HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1966-09-15, Page 4Time to say stop?
By Val Baltkalns
The trouble
with travelling
On his opinion
):ho ftiyto
Without a
cause?
9,edel wed de duo
their own communities, and so they
move in to take control of everything
they can get their hands on. Well, we
have news for them. Residents in this
community are indeed proud of their
library and the excellent manner in
which it is presently operated is proof
enough of that fact.
However, as Messrs, Delbridge and
Wooden pointed out, the worst aspect
of this continual nibbling at local con-
trol is the fact senior governments just
don't know the meaning of the word
"economy". The cost of operating
things which they have taken over, sud-
denly balloons — often out of all con-
ceivable proportions.
Oddly enough, in his recent speech
in Exeter, the Hon. C. S. MacNaughton
complained of the same situation, ex-
plaining that the federal government
was moving into areas that should be
under provincial jurisdiction, On the
basis of the foregoing, that sounds like
the pot calling the kettle black.
*
However, that does little to answer
the question of whether Huron should
accept the bribery of the provincial gov-
ernment and agree to the new library
system. It's obviously too late to change
their minds, because under new regu-
lations, grants will be dropped for as-
sociate libraries at the first of the new
year.
There's no question the depart-
ment is being generous in their black-
mail attempt, but we commend council
here for balking at the idea until they
have given it full investigation.
If no real benefits can accrue lo-
cally, perhaps this is an opportunity
where local officials can stick up for
their rights to run things as they want
to and not turn control over without a
fight.
But, that stand should only be
taken after hearing from library board
members and municipalities who have
entered the proposed plan already.
While "bribery" and "blackmail"
may be strong words, their useage last
week by Mayor Jack Delbridge and
Councillor Joe Wooden to describe the
proposed public library system for Hur-
on County are indeed appropriate.
In fact, this newspaper gives three
hearty cheers to Mayor Delbridge for
his forthright statements that it is high
time local municipalities fought the
move by the federal and provincial
governments to take more and more
control out of the hands of local coun-
cils.
There's no question that some
facets of administration are better han-
dled from a more central government,
but all too often these include controls
over things which can be quite ade-
quately handled locally.
Of an even more shocking nature
is the way the federal and provincial
government take this control, In short,
it's down right hypocrisy, and the pro-
posed library plan is an excellent ex-
ample.
The department of education de-
cides things should be done differently
than in the past and to ensure that lo-
cal officials agree, they bribe them
along with promises of extra grants.
Of course, the hope is that local
officials will jump so eagerly at the
blackmail attempt that they won't stop
to realize that the extra grant is really
their own tax money.
There are many unfortunate as-
pects to this situation. In the first
place, we know of no local situations
where library boards have asked for
more financial assistance; but the gov-
ernment decides they should have it.
The ironical thing is, that situation
leads to inflationary practices and while
governments show concern over infla-
tion, they are the main offenders in
this regard.
Secondly, they apparently assume
that local officials have no pride in
Missing out on benefits
it certainly seems possible that
much value can accrue if we are
prepared to go all out and ex-
tend a hearty welcome to these
people.
But, they won't stop unless we
give them ample reason to, or
they won't be impressed with us
unless we do a thorough house-
cleaning job before they get here.
That responsibility rests with
all residents of the communities
in the district. Let's do it up
properly.
Members of Hensall council would
appear to be short-sighted in their re-
fusal to join the recently organized
mutual fire aid for Huron. County.
They are quite correct in pointing
out they have a good fire department
and that the .present gentlemen's agree-
ment with brigades in Zurich and Exe-
ter does afford them extra protection.
However, the key to the new mu-
tual aid system is in the fact it is ad-
ministered by one co-ordinator through
a prearranged plan whereby the least
possible delay will be necessary to
bring outside equipment into full and
effective use.
In addition, as soon as a fire
breaks out in any community, the stand-
by brigade is notified so they can be
prepared in advance and know exactly
what their role will be and from whom
to take direction. They also know that
if trouble breaks out in their own com-
munity when they are away, another
brigade is ready to take their place if
the need arises.
We will agree that the arrange-
small proportion of our yoking
people.
