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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1969-07-24, Page 4Wingham Advance -Times, Thursday, July *4, 196$ Room For Improvement Last year the Ontario government insti- tuted a plan whereby home owners and tenants would benefit from a direct tax re- bate—purpose of the legislation being to ease the burden of taxation on residential properties. Within the first few months of its op- eration the act was seen to be far from perfect. One instance was the case of cot- tage owners, some of them extremely wealthy ones, who did not have to pay any taxes on their summer homes because the rebate amounted to more:than the taxes assessed against the properties. There were other loopholes which made it apparent that some changes would be necessary. Last week the government announced that changes had indeed been made and they are probably going to put an end to the most apparent inadequacies of the act.. However, the basic weakness of the legis- lation has not been altered. One of the more difficult sections of the act to enforce is the compulsory remit- tance by a landlord to a tenant of that which the owner of the pioperty° has re- ceived as a tax rebate on the housing ac- commodation he rents to others. The law demands that the owner must turn over the rebate in full to the tenant. This year one of the amendments demands that such payments be made on a monthly pro rated basis if the tenant leaves before the year is out. There is, however, nothing in the re- vised regulations to cope with the under- handed property owner who demands a re- ceipt from his tenants even though he has never turned over. the money to them. With good rental properties hard to find, it is not, very difficult for an un- scrupulous landlord to suggest in no uncer- tain terms, that he wants an unearned re- ceipt — or the tenant may find himself looking for another home. Certainly, if the authorities caught up with such a land- lord his fate would be unpleasant, but there are all kinds of tenants who will forego the tax rebate and keep their mouths tightly shut rather than risk evic- tion on some trumped-up excuse. Handouts of cash from government to the governed are always fraught with drawbacks, and in this case there are many reasons why the cash rebate systegi leaves room for doubt. Shameful Display The Western farmers, who greeted Prime Minister Trudeau in Saskatchewan with signs such as, "Trudeau's a Pig" and "Hustle Wheat—Not Women," have done. little to enhance .their, position with either the prime minister or their own country- men. We can agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Trudeau's instant decision to refuse any sort. of discussions .,with people who want tb open the dialogue with insults. Perhaps it is all a part of the present- day inclination to use violence instead of reason but .whatever the underlying cause for such foul taste and ill manners, it is 'safe to assume .that not one whit of good will result from this stupid display. It does not matter that a certain ele- ment feel that they are getting a raw deal on the marketing of their product nor is it of any consequence to what party they normally pay allegiance — their actions, have made it plain that they deserve little consideration from any leader or party. How To Lose Friends And Money! The following paragraphs are lifted from Communique, the publication of the Consumer service and information branch, Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Ottawa: v, One of the fastest way to lose friends can be to give their names todoor-to-door salesmen. It can also be one of the quick- est ways .to lose money. Referral selling, as this is called, is sometimes designed not to- save you money, but to separate you from more cash than you could' normally 'afford for a' color television 'set,tseiwing machine, vacuum cleaner or some equally expensive item. Yet it has been estimated in the United States, for example, that in 1967. referral selling involved a potential loss to the. public of $200 million. Here's how it works: An affable sales- man might tell you he is not trying to sell his product -- he merely wants your opinion of it or he may ask you to test it. But after the pleasantries are over, he may still try to 'persuade you to buy. Then it may be implied that you , can purchase the product at a fraction, of. the .cost simply by giving the names of friends who could be potential customers. Or you could write them yourself, introducing the salesman, his products and his plan. For each additional sale he makes from the names you supply you will . be given a bonus which would help to defray the cost of .the :item. The gimmick, however, is. that