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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1963-09-05, Page 9Is Confederation Threatened? A matter of very real concern to Ca- nadians today is posed by the disturbing unrest in the Province of Quebec. The first hint, perhaps two years ago, that French Canada might seriously entertain the idea of attempting to form a separate nation was met with unbelief and scorn. Events in the interval, however, have pro- vided ample proof that there is reason for deep concern. Last week, while attending the annual convention of the Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association at Murray Bay, Quebec, your editor listened with close attention as the Hon. Bona Arsenault, a member of the Quebec provincial cabinet, forcefully outlined the needs and aspir- ations of his people and their determin- ation to bridge the gap with English Canada. Since this is a matter of grave con- cern to every one of us, whether we live in Ottawa or in Wingham, we reprint be- low an article taken from The Weekly Editor, which sums up the situation much more lucidly than we could do. It is written by John Sancton, publisher of The Montreal Monitor — an English-speaking resident of Quebec, who ably presents both sides of the hi -cultural coin: "Les Anglais" all over Canada, in- cluding those of us living and even born in Quebec, have an unfortunate tendency to shrug, to refuse to believe our country has a problem in its double culture. Some even believe naively that here is a mere policital problem like unemployment, atomic warheads for the Bomarcs, or na- tional transportation policy. "The visitor to this province will sense, first, that here is a new world for him in Old Quebec. He will sense that these ancient fields running to the river banks, their long narrow strips tilled and harvested for centuries, are not just a quaint feature of a strange, distant pro- vince, but part of Canada and part of the heritage of all Canadians. "The spires of the big churches which guard sprawling, modern cities and tiny hamlets at first glance seem peculiarly ench and Roman Catholic. And then it ..lawns upon you that these houses of God are no less purely Canadian than the places of worship, of whatever creed, in any other part of Canada. "The ancient buildings in the cities and towns, the stone farmhouses, the .o wayside shrines, the proliferation of saints in place names, the other external manifestations of difference from the fa- miliar strike our visitors first as strange, charming a n cl sometimes alarming. They've stepped into the past — a past which, like it or no, is going to have an inexorable influence on our future as Canadians. "For the core of the French Canada fact in 1963 is that the isolation in which Quebec has long wrapped itself, is fall- ing away, dramatically and suddenly. English Canada is either alarmed by the vehemence of this newly released force of supermature strength and vitality, or blithely ignorant of it. "For momentary consolation Lt is doubtful even that many French Cana- dians yet fully understand what is really happening to them and their compatriots. It is safe to say that the majority of Que- bec citizens, French and English alike, have been deeply shocked and ashamed of the violence, death and maiming caused by lunatic elements such as the FLQ. "But don't be deceived, The FLQ and more moderate 'separatistes' do express an innate and justified craving within the soul of French Canada that, as a people of distinct language, culture and heritage, they he an essential element of what Canada is and can be. "There is a latent resentment over simple lack of recognition by their fellow Canadians. Just what form this recogni- tion should take is still a mystery to most English Canadians, French Canadians themselves are divided on courses to take, what 'biculturalisrn' should mean, just where the remedies lie. But they are united in awareness that whether through their own fault or that of others they find themselves different, apart and, too often, passed by. "When you come to Quebec you will find, on all sides, signs of the emergence of French Canada into the more modern world of North America north of the Rio Grande. Already you know, in your own areas of French Canadians who have left their mother province, some of whom have come to terms with English Canada simply by joining it. In Ontario and the West they have formed their own com- munities, and have maintained their 'Frenchness.' These should not be for- gotten. All of French Canada does not lie in Quebec. ENGLISH WELL OFF "Most English Canadians who live in Quebec have had a fair shake as a min- ority here than have the French in some other provinces. "The mother province of French Canada is undergoing tremendous change. It always has held the nation's chief con- centration of industry and commerce, both of which have continued to grow with the years. As elsewhere the boys and girls are not staying 'down on the farm.' They go to the big cities and towns. They get more and better technical train- ing, They have, in increasing numbers, entered professions other than the tra- ditional law, medicine and church. They are moving into the important and key jobs. There is complaint that they are not moving fast enough—but the complaint, paradoxically is from both sides: the French are impatient, while the English say insufficient numbers of qualified French people are corning forward. As time goes on you can expect to see more and more French names among the cap- tains of the Canadian economy. "More toleration than ever is being shown between the Roman Catholic Church, still at the centre of French Ca- nadian life, and other denominations. Ancient prejudices are falling fast. Under- standing through faith is a powerful