HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1982-10-20, Page 4Pope 4
Tlmss•A,dy«cp1., October 20.1982
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dvocate
Times Established 1873 Serving South Huron, North Middlesex
Advocate Established 1881 & North Lambton Since 1873
Amalgamated 1924 Published by J.W. Eedy Publications Wilted
LORNE EEDY
Publisher
JIM BECKETT
Advertising Manager .
BILI BATTEN
Editor
HARRY DEVRIES
Composition Manager
ROSS HAUGH
Assistant Editor
DICK JONGKIND
Business Manager
Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario
Second Class MaU Registration Number 0386.
Phone 235-1331
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
Canada $20.00 Per year; U.S.A. $55.00
C.W.N.A., O.C.N.A. CLASS `A' and `ABC'
Apathy overwhelming
With only a few notable exceptions, the interest in
municipal politics has hit one of its lowest ebbs in the
area of South Huron and North Middlesex.
While several municipalities will be going to the
polls, the electorate won't have many choices. Most
will have to vote for all but one candidate although the
quality may make up for the lack of quantity.
The apathy displayed wouldn't be difficult to com-
prehend in good times, but with the economy at a level
in keeping with ratepayer interest, the situation is dif-
ficult to comprehend.
One explanation is that ratepayers in most com-
munities were happy with the work of sitting members
and didn't feel any need to make changes. However,
that doesn't explain the situation where vacancies were
filled by acclamation, giving the rightto govern to
anyone who presented his/her name. That's even more
shameful when municipal officials are embarking on
a three-year ter • im.
That in itself may be one of the reasons some peo-
ple declined to offer their names. Many rural and small
4PCNA
urban centre officials had suggested the Ontario
government was wrong in moving to the longer term
and the results may back their arguments that it was
too long, especially for someone unfamiliar with
municipal government and not knowing fully the
ramifications of entering the field.
Yes, there are probably excuses for the apathy.
But are there really any valid reasons?
Municipal politics is the backbone of our
democratic system. When that backbone weakens
through apathy, the results show up at higher levels
as well. •
The erosion should be of some concern to
everyone...but apparently it isn't. It's still easier to
throw stones than volunteer services and you don't
have to look any farther than South Huron and North
Middlesex to see why this entire nation is in a spot of.
trouble right now.
The main trouble stems from the fact too few peo-
ple are willing to do their part to set it right. Shameful
isn't it?
,_
labor Not right example
Now that Canada's labor leaders have managed
to sign up most of the nation's public servants and a
great many employees of larger companies, they are
eyeing workers in smaller firms, which is perhaps
natural.
What's worrisome is that in at least one province
the government appears set to give unions a more than
helpful assist, also eroding the individual freedom of
choice that has been under attack for years.
Here is what's happening in Quebec, and, if labour
leaders *are successful in promoting their scheme, it's
a situation that could be duplicated across the country.
Simply put, the Parti Quebecois government is
considering legislation that would force multi-
employer bargaining in various trade categories, and
in specific cities, regions or counties. For example,
once a wage rate was struck for unionized restaurant
workers in, say, Drummondville, all restaurant
workers in the.region would be paid the same amount
of money.
All such workers in the region would also be'forc
ed to become dues -paying union members. '
Other trade groups would be treated in a similar
manner.
The real kicker, though, is the proposed method
of deciding whether workers in the various trade sec-
tors want unions. After 30 percent of wage earners
in a sector were signed up, an industry -wide certifica-
tion vote would be held, and, if more than half the
workers approved, every such employee in the region
would be forced to join.
The problem, of course, is that large numbers of
workers would end up paying for a union they neither
asked for nor wanted. In addition, already unionized
workers from large firms in the trade sector would be
allowed to vote on the issue, again skewing the results
in favour of the union leaders and against the small
firms that would be forced to participate.
What's amazing is that this sort of plan is being
promoted at a time when bankruptcies are at near -
record levels and operators of small and medium-sized
enterprises are struggling to survive.
It is also important to note that the big unions, and
particularly those representing public servants, have
used the strike threat to make hefty wage gains.
• Postal workers, for example, now earn $23,000 per
year for relatively unskilled work.
There's noquestion.thatindividuals should have the
right to form unions to bargain with their employers.
But extending that right to cover every restaurant,
clerk, or auto wofker in a region is madness.
We can only hope Quebec backtracks on the pro-
posal, setting
ro-
posal,.setting the right kind of example for the other
provinces.
Byelection results not unexpected
There is little reason to be surprised at
the results of last week's byelections in
three federal ridings in Ontario, However,
the shutout of the Liberals should cause
some soul-searching in Ottawa as it is
further proof that many are dissatisfied
with the current government.
Byelections are often used by the elec-
torate to kick up their heels and vote
against the governement, especially when
they know the results will not overturn
that government. Even in good times,
people often register a type of protest vote
in byelections.
