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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1951-08-16, Page 2THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 16, 1951 <fje Cxctcr rimes Established 1873 Amalgamated 1921 Advocate Established 1881 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario An Independent Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of the Town of Exeter and District Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa Member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Member of the Ontario-Quebec Division of the CWNA Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Paid-in-Advance Circulation as of March 31, 1951 2,396 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada, in advance, $2.50 a year — United States, in advance, $3.00 Single Copies Each J* Melvin Southcott - Publishers - Robert Southcott THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 16, 1951 Not Dry Vs. Wet A Chatham Daily News columnist has something to say about Huron County’s move to get rid of the C.T.A.-—-a move which has been recently supported by forces in the counties of Perth and Peel. Commenting on the fact that some people of Huron County feel that the Pro­ vincial Liquor Control Act would be much better legislation than the C.T.A., the columnist asks: "Has the. L.C.A. rid Kent County of these festering .sores—-drunken­ ness, the bootlegger and drinking by min­ ors?” In reply to this question, the Chatham writer continues:-— "Seems to us that only last week, in Chatham police court, a couple of teen­ agers pleaded guilty to charges of having liquor. They were, of all places, sousing themselves in the rear of a Baptist Church. .In the same week at least one bootlegger was convicted and .jailed. As for drunk drivers, they are too numerous to mention. Kent has more of them in a week than Huron County has in a month.” If the columnist feels that these facts are an argument against the L.C.A.. he’s wrong. In the first place, if. under C.T.A.. a couple of teenagers were "sousing” them­ selves in the real’ of a church, they would be. doing something perfectly legal. There s nothing in the C.T.A. which could prevent such an exhibition or which would provide punishment for the offense. The columnist remarks that in the same week a bootlegger was convicted and jailed. That’s to the credit of the L.C.A. In Hyron, the C.T.A. almost protects the many bootleggers in the county. Prosecu­ tion^ so difficult that, with a bit of care, illegal sellers can operate in comparative safety. Moreover, if they are convicted, the maximum fine i.s $50—no jail sentence— just $50—a small percentage of the profits. This situation can be illustrated easily bv the results of three liquor charges re­ sulting from provincial police raids at Grand Bend. One proprietor, charged under the L.C.A., was sentenced to two months in jail for illegal sale. Two others, charged under C.T.A.. received $50 fines for illegal possession. Which of these sentences, we would like to ask the Chatham columnist, is the greater deterrent? In conclusion the writer says: “If Huron wants to get rid of the Canada Temperance Act, that is Huron’s business. It’s a safe bet, though, that the act won’t be repealed by the Federal gov­ ernment. That would be a needless affront to temperance sentiment, which is still strong—much stronger than the wets sus­ pect. The Huron wets can get rid of the C.T.A. by themselves voting it out accord­ ing to prescribed ritual. That is. if they can command enough votes. "But it would be cruelly unfair to let them vote it out under the delusion that the L.C.A. will automatically rid their fair and fertile count}’ of bootlegging, exces­ sive drinking and drinking, by minors, which thev complain, exist under the pres­ ent C.T.A?’ We can agree somewhat to the writer’s opinion here. There, will have to be a vote before Huron can discard the C.T.A. There will be considerable opposition to the move. But. and to use the words of the col­ umnist. it would be cruelly’ unfair to think that L.C.A, will automatically promote a rash of drunkenness, drinking by minors and vvcesdve drinking, moreso than what already exist-,. The establishment of outlets and retail stores of course would increase the amount of drinking now done. But the mere voting in of L.C.A. does not provide for such outlets. That is another question which may or may not be. approved by the people after L.C.A. comes into force. And we are. quite, cognizant of the fact that the L.C.A. will not automatically rid Huron of the evils of illegal drinking. How­ ever, the provincial act will give police of­ ficers a chance to prosecute such illegal­ ity. And, contrary to what is being said by the Huron County Temperance Association at the present time, that cannot now be done effectively under C.T.A, In conclusion, the greatest mistake made by the Chatham writer, and by many people who discuss the situation, is that this L.C.A.