HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-01-25, Page 4Encouraging signs
This newspaper was particularly en-
couraged with Exeter council's decision
last week to advise the press of special
meetings.
As readers will know, we have been
complaining for some time that important
matters have been discussed at meetings of
which the press was not notified.
Councillor Tom MacMillan explained
that the lack of communication created by
such a situation can have serious
ramifications for council and we commend
members for their action.
The matter was put into proper
perspective by Councillor Ted Wright who
pointed out that the ratepayers have a right
to know what their representatives on coun-
cil are doing, and in most cases, the only
opportunity for this communication is
through the press.
To bar the press from meetings is to
primarily bar the ratepayers whom council
serve.
In this regard, it is also worthy of note
to mention that the Dashwood trustees have
extended an invitation to ratepayers to
attend their monthly meetings and to
provide our correspondent in that com-
munity with access to the matters dis-
cussed.
The South Huron Association for the
Mentally Retarded have also taken a good
look at their manner of communication in
the past and plan to keep a closer contact
with the community in the future.
Immaturity showing
Being patriotic these days can become
costly.
Many communities and organizations
fly Canadian flags proudly from their
premises, but for some strange reason,
they frequently become the targets of
thieves.
Hardly a month goes by without the
local OPP reporting the theft of a flag from
some location in the district.
Most of the thefts are blamed on young
people who apparently have a penchant for
adorning their bedroom walls with flags, as
well as highway signs and similar items.
Their immaturity is showing!
Thefts of flags are not a problem of
this area alone. In another Ontario com-
munity, an editorial writer expressed con-
cern over the situation. He was also ap-
palled that the thieves on one occasion
waited until the flags were flying at half
mast in tribute to the memories of such
great Canadians as Lester B. Pearson and
George Drew.
Off the deep end
One of the sillier edicts we have heard
of recently was presented to the Toronto
City Council last week. Just to make sure
that there was no possibility of discrimina-
tion against 'either women—or men, the
latest rule confronting that august body
forbids the use of the word "man".
As a consequence, when the works
department needs an individual to shovel
snow off the roof of city hall the personnel
department will have to request the ser-
vices of a "person". It then follows that no
reference can be made to a man in any way,
shape or form. Members of the council will
henceforth be known as alderpersons. The
people who man the big red trucks with
their loads of hose will become firepersons.
The human who sits at the head of a
conference table and presides over a
meeting will be a chairperson (it's just as
wrong to say chairlady as chairman).
Unquestionably the status of women did
need looking into, particularly where wages
and working conditions were concerned.
But in this day of all-out rights for
everybody we have certainly lost our sense
of balance. In fact a great many people in
public posts seem to have lost their
marbles.
Not long ago there was a fresh edict
from the Ontario Department of labor
( Oops! Slipped there. It's not a department
anymore—it's a ministry) . However, those
wise men in Toronto re-warned all the
newspaper publishers about carrying any
discriminatory wording in their "help
wanted" ads. It is no longer lawful to use
the phrase "of interest to men" (or
women). Mind you the person who places
the ad doesn't bear the blame. Responsibili-
ty rests with the newspaper. Never mind
that he has three or four new girls at the ad
desk who have never heard of the new
regulations. The boss is liable to horrible
penalties if he permits publication of a little
three-line classified asking for a woman to
do baby-sitting or a man to dig postholes.
We have always suspected that many
politicians are stupid and these regulations
certainly confirm the theory. They are not
concerned any more than the next guy
about fair play to women. They are making
a grandstand play for votes at the next
election. Government wants to look like big
daddy to all the downtrodden in the land.
The whole thing is a silly farce from the
outset. If an employer wants a man for a
certain job you can rest assured he isn't
going to hire a woman—regardless of the
wording of his help wanted ad. When the
female applicants show up he is simply
going to decide against them because they
do not have the experience he required.
Nevertheless, you would do well to be
cautious. Next time you go to a Toronto
hotel don't forget to be pleasant to the door
person who swings the portals open with a
smile. And that figure in the red jacket
carrying your wife's four suitcases is a
bellperson.
In fact, maybe you'd better forget that
world "wife". It's strongly suggestive of a
distinction between sexes. Start right now
and be on the safe side. She's a houseper-
son.
—Wingham Advance Times
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Editor — Bill Batten — Advertising Manager
Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh
Women's Editor — Gwyn Whilsmith
Phone 235.1331
SUBSCRIPTION
Published Each Thursday Morning
at Exeter, Ontario
Second Class Mail
Registration Number 0386
Paid in Advance Circulation,
March 31, 1972, 5,037
RATES: Canada $8.00 Per Year; USA $10.00
Too timid? Perhaps we are
By BILL SMILEY
Is there anything new under the
sun, despite the old adage? Not
much.
