Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1968-03-28, Page 4Still :need .grass-roots voice Hay Township Federation of „Agri, .culture 'seriously considered ,disbanding last 'week, because as one farmer stat- ed, the group was as useful as a fifth wheel on a wagon, • That description may be a little harsh,' because similar to most township federations, the Hay group have per- formed some worthwhile services over the years through founding market groups, 4-1-1...clubs and supporting rural imprOvements. Their membership through the years has also assisted the county, provincial and national branch- es to perform many worthwhile proj- ects on behalf of farmers, While Hay's. federation may be the first to take a serious look at their value., there is no question but what many federations throughout the coun- ty are serving diminishing roles. Many meet only on an annual basis and pro- vide only token services to their mem- bers. It has been suggested that some of the ills of the farm situation will be solved if farmers across Canada unite to have one voice, rather than the two major — and sometimes conflicting — voices they now have, , However, we fail to see where this will correct the situation to any great extent until there is renewed interest and activity at the grass-roots, It seems almost inconceivable that at a time when technological and mar- keting changes are altering the concept of farming to staggering degrees that farmers at the township level can not maintain a useful organization, Only recently about 50 farmers from neighboring counties gathered at the Centralia College of Agricultural Technology and spent the better part of a week discussing marketing, Reports indicate the session was invaluable and could have been continued at even greater length, This would indicate beyond any doubt that farmers are keenly interest- ed in discussing and hearing experts on matters of mutual concern and sure- ly a periodic evening program would interest many farmers at the township level. Farmers are wanting a single voice to state their cause at Queen's Park and Ottawa, but obviously that policy has to be formulated at the grass-roots and it has to be based on findings garnered from opinions, facts and dis- cussions. The farm voice can be strength- ened by amalgamation at the' national level, but only if it is strong at the local level as well. But who is laughing? An editorial writer on the Toronto Globe and Mail calls it "Canada's, cost- liest annual. joke." He is referring to the Auditor - General's annual report, which details the federal government's financial errors and extravagances. His report for the year ending March 31, 1967, is no exception. The CBC, for e x a m p l e, spent $104,000 on hotel accommodation in Montreal during Expo that was never used. On programs available to adver- tisers the CBC spent $63,581,000, but advertising revenue was only $35,153,- 000 and a parliamentary grant of $28,428,000 had to cover the rest. Ex- po's capital budget was overspent by $11,893,000 in 1966 without approval. The Department of Defence spent $1.6 million on a C-5 North Star aircraft, in- cluding $343,000 for refurbishing it to VIP standards in 1966, and sold it in June of that year for $49,000. The original estimates for construe- tion of a communications satellite ground station in Nova. Scotia were for an amount between $3.6 million and $5.5 million, but poor management in the Department of Transport pushed the cost to $11.7 million. There is a list of 42 items involving $8,310,000 wasted on "non-productive payments." Of all departments the Defence Depart- ment came in for the most criticism, ranging from the comment that depart- ment cars were used to transport sen- ior officers from their homes to offices to the note that the refit of HMCS Bon- aventure was to have cost $8 million and by bad management it is now over $12 million. It is the same story from year to year, but if Parliament thinks no one pays much attention the MPs might be interested to know that a recent query to the Queen's Printer's Bookshop in Toronto elicited the information that the report was sold out in jig time. — C. J. H. Don't send 'em. to the cleaners At this time of the year, the T-A would like to remind motorists to take it easy on sloppy streets to avoid splashing pedestrians, and smearing fellow motorists' windows with grime. Monday afternoon editor Bill Batten attempted to get some pictures showing the splashy conditions with sports editor Ross Haugh at the controls. The editor can vouch for street conditions as he was liberally splashed on the first run and demanded that Haugh slow down for the picture shown above, which while it may not be spectacular, was a great deal drier. T-A photo Flowers reflect the beauty of Easter. Select bouquets, corsages & floral arrange- ments from us. FREE CARNATION EASTER BUNNIES TO CHILDREN AC- COMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Reder's Florists EXETER 235-2603 Only 3 Days Left to take advantage of our 8th Anniversary SALE ENTIRE STOCK GREATLY REDUCED Here are a few examples DIAMOND & WEDDING BAND SETS Now Reg. $200.00 Only $159.95 WALTHAM WATCHES Now Reg. $75.00 Only $60.00 SAMSONITE LUGGAGE Now Reg. $39.50 Only $31.60 Wilson's Jewellery & Gifts Exeter Pleasing you pleases us you are injured by a hitand-run driver you can claim damages from the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund. ONTARItCDEPARTM ENT OF tilANSPORt 10 St. Mary St,,TordritOS, Ontario, tINtatlkit) For further information; write blrector of Claims, Motor Vehicle Accident VoitTIS 1 and Yourirating is probably high Tis a taxing time indeed When he smacks us With taxes. The Minister says It's to battle the beast of in- flation. It's for our own good, And everyone should Stop roaring with deep indig- nation. Pretty