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Home My WebLink AboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-01-20, Page 4This newspaper recently had occasion to remark that one of the problems that kept cropping up during Exeter RAP com, mittee's tenure was the fact that council members had a sense of mistrust of the committee and found it difficult to "let go" of the authority they had invested in others. That's a problem not confined to Ex- eter apparently, judging from an editorial in last week's Goderich paper. Editor Shirley Keller noted that much care is taken by council to ensure that committee appointees are trustworthy, qualified peo- ple who have the interest of the community at heart. She continued with this suggestion for council: It therefore behooves council in the 24 months ahead, to show greater confidence in, these committees. The efforts of com- mittee members should not be minimized or discouraged by a council which will destroy and defeat committee recommen- dations as if they were made by irresponsi- ble strangers. Too often in the past, council members have disregarded honest com- mittee work and the worth of the entire committee system has, on occasion, been seriously questioned as to its real value because of that fact. Committee members are not elected by the voters as are council members. Yet there is no reason to assume committee members are any less able to make good decisions because they are appointed rather than elected. No automatic wisdom or special insight is conferred through the democratic process called an election. The disappearing land Squatting amidst the lush farmland north of Montreal is the latest example of the misuse of agricultural areas of Canada. Mirabel Airport, with more than 80,000 acres set aside for its questionable purpose of moving Canadians overseas more ef- ficiently, has forever put out of commis- sion arable land that could be better used to grow food for a hungry world. The airport itself is the object of con- siderable questioning, both by the travell- ing public and 'the international airlines it was meant to serve. But more important is the question of the stewardship of the earth's resources, particularly the resources of agriculture and food. "The earth is the Lord's •and the fullness thereof," the Bible tells us, yet what government and profit-motivated developers are doing to the land and the natural resources that belong to all people seems to us to deny this most basic of premises. There are many such examples. The Edmonton international airport was built on farm land, while only a few miles to the West almost totally unusable land from an agricultural point-of-view lies vacant. Superhighways, expressways, parking lots and all the so called necessities of a highly- consumer oriented society cover more land, usually the best land, leaving Canada forever poorer if slightly more comfor- table. .The question we must ask our governments is whether short-term answers to the problems of crowded highways, airports and cities should be allowed at the long-term risk of leaving us dangerously low on arable land. It is a problem that not only affects today's farmers and food producers, but also has important implications for our children and grandchildren as well as for less fortunate nations than our own. We must demand stewardship of resources. We must end short-sighted ex- ploitation. Creates many hazards Winter driving conditions always re- quire extra care and courtesy, but there's an added need for these ingredients this year in view of the vast amount of snow in the area. Pedestrians are required to walk on the roadways and motorists should use ex- treme care in approaching them, par- ticularly groups of youngsters who may engage in some horse play on the slippery streets. Youngsters, of course, should be warned against such activities and parents should continually remind them of the dangers of sharing the road with vehicles. Drivers too must remember that banks at intersections reduce visibility con- siderably and should approach with cau- tion. Driveways are also heaped high with snow and most people venturing out have little opportunity to see approaching traffic until they have their vehicles well out on the road. The low number of accidents in the past couple of weeks indicates that most drivers are using the caution required, but one unguarded moment could be disastrous and this should be kept constantly in mind. A long, expensive winter trefer'Ones-Affuocafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., 0.W,N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited LORNE EEDY, PUBLISHER Editor — Bill Batten Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett Plant Manager -- Jim Scott Composition Manager -- Harry DeVries Business Manager— Dick Jongkind Phone 235-1331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation September 30, 1975 5,409 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $11.00 Per Year; USA $22.00 Curing the consumer binge Page 4 Times-Advocate, January 20, 1977 nr.missywarnwttreennekii...0.0,14,A. anwa0W-11NOISIMVAwernfAVX, *rt `At AreAMOMMOW", They are responsible Front line parents Don't need a civil war I was glad to hear, in his end- of-year news conference, that Prime Minister Trudeau had no plans for keeping Quebec within the Dominion of Canada by force, should separation of that province be approved by its peo- ple in a referendum. I'm sure many another old sweat of my vintage who is still on the reserve list also breathed a sigh of relief, One of the many things we old vets don't need is a civil war. One war in one lifetime is enough for any