Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1964-05-07, Page 9Room for More Study Last week the Ontario government announced its intention of enforcing the new minimum wage law right across the province on an escalating basis which would make it fully effective in 18 months. After that period the minimum wage for men and women alike (with a few exceptions) will be $1.00 per hour. There is no arguing the question of whether a minimum wage law was need- ed. In fact it was long overdue. Our society can no longer accept the ex- • ploitation of human effort and $1.00 per hour is a reasonable minimum in this day of high living costs. There are, however, certain points which we feel have been overlooked or purposely minimized in the new law. One of the most outstanding of these is • the very meager allowance permitted em- ployers for the training of skilled help. In its completed form the new law will allow an employer to pay a learner 10c less than the minimum, or 90c per hour for a four-month period, after which the learner must get the full one -dollar rate. This arrangement might be reasonable • in cases where a young man or woman was being trained on a job at which full skill could be obtained in a matter of a few months, but the legislation fails to recognize the fact that many of the skills used in modern industry require several • years of on-the-job training. Naturally, we are best informed about our own industry. A linotype operator, for example, seldom attains maximum speed and skill in less than three or four years. During that time he is learning a trade which will eventually provide him with an earning capacity well above average. He will be using equipment for which his employer has paid upwards of $10,000 per machine and that machine, of course, will be producing only a frac- tion of its potential all the time the learn- er is at the keyboard. In addition, some other skilled operator will be required to devote a considerable amount of time to the younger person's instruction. In- variabiy the learner is hard on the equip- ment. Because of his lack of know- ledge he will break a certain amount of parts, and this can amount to a sizeable bill in a year's time. He is, in fact, a liability to his employer rather than an asset for many months after he starts. The same situation exists in hundreds of trades all over the province. In a shop where a work week amounts to 40 hours the employer will have to pay the • learner a starting wage of $36.00 and at the end of four months will have to in- crease to $40.00 per week. It is safe to predict that there is going to be a great deal less on-the-job training in future. Ontario does have an apprenticeship act under which an employer may assume the formal training of learners and re- ceive compensation for his costs, but un- less it has been drastically altered in recent years it will hardly prove prac- tical for a small plant to fulfill all the technicalities for one or two apprentices. Another shortcoming in the minimum wage law is that it makes no allowance for "marginal" workers—those who, be- cause of physical or mental impairment are simply not capable of earning full- scale wages, How about the mentally retarded people who are capable of per- forming simple tasks where no power of decision is required, but who have to be supervised very closely? Hundreds of such unfortunate persons are now earn- ing at least a portion of their livelihood. Under the new regulations they are likely to find themselves without em- ployment when the price is one dollar an hour. The same situation prevails for blind and partly crippled workers. All these new laws which dictate what the employer must do may sound won- derful to the wage-earner. Perhaps he gloats a bit and says to himself, "This is great! Make the boss do the paying." The boss is going to pay all right. He is going to pay minimum wages regard- less of whether or not he is even show- ing a profit. He is and has been paying half his employees' unemployment in- surance. Soon he will be paying half his pension. Before long it will be half of the medicare bill. The boss is soaked a penalty on his municipal tax rate be- cause he has had the initiative to go into business (which incidentally provides the jobs for his employees). The boss also pays a separate business tax in addition to his higher mill rate levy. He is re- quired by law to pay full wages to all his employees when they take their holidays. If they want to form a union he is pre- vented by law from even presenting any arguments or reasons why they should not. The employee who believes he is really getting his own back is sadly mistaken. His dollar per hour minimum will soon be reflected by an equal increase in the cost of living. No employer can absorb all these extra costs without increasing his prices for he would soon be out of business if he neglected to do so. The most disturbing angle of the minimum wage law, however, is the con- tradiction in reasoning which is suggest- ed by government departments. We have just witnessed the opening of a million dollar addition to the high school to pro- vide training for young people so there will be more skilled workers available and less likelihood of mass unemploy- ment in future. The very next week we hear the announcement of an act which will unquestionably discourage the pro- gram of training which private and cor- porate industry has been carrying on for generations. Does the right hand really know what goes on with the left? Real Work of Mercy Last week The Advance -Times carried a brief story which asked that any who could spare the time might fill a very useful role by "adopting" a patient at the Ontario Hospital near Goderich. We hope that the article was read and ab- sorbed by many in this area. One of the big problems in the treat- ment of mental patients in hospital lies in the fact that they lose contact with the outside