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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1963-09-19, Page 4 00••••41,11,714•000 .. .1014"0.. Feet .Hurt After .The fair?. THEN COME TO SMYTH'S EDITORIALS Christianity and -politics Now to the polling booths BY !REV,J. PHILIP.O.A1.1pOIY, RECTOR OF TRIVITT MEMORIAL ANGLICAN CHURCH a I And Try On A Pair Of Vrefr Hush. Puppies These popular casuals for men or women should pnt that spring back in your step, pring the family gptig and see our complete line of $PECIAL 2 $PAielicAeQ4lugSgHa°gEeS sFe°tsR (wardrobe and overnight) 3 only Blue, Dark Grey, Ivory . ...t $21.95 Per set SMYTHS' SHOE STORE LTD. EXETER Sayage for children Hartt for men Naturalizes for women, vorrosaapopem- Awassva~saamitii t The election campaigns will reach a cli- max this coming week when Ontario politicians will try to jar voters out of their apathy and into their polls, We're not convinced, however, that this 'apparent lack of interest which is drawing com- plaints from some quarters is really apathy, even allowing for the frequency of elections in recent years, We have a hunch it's satisfaction with the progress Ontario has made during these past five years. People aren't inclined to scream when they are contented. To be realistic, there just haven't been any issues develop to stand anyone on his ear, at least not at this stage. You could hardly call the pension squabble a contentious question, although it's been a rather frightening threat to state sanity. Our huge welfare program, brought about mainly by rash election promises in recent years, is crippling the nation's budg- et and it would appear thoroughly irresponsible to jump into another major plan without giv- ing it sound and careful study. We join almost every other newspaper in the province in com- mending Premier Robarts for his refusal to be stampeded into premature commitments in his negotiations with Ottawa. Whatever other questions have arisen have been fractious and of narrow scope to date. They have not stirred the electorate,- In Huron, as we stated earlier in this column, Charlie MaeNaughtori obviously de- 'serves re-election on 'the basis of his achieve- ments and 'his record of service in a key post of government. If this statement rankles - his opposition, as it appears to have done, we can- not apologize for it, It is simply realistic. Our support for MacNaughton, we'd like 'to make clear; detracts nothing from Harry Strang, the Liberal candidate who is qualified and who deserves commendation for standing in opposition in order that we may enjoy our democratic privilege of 'choice. Strang presents an able 'alternative were it a question of good government or good representatron. There just isn't any such question, In Middlesex North, too, the voters have an excellent cabinet minister and riding repre- sentative in Bill Stewart. They will have no dif- ficulty making a decision. We suggest there will be no apathy at the polls in this 'area next Wednesday. On the contrary, we feel there should be an enthusi- astic vote to register recognition and apprecia- tion. More about the flag Christians, we believe that they can only see these issues in the clearest light as they see that they have Almighty God on their side —that is, as they see that Almighty God is also concerned for the welfare of His people, But if we are to have vision in our leaders, we must have vision in the voters. We who have the privilege and the re- sponsibility of the power 'to 'vote, we must have the vision to see which is the man to whom we should give that vote. With a Provincial election coining up within a week, it is a duty laid upon each of us to study the Issnes and the men involved as carefully as we can, and then use our vote accordingly. Adolf Hitler is reported to have said, "Let the clergy look after the other world, and I will look after this." I think the knowledge we have of the man who said this should make us think about such a statement, Change the word 'cl e r gy' to 'Christians', and I would say that if Christians are content to think about the future world, and leave the affairs of the pre- sent to those who don't care what God thinks —then we shall get leaders of the quality of Adolf Hitler, and we shall deserve what we get. In this sense Christianity and politics cannot be divorced the one from the other. triunity are endless, and it is the bounden duty of a Christian to examine himself and the par ticular talents God has given him, and so decide where he can, be of most use, and then getout and offer 'his services, One other important way in which we can love our neighbor is to do all we can to make sure that he is governed by the be st possible men;, and this means that it is a Christian duty to use our vote wisely and thoughtfully at any election. We have no di- vine guidance from God as to which man to vote for