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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-08-29, Page 4CLINTON• N1 11VS•l 1, DNESD. AUGIST29, 1984- • Ontario' Liberal leader David Peterson attended the Bayfield Fair Friday evening and was met there by Huron -Bruce Liberal candidate Bruce McDonald. Huron -Bruce MPP Murray Elston also made the trip to the fair to bolster Mr. McDonald's election cam- pmgn Huron-Bruce. candidates gather at Zurich festival ZURICH = All three contenders for the Huron -Bruce riding put . in appearances at the Zurich Bean Festival on August 25. Federal agriculture . minister Ralph Ferguson accompanied Liberal candidate Bruce McDonald to an informal mini -press conference on the front verandah of Charles Erb's spacious older home on Goshen Street. Replying to somerobing que'stion's from CKNX-TV freelance Glen• Creamer, Mr. Ferguson said. he was not concerned about NDP "parachute candidate" and Farm Survival activist Alan Wilford who is running againsthim in the Lambton- Middlesex riding. Ferguson said he has short-termand long- term policies to ensure a secure future for agriculture. He had introduced two private member's bills in Parliament, which he said had the support of both Wilford and the 10 provincial premiers. One proposed amendments to the Farm Credit Corporation Act, and the other, provided for pre -bankruptcy arbitration. ( The bills died when new Prime Minister John Turner called the September 4 election.) Mr. Ferguson would like to see farmers able to take back mortgagesthrough the Farm Credit Corporation, and have the transaction treated like an RRSP "so farmers can reinvest to ensure the 'continuance of the family farm". Other concerns expressed by the minister were the huge variances in feed costs across Canada, high interest rates, a change in the tax act to let young farmers work off the farm, plant breeders rights, and wind and water erosion, reforestation and desalinization as well as the number of fat cattle coming across the border at Sarnia. "There is no one simple cure for agriculture at present", Mr. Ferguson concluded. Mr. McDonald concurred with everything the minister said, saying his two main BACHERT MEATS *Try our own smoked pork chops for the bar -b -q season* CUSTOM KILLING, FREEZING Cutting & Wrapping KILL DAY . ON TUESDAY All meat Gov't. Inspected on the farm 1 MILE EAST OF WALTON 887-9328 NEED TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR NEW COMMUNITY? Coll 4finAtTioA, Phone 534-1544 Our hostess will bring gifts and greetings Mang with helpful community information. concerns were farm 'financing and the future of the family farm. When asked by Mr. Creamer why the Liberals had waited for a federal election to provide help 'for agriculture, Mr. Ferguson credited his predecessor with the formation of Canagrex, and blamed "the Tories" for "obstructing Parliament". Conservative incumbent Murray Cardiff and his wife Betty spent a few hours at the festival, mingling with the crowd and dining on plates of the famous Zurich beans. • Varlerie Bolton and campaign manager Tony McQuail were also on the scene passing out campaign literature and engaging passers-by in discussions on nuclear disarmament and other NDP concerns. DVS,. HANIELEVE QUE Elected a t ,e largest federal nomination meeting In Huron -Bruce, 30 -year-old Liberal - candidate BJruce'M.cDonald, is no stranger to polities.. itis biography ►.eludes the note that his ggreat-great:grandfather was the first Reeve of Grey Township. "I come from a family well-known locally, both for its farming activities and for its heavy involvement and commitment to community and civic affairs." His father; Donald McDonald, is a trustee and past chairman 'of the Huron County Board of Education. Legally 'separated for two years with no children, Mr. McDonald is a partner in the firm of Craig, McDonald, R,g£ldon Insurance Brokers Ltd. He has. been committedto the Liberal party for 12 years,, and when commenting on the issues, while speaking off the cuff, he follows party policy. Mr. McDonald is past president of the Huron -Bruce Liberal Association and in 1979 and 1980 elections, he acted as campaign chairman for then candidate Graeme Craig. Although "Mr. McDonald secured the Liberal nomination from Heather Reddick of RR 2, Zurich, there is no discord in the local party association, said the candidate. "Heather and I are good friends," he said noting she is helping with the campaign advertising. Mr. McDonald said he is determined to win the election, however noting it isn't easy to unseat an incumbent. To win, Mr. McDonald will have to defeat incumbent MP Murray Cardiff. "Nothing worth achieving is easy," said Mr. McDonald. ISSUES The Liberal candidate responded to several questions under three basic topics - economy, women's issues and farming. On the economy, Mr. McDonald says there is "no question" that the national debt cannot continue to grow. "The deficit has to be reduced, but we can't forget the social system," said the 30 - !sr $trOng politica1 b year-old reiterating comments about a "safety netted society", a phrase used b Liberal Prime Minister John Turner. Mr. McDonald emphasized that "biggest challenge" facing society is the balancing of the needs of society with the ability of the economy to pay for those needs. As for changing the deficit picture, Mr. McDonald said his. leader, Mr. Turner, inspires confidence in investors. He doesn't expect anything dramatic to change the deficit picture though. On job creation, the Liberal candidate pointed to Mr. Turner's newly -announced