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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-03-27, Page 4DVRACE TIffiES veryone got hurt in the course of the next decade the re- ,cer,Itiy-concluded strike by the Public Serv- ice Alliance of Canada may be recalled as the turning point in Canadian labour dis- putes. Although the strike was net a tQtaily crippling one, it appears to have aroused a vast majority of our county ymen ,o a point of decision against the blackm a i ° i : t cs of or- ganized labor. The PSAC has, not only created immeasurable losses for Canadians •- generally—it has cost the labor moven. ant in general much) of the public support ,vithout which unions cannot continue to function. Labor-management news, like crime stories, usually reflects only one side of the picture. The good news is routine, soit is ig- nored in the publicity afforded the bad news. There are dozens, perhaps hundreds of labor unions in this country which provide a re- sponsible service, not only to their own members, but to their employers and the general public as well. It is saddening to note that a few exceptions may sully the entire labor picture. The exceptional feature of the PSAC ro- tating strikes was the blatant way in which the innocent (and usually hard-working) citizens of the country were made the host- ages in an open-and-shut blackmail opera- tion. The inconveniences and financial losses, suffered by private individuals and busi- nesses were certainly serious enough, but. the unforgivable loss - was suffered by Canada's grain farmers, whose products could not be moved out of West Coast ports to !meet commitments abroad. Foreign grain buyers are going to be more reluctant in. future to place their orders in °a country where deliveries can be so totally disrupted. Now a longshoremen's strike continues to keep the ports closed., The PSAC strike involved comparatively 'few workers, all insemi-skilled categories +SCw.1'��i!•'`l�'`�Ci\rG^q.?^^'�^,'�n•^r��"^.^{�+{�L shy A of editOtioi. op.:0ton "x„0. "1,"10. " �0.i�R i -, iy. R -�!1j -. •its � ,+�r4 ''•rir�"hro' Sid .q, • nitorol who could have been swiftly replaced within days of the strike's start. The real disruption occurred when the members of other unions refused to cross PSAC picket lines and so shattered the continuity of mail service and other national functions. Federal legislation to curtail the dispro- portionate power of unions does not appear ar likely at the moment, since our prime mis- ter remains so totally cool about the plight in which his countrymen find themselves during a labor stoppage of this kind. But the Liberal party, as well as all other political organisations, will soon be getting the mes- sage that there are a great many more voters in favor pf continued and reliable pub- lic services than there are in the labor groups. When a sufficient number of candi- dates realize that their chances of election or re-election hang upon their willingness to demand action, the laws will indeed change. The most'obvious change needed is legis- lation to forbid the sympathy work stop- pages in which a union, which is not on strike refuses to carry out its normal duties in sup- port of the strikers. The "democratic right to strike" as Mr. Trudeau so piously puts it, should be confined to the particular union on strike and no others. • The PM's reasoning, on his return from Europe, was that no government action was needed because the strike was not creating "an overwhelming" injury .to the public in- terest. Just how overwhelming do you want it to be, Mr. Trudeau? The modern world has seen some specific examples of what unlimited power in the hands of a minority of irresponsible labor groups can do. Britain, now on her knees in the economic world is one example; Italy is another.and even more graphic case. Must Canada, this land of great opportuni- ties and'comforta•ble living standards, follow these sad examples? Money down the tube The Canadian postal service, steadily deteriorating in efficiency for the past ten years, is apparently in for another decade bf trouble—and the average Canadian citizen along with it. The present postmaster -gen- eral, Bryce Mackasey,° is possibly the best choice in the federal cabinet to handle the in- creasingly sticky problems of the post office, but even his know-how with labdr groups and his native toughness of character are going to be tried ttl the limit. The Minister has' already suspended 40 Montreal post -office workers because they simply weren't working when they were on the job. The suspensions have been an- swered by strikes and warnings from fellow - workers and Mackasey,-, has threatened to leave the Montreal post office closed "for months if necessary". Indoor postal workers are now talking of a strike within a few weeks unless demands for a 71 per cent increase (yes, that's right) are met. In the meantime private courier serv- icesare springing up all over the place. Hun- dreds