The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-12-17, Page 10PAGE 10 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1986
Candy Hoak, 2, seemed pleased with the arrival of Santa Claus during the Goderich Legion
Branch 109 Christmas Party held at the Legion Hall Sunday afternoon. The jolly old fellow
took time out from his hectic schedule to listen to all the kids in this his busiest time of the
year. (photo by Andy Bader)
District News
Elstona usses trade
•.Ysc
BY DAVID EMSLIE
HULLETT TWP - At their December 4
meeting at Hullett Central School the Huron
County Federation of Agriculture had an in-
teresting guest in the person of the Minister
of Health, Murray Elston.
Mr. Elston was at the meeting w discuss
the General Agreement ok Trade and Tariff
(GATT) talks he attended in Geneva, and
how they affected agriculture.
The first point. he covered was how the
meetings were run. As aoproxirnately 130
countries weir represeiieeu P t the talks,
with around 5,000 people present Pair. Elston
noted, "You have to understand that GATT
is a living, breathing bureIucracy in
Switzerland." -
He told those present at Zifmeeting that
he thought it might, be inte esting to sum-.
marize the concept of the trade negotia-
tions. "It's a highly bureaucracu.ed system.
I can tell you without a doubt that it's the
most difficult system to follow unless your
in it.
Aside from the system being difficult to
follow, Mr. Elston noted that the GATT
document is equally difficult to understand.
"If you think a word is easy, be careful, it
is probably placed there so you can put your
own meaning on it," he said.
While setting the stage for the GATT talks
Mr. Elston explained that one n lust unders-
tand that agriculture was enl i one point
under discussioh. Other areas covered in-
cluded banking, shipping, hart ,ervices, in-
surance services and manufactured goods
of all sorts.
"You have to consider that agriculture
played an important part for some coun-
tries, but not all," he said. adding that
agriculture was important to Canada, the
United States, Europe and some third world
countries. "We have a substantial market to
protect.' °
n.- ii uLzd ;ital. Luse countries that don't have
a heavy emphasis on agriculture are very
protective of it.
"Look at Japan, they have a very small
agricultural economy and they're very pro-
tective of it," he said. In fact, the represen-
tatives from Japan said that if rice wasn't
protected, farmers in Georgia could wipe
them out. -
Although many countries are protective of
their agriculture, two countries stood out at
the talks as between them they would like to
control a large percentage of the market.
These countries are the United ,States and
Europe.
The U.S. is concerned they have lost their
share of the market. "They want 45-50 per-
cent of the market. Their goal is to get back
the market," Mr. Elston explained. "The
Europeans also feel they should have their
historic share. You can see where that
leaves Canada as the U.S. has their share
and Europe has theirs."
He suggested that probably the only solu-
tion for Canada would be to try and make
the best arrangements possible, saying,
"Canada is probably best in multi -trading."
While at the talks Mr... Elston was briefed
by American, European, Japanese and
Canadian representatives, and he found the
Americans to be high powered negotiators.
He said he was involved in some very frank,
direct talks with them on subsidies.
"They say they're not trying to injure
Canada, they're trying to get some back for
the U.S., and if they hurt an innocent
bystander they can't help it," Mr. Elston
said.
The Europeans, Mr. Elston said, held the
same beliefs, as they pointed out, "Too bad.
4
In this season of happy thoughts and warm
hearts, we extend a special "Thank you" to all our good
friends and patrons for your confidence,
loyalty and support ... a Merry Christmas to all!
a6
selt;tm*,),
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Hensall 262.2527
Mitchell 348.8433
5.„1 E. b S
FER7tifZERS
Seaforfh 345.2545 Pt. Albert 529.701 Ailsa Craig 293-3223
Granton 225-2360
we .,like you, but we have to protect
.. :. !f you're injured, we won't like it,
but that's the way it has to be."
Canada will have to get together with
other countries such as Australia to give
them a lever because they can't compete
with the Americans or the Europeans, Mr.
Elston explained.
"If we ever hope to do anything, we will
have to go.the international route, but GATT
will be a very, very slow process," he con-
tinued. As an example of how slow the pro-
cess is, the Americans and Europeans
discussed putting agriculture on the fast
track, but that would still take four of five
years."
"I learned there is no quick solution, se-
cond, there is no easy solution and third,.
there are no solutions f9r a country 'like
Canada on its own. That's why I feel there is
safety in numbers," he stated, adding that
Canada has 25 million people compared to
250 million people south of the border with
strong financial goals to achieve.
Mr. Elston noted, "My feeling, as much as
I'd like to believe they couldco-operate with
us, especially in agriculture, is that from the
U.S.• we're like a rowboat' being swamped by
the big tanker.
"We do. have to expand energies into the
international level; we do have to be careful
talking bi-laterally with the U.S. I believe
pressure must be kept on the issues of inter-
national trade and bi-lateralism."
Choir leads church
Ea
HOLMESVILLE
NEWS.
Blanche ®eevea, 482-3383
HOLMESVILLE - The Senior Choir at
Holmesvillenited Church led in the
ministry of music on Sunday morning. Mrs.
Helen Lobb and Mrs. Nakamura brought in
their transfer to become members of
Holmesville Church. Ron Sellers and Darryl
Hemingway received the offering. Rev. J.
Bechtel officiated at the service. John
Greidanus was the organist.
The Christmas Family Service will be
held, on December 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Mrs. Iona Blake is feeling better. Best
wishes from Enterprising Services go out to
her.
Get well wishes also go out to Murdock
Morrison from The Enterprising Seniors.
HOLIYIESVILLE - White Gift Sunday was
held in Holmesville United Church on Sun-
day morning with the Sunday School
superintendent. Hugh'Lobb led in the White
Gift Sunday service. Karen Yeo played the
piano while 28 young children presented a
play entitled Christmas Is.
Mrs. Nakaniura's class gaveneeding
. and the Sunday School choir led in the
Ministry of Music, conducted by Nancy
Hearn. John Grendiers played the organ.
Rev. J. Bechtel led in the confirmation
service when Sherri Preszcator and Joy
Johnson became members of the
Holmesville United Church.
Enterprising Seniors
Over 50 Enterprising Seniors gathered at
the community centre December 4 for their
Christmas dinner and party. Everyone sang
the blessing and enjoyed a dinner prepared
by the Goderich Township group of Marlene
Forbes and Noreen Tebbutt. Following the
dinner; they sang carols with Gertrude
Trewartha at the piano. Helen Lindsay led
in singing. Bingo was then enjoyed with
everyone winning a prize.
'QUEEN'S1
SEAFORTH
Presents This Weekend
SYRE
Next Monday & Tuesday
December 22 & 23
EQUUS
NEW
YEAR'S
EVE
PARTY
WITH US "'
to continuous music
by "MTV AND
CONCEPT ONE!"
A%(/ HATS
NOISEMAKERS
WISHING YOU ALL
Wietatirta4
and
t96AftiaiyJ
eleaMY
�eia Neaic
from alf of us at the Queens!
We support & participate in the
DESIGNATED
DRIVER PROGRAM
Have a safe holiday — have a
designated driver!
Asuagegpormayeenimpek
1