Times-Advocate, 1981-06-10, Page 32Page 16A
Times -Advocate, Juni 10, 1981
Jeer politicians on high interest, low returns
Huron farmers voice concerns at Toronto
By HERB SHOVELLER
More than 900 angry On-
tario farmers including
many from Huron and Perth
gathered in Toronto Thurs-
day and jeered and called
down federal and provincial
government ministers when
they would not commit
themselves to programs to
protect agriculture from
high interest rates and low
production returns.
Eugene Whelan. federal
Minister of Agriculture.
along with his provincial
counterpart. Lorne Hender-
son. were targets of most of
the farmers' frustration at
the three-hour long public
meeting to provide the
agricultural community
with anopportunity to voice
its concerns.
Ontario Treasurer Frank
Miller was on the receiving
end of some of the bitter
comments while Premier
William Davis, an uninvited
guest" who spoke briefly,
slipped out of the meeting
early, unscathed.
Ralph Barrie, president of
the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture, (OFA), Brian
Ireland, an OFA director
from Bruce County and
Leslie Van Trigt. a farmer
from Haldimand- Norfolk
who described his concerns
about his future in farming,
presented the farmers' posi-
tion. Glenn Flaten, president
of the Canadian Federation
of Agriculture. also spoke.
Though other issues such
as foreign ownership were
touched upon, staggering in-
terest rates and inequitable
returns on production
remained the main issue of
dispute.
Throughout the steep
climb in interest rates Mr.
Henderson has maintained
providing relief is a federal
concern, and his insistence
appeared to have paid off for
him. After arriving late
from Ottawa, Mr. Whelan
was constantly called upon
to answer questions concer-
ning interest rates. And
whenever shots were aimed
at the province. Mr. Miller
fielded them.
In the few instances when
he did speak. however. the
provincial agriculture
minister was regularly at-
tacked.
When Mr. Henderson
began his brief introductory
address with, "Through the
years the government has
tried to respond to problems
as we see them." an irate
farmer hollered "Bull...."
Let's talk
Later, when he explained
the government was in -
f
terested and expected to
hear from the farmers at the
meeting, another audience
member interrupted, say-
ing. "High interest, let's talk
about it."
"I agree," replied Mr.
Henderson, "and we're go-
ing to have the federal
minister here to discuss
them."
"Quit passing the buck,"
challenged another farmer.
Twice during his five
minute address meeting
chairman Mr. Barrie had to
call the audience to order.
and when Mr. Henderson sat
down he received scattered
applause sprinkled with a
small chorus of boos.
Mr. Ireland, the third
speaker of the afternoon, set
the tone for the farmers'
anger with his opening
remarks. "We are farmers,
not mushrooms," he said,
"and we don't have to be
kept in the dark on a diet of
horse..."
Some progress
In an interview later, Mr.
Ireland issued a cooler
assessment of the meeting's
success. "I would think we
made some progress. They
showed concern by sending
the premier and ministers
here. We seemed to get some
kind of commitment from
Frank Miller," and managed
to score a few "brownie
points."
For Mr. Barrie, the
success of the meeting will
only be measured after dis-
cussions with the govern-
ment over the next month.
This is really essential for
us," he explained in an inter-
view following adjournment.
"The secret in negotiating
with the government" is in
proving "we are speaking
for the people". The solid
turnout Thursday provided
the evidence.
Still, he admitted, the
talks will be difficult.
"Frank Miller is a pretty
astute guy. He's not going to
put a lot of money into short
term subsidies for the sake
of long term stability."
An often mentioned
remedy to provide an upturn
in the fortunes of agriculture
was a shift to supply
management, particularly in
the red meat industry.
Independent study notes
varying effects in lines
An independent study
involving more than 1,000
farm properties in Ontario
indicates that Ontario
Hydro's transmission lines
have variable effects on the
market value of agricultural
lands.
The 18 -month study,
recently completed by the
consulting firm of Woods
Gordon and Company, was
commissioned by Ontario
Hydro with the knowledge of
the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture.
The study involved a
detailed statistical analysis
of 1,000 farm properties to
determine factors affecting
property value and the
atkelihood of results oc-
curring by chance. or use.
As well, detailed farm Wide variations were
property appraisals were found in the effect of electric .
made on some 30 properties transmission lines on
affected by transmission specific rural property
lines together with 125 values. The finding clearly
similar properties not af- indicates the need to con-
fected by a line. tinue to appraise individual
The study examined six properties and confirms
high-voltage lines : one present Ontario Hydro policy
500,000 volt line built ten in this area.
years ago; and five 230,000- Analysis showed factors
volt line segments built such as date of sale,
between 1941 and 1974 and proximity to towns, villages
located in various and highways, soil quality,
agricultural 'areas of property size and the extent
Southern Ontario. The of farm improvement play a
Woods Gordon study did not more important role in
address the immediate explaining the differences in
impact that transmission selling values than do
line construction may have transmission lines alone.
on agricultural land values The study also showed that
transmission lines are more
likely to lower the selling
price of properties in areas
where rural estate
development or land
speculation is occurring.