But these are not good times and there
was even more reason for the voters in the
three Ontario ridings to indicate to Prima
Minister Trudeau and his cohorts that
some changes are required.
It's doubtful that Trudeau needed the
results of the byelections to give him that
indication of voter unrest. The opinion
polls in recent months have shown, the
Liberals to.be skidding in popularity and
his travels across the country this sum-
mer, complete with some well -aimed eggs
and tomatoes, were tangible evidence
that a growing number of people were
questioning his leadership.
In fact, most Canadianswouldhavere-
quested iva tests for the voters in the
three ridings had they given Trudeau's
representatives enough votes to win.
By the same token, the two wins
registered by the PCs and the one by the
NDP should not be construed by Messrs.
Clark and Broadbent that the voters are
overwhelmingly supportive of their par-
ties' policies to turn the economy around.
Neither has yet come up with any sound
advice in that regard and the results
should be viewed more as a negative vote
for the Liberals that a positive one for the
other two parties.
Most Canadians are waiting, impatient-
•
•
ly in most cases, for one of the three to
make some concrete suggestions to get us
out of the current mess and now that the
political wars staged in the byelections
are over, hopefully all three parties will
get down tothe serious matter of getting
their heads together to collectively pool
BATT'N
AROUND
with the editor
their ideas and come up with some
solutions.
In effect, the byelections did little but
give them three more heads for that
purpose.
The effect of violence on children is
receiving a great deal of attention these
days, as it should, and perhaps you'd be
interested in a recent study by a professor
at a University in Indiana.
He focussed on a field that has not
received much attention and found 200
cases althogether of violence in va ious
ff
forms, including one case of cuffing a
human in half, one of decapitation, one of
boiling to death and seven instances of
severing of limbs.
There was a case of the eating of human
flesh, eight of whipping and lashing, four
of the breaking of limbs, 12 cases of
miscellaneous torment of animals and
human beings, eight of unclassified
murder and 23 descriptions of various
kinds of physical violence not specifical-
ly mentioned.
These statistics, by the way, emerged
from a study ofchildren'snurseryrhymes.
While there are always those who urge
parents to check carefully the content of
the books or TV shows in which their off-
spring may be involved, one wonders if
the warnings are appropriate in view of
the madness that is contained in the day-
to-day reporting of the news.
Mother Goose may be questionable, but
in comparison to the madness in the world
that daily crosses out TV screens and
newspapers, the old girl is comparative-
ly mild.
The sordid plans of the vArious witches
in those nursery rhymes pales in com-
parison to the diabolical actions of those
who put cyanide in Tylenol capsules, for
example.
Most nursery rhymes conclude with the
"and everyone lived happily ever after"
and that can obviously not be said for the
innocent victims of such incomprehensi-
ble crimes.
It becomes increasingly clear that we
live in a world which no longer {did it
ever?) has safe havens for those who
simply want to live their lives in peace.
The annual leaf harvest is in full swing,
and while those dead leaves may cause
consternation to property owners, drivers
should remember that not all leaf piles
are dead. Some are alive...with kids.
Kids love to romp in piles of autumn
leaves and that means youngsters could
be lurking out of sight in the leaf piles fre-
quently raked to the curb and in the way
of your car's wheels.
Try never to run over the piles in the
streets, even if you're reasonably sure no
children are around. It's not worth the
risk.
By the same token, people who are pil-
ing those leaves, should consider they
may become a play area for children and
should keep them well back on the
boulevard where possible.
"Times sure have changed since we got married — now ONE can live as cheaply as two."
Its
If 1 never go to another
wedding in my life, I'll feel
that I have accomplished
something. That's rather
a negative approach, but
it's how I feel about
weddings.
It's not the wedding
itself. They are harmless
enough affairs, and give
some people a chance to
weep as copiously as they
do at funerals. It's the get-
ting ready for it.
Long before the event,
there are lengthy discus-
sions about the wedding
gift. In the•good old days
you could buy the happy
couple an electric+iron, or
a toaster, or a pair of
sheets: something runn-
ing around 25 bucks.
Many a lucky couple
wound up with four irons,
six toasters, four roasting
pans, and enough sheets to
outfit a small hotel.
Not any more. The gift
has to have class or
glamor. It must be
unusual, or striking. When
you get into those adjec-
tives, you're looking at $50
for something bizarre
enough so that nobody else
will duplicate it.
As a result, today's
young couples sometimes
emerge from the deluge of
gifts with enough artsy
stuff to set up a store, but
without a frying pan, a
casserole dish, or sheets
and blankets. Art has
become more important
than utility.
The buying of the gift is
put off and put off,
because it's a terrible time
of decision-making for the
woman of the couple in-
vited to the nuptuals. At
last, just before the wed-
ding, there is a desperate
foray to the shops, a sink-
ing feeling that there isn't
a decent gift in town, and
the getting ready
a last-minute snatch at
something nobody would
give to the Salvation
Army,.
