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PAGE TWO

ABBOTSFORD,

SUMAS AND MATSQUI NEWS

Abbotsford, Sumas & Matsaui News
Established 1922
SANDS, Editor

Publisher

Wednesdiy

LANG. and

Published at Abbotsford, British Columbia, Every

In Canada, $1.20 per year in advance;
$2.00 per year in advance.

Subscription I
United Sta

adian We_kly Newspapers’ A ation and

Newspapers’ As.

Member of Can
B.C. Division, Canadian Weekly

Abbotsford, B.C., W cinesday, October 1, 1911

The Influence of the Newspaper

A year ago members 01 The Canadian Weekly Newspap-
ers Association (there ave more than 500 of us) decided to par-
ticipate in Ne Ss

yaper Week, which is an internat.onal press
feature observed annually, and to devote some of our space to
telling about our place and r ‘sponsibility in our respective
communities. Perhaps the reader may remember the feature
on this page last year when the 400th anniversary of the print-
ing press was-also observed but in any event, though it hardly
seems possible twelve whole months have again rolled behind
us, The News is taking a part of one of its eight local pages to
retell a story which we believe you wll find quite interesting.

It is unlikely that the vast influence of the newspaper
on the life of the community in which it is published is realized
by any great number of its readers. They look to it for the
news of the community; they consult it for dates and hours of
meetings of all kinds—ehureh, business, fraternal organizations,
college lectures, school entertainments, agricultural develop-
ments, and all gatherings.

They depend upon it to keep them informed of special
bargains in the mercantile establ shments. They also éxpect it
to give them entertainment and take their minds off the sordid
news of the wars.

Subseribers may eriticize some of the features of their
newspapers when they forget that it is printed for the entire
public, and not for this group or that, and that its purpose is
to g.ve all elements in the community a feeling that it is their
newspaper and interested in all of them, or they may laud its
broad principles and the services it renders their town or city.
But they seldom take time ‘n a busy world to realize fully the
enormous influence the newspaper exerts in the lives and ‘on
the opinions of its readers who make up the greater part of the
population of the region in wh ch it is published. *

The newspaper touches all phases of the life of the people
in and out of the home. By its frank publication of local
news, of all kinds, not white-wash:ng unpleasant facts but stat-
ing them clearly that readers may familiarize themselves with
them and use the weight of their ind-vidual and collective in-
fluence in voicing disapproval and effecting reform, it has an
untold though often unrecognized part in such reform.

The newspaper upholds all religious and educational
causes by giving them much publicity in its columns. It works
hard for welfare enterprises and through its news columns and
its editorial page is of vast assistance in persuading citizens to
lend their support to these important community efforts.

The newspaper seeks to come near to its readers and the
place it holds in their estimation is evidenced by the rush to
get ‘‘the paper’’ first when the paper comes off the press.
Father or mother or ch ldren hasten to find that which inter-
ests them most, whether it be local or provincial or national
political happenings, society notes, information on home-mak'ng
and housekeeping, agricultural news, or whatever. One paper
is seareely enough for a family of eager readers.

And all the while the newspaper is quietly exerting its
influence on the community, boosting what it knows will be
for the benefit, present and future; condemning what is bound
to work for its decadence. The good newspaper honestly tries
to use what it knows must be its power in the community for
the continual improvement of that community in all depart-
ments of its normal life.

No thoughtful person ean deny the power of the press
nor the part it plays in making local history, and no one can
w-sely make light of that power.

* a * 5

“On unity of purpose, devotion to justice, truth, demo-
cracy and the might of our aims rests our salvation. We must
stand firm.’’—Henry Wallace, Vice-President of the United
States.

What Do You Expect
From Your Newspaper

With intensified speed Canada goes full-out on the war.

