HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-12-04, Page 23Times -Advocate, December 4, 1991 Page 23
Letter to Editor
Southwestern
Ontario
farmers
in crisis
situation
Dear Sir.
The farmers of Southwestern
Ontario are in a crisis situation un-
precedented in our province's his-
tory.
When you take inflation into ac-
count, the product prices being
paid to farmers today are actually
lower than they were in the depths
of the Great Depression in the
1930's. At the same time, the costs
of input into the farm, in the form
of seed, fertilizer, machinery, and
labour, have continued to increase.
The historically low prices for
agricultural products have com-
bined with a devastating drought
this year to push thousands of
farmers to the brink of bankruptcy
Farm yields are down as much as
50 percent from last year, with
prices down as much as 25 percent
over the same period. The harvest
of 1991 has proven to be a harvest
of sorrow and frustration.
Since the terrible extent of the
crisis became clear may weeks
ago, my caucus colleagues and I
have been pushing for action by the
provincial government. We had
been successful earlier in the year
in convincing the NDP to change
its mind and participate in the
MSA safety -net program. Howev-
er, our attempts to explain the se-
verity of the present situation to the
New Democrats fell on deaf ears,
as they refused consider interim as-
sistance to farmers or to hold an
emergency meeting
with farm lead-
ers. 1
That is why
we chose to use
one of our Opposi-
tion Days in the
Ontario Legislature to
force the government into a debate
on the farm crisis and the need for
emergency action including imme-
diate participation in the GRIP pro-
gram.
The next day, the NDP an-
nounced 35 million dollars in assis-
tance for farmers. That is far short
of the nearly 200 million dollars re-
quired. For example, three million
dollars will be spent on drought as-
sistance in Essex County, where 20
million dollars is needed. Some-
how, Bob Rae can find hundreds of
millions of dollars to save jobs at
DeHavilland, and nearly a billion
dollars to give raises to civil ser-
vants, but cannot find the needed
emergency funding for 60 thou-
sand farm families in Ontario.
Please find enclosed extracts
from Hansard, the official record
of debate in the Legislature, which
includes the text of our motion de-
manding immediate help for farm-
ers, and many of the arguments put
forward by our members. I also
want to assure you that my col-
leagues and I will continue to press
the government to understand and
appreciate the depth of the current
crisis and to take action before the
only product of Southwestern On-
tario's farms becomes despair.
Yours sincerely,
Michael D. Harris
Leader
TEST DRIVE A
ZITOR
Find Out How
Much Tractor
You Really Cali
Afford
0
7-7
Co-op still turns profit
EXETER - The Hensall and Dis-
trict Co -Op held its first meeting at
the South Huron Recreation Centre
in Exeter on Friday evening, recog-
nizing the fact that the past finan-
cial year saw the Hensall Co -Op
merge with the financially troubled
smaller Exeter operation.
Despite a grim year for the farm
economy, the Co -Op managed to
post a record amount of sales, $64
million, up from last year's $62 mil-
lion. However, that figure does
take into account the sales from the
Exeter operations.
The profit margin climbed appre-
ciably, up to $904,000 from last
year's $504,000, which may have
quelled some fears among members
that the takeover of the Exeter Ca
Op might have harmed the organi-
zation's profitability. However.
manager Earl Wagner said it was
still "too early to tell" about how
the new acquisitions would affect
the overall financial situation.
One bonus, however, for the
1,100 former Exeter members was
the announcement of a one -and -
one -quarter percent dividend pay-
ment to eligible members. The Ex-
eter Co-Op's financial picture be-
fore the merger had resulted a
couple of no -dividend years for its
members.
"So I would think they would be
pretty happy with that," conceded
Wagner, who said he considered
the Co -Op to be "on an even keel".
In addition to the new Exeter
members, the Hensall Co -Op
gained another 187 members in the
past year, bringing total member-
ship up to 3,678.
Farm show grows for 1992
TORONTO - The 1992 Canadian
International Farm Equipment
Show will feature over 680 exhibi-
tors representing 5,000 companies,
up from the 650 exhibitors present
at the 1991 Show. The Show runs
from February 4-7, 1992 at the In-
ternational Centre in Toronto.
"Interest from exhibitors has
been high following the success of
the 1991 Show," says show manag-
er Dawn Morris. "Like last year,
floor space will be at a premium."
