Si M k 1 LEON BALCER flag debate Soon End Flag Debate MONTREAL CP The Progressive Conservative par partys ¬ tys Quebec leader said today the common debate on the flag should be finished by the end of the week Leon Dalcer did not elab elaborate ¬ orate on his prediction But he did stress during a speech to the Chamber de Commerce de Montreal that a distinctive Canadian flag is one of the necessary parts of a new cons constitution ¬ titution for Canada Mr Balcer again suggested that a Royal Commission be established to draw up plans for a revamped Canadian cons constitution ¬ titution He said Quebec democracy is in great danger in view of what he listed as three dis disturbing ¬ turbing developments Mr Bal Balcer ¬ cer said he is disturbed when he thinks in his words a trade union as discredited as the Seafarers International Union giving money for elec elections ¬ tions to the agents of the peo peoples ¬ ples representatives He also referred to in his words fact that an interna international ¬ tional narcotics ring can ex extend ¬ tend its tentacles into the of offices ¬ fices of government ministers and MPs and that finally fraud fraudulent ¬ ulent bankruptcies tarnish the reputation of those who have been elected by the people Mr Balcer filled in for Op Opposition ¬ position Leader Diefenbaker whose scheduled address to the Chambre was cancelled after Mr Diefenbaker became ill BIG PARTY NO WEDDING LONDON AP - Horace Davison and Jean Dixon dropped in on the local vicar in Nedviorth County Dur Durham ¬ ham again today in a new effort to get married Their first one didnt work but they had a whale of a wedding reception for 80 guests Davison 32 and Miss Dixon 28 showed up Satur Saturday ¬ day at St Nicholas Church he in his best bib and tucker she in a lacy bridal gown Vicar James Beattie said he was sorry but he had for forgotten ¬ gotten to put the thing down in his book and the banns had not been announced so no wedding Halfway between embar embarrassment ¬ rassment and anger the bridal couple trooped out fol followed ¬ lowed by their guests They all repaired to Jeans home where Dad Edward Dixon manfully carried on Said her father There should have been a wedding everybody is dressed up for it and whats more important the wine is chilled So the party went on Jean in her pink honeymoon dress and the almost groom in his travelling suit The vicar meantime got busy on the banns and a spe special ¬ cial licence At todays parley it was arranged to conduct the ceremony next Saturday The reception was Just a rehearsal the couple said Access Road Work Starts From Topley BURNS LAKE Correspon Correspondent ¬ dent A spokesman for the department of highways says clearing of the right-of-way for a six mile access road from Topley Landing to the ferry dock for the Granisle Copper mine Is due to begin this week The road is to be constructed on a cost share basis with the department of mines Other improvements also will be carried out In that area Including reconstruction of three small bridges damaged In the spring floods These are the Tachek Creek bridge 11 miles from Topley strimbold Creek 14 miles and Lower Tachek Creek bridge 18 miles from Topley on the Topley Land Landing ¬ ing road CAKED TO UNWED WINNIPEG CP -The Bella Rosa home for unwed mothers here has cared for more than 9000 women since It was estab established ¬ lished In 1898 by the Sisters of Mlsericordla Wednesday December 9 1964 THE CITIZEN 17 Good Reason to Approach the New Year with Confidence Trends within the economy may be more varied and increases in output more moderate than in 1964 but in general economic conditions should continue to be favourable said JPR Wadsworth President addressing the 98th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce We meet today at the close of a year that has been favourable for Canada in many respects Economic con conditions ¬ ditions within our country have been generally good with each major region continuing to participate in the general prosperity Total Gross National Product in 1964 is now expected to exceed 46 billion an increase over last year of some 6 per cent in volume and approaching 8 per cent valued in current dollars This is the fourth year of steady growth achieved without marked pressures on labour and materials and within a framework of comparatively steady prices It is a good record of sustained expansion The strong rise in output this year has been achieved primarily through a sharp increase in export sales and a substantial rise in private capital investment Exports On the export side strong demand from the United States the United Kingdom and other overseas customers has resulted in high volume sales of Canadas major traditional export items including wheat and flour newsprint and pulp lumber and ply plywood ¬ wood and various semi processed non ferrous mineral prod products ¬ ucts In addition there has been a sharp rise in shipments of iron ore and concentrates and there have been substantial sales of aircraft and parts semi fabricated steel industrial and farm machinery and automotive products Exports of products from the secondary manufacturing industries have shown encourag encouraging ¬ ing gains in volume and variety and the delivery of a sub substantial ¬ stantial portion of the 250 million bushels of wheat sold to the Soviet Union has been a major supplement to the usual flow of exports The total value of merchandise exports from Canada is estimated at S62 billion for the first nine months of 1964 an increase of about 23 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year Capital Investment Capital investment has also been the source of substantial stimulus to the economy The estimate of total outlays for private and public investment including housing is S108 billion for this year If this program is accomplished it will mean an increase in outlays over last year of about SI5 billion by far the sharpest Increase since 1956 The sharp rise in capital investment in the business sector has resulted from a combination of