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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1964-03-12, Page 2Easter Candies by Jenny Lind Rabbits, Chicken and Eggs Easter Cards this Sunday, Wednesday, afternoon and .dUringrthe everlin .thr94949.0 ...the ,week. EDITORIALS Bought your Easter Seals? Lines need. strengthening Reports presented 'at last week's -HS- DHS ..laoatd meeting indicate there are some weak lines of communication at the school which need repair. The board showed .com- mendable interest and ,coneern over what prob- ably is a minor problem but one which needs attention. The most disturbing development was the report indicating the teaching staff has rated working conditions at the school unsat, isfactory. This resulted from a secret ballot taken among members of the staff in the an- nual. poll of teachers across Ontario by their provincial federation. A parallel revelation came from the management committee's report of its discus- sions -with a teachers' delegation on salaries. Chairman F. W. B. MacLaren revealed. that the teachers were more interested in establishing better communication with the board over problems of mutual interest than they were in salaries. Mr. MacLaren's reaction was one of sur- prise and some guilt. He didn't realize, he in- dicated, that teachers would like to get more information on school policies and operations and accepted blame for not having more meet- ings with them. Principal H. L. Sturgis also was sur- prised over the result of the federation's poll on working conditions, and concerned because of the effect it would have on securing teach- ers for the coming year. He reported to the eo t . Spring is just around the corner—a season of new life, new growth. The springtime in the life of a crippled child happens every time some new improvement in the child's condition is experienced. Easter Seal gifts contribute to each improvement—and can bring springtime iii the dead of winter to some crippled child. Every Easter Seal donation will be of some help to a crippled child, says Ken Lampman, chairman of Exeter Lions° campaign. hoard on his extensive efforts to determine the reasons behind the school's poor rating and conducted another poll himself to rectify the blemish. The reasons he uncovered for the unsat- isfactory rating, however, have something of a hollow ring. Cold toilet seats and unclean bowls may be humorous items to bring forth as examples but they will hardly serve as a complete explanation. The suggestion that the .staff problems will be resolved if teachers are given their own lunch room appears a bit facetious. And, unfortunately, appears to sub- ject the profession to some ridicule, At other times, and by different people, the staff has been portrayed in a less than respectful manner and the inference has been disconcerting, It indicates an unhealthy rela- tionship. One thing apparent from the two re- ports is that the whole story has not been re- vealed, only some surface problems. And we'd rather it doesn't come out, either. We'd hope that among people of this intellectual level, the problems can be resolved without a public. airing. This isn't :to suggest, in case we're leav- ing the wrong impression, that there are juicy skeletons in the high school closet. The dif- ficulties that exist aren't likely to be more than minor and honest ones. We are suggesting they can be resolved by better communications among board, man- agement and staff. WE GET LETTERS Library gets active use It's the right move To the editor, Recently The Times-Advo- cate published a report of the annual meeting of the Exeter Library board and quite ac- curately outlined the plans be- ing considered by the board, plans which must' be carried out if the library is to keep pace with this growing com- munity. It is for this reason that the members of the board welcom- ed the visit of Miss Munro of the Provincial Library Service of the Department of Ecucation. Miss Munro's suggestions and So ra. 15 pe se: ga tht Se Re se we Sti Middleton Drugs Phone 235-1570 Exeter 1,7-77,7 Education Minister William Davis has made the right move in eliminating school sec- tions and concentrating authority over ele- mentary education in one board for each mu- nicipality. His action has brought anticipated re- action in some areas where sections have held tenaciously to their control over the little red schoolhouse. This, however, is the dying howl of reactionaries who have held back education- al progress for too many years. In this area, the principal of township school areas has been in operation for many years, although there has been the odd hold- out for peculiar reasons. By and large, how- ever, the merits of wider jurisdiction have been evident and have led to improved opera- tions and better facilities. Actually, there's been considerable agi- tation from this area for more dictation from explanations of the grant sys- tem will help us to continue to improve the library service in Exeter. The