tN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 19 Continued from page 1 AIR POLLUTION because of-the pollution in the air. Everybody, especially the housewife, does consider- able extra, unnecessary work caused by air pollution. Every- body struggles with some physical and mental ill effects from air pollution, and this committee is convinced that tthe effects are fatal sooner or later to no negligible number of unfortunate people.” Here are some of the ways the air is polluted — and some of the effects: @ The worst offender to- day (if we omit radioactive dust from nuclear explosions) is the automobile. In Ontario alone a billion gallons of gaso- line were burned last year. The critical level has already been reached in Toronto and will hit the rest of the prov- ince in five years. The effects of auto exhaust are found in irritation of mu- cous membrane . and other health damage; reduced visi- bility, injury to vegetation, Ste: The committee recommends that as soon as the auto in- dustry has perfected devices to control the exhaust, they must be made mandatory. @ Incineration of garbage has become a hazard and new ways other than burning must be found. Every ton of re- fuse burned gives off 20 bil- lion particles of dust. @ Railways and shipping, serious offenders, must be brought under control and electrification of railways in cities is advocated. @ Farmers do not escape the ravages of pollution. It contributes “in a substantial degree to crop failures and losses, to malnutrition and dis- ease in livestock, to reduction in milk, cheese and meat sup- ply, and to premature deteri- oration of farm buildings, ma- chinery and equipment.” @ Pollution affects every- one’s health but is ‘“particu- larly oppressive to infants, the aged and all those suffering from heart and respiratory diseases.” It is also a factor in infant mortality. ® Toronto, according to Metro Ghairman Gardiner, is one of the dirtiest cities in North America in degree of pollution. An exhaustive study is being made in Windsor, the results of which are not yet known. @ The situation is so seri- ous it must be tackled “promt- ly, courageously and with the full support of all parties. This is not a job for amateurs and half-way measures will not be good enough.” You are Cordially Invited to attend a READERS’ CONFERENCE to discuss the PACIFIC TRIBUNE * with the staff Friday, March 1 - 8:00 p.m. PENDER AUDITORIUM 3RD FLOOR LOUNGE 339 West Pender Street ————--——— Refreshments will be served Lands and Forests Minister Ray Williston indicated to the legislature thi S week thal he would go to West Germany to see the monorail line (above) which will be ‘the proto- type of the line the Wenner-Gren interests propose building along the Rocky Mountain ‘french. Smith asks boost In pension ‘bonus’ VICTORIA, B.C. An increase in the provincial ‘‘bonus’’ to old age pensioners, amendments to the Workmen's Compensation Act to boost widows’ pensions and government action to find new markets for British Columbia’s timber and wood products were called for by J. Donald Smith, Socred member for Victoria, in his maiden speech in the House Monday this week. Ald. Smith, a plain-speak- ing man, minced no words in describing the plight of “those citizens who must live on fix- ed incomes and pensions.” “Our elderly people have a better deal coming to them — net as a privilege, not as char- ity, but as an absolute right,’ he said. “A right to the share of the wealth which we would not be enjoying were it not for Auto manufacturers plan engine changes OTTAWA Auto ~ manufacturers say they may make. radical changes in engine design next year. in order to reduce the deadly exhaust that is now fouling the atmosphere. This was reported in the House of Commons recently’ by Health Minister Paul Martin. He said the Big Three auto makers were pooling resources to develop devices to burn off the carbons. (The Ontario legislature re- port on air pollution said such devices will be available by 1959 and will sell for $19.) their pioneering work. “The finest centennial pro- ject we could undertake would be to provide suitable recogni- tion to our pioneers in the form of a $10 monthly in- CLCASC 23 ue “T would also ask that ser- ious consideration be given to amending the Workmen’s Compensation Act to bring widows’ pensions up to $100 per month and increasing the age of eligible dependents to 18 years.” Blaming Ottawa’s “tight money” policy for local lay- offs in the lumber industry, Smith declared that “lumber will not move from the mill- yards because this federal pol- icy has strangled our home and light construction indus- try. : “Liberals like to boast of their $480 million federal bud- get surplus. Liberals always create surpluses '— a surplus of. wheat on the prairies, a surplus of lumber in B.C., a surplus of fish in ‘the Mari- times — and a surplus of peo- ple who would build new homes tomorrow if it were not for the tight money policy. “I call on our department of trade and industry to leave no stone unturned in expanding FEBRUARY 22, 1957 — PACIFIC TRIBUNE—PAGE 16 - our present markets and de- veloping new outlets for our timber and wood products.’. The Victoria alderman -also backed the UBC _ students’ brief urging greater provincial support for the university; suggested that the time ‘has come for establishment of a full-scale university -at Vic- toria; and proposed publica- tion of a provincial Hansard “to complement this govern- ment’s policy of keeping the public informed.” LABOR-PROGRESSIVE POINT of VIEW by “NIGEL. MORGAN.