I believe that our young people
live under great pressure—it is
at once more subtle and more
blatant than ever before—it is not
economic pressure but it is none-
theless real. Sure they have more
money. Sure they want a good
time. What young person at any
time has not wanted both?
Never before have a group of
kids been subjected to such pres-
sure to succeed academically and
otherwise. Never before has this
age group been so bombarded
with the wonder working gods of
sex and violence.
It is not our young people who
created the violence of our time.
They have been brought up in a
time when we deify and idolize
violence as a means of settling
disputes, when might makes right
on both sides of the iron curtain,
when people are trained to kill
so it is little wonder that we have
mass and individual assasination
and riots without cause.
I don't pretend to be an author-
ity on young people or teenagers
but I don't think we can explain
the bizarre behaviour of some
of them by thinking that their
life is too easy or they lack a
cause.
It is almost impossible to talk
about any group collectively. All
I can do is go by myovm contacts
with young people. Personally I
believe that, given the pressures
they live under, given the kind of
world they live in, given the fact
that all standards are being re-
moved, I think it is absolutely
amazing that the vast majority of
our young people are .such fine
people.
The teenagers I know are far
better trained, far more alert,
far more aware and far more
mature than I was at their age.
I find far less 'don't give a damn-
ism' among young people than
among any other group.
The vast majority have a cause
and a reason for being. They are
well behaved and have respect for
other people. As a group they
have responded to challenges in
the Peace Corps and CUSO. The
truth is that the vast majority of
our young people are NOT at the
Bend riots.
This may well be a super-
ficially cruel analysis but I'm
afraid that Grand Bend attracts
a certain type of teenager and if
You get 10-20,000 of this type—
mostly from the cities of London,
Detroit, etc., the only am azing
thing is that the situation isn't
much worse.
Yes, the ,Church fails to pro-
vide a spiritual centre of strength
for a large number of young
people; yes the school fails to
provide the necessary incentive
for some; yes parents of kids
who shack up at the Bend from
Friday to Sunday have abdicated.
But in spite of all our failures
its just amazing how many of our
teenagers are such fine people.
The 'riot season' at grand Bend
Is Probably over for another
year. It has proVoked comment
right across the country.
The Montreal Star expressed
concern and bewilderment some
time ago—why I don't know—
Montrealers aren't strangers to
riots. They date back to the 1830's
in Montreal—and include one
over Maurice Richard's suspen-
sion—those rioters weren't teen-
agers by the way.
In any case for the next few
months many people will be try-
ing to analyze the causes of the
Bend disturbances.
The lead editorial in the London
Free Press, Thursday, Septem-
ber 6, was titled, "Grand Bend
Rebels Without A Cause". The
editorial commented on the fact
that no one was killed or serious-
ly injured and property damage
was slight. The police were com-
mended for their quick efficient
handling of the affair.
Then the analysis begins: "One
aspect of the incident was par-
ticularly disturbing. The young
men who went on the rampage at
Grand Bend were rebels without
a cause. There was no racial
tension.... It was simply an out-
break by young people who had
nothing better to do than chal-
lenge authority". So far so good.
The writer goes on: "A com-
munity where this can happen
has some reason for self-exam-
ination. We have an elaborate
policy of education ....Our so-
ciety is affluent ....It is not
poverty which produces this type
of anarchy".
"Maybe we are failing our
young people by making life too
easy for them. Can it be that, we
have all put too much stress on
material aims and have failed
to provide young people with a
cause to which they can dedicate
themselves".
I believe there is a need for
self examination—not just in
Grand Bend but in the whole
community. As some one in the
Bend put it in effect "We have
no problem—our problems all
come from other places".
It's too easy to make a scape-
goat out of Grand Bend. We
have always had recreational
safety valves. There is Port
Dover, Sauble Beach, Acapulco,
the Riviera and a thousand more.
I believe that Grand Bend acts
as a safety valve for London and
the Sarnia, Windsor and Detroit
area.
I don't think that such events
are a sign that the educational
system is failing or that life is
too easy for today's young people.
Nor do I think that a return to
a less affluent society would
solve the problem.
The affluent society and our
emphasis on material things can
be healthy as well as sick and
you can't judge its effect on young
people by the reaction of a very
merits between area brigades in the
past have worked satisfactorily, but
there is no doubt that 'troubles could
have arisen if fires had broken out in
two nearby communities at the same
time.