man. Most of us would have trouble completing the deshabille of a stripper in a burlesque show, let alone stripping a machine gun. And I think we might have a little trouble completing a route march from, say, 'Kingston to Cornwall, to repell an invasion strike from La Belle Province. Personally, I am puffing like a grampus after scraping a bit of ice off my windshield. I have to lie down for five minutes after carrying out the garbage. Times Established 1873 Can any of you guys of my vin- tage imagine being sent out on a night patrol, probably on skis, to take a few prisoners? What we'd probably have to do is dump the skis, hail a cab, head for a bilingual bar across the border, and bring back a couple of go-go girls. Might be fun at that, if they'd let us use some common sense, which, of course, the military will never allow. If the feds re-enlisted a brigade or two of old kriegies (prisoners-of-war) they'd have their hands full. First of all, the kriegies would steal, just out of habit, everything that was not nailed or bolted down. Secondly, kriegies are trained to escape and head west. Stick two brigades of them on the Quebec border and in a couple of weeks, after stealing a train or two, they'd wind up in Alberta. Ancient naval persons might be better off in a civil war. They don't have to walk to work. They could charge up and down the Ot- Advocate Established 1881 tawa River, firing broadsides of bilingual propaganda into the streets of Hull. Ex-airmen wouldn't be of much use, Most of them are so portly they wouldn't be able to get through the escape hatch if their aircraft were hit. Perhaps they could be reorganized as a special low-flying force, equipped with snowmobiles, and sent out to harass the enemy by, driving all over his farmers' fields on the snow, thus ruining his crops for the next season. Former paratroopers wouldn't be of much use, either. Most of them have grown so heavy that they'd plummet like bricks, and the screams of arthritic agony when they hit the ground would destroy any element of surprise. Thinking it over, we must con- clude that a civil war in Canada, using nothing but reservists, would certainly be comical, but — Please turn to Page 5 Amalgdmated 1924 Here it is just slightly past the middle of January and most area residents have reached the opinion that it's already been a long, long winter. Many times in the past, this time of year would merely signal the beginning of that snow season, but the winter of 1976-77 seems to have been with us for months, In fact, few people can' recall the last time they saw green grass and flowers, with the exception of those who have managed a southern holiday trip. This year's weather is cer- tainly a boon to tourist operators in the sunny south, Many area residents made a trip at Christmas to get a break after the first two months of winter and no doubt several of them are con- templating another sojourn during the March break to get them through the final two months (??? ) of the snow and cold. There appears to be little reason for the punishment we're being handed, but perhaps it stems from some of the com- plaints about • the ferocious storms we experienced last yeair People kept going around saying there was no way we could tell what to expect next. Well, they don't have that problem so far this winter. They've been getting the same treatment day in and day out. + + + Some sociologists and psychiatrists claim that people really like snow storms. While they complain a lot about the inconvenience and hardship, the experts say that inwardly people have a genuine affection for nasty weather. The explanation is that people look upon storms as an ad- venture. They go about helping each other and develop a "team spirit" in the face of adversity. That may seem incredible, but actually there's considerable truth in it. While most people enjoy storms most when they're inside their warm houses looking out at winter's fury, there are a number who relish meeting it head on' by getting out into a storm for a quick, brisk walk around the block. It just goes to prove once again that people are funny! + + + One thing that is far from funny Exeter Times Advocate, Main Street Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S0 Dear Editor: It is too bad that some drivers will not brush the snow away from their tail lights. It is dif- ficult to see when their direc- tional lights or brake lights are on. Before I drive away from the house, I check all of the windows and lights, and brush them off if necessary. The rear window should also be brushed off so that the driver of that car can see what is behind him. The side windows are important also, I have also noticed many cars (or trucks) with only one. headlight. It is sometimes hard to see whether it is a snowmobile or a car. Winter driving conditions are dangerous enough without drivers helping too! I'm not saying that I am any better driver, but I do brush the snow from my windows and lights, especially the tail lights, Yours sincerely, (Mrs. George) Susan Wilson, Huron Park, Ontario as the result of a steady winter such as the one we are now ex- periencing is the cost of heating, With the colder temperatures and the increase in price for all types of heating energy, it is expected that most area residents will end up paying between 30 and 50 percent more for heatingthan they did las t year . That's a sizeable chunk of the family's disposable budget, and with wage increases being held to six percent, it is obviously a hardship for many people.' Most people have turned back their thermostats considerably in the past year or so, but ob- viously there is a limit to how much they can save and still remain comfortable. Improved insulation of older homes would help to a great extent, but many people just can't muster the capital outlay required. Perhaps it's time our governments put together a grant program for people wanting to insulate their homes. Such a venture could be covered under the "Canada Works" program. It would pay more dividends than Many of the make-work schemes which are funded at present. + + + While most people would agree we live under a free enterprise system, there are many things happening about us that:tend to prove otherwise. One of the most interesting situations of late is the battle between retailers and the Egg Producers' Marketing Board. 