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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1980-05-14, Page 4�IA'r TRE T' LINTON NEWS -R CORD, TI r tnn Itto4040104.44s st,00-M■� cco'+tS. Ix pu ats1 o4 *ash, Thik iti'it � 1'!1./, To* h 4114ou0 Ontario, 00.4.1, NOM Ito, Mehta ,, Ottlsr$o W ►kllr URSDA , MAY 15, 1980 1t ,ls relllcterell +xs s0con4 .ctess malt by Ono pot ;Fftc+E under 'hot. p*rmit nun bar, Tho. Nloosrit+tcar+l 049rpo4944 lila Etta tiUran Ri. ws,14cprd, tottnd+td in 111l). and the • Chalon NOW itto, IOM died In 11.14• lol;el,pre, rur► 4,3110t. Clinton News -Record write letters Can it • bejustified? 0 momitrr tanedt4n Coo Muntty Newspapar Auoc t1ort • Display advertising rotas available on request. Ask for Rete Card No. 10 effective Sept. 1,107t General Manager J. Howard Aitken , Editor - James E. Fitzgerald Advertisingbirector • Gory L. Hoist Nags editor • Shelley McPha• Office Manager • Margaret Gibb Cirtulatlon l'rada McLeod. AK , A• Subscription Rate: Canada - •13.+QO Sr, Citizen .:13.00 par year , U.S.A. & foreign -'MOO per ygor • • Selling the shop No one can blame a retiring farmer for selling off his lando,tp the highest bidder, for after all, it's his only retirement plan and in these days of runaway inflation, the farmer needs every cent he can get during those twilight years to live a full life. But the specter of foreign buyers coming in and bidding up the price of -land -to -values -two ,.o>~..three times:what._ it will return in production will, in the next 10 years or so, spell doom for the future of the owner -operator or family farm in Ontario. Maybe even in most of Canada. No matter how you do your figuring on paper, there's no possible way a young person can go out, buy a farm, machinery, put in a crop and still , have money left at the end of the year to make mortgage payments. Sure, they say the prices of commodities and livestock will improve, but when and by how much? Is there even a guarantee they will? Aire those prb'duct increases going Ilinn up with the'sky-rocketing input cost? .Why just this spring alone, the price of fertilizer has jumped nearly 40 per cent from last year, while farm gate prices have either held the same, or nosedived in some cases particularly to hog farmers. Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell, who is the Liberal opposition agriculture critic, has accused the provincial government of closing its eyes to the increasing foreign ownership of Ontario farmland and the ruling Conservatives have finally said they are going to maintain at all. times an inventory oftand ownership. But just watching the land disap- pear. s, not-- enough-- The. ...damag.e..is_ being done right now. While the rest of Canada enjoys a fairly young population, the -average . age of a farmer is over 50, indicating that the situation is' already serious.* The crises will come in 10 years when farmers will either find themselves tenants in some feudal like setting, or Canada will start . importing vast quantities of her food at the mercyof wide fluctuations in the world market. Already, many young Huron County farmers must rent their land and according to recently retired Huron crop's specialist Mike Miller, the trend is accelerating. Despite the myth that farmers are constant complainers, many are quietly tightening their belts, praying that things will be better. But for those forced to get out, there won't be anymore "next years." by J.F. "Why the fuss over sex education — if it's taught like other subjects in school, the kids will lose interest fast enough." remembering 0u r past 5 YEARS AGO May 15, 1975 Two Clinton residents were at the -- Clintoncouncil meeting last night, wanting to know what council was doing about a new senior citizens' recreation complex that some senior citizens have been seeking for the town. Mrs. Frank Fingland and Mrs. Margaret Lawson asked council if they had been presented with a petition signed by 100 seniors itizens that a centre be built. 10 YEARS AGO May 14, 1970 To save costs in providing quarters for. expansion in the Clinton area, Ontario Hydro will take over one of the major buildings at CFB Clinton, now being phased out by the Department of National Defence. The Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Province of Ontario addressed the annual VE -Day banquet at the Clinton Legion on Monday. Nearly 220 war veterans and Clinton district people attended this 25th an- niversaryof the end of World War Two. a look through thenews-record files The Clinton badminton team recently won honors and brought home the Huron - Perth high school championship and—the men's single crown at the WOSSA..Team members included Mike Brezeau, Brenda Kingswell, Gord Lavis, Elaine Vincent, Jim Newland, Ted Thompson, Chris Hartley, Mr. Leeson (coach), Cam Reid, Dick Jewson, Bob Cooper, Kay Stevens and Diane Carter. 