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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWingham Advance-Times, 1977-11-23, Page 15,,,prv;.K.Rps�cw-,gta flanging over the .cliff Until recent years the western world lived with reasonably straightforward economic problems. During times of depression thous- ands of people were without jobs and incomes. Then, in the fat years, employers were begging for more help. There was work for everyone, but prices of consumer goods soared upward. The past ten or fifteen years, however, have presented us with a crazy quilt of alarming combinations — inflation and unempPoyment, both on a large scale — at one and the same time. So far no one, in government or outside it, has been able to come up with a practical course of action to provide solutions. Granted, there are all kinds of people, of every political stripe, who think they know the answer, but there is a stultifying lack of agreement. One factor in particular makes the economic future disturbing, at least as far as Canadians are concerned. At the present time we Canadians, individuals and families, are carrying a staggering $30 billion dollars in debts, incurred through the use of credit cards, bank loans and retail credit arrangements. We are enjoying a very high standard of living, purchased on our future earnings. Nor does that S30 billion include another vast obligation in mortgage debt. Obviouslythe use of credit on such a large scale does provide many jobs for Canadians because purchasing power has been main- tained at a high level. But living so high off the hog on borrowed money is a cliff -hanging ETlImE .......................... .n........ y...,•. Vii:}:}: performance of the greatest possible risk. A crashing depression awaits only a small wave of pessimism on the part of the lending agencies and then the domino factor sets in. The retailer finds he cannot collect from his creditors and he goes bankrupt; the whole- saler to whom the retailer is obligated is the next victim and his failure creates employee layoffs and business failures at the manu- facturer's level — and so on in a vicious and ever -widening circle. That is exactly what happened in 1929 and it took ten long years of misery to climb out of the pit of depression — andthen only because the demands`of a world war created a new and deadly form of re-employment. Obviously the answer does not lie in a sudden stop to the availability of consumer credit. That course would spell instant depression, but it is equally obvious that the total credit obligations of all Canadians should be steadily reduced. At the present time many of the large financial institutions are spending large sums on advertising which urges the ordinary home owner to get himself or herself a credit card; retail store chains obtain lists of promising credit customers and even phone these prospects to offer credit. • Canadian families, particularly the younger ones with children to raise and homes to pay for, are placing themselves in desperate jeopardy by assuming debts out of all proportions to their earning capacity and without regard for the consequences of the loss of a job or a sudden illness. Courageous step forward Although it is still much too early to predict the outcome, the visit of President Anwar Sadat to Israel must be hailed as one of the most courageous acts on the interna- tional scene in recent years. Sadat had to face not only the strong likelihood of at- tempts on his life, but the wrath of all his Arab neighbors and allies when he decided to go to Jerusalem to address the Israeli parliament. As soon as the Egyptian president an- nounced his plans for the peace visit violence broke out in seveial places. Arab extremists attacked the Egyptian embassy in Athens and the same thing happened in Lebanon. Angry protestations were heard from several other Arab countries and Sadat was branded a traitor to the Arab cause. It seems apparent that the Arab countries are determined, not on peaceful solution to mid -East problems, but want to prolong the violence and bloodshed. Discussion and agreement must be sabotaged at all costs. A somewhat similar situation exists in the labor strife which pervades the Canadian scene at such tremendous cost to the entire nation. The lull provided by the establish': ment of the Anti -Inflation Board had one positive result in the formula for a tripartite program of discussions between labor, management and government. Such a plan seems logical to most people who want to see Canada prosperous and united. Talks at a peace table rather than strikes and lost wages. But the leaders of several labor groups have demanded that the old, costly round of labor disputes be continued., The world seems slow to learn that patience and understanding must replace violence and coercion if we are to survive. Was it really