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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-09-15, Page 4Pattern for the future? If the recently-concluded meeting of the Canadian Bar Association is in any way an accurate barometer of trends in this country, Canada has already been dis- membered. Before that gathering of lawyers concluded Canadian unity had become an unmentionable phrase. In their unbelievable effort to avoid any offense to lawyers from Quebec, the members of the bar from all other provinces had agreed to remove virtually any reference. to Canada from their resolutions. Because the representatives from Quebec wanted to speak only as Quebecers rather than as Canadians the convention as a whole withdrew any reference to the desirability of a spirit of unity within the nation. The association's president, A. Boyd Ferris of Vancouver, opened the conven- tion with his plea for a theme of national unity, but as the sessions progressed he helplessly watched his entire concept go down the drain when his fellow members from nine other provinces deferred time after time to the demands of the Quebec delegation. The alarming aspect of this wholesale surrender is the fact that it was committed by a group of people who, we are led to believe, should be the intellectual elite of this country — the sort who are knowledgeable above average in the facts of Canadian freedom. They are not a group of ignorant rabble rousers — either in Quebec or outside of that province. The stand of the boards of the English schools in Quebec is more admirable. The Anglo school board' members have agreed to accept all students who want their education in English, even though the schools may have to be operated without the support of provincial grants. And they intend to take their case to the supreme court to test the validity of the legislation contained in Quebec's recently enacted Bill 101. Of course all these events are proving the success of the Levesque government's obvious determination to force the rest of Canada into confrontation with his separatist regime. If open and forceful op- position to that movement can be engendered, support for separatism and a favorable vote on a referendum within Quebec will be enhanced. Wingham Advance Times Join the fight Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases afflict countless numbers in this and other parts of the country, causing untold pain and misery and often turning lives into dai- ly struggles for survival. Nobody is immune. Arthritis is not selective: it can strike any age group. There are more than 100 different kinds. All attack the joints. They differ in cause, symptoms, treatment method and potential degree of disability. There is still no known cure. Early diagnosis and treatment will lessen the damage done by the disease and prevent disability. Only a doctor is qualified to con- duct .such a diagnosis. The nostrums promoted in the back pages of popular magazines are useless at best. The role of the Arthritis Society is to provide funds for research and to educate the public about the importance of pompt diagnosis. Even a small contribution from each of us makes the difference between hope and no hope of some day discovering a cure. Knew it would happen '.'::::::: %%4444' About those tax bills GIVE A DEYAlgrat Moo - ADD HE'LL MAKE A YARD OUT Of 1T Ira Fingers in the Dike Page 4 Times-Advocate, September 15, 1977 Provincial treasurer Darcy McKeough has still not announced his intentions regar- ding a change in municipal election dates. The change being considered is to move the election date to an earlier fall time, rather than the present December event. In recent years, early winter weather has, created problems for people getting to the polls. Whatever date is chosen, provincial of- ficials should seriously consider having the Avoid 'lame ducks' •=f0 ma INI newly elected council take over as quickly after the election as possible, and not wait until Jaunary. Most councils describe themselves as "lame ducks" after an election as they have their authority curtailed through current legislation. Obviously it would be a disadvantage to have that period extended through an earlier election date. "Now here's a nice little bungalow that you can get into over your heads." When you want to„ rub somebody's nose in something, its customary to say, rather smugly, "I hate to say I told you so, but..." Well, I don't hate it at all. I thorough enjoy it. So here goes. Nearly a year ago, I wrote a column about the vultures gathering to rend and tear at the still-quivering flesh of the Liberal party in general, and the Prime Minister in particular. Remember? The Tories, still flushed with excitement after electing a new leader, were in a state of euphoria. Why? Because public opinion polls showed them steadily gaining in popular appeal, and Liberals steadily decreasing. Political pundits across the country were trumpeting the beginning of a new era. The Liberals were pretty blue. Trudeau was all washed up, said the experts, licking their lips. The government was on the ropes, waiting for the knock-out punch. At the time, I tried to in- troduce a note of reason, or at least common sense. Almost alone among the prophets. I warned that, while the big Liberal machine was creaking and seemed almost moribund at times, it was not quite ready for extreme unction. I remember asking bluntly: "What do you think all those Liberals across the country are going to do? Lie down and play dead?" I reminded readers that while Trudeau seemed the most unpopular man in the country, so had that perennial winner, Mackenzie King. Nobody paid any heed. A few people paid me the extreme in- sult of insisting that only a dyed- in-the-woold Liberal