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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-12-22, Page 2PAGE 2--GODER CH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1977 ewman talks with dealers about buyer commitments BY JACK RIIDDELL M.P.P. Agriculture and Food Minister, Bill Newman, met with Bean Pealers and the Bean Producers Marketing Board to discuss the forward commitments made to buyers of white beans and came to the conclusion that there is no justification for the gover- nment to provide assistance other than crop insurance. In expectation of recrod crops in Ontario, 852,900 bags of No. 1 white beans 'were forwarp sold. The white bean crop, however, suffered considerable damagebdue to wet weather this fall. Mr. Newman pointed out that about 100,000 acres representing two thirds of the white bean acreage are covered by crop insurance. He said that as of December 1st, $7,5 million have been paid in claims with the total expected to rise to $9 Million. The Minister also an- nounced this week that he will commission a study of the benefits and cost to Ontario of the Provinces participation in the National Milk Supply Management program. During the• consideration of the expenditure estimates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, 1 expressed con - ern - about the number of Ontario ylilk Producers who have run nut of market share quota long before the end of the dairy year. We seem to have an undesirable situation in Ontario where processors say they can't fill orders because they can't buy enough Milk and producers have milk but can't tell it because they have run out of - quota, • As a result of the deliberation of the Committee members during the estimates, and also at a meeting of the committee with the Milk Marketing Board, the ` Minister ap- pointed a committee to draw up terms of reference for the study with representation from the Ontario Milk Commission. the Ontario Milk Marketing Board. -the Ontario Dairy Council.and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Factors to he examined include• the size of the Ontario market and the share filled by Ontario processors: the effects of withdrawing from the Federal Program on the produer'r, the processor and the consumer: and possible alternative arrangements. that, could he made to the present Federal Program. The Federal Supply Management program of" which Ontario is- a member has been operating for seven years. All the provinces are currently members of the Federal Program. The Auditor's Report was tabled in the Legislature giving details of continuing wasteful spending. There has subsequently been con- siderable controversy about the expenses of the La Marsh Commission on violence in the Cornmunicatrons Industry. Its total cost to the tax- payers was $2,026,245. Travelling expenses included extravagant use of govern- ment aircraft -and car's, as well as a taxi hill of $5,'315. One limousine hill was $658 - to transport two Commission nit'mht't's and two staff mt'niht'rs to a conference held in Kingston. Fourteen European countries were visited - cost to taxpayers $46,000. Five U S. cities were visited, at a cost of $10,000. To add insult to injury, $3.360 was spent on photographic prints of Commission members. All this for a Commission to investigate a problem that is beyond the -jurisdiction of the provincial government anyway - a Commission that was e'.tablished despite constant pr'ote4ts from the Liberal Party that it would be a total waste of public money. Rob Nixon, former Liberal Le'adt•r. painted out following publication of the .Auditor's report, that the corn mission was "a crass political ap- pointment in the first place if there's a villain of the piece, it's the Premier.- In rem er.-In an effort to keep track of traffic offenders, Ontario may tie motor vehicle licence plates to the driver, not the car, acc'or'ding to the Solicitor General, The Honourable Frank Drea. The Provincial Auditor reported that Ontario is owed more than $'26 million in unpaid court fines, mostly fur traffic offences. At present. when a car is sold, it is accompanied by the license, plates. but proiincial officials consider if the Owner is required to retain the plates and put them on the next car he owned. it would not he so difficult to trace driver who cn+e fines: Earlier this year, Attorney General Roy McMurtry, reported that experience in the United States indicates that an ef- ficient enforcement system for minor traffic offences depends ''on denial of vehicle registration renewal and ' a . denial of licence renewal rather than a simple suspension of existing privileges." Hugh O'Neil. Liberal MPP (Quinte) questioned the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Larry Grossman, about the number of employees. affected by the government's decision to cut back on operating hours in over 150 liquor stores across the province. As many as 500 temporary and part-time jobs could be affected by reduced hours to go into effect next January at nearly one-third of Ontario Government's liquor stores. But government spokesmen insisted that no jobs were being phased out, and no permanent employees would be laid off. The Minister said the reduced hours could produce savings o'f 1500,000 in wages next year. Officials said some part-time workers could find their work week shgrply reduced at stores restricting opening hours, and they might decide the jobs are not worth the pay, and . leave. Ninety seven stores will lop one day off their operating hours, cutting back from six to five clays, and 23 of the stores also will eliminate either Thursday or Friday evening hours. A further 66' stores will eliminate store hours on either a Thursday or Friday night. Rather than lose control of the legislation which it has proposed, the Government has withdrawn a bill which would',permit 'the replacemnt of judges on Turn to page 14 • Songs of Joy added to the mood of the Brookside Christnnas Concert recently as the students from Grades 4 and 5 at the school brightened the atmosphere at the concert with songs under the guidance of Mrs. Cameron accompanied by guitar playing of program director Don Cameron, v principal of the school. (staff photo) /uncocut mall 3f tma g tma LEARANC HUGE SAVINGS SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! • Si r, J inisi and eral y tha h he istan cee illisa lent, �do' nded ar Gt giate ter ttoD for c sen e he Il, taxes 1974 nd ral eep rr ire the OPEN-DAYAFTER BOXING DAY TUESDAY,DECEMBER 27 from t Oa.m.to6p.m. Living Room Grouping ALL 4 PIECES For one low price. Available in two real fine colours (In a special one time blended decorator fabricl. Solid hat, dwood frames. Front mounted ball casters, FREE DELIVERY! YOU GET FULL SIZE SOFA, LOVESEAT, CHAIR, MOBILE OTTOMAN. ALL FOR THiS $4 5 LOW, LOW PRICE 8 was, per host atio st and fur rou. gra Mt. onsi boc essf t 88 The roles of Mary and Joseph will be played by Andrew Koopman and Marilyn Wightman in the Christmas pageant to be held at Knox United Church in Auburn on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. The pageant Is the Christmas story told with living pictures, light and music and director Ann St. Jean says it will give the whole family the Christmas feeling. (staff photo) SAVE! SAVE! AVE ON LOVESEATS Beautiful Tukedo Skirted`fwo cushion SAVE! $183.89 EA. Loveseats. Priced right at only SAVE ON BEDROOM SUITES CM °? 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