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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1967-05-11, Page 470aotte 9aito a9elept THE SUBJECT OF CANADIAN MEDALS... THE COMMONS AWARD At, ID, S. M • PRESENTED ANNUALLY ANCIENT ORDER. % THE SENATE LA CROIX DE QUEBEC To ALL MEM5ERS - (DISTINGUISHED SOCRED MEDAL) LOYAL ORDER OF THE TAXPAYER ace NORTHERN STAR THE MUNSINGER HEART 1.0 The CENTENN I AL CITATION GIVEN ONCE EVERY 100 YRG (Cosi- 150,000, 000 0.°) • A modern Ponce de Leon ereferZimes-Atiuoeafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND Member: C,W,N.A., C.C.N.R. and ABC Publishers: J. M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott Editor: Bill Batten Advertising Manager: Howie Wright Phone 235.1331 A 4 • 5"11 b3 It lit "You never used to take me here before we Were Married." POLITICAL PARTIES IN A FEDERATION By OZREN ZIVKOVIC .WE OFFER FURTHER SUGGESTIONS... One was the fact that the book was written by 'an individual who ap- parently. set out to prove Truscott was innocent. It was only natural that some of the inescapable truths present- ed at the trial were not recorded in the book. After all, defence lawyers only present evidence which will bene- fit their clients. Secondly, the jury which brought down the verdict in 1959 should not have been put on trial 'as they were by many people. They were ordinary men and wo- men called to perform a duty that many readers 'either have, or will, face. They listened to the evidence and brought in 'a verdict based on that evidence. In such a serious matter it was only natural that the verdict was presented with much thought. Right or wrong as it may have been, their ver- dict was given and their job was done. As long as courts are required to hand down verdicts based on opinions, reports and figures supplied by hu- mans, there will be errors. Jurors are infallible and will continue to be so, but as long as they perform their duties with honesty, thoughtfulness and sincerity they should never be put on trial to the degree to which many of those associated with the Truscott case were put on trial. However, as stated, the Supreme Court has ruled they were correct, and while the justices of 'the Supreme Court are not infallible themselves, their ruling has to be accepted 'as final, al- though contradicting opinions still ex- ist. After many trials, we imagine that most jurors 'at times have fleeting thoughts about their decision, and whether or not it was correct. It's a gnawing sensation that faces all those who have to make paramount deci- sions. Members of the jury in the Trus- cott case probably were faced with more 'anguish than most due to the ensuing debate. That anguish, which never should have been heaped upon them, should now be dispelled. Need a civic awareness, The. Supreme Court of Canada has upheld the verdict of murder handed down to Steven Truscott in 1959 and has decreed that the trial held in Gode- rich was handled fairly, However, it has already been in- dicated that many of those who came to the opinion that Truscott was not the slayer of an 11-year-old Clinton RCAF girl, are still of that opinion. Regardless of the opinions people may hold—and they are certainly en- titled to what opinions they wish—it is an inescapable truth that the matter has now been settled by the highest court in the land. There is no higher authority to change the verdict. Steven Truscott has been found guilty as charged. The case was one that captured the imagination and interest of people across the nation. Human nature being what it is, many of those who followed the case backed the underdog. Residents of Clinton, and indeed Huron County, were featured in nation- al news coverage by all media. Some of the stories that were written and aired were not complimentary and some suggested that the people of the county were on trial with the young man whose death sentence was com- muted to life imprisonment. Members of the jury, the police officers and crown counsel involved were hounded at some length and several stories were distorted in many ways. One writer ' even reported that the jury met annually after the trial for a picnic. We are among those who support- ed the re-examination of the Truscott case. The publicity it received after a book was written about the trial almost demanded that such action be taken. Arguments presented by the au- thor and experts she interviewed were in sharp contradiction to some of the evidence. However, some people failed to live up to reality in the ensuing debate prior to the time the cabinet ordered an unprecedented Supreme Court hear- ing into the 'matter. 