I've just been reading a 124-
year old essay by Henry David
Thoreau, and it could have been
written last week by anybody
who dislikes, nay, despises
government and what it stands
for.
The author says that that
government is best which
governs least. Many Canadians,
who are sick to death of govern-
ment and its agents poking their
inquisitive snouts into every
aspect of the individual's life,
would agree heartily.
Most businessmen would not
only concur, but would raise a
cheer for the sentiments ex-
pressed. Ask any man who runs a
small business, if you want to get
a blistered ear, what he thinks of
government.
Thoreau suggests that the first
purpose of any government is not
to seek out and abolish injustice,
but to perpetuate itself, Ask any
realistic politician, and he'll
agree.
We should not necessarily
cultivate a respect for the law,
but for what is right, says
Thoreau. He uses the illustration
of an undue respect for the law, of
soldiers marching to war against
their common sense and con-
sciences, This has been hap-
pening for years in Viet Nam.
There are three types of men,
he says. First are those who
unquestioningly serve the state
with their bodies, such as
soldiers. Next are those who
serve the state with their minds
— politicians, lawyers, of-
ficerholders — but not with their
consciences. Finally there are
the very few — martyrs, refor-
mers, patriots in the real sense —
who serve it with their consciences
also, and are commonly treated
as enemies by it.
The trigger for Thoreau's essay
was his strong disapproval of the
American government of his day
on two issues, the Mexican War
and slavery. The Mexican War
was one of flagrant aggression in
which the Americans moved in
and conquered vast territories in
the southwest.
(It has always been a source of
— Please turn to page 5
Amalgamated 1924
This is Minor Hockey Week in
Canada and over 250 Exeter boys
will be exhibiting their varying
degrees of skill and enthusiasm
in games at the local arena this
Saturday.
Certainly, the minor hockey
program provides opportunity
for a great number of lads in the
community and we often hear the
complaint that by comparison,
the'girls in town are not provided
with equal programs.
In this regard, we spotted an
interesting letter to the editor in
the Milton newspaper recently
pointing out this very fact.
The writer suggested that the
main part of the problem
stemmed from the fact mothers
are apparently not as willing to
give their time for their
daughters as fathers are in acting
as coaches, managers and in
other facets in hockey and
baseball. .
"The role of the spectator given
to our girls at the games for their
brothers leaves a lot to be
desired," the writer added.
The comments were those of a
woman, Mrs. Rose Harrison,
secretary-treasurer of the Milton
parks and recreation committee,
and should lead some ladies in
that community—as well as this
one—to ponder seriously the
allegation contained in her
remarks.
There can be no doubt that a
successful minor hockey or ball
program is primarily dependent
upon the interest and in-
volvement of fathers.
So girls, if you think you're
missing out on "equal op-
portunities" with your brothers,
it may well stem from a lack of
interest on your mother's part.
+ + +
In a recent tidbit in this
column, we mentioned that
women are supposed to be
smarter than men, but added that
we'd never seen a man wear a
shirt that buttoned up the back.
One of our readers, Mrs.
Thomas G. Hern, quickly set the
record straight on that account.
She reported that when she
worked for the late James and
William Oke at Centralia during
the 1930's these men wore shirts
buttoned down the back. They
also had very hard starched
collars, being fastened front and
back with collar buttons.
Mrs. Hern doesn't know if the
shirts could be purchased ready-
made, speculating that a sister of
the two men, the late Mrs.
William Hooper, Huron St. West,
may have made them.
"They liked them because they
didn't have to worry if a button
came off accidently," Mrs. Hern
concluded.
We stand corrected and thank
Mrs. Hern for her interesting
comments and recollection of
bygone days.
+ + +
Another letter writer last week
asked some leading questions
regarding Exeter's upcoming
centennial celebrations, charging
that no one seems to know
anything about what is going on.
We doubt that, although there
certainly may be some residents
unaware of what is being planned
for the first week in July.
Some time ago, this newspaper
carried a rather lengthy list of
the activities being planned by
the centennial committee, which
for the uninformed, is comprised
of representatives of council and
many of Exeter's service clubs.
Centennial committee chair.,
man Derry Boyle has been
meeting with these clubs recently
in an effort to finalize plans for
the various activities for which
each group is responsible.
A big name band has already
been signed up for the main
centennial dance and plans are
well underway for many other
exciting attractions.
We agree that some
preparations have been dragging
through the festive season, but
Derry appears to be on top of the
situation and is cracking the
whip.
It should also be pointed out to
the letter writer that all residents
in the community have, through
fleas in this newspaper, been
urged to submit suggestions for
the celebrations and those would
still be welcomed by Derry or any
of the service organizations.
