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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-04-28, Page 4PAGE 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1977 What we think Literary freedom a must by Shetley McPhee I turned out all right, even though I have been exposed to so-called "literary filth" through my high school and college years. From "Oliver Twist" to "A Clock- work Orange," from "King Lear" to "Lady Chatterly's Lover," the great variety of books I have studied has neither corrupted nor shocked me. Instead they have broadened my ap- preciation and understanding of literature. I have learned to accept ard com- prehend certain aspects of life through my teacher's discussions. I could have just as easily slated four-letter words and sex into the gutter if I had simply picked up pornographic literature in bookstores. However through such thorough studies into books such as "Grapes of Wrath" and the ultra - violent "A Clockwork Orange" I have been able to vision another way of life, which is reality. Many non -supporters of modern literature assume that students make a huge joke of certain scenes and take them out of context. I never remember doing this, but I do remember snickering over such boring classics as "Oliver Twist", "Heart of Darkness", "Julius Caesar," "Passage to India," "Waiting for Godot" and- the "Mayor of Cast.erbridge." These, like many classics and older literature, suffer from a generation gap which separates the student from any interest or understanding of the novel. • For this reason rnAdern Iiterature is readily accepted by the young, not because they can read obsenities and find scenes with sexual references, but because they can relate to'the modern plots, themes; characters and Ianguade. From this similar themes of - Shakespeare, Dickens and Conrad can be understood with less difficulty. Parents who condemn the study of 20th century novels in schools are blind to their children's maturity. The young people do not ,learn about sex and obscenities through these books, they already know. The problem is to direct their knowledge towards a responsible and acceptable position. This can be done through the teacher's professional ability to explain the pros and cons of a character's action. However this cannot be done with many of our bookstore selections. Young people can buy these books, read them at a superficial level and accept them for what the words merely say, without looking between the lines ..for any deeper understanding. Although most of these books are little more than trash, accepted novelists such as Steinbeck, Salinger, Laurence and Munro write honest, realistic and meaningful books. It ,is these high school texts that should be used to their maximum and concerned parents should be diverting their energies to the cutback of bookstore trash. Sugar and Spice/By Bill Smiley And now a grab bag There are so many things demanding my attention this week that faithful readers (bless the eight of you) will have' to be content with a grab-bag. Those who have no interest in sticking an eye into a grab-bag may turn over_ to the astrology column, or go -out and buy a lottery ticket, or stick their finger in their ear, or whatever turns them on. First, let's getrid of the Quebec issu which is fascinating the media and . beginning to bore everybody else. Therm th-oe crazies down in Quebec City have taken their first giant step toward a dictatorship of sorts, with the an- nouncement that Quebec is to become a unilingual province (country?). They were playing it pretty cool for a few r ionths, but this one is a blunder of massive proportions. They can no more force unilingualism on Quebec than the federal government could force bi-lingualism on Canada. When will these people, .who begin as fervent idealists and turn into rigid com- missars when they achieve power, ever learn that you can't force free people to do anything they don't want to do? You can shoot them or burn them, as state and church have done in the past. But you can't control their minds or spirits by force or threats. Rene Levesque and his crowd have made their first big boo-boo. The edict about "French only" will return to haunt them. They are interfering with the right of people to say "Merde" in their own language, whether it he English or Greek or Italian,and mark my words, it will boomerang. The edict, that is not the merde•. Even worse, the pronunciamento will probably unite the rest of Canada, and all the non -French of Quebec, behind Pierre Trudeau, and we'll he stuck with another four or five years of insipid, inept and in- different Liberal government. The only fate that could he more frightening would be the prospect of four or five years of Conservative government. 1* ortunately, there is no possibility of the NDP, that optimistic gnat straining to produce a giant, forming a federal government. Well, that settles the political situation- for ituationfor this week. Except for one squalid little item. 