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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1979-06-27, Page 4Page 4 Times-Advocate, June 27, 1979 Time* Eilabluhed 1873 DOLLAR lErtjE Turning hobby into money requires business skills Amalgamated 1924Advocate Established 1881 imes - Advocate .lend** !•'*<*. Mi MMArws JV * hberth Umr* M71 r*.., ...... 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 Composition Manager — Harry DeVries Business Manager — T................. ^^^Phone 235-1 J I (♦ONA SUBSC By David Newman, CA Dick Jongkind Published Each Wednesday Morning iTjrppnn ’331 at Exeter, Ontario I hl Ul 1 IM Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $11.00 Per Year; USA $22.00 Help is True to its word, Malaysia has forced 2,500 Vietnamese refugees aboard five unseaworthy boats, towed them to in­ ternational waters and cast them off. Those were the introductory words in a news item regarding the plight of just a small portion of the Vietnamese who have been attempting to escape their own government’s callous treat­ ment. How could anyone do such a thing to human beings? That’s the rather safe question Canadians ask themselves as they read of such horror stories, complacent in the knowledge needed that there is little they can do about a situation half way around the world. But is that all the people of this country can do? Sit and feel sorry while they enjoy all the benefits of their own great land? Doubtful! Surely, there is enough sharing and caring somewhere in our hearts to speak up and ask our own government to show some leadership to the world by bringing more of these refugees here. Granted, it will cause some problems...but not as severe as those that can be expected if the have nations continue to withhold their compassion and bounty from the have-nots. BATT’N AROUND on critics of the regime.” .... with the editor Major test Free cigar with tree gas Prime Minister Joe Clark’s leadership ability was one of the major issues in the recent federal election, and while he convinced enough Canadians to win the election, it hasn’t taken him long to get into a spot where they will have ample opportunity to see whether their faith was appropriate. The new Progressive Conservative government has plunged itself into a major crisis with a planned move of the Canadian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Despite warnings and threats from the Arab world, the government remained adamant in that plan, and now face the consequences which in­ dude boycotts of Canadian financial in­ stitutions. As motorists know, the Arabs have a considerable amount of money and it is estimated that up to $1 billion may be the value of their current holdings in this country. The value of the Canadian dollar has again been threatened by the planned boycott. Clearly, Clark has a major issue on his hands and his handling of it will be of extreme interest to Canadians. Metric madness The we-know-what’s-best-for-you attitude runs strong in the bureaucracy. While metrication slowly takes hold among a population grumbl­ ing, and complaining about the change, Ottawa now plans that even mentioning pounds or yards will become illegal. Consumer — Corporate Affairs Canada has published a proposed regulation to prohibit the use of anything but metric measurements in advertising or selling home furnishing and piece goods. In its mealy-mouthed way, Metric Commission Canada says: “While emphasizing the planned but voluntary approach to metric conversion, Metric Commission Canada . . . nevertheless concurred in the recommendation . . . as being in the best interests of con­ sumers, retailers and manufac­ turers.” The commission says the recommendation is supported by several industry associations. So what? We’re becoming officially metric so everyone expects to be buying things in litres and metres. But what if a few stores want to sell something by the pound or yard? If they want to sell it that way, and somebody wants to buy from them what business is it of the government? Are Canadians so helpless and befuddled that they have to be protected from someone who sells a product in the nonofficial way? And protected by making it illegal to do so? Before the government embraced the metric system, some stores sold items whose weight or size was designated metrically. Why wasn’t this illegal? Making illegal the use of nonmetric designations is precisely the sort of regulatory over kill that is driving Canadians crazy. Doesn’t anyone in Ot­ tawa know this? Will it soon be illegal even to ask for a shirt that’s 15Vs neck, 34 sleeve? The Financial Post It has only happened once, and will probably never happen again, but the recent change in name at Snell Bros. Ltd. recalls the gasoline war which resulted in local motorists receiving free gasoline In, fact, during one of the biggest price wars ever staged in the com­ munity, motorists on that August day in 1934 actually received free cigars for filling up their tanks with free gas­ oline. Sound a bit incredible? Well, it ap­ parently was, although it should be noted before progressing too far that the writer was not among the lucky recipients. It all started when one of the local service stations placed an advertise­ ment in this newspaper saying that the price of gas for one day would be dropped from 25 cents to 20 cents per gallon. (Most of today’s motorists wouldn’t mind paying these regular prices)! Several of the other dealers decided to meet the low-cut price, although some declared