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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-05-12, Page 4PAQE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 12,1982 DAVE, SYKEEIS Right at this very moment, as you slip this paltry piece under the dog dish, we are smack in the middle of family unity month. Now don't go slapping your forehead with an open palm, your negligence in forgetting the significance of the month of May is understandiblee In fact, May would have just been another pleasant month if the government of Ontario had not made the proclamation. Regardless, May is family unity month in. Ontario, a small token on behalf of your government to acknowledge the special role which thefamily plays in strengthening society. A noble gesture to be sure. Provincial Secretary for Social Development, Margaret Birch`says we don't take time to reflect and appreciate how important families are. therefore, everyone is urged to generate and participate in °1- family events that will enrich and. strenghten relationships. This just isn't a slipshod promulgation on the part of the government, they've gone so far as to suggest a theme, "Invest time in your family." So in that respect, the government urges all loyal subjects to create activities to focus attention on the family. I love caring and sentimental governments. In a press kit burdened with verbose press releases and halcydn pictures of family, settings, the government provides suggestions for family activities to enhance participation in family month. The kit was quite comforting in espousing of the ideals of family life but it also men- tioned, briefly, that in 1980 marriages lasted an average of 9.9 years and divorces totalled 22,347. For those of you who are a bit slow in math that computes to a divorce rate of 260 per 100,000 population. Enough cynicism, May is family month and while the government had some genuinely interesting ideas on family ac - tivities, its list fell a little short. There are many things families can do together this month. For Instance; Keep the family dean during the month of May by going through a'car wash with the windows down or for variety, hose each other down in the backyard. Engage the family in group outdoor ac- tivity that is also beneficial to the general appearance of the family home. To that end, have fat relatives roll on the lawn to smooth out bumps and other uneven areas. For stimulating educational activity, gather up the family for a game of Scrabble in a foreign language or play Monopoly with real money and sting the suckers on Park Place. Exchange roles within the family setting for a time during the month. Clothes may also be exchanged for a time if members are so inclined. On a hot evening during family month, ►CNA, a,t BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second class mail registration number -0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT Pounded In 1114$ andpublished awry Wednesday at Ooderith. Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Adver- tising rata, on request. Subscriptions payable In advance °1$.SS In Canada, '511.011 to U.S.A.. '50. 1111 to all other coun- tries. single copies 511`. Display advertising rotes available en request. please ask for lata Card No. 11 effective Oc- tober 1. 1SSl. Second clan mall Registration Number 11711. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that in the event of typographical error. the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item. 'together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for et the ap- plicable rata. In the event of • typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services. may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell. and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal -Star 1s not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts. photos or other materials used for reproducing pur- poses PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. HRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES-Editor P.O. BOX 220, HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 466 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Budget speculation There. is always a great deal of idle speculation prior to the submission of a budget and the case is no 'different in Ontario this week as Treasurer Frank Miller prepares to hand down a budget May 13: The obvious speculation is that the venerable treasurer will tax non essential items like tobacco and beer and liquor. It's getting to the point where they are priced as luxury mems. But • economic conditions are forcing the poor and middle incomeearners to smoke incessantly and consume copious amounts of liquor out of self defence. In the face of rising inflation and interest rates, drinking and smoking has probably become a crutch for many. The speculation was bolstered by what could be con- strued as a budget leak when the press in Toronto revealed plans for a provincial program of interest-free loans for first time home buyers. The loans are rumored to be part of Thursday's provincial budget but reflect statements from an unidentified housing industry spokesman. If such a program is part of the budget, it calls for a budget of up to $100 million to provide up to $7,500 in in- terest-free loans for first-time buyers of new hotnes and $4,000 for buyers of older homes. The house price ceilings on the loans would be $75,000. Release of details' of the phantom program triggered demands for the resignation of Miller in the Legislature this week. And if, in fact, the program is a reality, those demands are justified. There "is, no question that such a program would entice renters and.,ential first-time buyers to take the plunge and play the mortgage game with the rest of the tax- payers. But such a program is hardly a\fair and equitable solution to the problems faced by many homeowners. The construction industry is in -a desparate slump and whether or not an interest-free $7,500 loan will contribute to housing starts is mere supposition. It is not likely to salvage the construction industry. It is inconceivable that those small interest-free loans'' are the only things standing between people being renters and homeowners. It shouldn't make that much difference and to spend $100 million on such a project is ludicrous. It's a nice gift for people contemplating the move anyway, but, other than that, it reeks of an election budget goodie. The real people who need help already have a mortgage and more than one-third of homeowners in the