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Home My WebLink AboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-10-06, Page 4Page 4 Times-Advocate, October 6, 1977 Bean farmers deserve help Although it may still be too early to ful- ly estimate the losses for the area white bean crop, there is little doubt that it will result in a devastating blow to the area economy. The fact that it comes at a time when the general economy is already in difficul- ty, augments the problem to major propor- tions, The'immediate impact, of course, will be felt by those who are directly engaged in the business, but the effects will be quickly felt by almost everyone in the area as it is to a considerable ex tent dependent upon the agricultural industry. There is little doubt that it will be a "disaster"for many farmers and obviously they should receive the assistance ac- corded people who may suffer through any type of disaster inflicted by nature. Certainly, the governments at all three levels will have to assess the situation and formulate a plan that will enable the farmers to ride out the storm and tide them over until the next harvest. The community as a whole should also consider the necessity to provide whatever assistance may be deemed necessary as they would in the event of any type of disaster befalling other members of that community. Merely extending sympathy is not enough. Concern must be expressed in more tangible ways. Equal pay for equal work Canada's federal and provincial human rights legislation forbids discrimination in employment because of race, religion, colour, nationality, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, age, or sex. At least 42 per cent of Ontario's women work outside the home. They are a valuable part of the work force. They are also becoming increasingly aware of the significance of their role. Many, however, have found that it's one thing to be hired for ajob and another to obtain equal pay when doing the same work as a male. For years their base rate of pay has been lower than that for men. Their earnings, consequently, have fallen below the provincial average. Unfortunately, many employers have sought and found ways of eluding confrontation. The Employments Standards Act provides that equal pay may be given for equal work. This summer an interesting en- forcement precedent was established in Southwestern Ontario. A London woman complained about the gap between her own salary and that of a male fellow-employee. The case was examined by a referee ap- pointed under the Employment Standards Act. The woman's employer was obliged not only to equalize the salaries but also to pay her the accumulated difference from the time she had commenced work. The employer was fined as well. Recently the Anti-Inflation Board took aim and shot a hole in the argument that its rulings were preventing employers from adjusting such wage inequities. The board has now mailed a guide to employers across the country, which says, "The Anti- Inflation Board fully supports the action of employers, employees and organizations in their efforts to eliminate discrimination based on the sex of exployees." The guide makes it clear that, when reporting to the board, firms should not in- clude in total staff salary increments any wage increase for women intended to bring their pay cheques into line with those of men. Equal pay for equal work is a right, not a privilege. Employers who persist in deny- ing it are going to find themselves con- fronted with growing frequency by those at whose expense they have been making a buck. The publicity will have an adverse effect sooner or later, too. After all, women spend much of the money in our society. A reminder for drivers This fall the Ontario Police again have reminded motorists to watch for school buses. The large bright yellow buses are on the roads twice a day during the school year, first thing in the morning and again in the afternoon. Alternating red lights flash when one of these is about to stop. That is the driver's cue to slow down at once and watch for children. When a bus is stopped with those lights flashing, the law requires the motorist to stop a safe distance from the front or rear of the bus till children are aboard or safely across the road. Even in Huron County, where the pace is less hectic than in metropolitan areas, impatient motorists exceed speed limits and take unnecessary chances in order to pass slower vehicles. The chances taken when trying to get by them can cause cars to collide or beforced off the road onto the shoulder, the OPP reminded us. Some drivers attempt passing on the right side of slower vehicles along the gravelled shoulder of the road. As the police rightly point out, if the vehicle happens to be a school bus that is loading or unloading, a child may be injured or killed. A little self-restraint may save a life. Some lively discussions "When they call an election, you should run — a man with your lack of qualifications would make a natural member of Parliament." STEMSMITLEMENVEZEURFIEMSEM:ln Comment from... tiroutio *won Migritt fpiab gotboot Rolling with the punches Some people, like me, believe in rolling with the punches, rather than sticking out our chins to show how many we can ab- sorb. I have found that, in general, if I avoid trouble, trou- ble avoids me. If I know that some pain in the arm has been trying to get me on the phone, I also know im- mediately that he or she wants me to do something that I don't want to do. Therefore, I take the phone off the hook and leave it off until the pain has found some other sucker. Another invention of mine to stay out of trouble is patented as Nega-Prod. This is short for Negative Production. The theory is simple. The more you produce, the more problems you have, whether it is children, manufac- tured goods or farm products. The more children you have, the more emotional and economic problems you create for yourself. The more goods you produce, the more you have to hustle to find customers and meet payrolls. The more farm stuff you raise whether it's beef or beans, the greater your chan- ces of being caught in a glut on the market. Our great