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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1982-03-03, Page 151 .:-:ttr -T - - "VAG. fJi. .. a -, . 4.- i -34;. - Hottest topic on agenda with politicians 'Times -Advocate, March 3, 1982 Powe if Huron Federation wants absentee ownership halted Absentee foreign ownership topic discussed at Saturday's of farm land was the hottest Huron Federation of BEEF OVER COFFEE — Usborne beef producer Howard Pym and Huron Associate Ag Rep Stan Paquette tall- about the brief industry during a coffee break at Satur- day's Huron Federation of Agriculture members of Parliament. Day. Staff photo Arrange discussion on young. farmers The theme of the March meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture will be "Establishing the Young Farmer". It will be held Thursday, March 4, at 8:30 p.m. at Howick Central Public School, east of Gorrie on Highway 87. There will be a panel presentation by Richard Smelski from Perth OMAF on: "How To Be a Successful Farmer," John Stephens from Centralia Agricultural College on "Factors .af- fecting the Establishment of Young Farmers," and Peter Benson, CA, supervisor of Ag. Services from Price Waterhouse, on the "Effects of the November Federal Budget." This meeting has been organized by the HCFA's Young Farmer Committee. It is chaired. by Bob Coleman, Tuckersmith township, and has six other members; Dave Drummond (Blyth), Pete Dykstra (Goderich), Barry Mason (Belgrave), Haus Rasmussen (Fordwich), Bert_ Saunders (Brussels), and Larry Sturdy (Goderich) . The Young Farmers Committee was established in 1980 to bring attention and suggest solutions to the problems facing many young people trying to get established in farming today. The meeting will be hosted by Howick Township Federation of Agriculture. All interested persons are invited to attend. Agriculture meeting with area Members of Parliament. - Briefs by Grant Curran, chairman of the -foreign ownership committee of the Huron Federation and direc- tor Jim McIntosh called for legislation and director Jim McIntosh called for legisla- tion to stop absentee foreign ownership. Curran said "We need legislation similar to Saskatchewan and we need it now. He went on to say, "our pre- sent legislation under the Registration Act of 1980 does /nothing to rectify our pro- blem. Government figures don't correspond at all with the amount of aicres in Huron we know are held by absentee foreign owners." Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell who introduced a registation bill in 1978 ac- cused Toronto lawyers who buy the land for foreign owners as the biggest offenders." He continued "I've talked' to them about it and was told to prove it. I don't have the money to fight. the Bay Streeters. They are shrewd and know more than we ever will. We have proof; but, can't • go the final mile.", "I've seen these offers to• purchaseanda farmer must incorporate before selling to a. foreign buyer," Riddell added. Former Huron warden Bill Elston said the situation wor- ries him. He went on, "In Morris township 2,300 acres went to foreign ownership in 1981. Our clerk sends our communications to a numbered Ontario Corpora- tion in Toronto. I also know of another 4,000 acres owned by one person that makes 10 per- sent- of our land -ori n(..l by these people". The brief by Curran said 1,100 acres had been purchas- ed Last year in East Wawanosh by foreign residents. Middlesex MPP Bob Eaton answered the challenge by saying, "I have chased only RETIRING SECRETARY HONOURED— Rea Stephen, secretory of the Kirkton- Woodham Formers Club was honoured at Thursday's annual meeting on his im- pending retirement. Above, -Rea and his wife Frebis receive engraved watches from' club officials Harry Weersink and Bill Spence. Staff photo Kirkton-Woodham group reports successful year. 'L'he year 1981 was another successful one for the Kirkton-Woodham Farmers Club. Retiring president Harry Weersink told Thursday's an- nual meeting. "We were able to pay out dividends and still have a healthy surplus.' • Secretary -treasurer Rea Stephen's financial report revealed the club's surplus account increased.by $37,698 to $185.578 after paying member dividends on pur- chases in the amount of $74,919.84: Stephen said all accounts before 1980 had been col- lected, Accounts received at the end of 1981 were $1 VI .491 and $29,000 of that amount has recently been received. St. Marys Rank of Montreal manager GordonYoultolicom- mended the club for "I -tally good collection policies" and a strong surplus position. Secretary Stephen said tne club paid out $507,642 in dividends over the 12 years he held the position full time. He added. "in addition club members .saved money through our quantity purchasing. Stephen has officially retired, but, staying on as an advisor to his successor gave his annual report on seed and fertilizer prices add outlooks. 