new force which will guide French and Eng- lish to resolution of social, economic, cul- tural and other problems. "Advent of television has had a tre- mendous influence on developing the French performing arts in Quebec. Unable to draw so readily, as can English broad- casting, on imported material, French Canada has a vibrant do-it-yourself theatre. Here French Canada is contri- buting mightily to Canada's storehouse of achievement. The superficial signs of emergence are on all sides. New homes, public buildings, automobiles, swimming pools, modern highways, hospitals and medical advancement, rural electrifica- tion, social services, private investment, and banking, furniture—in countless ways Quebec shows it is not behind and in some areas is ahead of the rest of the country. UNDERSTANDING NEEDED "What, then, is the problem? Basic- ally, understanding. Understanding which ends arrogance, on both sides. Under- standing through which a Canada of two cultures gradually blending into one, be- comes a better, stronger Canada." THE WINGHAM ADVANCE - TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros, Limited W. Barry Wenger, President - Robert O. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulation; Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Associ- ation; Member Canadian Community Newspapers Representatives Authorized by the Post Office Department as Second Class Mail and for payment of postage in cash Subscription Rate: One Year, $4.00; Six Months, $2.25, in advance U.S.A., $5.00 per year; Foreign rate, $5.00 per year Advertising Rates on application WESTERN FAIR OPENS ON FRIDAY lt' Western Fair opens this Fri- day at London's Queens Park for cine.,401T wonderful days of sheer r55CSLIre. There is so much to see at Western Fair for every member of the family. from education- al exhibits to Conklins huge midway and glittering horse • show in the Ontario Arena, Two full hours of solid and nerve -tingling grandstand enter- tainment will he headed by the greatest single attraction in Canada, the R, C. M.P. Musi- cal Ride. This you must see. It's the thrill of a lifetime. RES IiRVED S EATS Write Western Fair for res- erved seat tickets, $2.00 and $1.50. Western Fair has everything -- huge livestock show, farm machinery, flower show, wom- en's wor,<, 4-11 Club contests, poultry show, art, photography, government displays, fruit and vegetables. NEW BUILDING A big feature this year is the new building replacing the fire - razed Manufacturers Building. Built in record time, it has One Moment Please BY REV. C. M. Ift. t,'fa4F, Wingham, Ont,t-,,, Going back to ,, an experience that m'<11:: t , a1,1revn are facing at the p,r•:, !,J t;try<•, Some feel reluctant ,t:,! ,,, , , - ous. Others are hapl.'.- :.ud ' u- thusiastic. Whateti,• tl. feel- ings of our children, t!1 L.ea<e something of the iuip,,tane,, of education becaus< the stress made by their : iai,•_s, With the complexit, ;,1 l!fe and the great changes tak.; .• pi 1„,L, so rapidly in the mue+, i.urld, they cannot fail to ry rt;ce of the emphasis dirct''. and indirectly placed on t?,,, tr ed of more knowledge, ill and training necessary to to prepare for their vo, .ir:•.yus. Parents are genei:,l. doing a fine job in providui,- :, proper education for their cl :idreu, Our new generation 1 ra a good record of school part :;,pr,rion and scholastic achie•..•1:,ent. More and more you1i persons arc being encouraged their parents to follow ac. •.',•. frnc and technical train;ii4::k.ccord- ing to their aptitude and ability, .This is a trend of whirl. all are aware in a society wi.c;,' bus- iness, industry and tit profes- sions demand a highs•: ler.e1 of education and training. Spec- ialization and automation is changing the requirements for those who seek empin; ment or entrance in many areas of work everywhere. This is all to the good. Yet a note of warning is heard from time to time from our national leaders. We must offer these young pers qus more than the technical skill or know-how of a vocation. They need a moral and spir:tial un- derstanding of life ow of which they can make their own future decisions. All thoughtful par- ents want their children to possess the essential qualities and traits of characte, neces- sary to wholesome 1i: ng and good citizenship. Public and private schools can it reasing- ly emphasize moral,.slues but the fundamental guidance can still be provided best by parents at home. Life in a Christian family is satisfying and fulfilling as par- ents share with their children and communicate their know- ledge, attitudes and convict- ions of a Christ -centred way of life. "Christian parents see that the task of their calling is not only to make sure that their children have a basic education and are provided with the physi- cal necessities of life, but they want to provide a wholesome social and spiritual maturity as well. They cannot overlook the great questions on religion that their children ask them, each inquiry a sign of a hungry heart yearning to find itself in a relationship with God". ° It has been said that a home is the basic school of life where parents have more time and in- fluence than all other institut- ions together to guide the re- ligious understanding of their family. The challenge and task of Christian nurture can be an exciting and rewarding one. Let us as Christian parents use every opportunity of influence and example in guiding our children to interpret of Christ- ian values. Purposeful guid- ance in comparison with aim- less and haphazard living can bring great satisfaction in see- ing young people develop and mature into the kind of persons who are a blessing to their community and nation. 'Quotation from "The Task of Christian Parents" by Ken- neth D. Barringer in "The Christian Home" September, 1962. 