HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-10-05, Page 2Ia ii�tt„'li + l(iNA1.-: TAR` 0 roilEtt ri. 11174
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No one would dispute the fact that people
i ,general and.young people in particular
are 'more aware and have a greater fund
Gt 'knowledge today than their parents did'•
at, a 'similar age° At the same time, most
Oeipple .Wl uld also° agree that society has
become more permissive in its sexual at-
titudes.
In -light of these two conditions, sex
education in primary and secondary
sdhools is now an accepted topic. As a
result it is: not unreasonable to expect
this new enlightened generation would
be smart enough to handle themselves.
Wellthey can, but apparently only to a
certain` extent.
We no longer have the number of
teenage pregnancies !we had even a
decade ago—thanks , to the pill and
knowledge of birth control in .general.
What we do have however, is .an alar-
ming increase in 'venereal disease. The
rate this year has so increased over last
year that medical officers of .health, be
they county or .city,' are gravely concer-
, . lard. .
Only two weeks ago Torohto's medical
officer of health, Dr. C.W.O. Moss, told
the city's health board that discovered
'cases of early syphilis, the stage where
the disease is contagious, soared 218
percentabove last year's rate in the first
six months of this, year. He also noted,
that the incidence of gorvorrhea rose by
43 percent in the first half of the year and
that 5,000 cases of syphilis—probably
non-infectious—and gonorrhea have not'
been investigated
this year because of a
staff shortage.
Dr. Moss' warning came only four days
after Health Minister Richard Potter said
he wasgravely ooncerned'about a 65 per-
cent increase invenereal, disease in On-
tario,
Anyone who was silently putting down ,
D upswing
such information as being part and parcel
of the evils of big city life must have got-
ten a rude awakening last weak.
Venereal disease in Perth County has
reached ,.'alarming proportions", ,accor-
ding to Dr. K.W. Hampson, medical pf�'
(icer of health, thus coinciding with large
increases across • the province ' and
throughout the world. He revealed that
his office is receiving reports froi 'area
doctors on ,VD treatrihent at a, ram of tip; to
,six a day. y •
To try to combat the trend, the Perth
Health Unit ' will have .a public health
nurse trained to follow up cases and con-
tacts. In addition Dr. Hampson said the
unit. is considering the implementation of
a bumper -Sticker campaign to inform the
public about the. increasing rate of VD.
Can't you just see it? Directly above
that°new 1973, licence plate carrying the
new Ontario "slogan ---Keep it Beautiful -a
bumper sticker ,on venereal . disease. •
There's some sort of message hese, _but
we're a little afraid to explore it further.
What we must face however, is the fact
that a lot of young people need a lot of
help and ' information. They need to be
made aware that there is nothing—ab-
solutely nothing—hip or' smart about
venereal 'disease. For a start, we might
use the facilities of the CBC television
network by replacing some of those sexy
commercials for cars, toothpaste,
deodorant, etc., etc., with some hard hit-
ting
it-
ting information about VD—how it can be
recognized and what can happen if it is
ignored.
If your think this is going too far, then-
consider thealternative, namely
youngsters regarding venereal disease as
just another .hazard of growing -up. That's
where it's at right now and the picture' is
dark and getting darker.
The Listowel Banner.
The big break -through
Last week radio and television broad-
casts carried the electrifying information
that a group of scientists: working in' the
United States have developed a chemical
which has proven ,,10d percent effective
against cancer in animals. The report in-
cluded the information that the scientists
are ready to start testing ,on humans.
-If, in fact, the new tre,atmen.t does prove
effective as a cure for human cancer vic-
tims it,will be the best news the world has
,heard in a long time. If, on the other
hand, the treatment proves ineffective or
dangerous to humans the news release
will have been a cruel disappointment,
Since the:tests on humans have yet to
be made it would have been the better.
part of common sense and kindness to
say nothing in public until all doubts
were removed.
It is not difficult to imagine the surge of
hope which the announcement has
engendered in cancer patients and their
loved ones. The world has been waiting
and praying for a significant break-
through in the treatment of cancer for a
long time and anything that appears in
the least promising is bound to be
greeted with concentrated attention.
Without trying to be obviously
pessimistic, however, we should remem-
ber. the tragic circumstances of a false
cancer "cure" a few years back—in Mon-
treal if memory serves. Patients were
brought all the way from France, only to
find . eventually that the treatment they
received w.as of no use whatever.
Since the news of this latest develop-
ment has, in fact, become public, may it
prbve of some' real value to the
thousands who suffer from one of the
world's most baffling diseases.