55 Years Ago The council for 1922 is Reeve B. W.F. Beavers and Councillors Joseph Davis, , Frederick Ellerington, Birtle M. Francis and Chas. F. Hooper. In the first O.H.A. game played in Exeter this season, the Exeter- Zurich team defeated the Mit- chell team six to three. Monday night, the Exeter-Zurich team defeated the fast St. Marys team in an O.H.A. game by the score of six to three. Rev. Herbert Maylor, Toronto, has been appointed rector of the Anglican parish of Hensall. and Staffa. Mr. Harold Hunter, of Usborne, has been awarded the Huron County prize in the baby beef competition with his Polled Angus. Mr. Hunter gets a two week course at the Agricultural College at Guelph. Mr. Wm, Leavitt is improving the accommodation for spec- tators at the rink by erecting three tiers of seats along the sides. 30 Years Ago A group of five from Exeter motored to Wingham Thursday evening to take part in a round table forum over C.K.N,X, radio station on Exeter's recreational program. Art Campbell, Helen Leslie, E.D. Bell, J.M. Southcott and Bert Weston took part. W.E. Middleton was named chairman at the inaugural meeting of Exeter Public School Board. Two organized drives by Gun Clubs of the district have been successful in bagging 258 rabbits and five foxes. B.W. Tuckey of town; Hugh Berry, Usborne; Roy Ratz and Arthur Amy, Stephen; George Armstrong, Hay, are attending Huron County council at Goderich this week. Eight large Windows, two veranda pillars and a gasoline pump were smashed at the Emmerson Kyle store at Kippen Wednesday when an R.C.A.F. The latter have taken steps to th- wart the attempts of retailers to advertise eggs as loss leaders. The strange thing is, the board apparently has the power to do so. While the board can not control the price at which merchants sell eggs, they can control the ad- vertising of any specials. So, while a store may cut the price of eggs, they can't publicly ad- vertise that fact. The same happens with several other commodities. National manufacturers, for instance, dictate the prices• at which retailers can advertise their products. So a retailer can sell a refrigerator at a price lower than the suggested price, but he can't advertise that special. So much for free enterprise in the market place! + + + It's an ill wind....and the people up Clinton way are hoping that the severe winter conditions may help them in their fight to keep their hospital open. They plan to ask health minister Frank Miller how medical service would be provided in the community in a winter such as this when the roads have been blocked several times and trips to other hospitals in Goderich, Seaforth, Wingham, Exeter or London would be im- possible. That's a good question! ambulance went out of control and crashed into the building. 20 Years Ago A wind-whipped blaze razed the restaurant and garage owned by Norman Cowan, Sarepta, Friday evening. Fire was believed to have started from leaking gas in an old refrigerator. Plans for extensive im- provement and renovation to Caven Presbyterian Church and manse were made at the congregational meeting Tuesday night. Fred Dobbs was re-elected president of the Exeter and District Cancer Society, Monday evening. Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Moir left Saturday for a holiday in Florida. Les Parker and Jud Dykeman of Lakeview Hatchery, Exeter, and Neil Campbell attended a four day short course in turkey disease and management at Dr. Salishury'sLaboratories, Charles City, Iowa, last week. 15 Years Ago "Your family," a young wag stated wryly, "are those who, when you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel that it's a permanent job!" In the last 10 years much has been written and said about the breakup of the family. Some have even foresaw the time when families, as we have known them, would be obsolete and non- existent , However, more recently I detect a much more favourable bias toward the necessity of maintaining the family in our society. And not much wonder! One of the main functions of the family has always been to pass down skills and values from one generation to the next. In simpler times, where the spoken word was the main form of com- munication, children learned everything from their family or immediate neighborhood. However, in the society of our grandparents the family did not assume as much importance in this regard because it was taken for granted they lived in a "Christian society" and that values such as honesty, bravery, diligence, self respect and respect for others would be presented to their children at school and in the books they read. Albeit these qualities were perhaps not always practiced but at least they were admired and held up to children to be honored and attained. That is no longer the case. It is a rare teacher who still tries to instill some moral values into his students. And youngsters aren't going to pick up too much about sound ethics from their favorite TV show or disc