HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1966-10-27, Page 4•
One man's opinion
By john eiteitne
The end!
That's welcome news that the On-
tario department of transport plans to
re-examine every driver in the prov-
ince within the next two years.
It's a move that certainly won't
eliminate accidents, but it should cur-
tail them by an appreciable amount,
because there's no question that our
roads are now filled by many poor
drivers, and drivers who have little
knowledge of many of our present traf-
fic regulations.
That only stands to reason, After
all, there have been an enormous num-
ber of changes since the day when
many of those on the roads passed a
driver's test. In addition, there have
been many changes in the driver's test
since most of us tried our examination.
Results of the recent driving tests
on TV show beyond any doubt that
many people do not know the rules of
the road, and while this lack of know-
ledge doesn't account for all accidents,
it does result in a number of them.
It certainly isn't strange that many
drivers don't know how to get on or
off a four-lane highway, or don't know
the rules regarding school buses or
pedestrian cross-walks, because these
things weren't in existence when many
present drivers tried their tests. How-
ever, while it may not be strange that
they don't know some of the rules, it
certainly is a dangerous situation.
There are a good many other driv-
ers who don't have the necessary skill
to pass the present driver's test. Again,
the driving of a few years ago didn't
require the same skills, but it is an ob-
vious necessity that those who want to
drive on our highways today must ex-
hibit that they have the skills to do it
safely.
Periodic tests are the only man-
ner in which this can be assured, and
certainly only those who fear they may
not pass can object; and then their ob-
jections certainly are hollow.
While the testing program will re-
duce accidents, it won't eliminate them.
There's still the human element in-
volved in driving a car and there are
really no tests that can assure that
each of us will drive in a careful, con-
scientious way at all times,
Perhaps the perfect example of
this is in the record of the drivers un-
der 25, who still account for more than
their share of the accidents, but who
have been examined by the new tests
of the department of transport.
Having announced plans for peri-
odic re-testing, the next step is for reg-
ular safety checks on the cars we
drive.
much like to see someone else
have the same opportunity.
Lately I have begun to feel
that I do too little creative writ-
ing or thinking. I was beginning
to do too much quoting. At times
I've felt like a hack writer.
In short I now want to take
more time to try and do more
original and creative thinking.
Perhaps the well has run a
little dry and there will no doubt
be others around who can fill
it up.
As I've indicated in many col-
umns, I think one of the problems
of todays ministry is that we
talk too much and write too
much and actually do too little.
From here on out I would like
to be involved in more action
and less talk. I plan on less
Writing, less talking and more
action.
Once again my thanks to Don
Southcott for starting the col-
umn, to Bob Southcott for keep-
ing it going. Also thanks to
editors Ken Kerr and Bill Bat-
ten. There were many times
when we did not agree with each
other yet we managed to get
along together very well.
A final thank you to the many
people who made comments on
this column from time to time,
LETTERS THE EDITOR
Compromise should suit all
50tee o. a deadoa
Dear sir,
I was among some ladies at-
tending a sewing course in Ex-
eter last Thursday evening.
We thought we would like a
cup of coffee but there was not
one place open to get any lunch.
Yours truly,
A reader*
*Name available on request.
most people. It was a day to go hunt-
ing, shopping in the big city or doing
odd jobs around the house. Only a
handful of people attended the Legion
service.
While residing in Toronto last
year, we had no time off for November
11. Our observance of the day was con-
fined to a one-minute period in which
all the lights in the office were shut
off. It may not have been much of an
observance, but it was still more than
what some people took time 'for in Exe-
ter where the day was a holiday.
The decision to have a three-hour
observance here is an excellent idea.
People will at least realize what the
time off is for and we trust most will
take the opportunity to mark it ap-
propriately — in remembering those
whose sacrifice enables us to enjoy our
present freedoms.
• His opinions will be missed
All parties concerned are to be
commended for the amicable agree-
ment that has been reached in Exeter
for the observance of Remembrance
Day.
No doubt there will be Legion
members who would want the stores
closed for the entire day, as there will
be businessmen who would want to re-
main open all day, but the compromise
of closing for a three-hour period ap-
pears to be satisfactory in every way.
In fact, it should be better than in
previous years.
There can be no doubt that No-
vember 11 has lost a great deal of its
meaning for most people in recent
years, including people in communities
where the entire day was declared a
holiday.
In this community, November 11
had just become another holiday for "I can alter it for you, but it's
going to take a lot of wire!"
As I have decided that I need
a permanent rest from this
column this will be the last one.
Before I leave it I felt that I
should express my thanks to this
newspaper for giving me the op-
portunity to put at least some of
my ideas into public print.
I have been grateful for the
opportunity to express my opin-
ions and subject them to public
scrutiny and criticism.
