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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-03-02, Page 4PAGE 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1978 What we think 11111111I11111IIIIII111IIIIII111191III111111IIIIIIIII1111IIIIIIt111IIII11111IIIIHI1111II11111I11 Skilled labor short Despite record unemployment, Canadian industry is facing an un- precedented shortage of skilled labor, Roderick Oram reports in The Financial Pct. In effect, it's sitting on a time bomb: a staggering majority of immigrant tradesmen are near retirement age -- and there's no one to replace them. Last year, a confidential study of 15,207 skilled tradesmen in Toronto, Hamilton and Guelph, showed 87 percent were more than 40 years old, only 2.6 percent were 30-35; 73 percent were foreign -born and 72 percent were foreign -trained. The problem is caused by industry's habit of importing qualified tradesmen, instead of training them here. This practice has now boomeranged as immigration dwindles because of tough government controls and higher standards of living in Europe, the traditional source of skilled labor. Manufacturing skills such as tool - and -die -making are in short supply across Canada but far worse in Central Canada where industry is con- centrated. Construction skills are in urgent demand in boom areas, par- ticularly Alberta. Meanwhile, tem- porary employment permits for foreigners average 90,000 a year since they were introduced in 1973. Each permit runs from three days to one' year, so some are obviously renewals. Last year, 14 percent of the 88,696 permits issued were for employees in machining, fabricating, construction, heavy equipment operations, mining, quarrying and processing -- despite a rapid drop in recent years of Canada's manufacturing labor force. These hiring practices are partly the reason for a growing pool of hard-core Unemployed youths (15 percent of whom are jobless, vs 6 percent for adults). Yet numerous companies still search their traditional markets for skilled labor, complaining that ex- tensive searches in Canada have yielded scant results. Quite apart from the waste of educated manpower, the shortage of skilled labor has seriously harmed our ability to produce such costly production equipment as tools and dies. The enormous machinery trade deficit is perhaps the most serious aspect of our $11 -billion deficit in end products. Meanwhile, provincial governments have initiated a flurry of reports, studies, councils and other actions. Proposals are expected shortly to revamp on-the-job training for scores of skills in several provinces. With half the country's manufac- turing capacity, Ontario is central to any solution and the provincial government has set a May 31 deadline to unveil new programs. That's not a moment too soon as there's bairely time to get Canada's skilled labor market back on track before irreparable harm is done to the economy. Sugar and Spice/By Bill Smiler Some choice! Well, who are you going to vote for when they call the election? The youthful, righteous, quivering jowls, of the aging but still elegant shrug? What a choice! One of the guys is so hungry for the big job that he looks as though he can already taste it. The other is so mesmerized by failed bilingualism and his personal feud with Rene Levesque that he wouldn't know an ordinary taxpayer if he climbed into bed with one. Of either sex. If Joe Stalin were alive and well and living, say, in Moose Jaw, he'd probably garner more votes than the other two put together. That other Joe was chosen leader of the Tories by a handful ' of votes. Approximately 49 per cent of the con- vention delegates didn't want him. Since then, one of the latter has become a Liberal cabinet minister, another, his Quebec "lieutenant," has faded into the woodwork. His opponent, the ubiquitous Pierre, bedevilled by domestic troubles, a sagging economy, high unemployment, a feeble dollar, and an apparent lack of touch with reality, looks and acts every one of his nearly 60 years. What's a million? This famous line, spoken by the arrogant but extremely competent C.D. Howe, builder of Canada's industry, almost toppled a government a couple of decades ago, when he uttered it in the famous Pipeline Debate. Red-blooded Canadians across the land shuddered in horror at this scornful at- titude toward that magic figure. Today, a politician could stand up in Ottawa and say: "What's a billion?" without raising a ripple. A minor example: the government people in charge of unemployment in- surance have lauched a $1 million ad- vertising campaign to warn cheaters of the system of the dire consequences should they be caught. What a farce! The system