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Times-Advocate, 1978-07-13, Page 4Wage 4 Times-Advocate, July J3, 1978 The place to start In view of the tensions at high levels over the determination of the parti Quebecois to pull Quebec out of the Canadian confederation, it’s reassuring that through one institution anyway the avenues of communication between French-speaking and English- speaking Canada are wide open. Visites interprovinciales, an organization es­ tablished in 1936 to place English- speaking students in French-speaking homes for a few summertime weeks and the French-speaking in English- speaking, is doing a booming business. Since its inception, an estimated 12,000-13,000 Canadian youngsters of one or the other language have been in­ volved in the program (as have a small number of foreign youth). Last year alone, there were 2,144 participants and this year it is expected 4,000 will be involved. As suggested by the fact that the organization at this moment is attempting to find accommodation in Quebec for 512 applicants from Van­ couver, the heaviest flow is from, rather than to, English-speaking Canada. The PQ government, according to Francois de B. Gravel, a Quebec City lawyer and the national president of Visites, is providing more support to the organization than did its predecessor. Both Ontario and Quebec are giving $8,000 grants this year. Visites Interprovinciale is trying to negotiate a $40,000 grant from Ottawa to help cover mounting administrative costs. It also receives corporate donations from such benefactors as Alcan Aluminum and the chartered banks. All of this is mighty good news. If this country is to survive, attitudes have to change. And, if attitudes are to change, the start has to be made with the coming generation. Friction can be cured It is inevitable that some friction between politicians and the press will occur from time to time if the press is doing its job properly. Much of the con­ flict arises from a misunderstanding of the separate roles that councillors and reporters must play. It is not the function of a reporter to be the council’s public relations agent. If searching out the truth creates a few embarrassing moments for members of council, then that must be accepted as part of the political process. Individual councillors also have a role to play as watchdog. Although one person’s expressions of opposition may ruffle a few feathers on council, coun­ cillors who feel a particular policy should be changed are duty-bound to come'forward and speak up. In too many cases, local politicians treat council as if it were a private club and consider it bad form to publicly dis­ agree with another member. Council is not a club, however. It is a public policy-making institution. Each member of council should faithfully represent his constituents as he sees fit. At times, this may mean taking an opposite position to other members of council, but it must be remembered that an individual’s primary allegiance is to the electorate, not to other councillors. Instead of covering up for each other and blaming the press for “kick­ ing up dirt,” councillors should be questioning why there is so much dirt lying around in the first place. We would also urge more grass roots involvement in government in mid-term. In many communities, ac­ tive citizens’ organizations keep coun­ cil members on their toes between elections. These groups also ensure that good candidates come forward at election time and that the issues are debated. One change we would frankly welcome is the presence of more women on our township councils. These bodies have been the sacred preserve of the male of the species for long enough. Women are just as intelligent as men and in many cases have more time to devote to the office. In the meantime, we would like to pass on some guidelines that Michael Smither, editor of Municipal World Magazine, recently suggested to coun­ cillors. 1. Recognize your office as a public trust. It never belongs to the of­ fice holder. 2. Understand that for the proper discharge of your responsibilities, not only must the public be aware of what you are doing, but you must also be aware of the public reaction. 3. Clearly separate in your mind the role of the corporation and your role as an individual member of that council. 4. Keep restrictions imposed upon the media to a minimum. 5. Give the media the facts only. Don’t try to write the story. 6. If you can’t, or won’t, answer a question, don’t beat about the bush. Say so. Glengarry News . Then again, your point on the combat readiness of women in the armed forces is well taken. ” BATT’N AROUND ** • » ■ Need more than usual handful Morality on the road Canadians are killed in automobile accidents at the rate of more than ten a day and it has been estimated that between five and ten percent of the beds in our general hospitals are oc­ cupied by traffic-accident victims. Our highways are awfully bloody. Faulty design and mechanical failure have contributed significantly to the blood-sacrifice exacted from us for the privilege of having automobiles. Manufacturers, prodded by public opi­ nion and governmental action and probably by their own consciences, are showing increasing responsibility in the design and making of automobiles. Most garagemen seem to be men of basic honesty and competence, but there is ample evidence that some of them do careless work on our cars and trucks. But if every manufacturer and gar­ ageman agreed not to put a vehicle on the road until it had received Ralph Nader’s personal stamp of approval, we would still have serious road safety problems. When we have said all that there is to be said about the makers and maintainers of automobiles, we