province will be . renewing mortgages in the next year. That represents a substantial percentage of the homeowners and many of them will need assistance with escalating. mortgage rates. Undoubtedly many homes will be lost and owners will be forced to walk away from their dreams. Mortgage. rates are too high for many people to cape with and it seems unfair to offer the incentives to first-time buyers. While such a loan program may, to a degree, stimulate the resale market and the construction of new homes just slightly, it won't sit well with mortgage holders. But then that's all speculation until"Thursday when Miller released the budget. Ontarians would be wise to drink and smoke heavily until then. D.S. Leadership game Brian Mulroney, who was a third place loser to Joe Clark in the PC's leadership convention is believed by many observers to be readying himself for another shot at Joe's job. At present he is travelling across the country giving lengthy addresses on the state of the Canadian economy. Leadership of the Conservative party has taken on new lustre in recent months as the polls show Liberal support dipping drastically. According to all present indications the leader of the PC's has a good chance of becoming Canada's next prime minister. Although Mulroney muffed his first shot at the job by delivering what critics said was a poor address he has obviously been at some pains to correct that error. His present job as president of the Iron Ore Co: of Canada would indicate that Mulroney is nobody's fool. In addition he possesses the strong •nawline which Clark lacks and which is a pretty saleable item which voters who go more by appearance than by careful consideration of a leader's ability to lead. (Note the popularity of John Turner when a new Liberal leader is mentioned.) All of which may sound as though we believe that Joe Clark is already slated for the political srap-heap. That may be true, but if so there is still- plenty of sharp in- fighting in store for the Conservative party. Although Clark has several enemies within his caucus, he still has a strong group of loyal followers who believe that, given another chance, Joe could be an able prime minister. Certainly the six brief months he held that office did not provide enough time to prove the point, one way or the other. Those who would like to see Clark replaced are not so much concerned about his statesmanship as they are about his ability to lead his party to an election victory. The press was not kind to Clark. They made the most of his slip-ups, such as the announcement that he would move the Canadian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The writers also played up a few minor evidences of physical clumsiness, which has nothing whatsoever to do with statesmanship. We should remember that Franklin D. Roosevelt, couldn't even get himself out of a wheelchair. Mulroney, of course, denies that he is priming the pump for his bid at leadership, but then the hopefuls always do that. The Conservative pa'r'ty certainly needs strong leadership if it is to make the most of failing Liberal support. Whether Mulroney is the man to provide that leadership remains to be seen. Wingham Advocate Times Taxpayers get break The federal legislators finally gave the overburdened taxpayer a break this week. It's nothing of monetary value, mind you, but it may help to ease the nausea and indigestion. This week, MPs voted unanimously to reduce the minimum length of federal election campaigns to 50 days from 60. Opposition MPs rightly argued that the change in the time element of election campaigns will not mean anything to the voter. ,When. their minds are made up, there is little offe'ed in an election campaign to sway that opinion. One opposition MP, Dave Nickerson of the Western Arctic, supported the shorter campaign, saying his con- stituents complained they were sick and tired of listening to politicians repeating their arguments and -hearing them once again, every title they would turn on °heir televisions. "They had either made up their mind several days before or they had no intention of making up their mind until they walked into the voting booth," he said. "We should show some mercy to the voting public of Canada by not bombarding them with these electoral messages day in and day out ad nauseam." Aen, Mr. Nickerson and thank -you on behalf of the voting public. D.S. • have everyone lick a popsickle together. During fonrr1ly month, invite relatives over for a barbeque and then bill them later for food and beverages. It tends to discourage surprise visits. Sometime in May, share the work ex- perience with the family by taking mom and the kids to the office for several afternoons. Certainly the boss will understand. Instill a sharing attitude in family members by purchasing electric can openers and digital watches for less for- tunate families. Family outings are natural activities for this . special month, so, take the family camping on the neighbour's front lawn for a week. It is preferable to select a neighbour with a swimming pool. And finally, share your family problems as a unit by taking the missus and kiddies grocery shopping and to the loan -manager's office when you need a new car. Tranquility By Dave Sykes DEAR REA ERS SHIRLEY KELLER I had a letter this week from a mystery letter writer who is a former Goderich resident now living in the United States. This person knows that I have always been a Pierre Elliott Trudeau supporter, and wished to "communicate the other side": Having taken a stand and left the country, instead of simply sitting tight griping but doing nothing, this viewpoint seems a little more weighty somehow. So here goes ... bits and pieces from that letter (which incidentally was well written and had a tremendous amount of persuasion power to it). I learned, for instance, thatTrudeau is popular in the Southwest United States - places like Oklahoma and Texas - where the unemployment rate is something like four percent. "That's where all the oil derricks are that were in Alberta until the national energy policy was announced," says my correspondent. "I talked to a couple of oil riggers in Elk City, Oklahoma, who say Trudeau has done that area more good than Reagan could in a hundred years." "As a Canadian, how does that make you feel?" he asks me. The letter writer claims the major difference between Reagan and Trudeau is causing the major difference in the attitudes of the people in the two nations. "Reagan is quite serious about restraint; Trudeau talks a good game, but