Exeter town coun- cil through its representative is fully aware of our needs and of the best means of financing them now and in the future. We would also like to correct an impression left in the minds of readers of the London Free Press which recently carried the head-line EXETER LI- BRARY NOT FULLY UTILIZ- ED. Users of the library are aware that the main floor serves as an adult and junior library, ONE MAN'S OPINION by John C. Boyne Let's be constructive the provincial department. There has been criticism :over what has been called lack of leadership in the resolving of such questions as central school locations and extension of school areas. And The Times-Advocate, for another example 'would like to see the department go even further in the matter of jurisdictions. We think there are some solid advantages to combining elementary and :secondary admin- istrations under one district board which could overcome some of these confining boundary problems hampering establishment of larger and more economical units. All of which shows rather clearly that the department 'is caught :in the middle. On one hand, it gets criticism for going too far and on the other, for not going far enough. Mr. Davis just can't win. But he's trying. BELL LINES ISINUSTEMOUTMISM*5=180731,74140NEMIXIMUMMOMINIEMWASMINONSIESSOIMMAMMISIMESOMMOWESSMAII4, by W. W. Haysom your telephone manager BY THE EDITOR Don Southcott He stood inside, not outside Councillor Jack Delbricige upbraids me for last week's report on the Good Roads convention. Says he (and others, I presume) weren't so late that they had to stand outside the door for the session at which Hon. C. S. MacNaugh- ton was guest speaker. "I stood at the back of the hall because there weren't enough chairs," said Jack, firmly. 1 with reading and reference areas on the same floor; on this floor there is also a deposit of about 30 films made available by the Blue Water Film Coun- cil for lending to the public in this area; we have micro- film and a micro-film reader for students of local history who wish to read the issues of the Times and the Advocate as far back as 1875. This floor could not be more fully utilized. The large basement room is never idle; it serves as ameet- ing place for various groups, such as, children's crafts in- struction;. oil painting club; the squaredance club; az band in- struction group. It is rented for a fee to a ballet and tap dance school and to a guitar school. It is available, for tem- porary use, to church bake sales, women's institute pro- jects, and as a general com- mittee room of a public nature. The recreation director for the past three years has had his office in another basement room. In the past it has even been used as a public school class room. It is true that the library basement is to be converted to a junior library department, but its present usefulness and popularity underline a need felt by every community, large or small — the need for a meeting place, central, well lighted, warm, and safe for children, a place where a great variety of positive, wholesome, for- • ward-looking, happy exper- iences can take place. One may well ask what can be done for these groups which will inevit- ably be asked to leave. C. Wilson, Chairman Exeter Library Board Secretary E. D. Howey pointed out there was a reaction against national- ism after the world saw what Hitler did with it in an evil way. Canadian textbooks were re-written to avoid suggestions of superior races. Boyne felt there was value in this approach — that internationalism and world understanding is better than the narrower view. Bell maintained there's merit in en- couraging pride in one's country. "I think we're a little low on nationalism in Canada and it's showing by the way the dominion is being pulled apart at the present time." He wasn't certain that this was the result of lack of in- spiration in the schools but suggested the wrong attitude has been picked up somewhere. Boyne, in turn, suggested Canada's lack of nationalism may be one reason she has been a leader in the United Nations in the past and this was de- sirable. Bell: "Everybody agrees the U.N. is a good thing, but perhaps we've had our head in the clouds over it., We should concentrate on solving our own problems first. If we can't re- solve our own difficulties, we haven't much right to be attempting to patch up the problems in the Congo, for in- stance." And there the matter was filed. PRICING THE TELEPHONE How much does your home telephone cost you a day? 100? 150? 