still have to come to terms with responsibilities of drivers, your respon­ sibilities and mine. A few years ago the Roman Catholic Church in France declared certain driving faults to be “sins”, which must be confessed. A spokesman for the French bishops pointed out that these are all “sins of pride”, and among them he listed dangerous speeding, illegal passing, and drunken driving. We are all proud of our driving ability: one gets the impression that about 95 percent of all drivers consider themselves above average in driving ability. Many of us, perhaps most of us, undergo subtle personality changes when we get behind the wheel of a powerful automobile — and a false and dangerous pride is an important ele­ ment in these changes. Road safety is not merely an engineering and legal concern: it is also a significant issue in personal morality, a matter of personal integri­ ty. A British organization, “Christian' Action”, used to publish adver­ tisements in which this declaration was made: “Carelessness on the roads is sometimes a crime — it is always a sin.” A major decision is quickly facing residents of Exeter, but it’s doubtful if more than a handful of people will be involved in the discussions which will precede that important consideration. The matter, is of course, the new of­ ficial plan and zoning bylaw. Council members have already given the zon­ ing bylaw a couple of readings and a public meeting will be held sometime in September to hear citizens’ opinions prior to the final passing of the documents which will guide the development and growth of the com­ munity in the years ahead. Exeter has had an official plan and zoning bylaw for several years now and the process being undertaken is basically an update. However, it is no less important than the consideration which had to be given the original documents. Unfortunately, past experience has indicated that only those with a direct interest in specific zoning areas take the time to review the plan and bylaw and make known their opinions. The list includes members of council and the planning board, along with local developers or owners of property that may be adversely affected by some of the zoning designations or implications of the plan. That is only natural, perhaps, but what most citizens fail to realize is that the documents contain the basic philosophy that will be followed in the next few years regarding the growth of the community. It will determine what type of development will take place in certain areas and will lay the groundwork for the residential, com­ mercial and industrial growth. Obviously, it is a matter in which all residents have a direct interest, not only in terms of what may happen in their specific neighborhood, but in the town as a whole. * * * There are already indications that the draft bylaw will undergo some ma­ jor changes. Members of council and the planning board have expressed differing views on what type of con­ trols they feel should be included. There are those who would like to see the documents less restrictive in nature, thereby providing more options for development. Others tend to think the town is better served without those options so in fact there are fewer choices of what type of development may take place in specific areas. In the past year, there have been several major disputes over the ex­ isting documents, such as the commer­ cial zoning at the north end. That will undoubtedly be a contentious issue in rthe amendments as well. F^While the downtown businessmen and the north end land owners and developers will have differing views on what should take place, they are not the only ones involved in the decision. Local citizens should also express their views, because the decision affects them as greatly as those more directly involved. It is perhaps unfortunate that the dis­ cussion on the official plan and zoning bylaw will take place in September, because it means that the study by municipal officials and private citizens must be undertaken during the summer months. The documents are not what one might normally term “light summer reading”. However, the discussion at last week’s council meeting indicates that most members realize the seriousness of the matter and are prepared to devote some of their time in an effort to digest it and prepare themselves for the deliberations. Hopefully, the majority of citizens will do likewise. It is impossible to foresee the future accurately enough to ensure that the new plan will serve the community for Everything in quadruplicate several years without any major amendments or problems. But they should be kept to a minimum if people take the time to study the matter and make their opinions known about what theywant to see in their neighborhoods and the community in its entirety. It is not a matter for a handful of people! * * * As most readers know, Doug Gould is not a man who easily has his ire raised, so it was rather surprising when the writer received a telephone call from him recently that left little doubt that he was not in his usual, happy frame of mind. The reason became rather obvious as he related his sad tale of woe. Seems the upstairs hall of the town hall had been rented for the periodic ses­ sion that the Unemployment Insurance Commission has with area residents who are on pogey. Doug was naturally pleased with that at the outset, because that is what the hall is for .. . to hold small gatherings and help meet the operating expenses. However, upon surveying the scene after the six-hour session, Doug found that one of the people who had visited the hall had.unceremoniously stamped out a cigarette butt on the carpet on the stairs. Needless to say, it left a very noticeable burn mark. In