Politics, music and draft
It would require enormous naivete to
suppose that votes, in elections- are
sought only through the merits and
policies of candidates and parties. •
It was not. thus in• the past. Charles
Dickens, describing the famous Eatan-
swrll election in Pickwick Papers (written
1837), has a politician rejoice in the
"masterly stroke of policy" by which his
party had "opened all the public -houses
in the place and left our adversar
nothing but the beer shops."
Nineteenth century Canada was 'not
free from such "masterly strokes, of
policy". In 1874, speaking against the
-.-secret ballot, an -MP -told -the, P ta1d� tae - Go
rnrnons_
that "elections cannot be carried without
money. Under an open system of voting
you can readily ascertain whether the
dsa
voter has deceived you. Under vote by
ballot, an elector may take your money
and vote as he likes."
Few politicians could be equally can-
did today but what is, one to think of a
candidate in our coming Federal election
who advertised *a June meeting with
"MUSIC, DRAFT BEER and °FREE
REFRESHMENTS" in larger type than an
opportunity to "talk to the candidate"?
But the really classic phrase of the
pas'sf ar rrn t ci`t `= hts flow-fof-neer pd
song describes it as a "NEW!! IM-
PROVED!! Meeting" at which "a splendid
time is guaranteed for all".
the -Dickens , ?"
e Darkens la o
— ave we. come to .
one might ask. But Dickens knew all
about this "new, improved" type° of elec-
tion meeting well over a century ago.
CANAt)MN 'COMMON/!),
*'CNA °
mfg/ Qwt'i.s Assottss`o o4'
' tWSPApiRS COO'
Ijt lobedtij ,
SIGNAL-STAP
.D.-- The County Town Newspaper of Huron "-C}—
pounded in 111411 and published every Thursday at 37 West St., Goderich, Ontario. Member of the Audit
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cleat Mai1AegistrationNumber 0716. Advertising is aceepted do the condition that, in thi ev fnt of
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With rollironableallowance for signature, wiI not be charged for but the balance of the advertisement
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Published by Signal -Star Publishing Ltd.
ROBERT O. SHRIER-:pr std. t and pubNtlher
SHIRLEY J. KEL LER•-editor
R. iiW. SHAW=11tlit'iel staff
EDI AflD J BVRSKl--advertising managt>fr
DAVE R. YVILLiAIYl lady rtlsing r ..ratantativs
�p
eusiinets and Editorial office
TELEPHONE 5248331
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=DEAR .EDITO=t�
Dear Editor:
The sewer question seems to,
have been ,one of the
predominant topics at the last
Town Council meeting.
Being an elderly resident of
the town, whose family have
paid taxes for 97 years, I think. I,
should have the privilege of
making a few remarks. I have
had so much trouble with
humidity in my basement this
summer. The gas people and the
plumber said there was nothing
you •could do about it.
The catch basin in front of my
home, which carries off surface
water, in my basement through
a tile couldn't empty the water
into the sewer in a heavy down-
pour.
There are twice as many
houses in my block as 'there
were when the sewer went in.
The other side of the street is
higher than my side, so, I get
more water and that also
overloads the catch basin.
The last time I sent a letter to
the council, I didn't even receive
an answer. My basement wall
has been deteriorating for some
:Nears. 'I tasked , the . council to
send me a cement man to look
at the basement. The letter
wasn't answered and no one
came. Several of the town
people knew its condition but
couldn't care less.
An elderly taxpayer
ear Sir:
I`twas reading your 70 years
go column and it said that a
oy'found the body of a man on
he beach and that the man was
ff the steamer India. The India
id' not sink, it was a derelict
hat the captain picked up and
f the two men that were lost
ne was the captain's son.
Fred Love
Weston Road Toronto.
Dear Editor;
D
a
b
0
d
t
0
0
b the majority of rhe County
Council
N.,s
o rs namely not to
capitalize on the Jail, is
assinine.
As an Englishman, I thank
my God that 400_years ago,
.
similarly imbecilic°councillors in
,London didn't decide to pull
down Willy the Conqueror's
White Tower to save op its
upkeep and to profit from its so
valuable site!!
Again it was the only one of
its kind in the Country but its
Potentials were, Thank Heaven,
realized in time. Alas, that in
this "modern enlightened age"
liwthe--Yearnf `Grac ; -1972; we
should be less farsighted than
were our medieval forefathers.
They, at least, had the Vision to
create a "New World"; our
Leaders• apparently have only
the Vision to destroy its History,
coupled with, the 'desire to,
eradicate a unique and poignant
landmark for mercenary gain.
Heil our little Hitters! If this
be an example of enlightened,
progressive local Government. in
action, roll on Regionalisation.`
Yours truly,
Stotesbury Leeson
The Rev'd. L"E. Stotesbury-
Leeson, • D.D.