jockey. So, that seems to bring us right back to square one and places the onus on the famuly once more as being the principle force in the shaping of children's lives. "What children 'pick-up' outside the family is most unlikely to mold them into the kind of adults their parents would like them to be," is the opinion of Marjorie Ross writing in the Presbyterian Glad Tidings. She also says that parents are in the front line today more than they have been for the past century, They need all the help they can get and the church is the main source of support,and ammunition. A few weeks ago, the children of the Sunday School played a large part in presentation of the Christmas service at our church. From the tiniest, most earnest three-year-old, to the most scampish 11 year old up to the serious seniors they all proudly took part. Later, another member remarked to me how pleased she was to have had the opportunity of seeing all the children and how really 'beautiful' they were. Then she said, "It made me sad though, when I recalled some young parents I know who say they are not going to insist their children go to Sunday School or church because they want them to have the priviledge of making their own choice about religion when they grow up. What choice? If they have never been exposed to the teachings of the church what is there to make a choice between . the ethics of James Bond or Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, perhaps? Of course, I realize many people, who were never exposed to church in their early years, have turned out to be fine Christians later on but that is the exception rather than the rule. Albert Schweitzer was a wise man, respected by the world and this is what he wrote, "From the (church) services in which I joined as a child I have taken with me into life a feeling for what is solemn and good, and the need for quiet self-recollection, without which I cannot realize the meaning of my life." "I cannot therefore, support the opinion of those who would not let children take part in services till they to some extent understand them. The important thing is not that they shall un- derstand all but that they shall feel something of what is serious and solemn. The fact that a child sees his elders full of devotion, and has to feel something of devotion himself, that is what gives the service its meaning for him." • 0 • ' The paradox is that fine tuning, which is a prime example of central govern- ment "planning", destroys business confidence, because businessmen and investors don't know what to expect from one year to the next. • • • In its response to the debate on future public po- licies, the Canadian Federa- tion of Independent Business has recommended a dual ap- proach: sound, long-term, fiscal and monetary policy to control inflation; and a flexible small firms policy to create the necessary employment and regional development. 9 0 0 The hardest task the gov- ernment faces is the short- term political problem of returning to fiscal and mone- tary responsibility, which is fundamental to long-term recovery. It will be accused. again of heartlessness, of throwing people out of work, of cutting back on "essential" programs. s • • But that's the point. Many programs are not essential. They were spawned during the national binge and Cana- dians can't afford them any more. Already, with exces- sive social spending and too many imports, we're a long way down the British road.. We must produce more of what We consume and ex- port more goods and services to pay for imports. • 0 • . It's not easy, as the Bri- tish have discovered, but there's no other way. District officials and their wives were guests at a reception, Monday afternoon, marking the official opening of Brewers' Warehousing Company Limited retail store at the corner of Main and George Streets. A Fort William man, Robert E. Taylor, has purchased Pearson , Motors Ltd., Zurich, it was an- nounced this week by the former owner. Hon. J.G. Gardiner, native of Farquhar, and a former federal agriculture minister for 22 years, died last week in Saskatchewan, Three fire brigades, Crediton, Dashwood and Exeter, joined forces Thursday to prevent fire from razing the farm home of Stephen township councillor, Edmond Hendrick. Rev. J.C. Boyne, BA, BD of Victoria, B.C. has been extended a pastoral call from Caven and Crornarty Presbyterian chur- ches. By KENNETH McDONALD Governments, like peo- ple, learn as they grow older. During the last eight years, the. present one has learned a number of things the hard way - for us. • • • In 1969 it recognized the dangers of inflation. It then applied corrective measures, by holding wage gains to pro- ductivity increases, by trim- ming the money supply to the rate of real productiOn, and by putting a lid on civil service growth. • 0 0 The measures were right, for the long term. In the short run, however, they caused unemployment. The government was severely cri- ticized by Opposition mem- bers and by the press. It re- treated. The pressure was relaxed. The money tap was turned on again. is • 0 Deficit spending living on borrowed money — cre- ated an artificial feeling of affluence. Everyone wanted more. The country went on a consumption binge, • • • But the country was con- suming more than it pro- duced. imports ballooned, So did trade deficits.-So did borrowing abroad to cover them. Canada's costs moved out of line. Exports suffered. • • • The period was charac- terized by the process known as "fine tuning" — Shod term changes in fiscal policy (tax adjustments, "incentive" programs, etc.) and in mone- tary policy (speeding up or slowing down the supply of money in circulation),