developments World demand for the products of our mines and forests has increased in a number of the basic resource industries to an extent that war warrants ¬ rants further expansion of capacity The development of extensive energy resources is going ahead following the con consummation ¬ summation of agreements for the sale of power to the United States Industrial Production The general pattern of industrial activity has reflected the stimuli from exports and capital investment as well as the strength of domestic demand Industrial production rose sharply during the latter part of last year and has moved gradu gradually ¬ ally higher in a saw tooth pattern through 1964 The average level of industrial production in the first eight months of this year was 9 per cent higher than in the corresponding period of last year Agriculture The outstanding development in the agricultural sector has been the very high volume of wheat exports in the crop year ending July 31 1964 Wheat and flour exports amounted to nearly 600 million bushels almost 80 per cent higher than in the previous year and almost double the average for the preceeding ten year period The dollar value of wheat exports in the last crop year was more than SI billion and the major export mar market ¬ ket for Canadian wheat was the Soviet Union which purchased about 40 per cent of total export shipments The wheat crop this year is estimated at some 600 million bushels 1 7 per cent below last years record harvest but still the fourth largest on record Consumer Sector Personal expenditures advanced markedly during the last half of 1963 and the early part of this year The rate of spend spending ¬ ing for durable goods was especially strong paced by record purchases of automobiles Outlays for imported goods and for travel abroad increased quite sharply following the pattern of previous business expansions In the second quarter of this year consumer expenditures increased only slightly but the year-over-year increase was still almost 7 per cent Personal income has followed a similar pattern rising sharply in the fourth quarter of 1963 and the first quarter of this year Government Sector In the first seven months of the current fiscal year April to October the Federal budgetary surplus was S451 million com compared ¬ pared with a deficit of SI 286 million in the corresponding period of 1963 In the seven month period this year expendi expenditures ¬ tures were up 755 million but revenues were up S655 million which suggests there is some possibility of balancing the Federal budget in the current fiscal year Employment The advance in economic activity this year has been accom accompanied ¬ panied by some increase in employment The total number of people at work in September was estimated at 6754000 an increase of 189000 over a year earlier Unemployment was estimated at 218000 in September 1964 some 32000 under a year earlier The employment picture in terms of the utilization of the labour supply is the most favourable since 1957 and in some regions there are indications of considerable pressure on the supply of certain types of labour Balance of Payments Canadas balance of payments for the first half of 1964 showed a deficit in the current account of 518 million com compared ¬ pared with a deficit of S452 million in the corresponding period last year Exports and imports were up substantially in volume each gaining over 20 per cent Merchandise exports for the six months period amounted to 83927 million and imports were valued at 3767 million the resulting favourable balance on merchandise trade was 1 60 million up 1 2 million from a year earlier At the same time the continuing deficit on non-merchandise transactions increased from 600 million to 678 million chiefly the result of larger deficits in the travel account and the interest and dividends account In total the current account deficit increased by 66 million In this connection it is important to note the very sharp increase in the deficit on current account transactions with the United States built up principally as the result of the much larger inflow of merchandise imports although there was also some increase in the deficit on non merchandise transactions Outlook for 1965 It is from a record level of economic activity in the final quarter of this year that we move on into 1 965 The levelling out which appeared in some areas of the economy around mid midyear ¬ year turned out to be temporary and the strong upward trend in total output was resumed in the fall The economy still appears to be functioning in good balance inventory sales ratios in manufacturing are satisfactory by historical standards the volume of unfilled orders is substantial and competition is keep keeping ¬ ing a tight rein on prices Strength is continuing to flow from many sources There are indications that the surge in capital investment will continue through next year although the increase in volume may be somewhat less than this year The climate for Canadian exports may not be quite as fa favourable ¬ vourable next year Assessments of the economic outlook for the United States in 1965 indicate a somewhat slower rate of increase in economic activity than this year Overseas there has been some slowing down in growth rates in anumber of coun countries ¬ tries which purchase substantial quantities of Canadian products Consumer expenditures and government outlays for goods and services the other two major sectors of final product demand have provided firm support to the economy through this year Changes in detailed patterns of expenditure in these areas arc to be expected as demands change in response to shifting income flows population groupings and various special influences However there docs not appear to be any reason to anticipate marked changes in the general trends of demand in these two sectors During the coming year the economy will continue to be affected by events and changes in policy at home and abroad that arc difficult if not impossible to foresee With this im