would have written such a comment. Then, mysteriously, the polls began to change. The Tories big edge began to slip, even though the government went on bumbl- ing and bungling. Now, after almost a year, the figures are reversed. The Tories were whipped in by, elections They have lost four members of caucus, through switches and resignations. Right now they are as shaky as the Grits were 10 months ago. What happened? Well, for one thing, young Tory leader Joe Clark came on like an old rubber boot. It didn't help that the media, disappointed because no political blood was being shed, savaged him ferociously. Next, Trudeau was tossed a political bouquet when the P.Q. won the Quebec election. Sudden- ly the whole country began bleating about the destruction of our sacred union, Overnight, he 'was transformed from that "arrogant dictator/socialist (take your pick) in Ottawa" to St. Pierre, the white hope who alone could turn back the savage hordes' from Quebec and salvage Canada's maidenhead. At exactly the propitious mo- ment, his beautiful young wife began rolling and stoning around and we all sat with baited breath. The soap opera ended perfectly with the flagrantyounghussyleav- ing the poor, dear man alone with all those boys to raise, Finally, add the sheer perver- sity of the Canadian voter, and you have all the reasons for the Liberals once more flying high, ready for an election any time, and the poor old Tories wonder- ing why the roof fell in. Don't for one moment think that the reversal in fortunes, in less than a year, is due to any perspicacity or boldness on the part of the Liberal government. Far from it. Let me refresh your mind. This is the government that re- jected wage and price controls when the Tories (Robert Stan- field) wanted them; then turned around and bare-faced hypocrisy and applied them. • This is the government that was going to "wrestle inflation to the ground." Guess who's Won two out of the first three falls. This is the government that allowed the postal workers to tie up the country for five weeks, then slammed the door on the fingers of the air traffic con- trollers when they called a perfectly legal strike. This is the government that has sat by bemusedly and watch- ed unemployment climb to frightening levels, without stirr- ing a finger. This is the government that dithered over capital punishment and waffled on gun controls. This is the government that threw millions of dollars off the dock by trying to make middle- aged civil servants learn French, instead of spending those dollars on teaching it to children. This is the government that has set up a propaganda service and has acknowledged black-lists of Canadian citizens. This is the government that sold you a $100 Canada Savings Bond which is now worth 93 cents, on a good day. This is the government that preaches control and constraint and practises neither in its own spending. Now. Let he who dares call me a dyed-in-the wool Liberal. If the Exeter Hawks find themselves a few players short for the coming season, they could consider signing up some members of Exeter council. They proved to be adept "stick handlers" this week in fielding questions about tax increases from local physician, Dr, M. Gans. His basic question, and one that is probably being echoed by numerous other ratepayers after receiving their recent tax bills, was "where in heavens name is all the money going?". However, members of council neatly side-stepped that par- ticular question and decided to send Dr. Gans a few excerpts from the Ontario Assessment Act. While assessment is naturally an important component of taxa- tion, the increased amounts be- ing shown on local tax bills is not the result of any assessment in- creases in the majority of cases. It's strictly an increase in local mill rates and that is the basic reason for local taxpayers becoming increasingly concern- ed. Tax increases, •of course, always draw some complaints, but the 1977 bills have stirred more street corner discussions than normal and it is a situation that council and school board members should seriously con- sider as they start making plans for work projects for next year. The fact is, many local residents have reached the limit of what they can pay in property taxation, particularly in view of the nation's depressed economy and the fact that the Anti Infla- tion Board has pegged most salaries. Many of the town's own employees were granted pay in- creases of only six percent this year, and obviously it becomes difficult for them to turn around and pay a tax increase which was about 15 percent. * However, it 'is important that local ratepayers understand the fact that Exeter council members are responsible for only a small portion of that in- crease. In fact, when the mill rate was set back in June, this newspaper carried comments to that effect. The local mill rate for residen- tial purposes increased by 22 mills, and of that total, Exeter council was responsible for only five mills, At that time, this newspaper quoted Councillor Ted Wright as saying that members of council take the blame for increased tax- es, when in effect the local rate does not increase substantially. In fact, members were so con- cerned about, getting that message across to local ratepayers that they placed an advertisement in the issue of June 2 pointing, out in the form of a chart, how the tax dollar is spent. That's the information they should have sent along to Dr. Gans, It shows that of every tax dollar paid by Exeter ratepiyers, 42.16 percent goes for educational purposes. Members of council have no say in that matter whatever. Another 14.07 percent goes for county purposes and the only local control over that is the fact that Exeter has two represen- tatives on