is so full of holes that it is being ripped off - legally it must be added - to the tune of millions, and we all know it. It's a nice commission for the advertising agency handling the account, but they are the only bodies who will get anything out of it. Who is going to read the ads? Certainly not the people who are cheating. They already know all the loopholes and fine print. Only the very stupid are caught. Certainly not the employers who also cheat, "laying off" a skilled workman when things are a bit slack, with a tacit agreement that he go on unemployment insurance until things pick up, when he will be "re -hired." Certainly not the millions of people like me who a) pay into the fund and b) will never get a nickel back from it. That leaves, as readers, the guys who drew up the ad, the civil servants who authorized it, and a, scattering of pen- sioners who can afford a newspaper and read everything in it, for want of something better to do. But what's a million, if it keeps some 'advertising types and civil servants happy, and makes the blood of a few pensioners boil? Unfortunately, those ads and that million, along with many more squandered on such pettifogging piffles, don't mean a thing to the man or woman in Glace Bay or Sudbury or Chilliwack who has been out of work for a year, and has no prospect of being in it in the near or distant future. Clark carps and Pierre pontificates and Broadbent issues broadsides. And factories close because Canada's prices are too high because Canada's wages are too high and because Canada's production is too low. Many people - mostly young people - rejoice at our release from the slavery of the "work ethic" even though they don't really know what it means. To my generation it merely meant doing an honest day's work for a day's pay. Today's generation ranks the work ethic with slavery, racism and having a bath Saturday night, whether you need it or not, all the trappings of a vicious, misguided past. So be it. It's their funeral, not mine. They are the ones who will be paying the horrendous taxes for welfare, medicare, unemployment insurance and indexed pensions for civil servants when I am sporting about in the Elysium fields with a couple or three nymphs. What with the half-hour coffee break twice a day, the calling in sick when you have a hangover, the sneaking off at noon Friday for the weekend, and various other little games, which you know about as well as I, we are turning into a nation of lay- abouts. And we're already beginning to pay the price. Add to this incipient separatism and the stranglehold of the mandarins on the wafflers at Peking -on -the -Rideau Canal, and you can see. why I, and many another honest Canadian, look forward to another federal election with a certain lugubriousness. It seems to be a question of "turn the rascals out" or "turn the turkeys in." Nuff said. Don't think m.e a gloom -pot. It's 2 a.m., and I've just put No. 2 grandson to bed. For the fourth time. He loves those late movies. The Clinton News -Record Is published each Thursday at P.O. sox 39, Clinton, Ontario. Canada, NAM 1LO. Member, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association It Is registered as second class mall by the post office under the permit number 0017. The News -Record Incorporated In 1924 the k. Huron News -Record, founded In 1001, and The Clinton New Era, founded in 1065. Total press run 3,300. Clinton XewsRecord Member Canadian Community Newspaper Association Display advertising rotes available on request. Ask for Rate Card No. 0 effective Oct. 1, 1977. General Manager • J. Howard Aitken Editor • James E. Fitzgerald Advertising Director • Gary L. Hoist News editor 'Shelley McPhee Office Manger - Margaret Gibb Circulation • Freda Mcleod Accounting • Marian Willson Subscription Rate: Cando -'13 per year U.S.A..'17.00' Other . '40.00 "Think there's any chance fragments from the nuclear satellite will have an adverse effect on marine and wildlife around here?"' Odds 'n' ends. - by Elaine Townshend A busy month The dictionary says: "March: third month of the year; has 31 days." It doesn't sound very exciting, does it? For a long time, I thought March was as dull as it sounded, but now that I've considered all the things taking place in this month, I realize it isn't boring at all. In 1978, March is going to be an especially busy time. March 3, for example, is the World Day of Prayer in which Christ:ans around the world gather for special services. This year's service, which will be shared universally, was prepared by Canadian church women, and the theme is Community Spirit in Modern Living. Then, around the middle of March - the 17th to be exact - strange things