The Rural Voice, 1978-08, Page 9A matter of principle
by J. Carl Hemingway
1 think it is taken for granted that we in Canada have a "Free
Press" - that we are well informed. If we aren't i t is our own
fault. While the drop in the daily paper circulation has been
great we have a great many "News" reports on the radio and
T.V.
We hear of a great many accidents. fires. demonstations
robberies and all the dramatic crimes. Our editorials cover a
great variety of problems that are eye catching and controversial
but there are agreatmany items of vital interest and concern that
seem to be missed.
A great deal has been said and written about the banning of
some books in our Huron Secondary schools but it seems to me to
be a tempest in a teapot.
I haven't read any of the books in question and 1 don't think
my curiiosity is great enough to make me rush out to purchase
any of them in order to broaden my education or to make me
aware of the language or moral activities in our community.
1 think anyone who takes an active part in community life and
keeps his ears and eyes open will have little new to learn from
the books in question.
I doubt that the books in question can add anything to the lives
dour Secondary School pupils and I also doubt that banning of
the books will keep them from gaining the same knowledge.
Objection
The one objection I have to the use of questionable books in
our schools is that it seems to condone this kind of language and
a very questionable moral standard.
I don't think there is much danger in our children reading such
books if they are taught in such a manner that it is clear there is
such a thing as good and bad. that some things are right and
some things arc wrong.
Pretty Rough
1 studied Shakespeare and certainly some of the language was
.pretty rough and some of the activitieswereobscene but 1 never
got the idea this was good or a way of life to be followed.
In the discussion at one of the "school book" meetings the
l3ible was up held as an example of good reading and was
soundly criticised for its language and recording of obscene
activities. However. the Bible, to my mind. never leaves any
doubt as to what is "right" and what is "wrong".
1 do take exce ption to the use our clergy makes of one of
the parables - the Prodigal Son.
How many times have you heard sermons on the Prodigal Son
- how many times have you seen celebrities on evangelical
programs introducing and glorifying criminals. alcoholics. home
breakers who ha%e reforemd and been "saved"?
How mane times have you heard a sermon on the son that
stayed at home and worked faithfully with his father and
continued on to care for his father and mother in their old age?
A good Time?
A young person doesn't have to get .trunk to have a good
tine neither does a young person have to roar around squealing
his tires, speeding and cutting in an out of traffic and not getting
caught to prove he is a good driver. In fact an accident free
record is much more impressive to the Insurance Companies and
financially beneficial to the driver.
I don't think it matters too much what books the teachers use if
they can end their lessons with the words of Saint Paul.
"Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true. whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report. if there be any virture, and if there be any praise,
Think on these things.''
1t will be better still if parents can do the same.
Now then, some thing that haven't gotten comparative.
publicity.
For years I have been getting a weekly farm paper. The most
important information 1 got was in the farm market report
The most important section was theChicag;, Futures report of
a great many farm products. Wheat. barley oats, rye, soybeans.
white beans and on and on.
In recent years a beef cattle and live hog futures market was
added. 1 used these "Futures" market reports to plan my buying
and marketing program for cattle for some years and more
recently for marketing hogs quite successfully.
By modifying my program 1 was able to buy my feeder pigs
and have them rcady for markct to advantage lue to climatic
conditions in Ontario it did cost me something in cash and
considerable in care to do this but it paid off quite well over the
years.
Pays Well
I don't pretend that 1 can bag all my feeders on a low market
and sell all my pigs on a high market but if I can charge my
prospects from 50-50 to25-75 it pays very well.
I don't play the markct but there arc those who do. If they can
study the conditions carefully enough to change their chances
from 50-50 to 25-75 they will do very well. If they arc to
survive they must beat 50-50.
It seems strange to mc that suddenly about three months ago
the "Futures Market" report on the Chicago Exchange has
disappeared from this weekly farm paper and I haven't been able
to find it regularly in any other paper. Beef Futures also missed
an issue or two but arc back at least in some issues - grains and
other commodities are continuing as usual.
Why?
s The Farm Show over CKNX reported the Hog Futures along
with the others two or three times on Sunday but not the last
week or two. Why?
Then there is the Packing House strike. At Swifts and the
Canada Packer "lock out".
Silence
As for as 1 can find out there was a very meager statement on
the "News" the first day.
Then complete silence in the "media".
The Hog Producers did give some little information on the
"strike" and lock out along with the daily Hog market report and
advised the farmers on the marketing volume from day to day.
The last few days there has been considerable "news"
through the Union about collusion between Swifts and Canada
Packers to force the price of meat up and about the refusal to pay
Canada Packers workers unemployment insurance.
Practically nothing has been said about the 55.00 or Sb.O0 drop
in price to farmers or any change in the retail price.
Why? Surely these things mean something that is "news"
worthy to consumers even if the farmers aren't worth
mentioning.
On the other hand how is it that when all the plants were
working the farmers had to curta it their hog shipments every
holiday week, take a lower price the week before the holiday. the
week of the holiday, and the week after the holiday because the
plants couldn't handle the same volume during the "short"
week?
Now with two of the largest plants closed the rest of the plants
are able to handle just about the same volume as when all were
open.
Why?
In closing a little incident 1 found amusing.
I was watching the Canadian open Golf Program and listening
to running commentary on the condition of the greens. strokes
and players.
Fast Greens •
There were two announcers whom we would expect were well
experienced and educated in our "excellent" present day school
system.
Since the weather was dry the greens were "fast" and of the
two remarked that "fast" was getting over worked and they
should find some other word to fit the situation.
THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1978 PG. 9