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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1964-05-21, Page 9* Mr. Pearson On Sunday Prime Minister Lester Pear- son made history. He actually proposed the format for a new Canadian flag. After goodness knows how many decades of squabbling over the flag issue a national leader has had the fortitude to back a de- sign and come out in the open with his opinions. The locale for the announcement was the national convention of the Royal Can- adian Legion in Winnipeg and there were plenty of indications that Mr. Pearson's choice of flags was not altogether popular with the Legionnaires. In fact his an- nouncement was greeted with boos and catcalls from some sections of the big audience. Despite the fact that the na- tional president of the Legion took his r • followers to task for their bad manners, their opinion is likely to prove hard to shake. The flag design which has received the PM's blessing is a simple affair — a twig from a maple tree with three leaves • sprouting from it. The suggestion is that the leaves could be red on a white back- ground. The design is certainly nothing to fire the imagination. In fact that must have been the reason for its selection— the fact that it will be inoffensive and will remind not one single Canadian of the land which happened to sire his fore- bears. Mr. Pearson and his government are faced with some grievous problems, the Popped It ones which have made the all -Canadian flag worth public sponsorship. He may be right. Perhaps our racial differences are so deep-seated that we will all be forced to forget our several backgrounds. The big question is—will it work? The introduction of a flag which boldly de- clares, "We spring from nowhere. We are just plain Canadians," is not any guaran- tee that French-Canadians will change their accent or forget that a French back- ground gives them some very telling argu- ments on which to demand more auton- omy. We can think of a few Canadian Scots and Irishmen and Englishmen who won't be too readily convinced either. The Royal Canadian Legion has hacked the adoption of the Red Ensign as their proposal for the Canadian flag and we have a feeling they will stick to their guns. Soldiers who have served their country in action all over the world feel that there is nothing shameful about the open acknow- ledgement that Canada has had long and valuable ties with Great Britain. They recognize the fact that until very recent years the defence of our own soil was a responsibility which Britain assumed. They know that we have never at any time in our history had enough naval ves- sels, as one example, to patrol even a frac- tion of our coastline. Mr. Pearson's idea may be a good one. We sincerely hope so, but there will be some fireworks before it is universally accepted. Pension or Swindle? The following editorial, which appear- ed in the April 28th edition of The Ed- monton Journal is worth some thought: "In recent years two major non-poli- tical studies, have dealt with the question of contributary state pensions for Can- adians. "In 1958, after a year-long study, Pro- fession R. M. Clark of the University of British Columbia, presented an 861 -page report, chiefly an analysis of the U. S. so- cial security system and the possibility of adoption in Canada. "Professor Clark concluded that vast sums of money would be needed to con- vert Canada's Old Age Pension plan ( then $55 a month; now $75) to the U.S. con - tributary system; it would take a long time to do so; Canadians could not expect to receive benefits as high as those of the U.S. because of their much lower average earnings. "At the week -end the Porter Royal Commission on Banking and Finance warned the government to go slowly on the Canada Pension Plan. The report pointed out that the plan could inhibit investment and have major effect on fi- nancial markets and the economy gener- ally. Obviously, adverse effects are im- plied. "The Commission said that the reason Canadians do not invest more in Canada is lack of money and no amount of co- ercion by itself will change that situation. "All of this emphasizes once again that the most careful consideration should be given to the Canada Pension Plan before it is made law. Far too little thought has yet been given to this scheme for state pensions even greater than those in the U.S., taking in account Canada's present $75 basic pension. "It should be pointed out that because there are no contributions on the first $600 of income, nearly all Canadian em- ployers and employees will pay 1.8 per- cent of earnings up to $5,000, not 1.5 per- cent as usually stated. "The Ontario Federation of Labour has already announced it will not permit any reduction in an employer's contribu- tion to a private pension plan because it regards this as 'deferred wages.' "A further provision that requires a hard look is that which will tie benefits to the cost of living index up to a maxi- mum of 2 percent yearly. Some econo- mists state that this will stimulate infl- ationary pressure, exerting a constant up- ward influence on costs and prices. Pen- sion benefits can be paid only out of cur- rent production. "The road to hell is still paved with good intentions, and this includes the hell of runaway inflation and an economy choked with welfare and financial folly. "Most of the billions of dollars in pen- sion contributions that will be controlled by the provinces probably will be spent on non-productive enterprises. Will enough be left for private enterprise to provide the thousands of new jobs needed in Canada every month? Will a stable dollar be maintained? A $206 pension won't look like much if it costs a dollar to buy a hot dog." Encouraging Growth One item of business at last week's town council meeting which we found en- couraging was that which dealt with plans for two additional housing subdivisions in Wingham. Many times in the past ten years we • have heard complaints that the town is growing too slowly. There are many who point with envy to other communities in this section of the province where new industries have been established and where hundreds of new homes have sprouted up as a consequence. 