The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Brussels Post, 1973-08-15, Page 4Elmer 's ‘immer Colo ), (Mite, ,t 4 iikkh ELMER rule is being broken here? ELMER'S 6 RULES 1 t ook all ways be. fore you c ross the street. 2 Keep from between Parke d cars.. 3 Ride your bike safely and obey all signs and signals. . 4 Play Your games in safe a place away from the street. 5. the c Wa/ku rb. when you leave 6, Where there a r e no i?Fte wsiadleks :fa thy, lkhont h ro a d facing traffic. 1 NV* I 11 S N I I I ow- zireum. Plaque recalls noted native of Huron Canadian Riurnalism, he was not only intimately versed in the changing problems bf his native Dominion, but his adept sense of the community of British interests throughout the Etnpire enabled, him to write ofCanadian , affairs with a detachment and' breadth of vision' rarely sur- passed, He was a journalist by temperament and convictions . . .As editor of the Toronto, "Globe" and later the "Daily News" he 'took a very active tpraorvte risni es Canadian f f rom t political tie early 'nineties onwards and formed, close' friendships with all the; leaders of public opinion. It was characteristic of him that he made friends everywhere, even among his political opponents. His alertness, frank- ness and wide knowledge and calm judgement aroused a sympathy; and respect that were never • limited by party. It was these qualities that made him so trust- worthy an interpreter of current events. Thoroughly British, he was intensely Canadian, and' his literary gifts, revealed in his delightful volume of reminis- cences in his contributions to our columns and during a long journalistic career in his own illuminating exposition of the political and personal forces that Prompted the modern develop- ment of Canada. An historical plaque come memorating the outstanding Canadian Canadian journalist, Sir John Stephen Willison, will be unveiled on the ground& of the Zurich Community Centre on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The plaque is one of a series being erected throughout the province by the. Historical and Museums Branch, Ministry of Colleges and Uni- versities, acting on the advice of the Archaeological and His- toric Sites Board of Ontario. Sunday's ceremony is being arranged and sponsored by the Zurich Village Council, and Reeve J.M. Turkheim of Zurich will act as programme chairman. Others expected to take part in- clude: Reeve J. Hoffman, Hay Township; Reeve A. McKinley, Stanley Township; J.K. Riddell,' M.F.P. (Huron) R.E. McKinley t, M.P. (Huron); and Leslie Gray of London who will represent the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. The plaque will be unveiled by James Mc Allister, a lifelong resident of Hay Township, and will be dedi- cated by Rev. A.C. Blackwell, Lutheran pastor of Zurich, and Father A. Durand of Zurich. The inscription on the plaque reads: SIR JOHN STEPHEN WILLISON 1856-1927 ()Deaf Canada's most influen- t., tial political journalists and an ardent advocate' of Imperial Federation, Willison was born on a Jarm about four miles north- east of here. He began his career in* 1881 with the London Adver- Wier. Two years later he joined the Toronto Globe and in 1890 was appointed chief editor of that influential Liberal' organ.' In1902 he resigned to become editor of the independent Toronto News (1902-1917) and in 1910 was named Janadian correspondent of The Times of London. Willison sup- ported the Conservatives, in the election of 1911 and was knighted in 1913 for his contribution to journalism. His many written Wolles include a notable biography of SirWilfrid Laurier. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The son of a Huron County farmer, Willison was born near Hills Green, Huron County, on November 9, 1856. In 1881 he joined the staff of the ogf,ondOn Advertiser'', and two years later he joined the "Toronto Globe". In 1890 he was appointed chief editor of this newspaper, regarded by most at the turn pf the century as the most influen- tial organ of Liberalism in Canada. In 1902, however, he resigned from the "Globe", claiming . . "In fact, party journalism meant for me simply a succession of quarrels and at last I withdrew". A year earlier (January 29,, 1901) he had written to his friend Clifford Sifton, Minister of the: Interior, resenting , "the assumption of every Liberal poli- tician that I am his hired man. .'t.: He admitted that.. am a Liberal and the Globe is. a Liberal paper but it seems to me that under the circumstances a little more gratitude for what we do and a little less censure for what we do not do would be more becoming." From 1902 to 1917 he edited the independent "Toronto Daily News" and served as well as the Canadian correspondent for the London "Time". It may be that he treasured this connection with a newspaper he seems to have viewed as the model of independent' journalism. In an early message 'to the readers of the "News", he insisted: "The party press has its own field of service and we cannot think that a legitimate oallianos With a political organization is by any means a contemptible con- nection. Some of the best jour- nals in the world maintain such a connection with sef-respect, dignity and to the distinct advan- tage of the people. Such.journals as the NeW York "Post" and the "London Times" serve in another field - although the "Times" is perhaps a standing counsel for all administrations - and they too discharge important functions in the great scheme of popular government. The. "News". . .will at least en- deavour to win the respect if it cannot always carry the judge- , ment of the country." Despite this striving for in- dependence,, willison moved more and more into open support of the Conservatives. His oppo- sition to the building of a new transcontinental railway, his ob- jection to the provision for separate schools in the Autonomy Bills for the creation of the, new provinces of Alberta and Saska- . tchewan, and his intense dis- approval of Laurier's coolness to the idea of imperial Federation alienated him from his -erstwhile allies. His uneasiness at what he regarded as the unethical practices of some. Ontario Liberal, politicians further • underscored this dissatisfaction. The result was that in the elec- tion of 1911 he openly Supported the Conservatives. Willison was knighted in 1913. As he saw it the title was con- ferred on him 'because ". . .it was desired to honour journalism in the Dominion and I was selected as the medium, through which the desire of the Crown should take' effect". His contributions in- cluded : The Railway Question in Canada (1897); The New Cana.clas (1912);- Lessons From the Old World. His major work, however, was a sympathetic bio- graphy of Sir Wilfrid Laurier entitled. Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Liberal Party: A political History, first published in 1903. In 1925 he founded "Willison's Monthly", a national magazine devoted to the discussion of devoted to the discussion of public affairs affecting Canada and the Empire. It was edited by his son until it ceased publication in 1929. He died on May 27, 1927, in Toronto. A biographer wrote, with a great deal of justification: "There is scarcely aparallel in the political annals of Canada to the silent authority he wielded in politics, in social legislation and in constitutional dis- cussions." The day after his death, the "Times" wrote:' "A distinguished figure in ' TURN ONS DDT, MoM SHAKESPEARE USED THEM ! WELL, DON'T" PLAY sNAKEGPEARE ANYMORE IF HE USE SUCI-1 RAD NORPSI The Eimer rule broken here is number • Seethenew Hoof ;I:Simpiicitii washers&dryers at p.C,CeSSOR SOS tac.11 cootaAns 4aluatAe hem s lot Your 11.Ate HOW TO ENTER 1. Show Which Elmer rule is being broken above and colour 'the picture, 2c EIII'Out entry form. Print clearly: 3.-Cut out biotin dotted lines and mail tO address shown. 4, My Canadian child between 6 and 14 may enter, All entries beetited property Of Eimer the Safety Elephant. Judges' deci- sion final. MAIL BEFORE AUG 21 TO: ELMER Box 1040, Station B, Toronto, Ont. M5T 2T8 NAMIt .... 444444 00000 .. . . e ADDRESS 14 :• . 46 ... . .. .. 4.4 . A . 0'0MS 4r doh dostal code) t .... ... . . A A.. Q OLIVIELD'S'I •llARDWAltig .0/47,4131: .144404 THE BRUSSELS *44-44 POirt AUGUit i5,r 1973 ONTARIO SAFETY LEAGUE' AGE ..„—: Goy • 'THE 'BRUSSELS Mt 1.1.0-1.I •