I must also publicly state that
those involved in and responsible
for this newspaper have always
given me complete freedom. I'm
sure that at times neither the
editor nor the publisher could
possibly have agreed with the
opinions expressed herein.
However, at no time was I
ever asked to tone down my re-
marks. At no time was I ever
asked to change one word. This
was priceless support and made
for a healthy relationship all
round.
The column was begun at the
request of Don Southcott. I think
he sensed the concerns of Pierre
Berton's, 'Comfortable Pew', be-
fore that book was written. I have
often felt that however miserably
the column may have failed from
time to time it at least met some
of the basic criticisms of that
book.
The column was not intended
to be otherworldly. There was
never any attempt to make it
just another go at religious up-
lift.
There are many of us who
believe that the Christian faith
must be related to the crucial
issues of the day. In this column
I had the opportunity to at least
make the attempt.
This was precisely why
politics, social mores and be-
haviour, public attitudes and be-
haviour were so often dealt with
here. A great deal of the time I
felt more like a political com-
mentator than a minister. At
other times I felt like a literary
critic. And yet at no time was
less than enthusiastic about the
opportunity.
That is one reason I choose to
quit now—while I'm still enthused
about this type of attempt.
At no time have I ever felt
that my opinion was the only
right or valid opinion. This is
another reason why I want to
see this space passed on to'
someone else. I feel that I have
had the opportunity to express
myself on just about every issue
under the sun and would very
It's beyond comprehension
The ability some people have to
come up with stunts to "entertain"
themselves never ceases to amaze us.
There are many words to describe the
stunts and those perfoiming them, but
the most appropriate is probably just
plain stupidity.
Not too long ago, several teen-
agers were killed in Quebec when the
bus in which they were riding was hit
by a train.
The pictures of people cutting
their way through twisted wreckage to
uncover the decimated bodies must
have affected all those who saw them.
For those at the scene and the parents
of the ;youths, the real-life pictures
would be stunning.
An inquiry into the reason for the
crash has not been completed, al-
though early reports indicated someone
may have been tampering with the
warning signals at the track prior to
the crash, and that the driver may
have started across when the signals
failed to indicate a train was speeding
seldom show any public concern.
By the time most people get
around to acting on their con-
victions it is too late to do any-
thing about the particular situ-
ation.
There are many reasons for
the situation. We're an affluent,
often complacent society as a
whole. We get more and more
things handed to us with little
self effort. There's less individ-
ualism these days as we find it
much easier to just follow the
crowd.
It's not a very rosy picture
and m a k e s the loss of John
Boyne's op in_ions even graver
than what many would imagine.
However, we realize his position,
and wish him well in his plan
of "more action". We trust he
will at least make the editor's
position more pleasant from time
to time by expressing his opin-
ions on some of our writing on
this page, or on things in general.
At the same time, we say a very
grateful thanks for his efforts
in the past, both for this news-
paper and the community at large.
We know readers will be as
disappointed as we were upon
hearing that the Rev. John Boyne
had decided to terminate his
career as a columnist with the
Certainly, his has been a most
welcome weekly feature for the
past few years, and the loss of
his thoughts from these pages
will be a void in the newspaper,
as well as the community.
While he has publicly thanked
the newspaper for the opportunity
to express his thoughts, it is
really we who should be expres-
sing thanks to him.
We know John won't mind if
we make public the context of
a few discussions we have had
regarding both his column and
the column and -editorials that
we come up with weekly.
He often expressed regret that
few people took the time to
express their thoughts on his
opinions—at least publicly.
Similar to yours truly, John re-
ceives the periodic telephone cal-
ler who objects to something that
has been written—or sometimes
they even phone to say they
agree—but very rarely do we
ever receive letters that can be
printed to voice the other side
of the picture, when there is
obviously another side.
towards him. -
If in fact someone had been tam-
pering with the signals, then surely
that person—or persons—must now be
living the proverbial thcusand deaths.
Such acts of stupidity should serve
as ample warning to all that such deeds
can bring untold harm to others. But
does it?
Recently in this area, some per-
son or persons were apparently playing
with the signal lights at the CNR cross-
ing in Hensall. Similarly, three youths
set fire to a railway crossing. Then
not too long ago, the local OPP report-
ed an accident resulting from the fact
someone had placed a huge stone in
the middle of Highway 4.
The perpetrators of these various
acts probably had no intention of caus-
ing anyone any grief or harm, but un-
fortunately that doesn't prevent it from
happening.
Can it be that people have so
little to do or have so little common
sense?
Say when
By a vote of almost 4-1, the men
of Switzerland have rejected a pro-
posal that all beer and liquor be taxed
so heavily that their consumption would
be discouraged.
It was the kind of decision one
might have expected in a land that
lies between the rich vineyards of
France and Italy and which has been
associated for so long with such things
as St. Bernard dogs on merciful er-
rands and hospital mountain lodges.
