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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1952-06-19, Page 2THE T1MES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSQAY MORNIN®, JUNE 19, 1952 This journal shall always fight for progress, reform and public welfare. never be afraid to at- wk wrong, never belong to any political ?auy, never be satisfied Mth merely printing news. THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 19, 1952 An Invitation Discussion,Controversy Backbone Of A Ministry Of Culture For Ca nada Premature i ( File Peterborough Examiner/ Tib* -jiurgestion. heard in Ottawa, that } a new <’ibinet post should be created for the purpose of implementing the report of • the Massey Commission on the Arts, Let- i ters and Sciences, is premature. Consider- i ing ad the other matters, including urgent- i ly needed national defence, with which the J Government and people of Canada should i be preoccupied at the moment, one r;itlv’r hopes "hat the■ Ministry of Culture <or whatever it is to be called t will be left for some time. M any of the recommendations em- bodied in the painstaking, thoughtf u 1 and scholarly report of the Royal Commission have merit: some have not. For instance, the plan for *a national library is some­ thing ’’hat should have been brought for- i ward and implemented long years ago, and | it Mn be taken that the Massey Report’s | emphasis on Culture (whatever that is, by ; the way’i prompted the Prime Minister's recent announcement that one would be established. With regard to a Ministry of Culture, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and National Film Board are mentioned in one breath with the proposed National Library. Whether the degrees of “culture” are com­ parable in all three cases may be open to question. But could public and university libraries, the publishing business or even the periodical and daily press be considered as coming properly within the purview of the new Ministry? Surely there would be at least the danger of some infringement of those cele­ brated "‘“'provincial rights”, so eloquently mentioned on special occasions by the Leader of the Opposition and Premier Du­ plessis, among others! One reporter on the capital scene comes to the conclusion that the Massey Report would appear to dictate the ap- ; pointment of a minister to co-ordinate and ’ channel the varied factors into one stream j flowing to the sea of “a distinct Canadian | culture”. ' This “distinct Canadian, culture” busi- ; ness is in danger of becoming a fetish with i n. great many people—people, one might j judge, who are suffering from some sort ' of inferiority complex. Only the other day •’ we referred to a magazine article which 1 labored (not to say belabored) the insist­ ence .that Canadians should strive to be '“different”. That is no way to reflect gen- ( nine national qualities. Considering their ■ often common origins, qualities and com- J positions, how, apart from being artificial, ! can Canadians be so vastly different from i their cousins and neighbors in the United States? I That is only one small aspect of the I whole ease. If Canadians are content to I “be themselves”, to proceed intelligently I and intellectually, in an orderly and nat- ’ ural fashion, they may come—assuredly j they will come—in time to reflect a cul- I ture that is theirs, j But if they strive to accomplish some- I thing by a sort of patterned, regimented ] mass production, under a Ministry of Cul- j ture, they are more likely to make greater 1 laughing stocks of themselves than if they ’ ail concentrated on the home manufacture = of beaded moccasins as something “distinc- i tively Canadian”, I Hr* Firnes-Advocate would like to ex­ tend in invitation to each and every one of its raiders to make use of the news­ paper’s columns to express opinion. This is not an unusual invitation, nor i unique one. Readers' opinions have been isked for before and they will always be welcome. We make special mention of it this wr-ek, simply because this standing in­ vitation is rarely accepted. Why this is, we. do not know. It is obvious, if only from the talk on the street, that many people have strong opinions on certain subjects. There are many ideas, solutions, criticisms and thoughts expressed which are worthy of repetition and con­ sideration. Yet many of these, are never brought before the public where they can be promoted to the general good. For some months now, The Times- Advocate has tried to bring controversial subjects before its readers in the hope that they will discuss them and form opinions affecting them. We expected there would be people who would disagree or agree and they would wish to express their views. Few have done so—and it is not the health­ iest sign. We have tried to promote discussion in other ways, too. Recently we began sending out “What Do You Think?” ques- tionaires on topics of interest. We provid­ ed paper on which the