Loading...
The Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-04-20, Page 4T ncE TIES Qr je =' 'Ingham abbance®tirimeg Published al Wingham, Ontario, h, Wenger Bros. Limited Barry Wenger, President Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. Henry, Hess, Editor Audrey Currie, Advertising. Manager Member Audit Bureau or Circulations Member — Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Subscriptions $20.00 per year Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc. Six months $I 1.50 Return postage guaranteed Congratulations Howick! How about a rousing cheer for the Howick Golden Hawks, who recently returned from Lake Placid, N.Y., with the coveted gold medal for the "C" class in the Can -Am Adult Hockey Tournament? And let's not forget the Listowel Fifth Wheels who captured the bronze medal in the same event. International competitions of this kind are not only good for the selfes- teem of team members and their hometown neighbors, but must contri- bute immeasurably to better under- standing between neighboring coun- tries. The latter factor Is especially im- portant at the present time when good will between statesmen and govern- ment spokesmen both in Canada and the United States seems to have drop- ped to a new low. The foundation is haky Recent revelations that over -eager supporters of at least"two candidates for the Tory leadership have resorted to "dirty tricks" has been an eye-open- er for many Canadians. We all tended to be nauseated at the disclosures of Watergate tactics in the United States, but remained, for the most part, hap- pily oblivious to the clumsy tricks which are carried out in Canada. When the news media made It obvious that supporters of both Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney were paying hard cash for voter support at delegate meetings in some ridings most of us who are not close to any political or- ganizations were flabbergasted — as well we should be. School kids and hostel derelicts are hardly tmature and thoughtful Canadians who should have a part inhe,political process. Given the et that some local rid- - ing workers m 'y be less than scrup- ulous in their methods of whipping up Support for their chosen candidates, the amazing sequel to these sleazy tac- tics was their tacit acceptance by the two leadership hopefuls. They publicly excused the entire matter with the comment that this, after all, is democ- racy and that's one of the ways the sys- tem works. If that is, indeed, the way the sys- tem works, it's time the system was subjected to a thorough stearo-ciea`ft-, ing. Apparently the accepted idea is that delegate selection within individ- ual ridings is some sort of game and a little good-natured trickery is to be ac- cepted. If that is actually the prevailing concept we are in trouble. Parti executives, shaken a bit by the reaction to these disclosures, have now agreed that children under 14 will no longer be permitted to vote for dele- gates. Now isn't that just wonderful? Fourteen -year-olds, kids who are just graduating from elementary school and know little or nothing about our political system or the problems facing the nation, will be permitted to actually vote for the delegates who will, come June, select one man to lead the Pro- gressive Conservative party and may, In fact, become the prime minister of Canada. Is this really the way Can- adian democracy works? Is it any wonder that Canadians by the millions have lost faith in governments at all levels? it must be made clear, however, that such subversions of our demo- cratic principles are not acceptable to the great majority of faithful political party members. Delegates to the re- cent Winnipeg convention with whom we have spoken are outraged at the de- vious tactics of the unscrupulous wheelers -and -dealers within their party. They point to the separation of the youth wing from the mainstream as a serious error. The problem of questionable and even crooked tactics is not one which can be dealt with by the Mounties or by federal law. It is a concern which must be faced honestly and quickly by the parties themselves. If the multi-party system is to survive (and survive it must) those same parties would do well to clean house. Such interior rot could bring the credibility of our governmen- tal system to a crashing collapse. Can't have it both ways Ontario's treasurer, Hon. Frank Miller, says that personally, he would like to see a system of user fees for care in the province's hospitals. He adds, however, that he thinks such a move is unlikely in Ontario since a similar pro- posal in Alberta met with serious threats from the federal health min- ister, Hon. Monique Begin. She told the Alberta people that if user fees were instituted there she would cut off sev- eral million dollars of federal health grants. Miller's personal thinking is no doubt based on shortage of funds avail- able for health care projects. However, the health ministry, within the past few months has placed all Ontario hospitals on warning that they will have to find a large percentage of whatever money is needed for capital projects from the communities they serve. If local people are going to help fi- nance improvements to their own hos- pitais it is illogical to further expect them to pony up with cash for every service that same hospital provides. We can't have it both ways. Without doubt Ontario residents will soon be told that OHIP premiums are going up. In many communities doctors already charge a "user fee" above and beyond the fee which the pa- tient meets through his OHIP prem- iums. How it appears that these