Russian weather? Last week there were stories in the daily papers to the effect that at least one Canadian scientist was firmly convinced the Russians were responsible for all the bad weather we have experienced in our part of the world since the beginning of last winter. Eventually other scientist expressed some doubt about the theory. Stories based on purely scientific conjec- ture are more than a bit dangerous. The ordinary layman has no way of assessing the credibility of such theories. We are all lost in a maze of scientific jargon which none but the most brilliant minds can possibly assess. For some time there has been a persistent rumor. that the Soviets have set up an ultra - powerful electrical generating station somewhere along the Baltic coast. Specula- tion has been voiced that the plant is power- ful enough to actually broadcast waves of electrical.energy without the use of conduct ing cables and thus establish fields of energy in other parts of the world. According to the alarmed (and alarming) scientist who spoke of our weather problems, such active energy fields had been placed on both coasts of this continent to disrupt normal weather patterns. Yes, it all sounds pretty far-fetched. Too much like science fiction with emphasis on the fiction. However, it is a known fact that discussions between nations aimed at limiting the proliferation of new weapons included agreement on the non-use of weather warfare. If, and we doubt it, the Russians did provide us with one bitter winter it may be that their motives were merely to give us a taste of the kind of stuff they have to put up with at home every year. Battle over oil port There is a growing realization that Canada's West Coast Oil Ports inquiry, now holding high-powered hearings, will be the scene for a major international battle, John Schreiner reports in The Financial Post. The issue: should Canadians take on the risks of a port for oil supertankers when the chief function of that port will be the move- ment of Alaskan crude oil to the refineries of the U.S. Midwest? The inquiry is considering two port sites — Kitimat, the aluminum smelter town on the British Columbia coast 500 miles northwest of Vancouver; and Port Angeles in Member Washington, just across the Strait of Juan d Fuca from the the city of Victoria and capital of British Columbia. The estimated cost of the port and pipeline project at Por Angeles is about one billion dollars — double the cost of a port and pipeline at Kitimat. These two possible sites are by no means the only ones on the West Coast. The inquiry has asked the Ministry of Transport to do a comparative study of other sites on Canadian soil. This issue has landed in Canada's lap because President Carter has forbidden the use of Cherry Point, Washington, as a supertanker port. A page of editorial opinion 'rr't�• r .3 rt 4A' November 23 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Wingham Advance -Times Deer -POW: Re your '"glorious front page article"' osteutiously against the Wingham Police Dept. Many of the citizens of Wingham have been in accidents of one kind or another; and like myself do not like having our names and Mia- fortunes printed in the weekly paper. We feel our misfortunes are no one else's business! I myself and everyone else 1 have asked, all agree that Chief Wittig is an extremely fair and co-operative man, more of a friend than police otficer ! Your article sounds like a per- sonal grievance against this worthy man. If this is so, you should not use your newspaper to exploit it ! ! You state that the Chief was on "holidays". Do you, Mr. Editor, not feel the police officers and their Chief should have "holi- days"? You and your staff do take "holidays" I'm sure. If you, sir, were as obliging and fair- , minded as the Police Depart- ment, the Chief in particular, you. would be a better person for it. B. Dickert Flews Items from Old Fules NOVEMBER 1930 will continue as usual. It was were installed in an impressive liott vice-president, Shirley A business which has served Clare Adams was elected feared that it would be impossible ceremony, Mrs. (Dr.) Fox the in-Merkley secretary and Doroth president of the Wingham Ama- for the lecturer to come to stalling Matron and Dr. J. Fox McNee treasurer. y Wingham for many years was teur Athletic Association at the Wingham due to the new 50 -mile the installing Patron. Mrs. W. M. Stan Campbell and Jack Gor_ sold this week to a Clinton man, annual meeting held in the limit for bus gavel: Official Davis is the worthy Matron and butt of Campbell and Gorbutt Harry Browne, who has operated council chamber. Vice-presidents permission has been received for James Walpole Worthy Patron. Sash Manufacturing, recent] a shoe repair and retail outlet on the lecturer to travel here byg, to Josephine Street since 1946, has are Secretary a is W. and