recipients could write their opinions and stamped, addressed envelopes for submission to this office. We have received none. Is there cause for alarm in this situa­ tion? Are people becoming more and more apathetic to the issues of the day? Are they no longer interested enough in the country about them to consider the im­ plications of new ideas and trends? Do they feel that their thoughts are insignifi­ cant and that decisions are made without consideration of what they think? This must not be so in a democracy because discussion and controversy and campaigning for support of one’s ideas is important. Let us not lose sight of the fact that each and every one of us makes up this country. What we think counts. We must not be told what to think; we must not believe everything that is advocated or promoted is right; we must never lapse into the state of mind that lets someone else do our thinking and our acting. When you feel strongly about some­ thing, tell others why you think the way you do. Let them discuss and argue it, too, and through the collection of pros and cons we can reach intelligent decisions. If you wish to speak of something to a large audience, you can do it through the columns of this newspaper. All we ask is that you sign your name to your letters. # * * * New Column Next week, The Times-Advocate will welcome the first of a series of articles written by ministers of the district. This newspaper intends to invite all the pastors of local churches to contribute thoughts and ideas for the consumption of our readers. The first article will be written by Rev. D. R, Sinclair, president of the South Huron Ministerial Association. It will ap­ pear next week. The editors hope that readers of this newspaper will gain considerable from the writings of these men. In this day, religion is one of the most important factors in the, relationships of men and nations. It is no easy problem for those living in this confused and frustrated world. We anticipate that the articles to be presented in this paper will help everyone in their search for a peaceful personal re- Bije Exeter gfobocate tttaw Established 1873 Amalgamated W24 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 Mai), 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 September 30, 1951 — 2,493 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada, in advance, $3.09 a year *—■ United States, In advance, $4,00 a year Single Copies Each J. Melvm Southcott * Publishers ■« Robert Southcott lUllllHHIHHIIIIHIIHIIHIIlHUIIIIIinMIliilllllUIMIUHilMlllillilillllllll it mini inttiiinniiiiiimi min iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiitiiiiiiiiiiKiiiiiiiii, As the "TIMES" Go By Daily Scribe Reconsiders Value Of Weeklies By BRUCE WEST (In the Toronto Globe & Mail) 50 YEARS AGO The Sovereign Bank of Can­ ada has leased Mr. T. Fitton’s building opposite the Central Hotel. Mr. F. E. Karn, who was for ovm two years manager of the Molsons’ Bank at Hensail, has been given charge of the Exeter office. At St. Joseph a few men and teams are now engaged, in gathering stone for the govern­ ment dock, which is to be built here. The timber is expected shortly when a large force of men will be employed and the work pushed rapidly. Usborne council voted $.279 to construct cement concrete abut­ ments and steel and cement top bridge on Concessions 6 and 7. Rev. C. W. Brown, of Exeter, preached two excellent sermons in the Methodist Church, Credi- ton, on Sunday. The coronation has been post­ poned indefinitely on account of the illness of King Edward. 25 YEARS AGO Among those taking part in the Jubilee Festival held, at the Exeter school on Friday night were: Thelma Lewis, Olive Law- son, Marguerite Stewart, Lucy Pomfret, Jean Stanbury, Ruth Fraser, Ila Appleton, Ruby Stone, Ruth Balkwill, Howard Kerslake, Billy Chambers, Hugh Walper, Marshall Dearing, Ches­ ter Cornish, Donald Goodspeed, Leonard Jones, Kenneth Hockey, Allen Fraser, Aimer Hunkin, Jean Sheere, Harold Ross, Joe Creech, Rose Jennings, Wallace Seldon, Melville Simmons, Os­ wald Hamblyn, Billy Walters, Billy Burke, Ray Pryde, Grafton Cochrane, Gerald Skinner, Lloyd Freckleton, John McTavish, Charlie Crompton, Edith Clys- dale, Helen Salter, Grace Chris­ tie, Margaret Martin, Marjorie Complin, Adeline Stone, Viola Show Respect A call for a bee to renew the appearance of the former Crom­ arty Cemetery, 1J miles east of Cromarty where the Presbyter­ ians worshipped 100 years ago, was answered by a number of men from the Cromarty congre­ gation who should be congratu­ lated on the work done in so. short a time. On one tombstone' was the 'date of March 1852 of Agnes Hoggarth. This certainly is one respect we can show to the privileges we enjoy today. (Seaforth News) Seaforth Wins Seaforth District High School Cadet Corps won the Strathcona trophy for efficiency amongst army cadet corps in Western Ontario. Announcement of the award was made by Army Head­ quarters in London this week. Seaforth was in Group 2——81 to 119 Cadets. Final standing with percentage was: Seaforth 84, Elmira 83, Mount Forest 82, Wingham 81, Ferguk 80, Nor- whioh 70, Glencoe 68, Exeter 68, Kinsvllle 68, Forest 66, Mit­ chell 65, Goderich 48, and North Essex (Belle River) 46. (Huron Expositor) Speed Traps Reckless motorists had hotter beware while passing through Clinton! Town Council Monday evening approved a recommendation made by Chief of Police Joseph Ferrand that a ’’speed trap" be Hodgson, Helen Walper, L. Wal­ per, E. Cornish, Elizabeth Foote, Jeanette Taman, J. Clark, M. Brintnell, M. Sims and Mavis Spencer. 