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The Rural Voice, 1978-07, Page 40[F; NEWSLETTER ,l Huron County Federation of Agriculture Arse O/lacy VetNett.° N0. 429 C1 ..01.. O..e 111111111111111. Highlights of the regional directors' meeting ['By Gerry Fortune] OFA TO RECONSIDER POSITION ON PROPERTY TAXATION Toronto - At their June 21st meeting OFA Directors approved a H uron County resolution requesting OFA to reconsider their Property Tax Proposal as presented to the Ontario Government. A committee was immediately set up to develop and present proposals for Property Tax Reform. The Committee incluldes: Al Kormos. Ron Jones. Ron White. Jim McIntosh. Their proposals will be presented to the Directors' Meeting in September. it will be decided at that time whether or not any forthcoming proposals •hould be presented at the OFA Convention in November. FOOD CHAIN PRACTICES CAUSE INQUIRY REQUEST A resolution from Huron County requesting an independent inquiry' be set up to investigate trading practices in the wholesale retail food business received unanimous Director approval. OFA President. Peter Hannam. reported the committee now studying this was recommending to the Ontario Legislature that such an inquiry. with the power to subpoena witnesses and records be set up. Telegrams were immediately sent to the leaders of all three political parties stating OFA support for the formation of such a study. BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURES CAUSE CONCERN Dairy producers and products of the soil now get some compensation in company bankruptcy proceedings before the bank. OFA is requesting other producers he included under this clause of the Bank Act. OFA also hopes the limit of recompense will be raised from $7,500 to 525.000. OFA CONVENTION PLANS UNDERWAY Regional Directors approved plans for the 19-8 OFA Annual Convention to be held in Hamilton from Nov. 27-29. The Holiday Inn and Royal Connaught Hotels will provide delegate accommodation. OFA is interested in receiving suggestions for a theme for the Convention and suggested guest speakers. Contact sour Regional Director with suggestions. MORE ITEMS OF INTEREST * Local School Boards have the prerogative of extending the vacation period into September to allow for harvest. * OFA has received word that an agricultural delegation to the GATT negotiations is a possibility. * OFA will pressure government for a deposit on liquor bottles. * OFA will offer co-operation to the O.M.M.B. and Minister of Agriculture in assisting cheese factories to obtain a greater milk supply for the manufacture of cheddar cheese Monthly membership meeting ijy Sheila Gunbv l Representatives from the Bogie's Beach Cottage Owners Association, Abe and Jace Hutton presented the resolution passed at the annual Federation meeting. asking support from the Huron Federation to oppose the proposed seasonal subdivision at Bogie's Beach. They asked that a representative from the Federation attend the Ontario Municipal hearing on this PG. 40 THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 1978. No membership meeting in July matter. on June 12. Merle Gunbv was asked to represent the Federation. Another important resolution was also passed - Whercas information recently disclosed concerning trading practises in the wholesale retail food business raises questions concerning ethics of some large food retail chains. and whereas it is important to both consumers and producers that these questions be answered clearly and definitely, and whereas such answers do not seem to he coming to the Legislative Committee studying the matter. therefore he it resoled that OFA press for a Royal Commission to study this natter w ith authority to subpoena witnesses of records so that the faits can he made known. Guest speakers. Mr. Ray Scotchmer and Mr. Howard Dat ars presented a slide show of past ploughing matches from 19'0 'till last year in Frontenac County The Ploughing Match Committee also gave a report. mentioning that milk would he served at the Federation booth. hopefully the Huron Federation will have .r float in the parade. Volunteers are needed to man the booth at the Ploughing Match. Huron County directors meet ilk Bey Brown] Brucefield: The monthly meeting of the Huron Federation Executive was combined w ith a meeting of all County Directors on .lune 22 in order to share some of the activities and problems within the Federation, HAI DRAIN Merle Gunbv . I st Vice President and member of the l and Use Committee presented a detailed chronological report on the Hay Drain problem. which started in 1968. In the Spring of 19'8 the Federation was asked by the llav township Council if we could provide any assistance to soli the situation. Several meetings hay been held tneolerne the Il.v Federation Executive. Huron Federation land Use Committee. Huron County Fieldman Bill Crawford. 0.Y.t.A.F. Engineer tram Bradshaw and Jim Murray, O F.:\. Property Dept As of -lune 20th. the landowners on the East side of Highw ay 21 have decided to to to proceed w ith a private drain. The developer on the West side of Highway 21 has agreed to let a priv ate dram cross his land and connect to his outlet at the lake bank. w uh future access assured for maintenance. Hopefully, this will sol c• a ten %e.tr•old problem. FINANCIAL REPORT Since the change in the number of census farms in Huron County. the Federation has been able to qualify for rebates from O.F.A. for activities at the ( ounty level. Also. some Tow nship grants have come in earlier than usual.For this reason the • financial stuation has improved somewhat. The es.ess funds are to he put into a 90 -day term deposit in order to earn more interest. Members should he aware that for the past several years. the executive have not accepted any per diems. due to the poor state of our finances. CORN PETITION O.F.A. has secured 1200 signatures and are looking tt another 200 signatures before presenting the corn petition to the government. Any corn producer who has not signed this petition should contact the Federation office (482-9642) or their Regional Director. DELEGATES TO THE 1978 O.F.A. CONVENTION Once again, the Executives of all 16 Township Federations are to be asked to submit to the Huron Federation Office the names (Continued on Page 38)