The Huron Expositor, 1976-10-14, Page 13L
Who is going the lousy deal?
Anthony Abbot is a name most of us knew nothing about a
few weeks ago.
But if his maiden speech is an example of where his think-
ing is headed, then consumers and farmers — especially
farmers are going to be forced to listen to him.
-Mr. Abbot Is the new federal minister of consumer and
Corporate affairs.
"Basically, I have some questions to ask about marketing
boards," he said in his first speech after being appointed in
Pierre's big cabinet shuffle late in September. Mr. Abbot
spoke to the Grocery Products Manufacturers of Canada.
He is concerned, he'said, about what efficiencies market-
ing boards offer to the consumer as well as whether the
benefits they offer to the farmer are worth the extra cost to
the consumer.
As regular readers of, this column are aware, I am in favor
of marketing boards. These boards are the only tools avail-
able at this time,to farmers to fight the ever-encroaching
effects of multi-national conglomerates.
In most cases, marketing boards have .worked well for
both the producer and the consumer. If Mr. Abbot can prove
beyond a shadow of a doubt that marketing boards inflate
the price of farm, products to the consumer, then I might —
just might — believe there is a better way.
But right now I can see-no better mefhod for farmers to get
a reasonable return on their labor and their investment.
I don't know whether or not Mr. 'Abbot was just trying to
make political hay when he sounded off so soon about his
ideas on marketing boards. I wonder how much he knows
about them. He said he Was going to have a chat "in the
near future" with Eugene Whelan., Canada's outspoken min-
ister of agriculture. I have seen or heard nothing about that
meeting in the press since Mr. Abbot make his speech nearly
alinonth ago. .
Perhaps. Eugene, in his blunt manner, told Anthony to.„jay
off marketing boards. If Mr. Whelan is still one of the more
powerful voices in 'the cabinet, maybe Mr. Abbot has, de-
cided to keep a lower profile for a while, But I'm sure farm-
ers and consumers haven't heard the last of it.
Because Mr. Abbot says his fundamental obligation is to
the consumer, this leaves the farmer right out in the middle
of the, old squeeze play again, between the government and
the consumer.
If that Canadian. Press release on the Abbot speech is cor-
rect, the farmer could be in for a rough time.
"It must be understood and reiterated that in the market
place, it is usually the consumer, the purchaser, who is at a
disadvantage," Mr. Abbot said.
"My soeial. commitment, quite apart from my economic
view, is to strengthening that weaker side of the market
place bargain.
That is what he said. The man said that.
Well now, if the consumer is at a disadvantage, I'd like to
know where in hell the farmer is! Can Mr. Abb.o.t.not read?
Has he not been following what is happening in the Canadian
beef business? Does he not know the incredibly rough time
many thousands of beef farmers have been having recently?
Does he not know what is happening in the dairy business in
this country; that hundreds of dairy farmers are. being forc-
ed into bankruptcy because of some asinine policies the fed-
eral government has implemented?
And does he not read his own government's pronounce-
ments on the reason the cost of living has dipped in recent
weeks, one of which was because pork prices have dropped
significantly — and are continuing to drop?
If anybody •is getting the dirty end of the stick in the mar-
ket place it is the Canadian farmer, not the consumer. Food
in this country is cheap. Canada has the second lowest rate
of any country in the world, second only to the Excited States.
We spend only 18 cents of the disposable income dollar on
food compared to as much as 40 per cent in: some other so-
called developed countries.
If this doesn't indicate that somebody is getting a lousy
deal in the marketplace then somebody in the ministry of
consumer and corporate affairs is myopic.
And that somebody who is getting a lousy deal is the farm-
er, not the consumer.
0
Financial assistance -
Management counselling
Management training '"
'Information on government
programs for business
Dave Alexander
one of our representatives
• will be at
Parker Hobse Motel, CLINTON
on the 3rd Thursday of each month •
,, October 21st
If you require financing to start modetnize or
expand your business and are unable to
obtain it elsewhere on reasonable terms and
conditions or if you are interested in the
FBDB management services of counselling
and training or wish information on
government programs available for your
business, talk to our representative.
FEDERAL.