11e continued "seed grain is going to be as scarce as hen's teeth. Of our advance pur- Chase of $:100.000 worth of fer- tilizer we only have about $50.000 left and we bought twine at a price considerably lower than it is now:* Gordon Johnson is the new secretary and w'iII receive $510 per month beginning March 1 and Rea Stephen will get $1,700 this year as advisor. Ron Denham continues as assistant secretary -treasurer at $5.000 per annum an in- crease of $225. During a presentation in honour of- his impending retirement Rea Stephen and his wife each received an engraved wrist watch. .They also got $200 ip cash. Harry Weersink praised Stephen for his, "extra effort. fairness and toughness with dealers and members and understanding and common sense in dealing with people and accounts." John Scott is the new club president and the vice- president is Bill Aulthur. Directors are Clarence Thom- son. Burns Blackler, Harry Hern and Rea Stephen and David Wheeler is recording secretary. • rumours before. Let's have the facts. This is a worthy challenge. If more than 25 percent of ownership is out- side Canada, they're breaking the law and I'll be glad ,to chase them and we'll catch them." F of A director Merle Gun - by called for long term pro- tection. He added, "This short term money is beneficial and I'll tell you if I was going out now because of financial pro- blems, I'd sell to anybody." On the issue, Jack Riddell said he has had calls from farmers telling him to lay off as the foreign buyers are the only ones with money. Huron warden Harold Robinson suggested banks have been tooeasy with Land most valued asset A brief presented to area . members of Parliament meeting in Clinton Saturday sponsored by the Huron Federation of Agriculture asked in all land use.decisions the point that farmand is our greatest natural resource be remembered. The briefpresentedby Doug Garness urged that ttie lead agency - to implement wetlands policy be composed not only of Ministry of Natural Resources, but of Ministry of Agriculture and Food as well as direct farm representatives. Garness said in Southern Ontario most wetlands are adjacent to farmland , so farmers are by far the most affected. He continued, "Some of our concerns include the seed to insure that farmers are not forced to bear the costs of maintaining or being adja- cent to wetlands." Too often farmers have born the costs of conservation measures which benefit socie- ty as a whole as in local tree clearing bylaws which ex- empt developers." MPP Jack Riddell replied, "I would hate to ever see the Hay Swamp cleared. It would do untold damage. Wetlands is a burden that should be shared by all society. Garness said he was con- cerned about the Canada Seeds Act as many of the pre- sent day problem weeds are not listed in this, "hopelessly outdated act." - He armed, "At least 20 such weeds are costing Hwon- Perth farmers an estimated $6 million per year in reduc- ed yields and increased chemical costs." Huron -Bruce MP Murray Cardiff said the Canada Seeds Act is now under review. Morris township reeve Bill Elston said there were great pressures to clear more marginal land and Huron F of A president Gerry Fortune said her group supported the county tree cutting bylaw. A brief read by Hans Rasmussen called for sup- port for young farmers so that the agriculture industry can continue to be strong. It said the only assistance Ontario offers farmers comes from. the Tile Drainage.•Pro- gram and in 1982 so far this program only provided 40 percent of the required funds for southwestern Ontario. Rasmussen also asked. marketing boards to ensure sufficient quota is available to young beginning farmers at a fair price. Huron -Bruce MPP Murray Elson agreed saying the pro- vincial government should think of long range effects on the farm industry and set up programs to help young farmers and provide better quota prices. NDP member Donald Mac- Donald suggested young farmers could get started by renting land thus eliminating big capital spending. He also said the govern- ment\could help by buying land and then lease, rent of sell back to the starting farmer. Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell disagreed sav- Please turn to page 18 FARMERS CLUB EXEtUTIVE -- The 1982 executive for the Kirkton-Woodham Formers Club was named of Thursday's annual meeting. Back, left, director Rea Stephen, recording secretary David Wheeler, directors Garth Blackler, Clarence Thomson and Harry Hern and assistant secretary Ron Denham. Front, vice-president Bill Arthur, president John Scott, past president Harry Weersink and secretary -treasurer Gordon Johnson. money to the past and cau- tioned lower interest rates would hurt senior citizens. Huron -Bruce MP Murray Cardiff said his greatest con- cernwas the transier of mor- tgages to foreign ownership. NDP farm critic Donald MacDonald said, "I'm on Jack's side on this one. We know the amount of acres released on one of Lorne Henderson's reports is ridiculously low." Curran's brief concluded. "We note that throughout history when agricultural in- dustry declines, a country soon fails. Currently, we are seeing countries where the agricultural industry is not in private hands facing the threat of starvation. We are deeply concerned that a con- tinued increase in absentee f6reign ownership will force us to abandon our traditional family or owner -operator type of agriculture. Jim. McIntosh also called for more financing for farm operations through Farm Credit Corporation whose share of long term farm credit has slipped from over 70 percent 10 years ago to less than.30 percent at present. - Jack Riddell agreed that FCC money was short and suggested provincial financ- ing similar to Junior Farmer loans. MP'S DAY WITH FEDERATION — The annual Huron Federation of Agriculture, day with area Members of Parliament was heli Saturday. Shown above are Huron director- Jim McIntosh from Tuckersmith, NOP farm critic Donald MacDonald. Minister without Portfolio Bob Eaton and director Richard Kootstro from Stanley township. Staff photo ne foot in thel He continued "How can our farmers compete with Quebec where they can get provincial loans of $250,000 with 2' z percent interest on the first $15,000 and eight per- cent on the balance." Dopald MacDonald remind- ed the group that the farm government of 1923 set up On- tario Savings offices when banks wouldn't loan to farmers. He added "These monies are available to Junior Farmers, why not to all farmers?' MPP Bob Eaton said pro- vincial aid to farmers should come in a,.upplementalway: Huron -Bruce MPP Murray Elston said foreign ownership was up sharply in Bruce County. He commended the Federation on their recent Task Force which made some minor gains and he hoped for better things in agriculture with a higher profile Minister in Dennis Timbrell. An energyy committee brief presented by Paul Klopp ask- ed that any decisions to pro- duce alternate fuels and retailing them be left to the in- dividual farmer and provision of more incentive for this kind of local power production. The brief also called for the proposed Ontario Hydro power line to bypass agricultural land and woodlots. While Bob Eaton said the MI route was favoured, Jack Riddell said he has been told Ontario Hydro is taking a look furrow" 4i" une., •.e •pp,ec Sled by Soo noun Itl•.• np I'.' . Om N30 2( r Farmers are eternal op- timists. They are also chronic complainers but that's another story. That optimism, though, is exactly what has caused so much heartache now. More Canadian farmers went bankrupt last year than at any other time since the great Depression: Analysts are suggesting that 1982 may be even worse. Although figures are difficult to,get, the federal superintendent of bankruptcy reports that 261 Canadian farmers went broke last year, more than twice as many as in 1979. The failures occurred right across the country in all 10 provinces but 140 went broke in Ontario alone. As suggested, - it is difficult to get accurate figures because the federal superintendent of bankruptcy naturally does not have' figures on foreclosures or liquidations. Therefore, the. statistics are deceiving. No matter what ft,e figure, the question is why? Why are tough economic times hitting farmers harder. apparently, than any other sector of the economy? Because of that. optimism. In the late 1960s and through the 1970x, that optimism was rampant. Farmers were • able to get financial backing because land values soared. They built additions. They modernized. They bought bigger and. Netter machines. Their debt load. skyrocketed because they figured the good times would continue. Bankers and other lending institutions were just as optimistic. Debts rose from about $4.42 billion to $14.04 billion in 10 years. But nobody was too worried. The land values went up and the lending institutions felt comfortable because agricultural assets con- tinued to rise. interest rates soared. Prices for farm products plummeted 4'n1 of the opinion that few bankers in this country were able to predict. the unprecedented cost of money. I don't think any of them thought rates would go as high as they have. At least, none 1 have talked to in recent weeks were predicting the increase. The bubble burst in late 1980. Bankers, farmers, grain