you must usually make a small down payment and sign a contract for. the .full purchase price. •. And this price is often more than the goods are actually .worth. After you have signed the contract it is possible , that your problems may be just starting. Your friends may not wel- come the salesman, nor the .idea that they are helping to pay for your purchase. What you are not usually told is that the contract you sign may be put i.n the hands of a bank or finance company for collec- tion, even though you have changed your mind about the deal.' One consumer purchased a refrigerator and later,. when he discovered the normal price was $lOb" less than the cost to him, he was advised by a friend in the retail trade to stop making payments. However, unable to stand harrassment. by the fi- nance company, he finally borrowed moneys to make the payments. To add in - suit to injury, his name had been used inreferral letters to some of his friends., Injuns on the warpath "Bar the door, Matilda, and close them shutters! Henry, look to your flintlock! The In juns are on the war -path!!" Let's hopeit doesn't come to that, but the Indians of Can- ada, anada, a quarter -million of the natives of this vast continent, have blood in . their eye, wheth- ..er it's a product of politics or bean wine. . And they don't need toma- hawks, bows and arrows, and rusty muskets this time. They have two weapons which bring them right into the nuclear age. One Is the white man's guilt complex, with which they belabor him at every opportu- nity. The other is the mass media, Which they are using with a skill that would make a public relations man tarn green. There are some facts that have led up to the current confrontation. First of all, the Indians were victims of one of the greatest con jobs in history when the various treaties were &awn up. Have you ever read one? They sound great, full of poet- ic stuff like." As long as the rivers run to the sea and the grass grows to the sky and the mountains do not fall down .. etc., etc." Then comes cite crunch, in the small . print. As long as the Indian stays on his reserve, and out of the white man's hair (especially the scalp), he and his children and his children's children shall re- ceive an annual bounty from the Great White Queen across the Big Water. For a whole Indian band, it might be 1,000 pounds ster- ling. Not cash annually, but only the interest thereon. Fig- ure out sometime what the in- terest is on 1,000 pounds ster- ling. in 1969. 'Yes, inflation juts caught up with the Indian, oo. Treaty . Day, according to old-timers, used to be a real . fair at the reserves. 'Each In- dian family received its share of the loot and avaricious mer- chants gathered from miles around to separate 'the Indian and his treaty money' as quick- ly uickly as possible. Today, he might be able to buy a few bottles of wine. Second, the Indian culture, or what's left of it, is quite, dissimilar to-that.of the Whit e man's: It is used on commu nal, rather than cut-throat soca- Here are some suggestions about handling proposals of this sort, especially where you are asked to give the names of your' friends as contacts for the salesman: Go over the contract point by point with the salesman; be sure you can afford the item; check the retail price of the product; . get your friends' permission before you give their names; don't berushed into signing a contract for- any reason whatso- ever; if you do buy, get a written guaran- tee and read it carefully. Referral selling has already been out- lawed . in British Columbia and similar legislation is under way in Saskatchewan. Beware of the salesman who \jses this approach at your door. Man—The Mighty .Midget Two earth -born men have walked on the face of the moon!. The words are totally inadequate. Per- haps nothing less than months of reflec- tion will serve to bring home to the human mind the actual ,fact that after un- told millions of years puny little humans have leaped the barriers of space. Three courageous American astronauts have opened the gates to the universe. Man has set his feet upon the pathway to the stars. No matter how many years or centuries 'it takes to vault into the far- flung galaxies, Armstrong and Aldrin will always be remembered as the men who first trod the dust of the moon's barren face. Man's , Imagination has clothed the moon with special significance since the beginning of time. ' It has been a goddess, a soothsayer, an object of poetic expres- sion --but only in this latest fragment of time has it become a destination for man- kind. The next ten years will reveal a new role for the moon as man makes of it a useful Launching site fbr his voyage to all that` lies beyond. In-evitably