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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-03-24, Page 1'PUBLISHED IN LUCKNOW, ONTARIO Wednesday, March 24, 1993 5OG.S.T. Included 'plus 4 or 3� G.S.T. Farmers must live with each other rather than off each other: Macklin by Cameron Woods The only thing left short of violent action for farmers is organization. This was the message that some 150 area producers heard at Friday evening's Line in the Dirt (LITD) meeting with National Farmers Union (NFU) president Art Macklin. ' Line spokesman Paul Frayne said nothing had evolved from the February rally with both farmer leaders and politicians. "Not one farm organization has offered tceshow leadership." Mr. Frayne said the rally was held to point out two areas of concern: the need for a third line of defence and the need for a National Policy on Agriculture. "But we were unable to convince the lobbyists of these two courses." Since that lae'fc of action developed, Line members have met with a variety of labor, business and farm groups to discuss the situation and the lack of leader- ship with the farming community. "It seems more • than ironic that we have found these consumer or- ganizations more accepting of our views than our own _farm organizations." • • Of course, by now it is well documented that the Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Roger George rejected the LITD call for a $60 per acre emergency relief fund proposed at the February rally. But the NFU president was more responsive to the concerns, of the producers in attendance, but did say the NFU could only represent and develop policies for membership. • The NFU is the only farm organization chartered by a federal act of parliament. It is an organization for farm families, voluntary membership and is non- partisan. Mr. Macklin, a Saskatchewan farmer, said they believe farmers need to be organized to have a unified voice. The reason for the farm family model, he explained, is because the NFU feels this is the best agricultural model for food production in Canada; and incorporates the belief in a strong rural community: "We believe farmers must leam to live with one another rather than off one another," he said. "Fa- rming is different than other sectors. Land and people are noCcommodities." Export Policy "Export oriented agriculture brings in significant benefits to the total Canadian economy. Then at times, when we are faced with an international grain trade war like we are now, then it is in the best interest of the total Canadian economy to sup- port that export part of agricul- ture at a level where it, will be Art Macklin viable." Mr. Macklin said if people don't offer support, then what we .see is exactly what is happening now; secondary industry that is dependent on agriculture "withering and dying". He said this is a result of a deliberate . economic attack on primary producers perpetrated by the United States and the European Economic Community. "Our government... was under direct economic attack by foreign powers," he said. "That is unacceptable: We have also said all along that a third line of defence was absolutely crucial; vital and fair." The NFU has made their opposition clear to several provincial governments through position papers; as well aslobbying the federal government for change. "Many countries around the world look at Canada's supply management system with envy; as a model they would -like to adopt." Mr. Macklin said the Canadian system does not create an export, that is ''dumped into other countries. Throughmanagement, stable income and farming communities are created. "But that does not say the supply management system is perfect. We have many difficulties with the system and the major one being the production quota value. That has to be addressed. We have been critical of that...which adds costs to supply management without any benefits." The NFU president also said the organization is not •turn to page 2 Through hockey, this retired NHL'r fosters building the copl-ete person by Pat Livingston From the ice surface to the board room, retired National Hockey Player (NHL) player Pat Stapleton has taken the lessons learned in his hockey career and related them to the successful growth of individuals in any walk of life. As guest speaker at a gathering of employees from Montgomery Motors ,Lucknow and Kincardine, ^ STTap a on spoke about "the largest room in the world - the room for self-improvement." In his motivational , presentation he analyzes the life skills taught by hockey. To be a winner, he said, you must play to win,prepare to win and expect to win. To be suc- cessful in life, you must expect to be successful. He said everybody has the potential to be successful - it's all in how you play the "game". He urges people to enter the largest room in the world and utilize their skills to improve them- selves, Mr. Stapleton believes that it 'is better to "attempt to do something great and fail, rather than attempt to do nothing and succeed." Mr. Stapleton's analogy has ob- viously proven true for him when you consider his successes. A professional hockey player for 19 years, Mr. Stapleton played ' 10 years in the .NHL with Boston and Chicago, five years in the World Hockey Association and four years in the Eastern Pro League. Ile was a member of the original Team Canada defeating the Soviet Union in the 1972 series, and captained Team Canada 1974 against the Soviets. Upon his retirement in 1979, Mr. Stapleton and his wife Jackie moved to Strathroy where they operate a 500 acre farm. In 1980 after being questioned on how to develop a hockey player and conduct a hockey practice,' Mr. Stapleton conducted instructional clinics in New Brunswick. It was at this point he founded Fundamentals in Action (FIA). FIA is "a hockey with his ' program designed to provide for continuity in skill development for people of all ages who. want to • play hockey." Em- phasis is pladed on (a) developing a complete hockey_ player, one strong in skills and belief in. one's capabilities, and (b) the opportunity to learn life skills through the sport of hockey. The program has become 'widely known in Canada, the United States and Germany as Mr..Stapleton persists wt mission - to •ur the complete person utilizing the vehicle of hockey." Retired NHL player Pat Stapleton was guest speaker at a gathering of employees from Montgomery Motors Lucknow and Kincardine last week. Ian Montgomery, dealer principal of Montgomery's Lucknow, presented Pat and his wife Jackie with a limited edition print as a token of appreciation. (Pat Livingston 'photo) kl These two young pirates, Brian Rivett and Dan Murray, dared you to enter the world of make believe as the Lucknow ' and District • Figure Skating Club presented The Wonderful World of Disney last Saturday. More pictures nide:(1 iarg-Burkhart-photo)- Lucknow native receives recognition from employer Eleanor (Whitby) Ritchie, the Assistant Manager Lending Control Central. Agriculture Centre, Royal Bank, Exeter received the 1992 General.. Manager's High' Achievement Award in 'the amount of $5,000. The reason for the award: "Eleanor asked for an advance in her centre's conversion date to merge its Royfarm mortgage portfolio with the Online Mortgage System. The conversion went smoothly, largely because Eleanor learned OLMS quickly and iden- tified problems early. Known for her proficiency with Royfarm mortgage administration, Eleanor received calls from several British Columbia branches and centres as OMS conversions con- tinued. She was asked to conduct a training seminar in Vancouver for the Westem Canada Help Centre and Head Office Agriculture. She also conducted training sessions in. Ontario and acted as a reference for Metro District. Throughout 1992, she efficiently administered one of Ontario district's largest farm mortgage' portfolios for the Royal Bank.