national railways caught on to this years ago. When they had lots of passengers, they had lots of problems. People wanted com. fort, cleanliness, decent meals, and some assurance that they would get where they were going on time. There was much more Motiey to be made, and fewer problems, by transporting wheat and lumber and cattle, So the railways began treating people like cattle. Passenger trains became uncomfortable and dirty. Quality of the food dropped like a stone. And they never arrived on time. Presto. End of problems. No more passengers. So the railways were able to cut off non- paying passenger lines, get rid of all those superfluous things like station agents and telegraphers and train conductors, and con- centrate on taking from one point to another things that paid their way and didn't talk back: newsprint, coal, oil, wheat, Perhaps this is the answer for our provincial governments, which are quickly and quietly building massive mountains of debt for future taxpayers. ° Perhaps they should just stop building highways, and repairing those already in existence. We'd all be sore as hell for a while, but as the roads got worse and worse, most of us would stop driving our cars. The governments would save millions of dollars now spent on highways, and they could fire two-thirds of the highway cops. I don't quite see how the governments could use Nega- Prod to get out of the liquor business, which certainly produces plenty of problems. The booze trade is so profitable that asking government to aban- don it would be like asking a millionaire to forsake his coun- try estate for a run-down farm. Perhaps if they had a Free Booze Day, once a week, every week, say on a Saturday, it would solve a number of problems. It would certainly reduce the sur- plus population. This, in turn, would cut down, drastically, the unemployment figures. Should the provincial governments find that Nega.. Prod is all I've suggested, some of it might spill over into the federal government, usually the last to catch on to what the coun- try really needs. Instead of the manna and honey flowing from Ottawa in the form of baby bonuses and pensions, we might get some terse manifestos: "People who have more than one and a half children will be sent to jail for four years. Note: separate jails." "Persons who plan to live past 65 and claim a pension will be subject to an open season for each year, from October 1 to Thanksgiving Day. Shotguns and bicycle chains only," "All veterans of all wars may claim participation by reason of insanity, and may apply to Ot- tawa for immediate euthenisation." These might seem slightly Draconian measures, but they sure would put an end to a lot of our problems and troubles. Think of what they would do for such sinful activities as sex, growing old, and hanging around the Legion Hall, playing checkers. But we must also think of the economic benefits. With a plug put into that river of paper money flowing from Ottawa, tax- es would drop, inflation would vanish and undoubtedly, separatism would wither on the vine.People would be lined up six deep at the U.S. border, trying to get across, and that would solve, in One swell foop, our unemploy- ment difficulties. We could go back to being hewers of water and carriers of wood, which wag our manifest destiny before the politicians got into the act. Fishermen or lumberjacks, in short, which We've enjoyed some rather lively letters to the editor in the past couple of weeks and heartily commend the writers for presen- ting their arguments before the public for their consideration. It is one of the more important functions of a newspaper in our opinion and it is regrettable that too few people use it is a vehicle to offer food for tho,pght on current issues. The benefits are sometimes quite amazing. An example is the debate started by Dr. M. Gans over the added business tax levied on behalf of the Exeter Downtown, Improvement Area, His public criticism brought forth a public statement by the board of management, and while we're not certain they convinced Dr. Gans with their arguments, the letter obviously provided a great deal of information for others in the community as to the aims and objectives, of the merchant group. Some of that information would probably not have beep' forthcoming had, it not beeirlbr the fact Dr. Gans took the time to air his opinions publicly, and had the board of management not answered it. We can't help but feel that everyone should have a better understanding of the situation and that it was certainly a valuable exercise. * ** Another letter in last week's issue was more directly aimed at this newspaper regarding its coverage of localcourt news It is a topic that has been debated before but the writer did delve into a couple of new aspects. In particular, she noted that some area residents escape local coverage by having their cases tried in other courts. This is a situation that has concerned this writer as well and it does seem particularly unfair, although there are certain circumstances that on occasion make it necessary. But on the whole, we would agree that all residents charged with offences in this particular area should have their cases heard in the local court. We assume that is a decision made by the Crown Attorney and hopefully he too would agree that the decision to move cases most of the rest of the world thinks we are anyway. Nega-Prod may seem a bit lof- ty and abstract at first glance, but it works, I know from per- sonal experience. Everytime I try to make something, or fix something, it costs me a lot of money, and I get into a lot of trouble. So, I have a policy of never try- ing to fix something or make something. It's a lot less trouble to put up signs: "Beware of fall- ing bricks; Not responsible for slivers from picnic table," And soon, elsewhere should never be con- sidered on the basis of escaping press coverage. Obviously, we do not agree with the letter writer in her suggestion that printing court news is an invasion of an in- dividual's privacy. There is nothing private about court or breaking the law. It is a public institution in a democracy and one has only to look at some of