addition, almost a dozen scorch marks were found on the beautifully refinished hardwood floor, again the work of peo­ ple whose thoughtlessness is difficult to imagine. What is less difficult to imagine is Doug’s present opinion of some of the area’s unemployed. A Taxing l et’s assume, in the begin­ ning, that (lucky you) you are not a columnist and, there­ fore, have money to invest. And let’s analyze a few of your options. You can invest the money in oil exploration and claim an immediate income tax de­ duction. Ottawa encourages oil exploration. You can invest the money in apartment construction and claim an immediate in­ come tax deduction. Ottawa encourages apartment con­ struction. Or you can invest the money in Canadian movie production and claim an im­ mediate income tax deduc­ tion. Ottawa encourages pro­ duction-of Canadian movies. But, if you invest the mo­ ney in formation of a new business, Ottawa won’t allow you to claim an immediate income tax deduction. In other words, oil exploration, apartment construction and movie production (????) are all considered more impor­ tant than development of a solid Canadian business base. Just to refresh our memo­ ries, independent businesses provide jobs, increase GNP, improve the balance of pay­ ments, create more new pro­ cesses and products and keep the country less dependent on foreign control. But, un­ der existing tax laws, inves­ tors are encouraged to put their money into oil, apart­ ments and movies rather than independent business. So it’s not surprising that Canada’s small business community lacks investment capital. Before our taxes were “re­ formed” and a capital gains tax introduced,entrepreneurs could draw on many indivi­ dual investors for the money that was needed to set up all kinds of local businesses. But capital gains taxes took away the incentive for investing in independent businesses and entrepreneurs found that their source of capital had dried up. The government tried to correct the problem by set­ ting up the Federal Business Development Bank, a public agency which has the power to invest in private compa­ nies. But bureaucracy is never an adequate replacement for the free workings of private markets. In recent months, Ottawa has indicated that it realizes there are serious problems. The feds have decided that, if you lose your investment, you can now write off half of that loss against other in­ come. It’s better than before but it’s still not enough. If 50% is good, why not 100%? If, for example, a local em­ ployee is trying to recoup his losses from a previous small business venture that failed, why not reduce his taxable income by the amount of his lost investment? Investors are clever people - which explains why they have the investment capital in the first place. Consequently, they put their money where the return is best. As long as Ottawa refuses to treat invest­ ment in small business as generously as investment in oil, apartments or movies, there will not be enough money to meet the needs of independent business in this country. And a Canada with a weak small business sector is a weak Canada. "Think small" is an editorial message from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business© r ------------------------------------------ memorylane J Times Established Advocate Established 1881 imes - Advocate SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., 0.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eady Publications Limited LORNEEEDY, PUBLISHER Edit at —• Bill Batted Assistant Editor Ross Haugh Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett Composition Manager — Harry DeVries Business Manager — Pick Jangkind Phone 235-1331 W.'.' .. Amalgamated 1924 Publi«hed Rath fhurtday Meaning at Exeter, Ontario Second Chn* Mail Regitfration Humber O3B6 Paid in Advance Circulation September 30,1975 5,409 SUBSCRIPTION RAtES*. Canadd $11.00 Per Year; USA $22.00 ♦CNA Canadians, on the whole, are probably the most boring conver­ sationalists in the entire world. I don’t say that idly, merely to put backs up. I say it from agonizing personal ex­ perience. It’s not because we are a dull people, though we are. It’s not because we’re stupid, because we aren’t. It seems to be based rather on a sort of philistinism that labels interesting con­ versation as a “cissy” pastime, fit only for dilettantes, idealists, Englishmen of a certain background, educated Europeans and other such intellectual trash. Next time you’re at a dinner party or any similar gathering, lend an ear. The dialogue will depress you deeply. Perhaps the real fault lies in the fact that we are basically a nation of materialists, and that we have become more and more so, with the withering of the churches and the increasing affluence of our society. Our topics of conversation change with the decades, but remain awesomely inane in their content. A few decades ago, men could talk for hours about cars and hockey, while women chattered incessantly about children and recipes. Nowadays, the men talk about real estate and boats, and women go on and on about Women’s Lib and the trip abroad they have just taken or are just about to take. And they all say the same thing, or near enough. All of them, especially the men, are absorbed by their vocations, the sadistic cruelty of the revenue depart­ ment, and their latest acquisition, whether it’s a power cruise or a swim­ ming pool in the back yard, Get a gaggle of editors together and they talk shop, golf, and how much advertising linage they carried last year. Seldom a word about a powerful editorial campaign they are going to launch to halt an evil or promote a good. Dig up a deliberation of doctors, put a glass in each hand and listen to the