Then there's the pro-
blem of what t� wear. For
the men, it's simple - put
on your best suit, a clean
shirt, a conservative tie;
and shine your shoes.
s:sa
Sugar
and Spice
Dispensed By Smiley
more complicated, and
the debate rages on. Will
Momma get dressed up at
home, and drive a hun-
dred miles to the wedding
during which journey her
costume becomes wrinkl-
ed and shabby -looking,
and her make-up steadily
deteriorates, until she ar-
Fc,r the women,it's
agony. What's the weather
going to be like? I've seen
women freezing to death
in summer dresses at a
June wedding and swelter-
ing under a fur neck -piece
at an October wedding.
Can I wear this dress?
No, So-and-Sos will be
there, and they saw me
wearing it at the last wed
ding. But it's almost brand
new, and I have the bag
and shoes to match
perfectly.
How about this one? No,
it's a year out of style.
This one? No, it's too
dressy, I don't want to
outshine the bride.
Now if I just had
something to match those
ivory shoes and purse, I'd
be all set. But the only
dress that will go with
them has a red splotch on
the skirt, where that boor
spilled wine on me at the
wine and cheese party.
Eventually, Momma
goes out and buys a new
dress to go with the shoes
and purse. There goes
another hundred bucks, or
near enough.
When the wedding is out
of town, things are even
rives at the church looking
like "an absolute hag?"
Out of the question.
Should we get a hotel room
near the site of the circus,
so she can spend an hour
getting ready before the
service? Expensive, and
hard to get. They're
always booked to capaci-
ty when you call at the last
minute. Besides, father
can't stay overnight. He
has to be at work in the
morning, and doesn't
relish getting up at five to
drive home, change his
duds, and get into harness.
How do we deliver the
present? Too late to mail
it; can't deliver it to the
house because there won't
be time. Can't lug it to the
church, because sitting at
a wedding service with an
eight -foot square box is
just not done. Just as
awkward to take it to the
reception. Can't leave it in
the car. It might be stolen.
By this time husband
feels like sending a wire
saying we're both down
with a small case of
leprosy, and taking an axe
to the wedding gift.
But the show must go
on. Weddings are sacred
occasions, and once
you've accepted the in
vitation, it's like joining
the Foreign Legion. You
can't opt out without dying
in your boots.
Somehow, things usual
ly get sorted out, and the
couple heading for the
wedding drive off, the car
full of very bad vibes for
some time. The wife has
forgotten her earrings,
and they have to turn
around and drive five
miles home to get them.
Or it's either damp or win-
dy and her hair -do is com-
ing down. Husbands
seethe like one of the
lower levels of Dante's
Inferno.
I can bear the wedding
service, and even get a
kick out of it, remember-
ing how spartan ours was.
But then comes the
blasted reception, usual-
ly about 15 miles from the
church, following a map
that was not designed by a
great cartographer. I've
known people who wound
up 30 miles away from the
reception, because they
took a wrong (or right)
turn.
Why don't young people,
most of whom have
already lived in sin for a
spell, just go off and get
married at the manse,
with a couple of
witnesses?
It would save their
parents a great emotional
and financial stress, and
they'd be just as married.
Everyone who is invited
could send a cheque, and
save them a lot of emo-
tional and financial stress,
and the near -breakup of
marriages that have
lasted for over three
decades.
I'd welcome answers to
this problem.
Now for the answers
For those of 'you who
took the time to answer
my little metric question
last week the answer is
deci-legion. The general
would send 1/10 of of a full
legion (which had lobo
men) to put down the riot
of about 50 people.
This summer I finally
broke down and bought
Hubert. If you have.never
heard of Hubert he is the
affectionate name my
family has given our new
computer, an Apple com-
puter to be exact.
Most of you are aware of
how computers have come
into our lives in such a big
way during the last ten
years. All of us seem to
have horror stories of bills 'printer' (an electronic
which you receive with typewriter) that I could
Perspectives
By Syd Fletcher
Ifirk
major errors or annoying
little comments which you
know are typed out by
some machine in Toronto.
Since I have a bit of a
fascination with such
machines I never felt real-
ly threatened. Then I
found out that with a com-
puter hooked up to a
1
type up these columns and
any other writing that 1
do. Not only could I type
them up but I could insert
whole paragraphs
anywhere in the story
without destroying what
came before or after. It
seemed to be just the
thing.
I got the little beastie
home and typed in my
first column. It was
beautiful. Right there in
living green and black on
my little TV screen.
The only problem was
that once I got it typed the
computer would not give
the information to the
printer. It would say very
politely: Yes I have your
week's column..I would
type in what I thought
were reasonably polite
commands, but Hubert
would not give in and send
the column to the printer.
At that point Hubert
almost got sent back to the
micro -chip factory.
1