-C.T.A, question is a case of wet versus dry. It is not. There are many "drys" who are in favour of the control advantages of the L.C.A., but who are vigorously opposed to^ the establishment of outlets. They are per­ fectly right in believing that this can be done. It is this\Condition that Huron Coun­ ty council hopes to effect bv repealing the C.T.A. The question of outlets is a different one altogether. The present consideration is one of the legal control of alcoholic beverages. L.C.A. is by fax* the better act in this regard. * ■£ * Saturday Evening Here, There And Elsewhere By Rev. James Anthony, M.A. i i I i i i i ) s i ■ i ■ I i ! ! I C.W.N.A. Get-Together This week your hometown paper is represented at the annual convention of the Canadian Weekly Newspapers Associa­ tion' being held in Winnipeg. One of the largest and most influential newspaper associations in the world, the C.W.N.A. holds an annual get-toge-ther for a number of reasons. Most important i.s the objective that underlies most of the work of the association, that of developing bet­ ter weekly newspapers from coast to coast in Canada. That this objective i.s a worthy one. and is in a measure being attained, is borne out in the fact that many weeklies in this country have made tremendous im­ provements during the years since the last war. Another reason for the convention is the opportunity it affords for newspaper men and women to discuss mutual problems both at the formal sessions and in talking •-hop with one another as newspaper people invariably do. Surprising how many ideas for turning out better papers are to be picked up at these off the record discus­ sions. Addresses, round table discussions, for­ ums, displays—all of these assist the news­ paper people in gathering useful informa­ tion and bright news ideas. The convention, too. helps solve prob­ lems in connection with the business of turning out a community. These days, good­ ness knows, there are enough’ problems, some of them affecting the very existence of weekly newspapers in this country. But the annual C.W.N.A. gathering is not all work. There is, for instance, tile pleasure of greeting old newspaper friends and making new ones. Time is allotted for dinners, luncheons and even a special breakfast, receptions, an all-day tour to a paper mill and power development, and for just having fun. Represented at the C.W.N.A. this year are newspapers in every province from British Columbia to Newfoundland. The gathering is symbolic of the unity that exists in this nation. The annual get-together gives at least some of Canada’s weekly newspaper people a chance to get away, if only for a brief time, from deadlines and routine. Serious though its purpose is, it i.s held in a holiday atmosphere which gives those attending a chance to relax between sessions. It is a happy combination of hard work and good fun. This year’s sessions are being held in the Canadian Pacific’s fine hotel in Winni­ peg, the Royal Alexandra. The convention program was prepared under the chairman­ ship of A. W. Hanks, first vice-president of C.W.N.A., and the Manitoba members of the association are doing everything poss­ ible to make members from other provinces feel right at home. Directly or indirectly your hometown paper will benefit from the 1951 get- together of Canada's weekly newspaper people. This is, incidentally, the thirty- second annual meeting of the Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association and is one of the best attended in the history of the association. •x- -x- * * Some of us can hardly wait until we’re severity so that the government can start taking care of us, * -X- # The only difference (well, almost) be­ tween New York and our own hometown is that we don’t get a crick in our neck look­ ing at the tall buildings. *' * * A citizen without loyalty to his home­ town is not an. asset to the community. * * * * One thing about this Canada of ours is its variety. Take weather for instance. If one had enough money, he could, during the past few weeks travel around the country and experience just about every sort of weather from tropical heat to the icy Cold of the far north islands. As the-------- "TIMES" Go By ■ — IIMUHI—IWItr f IBIM1WIII ■IIM——MWM—M—■——MM— 50 YEARS AGO This week will see the grano­ lithic pavement on the west side of Main Street finished. Czar Rollins left Monday to at­ tend the Photographers’ Conven­ tion at Detroit. Mr. Frank Tom who holds a lucrative position in Toledo, Ohio, as cutter in a large tailor­ ing establishment is home spend­ ing his holidays with his par­ ents, Mr. and Mrs. James Tom. Fire broke out in Mr. D. Braund’s blacksmith shop, Exe­ ter North on Thursday last and before anything could be done the flames had gained such head­ way that it was impossible to save the building. Miss Edna Follick is visiting friends in Kincardine. Miss Kathleen Strang was the week-end guest of Misses Jean and Elaine Stanbury at Bay- field and rendered a solo in Knox Church on Sunday morn­ ing. Miss Mary Gardiner of Thames Road has taken a position as stenographer with Snell Bros. & Co., taking the place of Miss Mildred Murphy who resigned.' Mr. and Mrs. Leo Hennessey and family are holidaying this week at Underwood, near Kin­ cardine. Several children from the i Neighbourhood Worker’s Asso­ ciation, Toronto, are enjoying a two week’s vacation in various homes in Exeter. 