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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1981-06-10, Page 12IN CONSULTATION—Ontario Treasurer Frank. Miller (left) and Eugene Whelan, Federal Agriculture Minister, confer during a public meeting sponsored by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture in Toronto last week. (Photo by Gunby) Making changes to a watercourse? The waters of rivers, streams and creeks belong to everyone. Improper use of the watercourses which carry these waters may result in the following? - irrigation and drainage problems for neighbours - destruction of aquatic and wildlife habitat reduced recreational opportunities - erosion and flooding problems Whenever permanently flowing watercourses are to be altered in any way including damming, diverting, and channelization, Federal and Provincial laws require that the approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources be obtained. As a first step in planning any work on a watercourse, contact us. Our staff will be glad to discuss possible design and layout alter- natives which will minimize future problems for you, your neigh- bour and public in general. District Manager, Ministry of Ministry of Natural Resources, Natural R. R. # 5 WinghartvOntario Rosati MOS NOG 2W0 Ontario Al? — THE BRUSSELS POST, JUNE 10, 1981 Farmers confront politicians BY HERB SHOVELLER More than 900 angry Ontario farmers including many from Huron and Perth gathered in Toronto Thurs- day and jeered and called down federal and provincial government ministers when they would not commit them- selves to programs to protect agriculture from high inter- est rates and low production returns. Eugene Whelan, federal Minister of Agriculture, along with his provincial counterpart, Lorne Hender- son, were targets of most of the farmers' frustration at the three-hour long public meeting to provide the agri- cultural community with an opportunity to voice its con- cerns. Ontario Treasurer Frank Miller was on the receiving end of some of the bitter comments while Premier William Davis, an "unin- vited guest " who spoke briefly, slipped out of the meeting early, unscathed. Ralph Barrie, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Brian Ireland, an OFA director from Bruce County and Les- lie Van Trigt, a farmer from Haldimand-Norfolk who de- scribed his concerns about his future in farming, pre- sented the farmers' position. Glenn Flaten, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, also spoke. Though other issues such as foreign ownership were touched upon, staggering in- terst rates and inequitable returns on production re- mained the main issues of dispute. Throughout the steep climb in interest rates Mr. Henderson has maintained providing relief is a federal concern, and his insistence appeared to have paid off for him. After arriving late from Ottawa, Mr, Whelan was constantly called upon to answer' questions concerning interest rates. And whenever shots were aimed at the province, Mr. Miller fielded them. In the few instances when he did speak, however, the provincial agriculture mini- ster was regularly attacked. When Mr. Henderson be- gan his brief introductory address, "Through the years the government has tried to respond to problems as we see them," an irate farmer hollered "Bull....". LET'S TALK Later, when he explain- ed the government was in- terested and expected to hear from the farmers at the meeting, another audience member interrupted, saying, "High interest, let's talk about it." "1 agree," replied Mr. Henderson, "and we're going to have the federal minister here" to discuss them. "Quit passing the buck," challenged another farmer. Twice during his five min- ute address meeting chair- man Mr. Barrie had to call the audience to order, and when Mr. Henderson sat down he received scattered applause sprinkled with a small chorus of boos. Mr. Ireland, the third speaker of the afternoon, set the tone for the farmers' anger with his opening re- marks. "We are farmers, not mushrooms," he said, "and we don't have to be kept in the dark on a diet of horse- SOME PROGRESS In an interview later, Mr. Ireland issued a cooler assessment of the meeting's success. "I would think we made some progress. They showed concern by sending the premier and minister here. We seemed to get some kind of commit .ment from Frank Miller", and managed to score a few "brownie points." For Mr. Barrie, the suc- cess of the meeting will only be measured after discuss- ions with the government over the next month. "This was really essential for us," he explained in an interview following adjournment. "The secret in negotiating with the government" is in proving "we are speaking for the people." The solid turnout Thursday provided the evi- dence. Still, he admitted, the talks will be difficult. "Frank Miller is a pretty astute guy. He's not going to put a lot of money into short term sub- sidies for the sake of long term stability." An often mentioned rem- edy to provide an upturn in the fortunes of agriculture was a shift to supply man- agement, particularly in the red meat industry. Over-supply is currently a major ailment, and it was made clear, by both govern- ment speakers and agricul- tural spokesman, that the responsibility for better con- trol of inputs to the market- place rests with farmers. Though there are indica- tions pointing in that