'As I write,. there 'are rumours that Jack Horner, an ambitious Tory M.P. from Alberta, may holt his party, stick his thumb in the big, fat Liberal pie, and emerge with a cabinet post on the end of it. Herewith some advice for Joe Clark. If Horner wants .to go, wave goodbye and forget about him ..One Paul Hellyer, once a power in the Liberalcabinet, the one who single-handedly destroyed the morale of Canada's armed forces, crossed the floor in a huff when he didn't get his own way, joined the Tories, and has been Paul Who? ever "since. Churchill got away with it and went on to lead his country. But Jack Horner is no Churchill. Enough. Politics are sick -making. Another Westener, Ole Missus Trudeau, 'is still k ,p,j.og the gossips speculating, as I write. Nobody seems to know where she is or what the hell is going on. Maybe by the time this appears in print, Jack Horner will have married Pierre Trudeau, and Margaret will pop ,,up from New York, first- class Air Canada, to take the wedding pictures. I know Margaret has said no more of those dull, official . functions for her, like cutting the ribbon on the brand new outdoor privies installed by Turkey Township in its fine new park. But I can't help wondering if she's going to pass, up all those smashing glamour events to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, which. are undoubtedly being planned right now in Ottawa, local matrons in fighting for invitations. It's not fair, I know, but the comparison between Margaret and Queen Elizabeth thrusts itself at one. The Queen was crowned when she was younger than Mrs. T. She had about as many babies about as fast. But she did not then declare that she must fulfill herself, and allow herself to he pawed and pestered by smutty reporters avid to learn what was going on between her and Philip. Nope, she hung in there, through all the drearinetss and calumny of what must be one of the most arduous jobs in the world. When there was a tough decision to be made, she made it and stuck to it. She did a pretty good job of raising her kids, it seems.. She endured the sniping and the criticism. And she did it all with a grace and dignity that proclaimed the word lady" at every step. It's a hard act to follow, and nobody can blame the Sinclair girl if she couldnrt match it. But, while Pierre is an arrogant mandarin, I'll het the Duke of Edinburgh is + no bargain either. She shoulda hung in there, the way the rest of us do. It's not easy, living. .J, liyears with a - complete stranger. But it goes with the ter'rito'ry. It doesn't get any easier, as the years go by either. Thislmornin'g I came down for breakfast at eight o'clock. At a quarter to nine I went out the door to work, During that forty-five minutes, I spoke four times, each time saying either, "Yes", or "You're right." That took two seconds. The rest of the time my wife talked, and her voice followed me right out the door like a swarm of bees following a florist. That's not news, but that, too. is reality. Member, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association The Clinton News -Record is published each Thursday at P.O. Box 39, Clinton, Ontario, ('anada, NOM 110, It is registered as second class mail by the post office under the permit number 0817. Thr News -Record incorporated in 1924 the Huron News -Record, founded in 1881, and the Clinton New Era, founded In 1865. Total press run 3,100. Clinton NewsRecor(1 Member Canadian Community Newspaper Association Display advertising rates avaiittble on request. Ask for Rate Card No, 7 effective Oct. 1, 978. General Manager --J:Howard Aitkip Editor • James E. Fitzgerald Advertising Director - Gary L. Heist News editor - Shelley McPhee Office Manager - Margaret Gibb Circulation - Freda McLeod Accounting - Marian Willson Subscription Rates: ('anada $12 per year U.S.A. -. $15.50 Other -$18 Single Copy • 25c NEWS ITEM: Trudeau visits Disneyland "Joe Clark, I presume?" Odds 'n' ends - by Elaine Townshend Winter's asleep A few weeks ago I vowed not to mention the weather again, because the subject was stale. But since the phrases "White-out", "no buses running" and "one -lane traffic" have vanished from my vocabulary, I've changed my mind. It's refreshing to refer to the weather in terms of daffodils, green grass and spring wheat, raking lawns and planting gardens, sunshine and even warmth. The temperature is high enough today for working outside in short and sleeveless tops. With optimism, I proclaim, "Winter is gone, and good riddance to him!" I even had my snow tires removed. In a hook of poetry, I found a selection that aptly,, describes this time of year. It was written by Edwin John Pratt, a Canadian poet, and is entitled "Putting Winter To Bed." vk Old,W hitter with an angry frown Restationed on his head his crown, And grew more obdurate, As rumours every day had flown From some officials near the throne That he might abdicate... His patience had been sorely tried 13y a recent blow dealt to his pride, When March, the stripling, dared To jeer at him with callow yells, And shake the hoary icicles From off the royal beard... The gage accepted, Winter drew First blood, then beat him black and blue With Nordic thrust and swing. Till March at last, the wily fox, Clipped hom on the equinox, And hashed him round the ring: And would have clearly had him down, captured his domain and crown, When three parts through the bout, Had not the king with a trick malign, Cracked him on the nether sign, And March was counted out. , So now. with an Alaskan ire, He donned in full his white attire, Lord of the, Polar waste... And yet before the week was passed, Neuralgic headaches thick and fast, Were blinding him with tears; Despite -the boast, he needed rest To stop that panting in his breast, That buzzing in his ears... He laid his head against a stump, One arm inclined upon a clump Of glaciated boulders; The other held his side - he had Pleuritic pains and very bad Rheumatic hips and shoulders... A sorry sight indeed'he lay, A god -like being in decay... The day that April found him... • With one glance at his swollen feet, Her diagnosis was complete, That dropsy had set in... . 