Loading...
The Wingham Advance-Times, 1976-04-01, Page 4M N f r/ THE i§DVA(1C1'E TIMES A page of editorial opinion Thursday, April 1 v @ .... \v......v .. .... .. :.... .. x........ :•vi:Ji '� :?: :•. :w.J. ::..:.. .. .:... :v.:........ �}{}:;: .. .. ... .... . v.v .v .............. ... • .:}:: � `Lk .... ................v ♦ 4 On k.! ... .:..�{.,.,..,. ..•�.�.,?.•°•:•:>:d�:''.•��aJ'c'.�•l'•'•'+�.'•i�r:r.`:�i'i:�s!:•`:�.•.+:::.•.:d...:.+ Cutting where it hurts Application of the paring knife to so many aspects of our way of life is bound to be painful—but few can argue the need to trim off the fat. However, Cher v certainly some areas A`'ich are n o,t ,�Iive others. % Hea th c -e and '! ' ruF r rr'etr, is which ha%e ber.�n employe,; o - --u.t have created the greatest tur reaps because local hospitals have for yr I- t n a source of pride and comfort -to the resroPnts of the smaller places, and because n ,ill communities can ill afford the resultin , )ss of jobs. Less obvious, but equally drastic, are the restraints which have been demanded in other areas of public services. Last week the members of the Huron County Board of Edu- cation and the principals they employ agon- ized over the apparent need to slice a second ten per cent reduction from the year's budget. Board Chairman Herb Turkheim said the school taxes in the county might mount by fifty per cent over last year's levy unless the principals could find ways to low- er the expenditures drastically. The spokesmen for the school system's principtals expressed deep concern about what would happen to the quality of educa- tion they can provide if instructional sup- plies and secretarial assistance have to be trimmed too sharply, but despite their out- spoken opposition the board did finally agree upon the need for the second ten per cent reduction in spending. Teachers in this province do not have a particularly bright image in recent years. Their salaries were among the first to esca- late a few years back. Recent long, drawn out strikes in Toronto -and elsewhere have not gained teachers too much sympathy, public opinion being that secondary school teachers are already working for wages that are well above the starvation level. Perhaps it was true that teachers' sala- ries were disproportionately high eight or ten years ago, but in the interval the pay rates of other wage earners have also risen sharply, as have actual costs of living. There is, too, .a belief that teachers get a lot of money for a small,amount of work. We tend to think that a teacher works only about six hours a day and ten months of the year— which is just not true. A conscientious teacher spends long hours after school pre- paring lessons for the morrow which the public knows nothing about. Many of them spend their summers in university courses. We also have become convinced to some degree that school teachers are doing a poor job because our children emerge from school without basic skills in language or mathe- matics. But we should bear in mind the fact that teachers are now totally lacking in the means of discipline which we took for granted when we went to school. It has be- come well-nigh unthinkable to strike a child or a teenager, so the trouble -makers in a class can disrupt the necessary atmosphere of concentration day after day and there is little the teacher can do about it. In secondary school the student can opt for those subjects which can be passed with the least effort, pretty well avoiding any ade- quate training in those basics which we have now realized should be compulsory and essential. Many a good teacher must go home at night in angry frustration with a system which seems to overlook every need for discipline—all in the interests of letting the student be "creative". In most cases the shortcomings are simply not the teacher's fault. Lacking the freedom to teach at their most productive level, our school staffs are now expected to do their job on inadequate budgets. He brought us hope One of the world's great men died last week. Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein was 88 years of age and to millions who were born during or after the Second World War his name may not mean a great deal. To those who knew the stark fear of defeat he was a man who brought us back our courage. Montgomery was never very popular with his fellow officers and superiors. He was more than a bit arrogant and abrasive— as well as being decidedly opinionated. In the final year of the war he differed so sharply with the supreme commander., General Dwight Eisenhower, that he came close to being fired. Some military historians claim he was a mediocre general and others believe he was the greatest field commander and strategist since Wellinqton. Whatever his abilities or shortcomings it matters little now. Montgomery and his British Eighth Army brought the