God has given us minds to think this out for ourselves. But God is concerned about the welfare of His people in this province and throughout the world, and Be expects his fol- lowers to be equally concerned. Although we are not given the names of the candidates in the pages of the Bible, we are given a most illuminating sentence: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Surely this means that our leaders, our politicians, must be men of vision. This word 'vision' has to do with seeing. Our leaders must be men who can see clearly the issues involved; they must see clearly what is the best course for the people as a whole, not for their own selves, And as We have been in the property man- agement field for many years and our specialists are ready to help you. In many cases they have made substantial savings for property-owning clients. We invite your enquiries. Established in Sarnia in 1889, we have grown with this community. Your business in our hands is made secure by neighbourly, personal service. "That will cost you some strokes!" THE INDUSTRIAL MORTGAGE & TRUST COMPANY Head Office: SOl1110 Offices: Forest, Petrulia Agents — Wallaceburg, Dresden, Strathroy JOTTINGS BY JMS J. M. Southcott In the question of a national flag, which continues 'to be a Canadian issue, there remains some confusion over the status of the Red En- sign. In this regard, we are indebted to C. V. Laughton, QC, for a copy of the 1945 order in council which states in effec1t that authority has been given to fly 'the Red Ensign "until such 'time as action is taken by Parliament for 'the formal adoption of a national flag". The order thus confirms the opinion often expressed here that Canada still does not have a national flag. It is high time she did have one. For those who wish to read the order in its entirety, it is reproduced here: P.C. 5888 AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT OTTAWA Wednesday, the 5th day of September 1945 Present: His Excellency The Governor General in Council: Whereas the Right Honourable W. L. Mackenzie King, the Prime Minister, reports that by Order in Council P.C. 134 of January 26th, 1924, authority is given for displaying the Red Ensign with the shield of the Coat of Arms of Canada in the fly (commonly known as "the Canadian Red Ensign") on suitable oc- casions from all buildings owned or occupied by the Canadian Government and situated with- out Canada; That the Canadian Red Ensign was em- ployed by Canadian forces during the present war; 'and That, until such time as action is taken by Parliament for fie formal adoption of a na- tional flag, it is desirable to 'authorize the fly- ing of the Canadian Red Ensign on. Federal government buildings within as well as with- out Canada, and to remove any doubt as to the propriety of flying the Canadian Red Ensign wherever place or occasion may 'make it de- sirable to fly 'a distinctive Canadian flag; Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, is pleased to order and doth hereby order that the Red Ensign with the shield of the Coat of Arms of Canada in the fly (hereinafter referred to as "the Canadian Red Ensign") may be flown from buildings owned or occupied by the Federal 'government within and without Canada. His Excellency in Council, on the same recommendation, is further pleased to declare and doth hereby declare that it shall be ap- propriate to fly the Canadian Red Ensign with- in and without Canada wherever place or oc- casion may make it desirable to fly a distinc- tive Canadian flag. Nothing herein shall be deemed to alter in any way the provisions now in force with respect 'to the flying of the Blue Ensign with 'the shield of the Coat of Arms of Canada in the fly on Canadian Naval vessels and other gov- ernment vessels, nor 'with respect 'to the flying of the Canadian Red Ensign 'on Canadian Mer- chant vessels. To the fair by train A. D. P. Heeney, Clerk of the Privy Council Flazagairggr.n. BY THE EDITOR Don Southcott Strategy on the hustings Few people enjoy manoeuvres more than Elmer D. Bell, QC, an honorary lieutenant-colonel of the 21st Field Artillery Regiment. He loves to study military strategy; can tell you, for example, how the South could have won the key battle of the Civil War at Gettysburg, Va., whose battleground he has studied on a number of occasions. His enthusiasm for strategy has been just as strong in the political field, which partially explains why he now is president of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party. In this latter capacity during the past two weeks, Bell has been touring the province with Prime Minister Roberts in Ontario's election campaign. "I'm just carrying the PM's bags", he'll tell you with a straight face. But don't you believe it. A press release explaining the de- tails of the PM's tour states "Elmer Bell will be in charge of all matters pertaining to