Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1963-10-31, Page 9Exactly Who Is Boss? Canadians have been missing a good bet. Hal Banks is the man with the proven ability to lead the citizens (by the nose). The spectacle which the citizens of Canada have witnessed during the past few weeks is almost unbeiieveable, even in such an easy-going democracy as Canada. When a vote was taken in the House of Commons on whether or not there should be a public trusteeship of the maritime unions, all but four mem- bers voted in favor of the trusteeship. There was no doubt whatever about the will of the people as expressed through their representatives. It is this particular point which should be made clear in the minds of govern- ment officials. The majority of the peo- ple of Canada are fed up to the teeth with the• interference created by those com- paratively few unions which cause so much trouble. Think of the mountainous cost of the seamen's strike—$5 million a day in the ports alone. What the total bill will amount to when the Toss in uncompleted grain deliveries to Russia is calculated we hesitate to even guess. Is it actually true that the members of the SIU are in such desperate need that they should be permitted to sacri- fice the grain farmers of the prairies? That shipping firms and countless other businesses indirectly dependent upon them, should suffer staggering losses? And all this, mark you, when there was not even a question of higher wages in the balance. The entire episode was a sheer display of power. Now we face a boycott of Canadian ships in American ports because the Canadian government has taken action to end the costly labor dispute. This fact certainly points to an urgent need for an end to international connections between labor groups, if the government feels that an over -abundance of investor capital from across the border is injurious to our future, it must be equally obvious that too many union officials from south of the line are even more harmful. The Canadian public has tolerated its full quota of violence and financial loss from labor unions. It is time that the elected representatives of the people voiced the feeling of the millions of farm- ers, housewives, small businessmen and unorganized workers. Let our members of parliament forget that a block of labor votes are at stake and speak the words the vast majority are waiting to hear. The calamity of it all is that Cana- dians are beginning to detest the very word "union"—the general name applied to organizations which have been of tre- mendous benefit to the working people of the nation over the past decades. We must all bear in mind that there are many conscientious unions, the names of which never appear in the headlines. They are the law-abiding groups in which a true spirit of good citizenship still abides. They are the bulwark of our freedom and it is indeed unfortunate that their reputations should be tarnished by the tyranny of the few which do not want to observe any laws except advantage by force. Time To End The Double Talk Is gambling for charitable purposes to be permitted in this country or not? A lot of Canadians would like to know. Last week there was a big crack -down on distributors of sweepstake tickets—after years and years in which the tickets were sold without let or hindrance, and pur- chased by untold thousands of Canadians. Bingo, for cash, is played all over the land . . . yet all those who sponsor the games, whether proceeds be for the Ro- tary Club or the parish church, are tech- nically breaking the law. Just to com- plicate, matters, betting at many race tracks is now quite legal. We hold no brief for gambling. In fact we believe, as do many of our read- ers, that society would be better off if there was no such thing as gambling. However, long experience has proven that gambling falls into the same category as many other human inclinations—there is no successful way to legislate against it. Government might as well face the fact that people will gamble. Laws which are placed on the statute books to satisfy the opponents of gambling, but are not enforced in order to avoid losing the votes of the multitude who want to gamble, are not only a waste of time and good paper—they are cowardly. If gambling for charitable purposes is illegal the law should be enforced right across the board. If this sort 'of gamb- ling is to be condoned, then it's time to abolish the laws against it. Emergency Committee Established Agriculture Minister Stewart has an- nounced the establishment of an Emer- gency Water Committee which will co- ordinate efforts to provide water for farms in those areas of south-western Ontario which have been stricken by a Weeks -long drought. Chairman of the committee is K. E. Lantz, assistant deputy minister of the Department of Agriculture, and includes representatives from the farm organiza- tions, the Water Resources Commission and the Department of Health. Bob Carbert, former Wingham man, is the representative of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture on the committee. Keys to the committee's plan of action will be the agricultural representatives throughout the dry area. Those who need water are asked to contact the ag reps, as are the firms which have tank trucks available for hauling. Already the city of London and the town of St. Marys have offered water from their municipal supplies and other places are expected to follow suit. While the committee's terms of ref- erence apply only to the present emer- gency conditions, Mr. Stewart stated the long-term aspects of the water shortage will be considered