54atee imidemeated The news that pending legislation will permit all Ontario municipalities to relieve elderly home-owners of up to $150 a year in local property taxes will be welcomed by local residents who have just learned of the second straight eight-mill increase in local taxes. With each increase in the cost of living and in property tax, it becomes increasingly difficult for those on fixed incomes to make ends meet, and the program is one that council should seriously consider. The tax relief will not be shared by other ratepayers. The provincial government plans to regain the money when ownership of the property changes hands. Local councils are faced with an almost impossible task in keeping tax rates at a point that can be met by those on fixed incomes. The merry-go- round effect of rising salaries in all segments of the labor force, coupled with the demands of 'an affluent so- ciety, are the basic reasons for the size- able tax jumps being experienced across Ontario. Those not keeping pace with these two factors are in a predicament. The tax relief legislation appears phasis. Both parties accepted "the rule of tolerance", as the master strategy of racial jeal- ousies, bilingualism, denomina- tional schools and sectarianism, which were introduced into Ca- nadian politics in the very begin- ning, Loyal support was given to the individual, where his masterly skill is imperative in debate, and in reconciliation; the act needed for the party command. The party leaders needed ability to com- promise and to "bring together possessing divergent interests and beliefs", A group of small political par- ties was present in Canada, i.e. the Grange, Patrons of Industry, the Farmers Union and the As- sociation of the United Farmers. In 1894 the Patrons captured seventeen seats in the provincial election of Ontario. The rise and decline of these small provincial parties were swift. The farmers were in a difficult position in the twenties. The formation of the Territorial Grain Grower's As- sociation took place. Pressure was upon the Liberal Govern- ment at Ottawa for reciprocal commerce with the U.S.A. and for public ownership in basic utilities. The United Farmers of On- tario with labour formed the Gov- ernment (after receiving elec- toral support in 1919), for a period of four years. In two of the Prairie Provinces the farm- ers created a Government of longer duration. Social Credit under W. Aberhart won the elec- tion in Alberta in 1935, and in Manitoba, the agrarians took of- fice in 1922 and held it for along time. The Progressive party in 1921 held 65 seats in the House of Commons, this party wished to develop Canada as a political democracy on Swiss and Ameri- can lines. The Progressive party advocated the nationalization of railways and other transport, it was a mild collectivism, but it was not an innovation in Cana- dian politics. The Progressives disintegrat- ed, some members joined the Liberals, Social Credit and Con- servatives. Others became the nucleus of the new party — CCF. The agrarian revolt (after the end of World War I), was car- ried out through the political party system of Canada, mostly by the provincial parties. The Co-operative Com mo n- wealth Federation emerged from previously mentioned movements and efforts of individuals and groups. The CCF was organized in 1932 by Mr. Woodsworth. He was determined to create a farm- er-labour alliance, to seek so- cial amalgamation in a co-oper- - Please turn to page 5' PART TWO Expediency past and present has been a more important fact- or than rigidprinciple indeterm- ining party policy. The promotion of trade (with these two parties) became an issue. These parties exploited national sentiment. The Liberals pushed measures which demonstrated the national status and independent action of the Dominion. Mr. Blake, sought to remove the colonial inferiority of Can- ada,, Laurier and Mackenzie King continued to be exponents of a political nationalism. During and after World War I, Sir R. Borden directed the Canadian policy of a national status. The difference between Mr. Meighen, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Mackenzie King was that Tory leaders wanted close co-opera- tion, and to be consulted on foreign affairs by the British Government, but no real 'auton- omy in this. Mr. King pressed the symbols of nationhood and autonomy. Federalism means division or distribution of the powers be- tween the Federal and provincial governments. The Tory party favoured strong centralization, and the Conservative government under Sir J. Macdonald, threat- ened to reduce the rights of provincial governments to a more dependent status. The Liberals favoured de-cen- tralization, more rights for pro- vincial governments. Sir Oliver Mowat (Premier of Ontario), by a successful action in the courts, blocked the legislative measures initiated by J. Macdonald, and thus gave to the Liberal party the doctrine of provincial rights. Blake and Laurier were t h e champions of the same cause and Laurier, by refusing to dis- allow provincial acts, tried to show liberal attachment to pro- vincial autonomy. In the beginning of the century, Liberal and PC parties are less clearly divided on the issues of Federalism. The weakness of the Tories in Quebec was caused by their centralist policies. The Liberals are no longer partial to provincial autonomy. It