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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1971-06-03, Page 4The sober side of June's delights F's2 4e4" ow*? .? x 7-,,fr Come THE CLINTON NEW ERA Amalgamatedis24 Established 1881 THE HURON NEWS-RECORD Established 1865 • CliTitop..NQM7S-Record A member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association and the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) a Clinton, Ontario Pupulatibn 3,475 THE" MME OF RADAR IN CANADA KEITH W. HOUSTON — Editor J, HOWARD AITKEN General Manager second 'Oast mail registration number — 0817 SUBSCRIPTION BATES: (in advance) Canada, $6.00 per year; U.S.A., $7.50 Published every Thursday at the heart of Huron County • 4 Clinton News-Record, Thursday, June 3, 1971 Where are the issues? With rumors persisting that there will be a provincial election sometime this year, it is hard for the casual observer to pick Out just what the issues will be. Ever since the Davis regime took over the government, they have been parrying on a battle against the federal government. One would think they were running against Pierre Trudeau in the next election, not Messrs. Nixon and Lewis. Both the opposition New Democrats and the Liberals meanwhile have been whacking away at the government claiming that it should solve the unemployment problem and all other ills of the economy. Hopefully if an election is called they will bring the Conservatives to task on other matters than unemployment. The facts are that a provincial government just doesn't have that much control over the economy. Even the federal government is often handicapped in fiscal policy by the mere fact that if The message of Mao Within and without the Communist world, the voice of Mao Tse-tung is becoming more and more influential. One of the heaviest selling books in college book stores in recent years in North America has been the little red book containing Mao's thoughts. Young intellectuals and members of the "new left" have read them and adopted them. By many, who have in most cases never even read them, the very existence of the book in North America is considered something of a Communist plot. But if one looks at the policies of the Chinese leader in action, there might be less criticism. There is something frightening about the intense power Mao has over the more than 700 million inhabitants of his country yet the basis of his policy is simple. It is the same type of Puritan work-oriented philosophy that saw hard-working immigrants come to North America to carve a new home out of the hostile, rugged terrain. He tells them to expect nothing, to give their all, not to God as the Puritans believed, but to their country. How we could do with more self-sacrificing people in this self-centred society we have in Canada today. Then there is the policy of keeping all his government officials down to earth, a policy that even' any John Bircher who Poison from the skies A three-man commission of the American Association for the Advancement of Science reports that the U.S. crop-spraying program in South Vietnam was not only devastating but quite ineffective. The commission reported that the defoliants and herbicides had destroyed food, home sites and livestock of thousands of non-Communists in South Vietnam. The spraying of forests and crops has had a severe impact on the South Vietnamese economy, destroying enough food to feed about 600,000 persons for a year. Prime hardwood worth $500 million was lost. Most of the civilians affected by the spraying were Montagnards, non-Communist mountain dwellers who were forced to kill their water buffaloes because they believed them to be affected by the defoliants. The commission also said it had found some inflation is high and unemployment rampant in the United States we have the same problems. Astute handling. by a federal government may lessen the impact and bungling may make it worse, but it is downright impossible, given the current widespread control of Canadian industry by American parent companies, to reverse the American trend. How much less control then can be exerted by a provincial government, even in as rich a province as Ontario? Of . course you have to give the Conservatives good marks for trying to pick uj) votes out of the whole situation. They've been blasting the federal policies on one hand and introducing some small, employment--boosting Measures on the other. This leaves them in the enviable position of being able to take credit for any improvements in the unemployment picture yet washing their hands of, the whole thing and blaming the federal government if things don't imprOve. has had to deal with government departments on this continent should applaud. Mao regularly makes all civil servants take a stint down among the workers, to remember what life is like at the grass roots. Wouldn't it be great to get some of those so-and-so's who are always messing up things down on the farm slugging bales? One of the good things of Mao is how he challenges his people. We had the same kind of challenge here in the 1800's when we were building a new nation, and again during the war when we united in the pursuit of victory. But the only challenge we've had recently is the challenges of how to get a new car and a colour TV in the same year. It was too bad