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT BANK
. , . Far Orldfltifornititithit'ealtIlt,5050 or .•
Virite 1036 On4rhiStreetk $tratford
William E. Bennett
Disability Insurance, •
Group Insurance; Mortgage
Iniurance. Registered
• Retirement Saving Plans,
Life
kr.a.ut,SENliNG
Crown Life Ins. Company
[Since 1900)
Tel:Office 527,1910 Res. 527.0913
Notice
We are now receiving corn for:
drying and storage for your winter
needs. If you wish to cash , your
corn, we are paying highest prices
•
in this area:
1
DUBLIN FEED MILL
345.2330
COMMERCE
SERVICES
Letters are aopreniated by Bob Trotter. Eldale Rd , Elmira, Ont. N38 287
byaa
provinces 1nm040 Om
legislation; there gc now,
ontarin women
same: access to Oeni: The poopr indicated the
QOYPTOPcl!t• ,40e5, *1000 to
resurrect prop**. for a pew
;federal : airport;.. Pickering.' ,
hazards from air and` )nmae, ,Maanw t. to has ba0 Aln9g7
pollution. "drawnrout isptge, featurtng
The Minister of Colleges Housing Mini4.01011 :RhOtieS
announced increased fees 'for and the Ombudsman, 'on.:the
"new forgive, students at subject of exjpropiiated. properl
colleges and universities. He also in * area. " •
admitted that some. community We also tearpad, that virtually
colleges 'had large investment =Pita purchase up 'to 019'
Portfolios. In his view, industrial pounds. ,01141/00 At a loe.a1
training needs are not being met hatdware store or •Other licensed,
in Ontario and a new Industrial outlet; that the Onvernment • is
• Training Council is to advise the collecting information on plc*.
Government about this prohlm, cally-powered elts and• has Vent':
More judges were hired to some $6 *Milieu on, preliminary
alleviate the backlog of cases in designs for a successor to, the
our courts, and a Blind Persons ill-fated Krauss,Maffei Magnetic
Act would permit blind peoPle to cushion train,
take their seeing eye dogs into '
restaurants and public places.
Proposed changes in the estates
law would give property rights to
(0
At the plowing Plowing Match this
Welder ,driven by a water wheel got
1920 Lincol Electric
many a curious look
F of A hear.
Consumers • •I I • was provisionally adopted. aren vi ains • None of ratepayers on Branch 4
. ' Mils Drain were present for
upgrade their ope'rations for fluid • consideration of revised report
milk production, and it was provisionally adopted.
Morris Township has a new
clerk. She is Mrs. Richard
Badley, R.R.#3, Walton who waS
appointed last Monday night. Her
duties commence On January _I,
1977 at $360 per month for a
• probationary period of six
„months. Her salary will be
re-negotiated at the end of th,at
time.
other business„ Morris'"
Council authorized sale of 2 its in
Belgrave sub-division.
$30. will be refunded on trailer
license fee for 1976 to G. Beck.
" A. McBride Of Maitland
Engineering Services Ltd.
attended the meeting, to answer
questions concerning 3 drains.' -
One ratepayer was present for'
the considering of all the revised
report on the King Drain, which
was provisionally adopted.
Two tenders were received for
n construction of Thomas and
Workman Drains. But ' tenders
,were . cancelled and .deposit
cheques will be ' returned to
bidders.
Four ratepayers on the Rintoul
Drain attended and that' report
"People on the farm have to
realize consumers aren't died in
the wool villains out to get
farmers" Ray Baynton of CKNX
told members of the Huron
Federation of Agriculture
Thdrsday night in Clinton.
"It is not a life of roses in the
city," Mr. Baynton said.
"Farmers shobld try and find the
common groutid they have with
the consumer,"
Mr. Baynton said that farmers
have changed their approach in
explaining agricultural problems
to the consumer and this has hurt.
"Three years ago farmers
started saying that a healthy
agricultural .society leads to a
general healthy society. That
approach seemed to make a lot of
headway, but it has been., replaced
by constant attack," he said.
"That kind of approach ,too
abrasive for the people of rW"'"ario
and Canada."
Mr. Baynton said that the
consumers have been heard' by
the politicians and had their
interests catered to, but the
farmers haven't.
"Who did the farmers
° complain to? They complained to
each other. You are' not telling
anybody anything just echoing
each other," he s •d.
Mr. Bayhtoti said hat farmers,
are constantly looking or a villain
(By Jack Riddell, M.R.P.
-Huron Middlesex)
The main issue under
discussion during the first yeard
this Legislature were connected
with inflation and the Ontario
Government's restraint program.
These have tended to overshadow
other matters."
Over the past twelve months,
considerable attention has been
focused on "law and order." The
Ombudsman ordered an investi-
gation of prison conditions, and
the Attorney-General announced
a crack-down on hockey game
violence and people who drink
and drive. An all-Party Select
Committee . was established to
consider over-all questions of
highway safety, accident prevent-
ion and driver education, with
special reference to alcohol-
related driving offences,, particu-
larly by young people. Driver
licences, with a photograph of the
individual driver, were mentioned
as a possibility. A bill to control
rowdyism in Provincial Parks has
been introduced, and the antici-
pated reduction in the number of
beach patrols did not take place.
The Government's long-
awaited Farm Income Stabiliza-
tion Plan was totally inadequate
and unacceptalbe to Opposition
'Parties, who directed the
Governnient to' introduce
improved legislation by the end of
October.
' Many Ontario communities
were ordered to shut-down their
arenas because of structural
defects,- Eventually some help
was forthcoming in. this connect-
ion, through Wintario and a grant
of 25% of total cost of repair and
replacement under the
Community Recreation Centres
Act.