64, 000 square feet of floor space. It will he full of inter- esting and varied commercial exhibits. And don't forget everyone has a chance to win a $1, 000 attendance prize each night of the Fair, September 6 to 14. "If all the cars in the world were placed end to end, some dope would try to pass them." ANOTHER EXAMPLE of the entries in the Lions parade on Frontier Days was this little gaffer on his tractor. The pic- ture was taken during the parade and he went by so fast we didn't get his name, but he worked hard for a prize. Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, Sept. 5, 1963 SECOND SECTION =?!il!litlll!II!I1111lllllllilll11111111111111111111111IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1111111'!III11111nIlllmlmlllllll11EC'9!!1111MIIIIIII IIIc+II li!!!! "11:':!1!!!1!IIII!II'll!!!P!II!!ilr!'!IIIIIIL ,sur SUGAR an. SPICE "P,ffi11mmaBy BiII Smiley Where in the holy o summer get to? It seems since it was the middle o picnic table. This was the summer in which I was determined to make something of myself, or bust my posterior in the effort. 1 planned to fish, golf or swim every day, get myself in perfect trim, write a book, stay ahead of the weeds in the flower - beds, and prepare all my course outlines for Septem- ber. I haven't been fishing since trout season opened, in May I doubt if 1 could find my way around the golf course, it's so long since I saw it. 1 gave up swimming early in July when 1 nearly drowned while trying to get out to a raft 12 feet away. My belly has gone from a solid 30 to a pudgy 32. I haven't writ- ten anything except my name on those government store slips. The weeds wave like saplings. And I didn't even know what was on the course when school started. Oh, well, I like Septem- ber better anyway. It's easier to go to work every day and tell a lot of kids what to do than it is to be home every day and have your wife telling you what to do. Like mow that lawn, get off your big fat tail, get a loaf of bread, take the kids for a swim, stop smoking so much and when are you going to take all those beer bottles back? * * * It's probably a jolly good thing that kids have to go back to school. Another month of their kids eating purple popsicles and green apples, falling off bicycles and in love, and parents would begin screaming and running rapidly in ever -de- creasing circles. Mothers heave a vast, soft sigh of pure ioy when they shove the kids out the door on opening day of school, and sit down in that beautiful, quiet kitchen for ld blue-eyed world did that like three-quarters of an hour f June and 1 was building a that first cup of coffee they've had in peace for two months. Re -opening of school is thrilling for teachers, too. Their egos are badly flat- tened from being treated just like everybody else. They're weary of giving or- ders to kids (their own) who ignore them. They're on stage once more, with all those eager faces turned to- ward them. They can't wait to take that first deep breath of schoolroom air, composed of the beloved od- ors of chalk dust, floor wax and warm humans. It's hard to tell what the kids themselves think of go- ing back to school. They profess to be disgusted. But I met one of my students who has gone to work in a bank, asked him how he felt about not going back this fall, and almost wept at the look of unutterable longing that slipped across his face. * * * I think most youngsters are delighted to return to school. Especially the little girls. After all, it's pretty awkward trying to strike up a romance with a small male type in the summer, when he's always going places on the dead run, al- ways doing things girls aren't allowed to do, and nearly always dirty and rather smelly But it's a different story when she gets him sitting behind, befront or tseside her in the classroom. tie's not only stationary. but fairly clean, and she can smile at him, snub him, make him talk when he shouldn't, tell the reacher when he pinches her and generally pursue the arts of courtship employed by small females. Is everybody, then. nap- py about school starting? Not exactly. Check the old man. Gone with the sum- mer is that peaceful hour when he could get up in the cool of the morning and en- joy a solitary, leisurely breakfast, paper propped up against the coffee pot, while the old girl and the kids loafed in bed. * * * During the school term, breakfast hour, if our nouse is any indication, is like Saturday night at the corn- er saloon One kid wanders in underwear, looking tor the pants and shoes he cook off last night. Another is getting hell from her mother because she just splashed orange juice 'all over her only clean blouse. Dad is trying to feed the dog, find lunch money, eat his burn- ed toast and MAKE THOSE BLASTED KIDS GET A MOVE ON! Report Shows 11 Died in Accidents The July Provincial Police statistical report for No, t; dis- trict. which covers the counties of Huron, Perth, Waterloo, Wellington, Grey and Bruce, indicates that 11 people died in nine traffic accidents. Total number of accidents was listed at 2014 in the six counties. The report also states that 127 people were injured in the same period, Police checked 5,887 vehicles, issued 1,896 warnings and preferred charges against '7d3 drivers. Scouts Meet Next Week Scouting activities for the fall will commence next week, according to an announcement by Jack Stevens. Cubs should he on deck at the Scout House on September 10th for pack organization. Any boy interested in Joining the Cubs will also be welcom- ed the same evening. The Scouts will hold their first meeting the following night, Wednesday, September 11th, also at the Scout House. It is hoped that the Scouts and Cubs will once again have a successful year, and all are requested to he on hand for the opening meetings to get the activities off to a good start.