that Prime Minister Trudeau admitted he was joking when he told some Vancouver young people recently that if they really believed in what they said they did, they would go up north and build a new city. Why not challenge the young people to build a new north? Why not give them a real Canadian cause to work for? There are many parts of Maoism of course that are unexceptable, except to the revolutionary left in our country, but we would be foolish not to look at it unbiasedly and pick the good parts for ourselves and discard the bad. striking increases in birth defects in some South Vietnamese hospitals. The White House has since announced that the United States is phasing out its defoliation program in South Vietnam. And yet the damage already has been done. Countless thousands who have been deprived of their normal livelihood will blame the Americans and the poison they sprayed down upon them from the skies. Many diplomats and specialists were against the program right from the start, arguing that this was no way to win hearts in South Vietnam. Their advice was ignored — until just recently. The scientific report just issued in the United States is further proof why the Americans have not been more successful in Vietnam. What a man sows that shall he also reap. (St. Paul). — Contributed Mr. Andrew Porter, a former Clintonian who now resides in Goderich, has been appointed Customs Officer of Goderich, owing to the ill health of Mr. Asa Farrow. The appointment will please all classes and his old friends here offer congratulations upon his promotion to the new position. Tobacco or candy must not be concealed by outgoing servicemen, If there is any concealment the result is that the men Will have to pay large sums for their parcels, whereas if parcels are clearly Marked "For the Expeditionary Forces" they are duty free, 75 YEARS AGO June 3, 1896 The Huron News-Record Cupid scored a victory on Wednesday afternoon of last week when Frank Vannorman, of Belgrave, and Miss Lizzie Kennedy, formerly of Brussels, were united in wedlock by Rev. E. A. Shaw at the home of the bride in the presence of the near relatives of the contracting partieS. June is one of the happiest months of the year in Canada. Or it should be. In other countries they have spring. In this country, we have a bleak month before the last snow goes, and June bursts forth in all her lush, soft Splendour. Grass is startling green and the cattle fill their bellies with the juicy sweetness after a long winter of confinement and dull fodder, Young ones of all species actually gambol, snort, kick up their heels and butt their mothers on one side, then on the udder. Our trees have forgotten their groaning and cracking in the teeth Of winter; they hew and whisper like ladies at a garden party while the squirrels scamper saucily about their legs and the birds twitter among their ample bosoms and verdant hair. June is full of anticipation.. The boat owners are painting and repairing and launching. The golfers are having their finest hour before the silly summer duffers swarm onto the courses. And School is nearly over. And the most beautiful marriages ever conceived are in the offing. It is a month when surely every Canadian should be shouting, "Praise the Lord", or "Let joy be unconfined", or at leaSt, "Wow! This is the greatest'!" -but a benevolent Providence, in its wisdom, must remind man that every rose has a thorn, that every light contains its darkness, that every good has a balancing evil, It's probably just as well'. If there were no bad smells, we wouldn't appreciate the good ones. If we never felt pain or illness, we Wouldn't appreciate health. So, in June, as in life, there's another turn of the wheel, another side of the coin. There's all that glorious nature, just Waiting to be revelled in. And there are all those mosquitoes and blackflies just waiting to revel in turning you into a swollen porpoise or a stripped skeleton. There's all that luxuriant grass, But the dam' stuff is up to your knees before you get your lawnmower overhauled. And there's all that young life. June was a happy month for my Mother, mote years ago than it is decent to talk about. She proudly bore her third son, me. But what she got was a sickly 'whelp who cried ,for two years Without stepping and barely survived every infant's ailment there was in those days. There's all that anticipation, But the boat owner discovers that the rats have been At his sails, or the termites at his hull, or his motor has developed a perforated -ulcer. And the golfer swings too hard on his first day out, slips a disc and is out for the summer. To be sure, school is nearly out. But June is pure hell for both teacher and student. For the teacher it is a scramble of final reviews, an avalanche of evaluation, a surfeit of statistics. Fair enough. He's paid for it. But he might as well be-- teaching a couple of cords of wood. The bodies are there, but the minds and spirits have fled through the open windows into the musky June air. It's even worse for the student. There is that oaf talking about poetry when the greatest poetry in the world is taking place outside that stifling rectangular prison. The blood stirs, the limbs go languorous, the eyes go glassy and that retarded adult up front might as well be talking to himself in Swahili. As for those beautiful marriages, conceived in heaven, and time-tabled for June, If I had any Statistics, I'd say that statistics show that 50 per cent of them will end in a life of quiet desperation, 30 per cent of them will be unbearable, 10. per cent will be impossible, five per cent unspeakable. The test will wind up having their sixtieth anniversary pictures in the local paper. I'm not being cynical about June. I wouldn't miss it for anything. 