the knockers and the pessi- mists emerged with their complaints. The most popular criticism, of course, was that the 'billions expended on the space pro- gram would havefed so. many .poor people. That statement is true.. It is equally true that a . starving trapper in the wilds of Northern Canada might be tempted to kill and eat his, sleigh dogs — but that would not help to get him to the full meal at the end of his. journey. No doubt the same criticism was levelled when the first railway line was pushed across the empty prairies. The poor of this world have no hope whatsoever unless man is free to progress into neW realms of knowledge, for only in this way can new techniques be discov- ered. The vast knowledge which will be forthcoming from the moon trip may well reveal unknown horizons 'in human well- being. We pray that a new sense of man's brotherhood and an interdependence may help to usher in an age of peace and co- . operation. It won't come overnight, but certainly all humans will eventually sense their. kinship as the inhabitants of a planet outward bound to the limitless heavens. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE - TIMES Published at Wingham, bntario, by Wenger Bro*. Limited W. Barry Wenger, President - . Robert 0. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulation Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association Subscription Rate: 1 yr. $6.00; 6 months $3.25, in advance; USA $7.00 per yr.; Foreign fate $7.00 per yr. Advertising Rates on application Second Class Mail Registration No. -0821' Return Postage Guaranteed more noble than the rest of us. Third, the paradox exists that the Indian has special privileges (medical care, fret education, no taxes on the re- serve, etc.) and yet he is un- derprivileged (inferior housing and education, plus plain old discrimination, social and eco- nomic.) And ' now, the Federal gov- ernment, with a cold logic that seems to seep down from Mr. Trudeau, says, "Put up or shut up. If you aren't happy about the way we run things, do it yourself." This, after years of treating reserves with all the largesse and benevolence usually associated with an or- phanage: The Federal government proposes to dump the Vidian problem on the provincial gov- ernments overnments and the Indians themselves, all An the course of five years, then fold its tent and steal off into the night.. The provincial governments • want the Indian problem like they want the -Black Plague, So do the Indians. For the latter, the Canadian government's new policy is a smoke -screen to cover failure. For the young Indians, dissolu- tion of the reserves .. is like burning your boats behind you. For the middle-aged and elder- ly, it is terrifying. Indian leader Wilmer Nadji- won of Cape Croker put it sUccintly, if over -simply, when , he said the new legislation would allow an Indian to sell his property for two bottles of wine: That doesn't ' solve a problem. It creates one. The Indians don't want as- similation. They want help to get on their feet and some redress for 200 years of being considered second-class Cana- dians. ety. The romantic refers back to the "noble red man". The pragmatist calls him "a .shift- less bum." . Neither • is anywhere near the truth. He isa human being. He's neither red nor' any Some reserves are worthless, mere slum areas. Some are ex- tremely valuable as potential resort areas. How does every- body get a fair share if these lands are handed back to the Indians themselves, for dispos- al as they see fit? You're not going to settle . that onein five years, Pierre• Elliott. Two female society dogs ted to introduce theselYes to a male (alley variety). First female: My name is Fifi, spelled f -i -f -i. Second female: My name is Mimi, spelled m -i -m -i. Male: My name is Fido, spelled p -h -y -d -e -a -u -x. Canada has 235,000 Treaty Indians, 225,000 non -registered Indians and 350,- 000 mixed -blood Metis, living on 2,274 reserves. Ex -Transport Minister Paul Hell- yer'shousing task. force decided that their homes rank "with the very worst vtie could encounter in Canada." Ram- shackle wooden houses have been con -1 verted into one -bedroom flats; beaver - board walls are unpainted; broken win- dows are plugged with rags. Who's responsible? Well,.l would think that both white man and .Indian share the blame. Like any minority ethnic group, many of the Indian newcomers are exploit- ed and ostracized by the white man. But; the Indians also contribute to their dilem- ma, for their biggest problem is the con- tinuous clash of .the two cultures and the resulting lack of understanding which may end in violence advocated by a few "Red Power" extremists. However, the Indians do have a 'rich sense