Transmission lines do not
appear to affect values of
land devoted strictly to
agriculture.
Results were inconsistent
for the 500,000 volt ,,line.
While the statistical model
predicted property values
could appreciate in value,
the appraisal analysis found,
on 'the contrary, that values
depreciated by 12 percent to
28 percent with an average of
20 percent. One appraisal did
indicate a 12 percent ap-
preciation.
In general, the Woods
Gordon findings contrast
with a report entitled "The
Socio -Economic Impacts of
Electric Transmission
Corridors" prepared in 1977
by the University of
Waterloo and released by the
Royal Commission on
Electric Power Planning in
1978.
This study concluded that
values of all properties af-
fected by a transmission line
were reduced, with the
largest effect on small
properties and a decreasing
effect for larger properties.'
Ontario Hydro, with the
knowledge of the OFA,
questioned the technical
support in the University of
Waterloo study and in 1979
decided to obtain a more
extensive and complete
assessment of the economic
impact of transmission lines
on farm property values.
This study indicated the
need to continue to appraise
the impact of transmission
lines on individual proper-
ties.
Stop tough guys
A letter asking all
newspapers to refuse adver-
tisements from promoters of
unsancitioned 'Tough Guy'
or 'So You Think You're
Tough' events was issued
recently by the Office of the
Ontario Athletics Com-
missioner.
The Athletics Com-
missioner's Office ad-
ministers the Athletics
Control Act under the
general supervision of the
Ontario Ministry of Con-
sumer and Commercial
Relations.
Ontario's Boxing Super-
visor. Clyde Gray, said he
was particularly concerned
about the promotion of
'Tough Guy' type events
"because they're just one
step above street fighting."
During the contest
members of the public are
invited into the ring to
challenge all comers in a
quick series of bouts until
only one fighter remains.
"There is little concern by
the promoters for the safety
of the fighters and serious
personal injury is a definite
posibility in this type of
fighting," said Mr. Gray.
"This office will not sanc-
tion events of this type
because I feel strongly that
it would not be in the best in-
terests of the public or the
safety of the participants."
STEPHEN TRACK STARS — Individual champions were named in the recent tr
field meet at Stephen Central School. Back, left, Ken Payne, Greg Becker, Tracey Rem es
and Irene Brand. Front, Christine Chalmers, Glen Hayter and Joel lomport. T -A photo
Cash cropping of hay
changing considerably
Selling hay ischangingfrom
a neighbor -to -neighbor tran-
saction into a full-fledged
cash crop operation in some
parts of Ontario but a
successful marketing
system still eludes most
farmers.
A committee comprising
interested producers,
dealers and Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food representatives is
searching for some answers
to the many problems plagu-
ing hay marketing.
"We're trying to look at all
aspects of marketing hay,"
says Galen Driver, com-
mittee chairman and direc-
tor of the ministry's soils
and crops branch.
The committee is discuss-
ing quality standards.
transportation costs,
packaging methods. costs in-
volved in setting up a hay
1
business and a central agen- haphazard and often
cy for organizing hay sales. satisfies neither producer
"Many Ontario cash crop nor buyer, says Dr.
farmers are very interested McLaughlin. Traditionally,
in rotating hay with row he says, 90 per cent of all hay
crops to improve soil stuc- sold is sold within 24 km (15
ture, says Rob McLaughlin mil of its origin. Quality
of the University of Guelph. standards are practically
"Cash crop farmers are non-existent, and hay quality
just crying to get a legume is judged by looking at the
into their rotation," he says. color of a bale and smelling
"Most don't have cattle, so the hay.
they need a market for their "There is little difference
crop." now in price between good
One alternative is growing and poor quality hay," says
red clover for seed. After Dr. McLaughlin. "Farmers
one year, farmers see im- don't have a lot of incentive
provements in yield and sub- to produce excellent hay."
stantial savings on fertilizer Transportation difficulties
and insecticides. make shipping hay more ex -
But, says Dr. McLaughlin. pensive than producing it.
if a farmer can harvest hay The hay committee is look -
and leave a legume standing ing into bale compressors,
longer, he gets even more pellets and even container
benefit. A two -to three-year shipping. Dr. Mclaughlin
stand of alfalfa is ideal says a central marketing
Hay marketing is system would improve sales.
Emphasize
efficiency
A dollar saved may be a
dollar gained, and visitors to
the eighth annual Ontario
Pork Congress in Stratford
can find out how to save that
dollar at the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food exhibit at the Stratford
Coliseum, June 23 to June 25.