In any case, we doubt whether ab-
stinence would necessarily have fol-
lowed if the vote had gone the other
way. Here in Ontario we already tax
liquor beyond the point at which peo-
ple can afford to buy it, but they still
queue up to buy the stuff.
— Toronto Globe & Mail
15 YEARS AGO
The 90th anniversary of
Caven Presbyterian Church
was observed by the con-
gregation Sunday. Rev James
Foote, a former minister,
was the guest preacher,
Three communities, Hen-
sail, Grand Bend and Exeter
will sponsor Hallowe'en par-
ties for children Wednesday
night.
Pride of Huron Rebekah
Lodge has chartered a bus
to take about 40 lodge mem-
bers to Toronto to see the
Ice Capades November 14.
Twelve courses ranging
from oil painting to re-
forestation will be offered
to adults in this district
at South Huron District High
School this winter.
Ever try to think, let alone
write, when your nose is drip-
ping like a tap in a tenement,
you are barking up chunks of
lung, your body is crawling with
hot and cold needles, and you
could fry an egg on your fore-
head?
Yep, I've got the flu. Don't
worry, I won't go on about it.
Every virile, red-blooded Cana-
dian knows all about the flu.
But don't expect a sparkling col-
umn this week. Along with those
symptoms, my brain is about as
agile as a basketful of wet kleen-
ex.
But, by golly, tonight is the
night of the staff party, and I'm
going if it kills me. If this space
is blank next week, with a black
border around it, don't send flow-
ers. Just send the equivalent in
cash to my wife. Flowers aren't
much use to a good-looking widow
with two kids to educate.
And don't grieve or sing sad
songs. Just muse, "Well, he
went the way he always wanted
to go, smelling strong of Dr.
Walker's cough syrup and danc-
ing what he thought was the
Watusi with the smashing young
blonde who just joined the English
Department."
But that doesn't solve the prob-
lem of writing this column, does
it? Well, I'm going to swing in
all directions, so, if you aren't
a swinger, you can stop reading
this and turn to the grocery ads,
which are about the most exciting
and frustrating reading you can
find these days.
Speaking of which, did you ever
see such prices? I don't know who
is pocketing the loot farmer,
middle-man or retailer but
they won't even let you belly up
to the meat counter these days
unless you flash a bar of gold
bullion.
Wedding anniversaries. I
bought 20 yellow roses for my
wife on our twentieth anniver-
Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont.
Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept, Ottawa,
and for Payment of Postage In Cash
25 YEARS AGO
As a sequel to a serenade
of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson
Woods, Elimville, a recep-
tion is being held for them
at the Exeter Opera House
this Wednesday evening.
Reeve B.W. Tuckey and
County Constable Ferguson
of Exeter, Reeve Percy
P assmore of Usborne, Reeve
Alonzo McCann and deputy
reeve Roy Rats of Stephen
attended the funeral of War-
den James Leiper of Hullett
Tuesday afternoon.
The South Huron Plough-
ing Match on the farm of Asa
penhale adjoining Exeter
Thursday attracted the larg-
est entry in the history of the
Society. Sam Jory won a pair
of silver candlesticks for his
best plow team,
Municipal Council en-
dorsed the proposal of the
local Board of Health re-
g a r ding administration of
scarlet fever and diphtheria
Itnininization to school and
preschool children.
Paid in Advance Circulation, March 31, 1966, 4,180
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $5.00 Per Year; USA $1.00
conclusion was reached by an
Indiana University research
team.
We imagine that's the test most
people would f ol 1 o W, although
there is a choice. A Swedish
investigation rates pink as the
safest color for ears and a Cali-
fornia safety study group some
years ago listed two-tone blue
and Orange,
So, take your choice. $888111181111111118111111111111.8111#MOIMINISOMMOSie,wgo.ne vienooAratittal.NO8001118411111808111
An interesting item appeared in
the daily newspapers last week
pointing out that Dr. Morton Shul-
man, Toronto's chief coroner,
had been driving for almost two
years without a proper licence.
Dr. Shulman is well known
across Canada, having recently
compiled a story on how he be-
came a millionaire. He is also
known for his blistering attacks
against the lack of highway and
automobile safety.
There's no doubt he was more
than a bit embarrassed by the
fact he was not properly licenced,
reporting that he hadn't been
reminded by the department of
transport that his permit had
expired in 1964.
Before regaining his licence,
Dr. Shulman had to pass another
driver's test.
The incident may have brought
a chuckle or two to some people,
but before anyone laughs too
loudly we suggest he checks his
own driver's licence. There are
undoubtedly others who are in
the same position, as few of us
pay much attention to our per-
mits now they are issued auto-
matically by the department of
transport.