a holiday. Banners were strung across the street and the 20 cent gas was quickly flowing. However, late in the day, a com­ petitor dropped his price to 18 cents and this was the prevailing price until around 6:00 p.m. when the first dealer dropped his to 16 cents (10 cents for gas and 6 cents tax). The price con­ tinued to drop until about 9:00 p.m. when it was down to 12 cents and the men were busy while the early-birds were chagrined at having filled their tanks too soon. Shortly after 9:00, one dealer an­ nounced free gas and the other follow­ ed suit. Then came the free cigars and a competitor tossed in a free pint of oil with the free gas. Commenting on the situation, the T- A noted the price war was merry while it lasted and between 3,000 and 4,000 gallons were either sold or given away. However, Monday morning, the prevailing price was fixed at 26 cents, one cent higher than the week previously, the dealers apparently try­ ing to recoup some of their losses in one of the strangest battles ever seen on Exeter’s Main St. * * * The periodic cry over court delays and light punishment has surfaced again, this time through a petition being circulated by the Town of Seaforth. Seaforth Reeve John Sinnamon notes that municipalities have to pay police a minimum of four hours overtime for court duty, even though they may not be needed because the case has been delayed. Provincial Judge William Cochrane claims the courts in Huron are running as smoothly and properly as possible, and also relatively quickly. He suggests most accused persons face only a three-month delay from their first appearance until a court date is set. In looking over some old court dockets, it would suggest Judge Cochrane is a little over complimen­ tary to the system. Delays of eight to 10 months are not uncommon and on February 27 of this year, there were a couple that were two years old. One of the biggest problems facing the court is in knowing how long a case may last. Some proceed very quickly, while others can drag on for a couple of hours, depending on the number of witnesses called. The question then arises as to how many to schedule in any given court hearing. However, we are still of the opinion that there should be some onus on the accused person or his lawyer to give advance notice when not guilty pleas are to be entered, or when ad­ journments will be requested. This would give court officials an opportuni­ ty to advise witnesses (and policemen) ahead of time that their presence was not required. Such a plan is being implemented and hopefully it will end the type of complaints being circulated by Seaforth and other beleagured municipalities. * * * Whenever disaster strikes, or appears ominously on the horizon, there are invariably people with the wit and initiative to take advantage of the situation. Many people in the U.S. and Canada are now reaping profits from the varie­ ty projects being conducted in view of sky-lab hurtling toward earth. There are t-shirts, name-the-spot location contests, etc. It is believed that one chunk of sky­ lab may weigh as much as 25-tons, and while people have been concerned in the past about radiation from such ob­ jects returning from the outer at­ mosphere, all agree it would be the least of their worries if that chunk fell on them. So, keep your head up! If it is time for you to turn your hobby into a business, you must be prepared to adopt a business-like, ap­ proach, although that does not mean it cannot still be fun. The major consideration, of course, is whether you can make money from selling your product -- be it leather goods, macrame or furniture - to someone besides your relatives, friends and neighbors. There are five other basic points to consider, too. The first is how your move is likely to affect your present lifestyle, and those of your family. Suppose you intend to keep your present job and run the business on the side. This is going to General financial advice by members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. mean great sacrifices of time, and both you and your family must be pre­ pared to make sacrifices, too. If you are going to op­ erate the business outside the home, choose the loca­ tion carefully. The second basic point to remember is that convenience for your­ self, customers and em­ ployees usually costs money. Scout around for the best deal. Money to run your bus­ iness is the third thing to consider. You will need cash and probably lots of it, especially in the early weeks and months. Com­ mon sources are savings, or from friends and re­ latives -- but be sure you can pay them back. Another common method of financing a new business is by remortgaging a house. The bank should also be good for a loan, but it will want to see budgeted in­ come statements showing your projected income, ex­ penses, profits and espec­ ially, how you expect to repay the loan. The bank will feel more comfortable if you have at least as much cash of your own invested in the bus­ iness as it does. Fourth, remember sales taxes. If you are selling goods, instead of services, you must apply for a retail sales tax licence in Ontario. Then you must collect an extra 7 per cent above the selling price, and remit it to the province. But it also means that you do not have to pay sales tax to your suppliers. In a manufacturing bus­ iness, a federal sales tax licence is also necessary in many cases. Knowledge­ able financial advisers should be consulted on the full details of this require­ ment. Finally, you must