1 am merely, as usual, presenting the facts. The boat fever Naturally, I speak from hearsay. But it occurs to me that next to having a baby there's nothing more harrowing or more wonderful than having a boat. I am going through a nautical pregnancy at the moment. In the small shop of Alexander J. Brown, a graceful hull has been taking shape these past weeks in a nest of yellow cedar and mahogany shavings. They never built an ocean liner on the Clyde that got more careful attention or which caused its owners to feel any more reverence. It is a boat of modest dimensions, a mere 16 feet from duck-bill bow to stern. Size alone is a minor consideration. Indeed, over on Alex's work bench there is a whittled model of the hull, perhaps a foot and a half in length. My pulse quickens a beat just looking at that. Alex is a patient man, as all men who build boats are patient, but I suspect that he's just a little weary of that eager face tilted over his shoulder. I try to stay away. When I've been in on a Monday, running my hand sensuously along the deep flair 10 YEARS AGO June 1,1961 The Clinton News Record The good news that cnci has been presented with a new Sherlock-Manning piano was recently made public. Purchased by the joint effort of the Student's Council and the Red and Blue Review executive, this fine instrument is a welcome much needed addition to the school's furnishings. Elva Marie Jarrott, Hensel', received her diploma and pin during Graduation Exercises at Stratford General Hospital School of Nursing on Saturday, May 27. She attended South' Huron Secondary School, Exeter, The W. A. of St. James Anglican Church, Middleton met last Tuesday at the home of Mrs. Edward Wise, 15 YEARS AGO May 31, 1956 The Clinton News-Record Miss Joanne Castle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Castle, Clinton, has been awarded the Board of Governors scholarship at University of Western Ontario, London, where she placed first in the third year honours course in physical and health education. Miss Castle is a 1953 graduate of C.D.C.I. Colonel Elmer Bell, Exeter, who is retiring as commanding officer of the 21st Field Regiment, R.C.A., was honoured at a regimental party in Listowel, He is being succeeded by Major Maurice Oliver LiStowel. Friday afternoon, 655 people were x-rayed for TB at the Hensel Community Centre on Friday afternoon. 25 YEARS AGO -June '6,1946 The Clinton Flews-Record Reeve Nott, for Property of her how, I resolve to keep out of his way until Friday. But on Tuesday I am drawn irresistably to her side. And on Sunday I find myself standing tip-toe on a box outside the shop's window gazing in on her with hungry eyes, impatient as a boy waiting for his first date. What is there about a boat, I wonder, that causes this unreasonable pride of possession? There's a clue to that in the gender. You can bet your sweet life it was a man who decided that a boat is a "she." So very often a boat is not merely an acquisition, but a love affair. I have been having them, myself, since I was 15 (a Newfoundland dory we called "The Sieve"). The fever is just as deadly now as then. Maybe more so. There is something spiritual between a man and a boat. There is the promise of a partnership which may bring joy or disaster, but never boredom. A boat invariably has her own individuality, her own idiosyncrasies, her own personality. It will be hard for Committee, reported a centred had been let to redecorate the Council Chambers, work to start at once. Councillor C. J. Livermore thought there should have been an opportunity for others to bid on the contract. The Reeve expressed full confidence in the contractor chosen. The Board of Trustees, Goderich Township School Area met at No. 4 School, Thursday evening, May 30. Permission has been obtained from the Stratford Rotary Club to hold the picnic at Kitchigand Camp on Friday, June 21. Ball games are to start at 2 p.m. Council passed a by-law to amend the existing bylaw with -respect to the appointment of an Assessor and Collector of Taxes. S. W. Manning Was hired at $500 per annum. 40 YEARS AGO June 4, 1031 The Clinton News-Record The Ladies Auxiliary of, the Clinton Golf and Country Club Will have their opening day on Tuesday next, June 9, commencing at 3:30. Tea will be served and it is hoped all members will be present. Social members are especially invited. In the case of rain, the event Will take place on Wednesday. Mr. Leon Vein., violinist of Stratford is starting a violin class in Clinton one day a week. Mr. Veira is well known, being a violinist at the Majestic and Classic Theatres for several years, also leader of St. John's United Church Sunday School Orchestra, who were Winners of the shield in the Perth Music Festival, and teacher of 'several Gold Medallists in the Perth Music Festival. 