The emphasis of this
year's exhibit is im-
provement of feed efficiency
to save money.
"We're always stressing
efficiency," says Paul
Simmons, co-ordinator of the
exhibit, "and feed is the
most costly item in
producing pork. There are
many ways we can save on
feed in the face of rising
costs and falling returns."
Producers can ask
ministry veterinarians,
agricultural engineers and
swine specialists about their
specific operations and
receive expert advice on
feeding, management, and
disease problems.
"We want to make pork
producers more aware of the
ministry services available
to the pork industry," says
Max Kurp of the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food.
Over- supply is currently a
major ailment. and it was
made clear, by both govern-
ment speakers and
agricultural spokesmen,
that the responsibility for
better control of inputs to
the marketplace rests with
farmers.
Though there are in-
dications pointing in that
direction, certain industries,
notably beef, have resisted
marketing boards and
favour simple free enter-
prise. It is contended that a
marketing agency would
regulate flow of products to
market to insure farmers
recover their production
costs and show a profit.
"Hopefully the farmers
will admit they can't
manage their way, and get
off their ego trip, or we're
going to have poverty on the
farm," said Andre Durand, a
South Huron director on the
county Federation of
Agriculture. "The reason
(for the current dilemma) is
not interest rates, it's return
on production. Milk has a
quota, and they have no
problems."
Premier Davis touched on
the issue in his address.
"There's a real problem in
the beef industry. Part of the
solution lies in your own
hands," he told the gather-
ing. "There has to be an
awareness that part of the
problem lies with the in-
dustry inself."
The premier described the
intent of the government
representatives at the
seminar.
"I'm here to say there are
limitations... that a govern-
ment can in fact achieve. As
rR
AWAY WE GO — Karen Van Bergen and Melanie McDonald
try out a pair of hobby horses at Friday's Trivitt Anglican
Church yard sale. T -A photo
Implement rule
for new drivers
Ontario Transportation
and Communications
Minister Jame Snow said
that probationary driver's
status for all new drivers
was implemented June 1.
At the same time. a
change will be made in the
method of recording demerit
points against all drivers -
recording such points as of
the date of the offence
rather than from the date of
the conviction.
Both moves are based on
recommendations by the
Select Committee on
Highway Safety.
"I am confident," Snow
said, "these measures will
help make all drivers more
responsive to the traffic
laws of this province while,
and at the same time, make
our highways and streets
safer for all of us.
"Probationary status is
necessary, unfortunately, "
Snow continued, "because
too many of our new drivers
appear to be demonstrating
a lack of repect for traffic
laws, resulting in a dis-
proportionately high rate of
collisions and convictions.
"I believe probationary
status, with its automatic
suspension at six demerit
points, will have a definite
and positive impact on all
new drivers - especially
those who are potentially
careless."
The new status will apply
to all new drivers,
regardless of age, including
anyone who has not held an
Ontario driver's licence
within the previous three
years. It will also
automatically exclude them
from holding either a school
bus driver's licence, Class B
or E, or a driving instruc-
tor's licence.
The only exceptions to
probationary status will be
drivers who held, for at least
two of the .previous three
years, a valid driver's
licence from another
province or territory in
Canada, a State of the
United Statres of America, a
Canadian Forces Europe
Operator's Licence, or a
combination of any of these.
The probationary status of
new drivers will not be ap-
parent from their licences
which will be exactly the
same as present licences.
However, new drivers will
have to complete two, one-
year periods free of suspen-
sion for traffic violations
before this status will be
removed.
"The new driver," snow
pointed out, "will have to be
a careful, attentive driver to
avoid accumulating six
points and a 30 -day suspen-
sion."
Unless drivers accumulate
all six points at one time,
they will be notified by letter
at the time of their first ac-
cumulation of points and
reminded of the automatic
suspension at six points.
And, although demerit
points are reduced to zero
when a suspension occurs,
probationary drivers will re-
tain this status until the
necessary two, one-year
periods without suspension
have been completed.
"We are also revising the
regulation regarding the
point at which demerit
points are recorded follow-
ing conviction — from the
present date of conviction to
the actual date of the
offence.
"This," Snow pointed out,
"will eliminate a loophole
whereby high -point drivers
can delay their trials until
previously registered
demerit points are removed
from their records — thus
avoiding a 15 -point suspen-
sion.
"This regulation," Snow
concluded, "has a protection
clause to ensure that no
drivers will be suspended un-
der the new date -of -offence
rule whose cases are pen-
ding before the courts. Suah
convictions won't be back
dated, resulting in unex-
pected suspensions.
a provincial government,
we are prepared to give cer-
tain solutions to certain
problems, but we can't solve
them all."
He echoed Mr. Hender-
son's comments on interest
rates, saying thay were a
product of the "policy of the
government of this coun-
`,
I can assure you we are
prepared, with the
assistance of the farm com-
munity, to take some steps,"
added the premier. "But
they have to be logical, they
have to work, and they have
to assist those in genuine
need."
