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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWingham Advance-Times, 1977-06-01, Page 2ham Advonce-Timed, June 1, 1977 FEDERAL AGRICULTURE Minister Eugene Whelan addressed a Targe group of farmers from Huron, Bruce and Grey counties during a luncheon meeting in Walkerton Tuesday. He told the farmers his department is doing a good job for them and probably has a closer working relationship than any other government department. Mr. Whelan was part of a travelling caucus, including the post- master general, Secretary of State Hugh Faulkner and MP Crawford Douglas, which visited this area Monday. Buy your home, life and auto insurance from a friend —CIAG-- your credit union sponsored insurance company Co-operation among Co -Ops. Located in the Credit Union Building. 8 Alfred St., [corner of Josephine St.] Wingham; Ont. Community Credit The Co-operators Union 357-2311 357-3739 The Town of Seaforth Call for Proposals from Mobile Home Subdivision Developers Proposals are invited for the devieloprnent of a 10 acre site os a planned mobile home subdivision to improve the availability of suitable low cost housing ownership alternatives in the town of Seaforth. Development will be by registered plan of subdivision with the land and dwelling sold as o unit rather then provided on a rental or leased basis. The selected developer will be responsible for planning site design, landscaping. engineering, serving construction and marketing of the mobile home development. An important consideration will be o demonstrated experience in this form of development .,Letters of Intent to submit a proposal for review will be accept- ed until June 24 1977 with the final selection of o specific proposal determined'by August 30, 1977. For further information. pleese contact. Jon4as Crocker, Clerk -Treasurer Bax 410 S .forth, Ontario N01 1rvu , Telephone 527-0160 Canadian agriculture :n good shape federal minister tells area farmers Canadian agriculture is among the best in the world and farmers here are well-off in terms of things the federal government is doing for them, Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan told area farmers earlier this week. Speaking at a luncheon meet- ing organized by the Huron, Bruce and Grey county federa- tions of agriculture in Walkerton Monday, Mr. Whelan said that, despite some problems, he is proud to represent an agricul- tural productive system that is "probably the most envied in the whole world". He responded to questions and complaints from the audience by telling them they have little to complain about the government's treatment of them. Canada is now ahead of the United States "about two to one" in , services offered to farmers, the minister claimed, citing crop insurance, stabilization and beef assistance programs .and the ab- sence of estate taxes on farms passed. down Within families. At one time the average Cana- dian farmer received $300 in sub- sidies while the average U.S. farmerlot $1,000, he said, but now this has been been reversed, with the average Canadian get- ting $1,400 and the U. S. farmer getting $400-$500. He rejected the accusation that the levy placed on fluid milk pro- ducers is hurting the industry, saying he is being made to look like a villain because he asked for $12.5 million from the fluid milk industry. The fluid milk producers, he added, have benefitted more from the industrial milk program than the industrial producers. He also denied farmers are get- ting the short end of the stick with regard to price rises in chemicals and feed. To &question about an increases in the price of ,bean herbicide, the minister respond- ed: "I'm surprised you didn't tell me about the 35 sprays you can get cheaper in Canada." And in response to a complaint from Grey County farmer Bill Hodgins that the price he gets for a dozen eggs has risen only nine cents since 1959 while the cost of feed has tripled, Mr. Whelan noted Mr. Hodgins wasn't claim- ing he didn't still make a profit. The efficiency of Canadian farmers has increased up to 500 per cent, he said, and an efficient producer will still make money. He said -the has two brothers farming and both make more money than he does. Mr. Whelan agreed there is an information gap between food producers and consumers, but he rejected the suggestion the de- partment of consumer affairs is more active than the agriculture department in putting forward the interests of its constituents. Farmers organizations should "charge ahead" and challenge Inaccurate statements made by consumer groups, he said. For in- stance, he noted, there is a popu- lar misconception that Canadian farmers are protected by high ta- riffs and are subsidized with "large amounts of tax dollars". He challenged anyone to prove inefficient producers are subsi- dized to stay in agriculture. Mr. Whelan also seized. the op- portunity to disclaim responsibi- lity for the marketing boards. Noting' criticisms levelled against him over the recent rot- ten egg fiasco of the egg market- ing board, the minister said: "You'd think I created a monster called the marketing board." In fact, he said, that board was created at the request of the pro- vinces following judicial inquir- ies. He also pointed out he couldn't have created the oldest market- ing board, the wheat board, since he was only 11 years old when it was formed. In all, of over 100 provincial marketing boards, Mr. Whelan said, he is responsible for only two: the egg board and the turkey board. Asked whether he feels the Canadian Federation of Agricul- ture is worthwhile as a watchdog organization, the