25 YEARS AGO May 19, 1955 Under blue skies and a cooling breeze, the official opening of the new $90,000 Nurses' Residence here went off last Wednesday without a hitch. Forty pigs, two calves and one cow perished early last Friday morning as fire of unknown origin destroyed a40 by 80 -foot `barn on the farm of John Miller-, about 11/4 miles east of Londesboro on. Concession 10 of Hullett Township. Loss was estimated at between $10,000 and $18,000. .. Rushing into the flaming structure, Mr. Miller managed to save only seven cows. In trying to save another animal he suf- fered a gash in his forehead when he was "horned." He was not seilously injured, however. Troubled farmers 1 m glad I'm not a farmer. I'm glad I'm not a number of things: a bar- tender, a doctor, a goal -keeper, a fighter, Chairman of the Treasury Board, among many others. But I'm particularly glad I'm not a farmer. A bar -tender must cope with a low class of people, forever trying to tell him their sordid secrets. A doctor must handle some of the lowest parts of the human anatomy: piles, bowels, ingrown toenails, seed warts on the sole. A fighter, professional or merely domestic, must constantly be on guard against low blows, physical or vocal. The Chairman of the Treasury Board is_ faced with trying to sell savings bonds at a low interst rate when everyone else • banks, trust companies; and jumped-up usurers of every color are offering the moon in interest. -But the farmer is faced with the worst low of all - low income, tow prices, and the low opinion of the vast majority of lowly -informed people in the land. A number of things has recently brought this to my attention, though I've known it, peripherally, for years. Last Saturday, the Old Lady and I gazed, with the fascination of a rabbit facing a rattlesnake, at a tiny prime rib roast of beef in the meat counter. We turned simultaneously to each other and as I was blurting, "What the hell ...," she was saying, "It's been two years." We bought the little beauty, we slavered as it roasted,and we attacked it when cooked like a couple of Eskimos who have been living on boiled moccasins for two months, and have finally killed a seal. Lying groaning after the orgy, I began to think. The roast wasn't much thicker than one of the steaks you tossed on the barbecue ten years ago. It weighed 2.35 pounds. It cost $7. With whipped turnips, roast potatoes and onions, a little garlic rubbed in, and a salad;•, it was something you wouldn't be ashamed to serve Queen Elizabeth. Then why was it such a big deal? Because we, like so many short- sighted, spoiled Canadians, have been shying away from the beef prices in the supermarket for a couple of years, without really thinking about • it, muttering, not really blaming the beef farmers, but feeling hard done by. A bottle of whiskey of any decent brand, costs $8 plus, the price of three pounds of prime rib roast. Which would you prefer? Which takes more tender loving care? Which returns a decent profit tothe producer? In West Germany, people are paying $7 a pound kr beef. If this happened in Canada, there'd be lynching parties running through the country -side, looking for beef producers. Same day we bought the beef, I picked up a five -pound bag of P.E.I. potatoes for 49 cents. Ten cents a pound. I'll bet you'd pay more for manure, if you wanted to green your lawn. A pound of bread' shot through machines, is about 70 cents. A pound of butter, likewise, is up around $1.45. A pound of eggs costs about 40 cents. 'A quart of milk is 90 per cent water and costs around 70 cents. A lousy lettuce, imported from California, costs a buck. Same for a bunch of asparagus. A pack of cigarettes costs more. Six imported tomatoes, shipped from New Mexico green as bullets, and less tasty than mashed toe -jam, will run you nearly a dollar. There; something crazy about our way of life, our prices. our values. We pay $1.25, and will eventually be paying $4.00, to run a rusty piece of metal from here to there. There are about six middle -men: the Arabs the shipping company, two or three governments, the trucking com- panies, the eventual dealer. And we shudder as we walk past the meat counter and see that beef, choice, is $3.38 a pound. Would you rather have two gallons of gas or a pound of beef? Would you rather have a quart of rye or two and a half pounds of beef? Would you rather have a pack of fags or 10 pounds of potatoes? Perhaps I'm not making my. point. Eggs and butter and cheese are right dispensed by bill smiley. up there in price, but the farmer who supplies the milk is working for peanuts. However, these products have some kind' of control. After all, Eugene Whelan dumped 60 zillion rotten eggs. on us a few years ago, and Canada can't give away its huge supplies of powdered milk. But a lot of our farmers are being royally shafted: especially the meat producers and the poor devils who come up with our spuds. Have you any idea of the capital cost, the heavy interest, and the horse labor that goes into producing a pound of beef or a pound of potatoes? I thought not. I'm glad I'm not a farmer. 