of humor; many can ° laugh at their personal problems, but there still remains a strong blend of frustration and bewilderment. The 1886 Indian Act is simply archaic, stipulating that .each chief and his tribal headsman are to receive a "triennial suit .of clothes!" These early treaties were sign- ed by unsophisticated natives, but natives they no longer are. Therefore, it is es- sential that these treaties be updated. Let the Indians have a voice in running By Ellin Cruickshank, 12A their own Fives. Let the reserves be treat, ed as municipalities. Let their own v- ernment have the right to hire their Indian agents. Give them a life and let then' live it. Would you employ a "dirty squaw," a "black imp," or a "nitchy crawling with lice?" These inappropriate examples of racial prejudice are prevalent today, for we alsohave a society of "unsophisticated natives" who dwell in their own lofty realms secluded high in the heavens, think- ing and caring for their successes alone,. quite oblivious to the rising manifestations of the world around them. The Canadian Indian and the American Negro are much alike since both minority groups bottle up a lot of anger and hos- tility because of the subtle form of apar- theid they have to contend with. In a specific case, one teacher applied to a school for employment but was greeted with "We don'thave room for any sort of Indian animal in this cage." Is there any solution for these Indian misfits trying to "find a place for them- selves? To change the old values of the reserve overnight is more than difficult. It's heart -breaking. , It's a heart -breaking world we live in, but we manage toget by because someone really cares about us. But does anyone care about the Indians. Say you care! News Items from Old Files JULY 1920 Mr. Weaver and Mr. Ro y Manuel 'motored up from De- troit and spent a few dayswith the latter's mother, Mrs. Man- uel. Miss Nellie Walters left for Victoria Hospital, London, on Thursday last where she will commence training as : a nurse. Her many friends wish her much success.. ,n>' a• .Miss Myrtle Bennett has re- turned to her home from Teh- kummah where she has been teaching for the past sit months. Mrs. Bennett spent a week visit- ing on the Manitoulin Island and accompanied her daughter home. Miss May Burke has accepted a position in Stratford. A German trench mortar cap- tured by the Canadians at Vimy,, Ridge has arrived in town and is at present in front of the town hall where it is the object of great interest. It is presented to the town by the Dominion Government. The town council have award ed the contract for the construc- tion of the Municipal bridge and dam across the Maitland to Hunter Bros. Bridge and Boiler Co. of Kincardine. The cost will be in the neighbourhood of $27,000. Mr. Thomas Drummond mov- ed his household effects 'to Hen - salt. on Monday. JULY 1934 a m on ri Betty Taylor, of Hamilton, daughter of Mr. nd Mrs. ,Thos. Taylor, formerly of Wingham, to • has been chosen represent Canada. in the 80metres hurdles at the British' Empire. Games to .be held at London, ,England. At the trials in London, Ontario, a last week Betty nd Roxy At - kins. were abreastat the tape in -the 80 metres fi al, and judge a decided it was dead heat. Their time of 11 9 seconds to broke the Canadian record and was only one tenth of a second slower than the world mark. Miss Taylor, whom Lord Burgh- ley, Britain's Olympian, once called "the perfect stylist" led by about five feet until the last hurdle. Her foot touched 'the timber on that jump, and Mrs. Atkins, a grand finisher, pulled up even. . Mr. Alan. Finlayson who has been Principal of Wingham School for t)�e� three'years, has accepted tide principalship of the Wroxeter' public school and, will takeover his duties at the beginning of the fall term, September 4th. • Alan. is a member of theloFal ball team and was very popular here, and his friends regret diat he is leaving town, but are hap- py that he is 'not moving farther away. Mr. F. T. Homuth, Harris - ton, rias in Toronto last week taking a post graduate course in advanced Optometry. He also attended the convention of the American Optometrical As- sociation 'of which he is a mem- ber. Mr. Angus MacKay formerly of Whitechurch, but in recent years a missionary to India, un- der the Presbyterian Church in Canada, will give a missionary • address in St. Andrew's Church here on Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. Miss Tena Reid has received word that she was successful in passing with honours the Con- servatory of Music Examination, Intermediate Harmony Grade 5, which she tried at Clinton on June 16th. Miss Reid is to be congratulated on her continued success in the music field. < This lovely baby is David, Welsh and English in descent. Though he: isn't yet four months old, he is extremely alert and observant. A happy child with a winning personality, he has a beguiling smile, as you see. Occasionally this little fellow looks deeply thoughtful as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he is a little shy of strangers, but he soon becomes friendly. His eyes are very blue, he has fair skin and sparse fair hair. David has an excellent background in terms of both health and achievement; and he is expected to be above average in ability. This baby needs a loving mother and father who will be able to help him realize his potential.