of business firms,throughout the coun- try are warning their customers not to trust the mails—and while all this goes on the postal workers attempt to talk the public into a- boycott of the postal code because they be- lieve they can throttle progress in the form MaiatkcftiMilim NAISMONIIIEN •xvu4,y,�-.rr ,� � �p�yVFym1���• • of automation. I • Why in thunder is the post office spending well over a million dollars this year on a television advertising campaign to con- vince the public that Canada has• a -good postal service? There are a. lot of us who know that is not true and Mr. Mackasey,'s statement that the,.Cenada PO is the third best in the world doesn't get the letters through' the Toronto terminal 'any -faster. Let it be clearly understood that post Of- fice staffs in our* smaller coMmunities are not included in the sickening assessment of overall failure. Local postmasters and their •staffs are usually helpful and sympathetic about the delays and losses which occur in the larger centres—but there is nothing they can do about the situation. When strike time comes the local staffs are forced to walk out along. with their city counterparts. The failures in the postal system are human ones. They are not caused by the rapid increase jn .the volume of mail to be handled. When willing and co-operative.staff is available our postai system can work wonders. If you doubt that, you were never a •member of the active armed forces. Many a Canadian soldier marvelled at the prompt delivery of letters and parcels from home when he was lying in a wet foxhole in the flats of Holland. It can be done by the Army! They do it up right Every year about this time newspaper editors receive an interesting package from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications. It is the official Ontario road map—beside which all other road maps available in this province pale to insignifi- cance. You can get yours in any liquor store and at other spots or by dropping a line to the ministry offices. The first and most beautiful feature of the Ontario map is that, despite its size (243/4 x 371/2 inches) any normal schoolchild can refold the thing after it has been opened out. You don't have to remember whether the first fold runs from top to bottom or side to side. You just let the thing fall back into its original accordion pleats and double it over. Nor is it a road -map only. Printed two sides, it provides detailed maps of the high- way routes through no less than 34 cities and larger towns, including Montreal. There are lists of standard broadcasting stations in Ontario; CBC Radio LPRT stations; FM stations; a list of the Ministry of T & C dis- trict offices; OPP district offices; highway first aid posts; official travel information centres and colored reproductions of the standard traffic and warning signs any driver will encounter. On top of all that there is a list of cities, towns and villages in Southern Ontario and a similar one for Northern Ontario. Plus, a mileage chart giving the distances between some 60 major cities and towns in the prov- ince. - As far- as newspaper editors are con- cerned, this first map of the new 'travelling season usually goes straight into a handy desk drawer to act as a frequently -used Source of information on the spelling of little known place names or the geographical lo- cation of small centres. This same editor usually picks up a second map on his first trip to the local watering -spot so he will have one for his car. We have always marvelled at the immense amount of information contained on any good map, but this official Ontario travel guide is a superb example of how tre- mendously useful is the map -maker's craft. Throughout the more pleasant months the map will be our constant companion on trips to places both far away and closer to home, but its usefulness will not cease when the snow begins to fly next November. Throughout long winter nights it will be our frequent inspiration for' pleasant memories of the beaufiful Ontario countryside and dreams of the trips to new lakes and streams Iwe will be planning for the next season of warmth and freedom. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited Barry Wenger, President Robert O. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Member -- Canadian Community Newspapers Assoc. Subscription $10.00 per year. Six Months $5.25 --- _ LOOK AT 'THE ARIGHT SIDE — AT LEAST 1T'L . TAKE PEOPLE'S MINDS Of F INFLATION. News -items from Old Files MARCH. 