Court of Revision were set on
King Drain at 1:30 P.M.; Rintoul
Drain at 2 P.M. and Branch 4
Mills Drain at 2:30 P.M. on
Monday, November 1.
There were three tenders for
snow plowing.
The tender of Geo. Radford
ConstructionLtd. with a grader at
$19.00 per hour when working
and $8.00 per day standby
,whether working or not and Ross
Nicholson with a truck at $14.00
per hour when working and $7,00
per day standby, was accepted,
Legislation was passed making
the wearing of §eat,heits .tuUndar-
Wry,' and speed limits were
reduced, to
expressways, 50 rthprit, on other
highways, In May the Govern-
ment announced these measures
had saved about one life a day
since introduction, ..
There has been much
discussion of possibly energy
supply Shortuge,s and price
increases, In November, we Are
informed home-heating bills were
expected to increase 13% to 29%.
Ontario's Energy Minister
condemned federal energy
strategy,' but both Opposition
Parties condemned his alternative
"blended" oil price. The Legisla-
ture's Coinm,ittee studying
Hydro's 1976 rates predicted an
increase of 34.5% in the, cost of
producing electric power next
year.
In , connection with 'the
Province's housing needs, the
present Minister ,described the
Government's $1,500 grant to
first-time home buyers a "gross
error", because no income ceil-
ings were imposed for eligibility
purposes. Legislation was passed
limiting rent increase (except for
rent-geared-to-income units) to
8% for at least a year, and
requiring landlords to justify
termination of leases. New home
warranty legislation is intended to
-protect-neik house buyers against
shoddy workmanship and'
materials.
In the area of pollution, and as
a result of Opposition pressure,
United' Asbestos in Matachewan
was ordered to close because of
unsafe asbestos-fibre readings,
smelter lead emissions are to be
controlled, and stringent limits
are to be enforced for vinyl
chloride pollution in industrial
subject to the approval of the
District Municipal Engineer.
A letter will be' drafted to be
sent to the Ministry '" of
Transportation and Communi-
cations, Stratford on the
development of side road 10 - 11,
Concession 1 for the International
Plowing Match in 1978.
Cou,ncillors decided that the
Township Hall will be .shingled.
Road Accounts paid were
$4;630.66 and General Accounts
were 32,544.06. for a total of
$37;174.72.
plants, ..0ntario. to. study the
of feels of ladFnai.rqnntanAnata4.
401 on the '0010 two
b.OcIP!. .if xhe
Indians ngree,. The. .C!ovetalment
has initiated. .courses to train
government inspectors In 4.1.19.
detectionpntential
ater -
common law wives.
The Ontario Food Council is to I Dm ENG L
be expanded in its research and
public information functions;
anyone selling meat for human
consumption frothanimals which 4 MODERN ROTARY
slaughtering risks suspension' or .RIGS I
627-1737 loss of licence; a - Consumer PHONE N
Warranty Bill has been Durl 627-6828 I
introduced, but there will be I Jim .527-07151 1 delay in implementation Until r.... ..... .• ——.1
Specialized Services'
—when you haie 'a very
specific problem„ the
services of our agricultural
specialists,are as near as
your local Commerce
manager.
Ask your, local Commerce
manager hoW Commerce Farm
Services can be tailor-made for
you. •
After all,, that's why the
Commerce has Commerce Farrn
Services—to help you with the
business of farming. •
CANADIAN IMPERIAL
BANK OF COMMERCE
in the food chain.
"If the agricultural, community
would ease off the search for one
big villain and foster under-
standing with the consumer at the
other end' of the chain things
would be much better," he said.
"Farmers carry a big stick
because you feed everyone. I
suggest try speaking softly and
you will be amazed how far you
can get."
At their meeting on ,Thurstly,
the Federation passed a
resolution in support • of the
Ontario Milk Marketing Board.
Several members present said
they were disturbed' with the
proposed suit by Ethel area
farmers against the Milk Board
for financial losses they had.
suffered.
One federation member pointe
out that it was the dairy farmer
Who financially support the Milk
Board and it' the suit was •
successful it would be dairy
farmers who paid.
The Huron • Federation also
rejected most of a proposal from
the Perth Federation calling for a
one pool milk system to be set up
by October .1977.
Although federation members
felt that a single pool system was
the best, they objected on the
basis that one year was too 'little
time for industrial -farmers to
Opening
new doors
to small
business
Morris appoints new clerk
. Together with our Agricul-
tural Department, our managers
have put together a package of
services we call "Commerce Farm
Services", to cover all your special
farming needs.
The services we offer
include:
Farm Credit • '
—complete short and interme-
diate financing to cover all
your farm business needs.
Farm Credit Life Insurance
—up to $200,000 per individ-
ual is available for operating
and term loans.
Deposit Services
—ranging from Commerce
Savings Accounts to a retire-
ment savings plan.
Financial Planning and
Management Aids ,
—to help you plan your busi-
ness and in turn your credit
needs. ,
,_)
had died from causes other than
and Sons
I
W.D Hopper i