Concerning your article, "For
Sale or For Future", in the
edition of September 28, I con-
sider that the opinion expressed
Ccontlnued on page 4)
Shirley J. Keller,
Editor,
i -g11111 tar,.
Goderich, Ontario
This will be an abbreviated
Dear Readers this week because
I'm not here. Or is it there? Well
anyway, I haven't been at the
Signal -Star all week. I've been
on a short holiday in Montreal,
`'lid if you like, I'll tell you all
about that' when I return.
But to get on with this
column, Ron Shaw is in charge
this week and he's the boy you
should scream at if there .are_
any. problems. (Chin—up, Ron.)
I'm writing this column
Friday while Ron and John
Buchanana are away at thein-
ternational Plowing Match. As I
type this, it is likely ' that
Buchanan are away at the
International Plowing Match.
As I type this, it is likely that
Buchanan and Shaw are just
now turning the furrow which
will win the coveted trophy for
the Signal -Star. Just another
first to add to our roster of
trophies and awards for `I972.
Those of,. you who know
Buchanan will probably know
that he is an old -hand at
plowing matches, so that's why
we're so sure it is in the bag for
the Signal -Star.
But Shaw isn't anybody's fool
either. He was raised on a farm
and did his share of the duties
around that place. I'm told he
can shear sheep with the best of
them and although sheep-
shearing experience won't count
at a plowing match, it is
possible that plow shears and
sheep shears aren't really that
far removed from each other.
(See Ron, I didn't,,mention bar-
ber's shears.)
* * *
Thought I ,should report
our summertime gal,
issue either and many of the
other topics the federal political
leaders will- set forth in an at-
tempt to sway voters will have
little impact on this district.
To a degree, that's unfor-
tunate, because it will make the
election campaign in the area
rather mundane. It would be
much more exciting if the area
candidates had some local
issues --to get- their teeth into. to
stir more interest among voters.
The election for the Huron
riding takes on an even more
blase atmosphere because the
sitting member has been an Op-
position party member.
As such, Robert McKinley
does not face the difficult task of
having to defend ..his party's
actions over the pas p,four years
because they have not been in a
position to create any legislation
that has affected riding voters.
From that standpoint,
Charles Thomas, the Liberal
candidate, faces a most difficult
task in attempting to unseat
McKinley because .Thomas has
the disadvantage of being on the
defensive.
Despite the fact he has had
nothing to do with the Liberal
party policy, he is representing
that party and any disfavor they
have created among Huron
voters will be costly to him.
In short, he appears to face an
insurmountable task in this
Tory stronghold, which in-
creased the PC majority during
the Trudeau sweep.
His only consolation may be
the fact that he's still going t
be 3.(!4 f_.xhan i0) . _eAu» ;
terpart in Huron, whoever that
may be. '
Huron voters have never t
given much support to the NDP p
,aa:nd-there��is -n& reason to -as u = i
that will change come October
30.
Of course, strange things hap-
pen to upset these elections and
no one can be counted out at
this early stage.
However, the Liberals and
NDP -face a monumental task in
attempting to make a
breakthrough in Huron and they
will need more enthusiasm and
harrl....vvorlt work—from: thelf-paity.._ir
they are to even come close.
The foregoing is not to suggest
that area voters should abdicate
their responsibility to be fully,
informed of the issues in the
election and to make their
choice only after carefully con-
sidering the policies the respec-
tiye parties put forth.
The stalwarts of the various'
'patties known now how they are
going to vote and. nothing is
going to change that.
However, there afe, a great
many 'uncommitted voters ,who
hold the balance of power so to
Speak =and who, if they all
moved 'in tine direction, could
make anything happen.
The realization of that fact 'is
the only motive the Liberals and
NDP should need to"spur them-
selves on to ;a strong campaign'
and it should also provide the
initiative the PCs need, realizing
that the ejection, is far from Won.
The' party workers have an.
opportunity to make the local
campaign interesting and ex-
citing with a large number of
new, young voters, :this may be.
the secret of success in 1972.
Today's young people are
looking for action, and few have
any ties. If one party can suc-
ceed in heading the majority of
them in one direction they could
be well pleased with the out-
come.
One of the aspects of the elec-
tion that many people will find
of interest is the similarity bet-
ween it and last year's provin-
cial election.
The campaign staged by the
Liberals in Ontario IS not'unlike
that which the federal Provin-
cial Cons ;r atives will he
staging, i t week's PC
nomination ron is any in-
dicator.
Comments egarding the
arrogant, dictatorial and
socialistic nature of Prime
Minister Trudeau• were raised
by many of the PC speakers.
Many of the same charges were
levelled by the provincial
Liberals against " Premier '
William Davis and his govern-
ment.