• To inquire about adopting David please write to Today's Child, Depart- ment of Social and Family Services, Parliament Buildings, Toronto 182. For -general information about. adoption ask your local Children's Aid Society. July 22, 1969 Dear Sir: I am writing in regards to the Kinsmen wading pool. I can't figure out why it hasn't been opened yet this year con- sidering the hot weather we have had so far this summer. I'm sure a lot of children feel this way too. • I hope the pool won't,just be left to stand idle for the years tocome. It seems a waste of money on someone's part, unless there is a valid rea- son for not bothering with it. I wish someone would explain it. Sincerely, Mrs. William Ranula Wingham, Ontario Helen Tomlinson, Bud Wild, Shirley Yeoman. Miss Norma Coutts, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Coutts, has accepted a position on the staff of the Markdale High School. She will teach history and English. Miss Coutts grad- uated this spring from Western university receiving her B. A. degree. A. memorial will be unveiled nd dedicated in lo v i n g emory of Flight Sergeant • Wil- liam C. Scott, of the R. C.A. E. at Christ Church, Listowel, on Sunday morning, July 16th. The rector of the church, Rev. Her- bert Naylor, will conduct the service. Flight Sergeant Scott,' the only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Scott, 'was' one of the young men of the church who joined the R. C. A. F. Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Bill were residents of Wingham prior to moving to Listowel. Mr. Scott is 'anaem- ployee of the Bell Telephone Co, Rev. 0. Gallagher preached at. Orange services held in Gor- ' rte in the afternoon and in Brus sels in the evening•on Sunday. Rev. W. A. Beecroft preach- ed the anniversary services at Ashfield United Church here Sunday morning. Rev. Dr. John Cochrane of Toronto preached and in the evening Rev. G. F. Howse of A • hfield. JULY 1944 On behalf of the people of this community we extend con- gratulations to Mr. C. R. Cope- land of London, a former Wing - ham resident, on his election as president of the Dominion Railway Mail Clerks' Federa- tion at their recent annual meet - Mg at Ottawa. Entrance to High School re- sults: Jean Adair, Fay Angus, Tresina Bondi, Violet Bowman, Arnold Bruce, Norma Bruce, Doris Culliton, Jessie Currie, Jean Deyell, Nelson Dow, Alan Dunbar, Dorothy Dunkin, Walt- er Elliott, Lionel Gallagher, George Gammage, Kenneth Hingston, Grace Holmes, Clare. Hopper, Betty Hutchison, Doris Klein, Alice Laidlaw, Robert Lover, Lois Lockridge, Ruth Lockridge, Helen MacEwen, Gwen MacLean, Phyllis McClure, Robert McKague, Brian Mex - calfe, Lorne Metcalfe, Treva Montgomery, Robert Mundy, Mary Porter, Thelma Ridley, Mary Ross, Ralph Seddon, Wil- fred Sell, Gladys Shiell, June Shiell, Gerald Smith, Keith Smith, Muriel Smith, Murray Stainton, William T a y l o r, JULY 1955. The following music stu - dents from Bluevale were suc- cessful in passing the summer examinations in Piano, conduct ed by the Western Ontario Con- servatory of Music, affiliated with the Music Teachers' -Col- lege of the University of West- ern Ontario. Grade VI Sr. , pass: Kay Johnston; Grade V, first class honors: Carol Greig; Grade III Jr. , honors: Sharon Montgomery, Anne Peacock; pass, Kathleen Craig. The ladies' section .of the Wingham Golf Club enjoyed another pleasant afternoon at the club house last Thursday. There were seven tables of bridge. The winners were: 1st., Miss Ann Henry, New YorkCity; 2nd. , Mrs. G. Cameron and the travelling ptize, Mrs. Car- rie Taylor. Hostesses for the afternoon were: Mrs. J. W. Mc- Kibbon, Mrs. G. Cameron, Mrs. C. Roberts, Mrs. R. Du - Val, Mrs., W. Attnstrong, Mrs. T. Smalley and. Mrs. H. C. MacLean. Maintenance crews of the Department of Highways spent more than a quarter million man-hours cleaning up litter along Ontario's highways last year. With a little co-opera- tion from the motoring public in keeping the highways 'clean, this time could be put to bet- ter use. Keep a litter bag in your car. OD