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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1978-09-07, Page 4Ppge 4 Times-Advocate, September 7, 1978 The costs continue One of the constant criticisms dur­ ing the lengthy strike at Fleck Manufacturing was the cost of the huge contingent of Ontario Provincial Police men and women assigned to keep peace on the site. Taxpayers generally were chagrin­ ed upon reading that it was costing them over $1,000,000 to have the police in the area in such numbers. That no doubt was one of the most welcome aspects of the end of the strike for the general public. However, if taxpayers heaved a huge sigh of relief, it may have been premature. They’re still paying for police involvement in the strike and in­ dications are they may be for some time to come. An OPP inspector and one Con­ stable have been assigned to help the Crown Attorney build a case against some of the people charged on the picket line. The people were the of­ ficers involved in the incident on May 24 when riot-equipped police moved in to clear a path for the bus carrying non­ strikers to work. One picketer was knocked down and several have laid complaints of assault against policemen as a result of that incident and an extensive investigation is un­ derway with Ontario taxpayers footing the bill. This, no doubt, will be followed by lengthy and costly court battles. The pickets complained constantly about the cost of the police involve­ ment, but they are now apparently be­ ing well served by the investigation on their behalf by “the pigs”. There’s some question whether they deserve that consideration from the people they maligned, criticized and verbally abused. The pickets have every right to ex­ pect the police to assist in the in­ vestigation of their charges. That’s the job of the law enforcement per­ sonnel. But so too was it their job to keep peace on the picket line although that was a fact often disputed by the UAW supporters. “Of course there are fish in here — I heard one cough.” The numbers game BATTN AROUND The unseemly squabble between Ottawa and the provinces over who should be in the lottery business raises the question of whether government should be in it at all. From the relatively modest original concept of raising money for the Olympics, lotteries have grown into a national extravaganza. All provinces, along with the federal government, are in the business, and Canadians this year will likely spend about $1 billion on lottery tickets. The money left over after paying the prizes and administration costs goes to a variety of worthy purposes. But does government need to exploit the gambling instinct to raise this money? The meagre data on who buys lottery tickets indicate that purchasers come from all income groups and strata of society. But many of those who buy are low-income earners and for them a lottery purchase constitutes a regressive form of taxation, if only because the price of the ticket they are encouraged to buy is a higher propor­ tion of their income. The planned expansion of. the lotteries into fancy “number games”, wherein ticket buyers punch in their own numbers in the hope of striking it rich, means that the government is as hooked on lotteries as a way to raise money as are many of the players. Before governments get deeper and deeper into the lottery business surely some hard questions should be asked about the effect of this fantasy­ world operation on the people — and so their governments. Furthermore, it seems a little incongruous to have our politicians exhorting everyone to work harder and not expect an ever-soaring standard of living, while at the same time they are up to their necks in a business that promises the chance to become a millionaire overnight. Little service goes, a long way Going to the...cats It was with a trembling heart last week that we read that Ontario municipalities are ^considering a re­ quest for a change in the BNA Act in order to — of all things — allow them to licence cats as well as dogs. Heaven forbid. It never fails; whenever there is mention of some canine fracas or other in council and the proceedings are duly reported in the paper, we can rest assured the repercussions will be great indeed. We shudder to think what would happen in the case of cats running at large. We are well aware that some dog types have long argued that they are being discriminated against as com­ pared to other pet owners — cat owners in particular. Nonsense. There is a very good reason why cats aren’t licenced — a reason rooted in tradition that should be considered very careful­ ly before any mention of change is even breathed. Medieval Europe knew the value of cats. As the great plague swept across the continent and old and young alike fell victim to the Black Death, the low­ ly cat was the only defence against the engulfing disease. It might even be said that in those times, the cat was king as far as the animal world is concerned. Why? Because the cat killed the rats and mice which carried the dreaded plague. In olden days cats were also impor­ tant members of the ship’s crew on long ocean voyages — again for the same reason, to kill the rats aboard the vessels. It all makes you think that without the amount of cats we have roaming around towns and cities today, the ro­ dent population might be a cause for concern rather than a sometime nuisance. The best mousetrap in the world is still the four-legged variety with whiskers that meows. When dog­ owners can prove their pets provide a similar service to mankind, then socie­ ty can reassess the merits of licencing