25 YEARS AGO Dr. A. B. Gibson has purchas­ ed the house jand three acres of land, the propel'ty of the late D. Wood, just south of the village. Miss Greba Hedden has re­ turned to her duties at the post office after spending a week in Bayfield. Mr. C. C. Pilon has this week moved into his new home over the garage. William Pearce, Hensail, has purchased the residence of Mrs. A. Cottle on Ann St. and he will move here next week. Miss Lulu M. Fulton a former student in our Exeter High School has been appointed as a teacher of the primary room. II. -■ 1 I 15 YEARS AGO Messrs Milton and Homer Rus­ sell, Leonard Greband, Ken Hoc­ key are on a fishing trip this week to Cliesley Lake. 1O YEARS AGO Clerk Joseph Senior who for 3 3 years has been the efficient clerk and treasurer of the village has tendered his resignation to the council. The Supertest Oil Company have purchased the large brick dwelling on Main Street south of Snell Bros, and Co. garage. The sale of this property recalls the early days of Exeter when the late James Pickard was a pro­ minent merchant in Exeter. Mr. Pickard built this large, two storey dwelling in close proxi­ mity to his store (Ford Garage) where for the most part the clerks were boarded. Four miles out of Exeter a new airport is now an assumed fact. Resident engineers have taken up their location here and land surveyors will soon be en­ gaged in laying out the runways. Sept. 2. to 5 has been set for the campaign to secure as much scrap aluminum as possible to meet a serious shortage of this vital metal for war purposes. ... Neighboring News ... Lost Child Eating1 The fire alarm in Bayfield ser­ ves more than one purpose and it sounded on Wednesday after­ noon about two o’clock. It was as a last resort by her distraught parents to locate little Mary Elizabeth Ervine. The child was found safe and sound a little later, having, en­ joyed lunch at the home of Mrs. Richard O’Connell, while playing with little Regan. (Clinton News-Record) To Open Church The new Roman Catholic sum­ mer mission church at Grand Bend designed to seat 6GO' peop­ le will me officially opened by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. A. P. Maho­ ney, P.A., V.G., on Sunday Aug. 12. The church has been in use since early July. There is a pos­ sibility it may be used all year for permanent residents, officials said. It is administered from St. Christopher's Church, Forest, un­ der the Rev. Father H. T. Fal­ lon, (Zurich Herald) Appoint Civil * Defen’co Committee On motion of Councillors Sor­ ensen and Dungey, R. H. Homuth was appointed civil defence co­ ordinator with C, F» MoseS as assistant at council Tuesday night. The clerk was also appointed a member of the committee to act in conjunction with other mem­ bers of that committee. (Mitchell Advocate) John Still Rides Penny-Farthing at 70 John W. Brown, lawn-mower repairer of Jones Street, can still ride the difficult and finely bal­ anced penny-farthing bicycle which was his pride as a young man when he started out to make his living from his parents’ home at Wellhurn. On Saturday, Mr. Brown, by way of celebrat­ ing his 7 6th birthday, took the bicycle with the big front wheel and tiny rear one for a spin around the town. This bicycle, fore-runner of the so called saftey type bicycles which are common today has been in Mr. Brown’s possession for more than half a century and a few years ago he took the trouble to have it thorougly overhauled. It is the only machine of this type left in this district so far as is known. (St. Marys Journal-Argus) A Serious Affair Radio news is to the effect that some West Point cadets have been "fired” because they received outside assistance at their examinations. The offence is an old one and one- that is treated as a very mild one in schools and colleges and univer­ sities. The day for condoning such an offence cannot pass too soon. If a cadet cannot pass his ex­ aminations on his own power what will he do when the lives of men are entrusted to him? If a teacher cannot pass his exam­ inations on his own knowledge, what sort of work will lie do when he attempts to teach others? It will be a case of the uninformed attempting to in­ tru ct the ignorant. If a candidate for medicine cannot make good on his exam­ ination, what will he do when he is expected to fight for the life of a human being? Copying or otherwise "cheating at examina­ tions is the almost certain road of coming short when life’s severer tests-are applied. School boards cannot insist too strongly on driving all "out­ side assistance” from their walls. Undue haste to get on in the school room lies at the base of seeking such assistance. Some­ times a youngster is urged for­ ward without due regard to men­ tal capacity. Over and over again we have heard university profes­ sors complain that the students sent up to them are lamentably unprepared. In such cases public and high schools simply have not done their work. For some unhappy reason genuine, thorough teach­ ing has not been done. The pupil has been allowed to be a hanger-on or an artful dodger all through. When he comes to the test he is sadly lacking and lacking he will be through his day. It takes but a slight exercise of the imagination to see the plight of those