same people will have to take their share of the costs of new hospital construction or improvements. But we have yet to hear one politician at either provincial or federal level admit that the much - touted hospital insurance scheme, originated only 20 years ago, is failing. Isn't it strange how, when the going gets rough, the first services to be chopped or curtailed are those where human being will suffer the most? Yet there always seems to be enough money for a failing oil company or a floundering highway transport giant? Censorship a personal matter One of our neighboring weeklies comments that if you think watching the Legislature on TV is ridiculous, can you imagine our provincial repre- sentatives getting into discussion on the standards of censorship in Ontario. That could be the longest debate in the history of the government. But the Ontario Supreme Court, by declaring unanimously that the censor board may not clip or prohibit films without using specific standards to justify its action, is bound to put the brunt of decision on this matter in the hands of government. The censor board has taken its powers to date from the Theatres Act, but now the judges are saying the board has no legal right to decide what the public should be prohibited from viewing. And rightly so. Not only does this oppose the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which reads "... everyone has the right to freedom of thought, be- lief, opinion and expression ... subject only to such rasonable limits pre- scribed by law as can be demonstrably justified In a free and democratic so- ciety"; but it is putting an impossible task In the hands of a few people who deign to speak for all of us. The entire issue of censorship has taken leaps and bounds as pay tele- vision enters the scene; In this media there are no limits except the choice of the viewer. There are a multitude of ways in which we can be our own censors as well as censors for the children, and this is where our strength should be concentrated. To tell other people what to do is not democratic. But to lobby against pornography, to complain to stores that carry obscene literature, often and vocally, -to propagate discus- sion groups and influence those who promote it as the norm is the only way in the existing system that censorship can apply. There is one other alternative — socialism or communism, but then the black market for censored material also exists under this kind of govern- ment and that may Include censorship of anything from political writing to home movies. it is a fact of life that every individual has his or her own set of standards and the Ontario goVern- ment won't be able to solve that dil- emma. Page of editorial opinion a )ow (1! LjOu to Iieq - ofiate a cut in iioltr allowance ? " FEDERAL CUTBACKS PROVINCIAL CUTBACKS 6CH®OL BOARD TAXPAYER F*143ING IT ON TO THE COMER Items from Old Files APRIL 1936 George C. Allen, son of Chief and Mrs. Allen, has accepted a position in the Chemistry department of Canadian Industries Limited at their factory near Mon- treal. Detroit, by winning three out of four games from the Leafs, wen the Stanley Cup. Eldon Reever of Carrick has leased James Under wood's house at Tory Cor- ners and is moving in this week, Miss Donna Smith was elected president of the Bluevale Women's Institute at the annual meeting held at the home of Miss Olive Scott. Vice presidents are Mrs. John Wickstead, Mrs. W. J. Wettlaufer and Mrs. Alex Mowbray. What might have ter- minated in a disastrous fire occurred in the Gerrie Presbyterian Church during special services being held there. Garnet Farrier of Whitechurch took a position with Hanna and Co. last week and has been demonstrating the new Ford cars in the Hanna sales room. Citizens of Wingham and district were grievously shocked on learning that George Spotton, ex -Member of Parliament, who had represented Huron North from 1928 until the general election of last year, had passed away in the Wingham General Hospital after surgery. He was in his 60th year. APRIL 1948 The family of Mr. and Mrs. Cletus Hettinger was well represented at the music festival held at Bluevale when William, Frances and Arlene were among the prize winners. William won first prize for a -solo; Frances won second prize and Arlene and Frances placed second with a duet. David Cathers of Gorrie has purchased the home of the late David Halliday on Minnie Street. He has disposed of his farm and will move- to town in the near future. Mrs. J. Walpole is the new president of the Wingham Women's Institute, replacing Mrs. William Field. Vice presidents lire Mrs. Field and Mrs Fuller Mr8r Ford is see y. °� Premier Drew surprised the Ontario Legislature with the announcement that Ontario will hold its third provincial general election in six years on June 7. He called the vote on the issue of a $600,000,000. development program for the provin- cially -owned Hydro -Electric Power Commission, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Smallman have sold their residence on Frances Street to Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm McCammon of Toronto and are moving to Grand Bend where Mr. Smallman has purchased a business. The British House o Commons recently voted t suspend the death penalt for five years. The Gorrie home of the late R. H. Carson has been sold to Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Burns of Carrick Township. APRIL 1959 It was officially announced that the Ontario Rural Hydro will build a new area office and service centre in Wingham. The new structure will be erected on property formerly owned