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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1972-07-06, Page 4It's difficult to know what attributes the Hon. Darcy McKeough may have in com- mon with the late John F. Kennedy, but he appears to follow the former U. S. president's opinion that people should be more concerned about what they can do for their country than what their country can do for them. At any rate, the Ontario Treasurer decided that businessmen should be prepared to work at no charge for the government and so his spring budget decreed that the small pittance received by businesses in their role as "tax collectors" should be withdrawn. So, many were surprised to find in com- piling their recent sales tax returns, that the "commission" of two and a half percent allowable to the merchant had been discon- tinued. The amount involved is not great for most businesses, but its removal adds insult to injury. The two and a half percent never did cover the cost of the paper work, accoun- ting and time it took to act as tax collectors for the province and if anything, it should have been increased. At the time that provincial sales tax was instituted, most businesses had to make large investments in new cash registers to compute the tax with each sale. The returns must be mailed promptly and in fact there is a penalty charged for any business which is lax in getting its sales tax returns to the provincial coffers. They don't even provide a pre-stamped envelope. It's clearly a one-way street and another example of the burden government has placed on small businesses with no con- sideration for the cost involved to those businesses in collecting sales taxes, income taxes, pension contributions, compensation board payments, etc., etc. To top it all off, they appear to hold the opinion that most businessmen can not be trusted and they employ a host of inspec- tors to conduct periodic checks to make certain the "tax collectors" aren't cheating. Poorly paid collectors OPAd matotcromisk —.HI those (:B(: strikes /busily got to .0 attired, so he decided to strike bock!" So, why work As unemployment continues to be one of our national problems, periodically a head of the government will say philosophically — in reference to those who refuse a job paying only $1.65 an hour, "well, if they don't want to work, why should they?" Other intellectual types will echo some dream for the future when, according to them we'll all be on a 3- or 4-day work week and ours will be a great society of leisure. Is this what we really want? Any society, all the way from primitive cultures up to the sophisticated and com- plex North American variety, consists of individuals who are mutually dependent upon each other. We found this out in recent garbage strikes and remember it well from some postal strikes of the past. It is a fact of life that we are interdependent. The work ethic is not a hangover from the Puritans. It is fundamentally good for man to work, to have challenges and to meet them, to pit his skills against problems. To provide a service to society through work, even if it isn't always the kind of job we would choose if we had a large choice, does give one self-respect and a sense of value. Man needs to contribute something to the general pot, as it were. The insidious effect of continued unemployment is to create first anxiety, then hopelessness, and finally apathy which in turn leads to degeneration of the human being. Instead of treating unemployment facetiously, heads of state and governments could be seriously involved in developing more beautiful cities with greater public services, thus creating employment. Preventive medicine in the form of gym- nasiums, more tennis courts, golf clubs, bicycle roadways, gardens, you name it — where some people can be employed and others find recreation — is another area governments might consider. As a recent survey from coast to coast reveals, Canadians from labourers to ex- ecutives, believe the right to a job should be a fundamental right for all. Contributed HEARING TESTS No ()N4qation MIDDLETON'S DRUGS, EXETER Thurs., July 6 —1 to 3 P.M. Batteries, accessories, repairs to most makes. E. A. THEDE Hearing Aid Service Ltd. HEARING AIDS 88 Queen St., S. Kitchener Wellories R R, R V R. C. R, R V R 0 A DANGEROUS TYPE OF COUNTERFEIT We are not talking about phony bills and coins that are being illegally circulated but ra- ther the potentially more explosive problem of counterfeit drugs. This is presently on the in- crease and it could lead to chaos In the market- ing of new drugs as well as resulting inevitably in a serious public health hazard. Counterfeit drugs are made illegally with- out any quality controls and under the poorest manufacturing conditions. The resulting drugs are sub-standard, more often than not without effective potency and subject to harmful con- tamination. A pharmacy only purchases their stocks of drugs from legal and licensed sources. You should also follow this practice. Bob Middleton, PhmB Stan Horrell, PhmB IDDLETON Drugs PHONE 235-1570 EXETER R'RYIRVROigIViOR R a Il Just North of The Beer Store and Car Wash on Main Street Drop In And See Us At Our Bright New Location Jerry MacLean & Son AUTOMOTIVE LTD. Phone 235-0800 Exeter Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30,1971,5,175 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $8.00 Per Yeat; USA $10.00 SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A„ O.