'Oshame, that March should thus surprise him. Without a thought to acclimatize him Towards a mellow age; I know another way benign "I'o lead hi'm through an anodyne Into his hermitage! Then with a bath of rain and sleet, Shp took the chilblains from his feet With tender lubrication: She poulticed out the angry spots, The kinks and cramps and spinal knots, An,d all discoloration... It took three days to get his throat . Clear of that wheezy guttural note, His brain to vaporize; She conjured him at last to rest, Folded his hands across his breast And sealed up both his eyes... With one thing more, her task was done - Something she found hid from the sun Within a valley low; `Just what he heeds, dawn fresh and white - The north wind brought it over -night A counterpane of snow ! .. Then taking on a mood austere, Kneeling, she whispered in his ear, A word of discipline... 'For eight months now without demur, You give your promise not to stir, And not to roar or wail, Or send your north wind with its snow, Or yet the cast whose vapours blow Their shuddering sleet and hail. • So help you then for evermore - If you so much as cough or snore, My seven younger sisters ` Who follow after me in turn, Are under strict command to burn Your body up with blisters... But if you keep this honest vow, I pledge virtue, here and now, To rouse you in December: Then you may come on Christmas Day With furs and bells, reindeer and sleigh - But, hand On heart - remember!" If rain is now pelting your daffodils, it's just April bathing Win.ter's feet. And, if your tulips are nipped by an over -night frost, remember, spring needed a coverlet to put winter to bed. May he rest in peace for a long, long time. From our early files . • • • 10 YEARS AGO April 27, 1967 The County Council is con- sidering the establishment of a disaster fund to aid farmers who were victims of a tornado on April 17, that swept through Tuckersmith Township. Clerk Berry reported that in June 1953, $68,148 was raised through federal and provincial sources for the relief of storm victims in the Blyth area. Work crews moved into the area with bulldozers, chainsaws and trucks to clean up the debris. A further report from i 7 uckcrsm ith Reeve Elgin -i'hompson noted that a Huron - Perth Disaster Fund had been set up. He suggested that any money Huron County Countil would offer could be matched by the provincial government. Most councillors felt that far'mer's with wind insurance should receive the sanie con- sideration as those without, They also agreed upon a special clause should he included that farmers planning to rebuild any destroyed buildings should he given special attention. Not only is there a shortage of money the building of a com- munity centre for Clinton and the clistrirt, but there is also a -.shortage Of canvasser's t,tr collect it. 'l'he Clinton and District Corn m11nity Centre Centennial Fund are urgently calling for volunteers to reach"over one - t hird of the.households in Clinton for donation~. Donations now stand al $18,221, which is a long way from the objective of $100,000 and the cost of the project at $225,000. 25 YEARS AGO April 24, 1952 •1'hr ilolmesville Concentrated Milk Producers' Association settled for a $3.30 price per hundredweight after they were refused $3.50 by the processors. Colin Campbell, president of the Ilolmcsvillc AsSoCiation, said in` a meeting that the Ontario Board felt that this was not too 1., much but the processors refused to pay. The processors also sent a letter out to their patrons stating this fact and asking them to settle $3.25. The processors repeatedly refused to pay the $3.50 price on the basis that they were unable to pay that much a'nd remain in business. The Producers' held out for $3.30 and -threatened to take the problem to the hoard if their price was not met. Margaret Johnston celebrated her 90th birthday on April 16. She celebrated the occasion at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Middleton. Besides her da tighter Ole has one son, 'John McNaughton, ten grandchildren and three great' -grandchildren. Clinton has purchased its first official royal pictures. Clinton Legion Branch No. 140 houp,ht a set of matching photographs of the Queen and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh. The beautiful pictures were taken by Karsh the famous Ot tawa photographer and are the official pictures to he hung in all Legion branches ac'r'oss Canada. 50 YEARS AGO April 28, 1927 Toronto deliveries, inside of 24 hour's are now possible for merchants in the Stratford to Goderich region. The Secretary of the Clinton Board of Tracie looked into the problem and made an agreement with the ('.N.R. line. Every day the C.N.R Toads a special car containing freight for the Stratford to Goderich inc.I•1t is sent out from Stratford the next morning and begins its drops at the Schringville station. liner year ago the Clinton Knitting Co. npencd its doors for business and some 1,500 people went 10 inspect the industry and see modern knitting mill in operation. The mill has again invited the people of Clinton to visit the glint On view will be the dif- ferent opera tionM required to make hoisery, such as .silk winding, knitting, looping, mending, dyeing, boarding and shaping, pairing, ;folding and stamping. April 25 saw Clinton students walking through the new doors of the Collegiate Institute. Students have 1)een studying their new school and have compared it to a castle but the modern electric hells bring them hack to reality. Some students are sure they will never grow accustomed to the loud racket the hells make. 75 YEARS AGO April 25, 1902 Mr. Wiltsie's store will soon he gone,' but in its spot will stand Clinton's new post office. The handsome building will contain the post office and the custom's office cin the ground floor. The second and this'd floors are to he the living quarters of the post- master. The building will be con- structed of pressed red brick, with cut stone trimmings. The town will provide the clock which is to ornament the tower. J. G. Moser of Blyth will be laid up for some time as a result of a serious and painful accident. Mr. Moser was driving down to the station when his horse took fright and threw him onto the sidewalk. The fall resulted in a broken arm and several ribs for Mr. Moser. 