does not matter which politi- cal party is in power in a pro- vincial capital, this party always is and will be provincialist (Lib- eral party in Quebec, under J. Lesage). The same party in Ot- tawa will exalt the authority of Ottawa, and it will affect the na- tional party to have a consistent policy of Federal-provincial re- lations. After World War II new wel- fare policies and controlled state economy were initiated. In this moderation of the state policy, differences between PC's and Liberals were matter of em- Exeter council haven't announced any plans for the big July 1 open- ing of the park, although a few suggestions have been presented to them. One calls for a log- rolling contest, while some oth- ers that have been mentioned are: beauty contests, swimming races, log sawing contests, etc. The committee appears to be interested in further suggestions, so if you have any ideas you could mention them to Councillor Jim Newby. The committee should be re- minded that there's only about a month and a half left before the big day, which should be the big- gest event staged in Exeter for some years. Since the days of the Titanic disaster, officials of the Inter- national Ice Patrol have been attempting to find ways of de- stroying the large icebergs that annually threaten ships at sea. All attempts to destroy the monsters have failed. It has been estimated that more than 1,900 tons of TNT are required to break up an average-size 'berg of 7,000,000 cubic feet. While they have failed to de- stroy the ice by use of explosives, fire-bombs, gunfire and chemi- cals to induce rapid melting, the Ice Patrol has now undertaken the project of marking the dang- erous icebergs with bright ver- milion dye to make them more easily seen by ships. An interesting fact about some of the icebergs is that scientists estimate some of them are made up of ice 32,000 years old. This ancient ice breaks off the Green- land icecap and is blue in color and actually effervesces when put in water. The size of Greenland ice- bergs occasionally reaches 300 feet above the water and some represent 1,500,000 tons of ice. The tallest ever recorded was found in 1957 and measured 550 feet high. Only a tenth of it was above the surface of the water. encounter as well, although many groups immediately stop pro- ceedings to allow us to get what pictures we want so we can get on our way without lengthy de- lays. This type of co-operation is appreciated because the man with the camera is usually a person who has put in a full day's work by the supper hour and is out in the evening not merely to get something to fill our pages, but equally as a goodwill gesture that will provide publicity for some organization in the area. A local businessman dropped into the office this week and sug- gested the Exeter PUC under- take the project of erecting flag standards on the front of business places. He suggested the cost of ma- terials be paid by the merchant and that the project could be easily undertaken by the PUC with their bucket equipment. It was his contention that more businessmen would fly flags from their stores if they had a flag holder erected, but most were unable to find people who had the equipment to do the job. The suggestion is worthy of some consideration by the PUC and Board of Trade. extremely sound in that other ratepay- ers will not have to subsidize those who require assistance. Many taxpayers are obviously getting to the point where they can't afford to subsidize anyone. Also, by removing the tax re- lief from the sale price of the pro- perty, this will not make it practical for anyone who doesn't need assistance to ask for it. The only group that appears to be neglected by the plan are the individ- uals on fixed incomes, who presently rent accommodations. In most cases, the increase in 'property tax is passed on to them by landlords, but the plan does not provide any relief for them, although obviously it is a much more difficult solution to reach. However, it is one that deserves equal study, be- cause elderly people who own their own homes at the present probably manage better than those who have to pay rent for apartments or houses. But, while this problem does ex- ist, we are still of the opinion councils should certainly take full advantage of the new plan to help elderly home- owners who are finding it difficult to meet the increasing tax costs they are setting each year. New and imaginative centennial ideas continue to appear through- out the country and we received word this week that a summer- long series of jigger races is be- ing planned in Peterboro. It won't be a race as races go, but rather a test of back- busting endurance, with each four-man team attempting to cov- er a given distance in the short- est possible time while pumping the ancient handcars that at one time were used by railway crews. The publicity piece we received noted the speed of the old hand- cars was about 25 m.p.h., but by clever timing their handlers can coax another 10 to 