important ¬ portant proviso in mind there is good reason to approach the new year with confidence Trends within the economy may be more varied and increases in output more moderate than in 1964 but in general economic conditions should continue to be favourable Saving and Investment in the Canadian Economy There has recently been a good deal of discussion in Canada about the extent to which Canadians are themselves providing the necessary financing for their economic development The largest single source of savings and hence of investment funds is from the retained earnings and depreciation allow allowances ¬ ances of corporations The most important use of such savings is to finance additional real investment in Canada covering new construction new machinery and equipment including mining equipment and drilling costs The second major source of investment funds is personal savings The savings derived from the business and personal sectors of our economy would normally be more than adequate to finance the real investment required by the private sector This how however ¬ ever is not the whole story since the various levels of govern government ¬ ment also draw heavily on the savings of the community and the net borrowings of the government sector have the effect of reducing the amount of savings available for investment in the private sector of the economy The extent to which the volume of domestic savings falls short of the achieved level of invest investment ¬ ment both private and public is also the measure of our net import of foreign capital If the problem is examined in these more fundamental terms there are two courses of action each of which could help to reduce the gap between the actual volume of domestic savings and the volume required to meet the demands in Canada for private and public investment The first approach is to try to encourage a greater flow of domestic savings in this connection taxation policies are obviously of great importance The second is to reduce the net diversion of investment funds to all levels of government leaving a larger portion of present savings available for produc productive ¬ tive employment in the private sector Canada Pension Plan The Canada Pension Plan now before Parliament will have an important influence on the flow of savings and the pattern of investment It is important to consider what the impact of the plan will be on the availability of investment funds for use in the private sector of the economy as well as its effect on the over all rate of growth in Canadian productive capacity Much will depend on the ways in which the funds are used by the responsible government authorities and on whether the availa availability ¬ bility of these funds tends to encourage increased government expenditures Another aspect of the problem is the way in which savings are mobilized and made available to those requiring them to finance economic activity As already indicated business enter enterprise ¬ prise may use its own savings directly for investment purposes but its ability to do so frequently depends on the availability of working capital loans from the chartered banks Insurance companies and pension funds also play a very important role in the process of gathering together savings and making them available in an economical and effective way for a wide range of economic activities An important factor is that these institu institutions ¬ tions operate through a market process so that borrowers whether private or governmental have to compete for funds on a price basis and lenders obtain a return which corresponds to the value placed on their funds in a free market Role of Chartered Banks The chartered banks of course have a crucial part to play in the whole operation of the capital markets As a major deposi depository ¬ tory of the savings of the community they are also a major source of financing for business personal and governmental operations The funds entrusted to the banking system whether as savings deposits demand deposits or other types of liabilities are in no sense idle funds They are constantly at work in the form of loans and investments in every branch of economic activity in Canada The Chief General Manager has dealt with two of the major restrictions in the present Bank Act which inhibit the employ employment ¬ ment of bank funds The ceiling on lending rates and the prohibition against taking conventional mortgage security serve only to reduce the availability and increase the cost of credit in certain important areas of financing The removal of these arbitrary limitations would mean that the funds en entrusted ¬ trusted to chartered banks could be used even more broadly and more effectively in ways which could provide an added stimulus to the Canadian economy William M Currie Chief General Manager reviewed the balance sheet highlights of which are summarized The Banks 98th Annual Statement reflects a growth in assets of approximately 255000000 to a total and new peak of over 5500000000 The pace of the economy was reflected not only by an increase of 188000000 in total deposits but also by an increase of 286000000 in commercial and other loans Deposits with other banks increased by 24000000 Govern Government ¬ ment of Canada direct and guaranteed securities were reduced by 78000000 and call and short loans to investment dealers and brokers were lower by 47000000 The liquid position of the Bank continues to be strong with quick assets at 2560000000 equal to 4899 per cent of the Banks total liabilities to the public The growth in commercial and other loans of almost 14 per CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE Over 1300 branches to serve you cent was widely spread over the full range of the Banks lending business Bank Premises shows a net increase of 83600000 after depre depreciation ¬ ciation t During the year 62 branches were opened and 1 1 closed to bring the total number of branches and banking offices to 1334 of which 1 302 were located in Canada and 32 abroad Total deposits up