free world back from the brink of despair. Those who did not live through such desperate times simply cannot understand the fear which gripped the hearts of people all over the free world. The Germans had been pushing the rest of us back for ten years—first with their unopposed take-pvers irl Austria and Czecho- slovakia and then with stunning military vic- tories in Poland, France, the Low Countries, Norway and so on. It seemed at the time they would swallow the whole world and send us all to concentration and extermination camps. The fall of Greece and the rout of British forces first to Crete and then to Egypt spelled control of the Suez Canal and placed a stranglehold on the Mediterranean. We seemed to be doomed to agonizing de- feat. In North Africa General Erwin Rom- mel's Desert Corps had pushed the British back clear across the continent. Rommel's tanks were rumbling at the borders of Egypt. Nothing stood to oppose them but Monty and his Eighth Army. Dramatically the tide turned. The British field guns set up a barrage which lasted for eight solid days and then the Tommies started their counter offensive and they kept pushing Rommel right back to where he had started. For the first time in long years the German army was whipped. The free world began to realize that with enough work and enough courage we could escape slavery. We began to hope again. Rommel's defeat in North Africa was not the turning point of the war. Thatpoint came later with Hitler's decision to turn on his Russian allies—but EI Alamein was the turning point as far as the will to win was concerned. From that time on the western allies fought an enemy they knew was no longer invincible. Whatever Montyt's shortcomings or how many his conceits, his greatest gift to the world was hope. Are they really so bad? Many communities in Western Ontario have been dismayed within recent weeks to learn that provincial_ building inspectors have ordered their arenas to be closed. The heavy snowfalls this winter have renewed fears of the sort of disaster which struck the Town of Listowel more than a decade ago when their arena collapsed and took several lives. Naturally no town wants to risk a repeat of such a tragic occurrence, but we cannot avoid the feeling that some of the inspectors may be getting carried away. Certainly the older buildings may have structural weak nesses, either through age or because of inadequate engineering standards. But sev eral comparatively new arenas are included in the list. The one at Paisley, for instance, was erected less than 30 years ago and its structural design was given careful at tention. It must be a blow to the people of that community to learn that it has been con demned, for it was built at great cost after a previous new building had burned to the ground. The Lucan arena was built about the same time and it has been condemned too. Harriston's 23 -year-old arena has suffered the same fate. Surely the engineers who designed those buildings and the companies which erected them were not so totally un aware of the hazards of heavy snow loading that they failed to allow for this factor. We are not suggesting that the inspectors are wrong. They are making their decisions on a federal building code which rightly cal)s for heavy stress on safety fac- tors. However, in view of the importance of these buildings to their communities it would appear that a second opinion should be sought. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited Barry Wenger, President Robert O Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulations t�mtwr Canadian' Community Newspapers Assoc. Ontario Weekly Newspapers Assoc. sirription $10 00 per year Six months $5.25 To United states $20.00 Second Class Mail, Registration No 0821 Return postage guaranteed 1 v " f il.st dor1't let it liapperl again, Bud ' bY the wav, hou' are N-ou on JIxlrlg parking tickets?" " In brief ... News of the Nation President Gerald Ford called lions of people all over the world the pneumonia' which accomp- for a massive immunization pro- in 1918. Ford's program would anied flu infection and that pres- gram to protect every person in cost about $135 million, if the vac- entday antibiotics are capable of the United States from the ex- cine is, indeed, available. Can- controlling the pneumonia factor. pected development of "swine.in- adian officials reacted with less It is estimated that the treat- fluenza- next fall. The disease is panic, pointing out that the ments would cost at least $6 per similar to that which killed mil- deaths in 1918 were largely due to person. 