if you look closley, it's do as I say, not as I do," the writer comments. And I have to admit he may have hit the nail on the head - and answered my quandry about why the Canadian people are behaving so irresponsibly in the matter of wage settlements and employment demands. My informant points out it shouldn't surprise me that Canadian unions are militant while US settlements are running at less than five percent. Yes, it just might explain it. It certainly doesn't excuse it, though. And I totally agree with my correspondent's assertion that the Canadian electoral system is in need of restructuring. I've .said that piece in more than one editorial in the last few years. He quite rightly points out that the popular vote and the distribution of seats don't add up - and that when the entire Western half of the nation fails to elect one member to the gover- nment side of the House and one party still maintains a majority, there's something terribly wrong. Right on, fellow. "I would also submit to you, that- a prime minister who can't set foot west of the Ontario - Manitoba border without fearing for his physical well being, reduces to a joke the concept of Canada that you espouse," he writes. Again I say, right on, fellow: But is the joke that Trudeau can't set foot west of the Ontario - Manitoba border? Is the joke\Canada? Or is the joke perhaps, that nobody is doing anything about rectifying theridiculous system that is at the base of all the laughter? Nobody. . Not Trudeau to be sure,,, although he's a step closer to the possibility now than anyone before home by bringing home the constitution (under tremendous protest by the way) which is the first step to undertaking any such grand reorganizing. And not any other bright young (or old) "thinker" who is busily sitting on his duff in The Great White North, drinking beer and eating back bacon. My letter writer has this to say about that: "Now that the constitution is home, someone should address the real problem which is the parliamentary system." I couldn't agree more. But would anyone care to put a name on that someone? A face perhaps? Must it be Trudeau? Or some civil servant? Will it be you? Or me? Or maybe even my mystery correspondent from his clear vantage point in another country? My friend got a little personal when he speculated on the combined income of my husband and me as being in the $50,000 plus bracket. Before taxes, I hope he meant to say. He reminds me probably 90 percent of Canadian households manage on less than that. Which places me and my hubby in the top ten percent. Right up there with Peter Pocklington and Harold Ballard. Nice work - if I could get it. But I still haven't gotten so filthy rich that I can't be proud of being a Canadian - even in this divided nation with all its economic woes and lack -lustre leadership. And despite my wealth, I'm content to stand up and be counted in my own country - speaking out as I see.fit from the rather modest podium at my disposal. And I say Canadians still are a privileged people. ' The present national energy program may be a farce, but the resource is still there - waiting to fuel this nation's ambitions and dreams. And I say Canadians are still the government, not one supposedly arrogant Trudeau or another politically ambitious Joe Clark. And I say when Canadians become mature in their outlook and unified in their ambition - when each individual accepts his responsibility as a vital link of the whole national chain without regional prejudice - Canada will stand strong in any political or economic upheaval. Attitude cannot be legislated. Not by Trudeau. Not be Reagan. What is needed most desperately is imaginative, innovative, dedicated, committed Canadian leaders at the grassroots. Right where the people live and work and play. If Pierre Trudeau is creating Canada's problems, it is because selfish, grasping, whining, uninspired, lazy Canadians are allowing it to happen. Help celebrate town's anniversar Dear Editor, As Canadians and as residents of Goderich and district, we have a lot to be thankful for, and, a lot to celebrate! June 27 is the anniversary of the founding of the Port of `1\Goderich and July 1 is Canada's birthday, and to help everyone celebrate these events, the Goderich Tourist Committee is organizing and promoting several functions during the week leading up to July 1. There will be band con- certs, soccer tournaments, barbecues, historical walk- ing and cycling tours, func- tions for our Bay City friends, a huge fireworks display, a civic ceremony and a Canada Day parade, among other things. LETTERS Although our committee has planned and organized some of these activities, several are sponsored by other groups such as the Recreation Board, the Lions Club, the Legion and others. We want to promote our community, and help everyone celebrate, but it needs- your assistance and involvement to make it a success. We would like to in- vite other individuals, groups and service clubs to take part. Perhaps you would like to hold a dance, or a church supper, or a card party for seniors, or get involved in building a float for the Canada Day parade on June 27. Whatever it is, we'd be happy to include it on the agenda for that week (June 25 to July 1), and provide you with free advertising and promotion in our newspaper and radio ads for Canada Week. Perhaps you would like to enter a float, or be a clown in the parade. We have cash prizes in various categories, ersary Or maybe you would like to make a donation so we can make our fireworks display bigger and better than ever, Whatever it is, we'd be glad to make it a part of the Canada Week activities. Give us a call at 524-8895, or call the Goderich Recreation Offices at 524-2125. Come on Goderich, Get with it! ! ! HELP US CELEBRATE l ! 1 l I Sincerely, Doug R. Bundy, Canada Week Activities, Goderich Tourist Commit- tee. Falklands Dear Editor: Ref. to Conflict in the Falklands. The U.N. should solicit in- formation from the elec- torate of Argentina in order to determine whether the in- vasion of the Falklands was condoned by the majority of the electorate of Argentina. With this information they would be. much better in- formed and any future ac- tion should be governed by the information obtained. I believe the Junta has acted without a majority vote in Argentina, and the media was incited by a paid group in favour of the Junta. The Argentina govern- ment, as have other govern- ments around the world, was duped by the international moochers such as the Soviet Turn to page 5 • ALA