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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-03-13, Page 4Canada's governments are accused in the current issue of The United Church Observer of abdicating leadership in the fight against inflation. The Observer pointed editorially to Prime Minister Trudeau's new $86,000 Cadillac and $200,000 swimming pool, proposals for a 50 per cent raise for MPs, and the prospect of a deficit for the Olym- pics. It said, "At a time when inflation has become the chief threat to the free enter- prise system, those dedicated to its preser- vation have been setting a bad example. At a time when fighting inflation has become the professed goal of our elected members, we have had an abdication of leadership, in government, the House of Commons and a great many legislatures and municipal councils." Education and wisdom The highly educated person is not necessarily a wise person. The unusually clever person does not always show wisdom in his cleverness. You can have a high I.Q. and still not be wise. Wisdom, real wisdom, can come to per- sons of quite ordinary intelligence. Wisdom is not so much a matter of intelligence as of what is done with intelligence. Teachableness is as significant as in- telligence in the attaining of wisdom. And that is not simply a capacity to take formal instruction and pass examinations — although such things can be significant. A. N. Whitehead, one of the most in- fluential philosphers of our time, said this: "A merely well-informed man is the most useless bore on God's earth." He added, "Now wisdom is the way in which knowledge is held. It concerns the handling of knowledge, its selection for the deter- mination of relevant issues, its employ- ment to add value to our immediate ex- perience." In any education that is to count there is an inescapable element of sheer dogged grinding. If you wish to advance from milk to meat you must be prepared to chew gris- tle. And you mustn't expect to be spoon- fed: as the novelist, E. M. Forster, put it, "Spoon-feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but. the shape of the spoon." What we do with our educational oppor- tunities has much to do with the degree of wisdom to which we attain. Stephen Leacock once said, "An education, when it is all written out on foolscap, covers nearly ten sheets." Leacock made an important point there: much of the real value of your education is to be found in what remains after you have forgotten much of what you deliberately set out to learn. And in that can be an essential source of wisdom. Losing your responses The hero, if he can be called a hero, of John Osborne's play The Entertainer is Archie Rice, a worn-out, middle-aged, English music hall comedian. At one point in the play Archie discusses with his children the shabby mess he has made of his life. He sketches himself in these words of self-pity and self-criticism: "Old Archie, dead behind the eyes, sitting on his hands, he lost his responses on the way." "He lost his responses on the way." There are tragic undertones in that confes- sion. Old Archie tells his children that as he went through life he lost his ability to res- pond creatively to those things which put meaning and purpose and fulfilment into a person's life. Most of us who have advanced even as far as the vestibule to middle age will acknowledge, when we are honest about ourselves with ourselves, that we, too, have lost some, at least, of our responses along the way. And you who are younger, you who are now just coming into maturity and see the future in terms of opportunity and challenge and great hope, should take war- ning that very early in adult life cir- cumstances and chance will enhanceyour capacity to respond creatively to that which life puts before you. It takes determined effort for a person to keep his or her responses to all the good things that life can offer. When we lose our responses it is usually through carelessness and casualness - - or because we are so busy that we let many good things be crowded out of our lives. Perhaps the authentically mature per- son can be described as one who, through openness of mind and heart, has not lost his or her responses on the way. Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A,, O.W.N.A. and ABC Publisher— Robert Southcott Editor — Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Plant Manager — Les Webb Composition Manager — David Worby Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation March 31, 1974, 5,309 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $9.00 Per Year; USA $11.00 Phone 235-1331 +CNA 5ef'AIWE 'ROOMS. ?IA AM,. Leadership lacking Salty Christians One damn thing after another Rather belatedly, I'm reading Hugh Garner's autobiographical One Damn Thing After Another, and thoroughly enjoying it. There are two types of people to whom this book would appeal; those who are interested in the rather mysterious worlds of the professional writer and the publisher, and those who enjoy the reminiscences of a robust and prickly personality who has done a lot of living in sixty-odd years. It is far from Garner's best book. It is repetitious and padded inexcusably with articles he has written and a speech he has made. There is nothing of the grace and strength of his magnificent short stories or the solid skill of his good novels. But that's as it should be. He is writing about Hugh Garner the man, as well as Hugh Garner the writer, and nobody knows better than he that, while the latter may be on the way to becoming a Canadian literary giant, the former has feet of clay, if not putty. Garner makes it quite clear that he is far from being an ad- mirable person, in the usual sense. He gets drunk at, or arrives drunk at, formidably serious events. He tells people to do impossible biological things to themselves. As he tells it, he is the sort of guy you would never invite to a second party at your place, because he would likely have insulted someone at the first party. Or, if you invited him to a party, as the guest of honor, he'd