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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1969-05-15, Page 4What's fair for the goose Indispensable as each of the sexes is to the other, there is also plenty of tension between them, from the embattled aggressiveness of a Judy la Marsh to the lady who won't go near a woman doctor or lawyer, no matter how impressive their qualifications. Thanks to the publicity attending on hearings of the Royal Commission to investigate inequalities, many will be remedied, but one area has not been explored at all — a gross imbalance in recreation. All day, during the pre-school years and for an even. longer period afterward at night, the responsible parent cannot leave children alone. Baby sitters are expensive; many couples, therefore rarely use them. One adult must stay at home, and in the process the person whose social and cultural life goes down the drain, is usually mother. From the time when the household wakens until evening dinner it is not unreasonable to expect her to give full-time . to homemaking and child-raising. During most of these hours her husband is selling shoes, repairing cars or keeping ledgers straight. Each partner is carrying a necessary part of the family load. The evenings are a different matter; here the inequality is glaring. Curling, bowling, lodges, service clubs beckon father. They absorb him night after night. His wife would also like to participate in something that would commit her regularly once or twice a month. Does she manage it? Too often, not at all. When their activities conflict it is she who waives recreational rights. Yet she is most in need of adult contacts, since her working time is spent with children. Often — in this era of youthful marrying — she is very young. Her single friends are free as air. Understandably, she resents her ties. Those who lament the increasing exodus of wives and mothers from the domestic milieu to the marketplace, should do a little soul searching at this point. So should social workers and pastors who are constantly uncovering marital troubles. A division of labor should mean a division of pleasure too. Could it happen here? The news story during the weekend that two small children from the village of Holstein near Mount Forest had died of asphixiation in a refrigerator struck terror in minds of many parents. The thought of a tiny girl vomiting and struggling in death while her two brothers, one a year older and one a year younger were huddled helplessly beside her in the darkened, crowded, hot compartment leaves one with a huge throat lump. The younger boy died later (perhaps mercifully) in hospital while the third child is alive and well to tell the horrible tale. The refrigerator was stored in an abandoned house, a dwelling that was condemned by the board of health. Apparently no one in the village knew the building was a storehouse for used appliances and the owner felt certain the place was securely locked to prevent intruders. The death of two little children proved otherwise. There was a way into the house where the death traps waited to devour. We wonder how many similar instruments of suffocation are strewn throughout this area. Old barns, sheds, garages and other storage buildings could very well contain refrigerators, freezers and coolers which could easily snap closed on some innocent child and snuff out his life in a few agonizing hours. We wonder how long it will be before municipal, provincial and federal governments will pass legislation making it illegal to store such appliances before the latches and closers have been removed so that doors and lids can swing free. And we wonder why unused homes and other buildings are allowed to stand empty for years and years, gradually sagging and rotting into the ground. Not only are they unkempt sights in the neighborhood, they are fascinating invitations to adventurous youngsters to "come inside and explore." Just what tragedies could await young sleuths inside their walls cannot be fully realized, but surely these houses and barns should be either removed from the premises or securely boarded up and regularly inspected to prevent a fatal accident of the kind which recently saddened Holstein residents. (T-A photo) COULD TRAGEDY LURK HERE?- The district has its share of empty, run-down homes similar to the one pictured here. Elsewhere on this page readers will find editorial comment on the possible treachery of abandoned houses and sheds. We invite your thoughts on this matter as a guide to municipal, provincial and federal governments whose duty it is to pass legislation to deal with this pressing problem. class community newspapers NiVatMWP' Midak ...:.:.wai•Staft1818888M8882100 •=4 Times Established 1873 Advocate Eitiblished 101 Amalgamated 1924 eceferZimes-Usorafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC Publishers: J. M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott Editor — Bill Batten-- Advertising Manager Phone 233-1331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30, 1968, 4,520 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada WOO Per Year; USA $7.00 ' WalMainaginiliailated6,4 000111&" Mir They're away behind times DO YOU QUALIFY For These Special Discounts on Auto Insurance? * Five Years Claims Free Rates Which Apply to All Classes * Driving to and from Work Three Miles or Less one way * Special Rate for Young Marrieds (23 and 24 Years Old) * Special Rate for Single Females (23 and 24 Years Old) * Special Rate for No Driving to Work * Two-Car Discount of 20% DON'T PAY MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO . . . SEE US TODAY John J. Payne Insurance AGENCY LIMITED Grand Bend Phone 238.2354 Fastest Growing Agency In Western Ontario There Has to be a Reason • . Call Us And' Find Out! 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Main St. MEN'S WEAR Exeter = *-71iIiili111111111111IIIIIIIIIIIiiiliallaillallialliill1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111ifillnimallIIIIIIIiimaglii itaimaliminiiiallallallIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIiilifillallialiallialliallaillmailllaiiiiinillimilmaanimia I = Reg. $105.00... FOR $89.50 Reg. $115.00 . .. FOR $99.50 EE Young Men —Size 36, 38, 40 $32.95 to $39,95 * Men's Made-To-Measure Suits We Are Pleased to Announce the SAVILLE -ROW Samples Have Arrived And We Invite You To See This Top Suit Line SPECIAL THIS WEEK New Merchandise Is Arriving Almost Daily Reg. $125.00 ... FOR $105,00 E1.