A local friend had the same
experience recently. He came to
send in his licence to note a
change of address and found
he had been driving without a
valid permit for some time.
Perhaps you'd better stop and
check yours,
* * * *
District residents who came
away from the Kinsmen auto
show with the urge to buy a new
car (and who didn't?) may be
interested to know that if they
proceed with plans there is a
25% chance they'll pick a shade
of blue as the color for the new
vehicle.
That's apparently the nation-
al average as blue has now re-
placed white as the faVorite color.
However, for those thinking
of safety, they may wish to know
that an oncoming car Is most
easily seen if it is white. That
10 YEARS AGO
Completely remodel-
led inside and out and feat-
uring the most modern self-
serve equipment available
Al's Super Save Market stag-
es Its grand opening in Hen-
sail this weekend.
Two Atkinson Foundation
Scholarships valued at $400
each have been awarded to
South Huron District High
School graduates — Alexia
Losteli of Usborne and Phil
Charrette of Stephen, both
of whom are enrolled
at UWO.
This week the Times-Ad-
vocate introduces a new ed-
itorial feature "Sugar and
Spice" by W.B.T. Smiley.
Mrs. Marie Worrell, Wil-
liam St., won $3,500 in a
radio quiz this week.
sary. She squealed with ecstasy.
It was very romantic, especially
when I told her I'd paid for them
with a cheque on our joint ac-
count.
But these little romantic ges-
tures really pay off. Three days
later, for no better reason than
that a tap in the bathroom has
been dripping for six weeks,
she yanked the fading flowers
out of the vase, beat me around
the face and ears with them,
thorns and all, and hurled the
rosewater over me. I came up
smelling like a yellow rose and
she came up to the bathroom,
helped me wash off the blood,
and fixed the tap herself.
Teenage girls. Somebody sent
me a London, Ont., paper for
teens. One columnist, obviously
a girl, was sounding off, in dis-
gust with her sisters; This was
her pungent observation: "To-
day's young female goes kookie
over something that walks around
in high heels, tight pants and long
locks of hair hanging to its
shoulders. Girls today are robbed
of their sex in more ways than
one." Ain't she right?
Strikes. I have always been a
union man, but I am fed up,
right to the ears, with the arro-
gance, the lawlessness, and the
refusal to compromise displayed
by many unions this year. How
about you?
Leaders. The perennial game
called "Dump Dief" is popular
again. I think he should have
retired, full of years, honors,
and malarkey, long since. But I
can't help admiring the old wolf
as the pack tries to drag him
down. He is a fighter, and there
aren't many left.
Advertising. I don't agree with
the speaker, but I found the fol-
lowing, coming from a big ad-
vertising man, the most refresh-
ing statement I've read for many
a day:
"The simple truth is that
people don't give a damn about
advertising. They never have and
they never will ...People don't
Care about advertising, they care
about things,
"They care about things that
make them happy or beautiful
or fat or sober or drunk or
alive or human; things that en-
tertain them, transport them,
enrich them, protect them or
profit them. But they don't give
a tuppenny damn about ads."
A melancholy picture of the
human race, Do ybu agree/
t.
as• • '•••••
Many drivers need it
By Val BaltkaIns
Here goes
no thing
It's really a sign of our times.
Very few people want to become
publicly involved in any argu-
ment, regardless of how con-
vinced and adamant they may be
as to the right or wrong of it.
Freedom of speech may be one
of our heritages, but very few
people take advantage of it.
However, there is even a bleak-
er picture than that. There is
another large percentage of
people who don't even bother to
form an opinion on the topics of
our day.
They don't know for what they
stand, and they apparently don't
care.
* * * *
We've often discussed this
problem with our clerical friend,
but we've never been able to
reach any answer to the problem.
We sometimes wondered aloud
just how far we could go in some
discussions on these pages before
people would become so moved
as to publicly voice their opin-
ions either for or against us.
For that matter, just how far
can our political, social and re-
ligious leaders move in any field
before the populace will voice
their approval or objection.
As groups we often rise to
fight for what we feel to be
right, but as individuals we very
50 YEARS AGO
Schroeder-Bowden — a
quiet wedding took place at
the Methodist parsonage,
Lucan, on Wednesday, Octo-
ber 25 by Rev Barnby uniting
in marriage Miss Ethel May
Bowden to Mr. Russell
Schroeder.
Mr. C.B. Snell has pur-
chased the Commercial
property from Mrs. Wm.
Hawkshaw. Mr. Snell will
remodel the building into a
modern equipped garage to
b e occupied b y Mr. Milo
Snell.
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SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND
Member: C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A., C.C.N.R. and ABC
Publishers: J. M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott
Editor: Bill Batten
Advertising Manager: Val BaltkaIns
Phone 235.1331
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