direc- tion, certain industries, not- ably beef, have resisted mar- keting boards and favour simple free enterprise. It is contended that a marketing agency would regulate flow of products to market to insure farmers recover their production costs and show a profit. "Hopefully the farmers will admit they can't manage their way, and get off their ego trip, or we're going to have poverty on the farm," said Andre Durand, a South Huron director on the county Federation of Agriculture. "The reason (for the current dilemma) is not interest rates, it's return on produc- tion. Milk has a quota, and they have no problems." Premier Davis touched on the issue in his address. "There's a real problem in the beef industry. Part of the solution lies in your hands," he told the gathering. "There has to be an aware- ' ness that part of the problem lies with the industry itself." The Premier described the intent of the government representatives at the sem- inar. "PM here to say there are limitations—that a govern- ment can in fact achieve. As a provincial government, we are prepared to give certain solutions to certain prob- lems, but we can't solve them all." He echoed Mr. Hender- son's comments on interest rates, saying they were a product of the "policy of the government of this country." "I can assure you we are prepared, with the assistance of the farm community, to take some steps," added the premier. "But they have to be logical, they have to work, and they have to assist those in genuine need." LUCKY ONES Next Mr. Ireland told the audience he had lost $60,000 in 1980, which meant his family of six lived on $13,000 last year. "I can't afford to be this generous for another year," he said "and I'm still one of the lucky ones." Along with government, Mr. Ireland also brought lending institutions under fire. "If the banks are such good corporate citizens," he asked, "Why are they runn- ing ads in the dailies to upgrade their image?" He emphasized Ontario farmers' anger over equal- ization payments by the fed- eral government. Ontario pays $1.5 billion into the fund. Quebec receives $1.8 billion. Mr. Van Trigt, a lifetime farmer, told the audience he was contemplating, whether to quit farming because he is being pinched by low mark- ets and high interest. He said he had taken a job as a crop insurance agent to cover his "day to day costs." He, too, urged that pork producers form a supply management agency. "1 fail to understand why the hog industry has not been forced under supply management," he wondered. "Most I talk to want farm management." Mr. VanTrigt challenged consumer organizations as well. "The consumer asso- ciation wants input on our boards," he said. "That's great. Maybe we should have farmers on the consumer board, and the machine manufacturer's board, and the food store board..." SON IS FARMER Mr. Miller opened his remarks by telling farmers his son has been farming for eight years and he has yet to break even. The minister said he owned 49 per cent of his son's operation, so was quite familiar with the prob- lems facing agriculture. Mr. Miller pledged to work "hard in the next two to three weeks" to find solu- tions. Mr. Flaten, CFA presi- dent, acknowledged the gov- ernment and banks are not the sole culprits in the cur- rent predicament. "In fair- ness," he explained, "some farmers have expanded be- yond their range of capabil- ities." ALEX SPEIRAN Alex Speiran, 87, formerly of 120 Brunswick St. Strat- ford died Tuesday May 26 at the R.E.C.U. Stratford Gen- eral Hospital. Born in Grey Twp. he was the son of the late George Speiran and the former Mary McCall. He was born, raised and farmed on the same farm in Grey Twp. until his retire- ment to Stratford in 1956. He was a member of St. John's United Church, a former member of the church session and active in the work of the church. He was a member of Monkton 1.0.0.F. Golden Rule Lodge No. 420. Surviving are his wife, the former Pearl Love of 25 Cawston St. Stratford; two daughters, Miss Olive Speir- an of 25 Cawston St. Strat- ford and Mrs. Jack (Edythe) Vipond of Mitchell, also two The president also stress- ed many sectors of the industry would be more stable if they had a market- ing structure. "Farmers must remember that to get a degree of stability goes hand in hand with giving up certain freedoms." "All of us agree that the long term solution must be to get adequate return from the market," he continued. "In order to do that, we must design the best marketing systeni available." "We need farmers to pull together, a united front for what we want, because farmers are fragmented." Mr. Whelan, noting there was no one villain in the agricultural problem, added not all sectors of farming are suffering. "I've had no let- ters from egg producers, broilers or dairy," he said. "If these prople are having problems, they're not telling me." grandchildren, Don Vipond of London and Liz Vipond of Stratford. He was prede- ceased by a daughter Greta, in 1946, and a sister Mrs. Laura Hammond in 1972. Funeral services were held at the Heinbuck Funeral Home on Friday May 29th at 11 a.m. Rev. Bruce Scott officiated.. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Ethel. The Golden Rule Lodge #420 IOOF Monkton held a memorial service at the fun- eral home Thursday evening conducted by acting Noble Grand Ken Brown and Chap- lain Bob Harrison. USE Post WANT-ADS Obitu ary