HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-01-30, Page 4ADVAnC�-Ti
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New formula required
The announcement last week that the
Ontario government would increase the
mintrinum wage to $2.40 per hour at the first
of May came as no surprise. Nor will the new
rate provide any tremendous luxuries for the
man with a family who happens to be stuck
with nothing more than that minimum.
Nevertheless the public should realize
that an increase in the minimum wage regu-
lation is not limited to a raise for only those
persons who are presently receiving S2.25 an
hour, the current legal minimum. As soon as
the increase becomes effective there will be
a parallel upward demand throughout the
labor force and a new round of inflation be-
comes inevitable.
The question arises: What is the mini-
mum amount of skill, ambition and producti-
vity that an employer should ask for an in-
creased wage rate? A higher wage for the
man or woman who js putting his best into
his job is only fair in these times when the
cost of survival is escalating so rapidly.
However, it is high time that government
labor ministries should recognize the fact
that minimum working abilities vary great-
ly.
As an example, the minimum wage does
not allow special status for persons in train-
ing, other than a one-month period at slightly
lower pay. We can think of a great many
trades in which a month's training period is
nothing more than a token. When an employ-
er is required to pay $96.00 for a 40 -hour week
($2.40 an hour) to a person who requires the
constant instruction and guidance of another
and more highly paid workman, our
economy has indeed sprung a leak.
High starting wages have all but des-
troyed ' the apprenticeship system under
which business and industry supplied their
needs,for trained help in years gone by. Few
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employers can afford to train new workers
at $2.40 an hour. As a consequence there are
several hundred thousand Canadians who
are enjoying themselves on relief or unem-
ployme t insurance while thousands of good
jobs remain unfilled and national producti-
vity is curtailed by lack of adequately
trained help.
Nit-picking and stupid regulations en-
forced by the labor ministry add to the prob-
lem. Here's an example: A few weeks ago a
local firm advertised for a person to take
over a specialized typing job on a machine
which produces key-punched tape, and an
applicant was found through Canada Man-
power. Because the job required something
more than straight typing ability the pros-
pective employee was informed that she
would be given an opportunity to work on the
machine for whatever time was required to
prove her ability to handle the job, and if
successful she would be hired.
After a day and a half of testing, under
the supervision of one of the regular opera-
tors, it was found that she would not be able
to meet the requirements and was tactfully
told she could not be hired. A week or two
later the employer received official notice
from the labor ministry that he must pay the
woman something over $30 for the work she
had done during her test period.
Explanation of the circumstances to
ministry officials made no difference what-
ever. In fact, the employer was informed
that he was being treated very kindly be-
cause no penalty was being added to the bill
since it was a first offence. As you might ex-
pect, that employer is being very cautious
about any job applicants and particularly
those who are registered with Canada Man-
power.
Isn't it about time we got back to
common sense?
What is the right price?
When members of parliament came out
for a 50 per cent pay boost nDecember there
was a tremendous outcry, a quick double
shift by the NDP and a delay in the whole
discussion.' Back in the House after the
Christmas recess, the government has faced
other business and stayed away from the pay
increase question.
The entire subject was dealt with from
the standpoint of emotion rather than on the
basis of common sense.
Without, any doubt the timing of the 50
per cenf increase was horrible. A govern-
ment can hardly demand restraint from its
taxpayers and demonstrate lack of restraint
at the same moment. However, a • calm
evaluation of the question of remuneration
for our members of parliament, certainly in-
dicates that some sort of 'adjustment is nec-
essary. Just what the, increase should be is
open to, and will, without doubt, be the sub-
ject of, some intense debate.
Talking with one of the more recently
elected members the other day we heard
some very compelling arguments .about the
near -poverty which present stipends inflict.
He said that at present pay rates a member
of parliament getsless than the doorman to
front of the buildings. His contention was
based on a comparison of hours. worked in
each case. He also had it figured out that
The strap is back
London board of education has voted to
reinstate the use of the strap as a disciplin-
ary measure in London schools. The return
of corporal punishment was stoutly resisted
by several membersof the .board, but they
were out -voted.
The principal argument about use of the
strap has been that it only confirms violence
in our society. Anyone who reads this column
regularly knows that its editor is strongly
opposed to violence, but here we fail to agree
that corporal punishment falls into this cate-
each Canadian pays something like 24 cents
a year toward members' salaries.
Of course the salary and expense ac-
count, along with free transportation and
other goodies available to the members
make the average wage-earner think the
men at Ottawa are rolling in greeli stuff and
that a 50 per cent increase is sheer graft for
them. It must be remembered,, on the other
hand, that these people face higher and more
unusual expenses than the rest of us. Living
costs in two places are typical, but in addi-
tion there are travelling expenses if the.
member has to return to his riding more
than once a week; available cash for the
handouts we expect from him;. living stan-
dards for himself and his family which we all
expect to be above normal levels.