at a later date. The minister also said that drainage laws had, in some cases, contributed to the short- age of water and that the time has come to consolidate under one piece of legislation laws dealing with the various aspects of water supply. Spare Cash In Dusty Places If you find any old government pamphlets in your attic don't toss them into the garbage can, says The Financial Post. They may be worth money. Four pages published during the third session of the first Parliament of Lower Canada, entitled "Act for Regulating the Manner of Licensing Public Houses" recently sold for $75. At a Victoria antique auction this year Captain Walbran's "B, C. Coast Names," published in 1909 for less than $2.00, sold for $85. Bidding is keen among scholars, writers, librarians and museums for informative material im- portant to basic research. We might add a further note. If, at any time, you locate very old copies of your local newspaper, it would be an ex- cellent idea to let the publisher know, or at least save them carefully. The open- ing and expansion of local museums make these early papers of great interest today. By "old" we mean previous to 1890. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited W. Barry Wenger, President - Robert 0, 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 T.S.A., $.5.O0 per year; Foreign rate, $5.O0 per year Advertising states on application REMINISCING OCTOBER 1913. A Hallowe'en Social was en- joyed on Monday night by the members of St. Paul's A.Y.P. A. A short program was given zonsisting of solos by Rev. E. U. Croly and Mr. W, H, Willis, readings by Messrs, Ld, Nash and Herb Jobb and Miss M, Fleury, and impromptu speech- es by several of the members. Games were indulged in for a short time, after which all did justice to the pumpkin pie. This week finds another new business added to our town, Mr. W. C, Leppard who is well known far and wide as a skilled mechanic has opened a ma- chine and general repair shop in the Holmes' Block. Mr. 0, Hayden has disposed of his laundry business to Mr, Toy from China, Q--0--0 OCTOBER 1926 Grant McKay, a young farm- er about 25 years of age, the son of Rev. George McKay, was shot and instantly killed by an Indian whose identity is not yet known, in the woods about four miles from Tiverton, early Sunday evening, and the Provincial and local police are still searching for his murderer. Mr. George R. Muldoon of Brussels has been appointed Re- turning Officer for North Huron in the coming Provincial Elec- tion, which will be held on Monday, Dec. lst. Sometime Friday night, a thief broke through a back cel- lar window in Isard's store and helped himself to groceries and probably other articles which have not been missed as yet. The London papers of Satur- day had an account of the death of James Oliver Smith, aged 63 years, who died on the Syndicate Farm, near London. Smith will be remembered by many as a colored porter in the Culmage Hotel at Wingham, for many years. 0--0--0 OCTOBER 1938 In a game of softball be- tween Wingham and Lueknow public schools played last week the lads from the Sepoy town won by a score of 16-11. Wing - ham line-up -- A. Seli, F. Templeman, R. Chittick, L. Gardiner, P. Fitzpatrick, D. Fry, W. Hilbert, R. Collar, L. Mundy, A. Henderson. Mrs. Mary Jane Lougheed celebrated her 91st birthday at her home, Patrick St., on Sun- day last, October 23rd. Onbe- half of this community we ex- tend congratulations. Mr. Jack Ilerd has been ap- pointed manager of the Chain - way Store that will open here shortly. Dr. J. M. Field, Goderich, who retired two years ago as school inspector for this dis- trict, is critically ill, having suffered a stroke. 0--0--0 OCTOBER 1948 Convening at Wingham General Hospital the local Me- dical Society staged a dinner in honor of three medical as- sociates. Gifts were presented to Dr. Redmond, Dr. R. L. Stewart and Dr. M. Gilles, the former two now retired, All three were made honorary presi- dents of the Wingham Medical Society. Dr. W. V, Johnston, Lucknow, was special speaker. This week we welcome to Wingham Captain and Mrs. DeVries, formerly of Dundas, as the new officers to the local Salvation Army Corps. L. A. Mac Dougal and W. B, McCool of the Advance - Times Staff attended a press meeting at Elmira on Friday. Mrs. David McGill wastaken suddenly i11 on Thursday eve- ning of last week and is at pre- sent a patient in Wingham General hospital, SHARING UNICEF, The United Na- tions Children's Fund, is one of the potent programs provid- ing health and education for The World's Children regardless of colour, geed or nationality, The UNICEF I[allowe'en box presented at your door is the only fund-raising effort of Cana- dian youngsters for this cause. You add to their fun when you help them share good fortune with world-wide friends. ATTENDED AREA COMMANDER'S confer- ence—Militia training and administra- tion for the coming year was discussed at the annual Area Commander's con- ference with Commanding Officers at Wolseley Barracks, London. Brig. K, H. McKibbin, Commander Western Ontario Area outlined plans in which more em- phasis is to be placed on corps training but that militia units are to retain a high standard of efficiency in National Survival, Left to right: Lt. -Col. C. C. MacDonald, C.O. 1 1 th Field Regt. RCA (M), Guelph; Col. W. P. Doohan, Com- mander 18 Militia Group, London; Brig. McKibbin, and Lt. -Col. L. G. Vickers, C.O. 21st Field Regt., Listowel.