probably get into a beer parlor, and forget all about it, leaving you, his host, with egg on your face when the "distinguished author" failed to show. Despite the somewhat dim light in which Garner often shows himself, he makes it perfectly clear that he admires himself very much. Out of the book comes a good, strong healthy ego, which is fine. Every real writer must have this belief in himself, or he turns into a door-mat for editors and publishers. And somewhere along the line, as you read this book, you begin to share Garner's opinion of himself. In most of us, however sedate our lives, there lurks a hidden rebel, a wild nonconformist, a teller-off of the boss, a fighter for hopeless causes. Garner has been, and is, all of these things, and we can enjoy ourselves vicariously by iden- tifying with his colorful battleful life. Hugh Garner has been fighting battles all his life, and a less doughty fighter would long, since have been buried physically, socially, and perhaps spiritually. As a kid, he fought the obloquy and occasional humiliation of the very poor in a Toronto slum, and emerged from it tough and chip- on-shoulder. As a youth, he dropped out of school, and ran head-on into the Depression. He bummed all over North America, riding freights, seeing country, and storing a great fund of experience for his future fiction. He learned earlier the frustration of a proletariat facing the establishment and this led to a suspicion of, and disillusion- ment with, authority, which he has retained all his life. He fought as a volunteer in the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War. This was probably the last gallant crusade in the history of war, when .housands of young idealists from many nations left home to battle fascism. Most of them were 'nog M.4111 ,4%1 Ht, 5[514E NOS Itf WIN NeMI Touching again on the responsibility of parents, there are some who should obviously be questioning their offspring about the habits being followed in the use of pellet guns. A number of street lights have been shot out north of the river in Exeter and the costs involved are rather serious, to say nothing of the nuisance and the loss of service being experienced. Now that parents have been made aware of the situation and have been given ample time to issue warnings to any children who have pellet guns, the police should certainly not stop at merely issuing warnings if those responsible continue the irresponsible acts. Anyone who has watched the average youngster operate a bicycle will be astonished to learn of the laxity in the requirements for the operation of those new motorized bicycles - called "mopeds." The law says that mopeds may be operated by anyone over the age of 14 on a public road without a driver's license, without in- surance and without a helmet. In fact, mopeds are much closer to motorcycles than they are to bicycles, and therefore should be regulared accordingly. In the hands of inexperienced youths who have shown a com- plete disregard for safety rules in the operation of their bicycles, the new machines will become lethal weapons. Surely the experience the government has in regards to snowmobiles and motorcycles would be enough to suggest that the introduction of new leisure machines should be backed with stringent regulations. In too many instances, things appear to work in reverse. Only after machines of this nature have created tragic cir- cumstances do officials move to tighten the controls. It would be much better to start at the other end and make the initial regulations as tight as possible. Then, if it is shown that the machines are less dangerous in the hands of inexperienced drivers than first feared, the regulations could be relaxed accordingly: It may not result in as many sales, but it would surely reduce the tragedies that have been experienced in the advent of such things as the snowmobile. At present, the only controls over the machines will be that exercised by parents. Unfor- tunately, this is seldom satisfactory. + + While building costs have been affected by inflation similar to everything else it is still difficult to imagine how members of Exeter council anticipate that it will cost $25,000 to $30,000 to renovate the former post office for municipal purposes. It would appear that some people have some lavish plans in mind and it is a situation that the scorned and derided as "reds" in their own countries. Yet Garner was clear-headed enough to realize that the Communists were using the volunteers as dupes, and he was never sucked in, Again a fight loomed, when Canada declared war on Ger- many. Garner joined up, in the army, right away. His "red" background was against him, so he switched to the navy, and spent a number of dangerous, tumultuous and hilarious years before his discharge as a chief petty officer (he certainly wasn't "officer material,") Then came the biggest battle of all, trying to become a professional writer in Canada, At the time, he had about as much chance as he would have had if — Please turn to Page 5 74 VU LoOKS 7P1ILAN Isa 4,r4T ?IRE VI tiPME beleaguered taxpayers will be following with keen interest. + + + Money: the root of all evil. And now it's turning into a bit of a political football as far as salaries are concerned. This week, Exeter council decided to tell the county board of education that the 100 percent increase they granted them- selves was too much. A couple of months earlier, they wrote to advise the MP that a 50 percent hike was too great. However similar to all other people, members of council have not determined an acceptable increase. Oddly enough, they have granted pay increases to em- ployees of the town ranging from 20 to 82 percent, so obviously they have few guidelines on what is acceptable. For that matter, no one has come up with a formula, As a result people in all walks of life have taken one of the other alternatives; to get as much as you can. That's not all bad, perhaps, but only if those people follow that same set of values and give all they can in return for the salary received. Unfortunately, the reverse is more often the result, and as people become more affluent they tend to give even less in return for their stipend. So the merry-go-round con- tinues. What do you think is a fair salary increase? 