S 1 88000000 to 497 1 000000 reflect an increase of 123000000 or 56 per cent in personal savings deposits and a substantial increase in the total number of sav savings ¬ ings bank depositors Other deposits increased by S 1 1 0000000 included arc other Canadian deposits on demand and payable after notice and deposits in foreign currencies Throughout the Bank there were gratifying increases in the total number of current and personal chequing account customers during the year Turning to the statement of undivided profits the net profit of 21 402602 represents an improvement of 1 01 7543 over last year Earnings per share were 307 as compared with S293 in 1963 Total dividends of 15678000 were paid at the rate of 225 per share leaving 5724602 which together with the balance of 2364265 in undivided profits carried forward from 1963 made up a total of 8038867 from which S5000000 was transferred to Rest Account The balance of S3088867 was carried forward to the 1965 fiscal year Paid up Capital Rest Account and undivided profits totalled 277768867 and the Banks shareholders increased by 1282 to 27098 Growth in loans and deposits is perhaps the best evidence of the part played by the Bank in meeting the credit requirements of Canadians in every walk of life The chartered bankingsystem could finance a much wider range of Canadian needs Two of the restrictions imposed by the Canadian Bank Act the six per cent ceiling on loan interest and the prohibition against loans secured by conventional mortgages prevent the banks from competing with other lending organizations whose rates would be lower if faced with chartered bank competition Large seg segments ¬ ments of the public thus are forced to pay higher rates than they would if the banks were permitted to compete in these fields During the past two years data processing centres were opened in Montreal and Vancouver and this year a second com computer ¬ puter has been added to the Toronto centre Presently the book bookkeeping ¬ keeping of over 200 branches in these three centres is largely done by this electronic equipment and the number of branches within the system is steadily increasing Cheques processed in the Toronto centre alone have been increasing at a rate of 1 0 per cent per annum and the annual volume is now in excess of 100 million individual cheques Modern electronic data processing eliminates much of the tedious bank work and releases person personnel ¬ nel for more challenging and constructive work Important as these installations are Canadas need for wide and diversified financial services extends to the smallest hamlet In most cases chartered banks including many of this Banks 1300 Canadian branches provide the only financial services available at such points bringing to them every facility avail available ¬ able in the largest metropolitan centre Such services are costly to maintain and reasonable charges for the many services performed are justified The banking system provides these services at uniform cost regardless of location or the volume of business handled at individual branches As an example customers depositing cheques drawn on other banking points receive immediate credit and can use the funds immediately as though they had been borrowed for the time being notwithstanding that the negotiating branch bank does not receive settlement at one of the central clearing points until some time later The organization required to perform the clearing function is a complex and costly one which carries on around the clock Opportunities for rapid promotion in a satisfying career in the Bank are offered to ambitious individuals While planned on-the-job training is the primary means of equipping person personnel ¬ nel with basic knowledge and special skills there are in addi addition ¬ tion widespread training facilities designed to assist officers of both sexes to equip themselves for increased responsibilities A Staff College in Toronto and Career Centres in four major centres across the country provide instruction in a wide range of subjects Men and women are encouraged to participate in the Fellows Course in banking and scholarships awarded annually present an opportunity to acquire a full university education Officers of the Bank regularly attend executive development programs at Canadian and other universities In recent years an increasing number of the women have been promoted to senior positions and every encouragement is given them to advance to positions of senior responsibility The progress of the Bank during the year could only have been accomplished by men and women confident of their role in our future progress devoted to the ideals and objectives of the Bank and willing to put forth a full measure of thoughtful effort To all members of the personnel I extend the thanks of General Management and our compliments on a job well done The full text of the Presidents end the Chief General Managers addresses may be obtained by writing to the Secretary Head Office Toronto ANNUAL STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31 1964 ASSETS Cash Resources including items in transit 742717099 Government and Other Securities 1464902525 Call Loans 352297155 Total Quick Assets 2559916779 Loans and Discounts 2401001757 Mortgages and Hypothecs Insured under the NHA 1954 207784038 Customers Liability under Acceptances Guarantees and Letters of Credit as per contra 235695194 Bank Premises 71092743 Other Assets 27904045 Total Assets 5503394554 LIABILITIES Deposits 4970723634 Acceptances Guarantees and Letters of Credit 235695194 Other Liabilities 19206859 Shareholders Equity Capital Paid Up 69680000 Rest Account 205000000 Undivided Profits 3088687 277768867 Total Liabilities 5503394554 STATEMENT OF UNDIVIDED PROFITS Profit after income taxes 21402602 Dividends 15678000 Amount carried forward 5724602 Balance of undivided profits October 31 1963 2364265 9 8088867 Transferred to rest account 5000000 Balance of undivided profits October 31 1964 30888C7 Total provision for income taxes 21270000 95