start happening. Six feet of snow may cover the ground, but shamrocks begin to bloom. Leprechauns play tricks in the minds of even the most sedate folks ; the good old Emerald Isle becomes very close, in hearts if not in miles; many people sport green clothes, and even those who don't v. ca r the colour are usually "thinking green." Another phenomenon takes place in mid-March. Call it winter break, spring break, March break or whatever you like, but a lot of people take a break from winter in March. The kids will be out of school from the 18th to the 27th, I believe, for one of the longest mid-term holidays in years. Many families will take the op- portunity to flee the snow and ice, perhaps thinking spring will be here when they return. (How much would you like to bet it isn't?) Although spring officially begins in March, winter is reluctant to let go. One of the interesting parts of the month is the tug of war that goes on between the two seasons, and those of us who worship sunny, hot weather keep busy watching for signs that spring is winning. March closes in 1978 the way it began with emphasis on a special Christian event. Easter comes early this year - Ma rrh 26 Special events planned in your com- munity or in your family combined with the happenings that everyone shares will probably keep you occupied for the whole month. In our family, we have my brother-in- law's birthday gift to shop for. After New' Year's, I remarked that the next big holiday we'd celebrate would be John's birthday. Someone said that it wasn't a holiday to which I replied, "Well, it should be!" I thought a compliment like that, requiring such imagination and nerve, was worth at least a dollar. But brother John didn't see it that way. Maybe he thought I was just trying to butter him up, so that he wouldn't groan when I gave him another pair of socks this year. • In closing, I leave you with a warning. Don't let the activities of March tire you out, and don't let your guard down when they are over. Remember - March 31 is followed by one of the trickiest days of the year. From our early files . • • 5 YEARS AGO March 1, 1973 Subscribers to the Tuckersmith Municipal Telephone System voted last Wednesday to have a four -party line service (four subscribers per line) in all rural areas at their 64th annual meeting in the IOOF Hall in Brucefield. Private and two party service will also be available to anyone desiring it and willing to pay the extra rate. Just the foundation was all that was left of the 60 foot by 60 foot barn on the farm of Gerry Greydanus on the Fourth Con- cession of Goderich Township, after fire swept through the barn Tuesday morning. About 50 head of cattle were saved and the Clinton Fire Chief Clarence Neilans estimates damages at about $40,000. Children of Mrs. Williams kindergarten class of the Clinton Public School brought examples of pioneer life to their Pioneer Day last Friday. Discussion raged for more than two hours at the February session of Huron County Council on Friday but in the end the councillors agreed by a 42-9 recorded vote ' to continue with plans to tear down the wall of the 131 year old Huron County Jail. , 10 YEARS AGO February 29, 1968 About 500 persons, the largest crowd of the season watched the Colts beat Listowel 8-6 in the third game of the intermediate hockey playoff series to win in three straight. Clinton's high -scoring centre Bob Livermore gave the hometown crowd a display of his scoring abilities, racking up five goals. More than 700 people attended Clinton's second ice carnival - the first at the new arena - and put $183 into the box office, compared with only $36 last year. The winner of the 1968 Ice Queen crown was Linda East, 16. Linda, a grade 11 student at CHSS, was the unanimous choice of the judges. Linda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Murray East of RR 1, Clinton won a bouquet of flowers and $50 worth of gifts. Scouts and Cubs of Clinton Lions First Scout Troop and First Cub Pack both put on demon- strations . of their training for fathers and Clinton Lions members at the annual Cub and Scout father and son banquet in the Clinton Legion Hall last Wednesday evening. $6,000.00 - 3 bedroom, 1% storey- insul brick house on 2 acres in Clinton, 2 bay truck garage and workshop. Car garage. $12,500.00 - 4 bedroom, solid brick, good dry basement. oil heat, 2 baths, laundry room, garage. 