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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1954-03-04, Page 2NEW AND POWERFUL UNKNOWN FACTOR THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 4, 1954 "TIMES Go By tliyililHlItHHIIIHHUHIHHIHHHllIinilHIHHIillllliHinnU Mr. $350. Windsor Star two has his Heanxan received he to AGO commenced This journal shall always, fight for progress, reform and public welfare, never be afraid to attack wpng, never belong to any political1 party, never be satisfied with merely print­ ing news. THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 4, 1954 Beneficial To All (_ MALENKOV POLICIES’ There is one other paragraph of the gouny clerk’s statement, to which we object. It says, in part, that members of the council reached their decision on the court­ house after due 'inspection and consideration, Then it adds: “Now the public, many of whom know nothing of the facts, are trying to tell them what to do. They fail to realize that they elected these reeves and deputy­ reeves to make their decisions in the best interests of the respective municipalities and the county,” The inference that there is something wrong in the public trying to tell their elect­ ed representatives what to do is an amazing contradiction of the principals of democracy under which the county council operates. Irregardless of whether the public is ill- informed or not, it has every right to tell its representatives what to do. The people own the privilege of questioning or criticis­ ing the decisions of their councils. The re­ presentatives, of course, should attempt to change opinions that they feel are wrong but they should not ignore or fail to con- sidei* the public's thoughts. We hope, and will assume, kthat the county clerk did not mean what he said. Otherwise, it would appear that his attitude is “the public be damned” which is all too prevalent among elected representatives and paid public officials now. We have experienced too many exam­ ples of this disrespect fox- the public. With some ill-conceived reason, these authorities assume they are above reproach or question­ ing of the people they serve. They consider theii' citizens have no right to know about some of the things they discuss or to know' why or how or when they reached a certain decision. The press is all too full of reports of , councils who, in effect, tell reporters and the public to “go to Hades”. This is soj not only because they are afraid of public opin­ ion because it might not be the same as their own, but also because they have the egotisti­ cal notion they are the only ones who can make an intelligent decision, and that the people are an ignorant mass of nincompoops, This disastrous disease which attacks the heart of democracy spreads like wildfire because the authorities find it a “convenient” way of avoiding their duty to take the pub­ lic into their confidence. But it’s time a permanent cure was found to stop this dia­ bolical ’flu. Let the representatives and officials work in co-operation with and in considera­ tion of the public they serve and they will fixxd their task much easier. Every farmer in this area should be in­ terested in the Huron County Seed Fair which will be held in Clinton on Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6. Sponsored by the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association, this annual .spring fair is held for the purpose, of raising the quality .and yield of grain to the betterment of the agriculture industry, Many enlightening displays and an ex­ cellent panel discussion among both local and provincial experts are features of fair. Bailway crossing collisions took lives of 10 motor vehicle drivers and passengers during January, according to pre­ liminary reports, This was the worst cross­ ing accident experience for any month on record in Ontario. It compares with the previous high record of 19 people killed in motor vehicles at railway crossings during February 1951. The reports indicate that in three in­ stances drivers, having seen approaching trains, attempted to stop but skidded onto the tracks. Excessive speed also contributed to another collision when a driver ran into the last car of a' passing train. One stalled his vehicle on the tracks. Car windows tight­ ly closed and frost-covered perhaps prevent­ ed another driver from seeing an approach­ ing train. These fatal accidents occurred at unguarded crossings. In the four collisions which took place at crossings with gates or wig wag installa­ tions, two drivers attempted unsuccessfuly to outrace trains. One driver waited for a train to pass then pulled into the path of a second coming' in the opposite direction. In one case gates were not lowered. Including