The Intelligencer February 14, 1917 (page 1)
“Militia Called Out for Home Defence. The calling out of from 25,000 to 50,000 of the members of the active reserve militia of Canada for training and for home defence under the provisioins of the militia act as it is understood, now being arranged for by the Department of Militia. The question has been under consideration by the Government for some weeks, in fact ever since the recruiting for the overseas forces began to fall off seriously last summer.”
The Intelligencer February 14, 1917 (page 2)
“Fewer Valentines. Booksellers and stationers during the past few days have been doing a fairly brisk business in valentines, for today is the fourteenth, when the time-honored custom is followed of sending a card or other token emblematic of the day to your sweetheart, with the customary greeting, ‘To my Valentine.’
Although the booksellers report trade, they will also tell you that it has not been as large as in former years, and the number of Valentines being sent through the mails this year is almost negligible, according to post-office officials. These report that they hardly notice the difference in the number of letters and cards as compared with the regular mail.”
The Intelligencer February 14, 1917 (page 3)
“Appeal to People to Help on Farms. Strenuous efforts will be made by the Ontario Government through the machinery of the Department of Agriculture and by a public appeal to secure for the farming community of the province the labor that will be absolutely necessary to enable the farmers to respond properly to the appeal of greater production. …
The call will go particularly to those who have been in the habit of spending weeks or months at summer resorts. … In addition to spending a healthy vacation on the farm the man or boy who does it will be properly paid as well. According to officials of the department even unskilled workers will be paid twenty to twenty-five dollars a month and their keep.
The Department of Agriculture is making arrangements to meet the seed problem that has arisen because of the seed embargo. It is stated that reports show there is sufficient seed for the spring crops, but that it needs to be more evenly distributed. Accordingly, the department and its district representatives will act as clearing houses. They will receive applications for seed from farmers, and file statements from farmers with seed to sell, bringing buyer and seller together.”
First World War Belleville 