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC Editor — Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Women's Editor — Gwyn Whilsmith Phone 235-1331 Mindless legions of dim-witted? Where in hell's the airport? There's nothing more un- nerving for an old pilot than to be flying with 'somebody else. Especially somebody who he thinks could not come in fourth in a three-legged race. And that's exactly the situation I found myself in last Saturday morning. I was just gagging over my first fag and cuppa when the phone rang and a cheery voice, sounding as though it had been up with the cows, informed me that it was going to fly over and see me. For a minute or two I thought I was going to have to go out in the backyard and wave a sheet, as my mother used to do when her sons were flying in the vicinity of our home town. Strangely enough, that worked, and my kid brother would do a loop and a couple of slow rolls to prove that he'd seen dear old Mom out there waving her second-best sheet. However, it turned out that my caller was serious. He owes me some money and wanted to find out how much, before his mor- tgage ran out and I jacked up the interest rate. He hadn't had a statement for two years. Well, I pulled myself together and agreed to pick him up at the local airport. I knew perfectly well what he was trying to do. He was trying to impress me, After all, any `guy who has a pilot's licence and can go flipping around the country is going to convince somebody of something. Looking about as sly as Peter Lorre, he asked, "How about a Times Established 1813 little ride?" I knew I wasn't going to get any money out of him, so I thought I might as well burn up some of his petrol. We got into this flivver. I looked around for a parachute. None. I looked around for safety belts to strap myself in like a mouse in harness, as we did in the old days. Nothing but a seat belt. We lumbered off the ground. It was like riding in a ten-ton truck after driving a Jaguar. The scenery was fantastic: lakes and swamps and islands. I even picked out our high school, which looked like a devastated area. My wife wasn't out in the yard waving a sheet, so I missed our house. But we lumbered. Nary a loop. No slow rolls or steep turns when your guts go down into your crotch. Sedately, I think, is the word that would best express our flying. Rather like an old lady running a washing machine. Don't think I didn't enjoy it. There's nothing quite so exciting as hurtling along at 130 miles an hour and 3,000 feet, It's almost as thrilling as a game of euchre, The only thing that reminded me of the good old days was when, after we'd jogged about for half an hour, he said, "Where the hell's that airport?" That was always one of my troubles: finding the airport. I said blithely, "Oh, I think it's over there somewhere." And sure enough it was. We landed, after a fashion, and I was pleased to see that modern 4:1 Advocate Established 1881 pilots at least know enough to land into the wind. In my day, we used to land down wind, and got quite exasperated when the control officer kept shooting off red flares to tell us to go around again. Well, I took our guest home for lunch and we figured out some kind of financial arrangement that would baffle a Philadelphia lawyer. Took him back to the airport and saw him off. As far as I know, he made it, though a bit wobbly. Then we spotted some young fellows preparing to do some sky- diving. One of them, an old student of mine, rushed up, said hello, and volunteered that this was his first jump. So we decided to watch. We'd known him since he was a bit of an altar-boy. I tried to reassure him by asking which leg he thought he would break, whether he wanted cremation or a regular church service, what kind of flowers he liked, and such. He took it very well, face growing whiter, sweat streaming. After a great deal of muddling around, which seems inevitable when people play with boats or aircraft, they took off, three of them. We watched the perfect blue sky as the aircraft climbed to height. Then out came a "If the Present trend continues all the worthwhile brains in the land will be concentrated in Toronto and Ottawa, leaving the hinterland in which the rest of us live as nothing more than a great grey wilderness, where the mindless legions of the dim- witted bend low every time the, voice of Big Brother sounds forth from the towers of the capital." That was the closing paragraph of an editorial in the Wingham Advance-Times complaining about the fact the Ontario department of education had stepped in to thwart attempts by some county school boards to let elementary children out of classrooms a few days before the "official" June 30 closing. Several newspapers have voiced similar objections, pointing out that the government, decision indicates all too clearly-,, that local autonomy is almost non-existent. The department, of course, has a most powerful weapon. They provide grants for the school boards and simply ex- plained that the gifts would be withdrawn from boards closing schools earlier than decreed, Naturally, none could afford to carry through their plans. There are two sides to the argument; one of which we agree with and the other we don't. Some suggest that children don't do much work during the last few days and they are, for all intents and purposes, lost days. The kids may as well be enjoying the sunshine. However, regardless of when schools close, there will always be a "last week" and it is only natural to assume that the "lost days" would be merely shifted. Certainly, we fail to see any validity in allowing secondary school pupils to exit earlier than their elementary counterparts, In addition, the department fails to take into consideration the work required (forms to fill in for the department) by the teachers before they start summer educational classes on the Monday following the close of school. The department and boards encourage teachers to take these courses and yet fail to provide them with a brief holiday before stepping out from the front of the classrooms in their schools to occupy desks in universities, The entire situation requires some review and it is to be hoped the school boards of Ontario will receive some consideration for their opinions from the depart- ment of education. Surely the "mindless legions of the dim-witted" have some power yet. brilliantly-coloured chute. It even opened. And it descended into a thick hush, about three miles away, Two more chutes blossomed, drifted down, and both landed right in the middle of the airfield, When the first one went into the hush, I bet my wife $50 to a filter cigarette that it was John Card- well,. our young friend, It was. A rescue force went out and after half an hour found him dangling from a ,maple tree. By some strange alchemy. I knew it was John. I'd tried to teach him English. He wasn't hurt, and it Was a fine Saturday, and I think I'll take up flying again, and maybe even sky-jumping. will be striking off for far away places as well asenjoying jaunts through this great land of ours, Regardless of where your travels take you, the following "Pen Commandments, for Travellers" will help you enjoy more fully your holiday. This was used on our church calendar in the summer and should serve as well for all those who are starting out for winter holidays in the sun, 1, Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou has them at home . . . for thou bast left thy home to find things different. 