+ + +
In futher reference to the
letter, the accusation that the
centennial committee may be
encouraging alcoholism be
allowing the firm of Labatts to
spend $3,000 on advertising, is
completely unfair.
In the first place, the company
does not intend to spend that
amount of money on advertising
Exeter's centennial. The figure is
about one-third of that men-
tioned.
The centennial committee, of
which the writer is a member,
carefully considered the subject
before any approval was given.
This came after a comprehensive
presentation was made by
Labatts, with samples of the
advertising being on hand for
committee members to study.
In addition, any advertising
undertaken by a brewery is
closely regulated and scrutinized
,by the provincial liquor
authorities.
50 Years Ago
The Adult Bible Class of James
Street Methodist Church, of
which Mr. W.H. Johnston is the
teacher, met in the church on
Tuesday evening for further
organization. Mr. W.H. Kestle
was elected president, and Mrs.
J. Homey, secretary-treasurer.
"Co-Workers" was selected as
the name of the class. Mrs. N.
Baker and Mrs. R. Skinner were
chosen captains of sides for a
membership contest,
Three sleigh loads of young
people of the Trivitt Memorial
Church enjoyed a sleighing party
to Saintsbury Tuesday evening.
The Fraser Presbyterian and the
Saintsbury young people united
in entertaining the visitors at the
home of Mrs. and Mrs. Freeman
Dobbs.
Exeter won the first hockey
match with an outside team this
season when they defeated the
Hensall team 6-4. The Exeter
line-up is: goal, Harness;
defence, Lawson and Hardy;
centre, Hind; right wing, Wells,;
left wing, Tiernan; substitutes, E,
Anderson and W, Davis.
25 Years Ago
Mr. and Mrs. John Morlock,
Crediton, celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary, January
26.
Members of Exeter District
High School Board have engaged
the firm of Page and Steele,
Toronto to draw up plans for
Exeter's new district school,
Mr. William Routly resigned as
assessor of the township of
Usborne at the inaugural
meeting.
Fire damaged heavily the
interior of Beaver's Lunch
counter, Exeter north, Wed-
nesday morning,
Secretary of the District Red
The forms of advertising are
not going to prompt any of the
community's young people to
rush out to buy beer and become
alcoholics.
For one thing, Labatts hope to
have their big balloon here for a
day. As we recall, it costs them a
couple of hundred dollars an hour
to operate the balloon, which is
featured in some of their TV
advertising. Such notables as
former Premier John Robarts
have been aloft in it, so we think
we're in pretty good company in
that regard.
The firm will also be printing
up some of the programs for the
centennial and the only ad-
vertising value they're getting
out of that is the fact it will be
printed in their colors. Nowhere
will the printed material' urge
people to buy Labatts' products,
They may also print the date of
Exeter's centennial celebrations
on some of their beer cartons or
on the back of the bottle labels,
giving the local event some added
publicity, but in no way en-
couraging alcoholism.
From an advertising stand-
point, the advertising assistance
being provided by Labatts is of
little value to them, but will
certainly help the committee
tremendously. It's doubtful if
anyone will find it objectionable.
So, what will Labatts gain from
their generosity?
The committee has agreed that
their products alone will be sold
at the "pub" that will be
established for centennial
celebrations.
Cross Branch, Mrs. V, Heywood,
reported that 806 articles were
sewn and shipped to Toronto, plus
585 articles of knitting and 54
quilts.
15 Years Ago
Mrs, Hannah Taylor, Andrew
St., celebrated her 95th birthday
Thursday.
The rich garden lands in the
Thedford-Grand Bend area had
the highest yield in history last
year and is expected to reach the
million dollar mark.
Robin Smith, 15-year-old Grade
11 student, was chosen "Posture
Queen" at SHDHS during the
graduation dance last week.
Police trustees of Dashwood
presented a large cake to Warden
Jack Morrissey Friday night, at
the reception in his honor at
Crediton,
10 Years Ago
Miss May Jones, who has been
superintendent of the primary
department of James St. 'United
Church Sunday School for 25
years received recognition
during the annual meeting
Tuesday night, Mrs, Robert
Southcott presented her with a
silver bowl on behalf of the
congregation.
At a testimonial dinner at the
community centre Tuesday
night, Hensall and district men
paid tribute to a departing hank
manager,Ken Christian who is
leaving soon for Napanee.
Hon, W.A. Stewart, Ontario
minister of agriculture, snipped
the ribbon to officially open
Huron's new agri6ulture office at
Clinton,
Brenner's Red Gable, Grand
send has been granted a dining
lounge licence by the Ontario
liquor licence board.
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Times Established 1873
Advocate Established 1881