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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-09-17, Page 6PAGE 6—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1986 FABERGE ASSORTE%% PERFUMES 2• PRICE FABERGE ORGANIC S-HAMPOO & CONDITIONER 600 ml BONUS 79 LIFESAVERS CANDY THROAT PKG. OF 4 LOZENGES 24's 0 BENYLIN 9 LIMARA BODY LOTION -y FOAM 2 PRICE BATH FUJI FILM 135-24 110-24 DISC -15 329 In Store Photofinishing In before 3 p.m....Same day service NAKAMURA PHARMACY SUNCOAST MALL, GODERICH, 524-2195 he Ultimate in Hair Design 53 South St. Goderich 524-4279 Farm Marketing boards are food solution to agricultural :iro.Iems, says Whelan Former Liberal Federal Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan gave his views on free trade,marketing boards, re-training of former farmers and other agriculture - related topics during an appearance in Clinton, where he was the featured speaker at the annual meeting of the Huron County chapter of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, on Sept. 11. Whelan expressed skepticism when ask- ed about current Agriculture Minister John Wise's new $46.6 million plan to help brankrupt farmers re -adjust to ;life in another line of work, during a press con- ference held prior to his,speech. "I only know what I read in the newspapers or see on television, so I don't know what kind of re-training they have in mind. I know a lot of farmers are leaving agriculture and they're not all in the same age group. Some are 18 to 25, some are bet- ween 30 and 40, some are over 50. How do you retrain them all?" Whelan said. Whelan insisted, as he did when he was in office, that marketing boards are a good solution to many of the problems facing agriculture. "Soiree agriculture is in a state of chaos, but not all of it. Those who ,organized themselves and fought for different organizations, are doing better than the unorganized segments of the industry," said Whelan. "With marketing boards, you spend less government money," he said, adding that there is less in -fighting between farmers whose products are regulated under the boards. On. free trade with the United 'States, Whelan said the agriculture industry will have to fight to ensure a fair deal for farmers in any future trade agreements. "Governments do tend to use agriculture as a sacrificial lamb, unless someone is in there fighting like hell against it," he said. Former Federal Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan (left) discussed farming issues with reporters during a press conference in Clinton on Sept. 11. The conference was held prior to Whelan's performance as the featured speaker at the annual meeting of the Huron County chapter of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. With Whelan is OFA representative Tom Perkes. (photo by Patrick Ratfis) Whelan criticized the current govern- ment for "putting people in Agriculture Canada, who know nothing about agriculture," and said that the dollars spent by the government on agricultural research should be increased. Now out of federal politics, Whelan is us- ing his agricultural knowledge to help combat world-wide hunger. He said he will be leaving soon on a trip that win tam nim to the Third World nations of Columbian, Panama, El Salvador and Honduras. "There are people starving there, people suffering from malnutrition. Eighteen million people will die from hunger world- wide this year. We know how to overcome all these things, but we're not doing it," Whelan said. OFA struggles with declining membership BY Patrick Raftis The Huron County chapter of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture elected regional directors to represent the county at the provincial OFA level, at their annual meeting, held Sept. 11, in Clintbn. Four of the five regional directors were re-elected for another one-year term, with the only change coming in the Huron East Central region, where Doug Garniss, pf RR 4 Wingham, replaced Bert Saunders, who declined to stand for re-election after completing his fourth term as regional director. Huron East Central region takes in the townships of Hullett, McKillop and Morris. Chris Palr`rier, ofkRR 5, Wingham.was •re elected5directb>rnnhl uroisuNerth" Rest region, which includes Colborne, Ashfield, East Wawanosh, and West Wawanosh townships. ' " Wayne Elliot, of RR 2, Goderich will once again represent the farmers of Huron West Central region, which .Lakes in Goderich, Tuckersmith and " Stanley Townships. Paul Klopp, of RR.3 Zurich, was chosen for a fifth term as representative of Huron South region, which encompasses Stephen, Osborne and Hay Townships. Bob Harrison, of RR 1, Monkton, was re- elected director of Huron North East region, representing the townships of Grey, Turnberry aria Howick. In their comments to the meeting, which was attended by approximately 100 members, all the directors stressed the importance of the federations' role in deal- ing with the problems in agriculture today. Palmer said the . organization ' would benefit from a unification between the two types of farmers that make up the bulk of the membership: the "more secure" cash croppers who are traditionally older farmers from the south of the county and the northern livestock producers, who de- pend on cyclical pricing systems for their livelihood. "What we need is a blending of these two attitudes," Palmer said, "Canada has to protect its agricultural industry any way it can," said Palmer, in discussing . the- role, of agriculture in, the current- free trade discussions' with United States. "The family farm has to survive for the sake of all Canadians." Declining Membership Declining membership in the OFA was a major concern of Harrison, in his address to the meeting. "Declining membership will mean fewer regional directors, less directors' Meetings,less participation and less help for 'regional associations) from the OFA," said Harrison. ' He pointed out that there are currently five regions in the OFA which are in danger of losing one or more of their direc- torships due to declining membership and attendance at meetings. "And Huron County is not far them," he pointed out. Harrison suggested implementing a system of alternate directors might be a solution to the attendance problem at directors' meetings. Outgoing director Bert Saunders in- dicated his support for the provincial government's handling of the recent crop •damage crisis for farmers in the Niagara region. , "It I chose to go without crop insurance, I should expect to take the losses, if there are•to be losses," he said, in support of statements indicating support for Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell's deci- • sion not to grant emergency help to unin- ,sured liagara ,farmers, 1..glligt if,eKerAcK Harrii5bnls pall fo; in- creased attendancce at meetings, both"the regional and local levels. "Often there is only one or two per cent of the members at the monthly meetings," he said, adding, "Yet, everyone has lots to say after the fact". Klopp encouraged farmers to remain op- timistic and pointed out that changesin agriculture are usually accomplished over a period of time, rather than immediately. Over the four years I have been director, there have been some changes," said Klopp: He Pointed to declining interest rates and a hit in consumer attitudes toward farmers' responsibility ,for ' high , food 'Turn to page 9 • behind MARIIN'• MARKECLm1FLCn1�F 7\ 1 INVENTORY........... 2nd Big Week- :....RAIN •�CHEQUE - of Bargains! •Last week's specials still in • • effect until Sept. 21, 1986 •• • martin s market Hwy. 8 Just 5 Km. east of Goderich t/a mile east of Benmiller Rd. P"Iff"lijA [EJIRAIICE 524-6363 Manager Lesley Zolob 0 0 All items not advertised NOW We have an excellent selection of fresh produce +•Ind,. groin wore Pro ides an "xcellent decorative liftect Macintosh Apples Grapes Plums Pears 5O% OFF With every tree purchased fill out a ballot for a draw on a FREE. rose tree. Draw to be held Tuesday, September 30,1986. 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