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Times Advocate, 1989-12-13, Page 4v. Page 4 Times -Advocate, December 13, 1989 Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1S0 Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386. Phone 519-235-1331 I ROSS HAUGH Editor HARRY ()EYRIES Composition Manager � eew *CNA I M BECKETT Publisher 8. Advertising Manager DON SMITH Business'Manager SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada: $27.00 Per year; U.S.A. $68.00 Not so fres t appears to be getting close to the time when opponents of the Free Trade Deal will be able to -say, "We told you so." The main reason for discontent with Free Trade policies is the increasing number of jobs being lost in this coun- try. . Only Friday, 75 workers at a plant in Whitby were told their positions were being eliminated in a transfer of their manufacturing facilities to south of the border. _.Before we hear that most of this dis- content comes from opposition MP'sand their supporters, don't believe it. It has filtered into the government side of the house and at a fairly high level. After Deputy Prime Minister Dan Ma- zankowski spoke in Calgary a few weeks ago, a newspaper headline ap- peared saying, "Mazankowski accuses U.S. of trade harassment." He was complaining about wrong, un- fair and hypocritical U.S. trade policies. The first thought that comes to mind is that Mazankowksi was misunderstood by reporters. Not so. Following are two paragraphs of direct quotes. "Business is business, and if that's the way they conduct their business, I guess we will have to do likewise." "Rather than harmony we're being sub- jected to harassment and it's timely and necessary to remind our American friends of the spirit within which the free trade agreement was negotiated." The first comment to the above would be, sounds a lot like retaliation. To the adage of "all is fair in love and war" could be added free trade. Whether or not free trade is completely responsible, there are a lot of trade irri- tants between the two countries. The U.S. sharply increased import du- ties on Canadian made steel rails and put an eight cents per kilogram duty on Ca- nadian ham, bacon and other pork prod- ucts. The retaliatory moves have already started. When the U.S. levied a tax on oil imports, Ottawa reacted by asking in- ternational approval of higher tariffs on more than 30 products, including wine, cigarette paper and lottery tickets. Free trade hasn't had much influence in stopping the continuing decline in Cana- da's trade surplus with our friends to the south. • In the first nine months of 1989, Cana- da had a surplus of exports over imports of $8 billion. That may sound great, but the surplus for the same period a year earlier was $9.9 billion. It gets worse. In comparable time frames in 1986 and 1987, the surplus figures were $13.2 billion and about $15 billion in 1985. Something must be done to stop this trend in export surplus or we could face our first merchandise trade deficit since 1974. By Ross Haugh Seeing the lights) When I was a kid, we used to light some candles for advent. For Christmas, we had a natural spruce tree with real candles. I remember first hearing of electric outdoor Christmas lights back in the early 50s. Friends had- just been to the United States. "You should see what some Americans do before Christmas. They decorate the outside of their houses with co- loured lights. It looks fabulous." Soon after, thc custom caught on in Canada. Outdoor Christ- mas lights have been big busi- ness for close to 40 years. There was a short interruption during the "energy crisis" of the early 70s, when people decided to save electricity. But the lights have come back, and in many places they are now more spec- tacular then ever. We started out with modest garlands of light around our front entrance and the garage door. Then we hung a timid string or two over some cedar trees. One year, the suggestion was made: "Why don't we light up the gable of thc house? It can be seen from far away." Good idea. So I hired a teenager to put up coloured lights that followed the outline of the gable, with a smaller inverted "V" under- neath. It looked like two huge Christmas trees. An impressive show. More was to come. "How about decorating the big spruce tree with lights?" This tree is 20 m (65 feet) tall. I'm not very good at mental arithmetic, and I had no idea • that it would require40 strings of lights at a cost of $25 each. Plus the cost of the contractor who had to circle the tree with a "cherry picker" to install the lights, and then again to remove them. Last year, the family wanted something new, something im- aginative. So 1 surprised them. I hired a crew to hide the entire house under a gigantic web of lights. The place was flashing and sparkling like a miniature Las Vegas. The lights were so bright that a small plane attempt- ed to land in the driveway. The pilot had mistaken it for the run- way of our municipal airport. We also set up Santas and elves made of original card- board, an entire reindeer herd fa- shioened from real styrofoam, and a community of little Smurfs molded from genuine plastic. "I've heard business people say: "If you don't grow, you go under." It's the same with out- door Christmas lights. This fall, we couldn't just put out what we had last year. What would the neighbours think? And I couldn't come up with anything bigger and better. We have reached our limits of growth. So this year, I'm doing some- thing so unusual, so bold, so daring that I think it'll be the talk of the township. How's this for imagination? Nothing outdoors at all. In each kitchen window a small candle. Basic white for maxi- mum effect. We light them at sunset and put them out when we go td bcG. We call them our Light of Hope, our Light of Peace, and our Light of Love. NOTE: Peter Hessel's book entitled "PETER'S POINT" will be available shortly. For an autographed copy, send a S20 cheque or money order payable to Kichesippi Books, RR 3, Arnprior, Ont. K7S 3G9. Thanks Dear Sir: On behalf of Ailsa Craig, McGillivray and East Williams townships, thanks for the space in your esteemed publication you have made available for our press releases during the past year. Thanks to you and some other good-hearted weekly newspaper editors our Great Ailsa Craig - Port Elgin Pumpkin Challenge was a success...and it in turn helped the Ailsa Craig Recreation Centre fund drive. Attached arc a couple more press releases relating to the fund 1 hope you may be able to use. The fund is slowly climbing and well soon be in a position to let you and your readers know how well it's doing. Thanks again for helping us to help our communi- ty. Best wishes, Qruce Fraser, Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 Publishedby I.W. Eedy Publications Limited ���14.