50'YEARS AGO May 15,,1930 Messrs. Bartliff and Crich are driving a nice new bread truck. Graduation ceremonies were 'held in Wesley -Willis United Church on Friday evening when Miss Mary Moore and Miss Florence Scotchmer were given their diplomas from the Clinton Public Hospital. During the electric storm which passed over this' section Tuesday afternoon the residence of Mr. Raymond Whitmore, Fredrick Street, was struck. Fortunateiy the fire was soon extinguished and little damage was done. There was no one in the house at the time, but Mrs. D. Steep, a neighbor, who_ was -,looking out of her window, saw the curtains on the window facing her in flame to the top and im- mediately gave the alarm. Had it happened at night or had it not been noticed at once -the probability is that the house with its contents might have been destroyed. Mrs. Alf Johnson of the Parr Line who was so seriously burnt with gasoline three weeks ago is improving, we are glad to hear, though slowly. Nurse Rohner, who has been nursing in Clinton for the past,tcouple of years, is taking a month's holiday at her home in Brucefield. 75 YEARS AGO May 18;1905 A very drunk man was gathered in on Monday evening by Chief Wheatley and given a night's free lodging in the cooler. In the morning he took the first train for St. Thomas. The v.d.m. came from Niagara Falls a short time ago and secured employment with the CPR con- struction ,gang near Auburn, but a row arose and he -left, came south, spent nearly all his money in getting beastly drunk, hence his night in the lockup: A meeting of the House of Refuge committee was held on Tuesday when some business of comparative unim- portance was transacted, such, for in- stance, as the purchase of a new buggy for the keeper. A number of farmers in Hullett Town- ship are growing sugar beets this year. 10.0 YEARS AGO May 18, 1880 The remains of the late Mr. Noble Whitley were removed from his late residence on•the Huron Road on Monday afternoon for interment in the Goderich Cemetery. A very large cortege (57 vehicles) of friends and acquaintances followed -the remains totheir final --resting _ place. He was one of our earliest settlers, being 48 years in this locality. Persons wishing to enjoy a good day's amusement should visit Clinton on the 24th, as the day will be duly observed and celebrated. In the morning the band will make a parade, after which will come the Calithumpians and athletic sports for which a considerable number of good prizes will be offered. In the afternoon the races will come dff at the Driving Park and it is expected to wind up the day's entertainment with a grand pyrotechnic display. ,The Gypsies are now around; now is the time to get rid of your worthless horse for a goodone; of course• they are green and don't know the difference between a good and a bad horse. Mr. W.J. Paisley, chief of police has donned the distinctive policeman's suit, composed of blue cloth and bright brass buttons. It makes him even better looking than before, which is saying a good deal. , Wool will soon commence to be marketed. Its price will likely start at 30 to 32 cents per pound and it may, possibly, take a slight advance, before the close of theseason. odds n' ends by nine townshend To cook -or not to cook The other night I was leafing through my cookbooks, not because I intended to create a culinary delight tovers together and make your guests think you planned it that way. There are recipes for the 'calorie - conscious and recipes for the times we want to forget calories: For the Sook on the go there are casseroles that can be prepared days in advance. frozen and popped into the oven on short notice. Among my favourite recipes are 22 different ways to serve ground beef, indluding meatballs and surprise burgers. I even found a recipe that calls for bologna. Helpful hints include cooking Spaghetti or macaroni in a coffee pot, especially, useful on camping trips when utensils are limited. Tired of -weeping over onions? You won't cry if • you remember to refrigerate onions at least 24 hours before peeling and slicing them and if you remember to peel them from the top. Those of us,who haven't developed the correct rhythm to separate egg whites and,yolks can break them into a small funnel. The whites slide through but the yolks don't. The author adds tidbits of wlisdom aside from}cooking., .'Some ulcers are. caused by mountain climbing over molehills" and "swallowing your pride occasionally will never give you indigestion. ' Lorraine Gifford, author of If You Can't Stand To Cook compiled the recipes after multiple sclerosis confined her to a wheelchair. The fast and easy steps ...are designed to help handicapped homemakers achieve maximum results with' minimum effort., Therefore, they