The show features more than
380,000 square feet of commercial
exhibits for agricultural equipment,
supplies and services. All major
manufacturers and distributors
from across Canada and the United
States are represented, as well as a
variety of smaller agri-business en-
terprises. The increasing number of
of displays by exporters and trade
missions from Europe gives the
show its international flair.
New for the 1992 show will be a
special Ladies Program. The pro-
gram will include arts and crafts ex-
hibits and daily microwave cooking
demonstrations.
As in previous years, a free shut-
tle bus service to Woodbine Shop-
ping Centre will be available daily.
The show is open 9:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thurs-1
day, and 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fri-
day, from February 4 to 7 1992.
For visitor information and exhibi-
tor inquiries, please contact Dawn
Morris Productions, Peterborough,
Ontario at (705) 741-2536.
The Canadian International Farm
Equipment Show is sponsored by
the Canadian Farm and Industrial
Equipment Institute (CFIEI) and
the Ontario Retail Farm Equipment
Dealers' Association (ORFEDA),
and supported by the Ontario
Wholesale Farm Equipment Asso-
ciation (OWFEA).
Come to Our Open
House and Save Big
Sat., Dec. 7 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 8 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
New Ski Doo's with
as much as $2,000
off list price. We
have a large
selection of clothing
at low, low prices
Adult winter gear up
to 40% off.
Ski Doo toques
$1.99,
kids suits from
$25.00
ski-doo
otge
Pad'
r.
Elder Enterprises
1 mile west and 1 mile south of
Hensall 263-6142
Gift Idea
from John Deere
You don't have to live on a farm to enjoy a wide range of
great gift ideas from John Deere. See them today at Huron Tractor---=
4
4
owe
JOHN DEERE TOYS
Children lore these replicas or
John Deere equipment because
they look like the real thing.
A warderful choice in die cast
metal with moveable pans,
child -sate baked enamel knish.
Toy specials galore al your
John Deere dealer!
1/64 scale $2.95 ea.
T
1111,1111101
PARTS C
PROFESSIONAL BATTERY CHARGER
S Q duty clans, for
with heavy
duty clamps, to 6• and 12-voit
Gd� / charging,
2 an ct last
d,argng, 2�amo trickle fa over•
nrrXrt ixiargng, 150 -amp booster
spins stuMom engine with tittle
or no pre -charging,
LINED WORK GLOVES
'179"
$95
Durable gloves with split leather
palm., indent finger, knudde strap
and fnger tips. Striped cotta,
badr, fully lined. A practical
stocking stutter:
BOOSTER CABLES
Favoured by mechanics. our heavy
duty cables have colour-coded
steel 400•amo clamps with sale.
vinyl -coated handles Highly
resistant to acid, gasoline,
grease. chemicals and abrasion.
Our light-duty cables are a
favourite la automotive use
Light-duty (l2tt.8 gauge)
TY15114 $999
Heavy-duty (1611.4 gauge)
TY4331 $3999
INDOOR/OUTDOOR THERMOMETER
12 -Inch diameter with easy -to -
read black numerals. prdectrve
lens- John Deere symbol on face.
r 3, $1299
Screwdriver Sei -
6 pc. Stanley Handyman set
with hang-up
rack. AM
John Deere Toques -
100% acrylic. Green/yellow/
white - snowflake design.
Classic black
'nth JO logo
PIAS/1008
99
4 1'M505390
DIESEL FUEL CONDITIONER
Multi functional addrtrve. proven
effective though thousands of
fours in the field Improves
ergine performance, keeps fuel
system clean. reduces main-
tenance cost. gives better
combustion. and morel 94r ml
'r5'T$549
"BATTERIES "
Drop In and check out our wide selection of 6 and 12 volt batteries.
Many sizes to choose from.
"Fits all makes" AG and Auto, Applications
Top Post
Side Post
Combination
$
6 9 95
Sao OCA
12 Volt Regular
Top Post
�CCA 56695
6 Volt
Battery
1050 CCA $999
"John Deere Winter Clothing Great Value, Great Prices
"Vests .... Jackets .... Sweaters.... Caps .... Etc.
Exeter 235-1115
Blyth S23-4244
.. B
it4
1
•
.44
4
:-