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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1974-06-26, Page 5Your credit-rating is priceless. This is what Ontario is doing to help you protect it. Ontario has passed a new Consumer Reporting Act, one of the most im- portant pieces of consumer legis- lation in the province's history. It deals with the reporting, ex- change and gathering of both credit and personal information related to your life-style and character. It goes into effect July 2,1974. After that date you'll have the right to know what is being reported about you and to whom. And if the infor- mation is inaccurate or incomplete, you'll have the opportunity to cor- rect it. This is particularly important be- cause, today, masses of information about your buying, credit and per- sonal habits are being collected, stored, and distributed by people you have never met. This information can influence where —or if —you will work, how much you can borrow, insurance you can obtain and whether you are acceptable as a tenant. So your gov- ernment here in Ontario has passed the Consumer Reporting Act to en- sure that you have access to your own file. The Act is designed to protect you, the consumer, as far as the law can do so. It guards your basic rights. It gives you a place to write for'help if you run into problems. To find out the many ways the Act works to your advantage, send for a free Consumer Reporting Act brochure. Write to: Consumer Reporting Registrar Ontario 20 Queen's Park Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1Y7 Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations John Clement. Minister •GOVerrienerit of Ontario Davis,Vllilliam Premier THE ,BRUSSELS POST, JUNE 2e X871--6 Australian visitors like Canadian pork 11y Jean Bewley The Alkemades are ''bb to Seaforth, Ontario, Canada. from Seaford, Victoria, Australia. Two years ago, they were here to visit their son Stan and his wife-to-be. This time, their new grandson is the center of attraction! At the home of son Stan and daughter-in-law Barbara on N. Main Street. They had intended ,corning during the winter shortly after their grandson Boe's birth but illness postponed their visit. On their first visit, a round-the world tour, Mrs. Alkemade broke her hip and spent some time in Seaforth hospital. she is still singing the praises of the hospital staff and Seaforth people who were so kind to her. She, showed a cane which had been completely around the world and now was back to its Seaforth owner. A little kindness goes a long way John (Jack) Alkemade is in business in Seaford. Originally he made air-conditioning equipment but has since branched out into related fields - sheet metal, etc. He also owns a small farm of around SO acres. When he bought it, he considered going into high density chicken farming, using his air-conditioning units to keep the chickens comfortable of course. The Alkemades are now using clay found on the farm to make brick. There are lots of jobs available in Australia and it is hard to keep employees. The building industry is at a high point and lures employees with high wages, making it difficult for small manufacturing concerns. The official work week is 40 hours but Mr. Alkemade says thirty hours is more realistic and common. In his business, Mr. Alkemade imports fans from Delhi, Ontario. Why? because they are cheaper than the same type made in Australia. With our cost of living? We asked. In Australia the market is limited so the manufacturer doesn't have the volume to use automation. The Delhi company exports these same fans all over the world. Electronic equipment is obtained from Canada also because of the limited market in Australia, again it just wouldn't pay a businessman to invest in the equipment required. The Metric Celsius system goes into effect July 1st this year in Australia. Mr.Alkernade commented that conversion is a tremendous expense. Road signs have not been changed yet but will be by July 1st. Sizes of cartons must all be changed to make an even amount for instance, a quart of milk weighs 2.47 litres so they change it to 2.5 but still charge for the sat/16 price. Their son Stan is not the first connection, the Alkemades have had with Canada. Mrs. Alkemade's grandfather emigrat ed to Australia from St. Marys, Ontario and was called "Canadian Jim". Both the Alkemades grew up on farms north of Bacchus Marsh, west of Melbourne. Seaford, where they live now is south of Melbourne, almost a suburb, on the east side of Port Phillip B ay.The road map shows it in the, coloured area denoting. Melbourne. They have two sons, Stan a veterinarian here and Don, who is married and lives in Seford and Works with the family business. Australian youth Want to travel and see the world, perhaps; Mt. Alkeinade's opinion, because they feel more isolated than other countries in the World. That jump across the country to get to anyp `"Z:ielunt y is so far, he says. Vancouver, the t h ey arrived in taxi to see, visitors engaged a' found some of the city and the taxi driver was from Sydney, Australia! Their reaction to driving on the right hand side of the road in Canada was: "Oh, those left-hand inside turns!" Mr. Alkemade. "When I'm a passenger, I feel as though I should have the steering wheel", Mrs. Alkemade. They have noticed a great difference in Canada in the two years since their last visit. The price and wage gap is narrowing quickly between Australia and Canada. Canadians think their cost of living is rising quickly, but. Australia is fast catching up. Now the Australian dollar is worth app. $140 Canadian, (last October it was $1.50). What effect did their last trip to Canada have on them? The Alkemades say it made them more aware of things to see in their own country. They had been taken to see Upper Canada Village here and were greatly taken with it. They thought Australia should have something like it and when they went back, they discovered that there was one recreating the goldmining history of Victoria at Ballarat, not far from Bacchus Marsh where they were born. They had not seen the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne before they were here last so made a special effort to see it. The things they like best about Canada? - "People", 'Summer', `scenery', maple trees, maple syrup, Canadian pork" were part of the When asked how our lamb compared with their' s, they said it was good but a little different "the fat sat up more". They did not know why but perhaps the in Canada, of confining in the winter to with it. In remain outside the year round. Comparisons Mrs. Alkemade remarked "If I in the back at home." -- charm the into being 'her pets just as she does the them - Canadians get a baby- magpies in Seaford. sitter. Canadians and Australians seem Mr. Alkemade said that three weeks then return to their The Alkemades intend to stay to have much in common, both home in Australia. large countries with comparatively small populations - Green forests mean the people seem to think the same clear waters, way. pleasant countryside, Stan remarked that one of the big differences he noticed was plenty of jobs. the attitude of Canadian parents FIRES destroy all toward their children. Australian these. parents take their children with WEEKLY SALE BRUSSELS STOCKYARDS LTD.. EVERY FRIDAY AT 12 NOON PHONE 887-6461 — BRUSSELS, ONT. necessity, animals had Australia, all something animals do just yard, she a gum could be probably starlings of Seaforth had I tree right could