50 Years Ago Councillor James Ballantyne of Usborne, met with a serious accident. He was endeavoring to start a steam engine, but owing to the cold had some difficulty. In some manner he became en- tangled in the machinery and both bones of the right arm were fractured. His wrist was badly lacerated, exposing the tendons and he lost part of the index finger. The Advocate Printing Com- pany, which has been doing business for 30 years closed with the month of February having been taken over by the Times- Advocate. What might have been a serious fire was averted by prompt discovery Saturday evening in Main St. Methodist Church. A quantity of wood placed near the furnance took fire and was noticed by two girls who notified the pastor, Rev. M. Clysdale who arrived in time to extinguish the flames before much damage' was done. Thomas Nelson had a narrow escape from asphyxiation at his garage. Several residents of Exeter reported an earth tremor. Pic- tures were moved on some walls and others were startled by the rattling of dishes. Mr. & Mrs. A. E. Andrews have returned to the West after visiting Mrs. Andrew's father. The curfew bell was rung Monday at 9 p.m, for the first time since passing the bylaw. 25 Years Ago May Schroeder was crowned queen for 1950 at the Exeter High School At Home by last year's queen Janet Kestle. Mr. & Mrs. John Passmore received four medals from the Ministry of National Defence for services rendered during the war by their son F 0 Gerald Passmore who gave his life. At the Huron County Seed Fair the wheat championships, both spring and fall went to Harry Strang of Usborne Township, while R. D. Etherington also of Usborne, was the early oats Necessity is the mother of invention and this point is evident in the periodic items we receive from the consumer and corporate affairs department entitled "New Patent News," It lists some of the new items that have received patents in the past few months. Drive-in theatre patrons may be interested in knowing there is now a gadget that will allow them to enjoy a show without the evening being spoiled by a sudden shower. The apparatus deflects precipitation from an automobile windshield while the vehicle is parked and without running the wipers or otherwise draining the battery, while still allowing the occupants full vision of the theatre screen, Family types may be in- terested, but from what we've seen at some drive-in theatres, the occupants of some cars don't really care if their vision of the screen is' obliterdted Or not. Another chap has designed a double drinking straw whereby the child appears to be sharing her glass of milk with her favorite doll while in fact all the fluid is going to the child. Now all we need is for some intelligent chap to come up with a similar device for those who over-indulge in booze, Instead of the human getting all the liquid, the doll gets it. champion. Harry Strang won the soybean title and also the late oat championship. 15 Years Ago George E. Rether, town, has been appointed manager of the snack bar and catering con- cession at RCAF Station, Clinton. His appointment will take effect later this month. Thieves were foiled in their attempt Wednesday to rob an Ottawa bank, managed by a native of Exeter, Marvin Howey. Exeter Public School board learned Friday night that it may be necessary to establish two kindergarten classes in Sep- tember, Laird Joynt, native of Hensall, has been elected to the board of directors of the Canadian Kodak Co. He has served as treasurer of the firm for some years. Patients of South Huron Hospital are being entertained by the two portable TV sets donated by the Exeter Kinsmen last week at their tenth anniversary banquet. 10 Years Ago Former mayor R. E. Pooley was named chairman Monday of Exeter's centennial committee at the group's initial meeting to prepare for the project of beautifying Riverview Park for Canada's 100th birthday. The SHDHS board continued to move ahead with plans for a complete vocational addition for a total of 1,200 students with only minor consideration remaining before the architect will be asked to draw up sketches. Included in the proposed addition, which will add a total of 540 pupils places are auto, carpentry, electrical and electronics, machine and drafting shops, as well as boys' and girls' occupations, three new commercial rooms, two science rooms, nine standard classrooms and a smaller gym. Mrs. Grace McEwan, RR 1, Hensall, received a certificate of appreciation of service from the RCAF Centralia commanding officer, GiC G, F. Ockendan, Mrs. McEwan started work at Cen- tralia in 1953 and retired last month. The other day I had a little fire on my kitchen stove. Some fat, which had been spilled previously, had run into the cup under the element and as it became increasingly hot it suddenly blazed up reaching the cupboard above it. Reaching for my salt dish, I threw a couple of handfuls over the flames which immediately subsided. Had the salt not been so handy I might have had a more serious ex- perience. Once when Jesus was speaking to his followers he said, "You are the earth's salt. But if the salt should become tasteless, what can make it salt again? ft is completely useless and can only be thrown out of doors and stamped under foot," By uttering these words, Jesus provided the world with an ex- pression which has become the best compliment than can be bestowed on anyone. When we want to stress the value of someone's worth we say, "She is the salt of the earth." Salt in Jesus time was highly valued and had many uses. It was and still is used primarily to preserve, purify and flavour food . . . and also, as I found out, it can be most helpful as a fire extinguisher. It was likely these very qualities that Jesus was referring to when he stated, "You are the salt of the earth." Let us consider the preser- vative quality. Our