The federal PCs complained
last week that Mr. Trudeau was
showing' an unwillingness to
o discuss policies during the elec-
The provincial PCs didn't do
much of that either last year as
hey geared their expensive carn-
aign to creating a leadership
that
Lynda
ac .'ll'y r•- N -w '
G i �
>;, . �- y rJa-�o -:rrra ny -of --
you came to know, is now an
employee of The Wallaceburg
News. Good luck, Lynda.
* * *
Because I'm in a lazy mood
today, I'm going to'allow Bill
Batten of The Exeter -Times Ad-
vocate to. fill in for me. Bill is
one of my favorite newspaper
folks and he usually makes
good- sense.' Fthink you'll- enjoy
-what he has to say. (See you af-
ter Montreal!!)
BY BILL BATTEN
Indications are there will be
few "local" issues, at stake in
the federal election of 1972, and,
that situation of course is both.
good and bad.,
It's good, from the standpoint
that, basically we in this part of
Canada have few'complaints
and problems. Unemployment is
certainly not a local issue, and
in fact local businessmen and
industrial officials tell us they
have jobs that they have dif-
ficulty In filling.
Regional disparity is not an
mage far iVTr. 17avis.�' `
In many ,ways, political cam-
aigns are situations where the
kettles call the pots. black, and
vice versa.
At times it's a dirty game, at
other times, it's humorous. On
the overall picture, it seldom
lacks excitement and we hope
some of that reaches the local
level before October 30:
Letters to the -Editor
are welcomed and
encouraged •by this
newspaper on any matter
of public interest.
All letters must be
signed but pseudonyms
will be permitted on the
understanding that
should any reader
question the identity of
the writer, that identity
will be disclosed.
Readers are reminded
that the opinions
expressed in the,
published
correspondence are not
necsiieariiy,, the opinions
hold' by The i lgnalwi tar
J ..1EA.B: O.0._
OCTOBER 5, 1902
Minister of Public Works, Mr.
Tarte, was in town to visit the
Great Northwestern—Fair. He
arrivedby train, though 40
minutes late, and was mee by
members of town council and
board of trade before touring
the exhibits through. foul
,weather.
The Colborne House Hotel
changed hands with a former
resident of Auburn purchasing
the facility, Alex Robinson.
It was reported that unlike
Goderich, Oakville was suffering
from no coal shortage. Itwas
also noted that the dealers there
turned down an offer of $10 a
ton from a Toronto dealer even
though they sell it for only' x$0:00
beethn'to the Oakville resideiits.
The new season opened at the
Goderich Opera House with
.john Palmers dramatization of
"The •Last -.Days of Pompeti".
The Goderich Collegiate in-
stitute reported receiving`a sam-
ple ,set of, metric weight
measures and an accompanying
chart to explain their use. The
set was to be used at the In-
stitute.
It was reported. that the
steamer Pittsburg, which" was
taken off the Cleveland -Soo run
would now be sailing out of
Owen, Sound.
The Signal a.nnounced that
subscriptions would be
available to new subscribers for
the remainder of the year for
only 20 cents,
25 YEARS AGO
'OCTOBER 5, 1947
Rev. Dr. W.A. Cameron of
Toronto, was the guest minister
at Knox Presbyterian Church as
the congregation • there
celebrated the church's 114th
anniversary.
The Goderich Salvation Army
Home League announced that
through an.overseas program
they had adopted the care of a
family in Finland. _,,,,,,
Union Church of Goderich
Township celebrated its 72nd
anniversary with Rev. Arthur
Aewrtt o`'Auurnas preacher at M
both services of the day.
The Goderich Midget
baseball team, behind the
hurling of southpaw Johnnie
W1son, advanced to the Ontario
Championship finals by
defeating a Stratford team. aK
The Goderich Collegiate In-
stitute held their annual field
day after the event was post-
poned on two occasions due to
rain.
A fire, believed to have star-
ted from chimney sparks,caused
about $100 damage to the roof
of -the-lime .^af Jnsepireranntoti'`�`°.y
on Layfield Road.
Dungannon Fall Fair was
blessed with fine weather for its
1947 running and a large tur-
nout was reported on hand for
the big . vent.
A story, originally published
by the Perth Courier, was
republished noting that Rev. W.
R. Alp celebrated .25 yeaCrs in
the ministry at St. Paul's United
Church in Perth. He was a for-
mer minister at Smith's Hill
and Auburn.
FIVE YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 5n, 196?
Glen Lodge of Goderich waa
Ieeted president .qf the Huron
I�►ilitrict Council of'Boy Scoot* of
ifcC>n fttilinet wan if�rsaew 1i
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