15 YEARS AGO Messrs. Russell Snell, J. Hod­ gins and Eldon Kading were in London recently writing on ex­ aminations set by the provincial department of labor for the motor vehicle repair trade. Mr. Charles Pearce has been engaged as teacher at the Holmesville school. Mr. and Mrs. James Willis, of Stephen, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Tues­ day. Elected to the Squire family reunion executive were Harry Squire, Albert Scott, Orville Cann, Harvey Squire, Marshall Squire, Mrs. J. Oke, Mrs. O. Cann, Mrs. F. Squire and Mrs. A. Scott. 1O YEARS AGO Judge and Mrs. J. G. S. Stan­ bury, formerly of Exeter, re­ ceived word that their son, Dr. W. Stuart Stanbury, has been made a member of the Order of the British Empire in the recent King’s birthday honors. Fifty-five Japanese lads from British Columbia arrived at the Centralia Station in their own special car Thursday to work in the sugar beet fields on which there are about l",200 acres in this district. Rev. Beacom, of Grand Bend, has been transferred to Mt. Bridges. Elected to the executive of the fourth and fifth Usborne concession sports day were Roy- lance Westcott, Mrs. Ed Sillery, Charles Jeffery, Mrs. Arthur Ford, Mrs. Harold Jeffery, Miss Warren. NEIGHBORS iiiiiiiiitiiiuiuiiiiiiuiitiiiiiiiiitiiitiiiliiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiliiiiiiiii 3R1III Hl 1II14 l<H M11111111II1111 < f 1H1111111111111 i I i 11111111111H111111 < 111III1111111 News From Our installed. However, the Town Fathers suggested that the Crown At­ torney be consulted regarding the legality of the use of such an outfit. Aid. L. G. Winter stated that the idea was put to test in the Town of Mitchell, but when the traffic cases were tried, evidence offered from the use of a speed­ trap was thrown out. “If it will do any good, let’s be behind it,” said Aid. Bert Gliddon, who agreed with Mr. Winter that the legal staDd be clarified first. “Speeding still is a problem in town, and in order to deal with it more efficiently, I am request­ ing permission to install a speed trap,” the Chief recommended in his monthly report. “The material I shall require includes a stop watch, air cable, telephone wire, two batteries, and cable. Many complaints of speeding on both main highways have been made to me during the past month,” he said, (Clinton News-Record) Old Bible Art Somers has taken to read­ ing the scriptures these days. Recently during the sale of the effects of that famous old Stone Town hostelry—the Oddy House —Art picked up the Oddy fam­ ily Bible, a hefty and many paged document which was 165 years old. Inside the cover are the names and dates of several births and the record of a chris- While sitting reading the Huntsville Forester the other day, it occured to me how vastly important was the weekly-news­ paper in the national scheme of things. And what a powerful voice is represented by the com­ bined efforts of these hundreds of small c o m ni unity papers spread across the length and breadth of the land. Every now and then, on the metropolitan dailies, some of us getillusions of grandeur. We see our giant presses rumbling out hundreds of thousands of copi of our papers, see the teletypes and the telegraphs chattering madly, the big trucks tearing off to all points of the compass ,liear the newsboys shouting on the streets. And the mammoth size of the operation sometimes dazzles us into the idea that we’re fairly large potatoes in the journalis­ tic word. In a sense, I suppose the size and circulation of a newspaper is important. But I often wonder whethei* our very size is not a handicap, occasion­ ally, in getting close to the peo­ ple we serve whose feelings we are supposed to reflect accur­ ately. The best newspaper brains on the largest dailies in the United States, for instance, wrote off Harry Truman with great assur­ ance before the last U.S. elec­ tions, But Harry proved they were wrong. If they had been re­ flecting accurately the mood of their country, they would have been right. I don’t know, but is seems to me that you wouldn’t catch a weekly newspaper editor being wrong very often about the win­ ner of an election in his com­ munity. And it strikes me that it’s more important to be right about a few people than wrong about a lot of people. The weekly newspaper editor usually has time to