rotten doggerel, but I hope I speak for the rest of you serfs when I serve warning to all levels of government, here and now, publicly, that we've had enough. With one more tax hike of any kind the Fall of the Bas- tille, and the October Revolu- tion of 1917 will look like a couple of Sunday school out- ings. The gutters Will run with blood, and heads will roll, I've never seen a gutter run- ning with blood, but I don't think it would bother me mech. Not this month, at any rate. And how would the head of the Finance Minister look stuck on the end of a pike? It certainly wouldn't do much for his image, in the Liberal leadership race. Remember what happened to the British when they went too far with taXatiom it was a nice cup Of tea, With Boston Harbor as the teapot.. Shortly afterwards, they had that half of North AM e r Ca, Eighteenth - century Franc e times Established 1873 had absentee landlords. We have absentee MP's. But the real cause of the French revolution was op- pressive taxes. The absentee landlords lost their heads. Some of our absentee MP's may lose their seats. And if you want to be vulgar, there's not that much difference, come to think of it. Same story in Russia, Infla- tion and taxation. Ivan was mak- ing four kopecks a day. It cost him three to live, one for taxes. The Czar jacked up the tax on vodka by one kopeck and some- thing had to give. It wasn't Ivan. NoW I'm no George Washing- ton, Robespierre or Lenin. But I do have a shot-gun, and when our leader emerges, I'll be there, fully loaded — if I can afford a jug at current pr ices —and shouting bilingually, "A bas les taxes!" I don't want to sound unrea- sonable about taxes. Some are essential. Education taxes, for eXample. We've got to keep the kids off the streets somehow, and at the same time turn them into potential tax-payers, se that we'll be able to draw Our old-age pensions. And I don't mind contributing to those same old-age pensions and help for the crippled and the blind and the helpless. Nor do I mind paying for sewers and gar- bage collection and street - lighting. But I do object to subsidiz- ing the free-loaders: the credit card boys who can write off entertainment, drinks, food, a private bank; the shiftless dogs who revel in welfare as a way of life. It irks me to help maintain an armed force, fine chaps all, but one which couldn't defend this country against a deter- mined attack by Iceland. As a motorist, I am willing to pay heavy gas and car taxes and licence fees so that roads may be built. But I have an abomination for taxes on build- ing materials and clothing and a contempt for taxes On restaur- ant meals and entertainment, At the moment, my pet hate is paying taxes for a new mu- nicipal snow-blower that throws Up on my lawn a filthy mixture of snow, salt and sand. Guaran- teed to kill lawn, flowers and probably trees. The list is endless and arbi- trary. But I know I'm not a lone voice crying in the wilderness. I'd be happy to hear from others who are ready to respond When Our leader cries, "Aux barrl- cades, all youse who are ground in the mills of the tax gods." Snow in the last two weeks of March can hardly be con- sidered unusual or unexpected, but the weatherman did give us all some false hopes before he came up with his latest flurry. If you happened to be among those out driving at various peri- ods over the weekend you will realize that the weekend storm was as wild as any we've had this year. Since CFB Centralia closed down, this newspaper doesn't have any local source for weather statistics and on occasions it is missed to a considerable extent. The meteorology section at the base kept us informed as to amounts of rain and snow fall throughout the year and these statistics often proved interest- ing. We've been unable to find any- one to take their place, although we've come to the conclusion that Mayor Jack Delbridge may be able to help us out in that re- gard. At last Monday's council meet- ing, Councillor Ross Taylor wanted the streets and sidewalks swept as spring appeared to have made its debut, but Jack argued that there was still a good chance of more snow. We don't know if he had any "inside information" but his prognostication certainly w a s correct. * * * Local merchants must have shuddered a bit to learn that Main St. will be a "mess" for about four months during recon- struction this year. By the same token, they pos- sibly were cheered by the opin- ions of some that there would be no great decline in local business. It was even suggested that the curious nature exhibited by most people will attract people into town to see what is taking place. This may well be the case, but there are some answers that should be provided as soon as possible regarding the recon- struction of Main St. There has already been an in- dication that merchants will have LETTERS TY:E EDITOR Mr. ,R,M. Southcott, Publisher, Mr,. Bill Batten, EditOr, and Members of the Staff, The Exeter Times Advocate Exeter, Ontario Dear "Award WinnerS", Please accept my belated, but nevertheless enthusiastic, eon- grattilationS on your outstanding record of winning four awards in the annual competition sponsored by the Ontario Weekly NeWs,, papers .AsSoCiatiOn, Although. i knew these lionbittS are almost ''old hat" for the Times Advocate, I know they are a continuing source Of pride to the community which you serve SO well. keep lip the exCeptiOnally good. works Yours Sincerely, Charles MadNaughton Treasurer- to conduct business from their back doors for a certain period of the work, but as yet there has been no estimate as to how long this period may be. If merchants are faced with the prospect of requiring rear ac- cesses to their business for the entire four months, it is only natural that they would make more permanent arrangements than if they were