0-0-0 RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY—Diane and Susan Hart were a colorful Raggedy Ann and Andy at the Howick carnival on Saturday and won a prize in the best dressed couple compe tition. I (Staff Photo) The federal anti-inflation board has asked cabinet approval for an extension of its wage and price controls to some 310 insurance companies which cover property and casualty risks and which have less than 500 employees each. They were exempt from control under the regulations set out last October. A board spokes- man says the premiums collected by these companies total some $3.8 billion annually. It appears that life and auto insurers are not included in the request. < 0-0-0 President Isabel Peron was ar- rested by officers of military junta which recently seized power in Argentina. Massive labor unrest and an inflation rate of several hundred percent per year finally brought about an overthrow of the rule of Mrs. Peron, who inherited power from her late husband and once -dicta- tor, Juan Peron. 0-0-0 The province of Quebec has re- newed its demands for control of all communications within its borders, including cable tele- vision, telephone and independ- ently -owned radio and television stations. The Canadian Radio - Television Commission appears prepared to go along with at least some of the Quebec demands. Obviously the CRTC will be faced with similar demands from the other provinces if Quebec is ac- commodated. 0-0---0 Labatt Breweries of Canada Limited have been named suc- cessful bidders for an American League expansion baseball team to be home-based in Toronto. Purchase price of the franchise was $7 million. The new team will be readied for the 1977 ball sea- son. V LETTERS New Books TO THE EDITOR In the Library Wroxeter, Ont' The Temple by Jerome Weidman March 28,1876 This is a novel about one man's Dear Editor: goal to build a Temple, a Syna- We, the West Howick PeeWee gogue, in the heart of Westchest- hockey team would like to ex er County's most anti-Semitic press our sincere thanks to Jim Waspland. His goal is not only to Wild and the CooksvWe Hockey erect a temple as a symbol of Club through this oolumn for Jewish defiance of the existing their great hospitality and a truly order, but to create a completely enjoyable time in Cooksville. ' new town where�lews will live as To Allan Nicholson of Nichol- proud, unafraid equals of their son Bus Lines a big thank you for Gentile neighbours. The hero, taking us down to Cooksville and Dave Dehn, is a rich, powerful for putting up with us for the and mysterious man, who, to - weekend. We felt we were in very wards the end of World War II capable hands with Allan driving. was with the American, troops The weekend in Cooksville was who liberated the Nazi concen- an experience for all of us we tration camp of Buchenwald. shall never forget, and are grate- That searing experience made ful to all responsible for allowing him relentless, driven to create a us the opportunity to go. new kind of Jew in America; one Yours truly, who would never know what it West Howick meant to be afraid simply be- "PeeWees" cause he was Jewish. The Temple is the riveting story of Dehn's 30 years of carry- ing out his mission, in the process conveying to his friends and Youth Da held enemies a zeal and fanatical Y dedication that change the lives at Sacred Heart of all who come into contact with him. On Sunday, March 28th, Youth ,Jay was held in the basement of the Wingham Sacred Heart Church. The youth are grateful to Father Nolan who arranged to have Fathep Fuerth and five seminarians, from St. Peter's Seminary in London, present to help the teenagers discuss their different, vocations in life. It was stressed that the Chris- tian youth of today need not only consider priesthood and sister- hood as the sole means of an- swering God's call but that many professions, chosen merely through devout prayer and seri- ous thought, can be considered as following God's will and plan for one's life. An interesting slide presen- tation, presented by the seminar- ians, clearly illustrated the importance and necessity of dis- covering, according to talent and ability, the most appropriate and helpful vocation for each unique individual Youth were represented from the Brussels, Wingham, Clinton and Greenock areas, making a tota4 attendance of 65. Some of the participants included: Jake De Bruyn, Mary De Bruyn, Anne De Bruyn, Bill Bauer, Darwin Ducharm, Joanne Schmidt, Teresa Nolan, Cornell Van Veen, Adrian Van Veen, Cathy McGlynn, David Schmidt, Carol Brophy,, Annette Keet, Brian Dietner, Tim Morrison, Peter Lefor, Joanne Anger, Rosemary Curtis, Mary Jean Wilhelm, Dan Nolan, Nora Nolan, Rob Mer- chant, Dennis Merchant and Cathy Skinn. The hour of group discussions was ended by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Special thanks to Mrs. Emery Mahe, Mrs. Bruce' Anger and Mrs. Herman De Bruyn, who prepared a most enjoyable supper. There was a "question -box" period after supper which allowed the youth to have many of their questions clarified. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated at 7:30 p.m. Gathering closely around the altar, represented the need of a unified Christian Family atmos- phere. All in all, it was a successful and worthwhile day. As one of the youth remarked, we are sure that "a little bit of this day will be taken home, appreciated, and thought about seriously." TODAYS CHILD BY HELEN ALLEN Kenny is a pleasant, shy 13 -year-old with a friendly smile to go with dark eyes, brown hair and fair, freckled skin. Anglo-Saxon in descent, he is small for his age but husky and in good health Kenny wants a family of his own. He knows that at 13 it's not easy for a boy to find a mother and father and he worries about growing up with the feeling he doesn't elong anywhere Outdoor activities such as camping and hiking, skating and snowmobiling appeal to Kenny. He enjoys sports and plays hockey and baseball. Kenny is fond of animals and interested in motors and anything mechanical He is inIFrade eight, receiving remedial help in academic subjects Next year he will start a vocational course leading towards his goal of becoming a truck driver A co-operative lad, Kenny is good company for adults once he feels comfortable with them Fie has a temper but is learning to control it Parents who will want to spend a lot of time with Kenny and who can convince him he is really wapted will find him a rewarding son It will be best if he is the youngest or the only child in his adoption home To inquire about adopting Kenny, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of Community & Social Services, Box 8tt8, Station K, Toronto M4P 2H2. In your letter tell something of your present family and your way of life. For general adoption information, contact your local Children's Aid Society The Doctor's Affair by Elizabeth Seifert Beautiful, clever Gretchen Purser admitted she was spoilt and had always been able to use her charm to get anything she wanted. In her last year at medi- cal school, she had had dinner dates and eventually a weekend, together with handsome Dr. Valier. Gretchen expected to work with him after graduation. Then, when he said goodbye to her, he made it clear that this would not do. This first real de- feat filled her with cold fury. She returned to her parents' big house in Idaho and to a gay social life. Still smarting under the memory of Valier's humiliating rejection, she told her curious friends she had come home to be married. She refused to take any- thing or anyone seriously, not even her career. How long, everybody wondered, would she run away from responsibility. Once again, Elizabeth Seifert takes the reader behind the scenes in a hospital, into oper- ating rooms, staff meetings, clinics and wards and is at her best in the stories of the dramas and conflicts that take place there. New Low-cost Sources of Energy for the Home by Peter Clegg. Energy for the Home is a source'of information on natural energy and available techology which could allow you to live in- dependent of public utilities. It is primarely concerned with using the "free" and renewable energy sources of sun and wind, with productive and non-polluting methods of water and waste treatment, methane generation and heating with wood. There is also a chapter on water power. Energy for the House is written for the average home -owner who wants to cut down on the high cost of living. DeadRun by Jack Foxx This second in the series about bush -pilot Jim Connell has every bit as much punch as the first one and the characters are every bit as menacing. Connell has left his native Singapore to take a job on a rubber plantation on the west coast of Malaysia. Because the Singapore police have grounded him, he has to take the steamer up the coast. On board, someone plants an important document in a very special part of his luggage and he becomes the unwitting carrier of a piece of dynamite. He soon learns that he is being pur- sued by a couple of very tough customers and knows for sure that they are out to kill him. Con- nell finds the moment of truth when he is forced — against his screaming instinct — to fly an old Lockheed out of Malaysia at gun- point. The author has a vast knowl- edge of the South Sea, which lends an exotic touch to this sus- penseful tale. Haulin' by P. Finch Trucking has been J. W. Pick- ett's life. But Pickett wants out, he's 49, tired, and hardly knows his family. His dilemma is all too clear, his wife, at 41 is pregnant with a child they carr't afford; that means 15 more years on the road. Fate awaits Pickett and his partner, Lenny, in Boston in the form of Billy Frank Freeman. He's been given 24 hours by the mob connection to find a safe way to mare a very important deliv- ery to California. One connection leads to another — in the thirty - ton Mack, in Boston, in Pickett's mind, as they thunder to a spell- binding connection on a cliff overlooking the Pacific.