55 YEARS AGO June 1, 1916 The Clinton New-Era from the first long spinal plank of the keel. Alex, himself, gives no evidence that he is emotionally moved by what is taking place, but as a man who has trouble driving a straight nail this, to me, is the pinnacle of creativity. There are rewards in painting, in making music, even in writing a line that has meaning to it, but I would rather be responsible for the clean and beautiful sweep of that bow than write a hit or a best seller. Each day brings what would be, to me, a new crisis. There was the great day, for instance, when the hull, its wooden pegs, sanded, its cracks caulked, was turned over and the skeleton forms lifted from her so that her shell seemed unbelievably light and thin. There was the day that the engine was lowered between her ribs to give her a beating heart. Somewhere ahead is that best day of all when she'll slide into the water and come to life, the day of the wedding, as it were, and no man ever awaited his bride with more anticipation. Colonel Joe Leffel, the smallest perfectly formed man in the world, has announced himself as a Republican candidate for mayor of Springfield, Ohio, next spring. The Colonel is only 46 inches tall and is 63 years old. The town hall on Friday should be packed to the doers, and no doubt will be when the big local concert takes place in which so much of our Weld is taking part, The admission is only five and 10 cents. The proceeds are for the books bought some time ago for the House of Refuge, Letters to the Editor Complains about cemetery The editor, Saturday afternopn my wife, my mother and myself went to Clintr Cemetery to the graves of my grandfather, grandmother, father, aunt and uncles. We were most disturbed by the look of the grounds, the lawn does not appear to have been mowed as yet this year as grass ranged from four to six inches in ,length in most areas and even greater in spots. There were pieces of paper blowing about and dead leaves and debris around the grave markers. Some footstone markers can hardly be found due to grass growing completely over them. What is the reason? Is this necessary? Do we not have finances available to take care of this area? Do we not have sufficient help on staff at cemetery? If it is finances then it is high time we made some available, council can raise monies for other purposes and this- is one not to be overlooked. I know if I were residing a distance away from Clinton and were home and visited the resting place of loved ones, I would have a disturbed feeling of the upkeep. People would certainly ' be justified to complain. I had the occasion this past week to visit Goderich cemetery and this area is beautiful. The Town of Goderich and cemetery board are to be commended. So Town Fathers and Cemetery Board, "LET US HAVE SOME ACTION AT CEMETERY" Bill Riehl Thanks from Red Cross Mrs. Douglas Andrews, 65 Princess St. W., Clinton, Ont. Dear Mrs. Andrews: I would like to thank you on' behalf' of 'the Red CrOss Blo&d"- Donor Services for organizing a very successful Clinic at Clinton on April 19, 1971. Two-hundred and thirteen donors attended. Please express our thanks to the ladies of your committee who assisted at the Clinic. We sincerely appreciate their help. The continued efforts of the citizens of Clinton in our Blood programme is greatly appreciated by the parents of the two children who require cryoprecipitate in your area, and we thank you on their behalf. Yours sincerely, Joan Marchello. Dear Friends; I would like to add my own personal thanks not only to the blood donors but to the ladies who helped with the clihic. I would also like to thank the women of Ontario Street and Wesley Willis United Church, the Friendship Club of the Anglican Church, the Catholic Women's League of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Madeline Lane Group from the Presbyterian Church who took time to canvass, To date over $800,00 has been realized, If you were missed there is still time to donate either by sending me your donation or giving me a call to pick it up. Last but by no means least a big thank you to the people who donated so generously with their money; without your help nothing would be accomplished. After five years -as chairman of the Red Cross in Clinton, feel that it is time for someone else to have the honor of holding this job. I have enjoyed the work and am planning to carry on as chairman of the Blood Donor's Clinic. Once again My sincere thanks Marian Andrews you to credit this if you have never known the rewards of that affinity. But sit on any yacht club porch. Listen to the conversations. You will hear the recollections of boats which parallel everything in human relationships. Ornery boats and faithful boats. Boats which were skittish, cantankerous, eager, wilful, sluggish, gay. Boats which were frail or strong, ugly or handsome. Boats remembered with delight or horror. Few men ever get over such affairs. I have been in the dignified offices of one of Canada's great editors, a man dealing sternly with the currents of history, and watched his eyes mist over, watched him turn to a jelly of sentiment and nostalgia at the memory of a decrepit barge known as "The Fourth Estate." All of the boats in my own sordid past have been second-hand. The dory, I suspect, had known a hundred possessive hands on her tiller. This is my first experience at seeing a boat of my own develop