by C. Lloyd and Son and known as the "salt block" on Victoria and William Streets. The present office is situated in the Gurney Block at the south end of the business section in town. Congratulations are in order for Mr: and firs. Borst ... Wyk and . Mr. and... Mrs Peter Vanderkolk who received their Canadian citizenship papers. The Msyks operate Wingham's only photographic studio and Mr. Vanderkolk is employed as book>feeper with Wingham Manufacturing Co. Seventeen boys between the ages of 13 and 18 years gathered at the CKNX building to organize a Junior Conservation Club in town. Fred Ohm of Victoria Street, Wingham, was the f 0 Y Farmers outline concerns about proposed tax changes Dear Editor, Our major areas of con- cern regarding the property tax changes are: ownership of land and its rights in perpetuity or forever; pride of ownership and the inherent discrimination it may cause if farmers pay no taxes on land and farm buildings for services they require and demand. Farmers are seriously questioning the actions of any government that offers to pay 100 per cent of all property taxes on all farm lands and buildings. For what other large segment of the Ontario economy has the Ontario government offered to pick up the entire tax bill? It is quite conceivable that when our economy -does in fact turn around and far- mers are fairly paid for all our food products that food prices will rise dramatically. At that time, consumers and business people may right- fully question why they should be paying all the taxes on farm land and buildings when industry and business pay business- tax and -or property tax. Changes by democratic governments come after pressure from people. Even government legislation may be changed and, as an example, we would like to suggest to you how quickly the federal government recently gave second reading to changes in the Bank Act. Or, for others who say it is still impossible that we may lose rights to land, we would like to remind everyone of some of the many changes in isttensive farming that animal rights groups have forced some European governments to legislate. Mr. Timbrell has offered to legislate in safeguards. Concerned fa, mers recognize that the govern- ment people who pass this safety legislation today may not be here to defend it in future years. Basically, there is no guarantee that will guarantee a guarantee. Most farmers are prepared to pay for services they require and there are services, e.g. fire protection, movement of feed, fuel, fertilizer, farm produce during any hour of the day. We wish wide roads with good visibility so that we can safely move larger, wider and heavier equipment on our road systems. We wish to move many of our products by either tractor or unlicensed vehicles of husbandry. These vehicles do'not pay any taxes toward maintenance of roads and bridges. We wish to keep our local autonomy or independence so that we can administer local planning, municipal ditches, etc. and make our own local decisions. We can only maintain this by paying our own taxes, not by 100 per cent payment of taxes by the provincial treasury. As a result of the hundreds of letters, phone calls, etc. that we have received, we , believe that the following statement in the form of a motion which will be cir- culated to the OFA and others best expresses our concern: It is now obvious from an Ontario poll and local radio station open line show that there is outspoken opposition to the proposed 100 per cent tax reduction program. Therefore we oppose the Ontario government paying 100 per cent of our taxes on farm land and farm buildings. Whereas we believe that farmers are prepared to pay reasonable taxes on farm lands and farm buildings for services such as roads, fire protection, police protection where applicable, ad- ministration, etc., Therefore be it resolved that the OFA reconsider its present endorsement of the proposed 100 per cent farm tax reduction program and further be it resolved that the OFA resume its long- term objectives for property taxation until such time as the following objectives are met by the Ontario govern- ment: 1. Property taxed for services to property; 2. People taxed for ser- vices to people. Further be it resolved that the Ontario government be requested to continue the present 50 per cent rebate program. Those interested may help by speaking to their ISM directors or taking this motion to county federation meetings, speaking to their MPPs, their county council or region and their com- modity rep. Copies of this motion are available by writing to: Property Taxation, Box 361, Wingham, Ont. NOG 2WO. George Underwood, Tom Jackson, Bill Sheard, Jim Armstrong winner of the new car raffled by the Brussels Lions Club. The club is raising money for a swimming pool in the village. Miss Thelma Bennett of Gorrie has been engaged as teacher in the Junior room of the Wroxeter Public School. Miss Bennett has taught for the last three years at the Orange Hill school. _.. George Carter of East Wawanosh has sold his farm to Chester Morrison of Blyth who gets possession to put in his crop this week. The Carter family will move to Blyth where he has pur- chased a home and shop to carry on plumbing and carpentry work. Gordon Greig, Gordon Mundell and Bernard Thomas were inducted as elders of Knox Presbyterian ClithAZBluevale. rt BRIGHT IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME by Per Dalsgaard Packed with refreshingly new ideas for brightening up the home, this color -filled new book by two young Danish designers is the find of the year for do-it- yourselfers. It contains a