200? I'll let you in on a secret: It's con- siderably less than the price of a small pack of ciga- rettes, less than the price of most magazines,. less than the price of a fancy soda. In fact, when you consider all that the telephone does for you, you realize that the small monthly charge cannot fairly be said to represent the value of your service. That cannot be measured un- til someone can put a price on calls that say, "It's a girl," "The job is yours," or, "Come quickly, doctor." And that cannot be done until our hearts are made of stone. Direct from Hansard for Wed., Feb. 26: On the orders of the day: MR. L. E. CARDIFF (HURON): Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. Due to the fact that many more people have been using the railways for trans- portation to and from cities in the past year or two, would the ministeruse his good offices to urge the railways to dis- continue the present trend toward aban- doning important feeder lines in very important communities thr o u gh o u t western Ontario, or any other place in Canada, where this is detrimental to the economy of the country as a whole? HON. J. W. PICKERSdILL (MINI- STER OF TRANSPORT); Mr. Speaker, I shall be very happy to bring the hon, gentleman's question to the at- tention of both railways. * * * Should more emphasis be placed on Canadian history in our schools to de- velop pride in our heritage and our ROOM-TO-ROOM TRAVEL Almost any homemaker around town will tell you one of the most tiring parts of running a home is "run- ning" from room to room. "Room-to room" travel is the way one good lady described it the other day. Pm no adviser on home economics, but was able to tell her a good way to save steps: Have additional telephones in- stalled where they are most needed, like the kitchen, bedroom and den, I pointed out how the smart decorator colours would blend, contrast or harmonize with her own colour schemes, If you need additional phones, just call our Business Office and place your order. They cost so little — less than 'a nickel a day, plus a one-time charge for colour and installation. leaders of the past? The question led to an interesting debate at HSDHS board last week. It arose from an enquiry sent to the board by Education Minister William Davis who was concerned over a re- cent survey in The Toronto Star. The survey showed at least some Canadian youngsters know much more about Abraham Lincoln than they do about John A. MacDonald. Mr. Davis wanted some opinions. First, is the conclusion justified? If so, who's to blame textbook writ- ers, history teachers, newspapers, the public? The minister agreed with the Star's conclusion that "A country which is not interested in its past will have a short future". What can we do about it? The board was ready to "file" the enquiry, primarily because of the late- ness of the hour, but new trustee E. D. Bell, QC, shared the minister's con- cern. "It deserves some considera- tion." "I'd like to suggest the textbooks should be revised," the lawyer con- tinued. "At least I'm not impressed with the textbooks I see. I'm not sure we get a good presentation of Cana- dian history in our texts at all." Rev. John Boyne disagreed. "I'm not convinced the courses are poor. As far as I can see, they're as good as they've ever been or better." Su M of fa In C le E. v>, 72'.1.rIMI!'7TAXISMY'12711::...7.7*(''"'.'.T7"1F12''TOMIIIITX!?:REEFFOIMMISD7nr,"*: viv*mnzi Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 the low standards of morality in our society. Many targets beg to be brought out into the open. Many of these facts of life make silence the greatest evil, be- cause silence too often implies tacit approval of what is going on. It is, however, much more difficult to inspire people to live by the noblest standards we know. It is, perhaps, most difficult of all to hold out the promise of forgiveness and a fresh start. CAN HURT COMMUNITY It is also easy to criticize what we consider to be idiotic policies of government. For example, I find it difficult to justify our high defence budget in an age when there is no defence—if there is it is a cinch Canada does not provide it! But I live in an area which will be hurt and hurt badly if defence cuts affect Centralia and Clinton. Yet everywhere these cuts are made communi- ties and individuals will be hurt. It is easy to be a critic— on paper! On the personal- level also, it is easy to critibize—it is always more difficult to under- stand and help. This is one reason why Jesus said we easily detect the small faults of others and conveniently overlook our own more significant failings. It is my hope then that the basic tone of this column will be constructive. I hope that I can steer clear of a too simple black and white approach to life. The scriptural statement that we all have sinned leads to a certain quality of humility— even in a column like this. These words of J. Miller sum up my approach: "In men whom men condemn as ill I find so much of goodness still, In men whom men pronounce divine I find so much Of sin and blot. Vteexefer'Zintesaitiumafe Who is to blame? To the editor, A great deal has been said about the inefficiency of the rural school teacher. We are told that we need new large schools so that the rural chil- dren may have the advantages of the urban children. When pupils were required to write high school entrance examinations at the end of Grade 8, all teachers rural or urban had to teach the course of study and