100 YEARS AGO April 26,4877 Farmers in Londesboro have been busy planting spring craps, The fall wheat crop looks especially good this year and the hest crops are reported to he at the farms of W. Hiles and James Lyons on the 13th concession of Hullet. Mr. A. Hollingshead of Hasy Township and Ralph Stephenson of Stanley Township were weighed in Brucefield a few days ago. Together the gentlemen totalled 538 pounds. Mr. Hollingshead weighed 281 pounds' and Mr. Stephenson 257 pounds. Humphrey Snell lost four of his best sheep and several Others were injured by a group of dogs. It is hoped that the dogs will be found and their owners required to pay for the loss. Birthday Dear h actor: During the year 1977, the town of Goderich on beautiful Lake Huron at the mouth of the Maitland River, is celebrating its one hundred and fiftieth birthday. As a great many special events are planned for the days from June 29th to July loth, we would like to invite all former Goderichites to return home during those days. We have reached a good number of friends by letter, but feel that there may be others who have not heard of Oui' celebrations. We would, therefore, like to use this column of your newspaper to issue a very hearty "Welcome Home" to anyone in your community who once upon a time, lived in our town. Thank you for assisting us in this effort. Sincerely yours, Harry Worsell, Goderich P.S. If anyone wishes more information, write to me at P.O. Box 1977, Goderich, Ontario. News -Record readers are encouraged to express their opinions in letters to the editor, however, such opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Ngws- Record. Pseudonyms may be used by letter writers, but no letter will a published unless it can be v : rifted by phone. 41 Books Dear Editor: The meeting held on Monday evening in the boardroom of the Huron. County Board of Education left me with mixed emotions • eind some very strong im- pressions. , Being a teacher of English literature myself, I listened 'with a great deal of sym- pathy as various teachers an principals defended their l. right to choose texts, ap- proved by the Board of Education, in order to provide the vicarious ex- perience needed by children in order to cope with the sometimes harsh realities of life. It was, however, with sad- ness and some trepidation that I listened to these same teachers and principals, along with some of their pupils, suggest that the Bible and the Christian ethic were becoming less and less im- portant in the formation of the thought patterns and the lifestyle of the students of today. So caught up were these speakers in their own common conception of what is public education that they went so far as to call the attending large group of* concerned Christian parents a 'pressure group" whose objections „were "narrow"• and "small". ' The teachers called for trust, the parents .silently protested the exposure of their children to immoral language and accounts off' sexual actiyity as expressed in various books used in the English courses. The problem • is clear, the school system is a public one in which the Christian ethic may be taught if it reflects the standards of the community but that same ethic is not mandatory nor may the Christian motive for that ethic be taught. Uncle' those circumstances teachers may call for trust for a long time but Christian parents will never be satisfied. The system, as far as Christian parents are con- cerned, is,, designed to produce religious schizophrenia where the motives for Christian living are taught at home but not at school. Christianity versus humanism: there is no compromise. • The only solution can be that' taken by those who have entirely separated them- selves from the public school system and who have at great personal expense to them- selves built their own Christian school so that their childrenmight be educated by teachers that they can trust to teach using the sarrr4 motives for behaviour in school as those used at home. C. Bos. Clinton Freedom Dear Editor: I am enclosing a copy of a letter I sent to the Huron County Board of Education and would appreciate it if you would •reproduce it in your newspaper, as it concerns many parents and others interested in freedom of speech in all its forms. The Chairman of Trustees Huron County Board of Education Dear Sir: At your 'open meeting last Monday evening, April 25th, you quite rightly gave teachers, principals and students an opportunity to explain why certain con- troversial books are included in the English program for high schools in Huron County. (continued on page 11 Canvass 0 0 Dear Editor: The met'hbers of the Clinton Red Cross committee wish to thank all those groups and individuals who participated 'in the recent canvass for funds. As the first canvass in several years, the interest 11 and generosity of so many showed there was no lack of interest in this great cause. It is to be hoped on annual canvass will be maintained and further territory covered. In spite of not fully can- vassing the townships and country, the goal of $2.000 was redch�d, 'Sincere thanks to all '0 E4Q_..Fi.rrglat d, Chairman. '0.