2. Thou shalt not take anything too seriously . . . for a carefree mind is the beginning of a holiday. 3. Thou shalt not let the other tourists get on thy ner- ves . . . for thou art paying out gistIci money to have a good time. 4. Remember thy passport so that thou knowest where it is at all times . . for a voyager without a passport is a traveller 50 Years Ago Dominion Day was quietly celebrated in Exeter Saturday. A great many cars passed through the town. Many of the citizens spent the day at Grand Bend, Centralia and Elimville. The weather was ideal for an outing. Huron County Loyal Orange Lodge held its annual church service in Exeter, Sunday af- ternoon, when about 150 mem- bers of the order attended Divine Service in Trivitt Memorial Church. Rev. A. A. Trumper preached the sermon. R. G. Seldon's rink of bowlers brought home the Hyndman trophy from the Dominion Day tourney at the Elmwood greens, London. The rink was composed of T. 5: Woods, J. A. Stewart, W. W. Taman and R. G. Seldon. Vera Jones left Monday for Guelph to take the summer course in agriculture at the O.A.C. Amy Johns, teacher near St. Catharines, and Ruby Wood, teacher at Thedford have returned to their homes for the holidays. A quiet wedding took place at the parsonage, Staffa, June 29, when Susan Kleinfeldt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Klein- feldt, was united in marriage to George Link, Dashwood, by Rev. E, J. Roulston. 25 Years Ago Arthur Fraser of town has purchased the residence of Dr. Milner on Ann Street. The contract has been let for the erection of 42 wartime houses. Twenty acres, of land has been purchased from Mrs. J. C. Snell, Rev. H. J. Snell was inducted into the pastorate of James St, United Church, Friday evening, One hundred and one pupils in the Exeter District High School Area have passed their entrance examinations and will be prospective students at the Exeter High School, The Orangemen from Exeter will celebrate July 12 at St, Thomas. G. j. Dow is shipping 100 horses this week, one load going to Montreal market and five loads to Belgium. Norma Knight has acepted the position as organist of Cavell Presbyterian Church. without a country. (Not needed for USA), 5. Blessed is the man who can say thank you in any language and it shall be worth more to him than much advice. 6, Blessed is the man who can make change in any curren- cy . . , for lo, he shall not be cheated. 7. Thou shalt not worry . . . for he that worrieth hath no pleasure, and few things are ever fatal. 8. Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by one person with whom thou hast trouble. 9. Thou shalt, when in Rome, do somewhat as the Romans do. If in difficulty, thou shalt use friendliness and common sense. 10. Remember, thou art a guest in every land . . . and he that treateth his host with respect shall be treated as an honored guest, 15 Years Ago Exeter merchan t,s decided Monday to switch from Friday to Saturday night opening this week. Some stores plan to stay open both nights. Over 130 children are attending the fourth annual vacation Bible school conducted by the Thames Road Mennonite Mission. A courageous rescue party, led by veteran fisherman Hank Green rescued two men from a battered sloop off St. Joseph in extremely rough waters early Wednesday morning. The dramatic rescue lasted nearly six hours. The district campaign for the Canadian Cancer Society has shot well over its objective of $3,500. Treasurer K. W. McLaughlin, Exeter, reported the fund total at $3,750. Four members of the Exeter Cub Pack, Bobby Higgins, Fred Learn, Larry Johnston and Larry Willert, have joined with members from the RCAF Cen- tralia Cub Pack to enjoy an outing at the Boy Scout camp near Guelph. There will be ap- proximately 60 members, in- cluding leaders, at this camp. 10 Years Ago A Hensall girl, Janet Betts, posted the high average of 95 at the Camp Huronora playground leadership training course held at Goderich last week. Exeter town council has issued an ultimatum to Caswell Paving Co. Ltd., to surface the roads this week, or else. Roads chairman Bailey reported the contractors have already broken their agreement to finish the work by July 1. Room was at a premium on the roads, beaches and beds in the Grand Bend and Pinery Park area over the holiday weekend as crowds estimated up to 50,000 flocked to the popular spots. Fire destroyed a fair-sized barn and several small sheds on the farm of Allen Miller on the Usborne-Hibbert boundary Wednesday afternoon. A 22-year-old RCAF Clinton airman, Stanley C. Itowitt, died in Westminster Hospital, London, Wednesday morning from in- juries sustained when the car he was driving struck a diesel tractor near Zurich Monday night. Drive carefully We've Moved \le Let us help you own your home Not just "some day" but now! We can help you get the money you need at interest rates that cost you less than rent — repayable in easy installments that get less and less as you enjoy home ownership more and more, Act on it today — at Victoria and Grey. VG The senior Trust Company devoted entirely to serving the people of Ontario. TIMM and GREY TRUST COMPANY SINCE 1889 KEN D. BOWES Manager Phone 2350530 MikfinlE.WASONMERNESOMNSWEM With the summer holiday Amalgamated 1924 season upon us, many readers * TO OUR NEW BUILDING