25 YEARS AGO March 5, 1953 Clinton's new public school, situated at the east end of Rat- tenbury Street, presently has 10 classrooms and a kindergarten room. Recent approval for an additional two rooms will provide for a school which will ac- commodate close to 500 pupils if necessary. Enrolment in the public school in January of this year was 458, an increase of 95 pupils since the same month last year. His Worship Mayor W.J. Miller congratulated the Huron Fish and Game Conservation Association for their fine clubhouse and officially opened the building on Monday evening, March 2. A 1951 Dodge was stolen from Hensall Motors Sales garage on Highway 4 from a group of cars on an adjoining used car lot on Thursday night last. The car was not missed for some time after the theft because it was thought that an employee was using it. The proprietors of the garage are T.C. Coates and Roy Campbell Provincial Constable Elmer Zimmerman of Exeter is in- vestigating. Chief of Police G.L. Robertson requests that anyone having any knowledge of the whereabouts of Harry Matthew Gibb, son of David Gibb, 53 Matilda Street, Clinton should contact the police office. 50 YEARS AGO • March 1, 1928 The Better Seed Train visited Clinton on Tuesday and many farmers visited it to inspect the different seeds shown and to see the machinery at work cleaning and grading the seed. Several brought grain in to he cleaned and graded in the swiftly - running, power -driven little mills. Mrs. Wm. Crittenden of Hullett met with an accident while driving in town the other day with her husband and daughter, when a dog frightened their horse which shied sharply. Mrs. Crittenden's foot caught as she tried to get out of the cutter and her hip was fractured. She is now at the home of Mrs. L. Hunking, Albert Street. The members of the choir of the Presbyterian church were en- tertained by the pastor, the Rev. A. Macfarlane, to a chicken dinner on Friday last at the Commercial Inn, after which a most enjoyable evening was spent in music and games. "Cranberry Corners" a four -act comedy -drama in the town hall on Tuesday, March 6 in Bayfield by the members of St. Andrew's church choir. The orchestra will furnish music between acts. Dr. J.C. Gandier, office hours - 1 :30 to 3:30 p.m.; 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.; Sundays, 12:30 to 1 :30 p.m. Other hours by appointment only. Office and residence, Victoria Street. Oldsmobile presents, the fine car of low price. New, completely new. New in not only the form but the whole spirit of its styling and engineering. A new six. sur- passing in performance, revealing great strides in speed and smoothness. New in handling ease, in riding comfort. New and gratifying in every factor of enjoyment and satisfaction. Two - door sedan $1,165. Now on display at J.B. Lavis, Clinton. 75 YEARS AGO March 5, 1903 Mr. H.G. Hopkirk, post office inspector was in town yesterday and formally handed over the office to Mr. James Scott who has entered upon his duties. Mr. A.T. Cooper, one of the most progressive of our businessmen is branching out, having bought a hook and stationery business in Wingham. The cosy home of Mr. Chas. Howson of the village was the scene of gaiety and mirth on February 25, it being the occasion of the marriage of Miss Florence Armstrong of Auburn to Mr. Melvin Jewel of Benmiller. The presents were costly, and beautiful. The ceremony performed by Rev. Dunlop of Clinton. The boys of the village were well used. The bride was attired in dainty white and carried a beautiful bouquet. The groom is a prosperous Colborne farmer and we wish the young couple good will in their new state of married bliss. The local tree agents of Varna are again out taking orders for spring delivery. Messrs. Forster and Armstrong are hustlers at the business and will no doubt hook large orders. ,,,Miss Frank Moore of Blyth is attending the millinery openings in Toronto this week. Mr. C. Beacom of Summerhill has traded his house to Mr. E. Jordan for his house on his lot on the 16th con., Goderich, which house Mr. Beacom will move to his own property beside it. it A most delightful party was given last Friday evening by Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Dewar of the Sauble Line in Stanley Township as a "farewell" to Captain Pollock who has been spending a few months among old friends. About 50 guests participated in the evening's enjoyment and it was a wee sma' 'ours before the gathering dispersed. 