CANADA’S WAR EFFORT

Hon. J. T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, re-
quests community chest committees and community organiza-
tions throughout Canada to confine their campaigns this Fall
to collection for peace-time local welfare objectives. “When the
National War Services drive is made next Spring,” said Mr.
Thorson, “it is desirable that the drive cover every community
in Canada. If some local drives are made this Fall, including
items for war services, then the commumities wherein such
drives are made would not expect to be included in the nation-
al drive in the Spring, which would create a very serious sit-
uation for those in charge of the national drive.”

Chief Justice W. F. A. Turgeon of Saskatchewan appointed
Canada's first minister to the Argentine.

Forty construction projects in twenty seven cities and
towns across Canada now being administered by Wartime
Housing Ltd. When completed, projects will include 4422 bun-
galows, 34 staff houses, four commissaries and certain other
construction work, including a manning Pool for merchant sea-
men on the east coast. Wartime Housing is a government-
owned company.

Order in Council passed requiring Canadian canners to use,
where possible, containers with reduced tin content.

Large increase in number of air training schools in Can-
ada and in the output of existing schools forecast by Air Vice-
Marshall Johnson, deputy chief of air staff.

Contracts awarded by Department of Munitions and Supply
during period September 10 to September 16, 1941 inelusive
numbered 3,157 and totalled $40,859,042, The largest order $19,
537,200 is for shipbuilding and goes to the West Coast Ship-
building Co., Wancouver,

“The Battle for Oil,” is the title of the latest film release
of the National Film Board. One of the “Canada Carries On”
series, it shows the vital part played by gasoline and oil in
modern war. In a wide variety of “shots” it covers the world’s
war fronts and takes the spectator back behind the
fronis to the oil fields themselves, including Canada’s won Tur-
ner Valley, where a special production unit was sent to gather
authentic material.

What do you expect from your

licy??.
out the truth.
to stifle the

pas:

local newspaper? Well you expect
; More from your newspaper than
you do from any other person or
institution to which you pay the
sum of $1.20 a year.
| You expect your newspaper to
| give you all the news for 52 weeks.
That’s why you pay $1.20 for it,
but,

You expect your newspaper to
take the lead in advocating changes
| for the betterment of the com-
munity.

You expect your newspaper to
‘expose graft in public affairs, to
‘forestall it by publishing itemized
accounts of all public moneys
' spent. ¢
| You expect your newspaper to
;Maintain a high standard of mor-
ality, supporting things that are
right and condemning things that
are wrong.

You expect your newspaper to
maintain a high standard of enter-
prise, devoting column after col-
umn to propaganda, supporting the
band, the baseball team, commun-
ity celebrations, Boy Scouts, high
school, athletics, school programs,
home talent plays and dozens of
such causes and events.

You expect your paper to boost
for good roads and protect your
community's claim to its share of
road improvements,

You expect your newspaper to
build up confidence in your home
financial institutions and protect
home investors from making un-
wise investments of surpius funds,
warning against fake salesmen and
other financial pirates.

You expect your newspaper fo
combat the peddler nuisance.

You expect your newspaper to
establish friendly contact with the
rural readers so as to induce them
to make your town thejr town.

You expect your newspaper to
give notice of all public meetings,
public observances, conventions,
ete.

You expect your newspaper to
urge support of poor relief bene-
fits, library drives, Red Cross
drives, Christmas Sea} drives, Le-
gion and Auxiliary drives, poppy
sales, forget-me-not sales, have-a-
heart drives, etc.

You expect your newspaper to
publish church notices, church
programs, club news, farm bureau
information, demonstration unit
news, market news, weather news,
bring you the market reports and
cove- all doings of the many semi-
public organizations.

You expect your newspaper to
support every meritious organiza-
tion effort for the town’s good.

And you expect all this for $1.20
a year.

No, it can’t be done for that.
The money you, as a subscriber
pay for this paper covers lessthan
one-fourth the cost of publishing
the paper. The other three-fourths
must be paid by advertisers.

Since the advertisers pay alarge
share of the expense of publishing
your newspaper, don’t you think
you owe them the duty to patron-
ize them whenever they offer you
equal or better values than non-
advertisers?