crossing fatalities, there were 6'1 people killed on the streets and roads of the province during the month—26 trians, 20 passengers and 18 drivers, pedestrians, all but four were killed ban streets. Twelve were under the 12 and five were over 65. pedes- Of the on ur- age of It's Got a “beef”? Pleased about something? Mad at the world? Like to suggest an im­ provement ? Write a lettex' to the editor. The T-A is happy to publish signed let­ ters from readers who wish to state an opinion. Our columns are always open for public discussion of common problems. Opinions and arguments are the health­ ful tonics of democracy. If you’d like the people to know what you think, please be encouraged to use our “Letters To The Editor” column. ir ( Fort Wil liam- Times-Journal) Pity a Member of the Canadian Parlia­ ment in a year like this. Not only has their salary been increased to $10,000, -but the publicity attending the hike lias been tre­ mendous. Before tin’s, the situation was bad enough fox* a Member, He was the object of affection of any organization or individual in his Biding at a time when the organiza­ tion or individual was desperately in need of a cash donation to this cause or that. Man, with what designs must those money-chasers be eyeing their Member's ex­ tra pay now! In the first apparently official statement on county council’s decision to build the new courthouse 'in Goderich, Clerk Harvey Ers­ kine explains some of the reasons behind the move. This statement is reproduced, from The Goderich Signal-Star of last week. “The Court House has been under dis­ cussion for the past seven years. In Novem­ ber, 1953, the Huron County Property Com­ mittee inspected the Court House from top to bottom and came to the conclusion that every member of the County Council should do likewise. This was done during the Janu­ ary session in 1954. Following this individual inspection a recorded vote of 26 to 3 in favor of a new Court House was taken. Be­ fore this vote was taken, every angle was discussed, such as alteration of the present building, using the old building for some other purpose and building the new Court House at another location. “The old building did not lend itself to alterations. Other locations were not suit­ able. Moving to another town was not de­ sirable owing to the County Jail and the Registry Office already being in Goderich. Goderich is the County Town. Costs of mov­ ing to another town would be out of all proportion. It would not be economical to use the old building for other County pur­ poses. “These facts were given due considera­ tion before the deciding vote was taken in favor of building a new Court House on the site of the old one. “The heating system in the present Court House is beyond repair. A number of strategic joists in the building are in a bad state of decay and temporary props only are holding them in place. Walls in the building are cracking in various places and the window frames are very noticeably shrunk ...” % Although the reasons outlined in this statement are rather summarily given, it is at least an attempt on the part’of one offi­ cial to acquaint the public with some of the considerations of which it might not be aware. Exeter ®ime5=&fcbotate Times Established 1873 . Amalgamated 1924 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 OWNA Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Paid-in-Advance Circulation as of September 30, 1953 » 2,474 Subscription Rates Canada (in advance) $3.00 per year«--> IL8.A* (tn advance) $4.00 per' year Published by The Exeter Timcs-Advocatc Limited AUDIT 1 V Bureau QjRCUlAm Opening: The Ontario Legislature open­ ed its 1954 Session on Thursday, February 11, with the usual colour, dignity and array of uni­ forms. The Speech from the Throne was read by the Lieuten­ ant Governor, and in this speech the intended legislative program is outlined. The ceremony was televised and many of those in the chamber appeared uncomfort­ able under the extremely bright lights which are required for television. The following day several bills were introduced ‘to the house and given first reading. These bills were printed over the weekend so that all members and interest-f­ ed persons will have a copy when the bill is presented for second reading. The members of the Striking Committee were named by the Premier and- the first meeting of this committee was called for Monday morning, so that every­ body could get to work immed­ iately. The Work Begins .Prior to the meeting of the striking committee, the Whips of the various parties prepare lists of their members and the various committees to which they will be named. Very important government work is done in committee meet­ ings and several of these com­ mittees meet every morning dur­ ing the entire session. The gov­ ernment feels that members will be given the best opportunity of acquainting themselves with the work and methods of the various government departments through., these committee meetings. To speak in the Legislative Chamber one has to lie a member and any can and ferred to the committee dealing with that particular subject. At this committee meeting, all in­ terested parties can attend and give information and evidence, either for or against the bill, and the members of the commit­ tee can ask any question in an easy, informal cannot be done live Chamber, can recommend who introduced ........ amendments or changes that can be made. This is often done on the basis of new information which is presented to the com­ mittee. > Every member of the Legis­ lature acts on four or five com­ mittees and is some times unable to attend all meetings since they often meet at the same time. There are at least 17 standing committees. Debate On Hie Throne Speech While the real function of the government is -to introduce Leg­ islation as required by our grow­ ing and expanding needs, much valuable information is brought to the attention of the Premier, Cabinet Ministers and members through -the debate on the Speech from the Throne. The government members usually praise the government and extoll the virtues of the var­ ious plans and legislation which were mentioned iii the from the Throne. Opposition Members criticize the government ing too far, or perhaps enough, oi^ fast enough many sug- many de- outsiders cannot enter into discussion. However, a bill be introdueed into the house ordered printed and then re- By TOM PRYDE he spoke on Thursday afternoon* February 19, followed by Prem­ ier Frost. All new Legislation or amend­ ments to exisiting legislation come before the Legislature in ihe form of a bill, and during every session of the Legislature anywhere from 7‘5 to 150 bills are introduced. There are three distinct types of bills, namely, Government Bills, Opposition Bills and Private Bills. Government Bills are introduc­ ed by the Cabinet Minister whose Department is concerned, or who will administer the regulations. Private Members’ Bills are in- troducted by Private Members and do not actually concern any government department. • Matters introduced through the form of a private bill may only affect a certain locality and do not call for the expenditure of provincial funds in their administration. Such matters as annexations, the incorporation of a town or vil­ lage, the granting of charters to religious or stitutions are all brought for­ ward through private bill. During the first full week of the legislature, some 20 govern­ ment bills have been introduced and the same number of private bills introduced and ordered printed. The Legislature will likely con­ tinue in session for a period of seven or eight weeks. Many people are under the im­ pression that the House is in Session continually the year round, but in all provincial legis­ latures in Canada there is only one session during the year, ex­ cept under exceptional circum­ stances when an additional ses­ sion may be held in the Fall. However, this does not mean that members of the legislature are relieved of their government activities between Sessions. \ During the session many spec­ ial committees are appointed, and nearly all members serve on one or more of these special commit­ tees. Some of these committees philanthropic in­ the form of a manner-, which in the Legisla- This committee to the Minister ■the bill, certain Speech uSually for go- not far In the program, They have gestiohs and make mands, The neat in order bate is the Leader Of tion, Mr. Farquhhf Oliver, and in this de­ ltas Opp0sl­ Maclean’s Magazine "I think it wa$ less repulsive the you used to wear it." Maclean’s Magazine may meet for three or four days in almost every week of the year. This was the case with the Select Committee on Reform Institu­ tions appointed at the 1953 ses­ sion. This committee visited many Reform Institutions and sat al­ most continuously since last spring until now. All these select committees finalize their find­ ings in the nature of a report which is presented to the legis­ lature and usually results in a new act being introduced, or in existing acts being amended to bring them in line with the find­ ings A does The Standing Committees meet only while the Legislative session is in progress, and are automatic­ ally dissolved when the House prorogues. The report of the Select Com­ mittee on Election Law was pre­ sented iu the House on Febru­ ary J. 9, with specific recommend­ ations as to the changes whidh should be made in the Election Act to keep up with our fast- changing