15 m.p.h. out of them. The centennial committee of zooita getatee, The Wingham Advance-Times carried two interesting articles last week, one being a letter sign- ed by 20 grade 12 students at the high school in that community, pointing up the hazards in a complete lack of traffic signals on their town's streets. The editor pointed out that the attitude of thoughtful attention to conditions in their home town is a most promising sign in these students, and said that no com- munity has much of a future be- fore it unless a fair proportion of its citizens are capable of becoming seriously concerned with its shortcomings. He went on to point out that while the educators are supposed to be the experts on what our young people should learn dur- ing the school years, he is of the opinion that too little time is devoted to the subject of civics. "Even though a young mind may be loaded with facts and figures in many specialized fields, the sum total of knowledge is of little benefit to mankind unless the possessor of such facts is a well-balanced individual, fully aware of his or her responsibility to the other members of the so- ciety in which we live," he con- cluded. We would certainly have to agree with the thoughts of our Wingham counterpart that today's students are not interested enough in what is going on around them in their communities, but it is obviously not a problem isolated among teenagers. Very few citizens take an active part in their communities, leaving the leadership up to a few. Public comment on events that concern citizens is almost neg- ligible, except for the street corner complaints that result in no constructive solutions. Every community has its shortcomings, but one of the most serious is the fact that people are not willing to express their views or ideas on how those shortcomings can be overcome. A greater degree of awareness by our students of today may help overcome this problem for the future. The other item of interest in the Wingham paper was a "sin- cere thank you" to two groups who had co-operated with the staff photographer by not detaining him when he arrived to take pictures of a couple of community events. The editor pointed out that photographers often waste end- less hours in efforts to get pic- tures. This is a problem we often "Daddy, please don't wear that suit. It always gives you a headache the next day." —Child's comment on seeing her father in a tuxedo "Some learn from experience — others never recover from it." —King City Rustler "We make our decisions, and then our decisions turn around and make US." —Boreham "Four and twenty are the most de- sirable ages. At four you know all the questions and at twenty you know all the answers." "Charlie, I want you to come to a little blow-out of mine," "The pleasures of the senses pass quickly; those of the heart become sor- rows; but those of the mind are with us to the end of our journey." —Spanish proverb r M:" . • w',,AWKW 50 YEARS AGO The morning bulletin of the war news has been discontinued since Sunday owing to the renewal of the regular train service by which the morning papers arrive at 10 am. Mr. David Rowcliffe, who has been employed in the mercantile business in Granton for some years, has moved to town and engaged with Harvey Bros. J. A. McDonald of the Bank of Commerce has purchased a Chevrolet car and has become quite proficient in running it. This district was visited by a severe storm Saturday afternoon. The lightning struck the James Street Church tower and ripped off a number of bricks and two window frames. Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 15 YEARS AGO The Roy James Construction Co. of London has been awarded a contract for $330,450 for the erection of a new officers mess at Centralia. Students at Exeter District High School are tearing down their gutted agricultural barn and preparing to build it up again. Splendid progress was report- ed on the Lions' Club cottage at Grand Bend at the annual Ladies Night banquet at Monetta Men- ard's Tuesday night. The frame- work is up and the shingling of the roof completed. The work has been done in spare time by the Lions. Marion Creery of Winchelsea school and Jim Carter of SS 5 Usborne will each receive an award of five dollars for the best essays among those submitted by Usborne Township pupils des- cribing their recent trip to Ot- tawa. Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont. Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept, Ottawa, and for Payment of Postage in Cash Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30, 1966, 4,427 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $5,00 Per Year; USA $7.00 "The boss couldn't come to dhuier, dear, so I brought his secretary." 