What should we pay our elected repre-
sentatives? Certainty their incomes should
be adequate to attract truly capable people,
rather than a group of dullards who could not
succeed elsewhere. Nor should their pay be
high enough to attract the sort of person who
wants the job only for its fat salary. We all
want dedication and integrity.
The obvious objective of the `settlement
should be to establish some sort of sliding
scale for members' salaries, under which
their pay would be adjusted fo the cost, not
only of living, but living in a set of circum-
stances most of us do not face.
gory.
Is a mother indulging in violence when
she decides heryoungster needs to be re-
minded
e-
minded that he has overstepped, the limits of
reasonable discipline? Spanking is a last re-
sort, but at times a necessary one.
Use of the strap in school should not be
indiscriminate, and it should be employed
only after decision by responsible persons,
but the student who refuses to permit his
fellows to continue their work in peace must
learn his place.
Good men leaving
It was with considerable dismay that we
learned recently of the decisions of Robert P.
Ritter and James Cardiff to terminate their
service on the board of governors of the
Wingham and District Hospital. Mr. Ritter
has been a valued member of the board and
one of its most effective chairmen. Mr. Car-
diff, both as board member and vice-chair-
man, was obviously a capable person to suc-
ceed- Mr._ Ritter_ when the latter retired.
Both of these men will be sorely missed
in the months ahead, for local hospitals are
facing difficult times. Already there has
been a strong suggestion that our area
should become a tiny segment in 'a vast
hospital region which would extend all the
way to Woodstock and Chatham. It is pos-
sible that the region will eventually be
A page of editorial opinion
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TODAY CHILD
BY HELEN ALLEN
trimmed to more realistic configuration, but
inevitably the plan for regional control will
bring with it difficulties and drastic changes
in hospital control. Some of the alterations
will probably be beneficial, but . given
officialdom's propensity for error piled on
blunder, sensible and forceful people are
needed on our local hospital boards to resist
whatever is obviously ill-conceived in the
minds of Queen's 'Park planners.
Mr. Ritter and Mr. Cardiff no doubt have
compelling reasons for their decision, but
their loss to the local. hospital board is re-
grettable in the extreme. All -we can hope is
that some sincere persuasion is being prac-
tised by their colleagues before the annual
meeting in March.
Robby is an appealing six-year-old with dark eyes, brown hair
and medium complexion. His glasses are for far-sightedness. He
is in good health but is an insecure little fellow who needs
patient, understanding parents. He likes to be helpful and is
usually co-operative, but can be moody when he does not get his
own way.
Robby is doing well in kindergarten but he seems o need a
great deal of encouragement to try new things, as well s much
praise if he succeeds. He is not expected to excel academ I y.
He will be a lovable son for parents who appreciate his need
for warmth and complete acceptance. Other children in. Robby's
adopting, family will be an asset but they should be at least four
years older.
To inquire about adopting Robby, please write to Today's
Child, Ministry of Community and Social Services. Box 888,
Station K, Toronto M4P 2H2. For general adoption information,
consult your local Children's Aid Society.
THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES
Published et Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited
Barry Wenger, President Robert 0. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member — Canadian Community Newspapers Assoc. Ontario Weekly Newspapers Assoc.
Six months $5.25 To United States $12.50
A LOVABLE BOY
wWMiN?ir�..
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Thi.. sdciy, January 30
Leiters to the Edit • r
Wingham Advance Times
Dear Mr. Editor:
There is much talk of an elec-
tion in this fair Province of On-
tario, and several dates have
been mentioned. The dates most
often heard are July and October.
Further to this talk of an elec-
tion, the news media are sug-
gesting that the Big Blue
Machine and Mr. Davis have lost
a- great deal of popularity. Yes,
they probably have. This humble
person feels very strongly that
they have won the last two elec-
tions by default. Lack of money,
the news media, political patro-
nage *and the lack of a concen-
trated, orgazed political battle
by the other ppa ve been the
contributing causes.
There have never been satis-
factory answers given for the
following debacles: the educa-
tional mess of the 60's; the Work-
men's Compensation Board; the
Ontario Hydro building and the
Hydro method -of letting con-
tracts; the Ontario Hospital
Insurance and the Ontario
Medical Association; the Ontario
Provincial Police and organized
crime in Ontario.
