The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1954, Page 18

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Spring 1954
which is going on. Staunch believers
in private enterprise as the vehicle to
carry on the business of our country,
we see in this phase of our economy
the expression of the spirit of those
who pioneered our land—a desire to
improve our position according to the
effort we put into our task, and the
feeling of independence which ac-
companiespt, and yet, not only are our
people willing, but have a real desire,
to have our governments, at all levels,
provide proper facilities for education,
hospitals, underprivileged people, old-
age pensioners, and for welfare cases.
Here is what the boy to whom I refer-
red saw in the community in which he
lived fifty years ago—a tolerant, law-
abiding, people, a real community spir-
it, and not only a willingness but a
desire on the part of the people to
give a helping hand to those in need.
In the social legislation which is on
our Statutes, at all levels of govern-
ment in Canada, we see implemented
that side of our pioneers—the helping
hand. So I say, Mr. President, there
hasn’t been much change in the at-
titude of the Canadian people.
I am sure, Mr. President, in speak-
ing as the son of immigrant parents to
•the Canadian Club of a city which
has a blending of nationals from all
parts of the world, my observation will
be understood when I say I am proud
I am a Canadian.
Yes, Mr. President, a great respons-
ibility is in the hands of the Canadian
people. What are we doing about it?
I remember quite well the general
election of 1911— I lacked by a few
months the age required to vote. How
I would have voted has no bearing on
what I am going to say. One of the
deepest impressions left on my mind
of that election is a statement made by
Sir Wilfred Laurier when he said the
“Twentieth Century belongs to Can
ada”. I remember the uncertainty of
the period prior to the first World
War, I recall—after serving overseas in
the first World War and returning to
my home in Viotoria-4hat opportun-
ities for employment were few and that
many of our young people migrated to
the United States. Then the world-
wide depression in the 30’s— the Sec-
ond World War, in which our Can-
ada played a glorious part; then peace,
followed by a period of reconstruction.
Throughout all these trying times the
people of Canada kept their feet on
the ground. Looking back over the
first half of the “Century which be-
longs to Canada”, one has not seen the
fulfilment of Sir Wilfred’s prophecy,
at least, not until the last few years of
that period, when Canada really start-
ed to come into her own. Although I
know what I am about to say is known
to all in this room, let me review
briefly the shape of the mould we as
Canadians are shaping for the develop-
ment of our country:
1. We have added a tenth province.
Newfoundland, guarding as it does
the entrance to the St. Lawrence, is a
must from the defence point of view.
Her people have the good fortune of
being not only Newfoundlanders but
also Canadians, and Canada has the
opportunity of assisting in developing
Newfoundland’s rich resources and as-
sisting in raising the standard of liv-
ing of the people of that Province.
2. Development of iron ore depos-
its in Quebec and Labrador.
3. The St. Lawrence Waterway and
increased power available at sites on
the waterway—more important value
of deepsea shipping ports at Lake-
head.
4. Construction of inter-provincial