And you, Mr, Advertiser, don’t
ee think that in view of the many
| oeieaes which the newspaper per-.
; forms for which the newspaper
| derives no compensation, but which
mean more business and more pro-
fits to you, the newspaper deserves
your advertising and printing busi-
ness? Make your community news-
Paper your advertising and print-
ing medium and you help build up
the community. Send yout adyer-
Using dollar away from home and

you do just what you wouldn't
Want others to do to whom you
look for your business. It is just

as important that the advertising
dollar remains in the community
as it is for the grocery dollar and
the clothing dollar and the rest of
the commodity dollars that make
your town prosperous to remain at
home.

is not on trial.
still the newest thing on earth; too new even to be fully under-
stood. All else is a throwback to medievalism, cynicism, despon-
dency and despair, ;

rather we who are on trial.

have faith in Canada’s destiny.
free to speak, Canada will listen.
when you silence me you silence your own heart. IT must not be
enslaved, for when you enslave me you are alone, cut off from
reality, ab mdoned by truth, at the bottom of a black pit of hor-
rer and fantasy. Gag me and your children will never know the
Canada you have known. Keep me free and you will be free
and God will ‘“‘make us. mightier yet’’.

I look insignificant enough on your doorstep or in your
mail box, yet I am your link of understanding with a changing
world. I am a passing ephemeral thing, born and dying every
Yet I am one of the foundations of Democracy. I am
the conscience of Canada. I am beholden to no one. I tell you

week.

NEWSPAPER WEEK

Sponsored by the Canadian Week ly Newspapers Association

Weekly newspapers prime function
is the presentation of local NEWS —
accurately — impartially — completely

Your Weekly Newspaper

I am the voice of your town and county, the bringer of
tidings, the companion of your fireside hours, I am your friend
away from home. I am the prophet of tomorrw, your link with
the world beyond your doorstep.
But most of all, I am the conscience of Canada. And T must be
heard.

I have neve

ions and set fect tramping the long red road.

voices made me keep silent, as in France, while a trusting nation
died.

I am not infallible.

cience—and I will be heard.
I bid you have faith in Canada.
It is not outmoded, worn out, finished.

T tell you the Dominion of Canada is not on trial.

ative.

1 don’t think so.

the truth. And you trust me.

I am the free press of Canada. I am your Canadian

Weekly newspaper.

I am today’s link with history.

become ‘‘an instrument of government po-
T have never—as in certain coutries—been used to black-
No hidden power has used me, as in Germany,
idlicr instincts of a whole people, rouse barbaric
No secret

T have your weaknesses for I am of
syou and by you, but I also have your steadfast strength. Some-
times I have slumbered, complacent, and then wrongs were done.
But I have always awakened. 1 am’ the conscience of Canada—
your cons
I tell you Democracy
It is

It is
Tt is our faith, our courage that is
being put to the test and will be put to the test in the years to
come. Perhaps, caught in the mesh of social and economic change,
we shall give ear to the honeyed voices of the demagogues. Per-
haps, softened by case, corruption by paternalism, we shall for-
get truth, tolerance, kindliness, ini
that while the burden of responsibility always rests heavy on
the shoulders of those willing to bear it, that very willingney
makes those shoulders stronger.
Democracy is not for us, that we are not ready for it.
For I am Canada’s conscience and I
I know that as long as T am
I must not be silenced, for

Maybe we shall forget

Perhaps we shall decide that

Kd g

YOUR WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

INTERESTS EVERY

MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY

The Local Pastor; His
Views on the Weekly

By Rev. Edgar Warren

It came to me the other daythat
I never have had a city pastorate,
that all my charges have been in
country villages and thriving
towns. I count myself most for-
tunate that such it the case. A
city is all right to visit and to buy
and sell in, but when it comes to
a home there is no place like a
small town or village. And in my
work as a village pastor, I always
have found a strong ally in the
local paper.