drivel about the iniquities of medicare, the ingratitude of patients, the penal taxes they pay, and the condominium they just bought down south. Not a Best nor a Banting in the bunch. Lawyers are just as bad. They may be a bit more sophisticated than the doctors, but they’re just as dull. Drop­ ping hints of inside dope on politics. Obsessed by the possibility of getting a judgeship or at the very least, a Q.C. Criers of the blues about the taxes they pay. A party of politicians is even worse. Jostling for attention, back-slapping everything that is warm and breathing, needling the enemy, seeing everything in black and white. “They’re black; we’re white.” Joe Clark likes westerns on TV. It figures. The big shoot-out, and let the bodies of bystanders fall where they may. Behind the politicians, but not far, are the civil servants. Empire builders, defenders of the status quo. Everything in quadruplicate. Everything secret. The public is the enemy. Always go through channels. Keep your nose clean. Don’t get a black mark on your record. Dull, dull. Ah, ha! The farmers have been sit­ ting back enjoying this. They’re every bit as bad as the rest. It’s the government’s fault, It’s the chain stores’ greed. It’s the fickle public. It’s the weather: too hot, too cold, too dry, too wet; or, if the weather is perfect and the crops are superb, it’s taking too 'much out of the land. Busihess men are just as culpable of devastating dullness in their conversa­ tion. Too many forms to fill out. Lazy clerks. Second-rate workmen. Those dam’ shopping plazas on the edge of town. Manufacturers are in the same boat. Wages are too high. Can’t get parts, what’s the matter with those people? Too much absenteeism on Monday morning. Profit down .03 percent last year. Can’t compete with those lousy foreigners who work for peanuts. Too much government interference. Dentists ditto. They are just as dull as the others, but they commit the crime of asking a particularly dull question when your mouth is so full of juhk that all you can do is grunt, and then think you are interested and 55 Years Ago The judging of the school gardens took place on Saturday by W.C. Medd and J.S, Harvey. The prizes were awarded to the evident care taken, variety and condition of vegetables and arrangements. The awards were as follows: Mr. Howard’s room, Stella Northcott, John Kuntz, Harry Jennings; Miss Medd’s room, Helen Penhale, Gladys Hunkin, Orville Beaver, Russell Collingwood, Russell Snell and Roy Batten, Miss Flossie Vincent has resigned her position with R. McKenzie and Son and Miss A. Willard is taking her place. Miss Muriel Hogarth left Monday for Kingston where she will attend Queen’s University during the summer. The Plymouth Brethren held an open air service on Main Street Saturday evening. They have set up a tent near Victoria Park and are holding services each night, 30 Years Ago The first Junior Turnip club in Ontario was organized last week at the farm of Oscar Tuckey, Exeter. Dr, and Mrs. E. Steiner are in Guelph attending the Ontario Veterinary Association meeting. Victor Dinnin, principal of Zurich Public School took grades 7 and 8 on a trip to Toronto. In the 12 baseball games played this season, Gerry Smith with 14 hits in 35 tries leads the Exeter ball team at the plate. 20 Years Ago Sunday afternoon the new Balding organ was dedicated at the Thames Road Church service by Rev. H.C. Wilson. The general store of Emerson Kyle, Kippen has been purchased by the Ontario Department of High­ ways and will be demolished to provide better vision at the intersection of the county road and Highway 4. Mr. Kyle has operated the store since 1931. Margaret Sanders is the first SHDHS student to receive the bursary given by the Women’s Auxiliary to South Huron Hospital to a girl commencing training for the nursing profession. She will enter the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Sep­ tember. 15 Years Ago Record crowds swarmed to the Grand Bend resort on the week end in an attempt to beat 98 degree tem­ peratures. Max Harness, local Ontario Hydro driver won the western region’s truck roadeo for the third time last week, the first person to do so since Hydro began the safe driving tests. Winners of the Hensall Kinette’s $25 scholarship for highest standing in grade eight this year are Ricky Buchanan and Wendy Moir, both 14. Ann Creech, Eleanor Stan lake, Jim Knox and David Stringer were honored as the top boys and girls in the two grade eight classes at Exeter Public School. agreeing with their platitudes, when what you are trying to say is, “Shut up, turkey.” * y s As you know, I always save the best to the last. When it comes to dullness supremo in conversation, I have to hand it to the teachers. They go on and on and on about some kid ; W°1 dVIS homework, or some meaningless rtiemo from the office, or some student who decided to spend a nice June day in God’s great out-of-doors instead of m a dull classroom with a dull teacher. „Sbez.’%b<:,en barsb in,tWs somewhat blanket condem- nation. Certainly none of my friends are dull conver­ sationalists. Maybe that’s why I have so few friends. Or perhaps my remarks are based on pure envy, i haven’t ftonp? adi?SU?Vn F1<Lrida> haven’t eVen a row-boat, let alone a cruiser. I haven t a two-car garage, though I have twASys,«?Ig?te1en yeaIs between them. ® -t- fe°fusr 1 don t haVe a swimrning pool or a lit­ tle place — just forty acres, mind you — in the country, Mv Paratmav "thToihA UtS CaP b?‘ One kid 5s a missi0nary & Paraguay, the other can’t get a job. b 8 $tand avound with the doctors and RS; nfc;dtld.S0?.m,sefatawith them on the fact that going out of reach of the or­dinary professional man making only forty-five thou a year,