faced with the situation for only two or three weeks. The second question is that of parking. Some discussion was held by council regarding alter- nate routes and it was decided that Andrew and William Streets will carry through traffic while Main St. is impassable. However, it was also suggested that parking would have to be pro- hibited on these streets. This matter was not finalized and obviously it should be as soon as possible, because park- ing is certainly going to be one of the main problems to be faced. As soon as council have been given the answers to any ques- tions involving the local mer- chants, they should pass the in- formation along, and merchants should also be asking any ques- tions they have now. If someone stepped up and asked you to rate yourself as a driver, what would the answer be? Well, it appears that most of us would either rate ourselves as average or above average. For some reason, otherwise modest people who claim no special talents in other areas, feel they are distinctly superior to their fellows in their ability to handle a car. 50 YEARS AGO At the meeting of the Exeter Agricultural Society last week it was decided to plow the centre of the race track and seed it to peas after which it will be levelled and seeded to grass, Mr. Will Smith recently left for Edmonton, Alta., with a ship- ment of several head of Short- horn cattle for the University of Alberta. Messrs. Maurice Quance and Fred Brock left Monday for Lon- don to join the colors. Mr. Henry Dilling and Mr. Charles Northcott left Wednes- day with a car of settler's effects for Hanley, Sask. 25 YEARS AGO Mrs, Ida Sanders and Miss L. M. Jeckell Were in TOrento attending a Red Cross COnVen- Lien of the Ontario James "Grieve, who for a nutil ,, bet of yeart MS conducted a restaurant in Eketer, is braildh-, Ing out and haS purchased the brick building owned by Joseph Senior on Main Street, Mr, Senior has rented the second floor of the building and will continue to operate his photography 'studio. The neW victory Loan Drive commences April 26 just six Months after the third Victory Loan. the minimum Canadian objective Is $1,160,900,060 - that means the Canadian GOV,, eminent IS asking for at leaSt One arid a half times as much a asked for Six months ago. COI. COW A. Drew, leader of theProgressive ConservativeS in the Provincial Parliament, will Make a friendly visit to South A recent poll showed that 62 percent of drivers queried rated themselves as average drivers, 36% thought they were better than average and only two percent judged themselves as not up to average. Of course, that doesn't hold true, as there must be the same number above as below average. So it would appear that more of us are below average than would care to admit it. Unfortunately, misjudged be- lief in one's superior driving abilities can add to the dangers of the road — if it leads to com- placency, carelessness o r chance-taking. We'd all be better off if we lowered our personal rating of our driving abilities and then drove on the basis that the peo- ple we were meeting were even worse. An interesting letter appeared in last Week's Stratford Times, with the writer asking why mobile homes were outlawed in Stratford and Downie Townships. "Living in mobile homes is a modern trend all over Canada and the United States," the letter pointed out, adding that mobile homes were the answer for the many people who could not af- ford the price of most homes in their communities. It was further suggested that merchants in Exeter and Hen- sall — where mobile homes are made — should boycott merchan- dise from Stratford because "this in effect is what Stratford and Downie are doing in outlawing these homes which are made close by". Huron Monday and Tuesday and will be a guest of Dr. Taylor of Dashwood. 15 YEARS AGO Tuesday, April 7, Andrew Mc- Lean MP, Thomas pryde MLA and Warden Alvin Kerslake of Huron County will officially open Stephen's Township's bright, new community centre at Crediton. A gang of men are, engaged in tearing down the cement block Shed belonging to James Street United Church. It was erected in 1910. Ken Hockey was elected chair- man of Exeter Businessmen's Association at a Meeting Tues- day morning. Ted Buswell was appointed sec-treasurer a nd Miss Helen Hardy; treasurer, Exeter's tax 'rate for 1953 Will be 60 MIMS — highest in the town's history. 10 YEARS AGO Revi. N. D. Knox of TriVitt Memorial Church, Exeter an- nounced to his congregation Sun- day morning he had accepted a call to Trinity Cherch, Latiabeth. Paula Boulianne of Crediten Was e.Werded third prite in province wide lyrical verse= Speaking deinpetitiori at Toronto Monday afternoon. A carload of western saddle horses Were received by CNR freight by naitott Vinkbeirier, BXeter. These horSeS aren't for the farm btit to fill a demand for riding horseS. 8111 Pollen academic award Winner, track champion, Wain athlete and student official has 'been chosen as the 'outstand- ing boy at Sting this year • " RED CROSS DRIVE Thursday, March 28 Leave Your ?pro Light On cANVAss yvu. BE coNpvc,T. 1).BY .HIGH .spHpot, .STUDENT .VOLUNTEERS stinstikiPTION SERVING CANADA'S 'BEST' FARMLAND O.WA.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC Publishers: J M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott Editor: Bill Batten Advertising Manager: Howie Wright Phone 51331 SWAM'alMaValtangielOMMIZMWAVOW Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 Published Each Thursday Morning of Exeter, Ontario Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dep% Ottaika, and for Payment of Pottage in Cash Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30, 1967, 4,338 rtATESI 'Canada $5.00 Per Year; USA,$7.tX1 ruravomianow COhi Snit, rreWttitipörs • • • • • • " • •:: : : : : : : : : : : • : : "Oh-oh, another SaturditY."