T. Currie. bus. Other officers are Mrs. J. Reavis, movedtheir woodworking shop sold his stock and equipment to treasureis W. T. Booth and Miss Lenora Higgins, Reg.N., Murray Taylor, Mrs. E. Armi- a new location on Edward Street, Ray Dupuis of Clinton.Mr. Du - treasurer F. O. Preston. is at present attending an exten- tage, Mrs. Gwen Adams; Mrs. H. the old town hall building op- puis will move the equipment and George Beattie left last week.to sion course at the University Machan and Mrs. G. Guest- posits the Salvation ArmyCita take a course in the Marconi School of Nursing, Toronto, prior Word has been received by Mr. del. stock to Clinton where hu Wireless School in Toronto. to taking' the position of assistant and Mrs. Wilff Seddon of the ar- William .McCann was elected been in business for 11 years. An orchestra to assist 'in the ` supervisor of the obstetrical rival of their son, Pte. Jim president of Howick Legion No: A fire, believed totave been services of the St. Andrew's Sun- department of Victoria Hospital, Seddon, in Korea. Jim joined the 307 at the November meeting started by a spark from a day School has-been formed and London. army a year ago last spring and held in Gorrie. Vice-president are hammer mill at the farm of Ira played for the first time on The 99th Wingham Battery, passed his 18th birthday. this Glenn Austin and Mel Allan. Schaefer, a mile and a half south Sunday. Leader of the orchestra RCA (Active Force), which has September. He is a member of Treasurer is Wesley Heimpel and of Fordwich in Howick Township, is G. A. Schatte. Violin players been stationed at Terrace, B.C. the Second .Canadian Black secretary Hector Hamilton. completely destroyed a 60 by 70 are Mary King and Evelyn Reid; for some months, has been trans- ns- Watch. Rev. Russel D. Horsburg, son foot barn on Monday morning. cello, S. Morton; bass, W. Reid; ferred to Petawawa. A new •music shop and record of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Horsburg Another barn was destroyed ,on alto, N. L. Fry; cornet, A. Ham- During the November session bar is to be opened in the base- of Fordwich, preached his fare- the farm of Mrs. Ruby Bone, on mond; and H. Burgess; trom- of Bruce County Council, Reeve ment store of the Brunswick well sermon in Sudbury after the third concession of Morris bone; H. Mitchell; piano, Kate N. E. Bushell of Lucknow was Hotel by Mrs. Barbara Hilde- serving there for more than four Township, four miles north of King. presented with a lovely mantel brand. The new store, which will years. He leaves soon to take Brussels. That blaze was thought GDS B. McIntyre, who for the clock in honor of his marriage. be known as the Low Note Music charge of Zion Tabernacle United to be caused by .lightning. past two years has played on the Miss Ethel Taylor announces Shop, will carry a stock of Church in downtown Hamilton, Wingham hockey team, has dis-this week that she is discon- records, sheet music, musical one of the largest, and most active Reeves from south, centre and tinuing her 5 cent to $1 store instruction books, musical in- in that city. posed of his garage in Brussels to north of Huron have set up a Mr. Bowman and Mr. Pascoe of business in Blyth and the store struments and other articles 0-0-0 \ three-man contest for the ward - Oshawa. Mr. McIntyre is unde has already closed its doors. pertaining to the musical field. NOVEMBER 1963 enship off Huron County in 1964. tided about his plans for the For the past few years, Tees A woman has been named The board of directors of the They are J. Roy Adair, Wing - future. water and area hunters have vied chairman of the Huron County Wingham and District Hospital ham; Ralph Jewell, Colborne; Although it was not quite day- for first place in the bagging of Farm Forums for the first time in will engage the firm of Dunlop,and Glenn Webb, Stephen. light, scores of children were on fox during the winter months. the group's 13 -year existence. Wardell, Matsui and Aiken, The annual meeting of LOL No. handto greet Santa Claus as he Herb Duffy has been top scorer Mrs: Gordon Greig, Bluevale, architects, to plan and supervise 794 was held in the Wingham: caught the 6:45 CNR train for before and this season he is off to representing Turnberry Town- the construction of an addition to Orange Hall with G. C. Moffat London. All along the line, a a good start again, getting the ship, was elected at the annual the hospital building. The build- named Worshipful Master. Other rousing reception was accorded first kill of the,hunt. rally at Londesboro, She sac- in program does not call for an officers are C. Johnston, John Old Saint Nicholas, with one of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Petrie ceeds Charles Coultes of Bel- increase in the bed capacity of Pattison, George A. Brooks, Milo the largest crowds assembling at moved ' from Belgrave to