or not licencing. For the time being, let’s not mess with tradition. Instead of thinking about licencing cats, municipalities would do better to consider increasing the penalties for persons found un­ loading sacks of kittens on roadsides, etc. Like many of our other problems, the cat problem is caused by humans failing to take responsibility for their pets. Instead of licencing pets; perhaps we should licence pet owners after making sure they are qualified regar­ ding the care and control of their animals. Listowel Banner Having been a “tourist” recently, the writer was interested in a travel in­ dustry task force which last week reported that, excessive government regulation is slowly strangling Canada’s $10-billion tourist industry. The task force also had some unkind words for many tourist operators, noting their lack of suitable accom­ modation and service, while at the same time demanding exorbitant rates. Our experience, and those related by a couple of fellow employees, would in­ dicate that tourists are being turned off by some operators. During a visit to Niagara Falls recently, one chap at the office phoned a motel for a reservation and found out that the cost of a room for the night ; was $58. He naturally looked for ac­ commodation elsewhere. Our holiday was spent at Wilderness Lodge, and while the name implies that one should not expect much in the way of red-carpet treatment, the service that was provided left much to be desired. Upon our arrival, the hostess advised that our cabin was “at the bottom of the hill”. Armed with that direction, we drove off for the bottom of the hill, only to find that there were in fact three cottages at the bottom of the hill and no indication which one was to be our home for the next five days. Had she taken the time to walk the few steps to the top of the hill to point out exactly which cabin was allotted it would have alleviated the nuisance of wandering about the camp site and finally dispatching one of our members to go back to the office to ascertain ex­ actly which cabin was ours. k k k Times Established 1873 Once unpacked, the fishermen were eager to try their luck, and a couple headed back to the office to make arrangements for one of the many boats stationed on the beach. Their enthusiasm was dampened somewhat on being advised that the rental rate was $8 per day. A motor would cost an additional $10 per day, plus gas. While that appeared a little steep, it was quickly dismissed as being the price one must pay for services in the north, and the boys decided to forego the motor and head out to find the fishing holes on the strength of their rowing arms. However, investigation showed that oars were not available. This required another trip up the steep hill to ask for those necessities.. Again their enthusiasm was dampened when they were advised there were no oars and they would have to propel the large row boat across the. lake by using the canoe paddles. As they were about to push off from shore, father reminded them that they required life jackets. Again, another trek up the hill, and again the dis­ heartening reply that life jackets were not available. To top it off, there were two anchors for the dozen boats available, and we engaged in a “first come, first served” battle with our fellow tourists for the balance of the week, until we ran across a discarded minnow bucket that was rigged up for our own use on the final two days. * * the water supply, and while it may only have been due to the change from our normal consumption, some warning to that effect would have appeared ap­ propriate upon our arrival in view, of the malady suffered by many of those who preceded us. Such information could have been provided when we were advised that wood was not available for the stove or fireplace and we would have to gather what we could from the nearby bush. Despite the foregoing, our holiday wasn’t ruined by any means at Wilderness Lodge, and our cabin was cleaner and more spacious than many available in fishing camps. However, the little frustrations do add up to take the edge off what could have been a tremendous time with a little more consideration by our hosts, as well as the availability of some of the necessities for a family to enjoy a week in the bush. k k k This week, the writer will have opportunity to compare services Canada with those in Germany, we’re heading across the big waters to watch Canada’s NATO troups in an ex­ ercise near Lahr. The jaunt is being arranged through the department of national defence and six weekly newspaper personnel from across the province will be on hand to relate to the people at home what our troops are doing. While details are a little sketchy, we understand about 25,000 Canadian, Ger­ man and other NATO troops will be in­ volved in the field exercise and we’re looking forward to the experience, to say nothing of the fact a pre- Octoberfest party will be progress. Hopefully, we’ll have a chance to meet any area natives serving in Ger­ many. Till then, offweedersein (we should do well communicating eh?). Greatness is just a state of mind. What, after all, distin­ guishes the outstanding poli­ tician from the merely good? Normally, dedication and effort. Or, what separates the wonders of the world from the passing tourist attrac­ tions? Not much other than an extra dose of architec­ tural input. And what makes the dif­ ference between the world’s greatest athlete and all the rest? A heck of a lot more determination. It’s the same thing - be­ lief that the nation can be great - that produces the truly impressive civilizations. The United