world. Loneliness is one of the very real hazards to be met and con- quered. Even the most devoted staff cannot fully meet the need. Fortunately we have come a long way from the days when our forebearers cast their mentally ill relatives into some- thing very like a prison and tried to for- get them. The science of mental healing has progressed marvellously within the past quarter century and patients can be helped back to normal living. One of the big contributing factors in successful treatment is the possibility of convincing the patient that he or she is still worthy of companionship and affection. Surely this opportunity should be one of the most challenging to people who have any sort of Christian compassion. New Page Developing You must have noticed last week that this newspaper carried a full page of high school news—interesting stories written by the students at the Wingham District High School. We cannot guarantee that there will be a full page every week, because the • students will soon be pretty tightly tied up in their studies for final exams. However, we are hoping to be able to make arrangements for such a page with the opening of the fall term. The high school with all its varied programs and activities, is one of the most interesting facets of community life, especially since students are coming in from all over the area. The page should provide a very use- ful form of expression for the young peo- ple who attend the school and will serve to keep the public fully aware of the tremendously important place the school fills, THE WINGHAM ADVANCE - TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited W. Barry Wenger, President - Robert U. 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 appihation One Moment, Please BY REV. T, E. KFNNf:DY His name shall be called Wonderful, Isaiah 9:verse t,. The writer Isaiah was the greatest of Israel's prophets, He lived in the eighth century before Christ. In regard to the corning of the Messiah, he pro- phesied that when hr name that he would be called Won- derful. We, today are living nearly two thousand years af- ter his coming and art• iii a position to know why thcr this great word of prophecy has been fulfilled. It was fulfilled in regard to his birth. Truly it was wonder- ful. It marks the wart rshed of human history. It also marks the greatest event in human history. He was born amid the reeking malodors of an orien- tal stable. There was no room for them in the inn and so he was born in a stable , nd crad- led in a manger. My text was also fulfilled in regard to his life. We think now of that wonderful life which began in another man's stable and ended by being bur- ied in another man's tomb. Our gracious Queen Elizabeth has the temporary ownership of three famous crowns, the crown of Scotland, the crown of St. Edward the Confessor and the great crown of state. This one weighs nine pounds and contains contains 3250 jewels. It both adorns and burdens her head when she wears it. But when Christ, the King of Kings came into this world the only crown he ever wore was a crown of thorns, the most contemptible crown in all of human history. The Roman soldiers in Pilate's judgment hall found nearby some thorny plant and from it made a crown. They placed it on his brow for two reasons. First, to torture him and sec- ondly to mock his kingly claims. Truly his life was won- derful. His death also was wonder- ful. The gospel writers inform us that it was accompanied by many signs and wonders. The sky was darkened and the sun refused to shine. There was a great earth- quake and the veil of the tem- ple was rent in twain. The great publicity of his death was wonderful. The day he was crucified and died was theJew- ish Passover. Hundreds of thou- sands of Jewish pilgrims were in Jerusalem to observe it and many of them streamed to Cal- vary to behold the dreadful scene. We have good reason for believing that more human eyes beheld his death than any other death in human history, Truly his birth, life and death were wonderful. BOX 390 April 29, 1964 5 Koln-Marienburg, 23 Am Sudpark, GERMANY Dear Barry; A change of plans will bring us home sooner than we ex- pected so please hold any fur- ther issues of the paper until we pick them up personally. We are leaving Cologne a week from today for a seven weeks' tour of Germany, Aus- tria, Switzerland, France, Bel- gium and Southern England, where we will board our boat for "Good Ole Canada' in Southampton, on June 24th and land in Montreal July 1st. It seems when you are plan- ning on leaving a new place you just begin to realize how little you have really seen and learned of it. In the past sev- eral weeks we have learned More about Germany than in the former four months. Cologne was a lucky choice for us, Behind every corner of the little old narrow streets lurk endless historical legends. It was very interesting for us to note that the Street Car Ring, called the Kaiser Wil- helm Ring, which goes around the city follows the path of the former Rotnau wall which sur- rounded Cologne many many years ago, and the remains of the main gates are still stand- ing. Another interesting fac- tor concerning the Dom, the WIN PROVINCIAL HONORS—These girls were presented with pins and certificates for provincial honours at the 4-H Home- makers' Achievement Day on Saturday at the Howick Central School. From the left are: Sharon Gadke, Lakelet; Pat Gadke, Lakelet; Mary Doig, Molesworth, and Eliza- beth Stokes, Gorrie.