programs. Family allowance payments began across Canada in 1945. The average family allowance cheque to each of the 11,702 families in RBI. in August, 1945 was just over fourteen dollars!6 The federal government also cut the income tax by 16%, and the tax on excess profits by 4007017 Loans were made available to veterans to purchase farms, and to other farmers to make improvements to their farms}8 Approximately twenty-five veterans returned to these five communities after the war]9 Increased subsidies were given to cheese factories in 1946.20 This resulted in a significant

improvement at the Kinkora Cheese Factory, as the statistics in Table 10:6 show.

Table 10:6, Kinkora Cheese Factory, 1940s21

No. of Milk Cheese Net Net

Patrons Received Produced Price Value (in lbs.) (in lbs.) (per lb.)

87 627,027 58,518 13.63¢ 70 1,033,660 103,502 31.87¢

$ 6,150.13 $25,126.77

An additional new, ice—breaking ferry, the M.V. Abegweit, which began operating in 1947 was a welcome boost to farmers exporting farm products. By the end of the decade surveys were showing that Summerside and its rural neighbourhoods, which would include our five com— munities, could be considered among the most prosperous in Canada.22 .

The improved economy is evident at Kinkora in the form of four new businesses that appeared in the last half of the 19405. In July, 1945 the Kinkora Credit Union was form- ed.23 Its original twenty-four members were drawn from the five communities and Emerald; they purchased 25 shares at $5.00 per share. By 1948 membership had increased to 132; dividends of 2% were being paid; and a cash balance 0f $5901.00 was reported.24 The first executive included

105

Joseph Trainor, President; John R. McCabe, Vice— president; and Wendell P. McKenna, Treasurer. While its main purpose was to provide members with loans at low interest rates (interest rates were kept below 2070), the Credit Union also played an important role in other community affairs. It sponsored plays by the Kinkora Drama Society, and a lecture series that brought in guest speakers, and it

supported the young people’s Study Clubs. . . w

%/ ' ,_ Patrick L. Morris (Courtesy of Pope Morris)