1928 Miss Edith 'McEwen has gone to Saginaw, Michigan, where she will take a position. In the greatest bowled contest ever staked at the lawn bowling rinks at Mirror Lake Park, Florida, the Canadian team from Wingham, led by A. M. Crawford; defeated Charles G. Blake's Chi- cago squad to win first prize in the Irish Trebles tournament. J. Stewart of Belgrave has had the :Brussels, ,tees hoe tallest. IigIvx'y 1VIui, wre; ��: 's'of his farm in Turnbero ry, to Williath, Bolt, moved to the village of Wroxeter last week. Mr. and . Mrs. R. H. Saint, Wingham, announce the engage- ment of their eldest daughter, Margaret D., to Alvin J. Burke, son of Mrs. J. Burke, Listowel. --The marriage will take place early in April. R. A. Currie was elected presi- Ontario Weekly Newspapers Assoc. • To United States $12.50 Second Class Mail Registration No, 0821 Return postage guaranteed ,dent of the Wingham Bowling Club at its annual meeting. Vice- president is J. A. Wilson and sec- retary -treasurer is J. M. Gra- ham. The part of Western Ontario serviced by the Eugenia Hydro System, from Hanover west and north, suffered greatly -when about 50, poles crashed from a heavy sleet storm. The break oc- curred between Walkerton and Hanover and affected W' Serious fl is is perienced i inly Lower WinghA resemb lake. A. Vanstone has disposed of his bakery business in Gorrie to Mr. McCallu1in ,of Listowel. . -Fire of unknown origin comp- letely destroyed the fine new chopping mill and machinery of William Lamont at Molesworth. This is the second time within a year that Mr. Lamont has suf- TODAY'S CHILD BY HELEN ALLEN Michael is shy and diffident with strangers. But basically this eight -Year-old is a happy child and quite friendly and relaxed with people he knows. He's not very talkative, especially about his feelings, but he will chat cheerfully about small things. Michael is Anglo-Saxon in• descent, a rather elfin -looking lad with lovely curly reddish hair, green eyes and fai=r skim well adorned with freckles.. -He is in good health except for -allergies controlled by medication. Active Michael likes to play outdoors and loves camping. With the encouragement of his foster family he has recently taken up Yoga which he is enjoying. Michael, a slow learner, is enrolled in a junior special class. He likes 'school and Sunday School and at hone he loves to listen to stories. Michael should have a family who will enjoy helping a lovable youngster learn about living and relations with people and who will not expect academic achievement. To inquire about adopting Michael, 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. HAPPY AND FRIENDLY fered the loss of sills mill by fire. Master Elmer Ballagh" of Bel - more is the proud owner of a Shetland pony to carry him through the mud. 0-0-0 MARCH 1940 The Liberal party, under the leadership of W. L. Mackenzie King, were returned to power in Tuesday's election by a larger majority than they had in the last election. They won 175 seats to the National Government's 38 andCF's eight. Electors. in North' i n"ron gave National Con- servative candidate L. E. Cardiff a majority of 29 over the Liberal candidate, R. J. Deachman. George Westlake of Wroxeter has been appointed Chief of Police at Grand Bend and will commence his duties there on April 1. The work of installing the heat- ing equipment at the Armouries has been completed and a satis- factory test has been made. The steam is supplied from a boiler at the Town Hall.— Councillor Frank Sturdy has been successful in winning a Do- minion expert shield for shooting with a .22 sporting rifle. He is the first local marksman to win this award. At a • meeting of the Brussels United Church, it was unan- imously decided to extend a call to Rev. Charles Lewis of Kirkton. Lucknow's oldest industry, the Lucknow Flour Mills, owned and operated by W. E. Treleaven, has been milling in the village for three-quarters of a century. The mill was established. in 1865. Miss Kay ,Townend, daughter of Rev. J. B. and Mrs. Townend, Belgrave, who has been on the temporary staff of the London Life Insurance Company for the past three months, recently re- ceived a permanent appointment 'with that company. She is em- ployed in the mortgage depart- ment at Head Office in London. Popular young residents of Gananoque for the , past two years, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. M. Al- lan will leave for Toronto at the first of May, where Mr. Allanhas received an appointment as ac- countant at the St. George and Bloor Street branch of the Bank of Montreal. Mr. Allan is the son of Mr. and Mrs.. George Allan, Wroxeter. 0-0-0 ° MARCH 1951 Wroxeter welcomed to town and retired life Mr. and Mrs. J. F. MacLean Of Whitechurch. They are living in the home purchased from M rvyn Grainger. Mr. Mac :s who is father of the local b , ^ r, Ira MacLean, has conducted a general store busi- ness in Whitechurch for the past ,fifteen years. Mme, nd Mrs. Alex Inglis and family Whitechurch are mov- ing this k to their new home in Stratford. commences work there at once, with his ditching machine. George Adams was elected president cif the Howick Junior Farmers. Vice-president is Campbell Brown. Roy Bridge is secretary -treasurer and direc- tors are Glenn McMichael, Alvin Grainger, Glen Underwood Ray- mond Bolt, Willard Ries and Bill Stafford. Miss Elaine Walsh of Belgrave is attending the annual conven- TO THE EDITOR • March 