—A-T Photo, ingbain Uttlancio-Zinve Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, May 7, 1004 SECOND SECTION SUGAR AND SPICE It Happened One Sunday By BILL SMILEY Does going to church im- prove your golf score? Do you put the good side out or in when you build a fence on your proper- ty? How many peo- p 1 e attend evening ser vice at church? Why do women live longer than Bill Smiley men? I don't know how you spend Sunday, these fine spring days, but I got the answer to these questions, and a few others, last Sun- day. Went to church Sunday morning, and was early, for once. It was twenty to eleven when I arrived, and it's usually eighteen min- utes later than that. The was on Class, reason was that I hand to teach Bible which begins at celebrated 'Cathedral' which you saw with our first letter, is built in such a way that on a windy day it sways a certain amount with the wind, and is quite noticeable if you are in the top of it --which is a long, long way up. Surrounding the Ring is a belt of absolutely beautiful green parklands and little woods. These parklands are due to the efforts of Chancel- lor Dr. Konrad Adenauer who was Lord Mayor of Cologne at that time Onefamous park which deserves special men- tion, is the Rhine Park with its unusual fountain. It is a danc- ing fountain of 'Tanz Brunnen' with a floor above the fountain and two romantic little brid- ges leading to and from it. La- ter in the summer you pay 10 pfennigs to dance to gay Ger- man tunes played by a leading orchestra while the coloured jets of water Glance around you, The average German is hard working, well behaved, and economical, asking only to build works of peace, meditate on the raptures of nature and enjoy the ' fruits of his labours'. Ile wants his country to be one Germany again by regaining the other half and he will have it -- once again Germany can change the history of the world, Marvellous country, yes, but one can never hope to dis- cover it completely -- every time you think you have Well it, there is always another Ger- many over the hill, in the next village, in the next city Be seeing you soon.. `.I'heltna and Robert (Mr. and Mrs. R.l 1eIntyrc) quarter to ten. You guessed it. The Smileys for about the tenth year in a row. had forgotten to join the swing to Daylight Saving time. * * * Took advantage of the extra time to line up golf game with fellow pillar of congregation. Answer to question 1: No, I can't un- derstand it. but going to church doesn't improve your golf. This other good Anglican and I took on a couple of Presbyterians who admitted they'd missed morning service. They lick- ed us. Badly. Home at 4 p.m. Sat in chair in sun in yard, lick- ing golf wounds, Wife appears. Glares around yard. Looks mean- ly at me, then at half -raked leaves, half-baked dog who messes everywhere. cat who climbs screen on kit- chen door and ruins it, huge branch off oak tree lying across flower beds, fence leaning towards us at 45 degrees. She tells me we've got to have a new fence. It'll cost hundreds of dollars. I produce a diversion. Ask her whether we'll put good side of fence in or out. I suggest out. She says no. I say everybody does. She says I'rn crazy. I say. calm- ly, she's ridiculous. * * * Leap in car to inspect fences all over town. Some face in, others out. Nobody will give in. She gets sore. I give in. But I'm telling you right here, answer to Question 2: Depends on whether you want to look at the nice side of your fence, or want your neigh- bors to see it. Urgent call during din- ner. Sidesman needed for evening service. Can't think quickly. Agree re- luctantly. Get to church. Not a pillar in sight. Not a sinner. Not a choir mem- ber. Three altar boys, rector on the job. Congre- gation is me. Got the works, including sermon. Answer to Question 3. But rector told a good story later. One elderly cattle farmer turned up, once, for evening service. Preacher said, kind! y, "Since you're the only one here, perhaps we'll dis- pense with the sermon." Farmer says, "Well, if I loaded the whole wagon with feed, and only one old cow turned up, I think I'd feed her." Preacher agreed it was good logic. Went through entire service, in - REMINISCING MAY 1914 At a well attended meting of Wingham motorists held in the Council Chamber one day last week, the Wingham Motor Club was organized with the following officers: Honorary President, A. H. Musgrove, M. P.P,; president, L. Kennedy; vice-pres., Geo. Mason; sec. - treas., Dr. J. P. Kennedy. Outside of the social side, the association has several objects in view, among them rhe bet- terment of roads and co-opera- tion with councils and path - masters. MAY 1928 Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Thomp- son of Detroit, motored to Wingham to spend a few days with Mrs. Thompson's mother, Mrs. Bennett. On their return trip they were accompanied by Miss Ethelda Bennett. At Victoria Street and Di- agonal Road intersection on Saturday afternoon, two Ford touring cars disputed the right- of-way, and with rahter dis- astrous results. S. Burke was driving up Victoria street with J. Lennox as passenger, when they met A. D. Smith proceed- ing to Bluevale. Both cars were travelling at a fair rate of speed, going up grades, and both Iikely failed to see one another on account of the heavy rain. MAY 1939 Dr. A. T. Ford has disposed of his practice to Dr. James McKague who takes possession on May 15th. Dr. Ford has for many years given valuable ser- vice in this community and his many friends will he pleased that he is about to take a well earned rest. MAY 1949 Mr. Robert Golley and son, Glenn, were in Detroit last week attending the funeral of his uncle, Robert Cassels. Mr. Barry Green who, for the past six years has been ac- countant in the Wingham Branch of the Canadian Bank of Corntn rce will leave shortly for Shedden, Ontario, about 12 miles from St. Thomas, where he will take over as manager of that branch. Ile will he suc- ceeded here by Mr. L. M. Wedd of Simcoe, Ontario. eluding one-hour sermon. When it ended, he asked farmer what he thought. Latter replied, "Well, if I loaded the whole wagon with feed. and only one old cow turned up to be fed. I don't think I'd dump the whole wagon in front of her." And the answer to the last question:' Why do women live longer than men. 'Taint original, but I like it. "Because they don't have wives."