States progressed from a few muddy villages to global domination almost entirely because its people possessed that ambition to be great. And it began to de­ cline when the people started to have doubts about their national abilities. Greece. Rome. The British Empire. Pick an exceptional nation and you’ll always find an ex­ ceptional state of mind. Canada has always pos­ sessed two of the three ingre­ dients for greatness — resour­ ces and talent — but we’ve lacked the essential third - the expectation that great­ ness is not only possible but inevitable. We’ve never deve­ loped a Canadian culture be­ cause it was easier to import whatever the Americans were passing around. We’ve never developed our own re­ sources because the Ameri­ cans, Germans, Japanese and a lot of other great peoples made it too easy for us to accept their firms. Our sports teams are dominated by im­ ported athletes (“Our im­ ports can beat your imports” is the battle cry of Canada’s professional sports) and our universities seek out foreign- educated professors. And so it goes. But something wonderful happened out in Edmonton, demonstrating that Canada can, indeed, be great. At the Commonwealth Games, Ca­ nada - the former 98-pound- weakling of nations - clean­ ed up in the medals depart­ ment. Granted, some of the truly heavyweight athletic nations — notably the U.S.A, and Russia — weren’t on hand, but it was a mighty satisfying display just the same. Don Talbot, the national men’s swim coach this year, explained recently that the team polled the swimmers on the subject of nationalism before and after the Games. Before the Games, Canada was regarded as rather sec­ ond-rate. Afterwards, it was a different story and the swimmers loved their coun­ try. Just as important, the country loved the swimmers. Are athletics all that far removed from government and public policy or from economic excellence? In one sense, they all function in the same manner — outstanding government will beget better politicians just as gold medals in swimming will encourage more Canadians to try the sport. On the other hand, however, we are sorely lack­ ing in examples of govern­ mental or business excel­ lence. What this country needs most of all is the belief that economic greatness is possi­ ble. Edmonton should have shown us the way to the top in more than just athletics. "Think small" is an editorial message from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business© •k Readers will recall our nose­ provoking experience with the humus toilet in our cabin from last week’s report, but we failed to mention that all four of the Batten boys came down with a bad case of 24-hour sickness dur­ ing the week, keeping mother busy holding heads and cleaning up messes and father heading out to rinse off towels and blankets and hanging them out to dry. In talking with other tourists, we found several of them had also ex­ perienced internal problems during their stay and one staff member in­ dicated half the people who had visited during the summer had experienced similar problems. This naturally made us suspicious of Now looks like ancient ruins an in as 20 Years Ago Exeter Dairy Ltd. which earlier in the year amalgamated with the Highland dairy, this week announce the purchase of the Maple Leaf Dairy, Seaforth, effective Monday. William Pullen and Don Taylor registered this week at the University of Western Ontario. Mrs. Aimer Passmore, R.R. 1 Woodham, won the permanent possession of Gram’s trophy, a silver rose bowl donated by the Exeter Times-Advocate in the domestic department at the Exeter Fair this year. For three years she has won the rose bowl which now belongs to her for keeps. Carolyn Oke, 18-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lome Oke, R.R. 3 EXeter has been chosen to represent Ontario 4-H clubs at the International 4-H Congress in Chicago, November 29 to December 5. 15 Years Ago Three men at RCAF Station Centralia have been awarded promotions by air force headquarters. G.A. “Curly” Ebel was named sergeant in the fire fighter branch: R.E. “Andy” Anderson of the electrical technician branch was named corporal; and J.R. “Rick” Souchereauj who serves in the com­ munications operators branch was also promoted to corporal. Several hundred school children competed in the Hensall School Fair Tuesday. One of the big winners was Ruth Coleman, No. 7 Hibbert who won several flower classes. Bishop J.C. Cody, London officially opened the blessed Precious Blood Separate School Sunday. The two- room school began operation about a year ago. , 55 Years Ago Rain on'Tuesday marred what promised to be one of the best fairs in the history of Exeter. In spite of it, a large number was present. A demonstration for candling and grading eggs was conducted by Mr. C.R. Hooper and Inspector Morrison, Loridon. The James Street Methodist Church was filled to capacity Sunday evening to hear J.J. Mahoney, for­ mer theological student of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Mahoney spoke under the auspices of the LOL. Mr. Garnet Miners carried off a large number of prizes with his Yorkshire hogs at the London Fair last week. Mr. Robert Patterson, one of the highest esteemed businessmen of Hensall has sold his flour and feed business to Mr. G. Case and son, Garnet of Hensall. Miss Cooper, Kippen, who has recently been employed in Toronto has taken a position as bookkeeper of Mr. T.C. Joynt, in Hensall. 