the department of im1ni- ! grafton, stating country of origin, age, qualifications, and resources. Ap- plicarions will be dealt with in order and each applicant notified of the de- partment's decision before leaving his l native country. This notification, if favorable, will serve more or less i'll the nature of a passport and admit the holder
 Parliament will consider the bill, which has the merit of providing simple and direct means of restricting and controlling immigration. At the present time the government is notifying its officers in other coun- tries that there is no employment .here for artisans, but lots of oppor- tunities for farmers, farm workers, and domestic servants of a desirable class. The stipulation that immi- grants must have a minimum of $25o is no longer in effect.
 Very regularly, heads of govern ment departments bemoan of the fact tent employees. Current news pro vides two sidelights that furnish "the answer:
 The Dominion fruit commissioner resigned office the other day to be- come manager of the Niagara fruit growers organization at a salary just double what the people of Canada were paying him.
 And on the same day a report to the House of Commons made known the fact that over 7,7oo employees of the government are receiving smaller salaries than $500, while I3,5 500 are receiving less than 5000.
 It seems very probable that the eX- odus from the civil service will con- tinue until the powers that be realize the fact that inefficiency and low sal aries go hand in hand Meanwhile, private employers will continue to re- lieve the Dominion of it's best serv- ants by simply paying the laborer for his hire, in whole or in part.
 Freedom" As Is.
 A Canadian citizen can not offer himself as a candidate for provincial or federal legislature and at the same time remain an employe of the Can adian National Railroad, which is owned by the people of Canada. ;
 The ruling was laid down in 1920, on the ground that a C. N. R. em- ploye was civil servant, and there fore debarred from taking part in politics, and 1t has been enforced in the case of George H. Palmer, La bor- Farmer member of the Manitoba legislature last year, and now a can didate for reelection. Railway men intend fighting this unfair condition.
 While the United States Railroad Labor Board has reduced laborer's pay 10 from 43 to 5 cents an hour, the city of Ottawahas decided that 1t Is not right to ask civic laborers t/o work for less than 50 cents NJ --e your own comment
 The Ontario provincial gov hment has adopted bill providing for the incorporation of cooperative credit societies, empowered to make small loans to their members. It IS design ed to benefit civil servants, employees of various industries, members of churches, lodges, etc.
 When the Canadian National Rail road and the Grand Trunk are con solidated into one system Gnstead of maintaining separate entities, as at presenD the Canadian people will own the worlds largest mileage under one control.
 Excursion rates will not be re-es- tablished on Canadian railways at present. The parliamentary railway committee has killed a proposal to restore them.
 More time was lost in industrial disputes during April, 1921, according to department of labor statistics. There were in existence during the month 24 disputes involving about I7,4zS workers with an estimated time loss of 38I,I35 days.
 The Ontario minimum wage board has adopted a scale for women textile workers It ranges from $7 for be- ginners to $II.5o for adults.
 Members of the Ontario legislature have declined to discontinue paying themselves "bonus" of 5000 a year, turnino down a nronoSal to such ef-