association questions". That hardly eXplainS his function, with all its splendid attractions. Dressed in their Sunday best, crowds gathered at the depot and watched as the special train of several coaches rounded a curve in the track north of town, stop just before reaching the depot to take on water from the tank and then pull slow- ly into the station. The next thing was to find a vacant seat on the train since the same thing that was happening in Exeter had happened all up the line. It was all enthusiasm as the travellers entered the train, but it was a different story at night when the travellers re- turned on the special that left London after the night perfor- mance on the grandstand. Not only was it a happy bunch, but it was often a bedraggled crowd burdened down with baskets of peaches and, grapes and other articles purchased in the city. To some it was a special delight to watch the train again take on water and speed away into the night as they turned their weary steps to the long walk back to their homes from the station away up town. The fall fair season is now in full swing. The Toronto and London fairs are a thing of the past for another year and the local communities are now coming into their own. There are a number of changes in the local fairs but they follow pretty much the same pattern from year to year. The biggest change is in transportation since automotive power has supplanted the horse and the fine animals that used to be the pride of the farm are now being replaced by those that are now raised principally for show purposes. Gone is the excitement that at one time prevailed during the week of the London Fair When the London, Huron and Bruce railroad ran special excursions to the city and afforded some with possibly their only trip to London throughout the year. It was one of the highlights to board the train at Exeter at about nine o'clock in the morn- ing and return by special train late at night after spending the day in the city, Visiting and shopping in the stores and tak- ing in the great Western Fair me, sir, but we must be moving'. If we don't, the day's itinerary can be thrown out. Miss several deadlines at the start of a day and you find you're going to miss an engagement altogether. You have to be on your toes all the time." Hectic? Yes, but it's not difficult to determine that Elmer Bell loves it. "It's quite an experience", he'll tell you, in a way that indicates it's an exciting one. How's it feel to be at the hub of an election campaign? "You get a strange feeling of isolation, oddly enough," says the Exeter lawyer. "It's rather re- markable, in a way. Your regular day- to-day contacts are missing and the normal routine is gone. You get the newspapers every clay of course and you keep in touch with everything that's going on but the constant moving from place to place seems to set you apart from the rest of the world." He obviously enjoyed being home for the day. I beg .{,...we either. Knowing his love for strategy, you can bet he's in the thick of tactical planning of the campaign. If that sounds like a shady game being played by the boys in a dingy back room, an 'unfortunate impression created by U.S. politics in less honest days, forget it. On any political cam- paign, each of the leaders has to make day-to-day decisions — how to reply to the latest opposition charges, what topic is of special importance to the people of this riding, what's happening in other parts of the province, how do we handle this problem that's cropped up in John Smith's riding, can the schedule be adjusted to take in Bill Jones' district — the normal volume of questions which crop up in a province-wide tour under the pressure of a vote deadline. Home for a weekend rest, Elmer Bell indicates just how hectic apolitical tour can be. "We work on a five-minute schedule," he explains. "When we hit a deadline, I have to put my hand on the PM's shoulder and say, 'Excuse Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 71te exeferZimes-Abuocafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND Member: C,W.N.A,, C.C.N.R, and ABC Children have a way with words. Who else could suns up a CO-OP • philosophy and service in one short sentence, Is there a better way of saying that the guiding spirit of the Co-Operative movement is the fellowship and warmth of the CO-OP "family". Men and women working together for a full, More rewarding life. Or, for that matter, could we convey more convinc- ingly the heiney comfort of CO-OP Sunglo Heating guaranteed by top quality fuel and backed by fire CO-OP service. Yes, children have a very special way with work with them, it's what they meati not how they say it that counts, ,Ike M sicred 'Aide ark co•op 0,1 0,11A,p1AN Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont. Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dep't, Ottawa, and for Payment of Postage in Cash FREE HOME HEATING SERVICE • Free Clean-out and Conditioning • Free Annual Inspection I • Free 24-hour Emergency Service FUEL OILl • You , pay only for oil and replacement parts Paid-in-Advance Circulation, March 31, 1963-3,928 SUBSCRIPT;ON RATES': Canada $4.00 Per Year; USA 0.00 ..••• moo• m•••• d••••I 1.441 " EXETER DISTRICT 'CO-OP "The church shouldn't with inter- fenre politics!" "Religion ..and politics Have you ever heard state- ments like these? personally, can never understand people who talk like that. I'm afraid they have never worked out the true aims either of politics or of religion. If these two things don't mix, something will have to be done about rewriting the Bible. There wouldn't be much left if all political ideas were taken out of Old Testament prophecy, and the New Testament is firmly set into a political background. The word 'politics' comes from a Greek word, 'polites' -- a citizen. Its basic mean- ing is the art of living together in a city or community. The most natural instinct of mankind is to gather together in a com- munal life, so that each person can contribute something to the life and welfare of his fellows. In this way the talents and resources of different indivi- duals may be pooled for the benefit of all. Imagine what. it be like try- ing to live a life of complete independence a life in which you would accept none of the benefits offered by your fellow men. You'd have to grow all your own food, keep your own cattle, make your own clothes, make your own car, and dig for oil which you'd have to refine to provide fuel for your hand- made vehicle. You'd have to build your own generating station to provide hydro, and dig a well to get your water. You'd have to edu- cate yourself and your children without the help of those trained for such a purpose. Such a list could go on, but enough has been said to show that if we value the results of modern science and the high standard of living we enjoy today, then we can't live in isolation. This is the starting place for an understanding of the place of both politics and re- ligion in our life. For with every privilege must go re- sponsibility. If we value the benefits of this system of pool- ing our resources for the good of all, then all who use these benefits must share in the re- sponsibility of administering them fairly. Even the smallest unit in society, the family, cannot be run without some kind of plan- ned economy. We have to as- sess the family income and decide how much is to be spent on food, how much on enter- tainment, etc. One member of the family will be given the job of administering the housekeep- ing money — usually the wife. Another must look after re- pairs and renovations neces- sary to keep the fabric of the building in good repair — usual- ly the husband. Without proper handling of these very material things, the happiness and com- fort of the family would be in danger. It is exactly the same way with the larger community — be it town, province or nation. We choose out from our number certain men and women in whom we have confidence to adminis- ter our affairs for the common good of all. And to those whom we choose we give the name slinging mud at these men, let us remember that their task is to make it possible for men and women to live together in a community to the mutual ad- vantage of all, and on the whole they do a pretty good job. In other words, politics is con- cerned with the welfare of hu- man beings. Now where does Christianity come into all this? First, we are followers of a God whom we be- lieve to be interested in the lives of men and women. We believe in a God who came into this world in the person of Jesus Christ. And when He came He was very much concerned with everyday affairs. He Was con- cerned about physical health. He was concerned about em- ployment practices and rates of pay (remember his story about the labourers in the vine- yard). He was concerned about our duty to pay taxes (Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's), Jesus was vitally interested in politics. One of the greatest commands that Jesus gave His followers was the command to love your neighbor. I am aware that this Can be interpreted in many ways, Nit 1 believe with all my heart that one of the surest and most real ways in which we can begin to obey this command, is to be concerned about our neigh- bor by taking an active interest in the affairs of our community, province and nation. FOr some, this concern will lead them to stand for public Office for' some, 'it will entail Working actively for the young people of the community in pro- VI di n g recreational facilities for the develOpitent of their bodies, =and their spotting in stincts4 The possibilities in this Modern World for adiVelY Serv- ing but fellow Man in the cOni , "Madam loOks simply divine rear ex if Madam wouldn't mind using the rear exit---"