gandparents knew by rubbing salt into meat it could he kept from going bad, There is an antiseptic value of salt that keeps decay at bay. Surely that's one reason Jesus wants us to be like salt rubbed into society to keep it from going rotten. In this day and age that's some k1,.3•$:,• Any normal person runs cer- tain risks. If someone is not trusted enough to allow him certain risks, then he has little dignity. He is not being treated as a person. The retardates of our society have been so treated. Institutions at Orillia, Smith Falls and Chatham leave five thousand people effectively sheltered from society and society from them. The risk was just too great. Recent events seem to bear out this thesis. Since the three in- situtions have come under the regimen of the Department of Community and Social Services residents are free to leave. There has not been a general expodus - five thousand retarded people freely circulating. About twenty have left Cedar Springs near Chatham. Of the twenty, four have been charged by police in recent months.. One of the charges had to do with indecent assault on a little girl. The supposed offender was sent to the St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital where he remains under aegis of the Mental Health Act. He can not walk away from there until he is released by staff. This problem harks back to a study by a lawyer Walter Williston commissioned by Queen's Park. Mr. Williston concluded that our care of the retarded was inhuman, A "better solution" must be found. Isolated, protected and supervised were these second rate citizens. Open to abuse, behind locked doors, these people ultimately had little protection, "A century of failure and inhumanity in the large multi- purpose residential hospitals for the retarded should in itself be enough to warn of the inherent weakness in the system and inspire us to look for some better solution," Mr. Williston recommended a phasing out of these large in- stitutions, Let the residents be returned to society. The study recommended that each resident "should be placed Don't just sit there. Do something. nanroparrioni Fitness. In your heart you know IN right. challenge! Ye!, each of us has an obligation to be the cleansing antiseptic right where we happen to be. Sometimes, rubbing in the salt won't make us very popular, but as Wm, Barclay points; out, we should be people who by our presence defeat corruption and make it easier for others to be good. Then too, if Christians are the salt of the earth they should be an example of purity. We live' in world that continues to lower or abandon standards of honesty, integrity, diligence in work, and moral behavior. The salty Christian should hold unto God's guidelines and by example show purity in speech, actions and thoughts. In somewhat the same way, we Christians should be ex- tinguishing the fires of corruption that abound in our world. Right where we're living we should be throwing salt on malicious gossip, dishonest deals and the many other evil practices that go on right under our noses. Of course, we; tend to think of salt mainly as a seasoning. What salt is to fond Christianity should be to life. It should make life more flavourful, zesty and at- tractive. Unfortunately, many Christians are so blab, so flavourless that it's not much wonder Jesus said they were like salt that had lost flavour . ,good for nothing. The world looks at drab, unin- teresting people who call themselves Christians and sees no value in Christianity. Christ pulls no punches.. He makes it quite clear if we are not fulfilling the role of 'salty' people we are not carrying out our obligation to Him. He also in- timates that useless Christians invite disaster. in surroundings and, cir- cumstances as close as possible to the way he would live in nor- mal life, with the hope that he will be able, after training and education, to assume a productive position in his com- munity." This is high sounding and noble, But practical? Many answer no! Many parents are puzzled by the switch in policy and look forward to unbearable burdens. There is concern on their part for the safety and care of their children. At this time there is pressure to fill this "gap" in Ontario law. The staff at Cedar Springs including doctors and social workers are concerned for departing residents. Medication carelessly taken is a danger in itself. The suffering of an in- dividual who cannot cope, thrown into society's brisk ways worries the professionals. The police also wonder what can be done with such offenders against the law. To imprison them along with others only centres them out for further suffering. A change is promised and that shortly. But what change can be made? Not only does the treat- ment philosophy require freedom for the client, but funding arrangements have the same strings attached. Federal funding is supplied to all provincial programs of social service and rehabilitation where a guarantee of client freedom of choice is provided. What answers are for- thcoming? The emphasis by our govern- ment at this time remains the rehabilitation of as many as possible retardates to the com- munity. An additional emphasis is on services also in the com- munity. Alternative facilities are required:' Indeed they were provided for on paper but funding has been slow, Half-way houses for those who cannot return to, their own homes are envisaged. These would allow a gradual and protected return to the com- munity. The present problems of some residents leaving, with no con- tinuing services or half-way houses, has one benefit, namely, the speeding up of government programs to meet the need. Other benefits are possible. The education of society to an acceptance of the more un- fortunate members of them- selves rather than an isolation of them behind walls is hoped for. "The normalization principle talks about the 'dignity of risk'," .1,0 , 4. • Need more rules for mopeds Our response to now By ELMORE BOOMER Counsellor for Information South Huron For appointment phone: 235-2715 or 228-6291 • Cri goy of.risk