cadets who got their comeuppance for conduct such as is here mentioned. They won the contempt of their teachers. They could not but be despised by their selfrespecting fellow stu­ dents. Their welcome home would be an unhappy blending of tears and anger. Their community would look, askance as they walk­ ed the streets or returned to the old farm. They were kicked out and given no invitation to re­ turn to college halls whose walls they had besmirched. Weath er Vagaries The weather this summer has been up to all manner of capers. Even in this steady \going well behaved locality no one has been able to forecast just how things atmospheric were going or com­ ing. Temperatures have changed as much as thirty or more degrees in a very few hours. Rain has come when we least looked for it, and has delayed arriving when we most wanted it. However the season has been a good one, though thermometers have been watched anxiously as cold breaths from northern regions have swooped down on us. But what of British Columbia? There severest droughts have been the lot of large portions of the province. Record breaking ex­ perience has amounted to a ma­ jor. disaster. Farm crops have simply gone by the board. Fruit crops have been an utter failure. ■ All this means failure not only for the present season but seri­ ous disarrangement of crops for coming years is looked for, The unusualness has invaded the forest and great areas have been ravished by fires that have raged uncontrolled. What such a disaster amounts to can hardly be imagined. Unemployment is well out of bounds. Storekeepers have been put to their wits’ end or have been ruined altogether Acute suffering on the part of thousands is inevitable. The whole of the Dominion is a loser as trade of every sort will be involv­ ed in British Columbia’s misfor­ tunes. In The ir Own Hands High prices is the big topic for discussion these times. Com­ ments are heard every day that the average house holder finds it difficult to make “both ends meet.” Somehow the income will not match the cost of living. The result now, as in the days of that mighty financier, Wilkins Macawber, is misery. Worse still the misery is increasing. It seems to grow fat on its own growth. Yet the cure is in the people’s own hands though they are re­ luctant to apply it. The cure is to stop buying. We recall an instance. A drug­ gist a number of years ago, bought a thousand dollars worth of leather goods. The articles were of excellent quality but the price was high. Without entering into buyer resistance the people simply did not buy. It was noticed after six weeks of this sort of thing that the prices were reduced somewhat. The merest dribble of sales fol­ lowed. At last in sheer despair prices were reduced to the low­ est possible level without giving the goods away. Immediately there was rapid sale of articles till, finally there was a real clearance. The remedy is as simple a.s that. For some unhappy reason business got into the way saying ‘‘There comes Brown. He has a dollar. We must get it,” As long as Brown had a dollar prices ad­ vanced. Brown had no intention Of going hungry or cold or ill clad. As long as Brown insisted on having his tongue tickled with dainties a little more was added to the price of food. As long as Brown insisted upon being ele­ gantly clad additions were mads to the price of clothing. This idea worked most mis­ chievously in the case of recrea­ tion. As long as folk were con­ tent with picnics where they pro­ vided their own food and enter-, tainment in a neighbouring grove prices were not a worry. When folk insisted on the expensive and the fantastic tricks of acro­ bats or the shines of the fancy orchestra, prices made their ap­ pearance. Tastes in this sort of thing became tormentors. Folk who kept their tastes simple and who refused to be exploited, had com­ paratively little difficulty in get­ ting on. They did all they could to prevent luxuries from becom­ ing necessities. In this way they ‘ cultivated tastes that were their I servants and not their masters. I When the people of this gene­ ration learn to spend less than they earn and to spend only for necessities they will have given, the rule of high prices an effec­ tual snubbing. LAFF OF THE WEEK {Huron County I Crop Report By G. W. Montgomery Most of the fall wheat crop has now been threshed with a few fields yielding up to 50 bu. pel’ acre, and most of the crop aver­ aging between 25 to 3 0 bu. per acre. Approximately % of the spring grain is cut and thresh­ ing of this crop has commenced in some areas. A few fields of timothy left for seed were cut this week. Corn and root crops made ex­ celltent growth this past week. New seedings of grasses and clovers are showing up well on j harvested areas. Quite a number of tree applications were distri­ buted this week to those wishing to order trees before the August 15 deadline. Fall Fair Dates The following list of fall fair dates has been released: Exeter, Sept. 18,-19; Zurich, Sept, 24,25; St. Matys, Oct. 2, 3; Mitchell, Sept. 25,26; Kirkton, sept. 27, 28; Seaforth, Sept. 20, 21; Park­ hill, Sept. 21. Isn't that just like J.ohn Barber to get something started and then lose all interest?"