100 YEARS AGO March 7, 1878 Last Saturday several Indians graced our streets and vended axe -handles and whip -stocks., No less than four tramps were provided with free lodging in the market building, on Tuesday night, tramping on next morning. morning. Yesterday, Mr. John Ward, of the Base Line drew a large crowd around him by a free exhibition of a fine specimen of the bald eagle, which he caught in a trap a short time since. Mr. W. Johnston has sold his house and half acre lot on Albert Street to Mr. John Churchill for the sum of $850. The wooden figure used by Mr. Thomas Jackson as an ad- vertising medium for his clothing, is the source of no end of amusement. The other day a lady, passing down the street was astonished to see the figure throwing kisses and beckoning to her and apparently wondered however, a wooden image could he made to act so nicely. But her astonishment turned to vexation when she discovered that a fun -loving youth was standing behind the dummy, moving his hands. Yesterday two young men named Churchill and Morrison, were arrested for fighting and both fined $1 and costs. For being drunk and disorderly. T. Appleby was fined $1 and Costs. All were arrested by Constable Paisley. A beautiful instance of youthful simplicity transpired in this town the other day. A little girl was asked where she came from, meaning where she was born. Her answer was "Like an apple, I grew on a tree and when I was ripe they went out and picked me." A great many imposters are travelling around the country getting their living in an easy manner by pretending to be af- flicted. Watch out for them'. If you want to see anybody, go to the post office and remain for a time. You will be sure to see almost everybody in Clinton during the course of a day. What you think II1111IIIIII111111IIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIl1111111I11I1II111111IIIII1111111 Travellers Dear Editor: Please find enclosed $10 to renew our subscription for six months. We're coming back to Canada at the end of this year and fear that the August issues will not make it to us here in Indonesia prior to our departure in early November of 1978. We enjoy reading the paper very much, particularly since we are so far away fro home. Every paper whi arrives gets read. Even the ones which take four months like the Oct. 13-77 issue that arrived today. We are very fortunate in that one or two copies arrive by air mail every two months. The last December issue and first January issue arrived here in mid January by air mail, and no extra charge. The pictures of snow remind us of what we're missing this winter. Thanks again for sending the news. Yours sincerely, Harry, Maria, Jeremy Cummings, Ujung Pandang, Indonesia. Students Dear Editor: As a Year Five student at CHSS, I find it virtually impossible to take an ob- jective look at the current rift between the board and teachers. We students do not particular'ly care who is right and who is wrong concerning this situation. We just want a settlement. Actually, it wouldn't matter a bit even if we did take a stand. Does anyone really care what students think? We were told at the onset of this strike that we were not to become involved. This is ludicrous. Who is more directly involved than we are? The province cannot in- terfere until the students are sufficiently suffering. This, too, is absurd. Why doesn't it step in before the suffering starts? Students are being used as weapons in this game. If it goes on much longer we, too, may have to use weapons. If the board and teachers were less concerned with principles and sovereignty, and more concerned with down-to-earth practicality, I would be in school today. Classes that are too large are better than no classes at all. Resr ectfully yours, Cathy Wooden, Bayfield, Laughter Dear Editor: Opening the daily newspapers these days is a scary procedure. If it isn't the plunging dollar, it is the unemployment situation, or more mildly the separation issue. However, on reading your weekly paper I came across the Odds and Ends column "Spoonerisms" by Elaine Townshend, February 23. There are very few articles which today can bring a smile to our metric minded faces, but if I had been in your shoes as the editor I would have printed Elaine's contribution on the front page in bold type. I read this column aloud to my wife and 92 -year-old mother-in-law. We laughed so much and as the saying goes, "There wan't a dry tear in the house." So, please when you review the information and articles in the Clinton News -Record, do not overlook the brighter side of life. We could use more laughs. Sincerely, Fredrick Jackson, Clinton Reason Dear editor: THEIR'S NOT TO REASON WHY: Indeed, yes. Many parents right now are trying to reason why the Goliaths in the field of education - the board and teachers alike, have chosen to lay aside their respective duties and have engaged in battle with each other. The unfortunate spectators of this tug-of-war are the students and parents. Whatever the attitude of the former, the latter cannot but help recall the years from kindergarten through high school when they faithfully attended open house nights, parent -teacher interviews, Turn to page 17 •