light up his pipe, stretch out his feet and have a talk with the subscribers. It’s not a daily newspaper editor’s fault that he can’t do this. A big daily has a way of chawing ravenously at his time. But in the case of the weekly editor, he may often, in one day, exchange opinions with a farmer, a welder, the mayor, a housewife and the president of the town’s largest tening of one Christopher Oddy in 1787. There are several old- time family photographs, the men in each having a real crop of spinach on their faces while the ladies are shown wearing those drabble-tail, wasp-waisted gowns for which the gay nine­ ties were noted. Collects Exchange When the money was counted for a day’s sale of tickets foi" the Nazareth House Carnival an extra two cents turned up. It was soon found that a smart young salesman, Dennis Murphy, had accepted U.S. funds to the total of one dollar and had not forgotten an additional charge for exchange rate. (St. Marys Journal-Argus) Installs Linotype Over the weekend The Gazette installed a No. 19 linotype in its composing room. When the Thomson dailies started to change some of their linotypes to telecasters (machines that are run from telegraph lines and ticker tape), they had a number of good used linotypes for sale. The Gazette purchased this one from The Guelph Mercury, as it seemed the closest to the needs of this plant. Compared to larger linotypes in large offices, this machine would be a pigmy but in -a small o'ffice it is a large acquisition to the equipment. (Parkhill Gazette) industry.These exchanges of thought need, by no means, be formal. The chances are, if the editor has been in his chair for soma time, that he recorded the birth, high school graduation and mar­ riage of one or all of these sub­ scribers. In which case Subscri­ ber William Jones become’s merely Tom Jones’ boy. And an. editor who might be .fooled a bit concerning the attitude of Wil­ liam Jones is not likely to be misled very far by Tom Jones' boy. Out of this intimate and friendly relationship there must surely grow that most magic of all journalistic ingredients, some­ times called the -ability to “keep a finger on the public pulse.” If this bond has been well and truly forged, no newspaper can fail to be important, eventhough its entire list of subscribers could be mustered in a small community hall. All of us go through life, to some extent, trying to make our lone small voices heard ’midst the clamor of the multitude which sounds all around us. Whenever some publication is close enough to us to reflect our thoughts and the things we want to say, we feel that we have become arti­ culate and our loneliness is al­ leviated in some degree. In this respect the weekly editor occupies a golden chair, a chair of great dignity and great responsibility. 1-Ie has been given the opportunity of acting as the voice and, in many ways, the conscience of the place in which he lives. And this small town or village, multiplied, is Canada. The golden chair, of course is not without its lumps. It is a little difficult to throw the book at a local political candidate and then.be confronted with his in­ jured and reproachful counten­ ance the very next day or even on the same day. In the case of the weekly newspaper, the so- called man on the street can cease being one by merely tak­ ing a half dozen steps into the editor’s office. Not only that, but the weekly editor may have to interupt his written discourse on the compli­ cated world situation to help a customer compose a classified ad offering a washing machine for sale. This may be awkward at times,, but I can’t help think­ ing it is’ educational. Sometimes the problem of the lady who wants to sell her washing mach­ ine can bring the world situation into a little clearer perspective. Such incidents can serve as a sort of decompression chamber for those who have been prowl­ ing around rather deeply in the world’s affairs. Perhaps the daily newspaper, trying to keep pace with the events of a fast moving world, Is victim of the atmosphere in which it serves. Readers who In a few short years may forget Stalin’s first name are not likely to forget the day Aunt Maggie won the prize for the best cake at the fall fair. Or that Elmer Smith’s hound trotted out the sideroad one day and turned up three weeks later, 30 miles away in Jackson’s Junction. And I’ll be hanged if I'can. say for sure which is the more important. Stalin is getting a lot of publicity these days, but for all I know, Elmer Smith may have had a pretty good hound. Joe, thirteen years old, was puzzled ovei' the girl problem, and talked it over with his pal, Willie. “I’ve walked to school with her three times,’ he told Willie, “and carried her books. I bought her ice cream soda twice. Now do you think I ought to kiss her?” “Naw, you don't need to,” Willie decided after thinking a moment. “You've done enough for that gal already.” Do we know anyone who calls herself your mother-—dear?