minister said he thinks the federation is doing a good job "75 per cent of the time". The other 25 per cent, he Said, is when the federation cri- ticizes him. WARD & UPTIGROVE ..Listowel • (519)291-3040 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Catch a Golden Tan with BAIN de SOLEIL The summer has arrived and with it, so have those nasty sunburns. Protect your skin with Bain de Soleil with "sun filter". Get a glorious tan with Bain de Soleil's creams or lotions. Lee Vance Ltd. WINGHAM YOUR WINGHAM PHARMACIST cromm • ONTARIO • PROVINCIAL TREASURER Darcy' McKeough was in Wingham May 24 for a press con- ference with PC candidate for Huron -Bruce Sam MacGregor. Mr. McKeough said the. proposed project using heat from the Bruce nuclear power station to operate greenhouses is not just an .election promise. He admitted, however, the project will require Targe amounts of capital and will not provide many jobs. - Ontario govt backs farrners- agriculture minister claims economy. He noted that farmers, While comprising only three per cent of the population, create 350,000-400,000 jobs in the cities and "swing about one third of the Canadian economy". -The only way farmers have been able to survive, he said, i* because increasing land prices have allowed them to borrow more. But if they. continue to be denied a profit, they will have to' sell their land.' The three per cent minority has . the future in its hands, Mr. Mac- , Gregor told the farmers, and it's time the government paid atter- lien to it. The Ontario government has The payments represent the from the subsidy are the con - been working to support farmers, , difference between the average sumers, he said. particularly in the cattle indus- market price for calves, and the He noted federal agriculture try, provincial Agriculture Ontario . government's guar- .minister Eugene Whelan has Minister' Bill Newman told a anteed price. Thele, support price announced a national cow -calf group of area farmers last " will be, increased to 51,5 tents a stabilization program for. 1977 Wednesday. , pound this year from 50 cents, whichwill overlap, to some ex - Mr.. Newman called the.cattle tent, the provincial one: Speaking at a compaign break- indus the "indispensible fast for Huron -Bruce , PC Candi- �' base"Mr. Newman also called for an of the province's agricultural equitable tarriff structure for date Sam MacGregor, held at economy and said although it's beef and a beef import' law, Murray, Cardiff's farm near too early for really optimistic "We're not asking for a wall Brussels, Mr. Newman said 652 ' predictions, the' worst days ap- around Ontario or a wall' around Huron County producers re- pear to be behind us. Canada," he said. "All we're ask- ceived almost $951,000. in pay- He emphasized the payments ing for is what's fair and just for ments under the Ontario cow -calf are not handouts t� the cow -calf the farmers of this province and program last year and 923 pro- producers, but are to help get of this country." ' ducers.in.Bruce County received them through a difficult time. The tariff structure for corn is more than $1.5 million. The persons really benefiting wrong, too, he said, adding that Canada and Ontario are "easy marks" while other countries protect agricultural produce. He downplayed- the report of the Blair Commission on tax re- form, saying it is only a recom- mendation and not government policy. The commission 'recom- mends the government pay 90 per. - cent of the taxes en farm land, a proposal many farmers are opposing. e GREENHOUSE PROJECT Mr. Newman also touched on the proposed greenhouse and fish farm project using heat waste from the Bruce nuclear power plant. It is not just an election gimmick, he assured the far- mers. calling it a tremendous step forward for energy conser- vation. Provincial treasurer Darcy McKeough, speaking at a press conference in Wingham the pre- vious day,, also rejected the charge that the Kincardine pro- ject is election fodder. The reason it was 'announced ' now, he said, is that it just cleared the cabinet a week ago, although the study had, been com- pleted several months before. . Mr. McKeough admitted the project to carry hot water from the power station and use it .to heat up to 400 acres of green- houses and a fish farm near Kin- cardine would be highly capital intensive rather than labor inten- sive, but said the decision has been made to try it even if it takes money and won't pay for itself right away. ft is intended that private in- dustry will operate the green- houses, he said, although the government may provide some of the capital to get the project underway: Mr. MacGregor, speaking at both the przs cwnfcrc ce -arid breakfast, hailed the project, which he said could salvage up to $16 million per year in wasted heat energy. He also charged the govern- ment can do a lot more for the agricultural sector of the AGRICULTURE MINISTFP Bill Newman told fare e„ :he provincial government is working for them, citing the cow -calf program as an example. He also called for an equitable tariff structure on beef and corn. Mr. Newman spoke following a pancake breakfast at Murray Cardiff's farm near Brussels, part of the election campaign for Sam MacGregor, the pc candidate for Huron Bruce Dine with your t s Candidates. at our garden supper Sunday, June 5, 1977 2p.m.-5p.m. Guest Speaker Four Candidates Present S3.50 per person at 1141 Mitchell Court, Kincardine across from Sutton Park Inn - Watch for signs June 4 in the heart of the town, at the crossroads open 6:30 to 12 noon, every saturday 'til October sponsored by Clinton Business Slss.d;tlon