The new system requires a negli-
gible expenditure and certainly cost
can not be a legitimate reason for not
joining; if present plans materialize,
the Huron brigades will be meeting
periodically to iron out any problems
and also to conduct educational ses-
sions for members.
Failure of Hensall to join the plan
would create a weak link in the or-
ganization, but while this could be
overcome and result in no hardships
or problems for other surrounding com-
munities, it will leave Hensall in a pre-
carious position.
For a community that has so many
large enterprises such as the three mills
and the trailer factory, it would appear
that they should be the first to jump
at the opportunity to take advantage of
extra protection on an organized basis.
We still haven't drummed up
much support for our appeal
to have fluoridation added to
the drinking water in Exeter,
but the matter is too important
to give up on.
In this regard, an interesting
note recently reached us from
the department of national health
and welfare.
It states that the average cost
of having one cavity filled would
fluoridate water in a community
water supply for an individual
for about 50 years.
Look in own backyard
Throughout the year, this
newspaper carries a variety of
pictures and from most com-
ments we receive, they are ap-
preciated by the subjects and
the readers alike.
However, on occasions we do
get some subjects who are ap-
In a few short weeks, this area
will be inundated by thousands of
visitors on their way to attend the
1966 International Plowing Match
at Seaforth,
Exeter's Board of Trade have
already announced plans to set up
an exhibit at the tented city to
list the attributes of this com-
munity in an attempt to attract
industry.
The generosity of Custom
Trailers Limited is making this
possible, as the local contingent
will be set up in a completely
furnished Northlander, which will
show evidence of the success that
has been attained through the
co-operation of a local industry
and the community.
However, all area communities
will have many motorists passing
through them, and if they hope to
entice any of them to stop and
shop, or at least take notice of
them, they should be planning
right now.
All municipal, business and
service club officials should he
looking around to ensure that
their community will put their
best foot forward when the traffic
starts to flow.
Councils should certainly be
issuing special instructions that
main thoroughfares are as clean
and neat as possible and bus-
inessmen should consider steps
to entice people to stop and shop
in their communities.
The traffic through the area
will include many people who
have never been here before, and
We keep hearing that the inflation
spiral we're in is simply too little mon-
ey trying to buy too few goods. We
don't buy this argument. After all,
what goods are in short supply? We're
not aware of a shortage of anything,
goods that is. The real explanation is
just the opposite to what politicians
like to tell us. It's too little money
chasing too many goods.
How come there's so little money?
One of the biggest reasons of all is that
for some years now politicians have
been taking more and mare out of peo-
ple's pay cheques to fulfill their elec-
tion promises of free this and free that.
This is what you get with social-
ism. We've been having it thrust upon
us in big doses. Most of these so-called
free hand-outs have not been asked for
by the people, but the parties try to
outbid each other at every election,
bribing us with our own money.
Now the account has to be settled
and so much money is being taken
from us to pay for these things that
there is scarcely enough left for every-
day living. Inflation results, and the
outcome will be that those who have
been thrifty and hardworking will find
themselves robbed of some more of
their hard-won savings.
Labour has been getting the big
rap for the trouble as its members con-
tinue to press and the government con-
tinues to take more away. Their de-
mands aggravate the situation but those
on Parliament Hill who continue to
buy our votes with our money by prom-
ising more and more socialism are the
real culprits. They have eroded our
buying power to the point where we're
now in trouble.
— Stouffville Tribune
10 YEARS AGO
Stephen Township now sends
116 students to SHDHS, more than
any other municipality.
Kenneth Johns of Usborne re-
ports he was able to make a
number of snowballs from a pile
of hailstones beside his home
12 hours after a local storm
Monday night.
Charles L. Jinks, 78, a res-
ident of Hensall for over 50
years and rural mail carrier on
RR 1 Hensall for 34 years is
retiring the end of the month
owing to 111 health.
Mayor R. E. Pooley, who has
been president of the local branch
of the Canadian Legion for six
years, was presented With a life
membership last week.
Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924
25 YEARS AGO
Exeter Women's Institute has
shipped 432 pounds of jam through
the Exeter Red Cross. The jam
was made at the home of Mrs.
Louisa Kyle.
Rev. H. J. Jennings BA, L Th of
Exeter has been appointed rector
of Thedford, Arkona and Kettle
point parishes.
Jack Kestle and Miss Norma
Cook, Hensall, are attending the
University of Western Ontario.
Miss Greta Webber and Miss Grace Beckler of Usborne are at
Normal School, London, and Miss
Shirley Jaques is at Wells Acad-
emy.
The Exeter Golf Club was
organized following a tournament
at the Oakwood Golf Club, Grand
Bend. President is T. 0. South-
colt, secretary, R. N. Creech,
committee, M. W. Telfer, J. M.
Southcott and Dr. J. G. Dunlop. txeferZinalktuocafe
SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND
Member: C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A., C.C.N.R. and ABC
parently not pleased and such a
case in point happened last week.
Readers may recall the photos
of the Grand Bend incidents and
the one showing a, group of men
sweeping up the glass from the
street.
Unfortunately, one of the
subjects was shown wearing
shorts and to have his knobby
knees paraded before our read-
ers was more than he could take.
At least, we suspect this may
be one reason for the following
letter to the editor; headed up
with the question, "Did Toronto
spoil you boy?". It is as follows:
Has sensational reporting gone
to your head? The photography
by Neild and Haugh was pro-
fessionally done, they were either
using good cameras or else they
are professionals in their own
field. However: your general at-
titude is sure one sided, and I
fear for The Times Advocate if
your publisher is unable to talk
sense into your head.
In your editorial you say that
some residents of the resort are
blaming sensational reporting,
and in case you have any doubts
in your mind I am one of them.
Why did you have Ross Haugh
phone me at 6:30 Saturday even-
ing to ask when we expected the
trouble would start? And why
did he seem disappointed when
I said it looked as though it
would be a quiet evening?
You say that Grand Bend is
burying it's head in the sand.
This is not true, but I would
ask that you report both sides
of the story.
WHY did you NOT print the
fact that we also completed our
third drowning free summer?
WHY did you NOT report that
our lifeguards pulled a man out
of the rough water on Labour
Day? Don't plead ignorance of
the fact, because I know that the
story was given to you.
In case you have trouble talk-
ing your way out of this one,
will answer the question for you.
Editor Batten and the London
Free press both want blood. If
the swimmer drowns it's front
page material, if he is saved
it's not interesting. you should
have been editing back in the
old Roman Arena. I am sure you
would have enjoyed yourself im-
mensely.
I will repeat my first question.
Don't try to mimmick the Free
Press, Globe, Star, or Tely, they
are dailies. The T.A. is a weekly
which used to be respected as an
honest news media,
MURRAY A. DES JARDINS
* *
Publishers: J. M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott
Editor: Bill Batten
Advertising Manager: Val Baltkalns
Phone 235-1331
,A,e4/611.11 API
Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont.
Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Deplt, Ottawa,
and for Payment of Postage in Cash
Paid in Advance Circulation, March 31, 1966, 4,180
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $5.00 Per Year; USA $7.04
15 YEARS AGO
Principal H. L. Sturgis re-
ported the SHDHS enrollment was
341, the highest in the history of
the school. Six public schools are
taking advantage of shop and
home economics facilities at the
school--Hensall, Grand Bend,
Stephen, Usborne, C e ntr al 1 a
RCAF, and Exeter.
Mr. T. Lavender, Hensall, is
erecting a fine, large (40 x 40)
cement garage which is nearing
completion.
Hon. Jens Chr. Hauge, minister
of defence for Norway, visited
RCAF Station, Centralia, Friday,
He wished to see pilot training
facilities at the big flying school
where members of his airforee
are earning their wings.
Exeter's assessment jumped
$00,000 but its population dew
creased by 50 over the past year,
Population is e,559.
50 YEARS AGO
The anniversary of Bethany
Church was held Sunday,Septem-
ber 10 with Rev, Knight of Hen-
sail preaching at both services.
Sunshine choir furnished special
Music for the occasion.