- I 77: Reg. $135.00 .. . FOR $110.00! Boy, isn't tax time fun! With the income tax return safely off at the usual eight minutes before midnight on the last day, and my wife, who figured out mine, nearing normal a couple of weeks later, I think I have cooled out enough to pay a deep-felt, and deeply deserved, tribute. Oh, not to her. As I told her, from a safe distance, "Any dummy can do that." I didn't really mean it. It was only in retaliation for her applying to me the epithet "stupid." twelve times during one Sunday afternoon when I was helping her. We got a different total on every column of figures. Patiently, I pointed out to her that women didn't have the panache to deal with income tax forms. They want everything to come out even, just as they do when wall-papering. Men would much rather grin fiendishly and say, "Let's see what the computer can do with that." Finally, in disgust, I left it to her. She's so ridiculously honest and I probably won't even be tined this year, as is the custom. But that takes a lot of the fun and excitement out of it. There's no joy in doing your income tax form unless you think you've gotten away with something. No, the tribute I want to pay is to a modern writer. He's anonymous, or I'd trumpet his name from the housetops. He's the chap who produces that annual best-seller called TI General Tax Guide. Don't let the title fool you. That's just a front for one of the most baffling mystery stories of the year. It's wildly unfair that his publishers, a stodgy old firm called Department of National Revenue, with headquarters in Taxation, Canada, do not give this author the glory and publicity which is his due. Not since, Nicolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince, back in the sixteenth century, has such a brilliantly, diabolically clever piece of prose been produced. And this guy does it every year. The 1968 edition of this work ran to only thirty pages, ')ut it was a little masterpiece. It had the usual combination of complication, suspense, mystery, irony and horror. While it smacks of Machiavelli there are undertones of Edgar Allen Poe. Mind you, it's not for the average, reader, who likes a plot with beginning, middle and end. This is for the more sophisticated reader, who likes jumping backwards, forwards and sideways in an effort to keep up with the subtle, involuted mind of the writer. Nor is it a thrilling encounter for the fellow working for a salary, paid by cheque, with all deductions at source. But for the citizen who has more that one source of income, the book's combination of back-tracing, leap-frogging, equivocation and gobbledegook are sheer delight. My wife enjoys this sort of thing. In fact, her favourite indoor sport is reading aloud to me excerpts which prove that I am going to wind up in the penitentiary for life, if I ignore Item 36 of this gem, which the author, with typical irony, calls a Guide. With a guide like this, who needs a compass. It's all there, perfectly clear. For instance, she was delighted to find that, because we live in one of the ten provinces of Canada, we get something: an "Abatement for Provincial Taxes." This can amount to 28 percent. Just like money in the bank. Pretty darn decent of the federal government. It is actually called a "reduction." Of course, you don't get this reduction if you live in the Yukon. You have to pay the whole shot. Pretty darn mean of the federal government. And, of course, if you do live in one of the provinces, your "reduction" is added back somewhere, and you pay the whole shot, anyway. But this is just one of the charming, illogical little peccadilloes that make this book a "must" for anyone. Anyone, that is, who is being skinned alive by a trapper who smiles and smiles while your pelt is being removed. Many people often make mistakes in attempting to judge what the public will buy. Industries and businesses have gone bankrupt on such mistakes because the product they turned out just didn't hit it off with the consumers. The same things happen in the entertainment field and the students' council at SHDHS learned this to their regret last week when they sponsored an appearance of the London Symphony Orchestra. About 100 area residents attended the concert, and while it was a most enjoyable and successful night for those in attendance, it was a dismal flop as far as the sponsors were concerned. A symphony performance doesn't attract the masses in North America, but we think the students made an honest mistake in assuming that there would be enough people interested in this area to make the local concert profitable. With so many complaints being aired over the state of modern music at present, they would be expected to anticipate that those complaining would take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy some good music for a change. Strangely enough, we imagine the students would have enjoyed more success had they attempted to charter buses to take people to London to hear such a concert. Most groups have no trouble gaining support for such outings, even to cultural events. However, when the same type of program is brought to them, they stay away in droves. * * * One local resident seated behind us at the concert leaned forward to report that he assumed yours truly would be giving a comprehensive critique on the work of the London Symphony. We quickly replied that the orchestra sounded very good at that particular moment and no doubt this left him little doubt as to our ability to pen a knowledgeable report, because at the time the orchestra members were just tuning up. However, in the interests of culture, we will in fact follow his suggestion and prepare a critique as a reviewer may do after being brain washed by all that modern rock and roll which inundates the scene these days. Here goes! * * * It became clearly evident at the outset that the orchestra