4 Admittedly Wingham's development has not been spectacular, but there has been a steady increase in the number of homes built each year. The plans which were provisionally passed by council for subdivisions at the former sawmill yard and an extension of the Henderson sub- division in the Summit Drive area east of the hospital will both mean a worthwhile contribution to the development of the community. Housing and industry occupy much the same relative positions as the chicken and the egg — it's difficult to say which comes first. However, the increasing number of good homes in the town will certainly be anything but a discourage- ment if and when industrialists are mak- ing up their minds about Wingham as a suitable location for manufacturing plants. 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 REMINISCING MAY 1914 The liquor licenses in Wing - ham ceased to he effccri.e can Thursday night last, and Wing - ham will now he added to the dry column. There was practi- cally no disorder on '1'hnr,day night, Business is hew con- tinued at the Brunsw it:k, Queens and Exchange hotels. ,.1r. B. J. Doyle has closed tht ':uunnal hotel and we understand tile Dinsley house will :,1se 1'.e clos- ed, A new ambulane:t , svuiired by the.1lospital Board in Toron- to, was received her, t:n Friday last. The vehicle ii..s nihher tires and is very meal,. up- holstered inside to ::ss,ir': every comfort in the tran:i. -ting of the patients to the Ii 'spita1. This is something that itis been needed for some Cruse and which will he appreciated re the hos- pital staff and those wing it. The ambulance is stored at Mr. J. A. Currie's liver; `table, MAY 1928 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Y. Car- rick of Whitechurch, announce the engagement of their sec- ond daughter, Lavina Jean, to Mr. Alfred James Clarke of Amherstburg, Ont. The mar- riage to take place Carly in June. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Curtis announce the engagement of their second daughter, Grace Jeanette, to Mr. Ilarold Proc- ter, second son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Procter of Belgrave, the marriage to take place the lat- ter part of May. Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Chap- man of Seaforth, spent Moth- er's Day at the home of their daughter, Mrs. A. J. Walker, where a pleasant family re- union was held. Those there for the day were Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Chapman and family of Goderich, Mr. and Mrs. A. Chapman of Bridgeburg, also Dr. G. K. Chapman of Bridge - burg. Will Taylor and Wallace Gurney brought honor to their town and school at the inter- school meet at London on Sat- urday. The former won the high jump at 5 ft. 4 3/4 inches while Wallace made a new junior record in the pole vault, when he topped the stick at 8 feet 101 inches. On Saturday, Carl, son of Charles Bondi pulled a heavy travelling pulley off the track in the basement of the store which in falling hit the lad on the head. The hundred pound article cut quite a gash, and knocked the lad out for a time but a doctor soon fixed him up. MAY 1939 The winner of the boys' singles table tennis competition of the Wingham Public School was Milton Brown. Among those who graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College at Guelph this year were Doctor J. NI. McKague, who is taking Dr. Ford's prac- tice here, and Doctor Harold V. Skelding, a Wingham boy. The graduation exercises were held in Guelph on Friday. Mrs. John T. Currie's daugh- BARBECUE COMMITTEE—The local branch of the Legion is once again going to stage a giant barbecue in connection with the Kinsmen Trade Fair. The event will take place beside the Arena on Saturday even- ing, June 6th, and this year chicken will replace beef. The committee in charge is pictured above. Front row, left to right: Ted Elliott, Jack Gorrie, chairman, "Pon- derosa Bill" Walden of last year's fame, Dave Crothers, Legion president; back row: Glen Sinnamon, Herb Fuller, Willis Hall, Cy Robinson. John Strong, public rela- tions officer, took the picture. l*1 301141100Zi 1 li - Wingham, Ontario, May 21, lnc4 SECOND SECTION ter, Mrs. T. K. Bibb, of De- troit, and granddaughter, M. Aitken, surprised her with a par- ty on her eightieth birthday. Mr. Carman Hetherington, who has completed his third year at the Ontario Veterinary College, Guleph, left on Satur- day for New York where he has secured a position for the sum- mer at a Veterinary hospital. A happy event took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Foxton on Mother's Day when every member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. T. Robertson were present. Those from out of town were, Mr, and Mrs. Vic Wilson and Mr. and Mrs, Sid Johnston and Ted of Toronto, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Hopper and Joan and Patsy of Exeter, and Dr. and Mrs. E. C. Apps and Judith Elizabeth, of Kcnora. MAY 1949 Personnel for the county pub• lic health unit has been engag- ed by Huron County Board of Health. The new plan replaces the health system in the schools. It goes into effect on July 1, and is county wide. Dr. Robt. M. Aldis, of Milverton, for- merly of London, has been en- gaged as Medical Officer of Health; Ray Gibbon, Toronto, as senior sanitary inspector, Miss Norah Cunningham, Cayu- ga, as supervising nurse, with Miss A. Cleaver, Godcrich, and Miss Mary Love, Clinton, as staff nurses. Mrs. Stanley Northcott, formerly Virginia Currie, was the guest last week of Mrs. J. M. D. Hay, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. F. A. Parker at her home in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Northcott are stationed in London, England, and expect to he abroad for two years. 