very special collection of topnotch, easy -to -make household items, from door panels and table tops to quilts, lampshades and even sofas. DOCTORS AT RISK by Frank G. Slaughter Dr. Mark Harrison arrives at a new, multi -million - dollar medical centre; his future in the pioneering field of micro -surgery seems golden. Yet a brilliant surgical career is soon in jeopardy when he becomes addicted to drugs — and his next fix is all too readily available. This novel is based on shocking statistics only recently made public by the American Medical Association. BLACK SHEEP by Christopher S. Sykes Rakes, gamblers, cheats, cowards, frauds, spend- thrifts — every rogue who has disgraced the family name has earned the title "black sheep". In this extra- ordinary, well -researched chronicle of ruined reputations and appalling misdeeds, the author looks at the most colorful and the most wicked of black sheep from the reign of James I to Edward VII and gives his views on how to account for their weaknesses. PRESS COUNCIL The Advance -Times is a member of the Ontario Press Council which will consider written com- plaints about the' publica- tion Of news, opinions and advertising. If a com- plaint can't be resolved with the newspaper, it should be sent to the On- tario Press Council, 151 Slater St. , Suite 708, Ot- tawa, Ont. K 1 P 5H3. `SNR to receive $166,000 grant The Wingham office of the Ministry of Natural Resources has been ear- marked for $186,000 in job - creation funds, according to Zig Pieprzak of the Canadan- Ontario Employment De- velopment Agency. The grant will `create 19 new jobs and 454 weeks of work. Projects involved include an inventory and assessment of local licensed gravel pits; tree removal and the upgrading of roads and parking lots; reforestation and woodlot improvements to com- plement the area's deer and fish habitats. Dave Ablett, a represent- ative from the Wingham office estimated it will be six or seven weeks before the funds are available and the program actually gets roll- ing. The hiring will be done through Canada Manpower, he added. TODAY'S CHILD BY JUDITH ADAMS This happy, easy-going fellow is Maurice, a delightful little boy of 8 who has a lot to give a family who adopts him. He is very good at making people laugh and often acts the clown. In grade two at school, Maurice is maintaining good to average marks. He has a_ slight stutter at times which could stem from his lack of self-confidence, but he copes with it very well. Maurice has learned to deal with life in a pretty stoic way. He would have to be very upset to show it, or'to cry. But he is also loveable and enjoys hogs and attention. He has experienced some bad times, and has had many moves which have left Maurice somewhat fearful of people in authority. But he does his best to cope and if a talent for clowning has helped, then it surely one of his greatest assets. Maurice is bilingual and Metis. It would be very good if the family who adopts him is also bilingual or Metis or both. But the most important thing for him is to find a family who can get through to the less confident little boy beneath that fun -loving exterior, and to prove to him that he's not "bad" as he often calls himself. Maurice will be a loving son to parents who truly appreciate him, and who can help give him that gift of self-worth. To inquire about adopting Warren, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto, Ontario M9P 2H2. In your letter tell something of your present family and your way of life. Libranes to mark book festival week During the last week of April, the Huron County Public Library has scheduled several programs to help celebrate the fifth annual National Book Festival. This yearly promotion of Canadian literary talent is sponsored by the Canada Council in order to create a greater awareness of the immense variety and wealth of available 'Canadian books and magazines. In addition to the magazine displays, posters and free bookmarks and crossword puzzles available at a number of the branch libraries in Huron County, two major programs have been planned for National Book Festival week. Canadian children's playwright Georgette Guay will be holding a workshop for children at the Exeter branch library April 28 at 7 p.m. Please preregister at the Exeter library for this free program. Ms. Guay, who ctfrrently lives in Toronto, has been involved in Canadian theatre as an actress, stage manager and designer as wejl as a - playwright and has worked with children as a youth counsellor at a crisis in- tervention centre and as an elementary school tedcher. Her plays have delighted children of all ages through the imaginative use of puppets and music which complement the actors in a number of her works. Recently her musical play, "The Food Show" won first honorable mention in the Chalmers Playwriting Awards. Prior to 1983 no award category for children's drama existed. Several of her plays are available on loan from the Exeter library. Canadian poet Sheila Martindale will be speaking at the Bayfield Branch Library April 29 at 7 p.m. Copies of her books of poetry are available on loan from the Bayfield branch. She also is founding editor and coordinator of the South Western Ontario Poetry. Her knowledge of local poets and poetry will make her visit of special relevance and in- terest for area residents. Ms. Martindale makes her home in London. Everyone is welcome to attend and ad- mission is free. Coffee, cookies and conversation will be provided. Both programs are sponsored by the Huron County Library and funded by the Canada Council through the National Book Festival.