county council. The balance of the tax dollar is 41.17 percent for general pur- poses and 2.58 for sewers. So, for every dollar•you turn in at the clerk's office for taxes this year, only 43.75 cents of it will stay in Exeter to pay the bills for streets, sewers, street lighting, police and fire protection, deben- ture payments, conservation, recreation, garbage pickup, etc., etc. That may in part explain where in heavens the tax dollars go, but the major question that appears to be on most minds these days, is not so much where they go, but rather how do we prevent them from going in the first place. While that decision is up to the CCNA RIRDION AWARD 1974 various elected officials who spend those tax dollars, it should be remembered that they are still responsible to the people who elected them. If people want reduced taxes or even stationary budgets, they have to realize it will mean a curtailment of the services they are presently receiving. Council members can certain- ly slash the local budget if that is what the majority of ratepayers want, but those same ratepayers will then have.to stop complain- ing about dust, pot holes, stray dogs, etc. We can't have it both ways! Nor can ratepayers complain about the quality of education if they want to have the school boards reduce expenditures. However, they can expect that their elected officials are spen- ding their tax dollars wisely and doing their best to Jiold the line on taxes. After all, they pay tax- es too. If they're not doing the job well, there'll be an election in a year or so! there will be over 6,000 full-time students at the Main Campus. (Fanshawe's enrollment forecast for 1977-78 is approximately 12,000 full time students. In ad- dition, we will receive some 30,000 registrations for con- tinuing education.) All of us at Fanshawe College are looking forward to having you and your readers join us from 1977 09 29 — 10 02 (September 29 — October 2). For further in- formation, pleae call Fanshawe College Information Services 451- 7270, ext. 193 or 123. Thank you for your interest. Yours sincerely, D. D. (Don) Rice Co-Chairperson Decennial Committee * * Dear Sir: In spite of all that modern medical science has ac- complished in recent years,<there are many myths and miscon- ceptions surrounding the age old disease Arthritis. People still wear copper bracelets and carry potatoes in their pockets. One of the best methods of public education that we know of, to inform people about this disease and what is being done for it today, are arthritis forums, at which the audience can have their questions answered by a panel of arthritis specialists, One such Forum is being held in the Goderich District Collegiate on Tuesday, September 20, at 8 p.m., sponsored by the Goderich branch of the.Canadian Arthritis 'Society. The panel will include Dr, J,L, Hollingworth, medical advisor to the Goderich ,branch Dr, Man- fred Harth, Director of Rheumatic Diseases Unit, University of Western Ontario Hospital, London; and Mrs, Judy Threinen, C,A.R.S., physiotherapist, of Mitchell. Moderator for the forum will be be Bluewater field represen- tative, Mrs, Betty Janke. I hope your readers will avail them- selves of this opportunity to learn about arthritis, They will find the evening both interesting and informative. Respectfully, (Mrs.) Betty Janke Field Representative Bluewater Region 55 Years Ago The Exeter Fair was held Mon- day and Tuesday of this week, A large crowd was present. There was a good showing of horses; the cattle were a little light; and there was an excellent showing of poultry. The indoor exhibit was one of the best in years. The horse races attracted many spectators. The gate receipts amounted to over $600. The Exeter Junior Ball team will go into the finals with Owen Sound for the honors in the Junior North Wellington Baseball League. Mr, F.A. Chapman manager of the Canadian Bank of Commerce in town has been transferred to the Leamington branch. Mr. R. Complin has been transferred from Toronto to the Exeter branch. While threshing on Thursday last, Mr. Hal Browh of Usborne, in ' trying to adjust a belt on the separator which runs the elevator, got his hand caught which resulted in the.loss of one or more fingers from his left hand. 30 Years Ago Mr. Robert Sanders of town was awarded 15 firsts and one se- cond out of 17 entries in vegetables at the Exeter Fair last Thursday. Norman Long, Kippen, mail courrier, fell while unloading beans and fractured a bone in his ankle. Exeter Fall Fair on Thursday surpassed any similar event held in town. Favored with excellent weather, the crowd was es- timated at 6,000. Mr. Jack Mallett, London paraded in an Exeter Band un- iform and played one of the kettle-drums at the Exeter Fair. Students who have resumed their studies at the University of Western Ontario are Don Tra- quair, Norman Hannigan, Peter Fraser, ,Misses Helen Snell and Gwenneth Jones, 20 Years Ago Laying of pre-steel concrete slabs for the bridge deck on the by JIM SMITH Well, here we are in the midst of the most serious unemployment mess, since the dreary days of the 1930s — arid it promises to ,get much worse by the end of winter. So what is gov- ernment doing? In typical fashion, ou'r national leaders are sticking theirfiscal ringers in the economic 'dike and praying for a miracle. You can count on one thing about government: 'whenever it gets into econo- mic trouble, it responds by trying to shore up big busi- ness. The assumption in Ottawa is that big business is the foundation of our economy. But, as a new book called ',Small Business: Build- ing a Balanced Economy" by York University's Dr. Rein Peterson strongly points out, big busine'ss isn't neces- sarily good business. Not, at least, for all Canadians. Dr. Peterson