keep good financial records. Here again, seek good advice on the merits of in­ corporating your business versus remaining as a per­ sonal taxpayer. There are tax advantages both ways. Whichever you choose, you must provide Ottawa with a full report of income and expenses, and this means keeping close track of every dollar. It has worked for others. Let us hope it works for you,too. Mr. Newman is with Bearg Moss & Shore, Toronto. Year older and not dead yet .... .... «Own memory fane J By SYD FLETCHER Perspectives Fast Freddie was the star of the basketball team. He could dribble and pass with the best of them and had a hook shot that was a thing of beauty. The coach had his eyes on the pennant and so did much of the student body. That was when fate in­ tervened. Fast Freddie may have been a super basketball player but academically he was not one of your stronger lights. However, he usually got along reasonably well with his teachers, except the physics teacher, that is. This fellow was a little short guy with a brown moustache which quivered when he got angry. I’m not sure whether he had something against tall basketball players but one day Fast Freddie was caught without his ‘heat’ experiment done. For the next day it was doubled, along with 50 lines of “I will endeavour to complete my work satisfactorily and on time.” If that assignment was not completed then it would be doubled It was Wednesday night and there was a basketball practice, and after all, a person has to set reasonable priorities, Right? Besides, Fast Freddie kind of liked to see that little brown moustache quiver. The next day we sat back in our seats, expectantly waiting for the explosion to come when Fast Freddie said that the assignment was not done. Amazingly enough, though the moustache did quiver and shake and the little teacher’s face turned bright red, he held his temper. “You can discuss it with the principal,” was all he said, Fast Freddie unwound all six and a half feet casually out of his desk and begun ambling towards the door. It was a science room and the teacher was in between the long front desk and the student’s desks. Fast Freddie started to walk through the narrow opening though he could have proceeded behind the teacher. “If you try it you’ll never make it”, the little fellow said in tones of pure ice. Fast Freddie looked down at the little fellow and we held our breath. The moustache was no longer quivering and Fast Freddie, looking at the little man was not quite so certain that he could make it through. Carefully he backed up and walked around, and our pent- up breaths released as one. He never came back. The principal decided that an uncompleted assignment and some unwritten lines were too important an issue to back down on and ap­ parently so did Fast Freddie. We never did win that doggone pennant. Had a birthday the other day. Nobody remembered it except me, my wife, and the North American Life In­ surance Company. I, because I was one year older and not dead yet. My wife for roughly the same reason. And the Insurance com­ pany likewise. They don’t have to pay off that thousand dollars, and can go on investing, at huge interest rates, that $12.00 annual premium my mother made me take out when I was sixteen. We all reacted differently. The in­ surance company sent me a 30-cent birthday card, signed by a guy I had never heard of. He’s about the eighth agent who has wished me a happy birthday, over the past decades. I’ve probably outlived the other seven. My wife, at a loss to buy a gift for the man who has everything, bought me a stapler. Very good. I am constantly coming home with masses of essays to mark, none of them stapled together. As a consequence, I am constantly get­ ting pages of one student’s essay mixed in with pages of another student’s es­ say, with discombobulating results. For example, on page 4 of Joe’s es­ say, he finds written, “Well said, Lin­ da. An excellent parallel.” And on page 7 of Linda’s essay, she might find, “Right to the point, Joe.” It is embarassing, confusing, and stupid. Now, with a stapler, their es­ says will be all in one piece, though it’s quite possible they will find a piece of finger-skin stapled to the essay. I’m not much good with complicated machinery. Not to be outdone on my birthday, I bought myself a present - a couple of fair belts of well-known arthritis releiver. It comes in a brown paper bag, and thanks to a greedy provincial government, is a leader in the inflation rate. The card was innocuous. The stapler didn’t do much harm either, except for the two staples I put into my thumb while trying it out. A little thumb­ sucking, not at all an unpleasant activi­ ty, cured that. It was my own present that did the damage. Carried away by a flood of birthday sentimentality and malt, I decided to take my daughter, grand­ sons, and wife on a trip this summer. I felt a warm flood of kinship or something, and made up my mind that I was going to visit my ain folk, show off my clever and beautiful daughter to aunts and things who haven’t seen her since she was in diapers, and proudly parade my grandboys to great-aunts, second cousins, and anyone else who would look at them, or put up with them. This wasn’t so bad. It’s not far out or weird to take your mob for a camping­ visiting trip. At the time, it seemed a gS&t idea. Even my old lady was luke­ warmly interested. My daughter was excited. The boys were ecstatic. Ah, yes. A sweep down and around old Ontario. Through Algonquin Park, camping amid the