handlers, tractor and other implement manufacturers were in serious trouble. The cost -price squeeze - the cost of staying in business and the end price- for ricefor the products forced people out of business. Farmers could no longer pay their debts. Well, who is to blame? Farmers were " over- confident. The big -is -always-. better idea was fostered by the lending institutions. The blame rests with both sides. Some lending institutions are simply walking .away from it. They have adopted the philosophy that it is going to' be a natural the -strong - survive -the -weak -will -perish attitude. But others are willing to step into the breech and help solve the problems. Leadership has fallen to the senior governments and the farmer -run organizations such as the federations of agriculture. Saskatchewan has passed legislation to halt foreclosures this year. In Ontario. a federation -led program resulted in a $60 - million program to .help farmers, especially those. who need help on a short- term basis.• The federal government will provide last-minute assistance to a • farmer Cecil R Squire Sales & Service Repair Shop Equipment 92 Waterloo St. Exeter 235-0465 BARN EQUIPMENT CLAY Silo Unloaders, Ring Drive and Dual Auger. Feeders, Stehle Cleaners, Liquid Manure Pumps, Electric Feed Carts. RALCO Stable Cleaners, Conveyors, Transfer Pumps Beddmq Choppers. WESTEEL ROSCO Bins. A.-ation Systems , Hopper Bins, We also pour the loumlations and Erect Bins. SPECIAL PRICES ON LAST. YEARS STOCK BEATTY Stable Cleaner, Replacement t'hain, Silo Unloader Paris, Stall Parts, Stable Cleaner Parts. For Further information Contact Brintnell Construction Ltd. Kirkton 229-8244 Service Sales installation willing especially those who need help on a short-term basis. The federal government will provide last-minute assistance to a farmer through Small Business Bonds. Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan are prepared to give grants based on the number of cattle sold in an attempt to prevent the red - meat industry in this country from going the way of the dodo bird. They are all necessary plans but not enough. Until this entire nation comes to the realization that agriculture and the family farm is worth preserving, any programs will be too little and too late, Agriculture must survive. No nation in the world can survive on empty stomachs. Until everybody in Canada realizes that farmers must be kept in business no matter what , the cost, those foreclosures will continue. Although eternal, op- timists, farmers will con- tinue to complain until they are given the assurance from the rest of this country that they are needed and wanted. Custom Seed Cleaning and treating Southwest Farm Supplies RR 1 Mitchell Seeds, fertilizer, Chemicals 348.8491 at alternate routes M3 and M5. The M1. route would be somewhere -between Lake Huron and Highway 4. Riddell said he was a great believer in alternate energy citing a vast supply of peat in northern Ontario and the pro' spective use of the aftermath of crops in this area. OFA director Merle Gunby said his group was in favour of the two alternate routes M3 and M5 for the power line. FARMERS: Yoe could save money and time 11 you come to dm . income tax specialists! • OUR CAREFULLY TRAINED TAX PRE- PARERS are ready to prepare your income tax return. They are up-to-date on all the tax credits and deductions that apply to farmers. At H & R Block, we'll take all the time necessary to do the job right because we want you to pay the lowest legitimate tax. Come to H & R Block. We could save you money this year Mon., Wed., Thurs. Fri.9-5 Tues. and Sat. 9-4 H&R BLOC* THE INCOME TAX SPECIALISTS Phone 235-1901 429 Main St. Exeter SEE THE BEST TRACTORS BEING • BUILT One Day Bus Trip to Massey Fe guson Tractor Plant in Detroit March 25. 1982 - - Book seats early only 57.50 per person First come, first served Departure from Sherwood' Exeter at 6 a.m. sharp Sherwood (Exeter) Ltd. 18 Wellington St., Exeter 235-0743 Plan Now To Attend The Annual Exeter Co-op Crop. Product Seminar Exeter Legion Hall Wed., March 10, 1982 10;00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. 10:15 a.m. - Markets - Dave Croft U.C.O. Grain Trader, Chatham 11:00 a.m. - Forages As A Cash Crop -Art Lawson O.M.A.F., .Stratford 11:45 a.m. - Roast Beet Dinner '1:30 p.m. - Corn Production, Herbicides, Insecticides - John Heard - O.M'.A.F. Clinton 2:15 p.m. - Micro Nutrients - Lanny Johnson - Frit industries, Alabama, U.S.A. Chemical Suppliers will be in attendance -to - answer your questions regarding their products Please reply by phone for Meal Reservations by Wed. March 3, 1982 EXETER DISTRICT CO-OP 221 Brock St. Exeter Store 235-2081 Fertilizer 235-1152 5' , .1 •