The pastor of a village church
is supposed to be endowed with
supernatural insight and clairvoy-
ant powers, to possess special il-
lumination from on high. He is
supposed to know what new fam-
ilies have moved into the commun-
ity, and their church affiliation;
what households are to be con-
gtatulated or commiserated upon
the birth of a baby; who is sick
or has been involved in an auto
mobile accident; what couples have
lived together for 50 years in more
or less harmony and are to cele-
brate their golden wedding an-
niversary; what boy or girl is
going away to college or has
“accepted a position” in the city;
what three-year-old child has had
a birthday party. This knowledge
is all very important for it shows
him where to send a card or @
note and where to call. But,
strange to say, no one ever thinks
to give the minister this informa-
tion over the telephone or by word
of mouth. He has to pick it up by
himself as best he can, and discov-
er it in the column of the local
paper.

I Am The Printing Press

I am the printing press, born of the mother earth. My heart
is of steel, my limbs are of iron, and my fingers are of brass.

I sing the song of the world, the oratories of history, the
symphonies of all time.

I am the voice of today, the herald of tomorrow. I weave
into the warp of the past the woof of the future. I tell the
stories of peace and war alike. I make the human heart beat
with passion or tenderness. I stir the pulse of the nations, and
make brave men do braver deeds, and soldiers die.

I inspire the midnight toiler, weary at his loom, to lift his
head again and gaze, with fearlessness into the vast beyond,
seeking the consolation of a hope eternal.

When I speak, a myriad people listen to my voice. The
Saxon, the Latin, the Celt, the Hun, the Slav, the Hindu, all
comprehend me.

I am the tireless clarion of the news. I ery your joys and.
sorrows every hour. I fill the dullard’s mind with thoughts
uplifting. I am light, knowledge, power. I epitomize the con-
quests of mind over matter.

I am the record of all things mankind has achieved. My
offspring comes to you in the candle’s glow, amid the dim
lamps of poverty, the splendor of riches; at sarise, at high noon
and in the waning evening.

I am the laughter and tears of the world, and I shall never
die unti] all things return to the immutable dust.

I am the printing press.
—ROBERT H. DAVIS

I should hate to be a pastor of
a church in a town where there
was no local paper. I don’t know
how I would get along.In the min-
ister’s efforts to improve a town
he finds in the local paper a most
efficient ally. The paper will print
columns about local conditions that
need cleaning up. It will print
communications from “Vox Populi”
“Mother of a family’ and “Old
Resident”. And there are editors
of a crusading spirit who will back
up reforms and somtimes take the
initiative, even if their advertising
falls off and subscribers say, ‘Stop
my paper”.

The local paper is very generons
in opening its co‘umns to church
news. Some ministers take advan-
tage of this and flood the paper
each week with announcements. In
many cases the editor's generosity
is not appreciated, Not long ago T
heard a minister severely criticise
a local paper for lack of enter-
prise and editorial ability. That
week the paper carried 21 lines
of church notices from this minis-
ter, which, at 10 cents a line,
would haye cost him $210. Here
was a man who was getting $100
worth of free advertising for his
church each year and did not
show the slightest appreciation of
the fact.

Thank God, there are forces
which make for betterment in
every community! Among these
forces I count the church the
schoo}, the public library, the town
officers, the police, clubs and frat-
ernities, and the local paper. And
the local paper is not least.

WHAT MY HOME PAPER

MEANS TO ME TO-DAY
(A Woman Reader)

One hears, sees, and reads much
of Information Bureaus. My local
paper is to me a valued Informa-
tion Bureau.

Glancing over the headlines one
gets a general outline of the do-
ings of the week. Turning to the
editorials one gets information,
comments, and criticisms on these
doings.

From various items one keeps
informed on the progress being
made by untiring, self-sacrificing,
scientists, to whom is owed more
than can ever be repaird.

Reading the social column one
keeps in touch with society in
general.

From the advertisements much
that is useful can be learned.

The local paper is the “Who's
Who” of political life

The value of a local paper can-

not be overestimated.

geo