the grave. the hospital but rather for the Casemore and W. Peacock. Hensall. Wroxeter area. They will reside Gnr. J. Roxborough, Gnr. R. provision of additional floor Miss Audrey Ruttan of Ford - The entire business section of on the farm of Miss A. Hopper. Frances and Gnr. W. Stapleton space for the service depart- wich has accepted a position in Auburn was threatened when fire Miss Nellie Ball was guest of were among the successful gun- menta, such as operating rooms, the office of B. F. Goodrich, broke out in Hills Hardware Store honor at a socia] evening held at ners of the 21st Anti -Tank Regi- obstetrical rooms, recovery Kitchener, and commenced her ment who passed the junior NCO rooms and x-ray department: duties this week. course taken at the Armories The only two remaining mem- Congratulations to the boys over a period of five weeks. bers of the Kinsmen Club who who brought two championships A Mission Band was organized were charter members, Jack home last week. The WDHS Mus - at the Belmore United Church Gorbutt and Jack Walker, cut the tangs captured thea eighth con - with Mrs. Doubledee and Mrs. birthday cake during the 15th an- secutive football title and the West as leaders. John Newans niversary celebrations of the club Belgrave ball team won the was elected president, Mary El- held at Danny's Restaurant. WOAA grand championship. • in the heart of the village. The the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey hardware store and stock and E. Adams, Wroxeter. Miss Ball is Lawson's stable are a total loss. leaving Wroxeter and will take up Damaged were the Bank of 'Com- residence in Toronto. coerce Building and furniture in 0 — 0 — 0 Dr. Weir's residence. Auburn. NOVEMBER 1953 Blyth and Goderich fire bri ades The officers of Huron Chapter were called into action. No. 89, Order of the Eastern Star, Mr an ne of ca pr sil Ki en e sc th sc t ve mo 0-0-0 NOVEMBER [942' The hunters did not waste any time getting out Monday morn- ing, Huron being opened for deer shooting for the first time in years. One hundred licences were sold in Wingham and the number of deer shot was very large. Eric Schatte has joined the Princess Louise Fusileers (Ac- tive Force). The battalion is it present stationed at Halifax and Eric left last week to join the regiment. He will be asolo cornet player in the band. Last week's issued the Weekly Montreal Star contained a poem, "Reverie of a Soldier", which *ass written by Mrs. A, R. DuVal of town. The lectures given each Satur- day here by the Extension De- partment of the University ersi ty of Western Ontario on psychology, . and Mrs. Allan McTavish d family left Gorrie for their w home in Lucknow. The ladies the'dorrie Women's Institute lied just before they left and esented Mrs. McTavish with a ver souvenir bon -bon dish. The school section of SS No. 10, nloss (Whitechurch) turned out masse to look over the new hoot. Situated directly across e road from the old one, the hool is on high ground and has a ry big playground and all the dern improvements. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. ].united Barry Wenger, President Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Subscription $12.00 per year Robert O..Wen Sec-Treas. Ontario Weekly Newspapers Assoc. Six months $6.50 Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Return guaranteed postage A HEALTHY YOUNGSTER TODAY'S CHILD1 BY HELEN ALLEN Craig is an engaging nine-year-old of trite and Indian descent. He has dancing brown eyes, dart, hair and olive skin. •, A healthy youngster, Craig .will need o;'.tiodonhc work when he is a little older. The Children's Aid SO( :'cty which has the responsibility for him is prepared to assist with the cost if it should prove a burden to adopting parents A. short attention span and impulsiveness affected Craig's school work 'until recently and he was in special education. Now. however, he has been integrated into the regular classes,and his teacher is pleased with his progress Craig has always been able to concentrate on things that really interested him, such as card games, building models, practising the guitar He likes swimming and hockey and hopes sometime to attend a hockey school Adults find Craig a pleasant, interesting companion And since he has been doing better at school his relations with other children are much improved Craig needs warm, consistent parents who are active like he is, who can help him in his efforts to control his im- pulsiveness and will provide an encouraging but not pressuring atmosphere towards school work. To inquire about adopting Craig, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto M4P 2H2 In your letter tell something of your present family and your way of life. For general information about adoption contact your local Children's Aid Society. ;: i7iv::bi:; gN:•::: •: w;: `: \•:M:i::i\`': }Oti:��\k,