First Chance program. Although he knew only what he had read in newspapers, Mr. McDonald praised the concept that is geared' to enabling young people to get experience on their resumes. Apprenticeship programs would also be beneficial for youth said Mr. McDonald noting the federal government partially funds post secondary education. He said the education system has to come together to provide what business and industries want. The Liberal candidate supports the idea of "equal pay for work of equal value for women. He said that as long as women are. competent for specific jobs, they should be able to fulfill them and expect the same pay as a man. The problem, he said, is that people's attitudes can't be changed overnight. He said the government should provide the lead in equal pay for work of equal value. On the question of non -working women contributing to the Canada Pension Plan, Mr. McDonald said it would have to be instituted properly. He .added that such an addition to the CPP would have to be proper- ly funded. "I don't believe any government can offer carte blanche," said Mr. McDonald reiterating the statement on balancing society's needs with society's ability to pay. On legislating restricting pornographic material, Mr. McDonald said he supports the concept in principle, while Donald Johnston joins Liberals in Goderich Justice minister Donald Johnston has not seen the results of polls reflected in • people's attitudes in his tours. across Canada. The man who attained national attention by being the "third man" in the Liberal leadership convention stopped for a brief visit in Goderich on Aug. 22. He and an entourage of aides landed at Goderich airport and were met by Huron - Bruce Liberal candidate Bruce McDonald and party faithfuj:Uoward 4,itken.and Jean Adams of. Goderich and Jack Horan of Dublin. • . F, + . The group headed for the BedfordHotel on The Square in Goderich to be met by about 30 Liberal party workers. Mr. Johnston, appointed justice minister in the John Turner government, said the Progressive Conservatives Under. I3rian Mulroney "may have peaked too soon" in this campaign and the Liberals, will yet come out victorious. "It will take some hard work," said Mr. .Johnston. He said he hasn't seen the Tory lead that has been reflected in polls in his tours across Canada. The justice minister ad- mitted that with only a week and a half to go before Election Day, the election cam- paign has reached a critical period. ' Mr. Johnston adrnit§ted thatthe :iberalse have ruade'simnerIItitke_cin governtrreftt, but "we've done a lot that we can be proud of:°' • The itinary for the federal minister for the day included • a flight to Kincardine. Mr. Johnston had to cut short his Goderich visit in order to travel by car to Kincar- dine, because fog was rolling in. Bruce McDonald acknowledging that the definition of pornography is different for each individual. He said Liberals generally believe in the freedom of individuals but that freedom, he noted, can be abused. Abortions should not be allowed on demand, said Mr. McDonald in response to a question on the subject. He said abortions should not be treated as birth control. The candidate doesn't favor any loosening of the laws on the subject and suggests that the current laws be enforced more stringently. BACK TO SCHOOL *.. in style Levis CORDS $15.99 Ltwi� JEANS $23.99 ' - Co-ordinate a smart SI OI1TCOAT, SLACKS, SHIRT and TIE See our new SWEATERS wed, on a beets hog_ and caah crop farm, fir. NoPonald recognized the problems facing thefarxn community. "There is no question that there has to be made available better long and, short-term fivaneing in agriculture," he said. Mr. McDonald , said he supports the concept of agribonds in principle. He noted that federal agriculture minister Ralph Ferguson is looking into the concept. As for voluntary tri -partite stabilization. Mr. McDonald said if it's what the majority of producers want then it should be set up. When questioned on financial institutions dealing with farmers in financial difficulty, Mr. McDonald suggested each case has to be treated individually. Admitting that in some cases farmers were encouraged by financial institutions to get bigger thus having to borrow money, Mr. McDonald said it isn't fair that at the first sign of trouble the financial institutions close in. However, he added that he grew up learning that if a dollar is borrowed it is supposed to be paid back. In general, Mr. McDonald said he is committing himself 100 per cent to be an MP. He speaks about being accountable to the people of Huron -Bruce and said if elected he would have open meetings with constituents on a regular basis. Speaking, on the national election campaign, particularly the patronage appointments, Mr. McDonald said the appointments aren't the result of new jobs. He added that the people appointed were orginally elected by their constituents. The Liberal candidate pointed a finger at the Ontario Tories. "Mr. Davis has it (patronage appointments) down to a fine art," he said. Although a young candidate, he sees his age as a strength because of the energy and ability he could bring to the MP position. "It's not a 40 hour a week job," he saia. MAIN CORNER CLINTON 4I 132 our best foot forward for Back to Sebool NIKE Legend Mon's Value priced at *S999 ?7BBBBKS Meridian Men's and hors' Reg. 3499 Now #.999 Save 5.00 NIKE✓ 0/le Oceania Children's Reg 2499 Now #1499 Save 10.00 Weare clearing our summer sporhwear al D,'aslic Discounts adidas —Hauer '/2 ,PR/CE AUTHORfZED RADIO SHALT SALES CENTRE. MAIN CORNER CLINTON 482-3030