would have difficulty arousing the audience to the feverish pitch which usually sends young girls swooning at the feet of the musicians. The orchestra members just weren't with it. None wore large decorative sun glasses or gaudy hats and all the male members had been sabatoged by their barbers and their hair failed to get anywhere near their shoulders. The usual fun of guessing whether the musicians were male or female was gone, Their clothes were extremely drab and what was even worse, they were pressed. The men wore black bow ties where decorative chains should have hung and their neatly tailored trousers just couldn't match the jewelled, flared pants one sees on musicians who are really in the know. The school gymnasium unfortunately added to the lacklustre appearance. No flashing lights were Set up to provide an exciting mood and chairs were provided for the orchestra members, giving them no chance at all to go through the usual gyrations that bring shouts of glee from the balconies. The conductor was standing, but he obviously didn't realize that facial expressions indicating musicians are under torture really help convey the musical message. He had his back to the audience most of the night. * While the physical appearance was enough to make it a drab evening, the orchestra was clearly a low-budget group. There wasn't one amplifier to be seen anywhere, and by today's standards, if you haven't got a few hundred bucks tied up in such equipment you just can't expect to attract attention. The musicians attempted to create some extra noise at times when all members joined in tbgether at high pitches, but the walls never shook and we never heard one ear drum pop. In fact, we left without the echoes reverberating in our ears for three or four hours as they did after our chaperoning stint at a teen town dance. The orchestra even made the mistake of taking a few seconds off before some numbers to ensure that each instrument was still on key. Obviously they didn't realize that stranger sounds can be generated when a few instruments are off key. 50 YEARS AGO A public meeting of the citizens of Exeter was held in the Town Hall to hear the report of engineer Paterson with a view of the construction of a permanent road from the north to the south boundary. He recommended a concrete road at a cost of $37,000. Rev. and Mrs. Melvin Whiting and family were returned after spending seven years in Japan as missionaries sent out by the Methodist church. They are home for one year's furlough. Judging from the large audience which assembled in Crediton Town Hall Thursday evening Uncle Tom's Cabin is still as popular as ever. At a trustee meeting of Main Street Methodist Church Monday evening it was decided unanimously to cease renting pews in the church. The seats are now free. 25 YEARS AGO Reeve B. W. and Mrs. Tuckey were in Toronto the forepart of the week where Reeve Tuckey attended a meeting of mayors, wardens and reeves for the purpose of discussing post war planning and development. Mrs. R. Motz was elected president of the Exeter Ladies Bowling Club for the 1944 season Monday evening. Mrs. E. R. Hopper is retiring president and Miss Helen Penhale, secretary-treasurer. It was decided to hold ladies' night every Tuesday. Rev. Ernest Grigg has returned home after spending six weeks on a tour of the state of Michigan speaking on Evangelism and Missions. The Lakeview Casino at Grand Bend is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary. A grand opening is being arranged for May 24. As for the music itself, we could find little to indicate that this orchestra could ever expect to make the Ed Sullivan Show. In fact, we doubt if the fiddlers could even make it with Don Messer. There was none of that raspy, reel-type music we enjoy of TV, and there wasn't one arrangement that would keep a square dance set stepping. The guest soloist, Sylvia Karges, started out poorly. Her first song was clearly understood by all members of the audience and she didn't appear to be shouting enough to really excite people. Her second rendition came off a hit better, because we didn't understand a word of it, which is the criteria by which singers are judged. For all we know, she may have been singing in Latin or some other strange dialect and obviously this is the way it should be. Perhaps with more study she will lose a bit of that lilting sweetness in her voice and will reach the heights of the gravel-voiced crew. We could go to great lengths to present further ciriticism, but most readers will already realize how fortunate they were in not having to suffer through this evening of "strange" music. 15 YEARS AGO The Huronia Male Chorus visited the Huron County Home last Sunday evening and entertained the residents with a varied program of solo, duet, quartet and chorus selections. Mrs. Alice Sturgis directed the program and Miss Agnes Bray was at the piano. Anxious farmers took to the fields with a vengeance Wednesday when a warm sun spelled relief from weeks of intermittent rain and cold weather. Tractors roared across the land as late as midnight to make up for lost time. Over 200 members of Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliaries in 12 Western Ontario centres attended a zone rally in the Exeter Legion Hall. It is one of the fastest-growing women's organizations in Ontario. 10 YEARS AGO Installation of new fluorescent lighting for Main Street, Grand Bend, was approved by the Council and the PUC was instructed to install 23 fluorescent fixtures on Grand Bend Main Street to replace the mercury vapor lights. Thirty two years to the day after he started business, veteran barber Elmore Harness, town, relinquished the clippers of his shop on Main Street. His business has been taken over by Don McCurdy. Cowan's Lunch building, Sarepta, will be offered for sale at a public auction Wednesday, May 27 by the Ontario Department of Highways. Hurondale Dairy, Hensall was practically destroyed by the tornado which swept the district Monday morning. Over 150 men of the community held a bee to clean up the debris and Ron Mock, owner of the dairy, will rebuild immediately. 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