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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-04-27, Page 4Ti ES A page of editorial opinion Eitu PIEiB3()N Cie lit MU bbance®Jj meo Published at V6 int;ham, Ontario. b W comer Bros. Hulked Barry Wenger. President Henry Hess, Editor Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. Audrey Currie, Advertising Manager Member Audit Bureau of C irculauons Member — Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Cornmunit Newspaper Asstic Subscriptions 520.00 per year, Second,(ras's Mail Registration No. 0821 4a Return postage guaranteed Six months 511.50 No reason for delay Yes. We're back to a well-worn 4heme. Is there any sound reason for further delay In the refilling of the mill ponds along the Maitland in Wingham and upstream villages? These ponds are natural beauty spots which now provide the chief at- tractions to the parks along their bor- ders. Until the boards are replaced in the several dams those ponds are noth- ing more than ugly wastelands, with exposed mudbanks and gravel de- posits. This year there is less reason than usual to retain the low water levels. There was not, and will not be the tra- ditional spring run-off because there was no accumulation of winter snow. It is always possible that a heavy rain could create a hazard, but that same possibility will continue throughout the spring and summer. Residents of these communities have invested many thousands of dol- lars of their tax money in the creation and maintenance of the attractive parks along the Maitland. Hundreds of welcome visitors from other cities and towns use the existing campsites. Why not lengthen the season of enjoyment as long as possible? Mixed blessing budget The eagerly -awaited federal bud- get which was brought down last week in the House of Commons brought joy for some — and tears from many others. Chief beneficiaries were the nation's business people, but there was little or no direct relief for the mil- lion -and -a -half Canadians who are un- employed. Philosophy behind the budget (if there was one) was that stimulation for the business sector would assist the economy on its return to normal health, thus creating a fresh demand for the return to work of thousands who have been laid off during months of reces- sion. That stimulation, however, won't be of any use to the thousands of busi- nesses which have been bankrupted. For many other such enterprises the assistance comes too late. The bank- ruptcies continue at an alarming rate. The $4.8 billion "special recovery program" will provide employment for several thousand Canadians as the money is made available for the upgrading of airports and highways, but will, of necessity, be limited to the few specific areas in which such pro- jects will be undertaken. The acute problems of unemployed young people have been recognized by provision of $280 million for job train- ing. Home owners will benefit from ex- tension of the $3,000 (or 30 per cent) grants for home renovations. These grants and concessions will, of course, cost a great deal of money and most of the extra federal revenue required will have to 'come out of the pockets of those Canadians who still have jobs and incomes. One such tax source will be an increase of one per cent in the federal sales tax, although! that bite will not be felt until the fall of next year . Sales taxes, of course, be- come a direct increase in the -cost of living, since virtually all the goods and services we, pay for will be affected. Despite the need to put the best possible face on a bad situation, the budget predicted that unemployment will remain at its present 12.4 per cent level throughout this year and will probably not drop to less than 11.4 per cent next year. If the full burden of these costs of economic stimulation could be paid for by today's taxpayers, there might be grounds for patience, but the sad fact is that the national deficit will rise to at least $31.3 billion. In other words our children and grandchildren will be paying the interest on this staggering loan long after we are gone. Some concessions required As the finance minister acknowl- edged in his budget speech, lack of em- ployment for young people is one of the major problems facing present-day so- ciety. More than being a mere matter of lack of income for this age group, continued unemployment for a high percentage of the younger generation carries with it thlthreat that hopeless- ness will set a pattern of dependence on public welfare which may last a life- time for some. Government protectionism and paternalism are partly toblame for the fact that so few young people can find jobs. With ever -rising minimum wage rates as established by provincial governments, young people have been aware that would-be employers must, by law, pay a pre-set wage. However, minimum wages do not recognize the fact that many young people entering the job market for the first time and lacking experience, are no great bar- gain at $3 per hour. Millions of dollars have been de- signated in the budget for training young people, to provide skills with which they can enter the work place. In years gone by, when there were vir- tually no training schools of this kind, on-the-job training was provided in the form of apprenticeships. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians now in their older years apprenticed themselves in a multitude of trades in order to even- tually qualify as skilled tradesmen and artisans. The apprentice didn't earn much money; nore was he expected to be kept full-time at the trade in which he was interested. When his instructor or the machine he was learning to operate were busy on more pressing chores the apprentice swept floors, refilled stock bins or did whatever other routine tasks were waiting. It was a slow learning process, but in most cases it was a thorough one. Some trades, such as printing, took from five to seven years for an ,apprentice to work his way up to full journeyman status. However, it was that same methodical and prac- tical training which provided the back- bone of skilled workers on which the economy depended. Nothing in our present economic times has altered the wisdom of that painstaking brand of training. In fact a great deal has been lost in the trend to- ward faster training methods and step- ped-up production. Fifty years ago one never heard complaints about the "productivity" of Canadian workers. A recall of faulty cars was unheard of and young people learning a trade never dreamed of a minimum wage. They valued the training they received as the key which would eventually open the door to respected and dependable em- ployment. Most of today's unemployed young people could be absorbed into the work force if an employer could sit down with youngsters who really want to work, discuss with them the advan- tages and obligations of low -paid ap- prenticeship and its promise of con- tinued employment in adult years. But may the Lord bless big government and its unending proclivity to interfere. No employer dares to offer work at less than rates established by politicians in Toronto and Ottawa. In hundreds of other ways government has intruded itself so deeply into private business that reasonable solutions to economic problems have gone down the drain. Father knows best Following the budget speech last week Mr. Trudeau was asked why there were so few breaks for Canadian consumers. His answer wasymbolic of the attitude which has typified his recent years in office. The prime minister opined that if extra money were put into the pockets of Canadians they would waste half of it on the purchase of imported goods and foreign holidays. Those patronizing words from the man who had fresh roses delivered daily to his hotel suite while he attend- ed a conference in Mexico. Democracy ... is the only form of government that is founded on the dig- nity of man, not the dignity of some men, of rich men, of educated men; or of white men, but of all men. Its sanc- tion is not the sanction of force, but the sanction of human nature. Equality and justice, the two great distinguish- ing characteristics of democracy, fol- low inevitably from the conception of men, all men, as rational and spiritual beings. —Robert Maynard Hutchins - etlr� `Teach your child to say no' Marijuana use is r t� on downward trend nationaily Slightly more than one in four young . Canadians between the ages of 12 and 19 have tried marijuana at least once, according to a national survey carried out last May. However the survey also found that rates of use appear to be decreasing, though the decrease is less evident among 18 and 19 -year-olds than in the younger age groups. About one in five of the teenagers questioned reported using marijuana during the previous year, which is down slightly from 1981. Fourteen per cent of this age group, or an estimated half -million Canadians between the ages of 12 and 19, admitted to using marijuana during the past month and six per cent reported having used the drug during the past week. Approximately two per cent were classified as daily users., The heaviest rates of use were reported by 18 and 19 - year -olds, with 38 per cent classified as current users, compared to four per cent of 12 to 14 -year-olds and 21 per cent of 15 to 17-year-olds. Males had a slightly higher rate of use than did females. Rates of use continue to be highest in British Columbia and lowest in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. The possibility their children might be using drugs is a major concern to most parents. An article by Rolaine Hockstein suggests that drug experimentation and use might be deterred if parents provided comfortable, confidence -building homes where problems