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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1982-10-20, Page 4Pope 4 Tlmss•A,dy«cp1., October 20.1982 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111101 Ames -. 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