conditions. Several members of the committee spoke on the various aspects of the re­ port, as the effect of the recom­ mendations would make quite a decisive change in election pro­ cedure. ■ As a result of the federal elec­ tion on August 10, 1953, when many people lost their vote on account of being on vacation, it, was recommended that advance polls be set up in provincial elec­ tions so that all people‘ who would be away on vacation or on business or for any other reason on election day, would be allowed to vote at the Advance Poll. This poll would be held for several days in the week preceding the date of election. At the present time 100 signa­ tures are required on a candi­ date’s nomination paper, and a recommendation was made to require only 10 signatures. It was recommended also that a $200 deposit be required of all candidatesin a provincial elec­ tion, and this, too, follows the procedure required in the fede­ ral election act. The reason for this deposit is to eliminate a per­ son as candidate who may be doing, so in a frivolous way. It is expected that a candidate should represent at least a body of public opinion among electors and show a recognition of his responsibility by putting up a deposit of this nature. This de­ posit Would be forfeited if the candidate received less than 50 per cent of the votes obtained by the winning candidate. Another recommendation which was mentioned was one which would make it possible for can­ didates to personally hire con­ veyances for taking voters to the polls, and consideration Was given also in the report to mak­ ing it Compulsory for electors to Vote by providing some type of penalty for failure to vote, ex­ cept in case of illness, or by pro­ viding proof of inability to at- tend the polls. This report will be studied by the government and a bill intro­ duced at a later date which wilt be based On the report, but will not necessarily make all the fe- coinmendations effective, During the session, reports will be received from the other Select COhihiitteOg which were appointed during the 1953 Ses-1 sioh. The purpose of these articles 1S to acquaint our people With something of the mechanics of the Legislature and possibly spot­ light Pleasures Which are of par­ ticular interest to the folks at hoine. ot the Committee. Select Committee meets and its work between Sessions. 50 YEAR? AGO , E. J. EJ&erett, who here a few years ago foi Northwest, is prospering and is now proprietor of the Morrissey Mines Despatch, B.C. The storms which again swept the locality this week have been the worst of the season, The southbound train and snowplow enroute from Wingham were both stuck and the train from London got no further than Exeter. A severe electrical storm accompan­ ied by fierce gales, hail and sleet, encased the rails in solid sheets of ice which nothing but a thaw will remove. Mr. John Ford has been ap­ pointed caretaker of the Exeter cemetery. Herbert Southcott has entered the employ of J. A. Stewart as an apprentice in the mercantile business.W. J, “ - - carloads of coal which been busy distributing needy customers. Messrs. Handford and Elliott have purchased a fine team of horses for which they paid Dew, of Hurondale, 25 YEARS Miss M. Pridham her duties at the public school this week taking the place of Miss N. Medd who resigned. Pearl Cann, youngest member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. S. J. V. Cann, had a narrow escape from death when she fell from the second 3torey window of their home to the cement sidewalk be- At a meeting of baseball en­ thusiasts it was decided to enter a team in the O.B.A. for the coming season. Mr. N. W. Trewartha, of Clin­ ton, took over the new-laid egg business from Mr. C. F. Hooper this week. Penny Banks are rated in the public school. The D u f f e r i n House Hotel property in Centralia this week to Mr. Cook, stock, who will open it to-date hotel with the coniodations. being iuaugu- was sold of Wood- as an latest up- ac- 15 YEARS AGO Alarm was raised at Grand Bend when five fishermen were believed to have been carried out into the lake on an ice floe. Later they were found with theii' par stuck in a snow bank between the Bend and Beach O' Pines where their nets were set. In the party were Joseph Brenner, Wil­ bert Dewel, Hector and E. Gill and Herbert Pfile. Two farms have changed hands. Mr. Lloyd Parsons has bought the 100 acre farm of Mrs. Mary Harding pn the second con­ cession of Usborne and Mr. Har­ old Rowe has purchased the farm owned by B. M. Francis on the Ninth of Usborne: Mr. and Mrs. Join? Selves, of Woodham, celebrated theii’ gol­ den wedding anniversary Febru­ ary 26. March came in like a lion, High winds and lower tempera­ ture marked its advent. Rev. J. W. Penrose, of