Daniel (Dan) McIvor
Liberal
Mr. Mclvor:
I want to say a word or two at this time, Mr. Chairman. As I sat and listened I heard repetition not only by those on this side of the house but by those on the other side, even the minister himself. They repeated themselves several times. I will give the minister an example. He said several times that this was a good bill. He said more than once that the bill was not intended as a cure-all for farmers' ills. I am not going to repeat anything that anyone else has said.
I have two things to suggest to the Minister of Agriculture about how to keep young men on the farm and how to get young men on the farm. The first is that there should be places where training could be given to young men from the old country who' have a bit of money and who want to go on the farm in this country. I know that formerly farmers used to have young men out from England, especially, including relatives, and train them for the farm. I think in every
Agricultural Products-Price Stabilization
province there should be farmers, preferably farmers who were trained at an agricultural college, to whom these young men could go to learn practical farming. I also think that they should be paid a salary according to what they were able to earn.
The other thing I wish to say is that if you are going to hold young men on the farm there must be a bit of fun for them. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"- that is very true. I am judging from two old farming districts west of Fort William, where they could teach the rest of Canada a lot of things. In that area they have their sons following them on their farms, and their sons' sons. Why? Because farming is fairly successful and is just as enjoyable as any other occupation in Canada.
We have in these districts a baseball league, and if you want to see competition at its highest and hottest you will see it there; and it is good ball. In the winter the young men have a hockey league, and there the competition is just as keen. People turn out to see their sons and sometimes their daughters play hockey., Not only that, but those who come out to see these games are entertained with refreshments which heat them up and do not go to their heads. Also in the winter there is a community centre where the older people can go and play indoor games, while in the summer the older people have their horseshoe competitions; and if anybody thinks he is an expert horseshoe pitcher let him come out and we will take him on any time.
I would suggest to the Minister of Agriculture that he plan some game or games. I have in mind a game called "chum how" which would, I am sure, entertain farmers all over the country. I think these things are worthy of consideration.
Subtopic: MEASURE TO PROVIDE GUARANTEED PRICES FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES, ETC.