groom the students for these examinations. Also the public school inspectors sent the pro- motion examinations to be given in June to all grades. I believe there are still some public school inspectors who set the promotion examinations and who go carefully over the an- swer papers with the students. These inspectors decide who is to be promoted and I believe that the rural schools in their inspectorates compare favor- ably with the urban schools. Many rural school teachers never had it so good. They can promote pupils right into high school by means of examina- tions set by themselves and marked by themselves. Oti r high school principals have been heard to comment. that these pupils are ready for Grade 7 but not for Grade 9. JuSt who is to blame? INTERESTED I do not dare to draw a line Between the two, where God has not. Comments or criticism will be corned. Write PO Box 32 Exeter SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND Member: C.W.N.A., C.C,N.R. and ABC Introducing Mr. H. E. Lyon, installation and repair foreman for the Goderich ter- ritory with office at Clinton, from where he is responsible for plant forces for Goderich, Clinton, Seaforth, Hensall, Exeter, Crediton and Cen- tralia. "Herb" started with our company in February, 1943, and after the Navy in World War II, returned to the Bell in Toronto as station instal- ler, repairman and then as cable repairman, tester and foreman in London. "Herb" has gained much experience in the communi- cations field to aid him in his responsibilities here. Married to Ellen, he has four children, Ken, 11; Gary, 8, Karen and Sharen (twins), 5. As for pets, they have goldfish, Tom, Dick, Harry and Moe. The family resides in Goderich where Herb is a zealous worker devoting his off time to Boy Scout work in his church and community. 01rM111122ttlik.,,,,4 AD IAN .WI Published' Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont. Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dep't, Ottawa, and for Payment of Postage Office Dep't, Paid-inAdvance Circulation, September 30, 1963-3,828 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $4.00 Per Year; USA WOO Three men were repairing a roof on a building when a drunken woman staggered along the street below. The first man turned to the other and said, "If she were my wife I'd kick her out". The second man res- ponded with, "If she were my wife I'd beat her". The third man thought for awhile and said sadly, "She is my wife and I don't know what to do with her." This little incident points up the fact that it is relatively easy to make a snap judgment on other people. It is all too easy to provide simple answers to situations we know too little about. The two men who knew nothing about this woman would have done lots of things but the one man who was intimately involved saw no easy way out. One of the purposes of this column is criticism. The critic is expected to lash out at areas of life which are prone to criti- cism. The fact is our life pro- vides many easy marks—there is a definite need for this type of thing. However, I fully recognize the dangers inherent in this type of approach. It is very easy to pull apart; it is ex- tremely difficult to build up what you have torn down. WHOLLY NEGATIVE The biggest weakness in much of our present religious, social, economic and political criti- cism is that it is wholly nega- tive. It does not point to the positive approach which should replace the attitudes, positions or policies which are attacked. Yet in the long run this is the most necessary and construc- tive task—it involves a great deal more thought and work. Someone has said that "they build no statues for critics". I have no desire to be a piece of sculpture. However, this state- ment recognizes that the role of the critic, as long as it re- mains completely negative, is a very minor, unimportant role. For example, it is easy to criticise the failures of the Christian Church. It is easy to pick holes in weak theologi- cal arguments. It is even easier to point to Christians who deny what their faith stands for by the way they live. It is much more difficult, however, to reform and renew the Church FROM WITHIN. It is difficult to reconstruct a sound theology after you have riddled the body of an outmoded approach to the faith. It is difficult'to try to live the Chris-, tian life yourself and so inspire others to live it. It is mud easier to criticize the whole deal and leave it there, It Is also' easy to Criticize "'lave pm tried mixing laelthe with your after Waive lotion?" Thanks for cards To the editor, I would like to thank everyone Who has SO kindlYSentdohationS Of Christmas cards to the O.- tientS at the Olitarie HOSpital. The reSpOtiSe from people '1101e Exeter area 'WAS fti . tWititid6i.fill, We now have sufficient cards for us to Work with fora long' time. But knitting Yarn and cos- turrie jewellery would still be most welcome, Thank Yeti, Grade litISSOY Clinton, Ont. airoiiiirdwain•••ininimirrismoilood•