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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1978-02-09, Page 23GETTING FARM TAX INFO — The short course at Centralia College Thursday concerned farm income tax. From the left are Exeter accountant Art Read and area farmers John Oke, Joe Dietrich and Delmer Skinner. T-A photo Huron F of A president Times-Advocate, February 9, 197?Pag* 23 To tell true facts Federation to hold own conference When the National Food Conference is held in Ottawa on February 22 and 23, it will be facing some opposition for time from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. At Saturday’s annual brief presentation by the Huron Federation of Agriculture to members of Parliament, Bev Brown, a vice-president said the OF of A is organiz­ ing its own conference at the same time. In a brief Saturday, Miss Brown said "it’s time Canada heard from its farmers. The Ontario Federation is limited to one delegate at the National Food Conference. There will only be 10 out of 100 people there who produce food. ” She continued, “our con­ ference will be held at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa on February 22, Gordon Hill will be the chairman. We want to tell the true facts. It’s not really consumers complaining about food prices, but the urban press which refuses to give us any ink.’’ Her brief continued, Girls work on quilting Dashwood 4-H club 2 had its second meeting February 6. Following opening exercises, the roll call was answered by each girl naming a quilted article in their home. Mrs. Earl Keller discussed a creative use of leisure time. Mrs. Ray Rader discussed sample quilting techniques. The girls worked on their quilted samples. The hostess Teresa Van Raay served lunch. “First of all, we question whether the Conference is really going to be looking into the agricultural in­ dustry and the food produc­ tion chain in depth or is it simply going to be a “witch hunt” to try to pin the blame for higher food costs on a scapegoat, e.g. the processor, the supermarket or the farmer. Preconference publicity seems to be placing the emphasis on controlling prices at the farm gate in order to keep food costs down. This naturally gives rise to farmers’ fears that a National Food Policy is simply a continuation of Canada’s Cheap Food Policy. And this is coming at a time when Canadians can put food on their tables for less than 14% of their take- home pay — a fact that no other country in the world can boast of, with the possi­ ble exception of the United States. On the other hand, farm incomes fell 19 percent last year, the year before and this year there is ex­ pected to be a further drop of six percent. Other segments of society com- iimplain, ab'Oqt^a spfc percent it- ’ 'crease.* ’t° There is talk about government policies to en­ courage producers to in­ crease their productivity. Now this does give farmers, a laugh. In 1951, one farmer ■ fed himself and 16 other peo- pie. In 1976, one farmer fed himself and 53 other people. If every other industry in Canada had this good a track record, there would be no in­ flation in Canada today because we could boast of a National Productivity which would be the envy of the rest of the world. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture does agree with the government that there needs to be more studying done of the manufacturing, marketing and retail end of the food, chain. And I am sure that the Consumers’ Association would agree with us that the pricing practices of supermarkets needs to be looked into. Someone should find out if it is true that supermarkets put their prices up one week so that during the following week they can reduce those prices and advertise their “super specials” according­ ly. In closing Ms. Brown ask­ ed MPP’s Jack Riddell and Murray Gaunt to com­ municate three ideas to their peers as follows: “Non-farmers should have an interest in paying enough dollars for food that a viable domestic farming industry is maintained and future supplies of food are induced. Because consumers repre­ sent a function carried on by all citizens, they are not a basic interest group, and therefore they are not in a position to beat down or hold down farm gate prices. Without farmers, there would be no need for a National Food Policy.” She also said the federa­ tion is organizing a speaking panel in an attempt to get the farmer cause across to consumers. MPP Murray Gaunt replied, “You are to be con­ gratulated on this. But, your thrust has to be in larger ur­ ban centres.” Anyone wishing to attend the OFA conference on food in Ottawa on February 22 should contact Bev Brown at Dungannon 529-7610. At Saturday’s annual brief presentation to area MP’s, Huron Federation of agriculture president Allan Walper stressed several concerns. Walper, a Grand Bend area farmer and Stephen township councillor said he was deeply concerned about National Unity. Part of Walper’s address was as follows: “The break-up of Canada, should it occur, would hurt Ontarians, and even the prospect of it hurts. It is true that some repeat the time honoured boast that Ontario has more than paid its way in Confederation, and the loss of Quebec would only lighten our burden. Let us minimize neither the intensity of these feelings, nor whatever truth they express. But let us be clear that what ever economic costs Ontario would incur upon any Quebec secession, would be in addition to a sharp loss of pride and of identity as Canadians. Ontario farmers do wish to continue to look on their Quebec counter­ parts as Canadian brothers and partners, The possibility of losing our Saturday postal delivery service is another concern. Saturdays’ mail would not be delivered until the follow­ ing Monday