30 Years Ago The new primary class in the Exeter Public School totals 44. The class meets in the Exeter Library with Mrs. Jameson as teacher. Beverley Skinner suffered a broken leg and a gash requiring 12 stitches to close when a tractor he was driving ran over him. A public speaking contest for children was a novel feature of mid-afternoon at the Zurich Fair. Mr. and Mrs. Carey Joynt have returned home from their wedding tour. The Exeter Public Library is being redecorated. Miss Murna Pym, Exeter is one of 34 probationers at St. Joseph’s Hospital, London. full of deepest hatred, or with a new tolerance, love, whatever. After these preliminary alarming notes, I’m forced to admit we had a trip that was merveilleuse, bellissima, fantastic and wunderbar. See how travel broadens one? It’s not only the way travel is broadening. I can eat and drink anything and never gain an ounce. But I watched with growing horror as some of the ladies in our group, who began the trip fairly svelte, went up like balloons under a steady barrage of French pastries, Italian pasta, Dutch du lings, Swiss chocolate, and a five- course dinner every night. I mentioned our “group.” Yes, we were bourgeois enough to take a guided tour. Many people, particularly the young, sneer at this. “That’s no way to see the real Europe,” they pontificate. To some extent, I agree. The best way to do it is with a back-pack, a year to spend, and a sucker of a father back home, ready to bail you out. But middle-aged couples who can hardly carry the garbage out aren’t fit to slug around , all day with a sixty­ pound pack on the back. Most young couples with three weeks holidays haven’t the time. And many other people, who have both the time and the strength, just don’t want the grubbiness of hotels and hitch-hiking, suspect water, filthy toilets and the ever-present danger of being ripped off or winding up in the local clink for some unknown reason. If you have the constitution of a bull moose, the alimentary ability of an earthworm, the faculty of sleeping anytime, anywhere, like a cat, a cast- iron stomach, and a very friendly bank manager, by all means take a trip to Europe. If, on the other hand, you have fallen arches, constipation, hemmorhoids, a tricky stomach, insomnia, an aversion to heights or public toilets or foreigners, and less than twice as much money as you think you’ll need, by all means don’t. You start off eagerly to Europe to look at ancient ruins, and come home looking like one. They tell me there are 50 million lit­ tle old ladies tearing around Europe taking notes and pictures, missing none of the sights, eating the most incredi­ ble food, and slugging down the vino when they wouldn’t even take a sherry at Christmas, back home. I believe it. I’ve seen them. But there’s one less now. I set off in a pretty good shape, in my prime. I came home feeling like a little old lady. If you have a loathing for winos, don’t go. You’ll probably come back one yourself. If you aren’t gregarious, don’t like people, feel some kind of phobia in mobs, don’t go. You’d be mis­ erable. If you tend to get sick on buses, air­ planes, trains, and boats, better stay home. You’d feel sick all the time. If you are going with a spouse or companion, you’ll end your trip either Unless you are filthy rich, have a good working knowledge of several languages, and have plenty of time, take my word. Take a planned tour. We were lucky, lucky. We were a mixed bag of about 42: Americans, Australians and Canadians. There wasn’t one sour apple in the barrel. Everybody was concerned when someone was lost, or sick, or a bag was missing. We shared picnic lunches on a train, bottles of-wine on a boat, hair­ dryers and irons, kisses and hugs and jokes and worries. Everybody kept an eye on the ubi­ quitous Larry, 8, and game Granny, 75, both of whom came through with flying colors. We became a large family. Two sprightly ladies from Texas insisted (and they weren’t kidding) that we all have a reunion in that sovereign state at Christmas. When we had our farewell party in Paris, it was a combination of New Year’s Eve and the Mardi Gras. I was kissed and hugged and wept upon by so many ladies of various ages, shapes and accents that I was wishing the trip was starting all over again. Perhaps that was the greatest thing we learned on the trip, although the whole thing was a tremendous educational experience in art and history — that almost all people have a warmth and decency and plain Amalgamated 1924 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Clast Mail Registration Number 0386 Advocate Established 1881 imes - Advocate I — r« K • Need* LmAam* a™ sanI fertrtag See* Nwm,North MMMhon K • Ntsth LuofetoM finrv K7J 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 -r Harry DeVries Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Phone 235-1331 (♦CNA SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $11.00 Per Year; USA $22.00 ,2 goodness in them, once the everyday facade is broken through. There was another way in which we were extremely for­ tunate, as well. We had — and I say it without qualifica­ tion, the best tour guide and the best bus driver in all of Europe, Annette and Giovanni. For the first couple Of days, I thought Annette, a blonde Dutch girl, was a relic of the Gestapo, as she bullied, push- ad> p?1 arS1®(!’ and r°unded up stragglers like a sheep thought Giovanni was a rather surly Italian. How wrong one can be! day three, we all knew that Annette knew her way h^°aU?^?,!rOipeias w,e know our waY aroqnd our own she knew how to get us, ahead of the mobs, to ac? J° A t0 sh°P’ to 8° to the toilet. By the la j us through the hair-pin roads of Ivlrvai Alps,..and had helped every lady off the bus at Fate? St°P' W1 h 9 smi e’ we knew lle was Prima- More