are dealt with and not run from, where children are taught to think for themselves and where drugs are not ac- cepted. Parents can offer alternatives to a drug -oriented way of life. Here are some suggestions that have worked: Set reasonable curfews — It is important to establish limits for your children and be consistent in enforcing them. Provide reasonable supervision — The Institute for Social Research studies indicate that children who spent the least time under adult supervision, at home, school or church, were the most likely to use drugs. Children should not be on their own too much. If you are not available when your child arrives home from school, make arrangements for him to check in with a neighbor or a friend's parent until you get home. Open your house when you are home — If your children feel free to bring friends home, you'll know where they are, what they're doing and whom they're with. It pays to provide snacks and make them feel welcome. Put your child to work — Expect a child to contribute to the upkeep of the household and the welfare of the family. A sense of responsibility builds self-esteem. Kids whorespect themselves are least likely to follow - the -leader into trouble. Support their interests — Strong, active engagement in sports, music or hobbies can keep youngsters too busy and happy to want to fool around with drugs. Show your child you're interested; don't send him, go with him. Don't accept drug use — Let your child know that recreational drugs are not acceptable in your house. A parent who uses alcohol regularly, smokes cigarettes and takes tranquilizers is not a very convincing model for a child. Practice what you preach. Teach your child to say no — A clinical social worker in Englewood, New Jersey, warns that a child who conforms at home is likely to conform at school — an, be susceptible to peer pressure. Parents should en- courage and approve of ,children who think in- dependently. This means that when your child gives you an argument, it is important to listen, respect his ideas and negotiate. When a child gets a friendly, interested response to his ideas at home, he usually won't fear rejection when he disagrees with his friends. SKIPPING DOUBLE -TIME --Tracy rope going at high speed Heart Fund, held tlt1� at Madill during Secondary a MacKay gets skip-a-thon for School Phe the ch7tm arm/ There is still some kindness in the world Dear Editor, On April 3, 1983, I was involved in a car accident on Highway 86 near Wingham, in which my fiancee and i were injured. Your town showed great kindness toward my friends and me, and this letter is to express my thanks to all of you in- volved. Some caring citizens of Wingham put up my friends in their homes overnight, until' arrangements could be made for their return to Toronto. When my friends left and 1 remained in your hospital, I Was able to find out my car was in the good hands of (a local) auto body shop, and so I was able to relax and not have that worry. The nurses in the intensive care unit of your hospital were just wonderful, helping me get through a very painful experience, and I want to express a special thanks to all of them. Thanks to all of you for showing me there is still kindness and generosity in the world. Dave Brownlee Downsview, Ont. May is month for Red shield Dear Editor, May is the month of the Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal. This is the time when we look to individuals, organizations and -service clubs for financial help to : carry on our many avenues of service. Monies gained from meeting our 1983 objective of 89,000 will be used in providing efficient and compassionate service in many areas of human need, such as adult rehabilitation centres for men and women, fresh -air camps for young boys and girls, homes for unmarried mothers and emotionally disturbed teens, minimum security training centres for young men and women. Locally, we serve needy families with food, shelter, fuel, clothing and any per- sonal needs. These are only a few of the services the Salvation Army provides. Financial assistance is greatly needed and will be gratefully received. We count on help from everyone. God bless'you. Fred Marshall Captain Wingham Aril 271 1983 Items ' ro Id Files APRIL 1936. Announcementis made today that C. F. Holland becomes„Manager of the Bell Telephone Company here, succeeding J. H. Scott and having supervision over the Bell exchanges at Cargill, Durham, Hanover, Har- riston, Holstein, Lucknow, Mount Forest, Southampton and Walkerton. Mr. Scott transfers to Listowel. Harry Browne Jr. has opened a shoe repair business at Blyth. Mr. and Mrs. Browne and baby have already moved. Carman Coutts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Coutts, left for Ottawa where he has ac- cepted a position at the Experimental Farm. Wroxeter friends con- gratulate Miss Winnifred