The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1983-07-27, Page 12Pogo 12 Times -Advocate, July 27, 1983 Despite Huron, Perth objections Federation backs fax r a eb top tan this particular issue, McIn- tosh sees the Huron county federation weakening. About 85 percent of the On- tario Federation of Agriculture directors voted to support in principle the pro- vince's farm tax rebate. This action took place at the OFA's monthly meeting on July 20 despite objections from both Huron and Perth county federations. And Huron and Perth were not the only counties where opposition has arisen to the program. At least three other counties, Grey, Simcoe and Peel voted the same as Huron and Perth. The proposed farm tax rebate program will have farmers that• meet certain production criteria receiving a 100 percent rebate on pro- perty taxes for farmland and buildings and would have the residential portion taxed at 50 percent of the value of a similar severed lot. The farm house is to be assessed at the same rate as any other house in the surrounding area. Now, farmers received a 50 percent rebate on all their property. The program also has a production minimum of $12,000 in Southern Ontario and $8,000 in eastern and nor- thern Ontario. The OFA will continue to lobby to have this lowered to $5,000 across the province and not have the residential lot given a value in proportion to a severed urban lot. Huron federation member Jim McIntosh of RR 4 Seaforth said he sensed those at the meeting were "afraid to change their mind" since the OFA has already gone on record as supporting the pro- posal. He couldn't indentify the cause of the fear, but said it was as if some changed their minds, the OFA could be in trouble. Brenda Ward of RR 2 Monkton, a member of the Perth federation, stressed she voted against the proposal at both the OFA meeting and the special meeting sponsored by the Perth federation. She said all Perth farmers had an op- portunity to voice their opi- nion at th° special meeting but the turnout was pretty "dismal." Mrs. Ward recommends that if anyone is still upset about the government's pro- posal they should write to deputy agriculture minister Duncan Allen and minister Dennis Timbrell. McIntosh said the definite feeling he has from talking to farmers in Huron is they are opposed to the rebate and is concerned the OFAs decision will have far-reaching effects in Huron. As financing from the pro- vincial organization is based on membership, and membership dropping over AN ANIMAL ENTRY — Participating with goats and a horse in Saturday's Granton Fun Days parade were Mary and David Rudd and Debbie Rice and Ken Bentson. l Supermarkets are being as cautious as they can be within their huge buying groups. They do not want to run afoul of the anti -combines act. The federal Consumer and Corporate Affairs Department has warned these volume buyers to live within the let- ter of the law or the wat- chdogs will be barking at their corporate heels. Lawson Hunter, head of the department's anti -combines unit, told the press recently - that he is particularly con- cerned by the concentration of buying power in the hands of a few retailers. Abuses of this power, says Hunter, could hurt manufacturers, lessen retail competition and increase consumer prices. Although he did not say it, this buying power concen- trated in the hands of a few could also cripple agriculture in this country, especially among those sectors of the farming community which are not protected by supply management marketing boards. ne foot in the lUrrOu)' "dm.� ...yea 01 Sob 220214 Ebert .a "-•v Oa, 1138 2c Hunter is especially con- cerned about two buying groups, the one created by Dominion Stores Ltd. and Steinberg Inc. and the one created by Canada Safeway Ltd. and IGA Canada Ltd. He says these groups were created so members could negotiate larger discounts from manufacturers. The volume discounts given to such huge conglomerates can be as high sa 25 percent of the wholesale price. Last year, 86 percent of all retail food sales in Canada was funnelled . through five buying groups. These groups controlled 14,000 stores and had gloss sales of $21.3 billion. The consumer .and cor- porate affairs people are so concerned they have sent a bulletin to these buying groups because officials are worried about the tremen- dous growth of volume buying groups. I'm no longer worried about the growth. That growth has already taken place. I'm concerned about the tremendous power, the huge stick, the massive clout these groups have. Why. they have the power within their hot little hands to make or break literally thousands of suppliers, including farmers. Buying groups are legal unless they bring about reduced competition, price discrimination or the forma- tion of an illegal merger or monopoly. The whole thing smacks of bureaucratic bungling. It is somewhat like locking the stable door after the pigs have ruined the wheat field. Theanti- combines law has about as many teeth as my old Aunt Katie who -has been gumming it for 40 years. If the law was strong enough. these buying groups would never have been able to organize to such a great extent. I cannot help but feel sorry for people such as Lawson Hunter and Bob Lancop. an anti -combines staff in- vestigator. They are probably more aware than the rest of us of the potential for abuse He noted that at Huron's specialmeeting on the rebate over 600 people turned out with about 400 voting against the proposal. The Huron farmer compares that to Wellington County where just over 30 farmers turned out to vote. "Disappointed" is Mr. Mclntosh's reaction to the OFA vote. As for Perth, Mrs. Ward doesn't see how the OFA's decision on this matter will af- fect memberships. "I don't see how it can" said Mrs. Ward noting that if it wasn't the rebate issue there would be another issue to cause some members to withdraw. Ralph Barrie, president of the OFA, said there has been little opposition to the pro- gram outside of the farming community. He also noted op- position appeared greater than it actually was because of the organization by the opponents. The federation will meet with the cabinet in September to discuss the issue and although the president would have liked to have had a unamimous decision he recognized that it isn't possible. Barrie also doesn't expect the issue to fade. that such groups can have but they are forced to stand helplessly while these groups form. The law, as written, can do nothing to prevent them. And those who form them Cannot be faulted. They are simply being good businessmen trying to buy products as cheaply as possi- ble and selling them as cheap- ly as possible. But so much power in the hands of only five groups is enough to frighten the rugger pants off anybody. Lord Acton's admonition, hoary with age and over -used, still holds true: Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely. Exeter Dlstrict Co-op Wants Your WHEAT t - fair weights and grades - new wagon dumper - ask about our competitive bonus payments - also receiving barley, mixed grains Exeter Co-op Elevator " A Iittl e slower, but a little better" EXETER DISTRICT COOP 221 Brock St., Exeter 235-2081 Evevator 235-2713 To hold wheat on farm for pickup when and as trucks and the terminals are available Mr. Farmer: • \-f 7. We are ready to receive your 1983 H EAT crop We have 3 combines field ready Free Trucking is also available Call early for arrangements Gode rich i G) 0 N A Bayfield —�• i ,e 1 Varna 1 mile off Highway H • Elevator ARMSTRONGFARMS E L EVATI N We want to serve. When weather is good get harvest off for shipping later. Bus. 565-5032 RR 1 Varna, Ont. Res. 262-5393 or 262-5996 Pt. Albert 529-7901 Mitchell 345-8433, Hensoll 262-2527, Granton, 225.2360