Lucky ones
Next, Mr. Ireland told the
audience he had lost $60,000
in 1980, which meant his
family of six lived on $13,000
last year. "I can't afford to
be this 'generous for another
year," he said, "and I'm still
one of the lucky ones."
Along with government,
Mr. Ireland also brought len-
Dear Sir:
Re: Capital Gains Tax -
Bona Fide Farm Land
You will recall that John
Crosbie in his December 1979
budget, provided some relief
from Capital Gains Tax on
the sale of bona fide farm
land. The Liberal -NDP
coalition defeated this
proposed worthwhile relief.
During the 1980 election,
the Liberals promised to
move the valuation day from
December 31, 1971 to 1974.
However, they again
betrayed farmers when the
MacEachen budget of
October 1980 provided no
relief. In his speech, Mr.
MacEachen said that a
discussion paper would soon
be released and that he
would be "awaiting
representation on that
paper."
The discussion paper was
released, but it has not yet
been distributed or
publicized. It calls for the
retention of Capital Gains
Tax and by tone argues for
increasing the tax to 100
percent of taxable Capital
Gains from the present 50
percent.
I am convinced that only a
massive campaign by far-
mers and farm groups can
protect what we have, let
alone decrease this unfair
tax on capital (not capital
gains).
Each and every farmer
should write to Mr.
MacEachen, Minister of
Finance, House of Com-
mons, Ottawa, Ontario (with
a copy to myself as a check)
demanding:
a) total abolition of Capital
Gains Tax on bona fide farm
land, or
b) changing the valuation
day to 1974, plus indexing
from that date, or
c) indexing the valuation
day from 1971.
If farmers do not act
decisively on this matter,
they can expect the Liberal -
NDP coalition to make a
further grab on the value of
their hard-earned farm land.
Yours truly,
Blaine A. Thacker, M.P.
Lethbridge -Foothills,
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario
17 '.%k, Nathomi 5th ANNUAL AnNrl N�
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Grounds Open
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Arena Opens
Saturday — 9 a.m.
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Jsily 11 12, 1981 4
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SATURDAY, JULY 11, is "LADIES DAY"
This coupon is worth one dollar towards the
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si 00
ofq"�a man Good on Saturday, July 11th only.
ding institutions under fire.
"If the banks are such good
corporate citizens," he ask-
ed, "why are they running
ads in the dailies to upgrade
their image?"
He emphasized Ontario
farmers' anger over
equalization payments by
the federal government. On-
tario pays $1.5 billion into
the• fund. Quebec receives
81.8 billion.
Mr. Van Trigh, a lifetime
farmer, told the audience he
was contemplating whether
to quit farming because he is
being pinched by low
markets and high interest.
He said he had taken a job as
a crop insurance agent to
cover his "day to day costs."
He, too, urged that pork
producers form a supply
management agency. "I fail
to understand why the hog
industry has not been forced
under supply management,"
he wondered. "Most I talk to
want farm management."
Mr. Van Trigt challenged
consumer organizations as
well. "The consumer
association wants input on
our boards," he said.
"That's great. Maybe we
should have farmers on the
consumer board, and the
machine manufacturer's
board, and the food store
board..."
Son is farmer
Mr. Miller opened his
remarks by telling farmers
his son has been farming for
eight years and he has yet to
break even. The minister
said he owned 49 per cent of
his son's operation, so was
quite familiar with the
problems facing agriculture.
Mr. Miller pledged to work
"hard in the next two to
•
three weeks" to find
solutions.
Mr. Flaten, CFA presi-
dent, acknowledged the
government and banks are
not the sole culprits in the
current predicament. "In
fairness," he explained,
"some farmers have ex-
panded beyond their range of
capabilities."
The president also stress-
ed many sectors of the in-
dustry would be more stable
if they had a marketing
structure. "Farmers must
remember that to get a
degree of stability goes hand
in hand with giving up cer-
tain freedoms.
"All of us agree that the
long term solution must be
to get adequate return from
the market," he continued.
"In order to do that, we
must design the best
marketing system available.
"We need farmers to pull
together a united front for
what we want, because
farmers are fragmented."
Mr. Whelan, noting there
was no one villain in the
agricultural problem, added
not all sectors of farming
are suffering. I've had no
letters from egg producers,
broilers or dairy," he said.
"If these people are having
problems, they're not telling
me."
The federal agriculture
minister outlined some of
the financial support the
province's farmers received
from his government last
year, which included On-
tario's share of 28 per cent of
the Farm Credit Corporation
loan and the national
government's $13.4 million
contribution to the crop in-
surance program.
MULE KICK — Burke Gladding performs the mule kick at the
Exeter Public School track meet, Friday. T -A photo
11
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