Rae, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Rae, who won second place in a public speaking contest at Waterloo College where she is a student. A German prince and a German Jew joined in predicting the downfall of the Hitler regime within the next two years. The nobleman gave Hitler 18 months and the Jew, former Minister of Justice of the German Republic, thought 12 months was the limit. R. S. Warwick, eldest son of ' Dr. J. D. and Mrs. War- wick, has been appointed Town Clerk of Brussels, secretary -treasurer of the Morris and Grey Telephone Company and secretary - treasurer of the Hydro Electric Company. These positions were made vacant by the recent death of A. H. Macdonald. W. T. Simpson of Staf- fordsville joined the local staff of the Canadian Bank of Commerce. Harold Kitchen, who has been on the staff for five years, has been trans- ferred to Tavistock. APRIL 1948 Hugh Hill, Colborne Township farmer, will carry the Liberal banner into the June 7 provincial election against John W. Hanna, MLA, in the Huron -Bruce riding. Over 30 friends of Miss Laura Collar gathered at the home of Miss Vivian MacLean to present her with a personal shower prior to her departure to the Mission Field in Nigeria, British West Africa. John Preston has pur- chased the general store of Milton Pries of Fordwich and took possession on Saturday of last week. Wingham's livewire Softball Association elected Mex Coutts president and Stewart . Cowan vice joresident for the coming. season. Secretary is Garry Garrett and treasurer is Ross Hamilton. On April 21, a bunch of red carnations sat on Prime Minister Mackenzie King's desk at the opening of the Commons to mark his achievement in establishing a new Commonwealth record for length of service as Prime Minister. It was the 7,621st day of Mr. King's tenure in that office. A petition is being prepared for the council to instal a flicker light in the business section of Belgrave to slow down through -traffic. More Gorrie properties have been changing hands. Philip Harding has sold his home to Harvey Sparling. Mrs. R. H. Stephens' home has been purchased by Burns Stewart. APRIL 1959 Frank Riehl was ' chosen to head the new group of Junior Sportsmen when the group held its first regular meeting. Charles Campbell is secretary and Doug Hamilton treasurer. Mr. and Mrs. Omar Stokes, llth concession of Turnberry, celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage at the home of their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William Tiffin, Frances Street. Wingham firemen were called to the farm of Robert E. Laidlaw, just west of Wingham, when a brooder house took fire. Lost in the blaze were 500 month-old turkeys as well as the equipment housed in the building. Mrs. Vera Greig of Wroxeter was elected chairman of Ontario Farm Radio Forum at the recent annual meeting held in Toronto. Mrs. Greig is the first woman to serve in this office. Dr. Alexander Nimmo performed a wedding ceremony at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Jouwsma when their daughter, Siewbje, became the bride of Herman Muscheid. On Friday night of this week, Rev. Ewart Clarke will be inducted into the new charge of Gorrie and Wroxeter United Churches. Joseph Smith of Turnberry Township has sold his farm to David Eadie. TODAY'S CHILD BY JUDITH ADAMS Ross is a handsome 11 -year-old who needs the affection that a per- manent family can offer him. Because he's still catching up. on the emo- tional growth he missed during his early years, Ross finds it hard to show his feelings but he still needs to know he is loved and wanted. Ross enjoys bowling, roller skating, cards and checkers. He would benefit from a stimu- lating, busy family that could help Ross develop in those areas where he missed out earlier in life. He finds difficulty in relating to other chil- dren but with work and support from a caring family, he is sure to come around. He likes to get along with everyone and it really bothers him when things go wrong. Ross's verbal abilities are delayed, and he pre- fers to demonstrate things rather than describe thein. It is expected that his com- munication through words will . improve as his attention span improves. It is possible that Ross has a very slight hearing loss, and that could be ' contri- buting to this lag. At school he is doing average work in grade 3, although he is easily distracted. Ross understands about adoption but has strong emotional ties with his past. These will have to be respected by the family who adopts him. An active family with older children already in the home would be best for Ross. Warm and patient par- ents who are firm and fair, and can do a lot of the giving at first, are also what he needs. To inquire about adopting Ross, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2H2. In your letter tell some- thing of your present family and your way of life.