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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-01-05, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5,1994. Citizen©The North Huron CNA P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont NOM1HO Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell riio The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable In advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 E ditorial r:........................ Because it’s there When asked why he climbed a mountain one famous climber replied— "Because it's there." Recent developments show that others than mountain climbers have the same kind of mental approach to life. Researchers in Britain, for instance, are planning to work on recovering the eggs from aborted female fetuses, fertilize them and implant them in adult 1 women who are infertile. It means that a child that was never alive can be a mother (and since a five-month fetus has seven million eggs, the unborn child could be mother of a whole nation). Also in Britain, a 59 year old woman has had special hormone treatments, then implanted with a fertilized egg from another woman, so that she can have a child. Both cases have raised disturbing issues for those worried about ethics in medical research. Despite the concerns, these medical procedures are almost surely to continue and spread around the world (at least to those nations where people can afford them). Ethics tend to bend in these cases and the unthinkable becomes the commonplace. Many people are asking if these procedures are really needed. For the scientists, however, the excitement of the chase for knowledge overwhelms any worries about ethics. Because they think they can, they feel they must do it. Rules are meant to be broken in the eternal quest for knowledge. This same breaking of rules for the sake of breaking of rules applies in other areas of life. In the arts, the very fact there are rules set leads many artists to try to break them. Paintings were recently seized from an Ontario art gallery because police felt they violated a new law that says children should not be depicted in acts of sex. The law is primarily intended to prevent exploitation of children in pornographic videos but police feel the paintings also break the law too. The charges have brought artists self-righteously to the defence of the painter. Censorship is wrong, they say. Censorship rules must be broken. In society in general, of course, people are constantly pushing at the rules by such things as the underground economy, avoiding taxes and government rules. There's a certain health in a society that refuses to accept arbitrary rules. Still, a society must have some rules. Deciding which rules are meant to be broken and which must remain is the age-old struggle for civilization. — KR A snapshot of the future? An uprising in a part of Mexico few of us had even heard about has focused attention on trends in North American society and their affect on the poorest of the poor. The Zapatista uprising of poverty-stricken natives in Chiapas province of Mexico was timed to coincide with the declaration of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by the Mexican government. Given that Canadians and Americans who opposed NAFTA were worried that their jobs would move to Mexico to make use of cheaper labour, it would seem that the poor of Mexico have the most to gain by the trade agreement. Some observers even feel NAFTA is just a good attention getter for the rebels. But the rebel leaders say NAFTA is the latest effort by those who have to exploit those who have little. The rich landowners will gain while the poor peasants are pushed off the land, they argue. Certainly there is a growing trend in society to focus on the problems of the comfortable and blame the poor for their own problems. The free trade debate has led many economists and business spokespersons to call for backing the "winners" and abandoning the "losers" in order to bring greater competitiveness. Middle class taxpayers have been revolting against supporting those who are unemployed or on welfare. Consumers argue that they should be allowed to have milk a few cents cheaper or save on clothing even if it means farmers and garment workers are sacrificed. The meaner part of the "leaner and meaner" ethic seems to be upon us. The gap between those who have good jobs and those who are barely employed, or are unemployed, seems to be widening. Canada is on a trail that seems sure to create an American-type society where the rich live well while the poor live with little protection. The U.S. in turn seems to be moving closer to Mexico where rules are being loosened so the very rich can get even richer. Is the rebellion of Chiapas peasants a sign of things to come? If the trend to widen the gap between rich and poor continues, could we even someday be looking at this kind of trouble in Canada? — KR A black and white picture______________________ Photo by Janice Becker Letters Group writes THE EDITOR, We would like to acknowledge the people of Brussels and surrounding area for their great community spirit getting their friends together to attend the New Year's dance at the community centre. A delicious lunch was donated by the ladies of B. M. & G. catering group. Mary and Jack Bryans and Doug Hemingway did their part greeting friends as well as handling money and tickets all evening. Everything balanced out perfectly. Alvin and Pam McLennan, Merve and Donna Bower donated their time to run the bar. When asked if they wanted to be relieved for a short time, Alvin said "We're having just as much fun here." With a change of pace we were treated to an old time square dance and waltz; music provided by Lloyd Warwick, Dave Wallace and Betty Campbell at the piano. As half of the crowd would be under 40, Leo Deitner calling the square dance realized we all needed a refresher course. It was great fun, thanks Leo, Dave, Lloyd and Betty. When the bell struck 12 we had 170 balloons all drop from above, compliments to George and Shirley Wheeler. All and all the evening was a great success with help from Brian Searson, D.J. The people under 40 thought he was great and the ones over agreed. That's a hard task to accomplish. We will have approx. $3,000 to go towards a dishwasher and ice maker. We are so lucky to live in a community that work and play in harmony. B. M. & G. Catering Group. Paul’s Perspective MPP discusses CUA changes By Huron MPP Paul Klopp One of the underlying problems faced by small businesses in rural Ontario is the availability of credit. In an effort to get more of the decision-making at the grassroots level this government has set in place methods by which rural savings will be used in rural communities. This has been done in the Ministry of Agriculture with the Rural Loan Pool. One financial institution which has served local economies for a long time is the Credit Union. Although these are very much smaller than the banking giants in our country they have served as a financial base in many small communities. Last month the Minister of Finance, Floyd Laughren announced the first changes to the Credit Union Act in the 17 years. The changes make the credit unions more competitive and this will allow them to serve their own communities. Credit unions are managed by local people who can respond to the needs of the community. They are not part of a chain but a financial institution which is run by its members. To be able to provide loans for larger business enterprises, credit unions will be able to join with other credit unions to fmance larger projects. The changes in the act will allow credit unions to secure more capital by selling shares to the public. It will allow them to support local economic development by permitting credit unions to put money into a wider range of investments including shares of community investment share corporations and community loan funds for small business. The membership base of the Credit Unions may be enlarged by including former members. Business corporations and governmental bodies may become members, up to a limit. There will be higher standards for boards of directors and requirements for audit committees. Also the disclosure requirements for potential conflicts of interest will be strengthened. The range of business in.which Credit Unions may engage will be expanded. They will be able to sell more financial products and services. They will be able to sell certain types of insurance. There Continued on page 5