Balfour Technical School - Beacon Yearbook (Regina, Saskatchewan Canada)

Page 16 text:

Auditorium cMujltliCfkU . . . flotur fynltesi (lejiarUd, The chalk and erasers that boys in Canadian schools throw across their classrooms would represent wealth to children in Prague, Brussels and Paris. These innocent war-victims are starving for food, food of body and of mind, said John W. Fisher, internationally known C.B.C. commentator, to Balfour Techni¬ cal Students. Mi-. Fisher spoke in the auditorium on Friday, February 21, on behalf of the Food for Children of Europe campaign. Fie spoke of Hanna, a twelve year-old girl and her brother who is eighteen, and how they had walked three hundred miles to their native town of Warsaw only to learn that it was so badly destroyed, they could not find their home. The government would have cared for them in an institution but these children were determined to have a home of their own. They have a home now—a clammy cellar furnished with the meagre necessities of one stove, one bed and a few pots and pans. The pathetic story of nine-year old Italo Grandi was told by our speaker. Two years ago, dried milk from Canada kept this orphan alive after a bomb explosion resulted in the loss of both his arms and his eyes. Medical authorities, after an examination, stated that the lad might have been another Einstein. Now, Italo Grandi, determined to read one day, is learning Braille with his nose and tongue. The spirit of the European people is not dead, said Mr. Fisher. During the war, schools taught nothing but Hitlerism and now the twisted minds of the children must be straightened—unless they soon receive something tangible from demo¬ cratic countries, they will turn to anyone —good or bad—for help. That tangible help must come from the countries who, except for the Atlantic Ocean, might be in the same misery today, continued Mr. Fisher. Canada is rich and able to produce food over and above her own needs. Inflation has such a strong grip on Europe that it is not sufficient for Canada to just send over food. That food must be marked “paid” first. In this way the European govern¬ ments may distribute this food to every¬ one, rich and poor alike. This is the reason why Canadians are asked to give one day’s pay. Regina, Mr. Fisher concluded, has always reached her objec¬ tive in Victory Loans. He is confident that she will do it again. Charlie Ilsley strengthened Mr. Fisher’s opinions of Regina and Balfour Technical students when he told him that B.T.S. students have set $1,000.00 as their objective in this campaign. Mr. Fisher can be sure that this amount will be mst and passed—Tech did it before for China— it can do it again for Europe. The program was conducted entirely by students. Alan Bell was chairman. Charlie Ilsley introduced the speaker and Nina Emerson thanked Mr. Fisher for his visit and address. A committee of students was set up to handle the Appeal on Behalf of Children. The objective set was $1,000. At the time of going to press it appeared that the objective would be easily reached. Form 2G was setting the pace. Bnyant 0 ' iG.ta ' uf, The Bryant Oratory Contest received an enthusiastic response from the student body this year. The school was well represented by six contestants from Grades 11 and 12. The judges were very pleased with the high literary content evident in the speeches as well as the obvious effort on the part of the contestants to make an audible delivery. Mr. Flegg, spokesman for the judges, remarked at the difficulty they had in arriving at a decision. First place was given to Ken Farmer for his speech “If The Marshall Plan Fails . . . .” Other contestants were Douglas Horan, “Aftermath of a Struggle”; Shirley Clarke, “The C.G.I.T.”; Glen Sage, “Scientific Achievements of Today and Tomorrow”; Shirlemae Grain, “Modern Education”. Nina Einerson was awarded runner-up for her speech “Problems of the Peace” which won favorable comment from the judges. Page 12 Balfour Beacon ' 8