the frightening things that happen in other countries when the law does not come under public scrutiny. It is all too often a fate much worse that any amount of bad publicity. One of the arguments listed is difficult to debate. That is the statement that publication of court items is obviously not a deterrent to further crime. That is one of, those intangible things that can never really be settled. However, the very fact that people do register com- plaints over their names appear- ing in the court news would in- P.O. Box 5661, Central Seoul 100, Korea. Dear Sir: Please forgive me for taking up your valuable time. I am a teacher of a high school in Seoul, Korea. My pupils are very eager to find pen friend in your country. I am writing to you in the hope that you could help them to get in touch with the youth in your country. They would like to exchange information about student life and various topics in every day life and to discuss current in- ternational problems. I think this kind of direct communication between friends of about the same age will help both to learn about each other's country. It will also help my students to brush up their English. I also think they might have fun in swapping items in their hobby collections. I am one of the English teachers at school which has around 2,000 pupils. The pupils here have five English classes a week. I am sure they will be a faithful friend and correspondent to any young friends who wishes to be their pen friend. I hope you can perhaps publish my name in your esteemed paper. I thank you very much for your kind cooperation. Yours sincerely, Byun, Young-sun P.S. If you can't, then may I ask you to pass this to any schools or youth organization over there? dicate that there is an element of determent. Obviously, nothing is an ab-' solute in deterring those who would choose to break the law. Not even capital punishment. However, any type of deterring factor, whether it be of a finan- cial nature or merely having one's name published, has to be considered of some value or it is conceivable that an even greater number of people would resort to criminal activities. The letter writer suggests that if people are truly interested in court news, that person may go and hear the proceedings. That is true to a point. However, most people do not have that type of free time on ,their hands and the newspaper becomes the only vehicle through which they can publicly have access to the courts. People can obviously take the time to attend most of the events which are printed in a newspaper, although naturally it would be impossible to attend them all as it would require be- ing in two or three places at one time. That is why newspapers func- tion. * * The final argument which should be answered is that the newspaper prints the names of people who appear in court, although those charged may not have any punishment imposed. That is true only to the point that we print the fact that some people may receive absolute dis- charges. Seldom do we print the names of those who have been found not guilty. That is done only when it may have been previously reported that the per- son was charged. Obviously, that person deserves to have the com- munity informed that he was not guilty of the offence. However in absolute discharge is different. The person has been found guilty, but no record is at- tached to that guilt by the court. People have a right to know when the presiding court of- ficials makes that type of ruling as it often leads to questions of why one person is given that break and another isn't. In those situations, the judge must come under public scrutiny to ensure that he is treating everyone fairly. For instance, an RCMP cor- poral was recently given an ab- solute discharge after being con- victed of stealing $11,000. That ' naturally brought criticisms from across the country about the decision, which would have escaped notice had it not been reported by a newspaper in the first instance, •• Amalgamated 1924 CCNA RIM RIBBON AWARD 197/ Are the secondary schools of Ontario trying to do too much? This question presents itself rather pointedly as we think of the various special tasks which the secondary school system has been assigned over recent years. Let me illustrate what is meant here. There has been continued pressure for more and more Driver training, At present at South Huron we provide eight hours of individual in-car instruction and 25 hours of class room instruction for about 150 students each year. However we have received recom- mendations that Driver training should be a full credit course. In recent years we have noted a growing societal pressure for more and more "Consumer Education." Young people should be taught how to select and buy goods how to avoid debt, how to resist advertising and so on, The result of this has been the ap- pearance of courses in consumer education, marketing, and related courses. Various pressures come from groups urging more "sex education" for students; some groups advocate abortioo and some don't; some groups press for "moral" instruction in sexual areas while others just want the facts maam, just the facts! Over the past few years ago a movement has developed to have the schools provide "values education" as if the other agencies of society - the home, church or whatever can no longer instill honesty, integrity, responsibility concern for other people and other values. We have had resurgent demands for compulsory physical education since the youth are growing flabby and weak. It appears necessary that schools also teach personal hygiene and nutrition since no other agency is providing people with appropriate knowledge in these areas. The business community an- nounces that young people do not understand the free enterprise system so the schools are advised to lay on a little capitalism. Career education is needed since the entire job picture is so enormously complicated, Schools are urged to teach multi culturalism, internationalism on the one hand whilst another group presses for the instillation of more patriotism, There is a growing articulation for more Canadianism in schools - in History, Geography, Literature. Obviously