bears and deer and hooligans. Visit my niece at Pembroke, who has a kid the right age, five. Dig out old recluse Don McCuaig at Ren­ frew and catch some trout in his pond. Across the Ottawa river at Portage du Fort, and a visit to their great­ grandmother’s home, sitting on an island, high above the river. Drop in on their great-uncle Ivan, at his beautiful rustic retreat on Calumet Island. Then to Green Lake, on the Quebec side, where I spent my hap­ piest childhood summers. Down along the river to Ottawa, and cousins galore. Maybe drop in on Joe Clark and give him a tip or two. Then to Perth, where I grow up. 55 Years Ago The village council passed a bylaw authorizing the appointment of a pound and a pound keeper for Exeter. On Wednesday afternoon last, hundreds of people assembled at the Thames Road Park to take part in the opening exercises. Addresses were given by Mr. Stanbury and Mr. Cameron and a prayer offered by Rev. D. Fletcher. Quite a number of local Orangemen attended the walk in Goderich on the 12th. Mr. Thomas Meilis of Hensail who had carried on the blacksmithing business there for over forty years died last week. Investigating a drunken brawl, reported at Grand Bend recently, officers Pellow and Whiteside discovered one dozen bottles of wiskey, thirty-five dozen bottles of 9 per cent beer buried in the sand. Show the boys the swimming-place where I won prizes, the park where I kissed girls, and sandpit where I had my first smoke, the old Presbyterian manse where I learned to swear (from listening to my father, ear against the pipe, as he cursed the furnace). Then a swing down to the St. Lawrence Seaway, see another sister, and then the long swing home, camping and cooking out, and detouring to things like Niagara Falls, the weekly newspapers’ convention in Toronto, the Stratford Festival, and any zoos or points of interest along the way. Now, I didn’t say all these things. But they are starting to build up. What began as a germ, a one-week swing through the Ottawa valley, has turned into a three-week Grand Tour. My first thought was scrounging on relatives, with the odd night in motel rooms, A modest trip. Then I began to realize that two motel rooms would be at least fifty bucks a night. And also that five of us can’t come crashing in on some poor aunt who has one spare bedroom. I’m too old for tenting on the old camp-ground, with an insomniac wife and two kids who would be pulling out the tent-pegs as fast as I drove them. And things that go bump in the night. So the answer seems to be a camper, one of those great, ugly things that pollute the highways and drive other drivers crazy, That’s going to be a couple of hun­ dred bucks a week, plus grub and gas and everything that goes with it. It’s going to cost me more than a trip to Europe, I shoulda stayed in bed on my birthday. 30 Years Ago In a simple service Bishop G.N. Luxton of Diocese of London dedicated the newly- built church of England of Grand Bend ‘Saint John’s by the Lake’ Sunday evening. The fifth annual Kirkton Garden party drew the largest crowd yet-between four and five hundred at­ tended Wednesday evening. Members of the PUC and the village officially “christened” the new well and pumping station in a ceremony at William Moody’s farm three miles southeast of Exeter. Climaxing a crime wave which swept over this district since December, provincial police arrested seven youths and sent out a warrant for an eighth, all from the Parkhill district. 20 Years Ago Lloyd Hodgins, a former guard at Guelph Refor­ matory will join Exeter’s police force at the end of the week. He was sworn in Tuesday. A 16-year-old Exeter girl, Marilyn Hamilton, was chosen Tri-County Youth for Christ queen at a banquet in Wingham United Church, Saturday night. Huron MPP C.S. Mac- Naughton and Mrs. Mac- Naughton attended the Province of Ontario’s civic dinner in honour of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Toronto, Monday night. Cpl. Tony Aquilina, Andrew St., Exeter, as a member of the RCAF Training Command Band has seen the Queen five times already during her Canadian tour. At the graduation parade at RCAF Station, Centralia, Thursday seven men received Canadian Forces decorations for long and meritorious service and 79 graduates were presented with diplomas by G.C.Kenyon, 15 Years Ago Paving began this week on the newly constructed section of Highway 4 south of Exeter, while rain hampered progress the work has been completed to just south of the Derby Dip. It is expected under favorable weather con­ ditions the workmen will complete close to one mile each day. Only 202 Huron County chicken farmers turned out to cast their ballots for the plan to set up a provincial egg marketing board. However, while the number of voters was low, they did represent about one-third of the total chicken population. While less than 10 per cent cast ballots in Ontario, the plan received the necessary two-thirds majority. About 350' former and present pupils and residents attended a reunion at Lumley School. It was the last reunion to be held in the school, which was built in 1904. The building will soon be sold and the students will attend the new central school being erected in Usborne Township. The committee in charge of organizing the area’s first conservation school have termed the effort “suc­ cessful” and will perhaps even be carried on next year and perhaps to an even greater measure. Area elementary school students attended the conservation school at. Camp Sylvan last week.