04 .............................. how our air force bombed our troops at Caen. Like how my squadron dive-bombed a German bridge three days in a row, 60 tons of bombs three aircraft lost, and never knocked a chip of concrete off the thing, though we did kill a lot of fish in the river below. This is known as living his- tory and I had to do an encore the next day with another grade. A pack of "old sweat" lies, but they ate it up. It wasn't in the book. After school, acted as judge in speaking contest. Wednesday night, final concert of music festival winners. Kim picked up an armful of silver cups, which helped ease another raw rump from three hours on wooden chair. Thursday night, Library Board Meeting. Friday afternoon, presented prizes to winners in speaking contest. Friday night, school band concert, with daugh- ter playing drums and another hard chair. Pain in rear slightly eased by post-concert party which produced pain in head. Saturday, Open House at school. English department dis- play in my room drew much attention. Ketchup on floor in- dicated last scene of Hamlet, which we did in the fall, and small pile of ashes on floor indicated remains of Saint Joan, which we finished last week. Visitors deeply impressed with new realism in teaching of Eng- lish. Saturday night, fought all even- ing with wife and daughter. Lat- ter wanted to go to teen dance, despite fact she had trouble stay- ing awake becaUse of afternoon and evening rehearsals all week. To every one of which I drove her and picked her up. Spent all day Sunday looking for receipts to send with income tax return, one week late. Here it is Monday and col- umn night again. And the lawn isn't raked, And tomorrow night I have to play for the Russian Millard Championship of the curling club, which closed three weeks ago. And hours to go before I sleep. And hours to go before I sleep. please pass the Rumanian Gero- vital or whatever. Did you read in the papers recently about some drug, de- veloped by a Rumanian lady doc- tor, which keeps you young? Ap- parently it works wonders. Old Konrad Adenauer, who packed it in not long ago, well into his nineties, was a regular customer. Wish I could get my hands on some of that stuff. In fact, don't be surprised if you learn that I'm off to Rumania this summer. It's appalling what they expect us old guys to do these days. When I was 30, I knew I couldn't keep up the pace much longer, and looked forward to life be- ginning at 40. When I hit 40, I found myself running faster than ever, still in circles. Now I'm wondering whether they let you out of the rat race at 50, or whether you just keep going until you run all those other rats into the ground or fall flat on your foolish face. Dead. Trouble is, there are always new young rats joining the mara- thon, which makes it rough on us mature rats, even though we've got our second wind. It's not the regular work week that gets me. No. I come from hard-working peasant, pu r i tan stock, and know that you have to work hard to get rich and/or to heaven. It's the other week piled on top of it that makes me come out an 80-hour loser, red-eyed, surly, frazzled and fractious. It's when they expect me to be, in addition, as a bonus, a culture vulture, a social butter- fly, a dedicated community work- er, a fine husband and father, and a general handyman, that I rapidy become a darn' old grump, as my daughter succinctly puts it. Last week was a doozer, and not untypical. Monday, rush home, write column, then straight off to music festival. Sat on hard chair from 7:30 to 11:30 pm. when daughter played. Worth it, when she took highest mark in the festival, but had sore bum all next day. Tuesday, taught my own clas- ses and gave guest lecture. Grade 10 is “doing,, the invasion of Normandy in history, since I was the only available living relic of the battle, was asked to tell them some highlights. Like ON'sNIA 10 YEARS AGO Margaret Sanders, who re- ceived her Gold Cord, Guiding's highest award in a local cere- mony, was in Toronto Friday to receive her Gold Cord certificate at the provindal presentation. RosS TuCkey, manager of Tuckey Beverages Ltd., was ap- pointed to Exeter PUblic School Board at a meeting Monday night. Harvey Pfaff, Exeter post master, was elected deputy com- mander of zone C-i at the Leg- ion Rally Sunday. At the graduation excereises Of St, JOSeph's HOSpital, London, last Wednesday evening Marilyn Skinner, a former SHIMS stu- dent, gave the valedictory ad,- dreas. She was chosen frOni class of 71. 25 YEARS AGO Among the graduates from Vic- toria Hospital who received their diplomas at graduation excer- cises Monday evening were Misses Helen Hicks, Kathleen Heaman, Ina Jaques and Margaret Johns. Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Fuke in- tend moving to London the latter part of this week, Mr. Puke having built a new home in the city. HoW about a celebration for Exeter to mark the opening of the new Highway? The stretch of pavement from Clandeboye to Clinton, a distance of 28 miles, IS Said to be the longest stretch in Ontario on 'which there is not a turn, Saturday afternoon the Exeter Horticultural Society will hold a flower display in Southcott 13ros. window. Kindly bring flowers, especially tulips, by Saturday noon.