The Rural Voice, 1981-01, Page 8ONTARIO FEDERATION OF �,;RlCUtTURE
"
OPPORTUNITY"
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Part of the Huron delegation at the OFA Convention
Hard work for OFA convention delegates
BY GISELE IRELAND, SHEILA GUNBY AND ADRIAN %OS
support you. Remember. decide who to
vote for. The politicians work of us. This
privilege of voting is a precious freedom,
and many fought and died for our
democracy." were Conrad's parting
words.
The immediate impression of this
year's convention is the positive tone that
prevailed throughout three full days of
presentations and discussions.
There was also less complaining than
heard at farmers ' meetings. Instead. it
was a confident, fighting spirit. best
expressed by returned president Ralph
Barrie in his acceptance speech. "If we
want to be on top of the ladder," he said,
"we can. But we must work at it."
A scathing attack on economists was
made by guest speaker James R. Conrad,
executive director of Independent
Petroleum Marketers of Ontario, and an
advocate of independent business. He
said that all economists operate from a
position based on assumptions. Then, if
the assumption is faulty, their predictions
will be unfounded. Nevertheless, he
maintained, when they reach their
conclusions they refuse to check their
original assumptions. Conrad said our
whole economy, and the economies of
other countries,
governed on
assumptions.
"There will be a provincial election
next spring. Go out and meet your P.C.,
Liberal and N.D.P. candidates. Ask for
their views on (your) issues. See who will
PG. 8 THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1981
are regulated and
these unsupported
Opportunity
"Opportunity was the theme of this
years convention - a good message.
Lots of different issues: it was felt the
Code of Practise was threatening
farmers' rights - we don't need
something working agains c farmers :-
Canfarm was sort of left hording the bag
-- I found out that OFA answered over
1,000 requests from farmers about their
problems.
Going to the convention makes you
aware of the combined problems of
farmers. There was a time when there
was no communication with farmers - or
meetings to go to - we didn't have the
knowledge we have to -day. The only
REAL problems were our own.
I'm proud to have an organization like
we have to -day. It allows farmers to !Live
a much better way of life."
Borden Fenton
Bruce County Federation
A debate took place because Victoria
County wanted OFA to "discourage"
continuance of the metric system, but a
number of farmers declared that they had
begun to appreciate the ease of
calculating in metric. When one opponent
of metric suggested Canadians of
European origin should go back where
they came from if they wanted metric. the
groans be heard outside the
building. 1 n- majority wanted the metric
system to continue.
Delegates. on a resolution by Perth
County. decided that they preferred to
buy and sell their grain by weight. and
not by bushels, since they found the old
bushel system too confusing.
Funds for tileage loans remained a sore.
point. as it has for many years. and
several resolutions called for im-
provements.
Huron County led in discussions on
energy and absentee land ownership. ,
Perth County wants an end to the great
difference in Hydro rates between rural
and urban electricity users.
Another request was for prot,
against, in spite of good intentions. but
woeful lack of competence, Humane
Society inspectors. It evolved from a