All of the above have at one
time or another been brought to
our attention by the media, and
for this I commend them and the
loyal opposition. However, they
have let the issues die, get hushed
up and glossed over without satis-
factory results. *Te, the general
public, were never really in-
formed in detail about the solu-
tions and outcome of inquiries
into the above. The only indica-
tion wehave is that many months
later Mr. So and So`has retired.
The latest of these was a short,
• terse announcement that Mr.
Gathercole of the Ontario Hydro
has taken early retirement. This
is approximately one year after
the contract irregularities came
to light. He was the head man.
What about the departmental
heads? These grey pekple who
sign the correspondence and play
God to all of us peasants- The de-
cision makers.
Even if the people of this
province were to send the "Big
Blase Machine" to sit in opposi-
tion, there would be no dif-
ference. The "Big Blue Machine"
has had 31 years to make sure
everything will be the way they
want it. They have placed in very
strategic offices their people.
Therefore, the incoming govern-
ment would have a very difficult
task. They would in effect be
fighting on two fronts. That is to
say, in the house and in the
various government departments
which are heavy laden with the
"Big Blue Machine" supporters.
There ' are many more prob-
lems besetting the giant killer
who will unseat the "Big Blue
Machine" and they are, to name
a few: money, voter apathy, suf-
ficient good candidates to run in
the ridings, riding organization
and in the case of the Liberal
party the federal government.
Many voters do not know and -
or appreciate the difference
between the feleral government
and the provincial government. It
is all government to them.
Furthermore, they do not really
care so long as they get their
family allowance, social assist-
ance, unemployment etc.,
cheque. It is surprising that a
very large segment of the popula-
tion does not realize what the
British North America Act
covers and the division of powers.
This is perhaps the reason why
there is so much confusion ih the
minds of many voters. To many
who are apathetic, it will be just
another election, so what!, my
vote will not , change it. (There
are many ^reasons for this atti-
tude, too many to write about Jin
.this letter.).
Well, good luck loyal opposi-
tion. You are going to need it. So
Silver Circle worker addresses WI members
BELGRAVE — The Women's
Institute met in the arena rooms
last Tuesday .afternoon with(,
President Mrs. gtan Hopper''%yin
charge. A poem, "New Year's
Resolution" was read by s Mrs.
Hopper, followed by the Institute
Ode, Mary Stewart Collect and 0
Canada. Mrs. William Coultes
presided at the piano.
The roll call, "A memory 1 erse
I learned at public school", was
answered by 18 members.
Mrs. Glenn. Coultes explained a
display showing the grading and
cutting of beef.
Mrs. Stewart Procter gave a
reading, "Think of Me First as a
Person". tt was the story of a re-
tarded child.
Mrs. Procter then introduced
Mrs. Willie VanderWoude of
Wingham who gave an interest-
ing and informative talk on her
work at the Silver Cirele School in
Wingham. She explained that a
retarded child is often caused by
a mental deficiency that is mis-
understood. The Silver Circle
School is a pre-school nursery
which has 10 children, three
mornings a week, and those who
volunteer their services learn as
Subscription $10.00 per year.
Second Class Mall Registration No. 0821 Return postage guaranteed
much from the children as they
teach them. Mrs. Procter thank-
ed' Mrs., VanderWoude and pre-
seriled her with a gift.
Mrs. Ross Higgins opened the
business part of the meeting with
the reading of the minutes and
treasurer's report. Training
School for , the 4-H flub "What
Shall I Wear?" will be held in the
Wingham Salvation Army Cita-
del on February 19 and 20 from 10
a.m. to 4, p.m. each day. Club
leaders will be Mrs. Ruth Gor-
don, Mrs. Norma Moore, Mrs.
Artice Johnston and Mrs. Hinka
Bakelaar.
The Senior Leaders' Course
"Baked in a Pie" will be held in
the Wingham Salvation Army
Citadel on February 4 and 5 and
the leaders will be Mrs. William
Coultes and Mrs. James Hunter.
Motions that passed included
fees to be paid, prices for bou-
quets to be left the same as at
present, and that the caretakers
be rehired for the hall. The com-
mittee to look after planning the
Credit Union banquet on Febru-
ary 7 is Mrs. Ross Higgins, Mrs'
Stan Hopper and Mrs. Glenn
Coultes.
It was moved to accept a stove
donated by Mrs. Ivan Wightman
tq.,be used in the hall.n rs. Stan
Hopper and Mrs. Np g+.olittsk
are to arrange to have a more
suitable place for storing chairs
made at the hall. They are. also to
arrange for new cupboards to be
built in • the kitchen. Mrs Clar-
ence Hanna will purchase two
large coffee makers for the hall.
A ladies quartet entertained
with two musical numbers, "It''s
a Long Road to Freedom", and
"That's the Glory of Love". Mrs.
