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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-08-25, Page 13Area farmers angry over restraint pro.;r'rn BY KRIS SVELA Area farmers are angry over the federal government's proposed voluntary wage and price restraint program of Gr and 5 per cent, according to first vice-president of die Ontario Federation of Agriculture Ron, White. The response came -shortly after rep- resentatives of Canadian Farmers met with Federal Agriculture Minister Eugene Whe- lan. "From the point of view of the organized sectors of the OFA and CFA (Canadian Federation of Agriculture) we. are 'denoun- cing the 6 and ra per cent program." White said in a telephone interview What has angered farniers is what they feel is an attejnpt by the federal government to minimize their gross income while input costs continue to. rise. White explained that if the restraint program were tied to, declining inflation it would help to minimize input costs to farmers. However, White feels, that with little cantrol,over rising input costs farmers 'cannot be asked to hold down their gross incomes. "They are all wrong," he explained, "no one else is getting their gross income held to six per cent." -According toWhiteinput costs such as - fuel, transportation, • chemicals, and other equipment necessary for production make up a total of 75 per cent of the cost of running a farm. If these costs are not held down then farmers cannot be expected to reduce their gross incomes. "We can't control our input costs," he said citing the huge increases in fuel costs alone oyer the past year. White also feels that a voluntary restraint program of producers of input materials will not work. - "Who the hell is holding energy costs down," he said. • White explained that if the program dealt with wages, organized farmers would be able to cope similar to other sectors of the economy. "In the salary end of things we as an organization can cope as well as other industries," he said. White also criticized Whelan for what he feels is the ministers failure to fully understand the problems faced by farmers under the present economic situation. • "The way he (Whelan) has been exposing himself in the past year 1 really think he has iost his credibility with the Tamers," he said. • White also had some harsh words for the federal government which he feels had done little to help farmers survive the present recession. "The federal government has done noth- ing for farmers. One possible solution would be tb offer refinancing to farmers at an affordable interest rate," he said. He cited depressed market prices for a variety of goods, in particular western grain, as a problem that farmers will be facing in the immediate future. Merle Gunby, a representative for the OFA in this area agrees with White. "If the 6 and 5 per cent program were applied to the net costs (input costs) 1 think farmers would be happy," he said. With Statistics'Canada figures showing an ' increase of 60 per cent in farm bankruptcies over last year, Gunby feels that area farmers,. are holding their own with few bankruptcies registered.- . An official statement . on the restraint • proposal is expected shortly from the OFA and CFA. Bluewater Blind council meets for pot luck supper • The Bluewater Council ,of . the Blind met in the Clinton town hall on August (.7th: Thirtee,rl Registered members were present along with their Guides and a number of friends in- • eluding Miss Katherine Sells, a special visitor from London. After enjoying a pot luck supper, Miss. Sells led` in a singsong. Following which, she entertainedthe group with a number of piano solos. Everyone participated in a few amusing games, after which the gang headed for home. The September meeting will also be held in the Town Halt. 410* ATTENTION AREA FARMERS FILE FOR LATER USE! WE PAY `20,00 TO `50.00 PER HUNDRED WEIGHT FOR OLD COWS AND RECENTLY INJURED OR SICK SOWS, COWS, STEERS & HEIFERS MUST BE ALIVE & DRUG FREE ANY DELAY could be COSTLY FOR IMMEDIATE PICKUP WITH OUR WINCH EQUIPPED VEHICLE CALL COLLECT 24 HOURS A DAY 6 DAYS A WEEK (5 19) 482-9957 or CLAYTON RILEY (S19) 482.7815 LOOSE GUARDIANR HILROY 300'S LEAF REFILL COLOUR PENCILS 8•84 FLEXSHAMP00 $'j,69 ENHANCE SHAMPOO $ 1 .99 CLAIROL SHAMP06 $ 1 ,99 CLAIROL INSTANT AFTER SHAMPOO TREATMENT COND1TION 11 600 MLe F NAKAMURA I PHARMACY IN THE SUNCOAST MALL-GOOERICH 524.2193 r SUB POST OFFICE OPEN( MON.-PRI. 10-12;12:304 WEEKDAY EVENINGS 0:30 P.M.•• P.M. SATURDAYS 10.0 . QUIO,IC.ITOtf a00 ,nn, last Of OT'n. TAepoNf. t itOnn4f tMtf0 'o,00to ra4,I , 6, ettI$YI VOI 1,1.0110I, fp OUaMft,rt VALUE TODAY FOR A HEALTHY TOMORROW. 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