are ideal for any busy homemaker. The results are delicious; they were family -tested by the author, and first timers should have no qualms about experimenting on family or guests. Some people love to cook for the sake of cooking; some of ;s cook -- because we love to eat. How many times have you asked your mother or 'sister or friend for a recipe to a dish they've been making for years and you've been enjoying for years? ;, The reply is often, "Oh, I use a bit of this and a bit of that, throw in some of this and a dash of salt, stir till it looks a certain way and bake til it's done." And no matter how you try you can't create a dish that tastes anything like hers! Frustrating, isn't it? At time§ like that, I turn to my trusty, dusty, cookbooks or my can opener. Dear Editor, In the May 1st issue you published a letter .from Philip Beddow calling for the reinstatement of capital punish- ment in Canada, I thought of replying to Mr. l3eddow in a private letter, bust his public statement requires a public answer. Mr.'Beddow presumes that capital punishment would deter potential killers from taking lives. Thishas not beer proven.4 don't believe that any murderer thinks, before or at.the time of his crime, that he will be caught. Why should he fear' punishment if he thinks that he won't be apprehended? Some convicted murderers would rather die than serve out a life sen tence. Of' course, many who are convicted of murder receive shorter .sentences with the possibility. of parole. Mr. Beddow does not mention the possibility of rehabilitation. Who is wise enough to say that a man who has killed once will kill again? Without proof that capital punish- ment would prevent future loss of life, the plea for "justice" is a thinly - disguised scream for revenge. I agree with Mr. Beddow that "every murder is a senseless waste of human life". What is the sense, the purpose to be served, of wasting the life of the murderer? It cannot in any way help the victim. I cannot understand how a further killing could give peace -of - mind to the victim's family. Mr. Beddow says that "justice" is -"the—rendering—of- Mutt—is due -or-- merited". I wonder who has the wisdom to decide that a human being's due is death. Outside of the auspices of the law, such a self- righteous judgement and its execution are called "murder". How can violence be tamed by violence? I don't know whether Mr. Beddow holds any religious beliefs, or what they might be. Since he has put this issue before the entire community, however, and since this community is ostensibly Christian, I . would like to point out that, for the Christian, the Gospels provide not just a perspective but the perspec tive. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgement you give are the judgements you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given." (Jerusalem Bible, Matt. 7:1-2.) While Mr.. Beddow and I agree that human life is sacred, his letter does not mention the peculiar Christian notion of mercy: Mercy transcends justice. Mercy is like the gift of life itself: it is more than we deserve. No Christian believes that he "merits" Salvation, that it is his "due"; everything is a free gift of divine love. If Christians do not attempt to mirror this -divine love in their dealings with other people, are they Christian? Whatever else it may be, "justice" or the law without mercy is not Christian. I have stressed a Christian viewpoint so that anyone who disagrees with me will know on what grounds to refute . me. Some people might say that human society cannot afford mercy yet. If that is true, when will we ever be able to afford it, and how will we get that way? Are we all agreed that mercy is desirable? • I disagree with Mr. Beddow about the role of our elected Members of Parliament. An MP is elected precisely becailse'of his integrity: his commitment to using his abilities in good conscience. Without a con- science a man is •not a'ren a man, much less one to be trusted with the affairs of hid- constituents. Any government that tried to govern according to the whims of public opinion polls would be worse than useless - it would be a menace. I am glad thatour elected representatives have the insight and courage not to bow to the . public's demands for legalized brutality. Does "detnocracy" mean the majority pf the people stearnrolling over their opposition? I wish to offer sincere condolences to Constable McAleese's family and friends. I do not mean to trivialize their sorrow in any way. Con- sideration of, Mr. Beddow's letter leaves me with more questions than answers; however, I cannot justify capital punishmentt on any social or moral grounds. Sincerely, Philip Street, • Do you have an opinion? Irliy not write us a letter to the editor, and let everyone know. All letters *Ow published, providing they eats be are allowed. All letters, however, are subject to editing for length or libel.