—Nation- al Defence Photo. barn AbtanceeZinte Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, Oct. 31, 1963 SECOND SECTION ' 111111llllllllllll111IIIllllll111111lllilllllll1111111(11111 I11111111111111l11111111l1111111111111111111111111111111111111i111111111111111111111111I1!'1IIIIII1111!Ilgllill111C1!9ll:P TPSi Ilpu.T". 711111111111111111141 SUGAR and SPICE ;IIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIIi iBy Bill Smiley Recently, I have attended two funerals. This is about two more than my usual 10 - year quota. I don't know why I have avoided funerals all my life. It hasn't been a con- scious thing, but more a matter of inertia. And it always seemed foolish, mak- ing a fuss over the clay when the spirit had fled. Well, I've changed my mind. I didn't know what I was missing. There is some- thing intensely satisfying in the human drama in- volved in a funeral service, and I hereby promise all my friends that I will at- tend their funerals, if hu- manly possible. That is, if I don't beat them to the punch. Both of these services I was at were for people I ad- mired and respected. but there the similarity ended. One was for an elderly lady, a simple Lutheran service in a small church. The other was for a com- paratively young man, an elaborate Roman Catholic service in a large church. Each had its dignity and, at times, beauty. Incidentally, I learned something at both. The Lutherans sing sitting down and pray standing up. And there isn't much of my high school Latin left, so that I welcome the news from Rome that R.C. services will be conducted in the native tongue. But there's a lot more to a funeral than the church service. There is the slow filling up of the church, with everyone taking a crafty look around to see who thought a visit to the funeral home would be enough. There is the lugubrious organ music that puts you in the right mood. There is the quickening of tempo as the minister or priest rustles in. There is the awkward, touching proces- sion of relatives of the "de- ceased," s o in e weeping, some white-faced with strain. some red-faced with the unaccustomed atten- tion. And then there is the entrance of the coffin, gliding soundlessly on its :671flillli� wheeled frame, surround- ed by six good men and true. This is the moment of truth for the spectators, as they realize with a jolt that this is the end of that person, and that this is the end to which we all shall come. * * * Spirits lift slightly with the beauty of the chants, and plunge close to the maudlin when we are ask- ed to join in "Abide With Me," and tears spurt be- yond reason, throats de- velop lumps as large as golf balls. When it is all over, I think everyone feels cleansed a n d uplifted, rather than depressed. There is an imperceptible awakening of life, an eager turning to discussion of the weather, though we retain, for a decent inter- val, our mournful looks. Everyone feels like a cup of tea or a good, stiff drink. There is a lot to be said for giving a fellow !suntan being, who entered the world in a rather scrambly fashion, and did the best of which he was capable, the dignity of a decent sendoff. Personally, I would rath- er go to a good funeral any day than to a wedding, which often degenerates into giggling and general silliness. * * * There is a great deal of criticism over the cost of a funeral today, and under- takers are frequently rak- ed over the coals for cater- ing to the excessive de- mands and bad taste of some of their clients. I don't think this is quite fair. Undertakers are just that --caterers. If you want the blue plate special, you can get it. And if you want the seven -course de- luxe, they'Il give you that. I used to be one of these just -put -me -in -a -pine - box - and -throw -some -dirt - over • me fellows. But not any longer. When I go, I want the works. Row upon row of weeping friends and rela- tives. Lots of wreaths. A full choir. "Abide With Me," and everybody break - BOX 390 Apt. 2 243 Cambria St. Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Dear Sir: I wonder if you could help me. I am trying to trace a dear friend of my grandmother. She came from Scotland to Wingham over thirty years ago." My grandmother's name is Mrs. Marion Coltart, and her friend's name was or is Mrs. Charles Sutton. I would like to find her if she is still alive. My Grannie is waiting in Scot- land to hear if we can trace her. Sincerely, J. Skinner. Falls Short of Need Canvass Next Week For Bible Society The British and Foreign Bible Society, of which the Canadian Bible Society is an auxiliary, serves the churches and the missionaries by provid- ing the Scriptures in the lan- guages and quantities they re- quire. It has translated and dis- tributed all or part of the Bi- ble into 1202 languages. Over 1000 translators under the super- vision of the Bible Society are now at work on some 450 lan- guages. Last year world distri- bution reached about 850, 000, - 000, but that is far short of the need. In Canada last year the Bi- ble Society distributed over 350, 000 volumes in 84 langua- ges, and provided almost half a million dollars for the world- wide work of translation, pro- duction and distribution. An increase of 860,000 more than last year is needed from Canada if we are to assume our share in sheeting the world's need for Scriptures. The Wingham Branch con- tributed 81,225 last year. Can- vassers will be calling at the houses in Wingnam next week for contributions. The local executive is asking that you give generously as the Lord has prospered you. ing down hopelessly about the middle of the second verse. And a great big recep- tion back at the house afterwards' One more request. I know it would be difficult to arrange, but I'd like to be buried sitting up, so I could enjoy it all.