25,1975 The Advance -Times Wingham, Out. Dear Editor: In reference to your editorial: I put the plastic pipe In because I thought it was !fetter. '1. less heat lost; 2. no noise; 3. copper will sometimes corrode and leak in as short a time as two years; 4: It was very simple to install. Plastic will never corrode. The plumbing inspector said it will become brittle and crack. If it does in,less time than the copper takes to leak, I have lost; if not — but I cannot win against the establishment even on as trivial and foolish a point as this any- way. We may have a place for in- spectors in contracted houses, but never in a home built by the owner for his own use. Our house is far better and stronger con- structed than many and built to last with a minimum of mainten- ance. I would have put in plastic pipes if they were more expens- ive than copper. I think they last longer. We, the taxpayers, are paying for a test house in Kitchener with plastic pipe but there is no way ours can be used, also for no expense. A.B.S. Plastic pipes for drains 4 were sold and used years before they were legal. Now time has proven plastic better than copper or cast iron pipes. Thank you, Respectfully, John E. Brown tr tion of the Ontario Music Educa- tors' Association held in Toronto. Easter services in Trinity Ang- lican Church, Belgrave, were well attended and conducted by the. rector, Rev. J. A. Roberts. A butiful silver chalice and pa- ten, the gift of Mrs. W. Smith, Hespeler,, and Mrs. N. Montgo- merry, London, were used for the - first time and . dedicated. The presentation was made in mem- ory of their. parents, Willlamand Lily Cole.• >T, Neighbors near Fordwich presented George Faust before he moved to the home he recently purchased from John Lohr in Kurtzville. 0-0-0 MARCH 1961 J. W. Bushfield, q.C.,who has practised law in Wingham for the past 34 years, has been named Crown Attorney for the County of Huron. He succeeds H. Glenn Hayes who was elevated tothe magistrate's post. The Belgrave Co -Operative Association held its annual meet- ing. M. R. "Bud" Orr, manager, in giving his report, stated that the Co -Op had another favorable year's business'' with sales con- siderably higher than in 1959. A goodly portion of the increase was in feed sales. Having raised the roof of the mill and installed bulk feed bins, elevators and aug- ers, the Co -Op has now the faci- lities for bulk feed service. J. T. Goodall of Fergus arrived in Wingham to take over the law office formerly operated by J. W. Bushfield. Mr. Goodall has been with the firm of Wilson and, Jack of Fergus for the past two years. U.S. FAITH IN ULSTER It is well known that in the early days of America's fight for freedom Irishmen and women played a not inconspicuous role. Now the USA (about to cele- brate the bi-centenary of her War of Independence) is repaying her debt of gratitude by investing vast sums of money in Northern Ireland. According to the American Counsel General, Peter Spicer, U.S. capital investment in Northern Ireland represents 125 million dollars and provides employment for more than 20,000 People. At present there are 36 Ameri- can -owned plants in Ulster with 2,000 American firms with branches on affiliates in the United Kingdom. PREMIER TRUDEAU'S EUROPEAN TOUR Canadian Premier Pierre Tru- deau has been visiting Great Bri- tain and Ireland on the second leg of his European tour. Part of his plan is to seek arrangements with the European Economic Com- munity to offset Canadian depen- dence on the United States. Besides lunching with the Queen at Btickingham Palace he has had talks with Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister. Among topics discussed were the forthcoming meeting of Coi'nmonwealth heads Of govern- ment in Kingston in April, and the possible exchange of technologi- cal information, particularly in the energy field. DEARER ELECTRICITY Meantime there is growing dis- quiet throughout the British Isles at the prospect of a rise of 26 per cent in electricity next month, April 1975. This increase is ex- pected to put an extra two to three per cent on manufacturer's costs, and mean a sharp rise in • the cost of living everywhere. However one of the largest users of electricity in Northern Ireland — Courtaulds — has had the foresight to install their own plant through which they produce between 95-97 per cent of their electricity needs. But it may be back to "rush lights" for the rest of us. NAUTICAL NOTE Last year Britain came fifth in the world ship building league, turning out 1,1 ,255 gross tons of merchant shipping. This was an increase of 10 per cent over 1973, and represented the highest out- put since 1971. Japan's output of 16.9 million tons represented 50.4 ter cent of the world's total and the global total of 33.5 million tons was an all-time record, according to Lloyd's Register of shipbuilding (London). It's nice to know that even in these days of jumbo jets there is still a place for stately ships.