Stan Hopper, Mrs. George Proc-
ter, Mrs. Glenn Coultes and Mrs.
William Coultes were ac-
companied by Mrs, Norman
Clultes.
Arrangements were made for
canvass to be carried out in
February for the Heart Fund.
The co-ordinator is Mrs. William
Coultes.
Mrs. Norman Coultes gave a
very interesting report of the
London Area Convention held in
Stratford in November.
Mrs. William Coultes and Mrs.
John Kerr were asked to look
far your preparation fir the
attack has been rather dismal.
Respectfully You
Bertrand P. Morin
after the W.I. Class in the prize
list for the Belgrave School Fair.
It was moved to send a, dona-
tion tb.,the Save:the :sight Fund:
and also the Silver Circle School
in Wingham.
The meeting closed with God
Save the Queen and lunch was
served by Mrs. William Coultes,
Mrs. JeSse Wheeler and Mrs.
Lorne Jamieson.
Smoke damage
at hones home
Jan. 27, 1878
Dear Editor:
It was certainly pleasant to
hear that the cabinet ministers of
the : Ontario Government sugp
Besting that they take a pay cut of
five per cent. They are setting a
good example. Nearly every
week during th the past year we
have heard a great deal- about
strikes and the refusal of civil
servants and others to continue
working without an increase' in
pay. I am all for a cost of living
allowance to compensate for
inflation and many strikers were 1
justified in asking for an increase
in pay and I am pleased that they
received it.
However. I would like to point
out that not everyone can go on
strike to get an increase in pay. I
am satisfied that those in the
business of agriculture, the small
businessman, the merchants who
serve us well in keeping our daily
needs available and those on
fixed incomes received very little
increase in income in 1974.
It is predicted that we may see
many strikes during 1975 and this
is not good news. I would hope
that those who intend to strike. for
more pay and shorter hours
would exercise some restraint in
their demands for 1975.
Elmer Ireland
January, 1975
Dear Editor :
° We invite young people in your
community to send us paintings, ,
drawings, poems and stories
which express their feelings
about themselves, their environ-
ment, and the world we live in.
Our project, ALL ABOUT US -
NOUS AUTRES, is a non-profit
group which collects, publishes
and exhibits creative works by
Canadians from six to eighteen
years of rite:- Our purpose is to
provide a way for our six million
school-age people to get to know
each other better. We hope many
in your area , will share their
ideas, their interests, hopes and"
pOI ter*t p �� s
' tOirigirfal
or:from all parts o
Canada, received by May 1, 1975,
will be considered for the third
annual art exhibit and a second
volume of writing planned for fall
publication. The national art
exhibit will open in Ottawa dur-
ing Festival Canada, and travel
to various regions throughout the
year.
Pictures and writings should be
sent directly to ALL ABOUT US. -
NOUS AUTRES. Please include
name, age and address on each
item so we can let you know about
exhibitions and publications.
Students, teacher and the public
can write for further information.
Sincerely,
Betty Nickerson, Coordinator
Box 1985, Station B
Ottawa, Ont. KIP 5R5
GORRIE — Jimmie Jones
returned to his home here on Fri-
day after attending the funeral of
his brother-in-law at Newmarket
to find his house full of smoke.
He had left the electric blanket
on a low setting on his bed to keep
his pet dogs warm during his
absence. Only the springs on the
bed remained and his dogs were
dead.
There was extensive smoke
damage.
4
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Hydro• nuclear
unit sets
new record
Ontario Hydro's Pickering
nuclear power generating station
has set another Canadian operat-
ing record.
Hydro announced that Sunday,
Jan. 19, was the 170th day of
round the clock operation at
essentially full power for reactor 4
Unit No. 2 and the unit is still in
continuous operation.
This surpassed the previous
record of 131 days, 19 hours and
17 minutes achieved last May by
the NPD (Nuclear Power
Demonstration) unit at Chalk
River.
In. 1973, Pickering produced
more electrical energy than any
other nuclear station in the world M
and had the world's highest pro-
duction record of 83 per cent of
capacity. - -
For 1974 the station had a
yearly production of 74.2 per cent 11
of capacity despite temporary
shutdowns for planned main-
tenance to two of its four units
plus the loss of Unit No. 3 since
Aug. 1 because of leaks in 17 pres-
surized tubes.
To Dec. 31, 1974, Pickering has
produced 35.4 billion `kilowatt
hours.
0
High blood pressure, a major
contributor to heart attack and
stroke, has no usual symptoms.
You can have it and not know it.
Have your blood pressure
checked regularly and follow
your doctor's orders.
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