Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1917 — SEVEN YEARS AGO AHD TO-DAY [ARTICLE]

SEVEN YEARS AGO AHD TO-DAY

Then He Had 6 Mules, $660 Cash and Some Equity—Today He Has $20,000 and Owns 2 Sections of Land. *The story of the wealth of Western Canada cannot be told too often; the truth will bear repeatings, And in telling of it it is hoped that advantage will be taken of the great opportunities that Western Canada offers by those who are today struggling for a mere existence, by those who are occupying lands, high in price and high in rentals. From grain, live stock and dairying in 1916, there.jvas-.4T return f rom-the three Prairie Provinces of $258,000,000, or an increase of four million dollars over 1915, aud 118 million dollars over 1914. A prominent Trust Company says: Some of our contract holders have paid off their purchase money on lands bought a year age out of this year’s crop, and what one man can do another can do. Thousands-of-Southern Alberta farmers harvested an average of 40 to 50 bushels of No, 1 wheat to the acre. These farmers have more real money to spend than any other people on the American Continent. J. I). Johnston of Bladswofth, Sask., left Johnson County, Kansas, seven years ago. When he left he had $660 in cash, six mules, somesettler’s effects and an equity in some prairie land. Mr. Johnston tells his storv; .

“In my seven years’ residence in Saskatchewan, I have raised seven good crops the value of tins year’s crop alone being Twenty thousand dollars. I now own Two Sections of improved land,l7 hdfses and niules, 40 cattle, a large steam thresher and a full line of farm machinery.” We have made five trips to Kansas, one trip to the Pacific Coast and return. We have enjoyed the society of a class of people than whom none better can be found. The climate is healthful and invigorating. The soil Is fertile and productive, well adapted for the production of the best quality and large yield? of . all cereals and vegetables, wild and tame grasses. It is an excellent stock country.” .The question of taxes is one that carries with it considerable weight. Coming from a man like. Mr. Johnston the same weight should be given the answer. He says: The tax system especially commends "Itself.to me ds~being simple, reasonable and just. All direct taxes are' levied on the land at its appraised market value, exclusive «of improvements thereon. No tax on personal property. This tends to discourage the holding of lands by speculators who prevent its cultivation or improvement, hoping to realize profits from the enhanced value of their holdings due to the industrial activities of the bona fide settlers. It tends to encourage tlte settlers to rear substantial improvements upon their land without paying a penalty in the form of taxation therefor. It encourages the raising of live stock and the possession of other personal property necessary to the development of the country.

“The laws are well and economically administered. Citizens of the Dominion vote on election of members of parliament and members of the Provincial assembly, while on questions of local improvements and school matters the franchise is exercised by ratepavers, irrespecllvc of citizenship. The lieople are enterprlslng- achoot facilities are good Taxation, just and reasonable. Military service voluntary. Patriotic fervor unsurpassed, law and order the rule, and crime Vie rare exception. It is 'the land of banks. Schools, telephones, grain elevators, broad, fertile acres, good climate, good citizenship and abounding tn opportunities for the industrious man or woman of good morals, in slioft, the land of promise and fulfillment, I know of no better anywhere.” —Advertisement.