While John Edwards, Crediton,
was threshing a stack of alsike
on Monday a spark from the
engine ignited the stack and
before anything could be done the
whole barn and season's crop
was destroyed.
Mr. Latimer Grieve, who, for
the past four years, has been
clerking in W. 5, HOwey's Drug-
Store, left this week for Toronto
to attend pharmacy,
The engagement is announced
of Miss tna Baker, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. F, W. Baker, town,
to Clarke Fisher of Usborne,
To answer Mr. DesJardins'
letter, we must start off with a
sincere thank you for his com-
plimentary remarks about the
photography ability of Ross Haugh
and Michael Nield, the latter
being the photographer at Don
SOuthcott'S Stratford Times.
We still maintain our stand
that the resort's troubles are
not started by sensational report-
ing. To our knowledge the Labour
Day riot of 1964 was not preceded
by any news stories that could
have sparked such an incident,
and the same can be said for the
— Please turn to page 5
We did a fair amount of trav-
elling this summer. There's
nothing left from it but a pile of
travel folders and 12 equal
monthly payments at the bank.
But I thought the least I could
do was to pass along a few
travel notes to those planning a
trip, or wishing they'd taken one.
First of all, don't wish, just do
it. If you wait until you can afford
a trip you'll be too old to enjoy
it. There's nothing more pitiful
than those tottering old wrecks
you'll see on any cruise, who
have put off "The Trip" until
the children are grown, the mort-
gage is paid and Dad has retired.
It's easy, althost frighteningly
easy, to take a trip without money.
Railroads, air-lines and shipping
companies are only too happy to
take you to Timbuktu on the
never-never plan.
Just forget about that new dish-
washer or wallpaper and sign on
the dotted line. Your friendly
travel agent will loan you a pen.
By the way, it's a good idea to
plan your trip through a travel
agent. There's no charge as he's
paid by the air-rail-hotel people.
Also, it's reassuring when you
arrive in a strange city at mid-
night to be able to wave that
reservation in the desk clerk's
face even though it's for the wrong
date.
How to get there? If it's a long
haul, and your time is limited, and
your legs are short, flying is your
best bet. It's dull, cramped, the
baggage handling is little short
of vandalism, and there's always
a long ride into town from the
airport, for which you pay. But,
you're there in a hurry.
Trains are lurchy and rather
slow, but you can relax. There's
nothing like a stroll through a
train to add some color to your
trip. Black and blue. Prices are
fairly reasonable now, with fam-
ily rates which include meals.
The latter, while adequate, are a
far cry from the old railway
dining cars, Where food and
service were superb, Their chief
aim now is to feed you and get
you out of there.
Probably the best way to trav-
el is by car, with tent or trailer.
It's certainly much cheaper, and
you don't have to follow a time-
table. The drawback is that un-
less you like driving, it's just
that—driving. Mile upon mile,
hour upon hour, day after day.
No holiday there for me.
For the person travelling
alone, on a budget, the bus is
the best. It's drafty or hot or
cold or dusty. And the lady in
the adjacent seat is the biggest
bore in North America and she's
going to be with you right across
the continent. But you can go a
long way on a 100 bucks.
About clothes. Pack carefully,
everything you think you're going
to need, and then leave exactly
half your luggage at home, and
you'll be just right.
About food. The price of good
meals, anywhere, will make a
strong man weep great salt tears.
Only solution is to take along a
large plastic bag filled with
bologna sandwiches, dill pickles,
cheese and other goodies. About
the third day on the trip, it looks,
smells and tastes likepemmican,
but you'll have lots of privacy,
and you won't have to tip any
waiters.
About tips. The dime is a
quaint coin that became obsolete
during the '40's and is now used
only in vending machines. The
quarter is rapidly going the same
way. But have one pocket stuffed
with them and the other with
dollar bills, and you'll see nothing
but smiling faces and friendly
outstretched hands all along your
route.
About service. The country is
going to pot. Remember all those
snarling assistant managers,
supercilious desk clerks and
larcenous bell-hops during the
post-War period? They've all dis-
appeared, To the plaee to which
frequently consigned them, I
hope, This summer I was rather
severely shocked to meet a
friendly assistant manager, a
bell-hop with a sense of humor,
and no less than three courteous
--Please turn to page 5