spent a year investigating some of the more popular beliefs about the merits of big business. The results of his investiga- tions are surprising, For in- stance, although big business is believed to be the most significant source of employ- ment in Canada, in fact, only 15% of the big firm's total costs are for wages, The small firm, on the otherhand, pays out approximately 30% of its total expenditures as wages. So the small firm is responsible for more employ- ment, per dollar of sales, than the large firm. Now, you might suspect that the government would go out of its way to. help the small businessman, After all, a thriving small business' sector could solve much of the employment crisis. But the government doesn't see it that way. Morrison Dam in Usborne township was started Wednesday by Pearce Construction. Gwen Spencer, Hensall was elected president of the SHDHS student council in a school-wide vote. Vice president is Bill Marshall; secretary Robin Smith; and treasurer, Rosemary Dobson. Stormy lake has hindered the Dean Construction Co., Belle River, from continuing its dredg- ing operations in Grand Bend harbour this week. The firm has a contract from the federal government to haul 8,500 cubic yards of silt from the mouth. Mrs. A. E. Whiting, RR 3, Parkhill, edged out Mrs. Luther Reynolds by 10 firsts and four seconds to 10 firsts 'and three seconds to take top honors in the flower competition at Exeter Fair. 15 Years Ago Ann Funk was just one of the winners at the Hensall school fair Tuesday. Her winning pic- ture was taken from an illustra- tion in her school reader. The fair was held Tuesday night following a parade through Hen- sall main street led by Clinton Legion Pipe Band. Hon. Charles S. MacNaughton, Exeter, minister without port- folio in the Ontario government welcomed the British Minister of Transport Ernest Marples, and Mrs. Marples to the Ontario government stand at Britain's Food Fair. Town council Monday night showed some heSitancy about supporting aswimming pool campaign for the community. They decided to try to purchase land for the pool, but were not eager to take responsibility for maintenance or to make a grant toward the cost of construction. Mr. and Mrs. Glen Belling, Toronto, spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Belling before moving to Ottawa where he has been appointed assistant manager of the main branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia. Instead, the small firm -- because it has a higher pro- portion of its business tied up in labour bears a heavier paperwork and tax burden than the large firm. Not only must, the employer act as the government's tax collector, but it must -also contribute to unemployment insurance and pension funds on the employee's behalf. Mean- while, the big firms — which can use machines to replace large numbers of workers — receive tax breaks from the go\iernment and are freed from much of thePaperwork that comes with employing others. The way it works out, the small firm is actually paying for the social costs that are created by the big firm. In socialist countries, Dr. Peter- son discovered, the big, state- owned firms consistently lose money; the deficit is paid out of taxes on the profitable small firms. And what about the theory that the small firm gets tax concessions that aren't avail- able to big business? Dr. Peterson found that the average smallest corporation actually pays 27.7% tax on earnings while the biggest corporation, after allowing for capital incentives, pays 28%. In other words,.the so- called "dual corporate tax rate" which the government claims means much lower taxes for small business than for big business is a sham. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has suggested that UIC and CPP contributions should be re- moved from the employer's responsibilities and tied in to the income tax system. Dr. Peterson's findings back up the Federation and prove it's time the government quit relying on fiscal fingers in the economic dike. Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 ereferZimes-Aboocafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O,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 — Bill Weekley Composition Manager — Harry DeVries Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Phone 235-1331 Dear Editor: Fanshawe College (serving the four counties of Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin and Norfolk) is celebrating its Tenth Anniver- sary during 1977. Three special Decennial events will take place during late Sep- tember and early October. I'm sure your readers — many of whom have had an association with Fanshawe — would be in- terested in hearing more about them. Fanshawe's first Homecoming will be held from 1977 09 29 — 10 02 (September 29 — October 2). The Homecoming Committee and the newly formed Alumni Association have put together a wide program of events ranging from an Alumni vs Varsity hockey game and a Dance-Coffee House to an Alumni Brunch. Our second event is the Main Campus' Open House from 1977 09 29 — 10 01 (September 29 — October 1). This will be a fine, opportinity to discover the Fourth largest Community College in Ontario. Featured will be displays, exhibitions and special events. When the college first opened its doors in 1967 there were 740 full-time students at the Main Campus. (Oxford St. East, London). On 1977 09 29(September 29) with the official opening of the new Main Campus facilities Amalgamated 1924 Ti IF= 0=11i =.0 .r, limmeamin Published Each Thursday Morning at Exefer, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0686 Paid in Advance Circulation September 30, 1975 5,409 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $11.00 Per Year; USA $22,00