200 Attend Hurori CGIT Rally at Blyth Another successful C. G. I. T. rally for the teen-age girls of 'luron was held in Blyth United Church on Saturday. Almost 200 registrations were recorded and the Blyth ladies of the 1'. C. W. served that number it de- licious supper in record time. The theme "c=i.ing Our Best" was used for the day and for the worship service presented by Grand Bend C. G.I. T. ' The rally began at 1.15 with a sing -song conducted by Mrs. B. N, Corrin of Wingham, ac- companied by Mrs. A. Jackson of Belgrave. A panel on Re- cruitment was presented by Mrs. Jack Reavis, The role of nurse was taken by Mrs. Ken Wood; of deaconess by Mrs. A. Jackson; of tcaeher, Mrs. G, W, Tiffin and the questioners were Misses Lynda Reavie, Virginia Murray and c;luria Reed. i'/or:< groups were held for each age group in gashes, crafts, and Biblical drama while Ntrs. R. S. hilts. conduc- ted the lt.aders' fellowship. After supper "a camp time" featured songs, a report by Lin- da Green of Godertch on the Provincial Camp 100, and a puppet show written and staged by the drania group that day. A special feature of the af- ternoon was the appearance of Nliss I ole e Venthain, home on furlough from India, in a beau- tiful red silk sari. She showed coloured slides of her region of India and told of her won: as a hospital supervisor, before an- swering inane questions the girls had in their minds. At seven o'clock the girls convened in the name of the church with the parents of the graduating class of Ib C.G. SUGAR AND SPICE In Our Dreams By BILL SMILEY Do you indulge occa- sionally in the dream of coming into a lot of money? Most people do. It's some- thing like taking dope: you're high, wide and dreamy while you're at it, but the let - down is jolting. The bored h o u sewife, for example, crouched over her ironing board, en- visions herself in bikini suit on a deck chair on a yacht in the Mediterranean, sipping a long, cold drink. Tanned a n d handsome, Count Serge Popoff takes her hand and, devouring her with his eyes, leans forward to kiss it, Bill Smiley Just as she is thrilling right up to the shoulder from the cool, firm im- print of the count's lips on her mitt, she looks down and discovers that the cool, firm lips have suddenly become the cold, runny nose of her daughter, who is wiping it on the back of mummy's hand. Maybe the factory hand, busy all day putting square pegs in round holes, begins toying with what he'll be doing if his sweepstake ticket conies through. In his mind's eye, he is lolling on his balcony in Acapul- co's poshest hotel, over- looking the swimming -pool, while a beautiful Spanish job with a rose in her hair whisper's gentle stuff in his ear. 1'. ineu,hers. '1'hc graduates wore white and blue e:orsa;.e<, The Londeshuro c'. C+. 1. 1'. 'ori: cd the choir and Miss Anne Graham of London delivered an inspiring message to the ems, "Where are Yat Going, \;V Pretty Maid and Who 1, doing with Yon?" The valcd:etori:ut's addre was given by r of Wingham. The 'Our other Wingham Girls graduarutg cure Susan Spry, Noreen Nicol, Nancy Donaldson, Bonnu Jar- ditt, Bclgrave graduates were Joyce Procter and Doreen Patti son. Each graduate was go e r a lighted candle before the group declared their t:. G. I. T, Purpose facing the cOngruga- tion. The closing program of the year tor 'Wingham C. G.I.'1'. is the Mother and Daughter ban- quet to he held on May 91;. It's a dangerous shock to his system when he sud- denly realizes that the face so near his own is not the Spanish lovely, but the straw boss, and the tender murmurs have become a moose -like bellow that wants to know "what the helleryou gawping at?" Even the Canadian farm- er, a solid fellow most of the time, has his weak mo- ments. Like when he starts dreaming that he had a thousand head of cattle, in- stead of twenty, and he sold them at forty cents a pound, instead of eighteen. Clear as crystal, he can see himself and Maw heading down the highway for a long holiday in the new Cadillac. It does him no good at all to wake up and find that the Cadillac has been transformed into a tractor, and he's heading straight for the stone fence. For years, I've had these dreams: riding in a ricksha in Rangoon, tossing silver dollars to the natives: drop- ping in on Princess Mar- garet and Tony for a cock- tail: flying to Rio for carnival time. But lately, they have solidified into one recurrent dream which is more like an obsession. It comes almost nightly at this time of year. In the dream, my wife says, "When are you going to get those storm win- dows off, have you any in- tt'ntion of cutting the ]awn this year, what do you in- tend to do about that fence?" I just tell her to shut up. This is how I know it's a dream. Then I reach out nonchalantly, push the bell - button beside my chair. A man appears and asks re- spectfully, "Yes, sir:"' I tell him, ",John, get those storm windows off. .and I don't mean tomor- row. The grass needs cut- ting. and do something about propping up the fence. Now, get cracking." Ile says, "Right away, sir." I lean hack, light a dollar cigar. and splash a little more soda into my brandy. 'Chat's the dream, in essence. There are varia- tions on it, depending on seasons. Sometimes I tell John to shovel the walk, and I splash a little more brandy into my soda, but it's the same dream. You can have your yachts, your Acapulco bal- conies, and your Cadillacs. ,Just give me ,John.