��(♦1.'IY 400, I, OF COURSE, IF YoU'D RATHER DEAL WITH MY FRIEND HERE.., GOOD COP, BAD COP We can certainly verify that time flies. The seven weeks we were away from work for sur- gery certainly passed in a hurry. This may not be believed, but it's great to be back to work. Will miss a lot of game shows and the nightly episode of Mur- der She Wrote. Getting back to work late in the Christmas season has at least' one advantage. We have missed most of the yule season ban- quets which we are usually in- vited to. Helps make the daily step on the- scales a little easier. For the scales, that is. We would like to thank all of those who were so thoughtful in remembering us with cards, treats and phone calls while on the recovery list. They were very much appreciated. An extra special thanks to our editorial staff cohorts in doing a great job in keeping the show on the road. Each year we hear people say that Christmas seems to be com- ing earlier every year. Almost any youngster will tell you Santa Claus is a pretty relia- ble fellow, sliding down chim- neys on the same evening year after year. But, this was not the case in 1752 when Christmas came 10 days early. The explanation for Santa's early appearance that year can be traced back to 45 BC when Julius Caesar introduced one of the most important standards the Time flies world has ever seen, the Julian Calendar. Unfortunately, the Egyptian astronomer hired by Caesar to calculate the length of the year did not come up with an entirely frFrom the !t editor's disk by Ross Haugh accurate estimate. . Because' of this, the calendar fell behind by a fraction of a day every year. In 1581, Pope Greg- ory XIII decided to tum the cal- endar forward to make up for the discrepancy. For that year only, he decreed, the day follow- ing October 4 would be October 15. He also modified the system of leap years to keep the calen- dar on track from then on. Catholic countries complied with the decree immediately. Other nations, including Britain and its American colonies, did not make the change until 1752, bringing the holiday season 10 days early that year. Today we can count on celeb- raating Christmas at the same time every December thanks to the people who developed and perfected one of our most valu- , able time -keeping standards. But, in many other areas of hu- man endeavour, the job of devel- oping standards that -improve' the quality of life isn't finished. In this regard, if you would like to learn more about modem standardization efforts , write to the Standards Council of Canada for a copy of the publication Standards and Certification: What's in it for me. The address is 350 Sparks street, Suite 1200, Ottawa, Ontario, K I P 6N7. *• * * * Stephen township council held their annual appreciation night Friday for employees and those who serve on the many boards and committees. One who should be especially appreciated wasn't there. Why? He was out doing exactly what the dinner was all about. About an hour before the din- ner was to get underway, the pipeline carrying water from Lake Huron to most of the town- ship sprung a leak. Road superintendent Eric Finkbeiner is also in charge of the water system. While most of his colleagues were having din- ner, Finkbciner was solving the water problem. Incidentally he didn't finish that chore until 9.30 the next morning. Thought for the Week: Closed minds are curious things. While nothing gets into them, the strangest things come out. Acting stupid I think a new award should be added to the well-known list: Oscar, Emmy, Gemini, Juno, Tony et al. Mine would be the "Ezirp", or "prize" spelled back- ward. The Ezirp would be awarded for acting. Stupid, that is. The successful nominee would be entitled to a free brain transplant. Obviously, any other grey matter would be of mdre benefit to the Ezirp winner than - what that person already carries around above the neck. As originator, I aqi eligible for an Ezirp nomination. Two weeks ago, I came down our un: carpeted stairs in my stocking feet. At least, I came down most of the stairs that way. Un- fortunately, I slipped, fell, and smashed my left arm against un- yielding wood. Nothing was broken, but my wrist was badly wrenched and bruised. I've been wearing a tensor bandage and a sling ever since. Before I had my accident, I • did not appreciate how many tasks require two hands working together - driving a car, taking the top off a jar, washing and Reynold's Rap by Yvonne Reynolds curling my hair, and dressing myself. Especially dressing my- self. Don has been exceptionally helpful. However, the first time he fastened my bra, he just about sent me through the roof with his cold hands. The next time, he held cycrything about five inches away, did up the hooks and let go. This was no improvement, believe me. Don has prepared all the meals, done all the laundry, all the clearing up and dishes, and opened and closed the garage door. He has been constantly on call when I ensconce myself in my favourite chair, then call for a glass of water or a cookie or a magazine. - He has imposed just one rule: no audible groaning. Any winc- es of pain or heart-rending sighs are to be suppressed. He doesn't yell "Stifle" in his Archie Bun- ker voice, but the message is there. This makes life very difficult for me. I don't make a good si- lent martyr. Despite the discomfort, I think I'm on to a good thing. Every- one is quite solicitous, -assisting me on with my goat, opening door, and carrying my, parcels. And at home I am literally wait- ed on hand and foot. I intend' to keep my wrist wrapped for awhile yet. Once I take the tensor bandage off, I'll be expected to resume my household duties. I may be stupid, but I'm not •• crazy! A