or Tuesday. It is ’difficult to see why, when our Post Offices boast of their modern equipment, that a reduction in service is necessary. The Ontario Veterinary Association is trying to get more control of drugs that are administered to livestock. I believe that the pretense of this request is to eliminate drug residue in animals at time of slaughter. Our organization prefers to have more emphasis put on identification of all animals slaughtered, so that failure to comply with drug withdrawal requirements prior to selling for slaughter can be traced back to the owner. unity Finally, I would like to have the importance of food­ land preservation more clearly impressed on the minds of the urban members. Our whole Cana­ dian economy is very depen­ dent upon agriculture. I am sure that both Governments are concerned about preserving farm land. But our concern in the Federation is preserving farmers first. If the farmer is able to earn a competitive income from this land he will, by nature, preserve the land itself for future generations.” Shipka By MRS. HUGH MORENZ Welcome to Mr. & Mrs. Mike Ericson who moved from Grand Bend Saturday to take up residence in the new home they built here. Visitors during the week with Mrs. Mabel Desjardine, Mrs. Trellis Little and Earl Stebbins were Mr. & Mrs. Ray Cooper, Exeter, Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Desjardine, Huron Park, and Mrs. Desjardine’s two great granddaughter’s Pauline and Jennifer Little, Strathroy spent a couple of days with the family. Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Higdon and Scotty, Stratford visited Sunday with Mr. & Mrs. Jack Keller and Sherri-Lyn. Mr. & Mrs. Elam Shantz, Zurich, visited Thursday evening with Mr. & Mrs. Ferm on Snyder. Mr. & Mrs. Milton Sweitzer visited Sunday in Exeter at their daughter’s Mr. & Mrs. Jim Campbell and with their twin grand­ daughter’s Kim and Kelly Campbell. Visitors during the week with Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Morenz were Mr. & Mrs. Lorne Devine, Grand Bend, Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Wolfe, Dashwood, Bill Morenz and friend, Goderich. Mr. & Mrs. Gus Van Massenhoven, Anita Ronnie and Michael visited Saturday with the children’s grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Frank Wouters of Glan- worth. Heavy Duty Self Serve 10W30 Motor Oil Heavy Duty Union Carbide ICE SCRAPER Reg. $1,99 99* q - $1.49 Humpty Dumpty Chips All Flavours R^g 994 88* Cricket Disposable _ _« Lighters Reg. $1.49 ®® Silverwoods 2% 3 Gt. Bag Toastmaster Table Pride Bread 24 <«. Neilsons Famous ICECREAM 2 Litre Reg. $2.29 $1.99 Coca-Cola 26 oz. Pius Dep. 3/88’ 3/*1.45 or 55$ ea. $1.59 Wilson's Jewellery Beside Bank of Montreal Exeter PURCHASE A FINE QUALITY BRIDAL-KNOT DIAMOND Free Annual Insurance Pleasing you pleases US ■MEMBER AUTOGRAPH SEEKERS ~ At Tuesday's Lions Sportsmen's Dinner Milt Wilcox of the Detroit Tigers signs autographs for Cindy Fisher and Sheila Edwards. T-A photo February StationeryIS*3 February Station© V SPECIALS GUILD STATIONERS Self-Adhesive — 12 colours__ ______ File Folder Labels Sugg. $1.20 Roll a, nd, 10..,’1.35 Coil Back With Centre Line Steno Note Books Sugg. 72$ SAVE ON Figuring Pads Sugg. $1.15 10 For * 7.95 From Papermate Flair Markers Sugg.69$ Papermate Jumbo Refills Sugg. 99$ 49’ d.,*5.49 *9.00 Doz. Single Price - 75$ Stax On Steel Files Letter Size - Sugg. $15.95 Legal Size - Sugg. $16.95 $12.95 $13.95 Reversible File Folders Letter Size - Sugg $9.90 $5.50 Livingstone's STATIONERY AND GIFTS MAIN ST, 235-2973 ... EXETER . per 100 dr. • Legal Size - Sugg $12.00 $6.75 p.,™ More bowling DALEY’S WEEKLY COMMENTS By SID DALEY By popular request a Second mixed bowling party will be held Sunday, February 19 beginning at 1.00 p.m. at the Lucan bowling lanes. Following bowling we return to the Branch for euchre, cribbage, darts or shuffle board. You may play anything you like, I after which we will have a pot luck feast. So make it a I date to meet with good friends for an enjoyable afternoon. Attention all children of Lucan and area at 1.00 p.m. Saturday February 18 the Lucan Legion will be holding their annual skidoo party. So dress up warmly and come on over. At around 5.00 p.m. you will be served with hot dogs and hot chocolate. Any persons with a snow vehicle who would like to volunteer an afternoon entertaining the children and showing them the proper use of a snow vehicle are urgently required, after all it is the volunteer who makes the day, we just set it up. See yu there chaps. Please don’t forget, voluhteers are required to assist with the Leprechaun atom hockey tournament which will be held on the weekend of February 17, 18 and 19. and if you have a spare bed and would like to house one of these young gentlemen please give Pat Clark or Donna Freeman a call. It is only through the co­ operation of all citizens that these tournaments are successful. Won’t you do your part? Got your Wintario tickets yet? Branch 540 has them. The response for the donation of Dominion Store tapes has been most en­ couraging. Keep them coming folks and help the Legion help your neighbour, who knows maybe sometime even you may even wish to borrow a piece of hospital equipment. Here’s a fun night for you. Saturday, February 25 between 9.00 p.m. and 1.00 a.m. ‘amateur night’ in the upstairs hall. SO tune up those old guitars and your. do, ra, me’s add come on, over for a few laughs and a whole lot of fun. A ohe man band will be ih attendance to assist with your act if required. Sounds like fun, eh, come on over and see for yourself, in­ cidentally don’t forget to bring along your act with you. And that’s 30 for this week — remember — It’s easy to laugh at trouble when you haven’t any.