there is strong pressure for compulsory instruction in French Language. We could go on with the list but the point has been made in so far as the kind of social pressures that are brought on the schools by various groups is concerned. On top of this is the growing need for schools and teachers to deal with kids who —have emotional problems, drinking problems, sexual problems, depression, and problems arising 55 Years Ago The members of James Street choir provided the music at the anniversary of the Methodist 'church, Kippen on Sunday af- ternoon. The Public-Utilities Com- mission of town has purchased from Mr. P. Frayne the building on Main Street at present oc- cupied by Mr. A. M. Quance as a harness shop. Mr. Quance is selling out and is returning to work for W, J. Beer. Early Thursday morning the barn of Mr. Paul Masse, of Hay township north of Dashwood was completely destroyed by fire together with the season's crop and a team of horses. A lighted lantern was overturned by a cat, While Mr. Ernest Luxton was crushing oats at the home of Mr. Alf Coates, he got his hand caught in the crusher and as a result will lose the four fingers from his right hand. Mr. T. Nelson has taken a position at the Huron Garage with Mr. Bert Doyle. 30 Years Ago On October 12, Mr. W. F. Abbott picked a ripe strawberry. On October 16, he picked four more. Lorne Passmore is a com- petitor in the open tractor class at the International Plowing match at Kingston, Ray Wuerth is the new president of the Exeter Bad- minton Club, Operators for the Lions Club projector from the various district Organizations will be trained October 20. The projector and the national films are available to any group for a small fee, Mrs, Herman POwe has an Arizona cactus that is over nine feet high. Mr. Fred Hatter is this week moving into the new residence he has erected on Gidley Street. By .1,1., Wooden from parental mistreatment or the absence of any parental treatment. Teachers must not only teach their course work and hope that students derive value from their instruction, they ought also, to be able to relate to their individual students as persons and not just as students, Obviously this is easier for some than it is for others but all must try, ' In dealing with these kinds of problems South Huron must maintain an on-going liaison with a variety of agencies - The Huron Centre for Children and Youth, Childrens Aid, the Huron County Health Unit, C.P.R.I„ probation services, welfare, - to name some, Over and above all of this there is the growing demand that the skill levels in reading, writing, mathematics be raised. At the secondary level this means working with young people who range in ability from having serious handicaps in these areas to the bright academic student. We are clearly looking at an enormous problem since everything mentioned in this article is extremely valuable. There are, however, growing doubts that all of these things can be accomplished. It may well be that a reconstruction and a re- definition of the roles of elementary and secondary education will be required. Skill development remains a basic goal but secondary school does seem late for remedying inabilities to read or do simple arithmetic. Secondary school seems somewhat late for dealing with certain life skills programmes that form part of some remedial secondary school courses. There is no doubt that the schools have tried to respond to the pressures for many varied programmes. But schools ought to do more than respond; they ought to be leading agents for necessary social change. Politically this is obviously very different; never-the-less, it may well be time for schools to define their functions and con- centrate on the development of rational, sensitive, integrated young people and begin to reject the notion that schools can do everything that every special interest group proposes. COMING ACTIVITIES* Saturday, Oct. 8 - Cross Country Runners to UWO Wed., Oct. 12 - Students to Stratford Festival (Romeo & Juliet) - Boys Volleyball teams to Goderich - Cross Country meet at South Huron Thurs., Oct. 13 - Football - Northwestern at South Huron. Jrs. 1:30, Srs. at 3:30 p.m, - Cross Country Runners to Lon- don (Westminster SS) - Girls B. Ball Teams host Seaforth 2 p.m. 20 Years Ago Petty Officer Morley K. Love, son of Mr. & Mrs. Colin Love, Shipka, was one of a group of service personnel who were chauffers for Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip and their party during their visit to Ottawa this week. Myrland Smith, 19, who operates a beauty salon in Exeter, was chosen Harvest Queen at Exeter Kinsmen's Harvest Jamboree Friday night. She was crowned by Club 1 President Irv. Armstrong. ) Nearly 800 attended the annual jamboree which lasted until four o'clock in the morning. Kay Ondrejicka, RR 1 Crediton, a 1956 graduate of South Huron District High School has received the award for the highest marks of any girl student in any course at the University of Western Ontario. More than half of the students of Zurich public school have been confined to their homes because of an epidemic of Asian flu. Official opening of the school will be held despite the sickness, 15 Years Ago Exeter Kinsmen's Harvest Jamboree held Friday night in the Exeter Arena, attracted over 1,100 people who whopped and hoofed it up to the tunes of two district bands, Desjardines Orchestra and Stu Baird and his Collegians, The Bell Telephone Co, of Canada announced this week it has purchased property on Brock St., Henson for the erection of a toll repeater station. No definite plans have yet been made for the structure. The property was purchased from Mrs, Florence Lee. Gary Wedlake, 18 year old son of Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wecllake, Exeter won the top spot as president of the SHDHS student* council, Helen Hendrick 17 year Old daughter Of Mr. & Mrs. Sam Hendrick was eheseti vice president, +CNA H.t.• .iggiORAIM...:•:;...• • Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 torefeRimes-Abuorate 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 — Bill Weekley 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 [