Elim- ville, has purchased the residence of Miss Elston on Andrew St. Mr, Penrose expects to retire from the active ministry of the United Church this summer and with Mrs. Penrose and family, will move to Exeter. Clayton Cornish, 25 - year - old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cor­ nish, Usborne, died in London following an operation for a rup­ tured appendix. IO YEARS AGO Two student pilots from No. 9 S.F.T.S. Centralia, lost their lives when their planes collided in mid­ air on the farm of George Hirt- zel, south of Crediton. Killed were Bruce M. Gordon, son of Rev. and Mrs. Moore Gordon, of Hagersville, formerly of Exeter, and Donald J. Bryne, son of Mrs. Mabie Bryne, Toronto. Mr. J. J. Lawson, jeweller here for many years, has disposed of his business.to Mr. Fred Cole. P/O Earl Schroeder, who re­ ceived his wings and commission at Gimli, Man., of Mr. and Mrs. der, Stephen, to in the R.C.A.F. Mr. and Mrs. received gifts from the choir, congregation, Sunday School and other church groups at the close of Mr, Goulding's 20-year service as organist of James St. United Church. The owned broken carried away. It was found on a sideroad with door broken open. Close to $200 in cash as well as butter and gasoline coupons were missing. is the third son William Scliroe- be commissioned W. R. Goulding creamery at Centralia, by Canada Packers, was into and a large safe NEIGHBORS Resigns From Force After almost 15 years of ser­ vice with the Ontario Provincial Police force, Cpl. Frank Taylor who for the past five years has commanded the St. Marys O.P.P. detachment, has handed in his resignation to take effect soon, Cpl. Taylor has completed ar­ rangements for the purchase of the Cox Service Station, East Ward. Citizens will be sorry to see Cpl, Taylor leave the local force, but will be wishing him all the best in his new venture. (St. Marys Journal-Argus) Injured With Hot Water ■Little Diane McKinley, aged 3, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKinley, of the Goshen line^, north, who had the misfor­ tune of'^backing in a bucket of hot water containing wash, one day last week, was given medical attention immediately. We are pleased to report Diane is pro­ gressing as well as can be ex­ pected. (Zurich Herald) Graft Bone To Neck Paul Webb, son of Mr, and Mrs. Arthur Webb, underwent an otperation in Toronto General Hospital. Surgeons removed part of a bone ixx his leg and grafted it onto the vertebrae in his neck. Last year, Paul broke his neck when diving into water out West. When it seemed the break was healed the cast was removed. But when, the vertebrae became dislocated again, doctors decided a graft was necessary. Following the operation a cast will have to be fitted and worn until such time as the graft is strong enough to hold the vertebrae to­ gether. (Parkhill Gazette) Boy Swallows• Marble “Rickie,” seveii-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Fortune, while sitting in his class at St. James’ separate school on Wed­ nesday, swallowed an ally,•He received attention at Dr. Gorwiil’s office and is recover­ ing nicely. (Huron Expositor) Compromise In Dispute Compromise on the part of the ‘Public VtllitiCs Commission was offered oh Tuesday evening, following considerable heated discussion when the letter from Town Council presenting the re­ quests Of 433 petitioners was read. Requested by the petitioners to rescind a motion made by PUC on January 6, Which ap­ pointed E. A. HiimbaH as assist­ ant superintendent of the PUC at a salary of $3,50'0, on a par with that of the present superin­ tendent J. Rands, the' Commis­ sion decided to do so. In place of that motion they agreed to hire Mr. Rumball in the assist­ ant’s position at a salary of $3,300. Advised by Mayor M. J. Agnew that many of the petltion- ei's felt that the treasurer's job should be re-allocated, the Com­ mission made a change and ap­ pointed Frank Mutch of the PUC staff as treasurer. (Clinton News-Record) Petitions Fox’ Dredging The Mitchell Chamber of Com­ merce has undertaken, with the aid of the Conservation Club, to canvass the entire town seeking signatures to a petition to bo presented by H. A. Cook, Town Council’s member on the Thames River Conservation Authority, at'* their March meeting, entreating this Authority to take immediate steps to carry out their plans for the widening and. dredging of the River Thames at Mitchell -to overcome a constant threat at flood time. The Authority , has been willing to proceed with this work, engin­ eering details being complete and satisfactory to all concerned, but they cannot ascertain from pro­ vincial and federal governments hOw and when they will share their proportion of the costs. (Mitchell Advocate) Maclcan’a Magazine /