The Wingham Advance-Times, 1979-01-03, Page 4A bright new world
As we step into the year 1979 there Is no
dearth of gloomy predictions about the
future. In fact we recorded a few of them in
this column last week. The economy of our
nation, In fact that of the entire western
world, is in a considerable mess. In Canada
we alio have a nagging worry about national
unity. `
True, there is unrest and a feeling of In-
security throughout the world: civil strife,
hunger and disease. However, the leaders of
several nations met in Jamaica last week to
talk, apparently with encourag,ing frankness
and agreement, about both the source and
the intelligent response to global ills. They
agreed that the first objective of the affluent
nations should be the establishment of
self-reliant economies in the developing or
"third world" lands ... not out of a spirit of
self -satisfying generosity, but in a strictly
practical effort to develop new paying
customers for the presently over -productive
capacities of our own countries. In other
words there is no lack of markets for all
those goods and services we can produce;
there is simply a lack of paying customers.
So much for a new outlook on an age-old
problem ... the gap between the havesand
the have nots. It is a ray of hope, however
weak. It can be nourished and amplified.
It is not only real Iy,surprising that much
of the world is stirring with unrest and
anxiety. Though millions of us do riot realize
it, we are passing through the most dynamic
age of change the world has ever known.
Instead of being filled with gloom we should
be afire with excitement about the world of
the future; the world which most of our chit-
dren and grandchildren will surely live to
see.
WHAT DOES IT HOLD?
The concerns which touch us most in-
timately are health and money. As far as
health is concerned we don't have to look
ahead a hundred years. We are, -right now,
living in the age of wonders.
Like so many great discoveries, new
developments in the body sciences bring -us
both good, news and bad news. There is
nothing new in that paradox: think of fire,
electricity, the automobile. Each is both
lethal and life-giving. Within the past few
months we have learned that scientists have
learned how to alter the basic building
blocks of the human body. Soon there will be
the capability to produce a race of Hitlers
. . . but also the opportunity to eliminate
cancer. New blood -filtering machines and
techniques have given years of reprieve to
kidney failure patients and there is strong
indication that the same blessing may be
available to those who have suffered ir-
reparable liver damage.
New interest in nutrition and the role of
vitamins points the way to prevention rather
than cure of many diseases. An expanding
array of antibiotics combats ever more baf-
fling diseases and infections. Smallpox has
been eliminated as a- threat to human life
after its centuries of tyranny over the human
body. Research is inevitably bringing us
closer to the answers to such crippling dis-
eases as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis
and muscular dystrophy.
THE MONEY PROBLEM
If, indeed, the "enlightened" nations can
agree on an effective way to assist the third
world to economic self-reliance they will re-
ceive their greatest help from the recent
discoveries of the world's scientists.
Vast areas of the earth's surface have so
far been able to produce only the meagerest
of food supplies for their inhabitants. And
where there is a shortage of food there is
always ill health, ignorance, fear and, usual-
ly, violence. Until recently we all believed
that this .playlet could not support for much
longer the growing hordes of human beings
which jostle like ants over its inhabitable
spaces. Now there is a new thought.
fq4 teceMly . developed bacteria, for ex-
ample, are being used to produce nitrogen
assimilating qualities for plants which must
survive and produce in Inhospitable soils.
New crop varieties are proving that im-
proved strains of old and well-known food
plants can provide two, four and even eight
times the crop yields possible yesterday.
Mechanization on food producing lands
means that one farmer can feed twenty or
even one hundred stomachs where his
grandfather fed only two or three. Animal
medicine has provided answers to the prob-
lem of the bony cattle beast and the sharp-
spined hog. Modern fishing techniques have
led the way in finding new and rich sources
of protein from the sea.
Even our garbage offers new hope.
Science and experimentation will soon show
the way to food sources in wastes which tra-
ditionally we're discarded, as well as inter-
esting sources of energy from the same gar-
bage heaps. As the uses to which leftovers
can be put multiplies, so will the problem of
where to put all the junk diminish.
OUT WITH ARAB OIL .
The past few years have demonstrated
the folly of our neglect of the vital search for
energy. One-tenth of the king's ransom we
are paying to the Arab world for oil would
have sufficed, by this time, to have given us
alternative ways to power our machines and
heat our homes. The alternatives are so vast
In, nature that they can and will transform
the entire world of the future. There, above
us, is Old Mr. Sun ... the single basic source
of all the energy which has ever been used to
sustain life on earth. Solar energy was the
lift -giving provider for the prehistoric trees
which formed our coal and petroleum de-
posits; the sun's heat created the winds
which cool us as well as summer warmth;
without the sun there would be no rain, no
salts in the oceans, no green in the grass and
trees.
Certainly it will take time and a treasure
of wealth, but as surely as there is night and
day the sun's limitless energy will be the
power source of the future.
Another dazzling development which
few of us understand and none of us can fully
appreciate is the computer. One of the most
important break-throughs in all time, the
computer really doesn't do anything that is
impossible for the man with paper and
pencil. The computer simply does it so much
faster that calculations which would take
years are done in split seconds. Without the
�mputer man could not have reached the
moon, not even inner space. By the time the
mathematicians would have made the
necessary calculations for angle of flight and
speed of take -off, the wheeling planets would
have made all the figures obsolete.
Now the computer has become a part of
daily life. Long since a tool of industry and
science, the computer has'entered the home.
For a comparatively small fee the home
owner can install a mini -computer which
will take over all sorts of chores, such as de-
ciding the relative merits of oil or gas for the
furnace; forecasting in a moment the
debt -income ratio of the family economy .. .
even the size of the turkey for Christmas
dinner when the guests will include thirteen
adults, 'four teenagers and seven yelling
grandchildren. How long to cook the bird and
at what oven setting is a walk -over for the
computer.
The most interesting thing about com-
puters is not what they can do. It is the vast
capabilities of such machines about which
we have not yet even guessed. Learning to
operate a computer is not the challenge;
figuring out its unknown capabilities is
something else.
TALK AND SEE
The telephone, even though we are not
thoroughly, often boringly familiar with it,
transformed the life styles of civilized coun-
tries, no less than the invention of the
combustion engine. The phone is as much a
part of our lives as morning coffee ... but the
communications instruments which will be
in common use very soon vTill boggle your
mind. Dick Tracy's wrist radio long ago
moved from the realm of science fiction to
reality. Wrist television is now a fact and
television -telephone combinations are al-
ready in use. Cable television systems will
play a major role in communications in
future, when such chores as shopping and
banking will be done effortlessly from the
home by use of TV pictures and push button
telephones for two-wiay communications in
which no human but the home owner is
involved.
Jik—
Tomorrow's high school student won't
lug home a pile of reference books when he's
writing an essay on the culture of theancient
world. He will simply pick up the phone,
touch the buttons to connect him with a
global information centre, ask by number
for all the dope on Greek mythology and
watch for answers on his TV set.
Father will get equally fast service when
he wants to know this afternoon's quote on
Standard Ganaconda and mother won't
search her recipe files for the best way to
make coq au vin; she'll just use the tele-
phone and TV set for all the answers.
A frightening new world? Yes, of course,
but also a wonderfully exciting one. We, and
our children, will make it through the pains
of its birth. Our 'tough old ancestors always
made it and so will we.
- 1
+ A THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES
Published at Wingham. Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited
Barry Wenger, President Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas.
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
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t
RECEPTION LINE—Members of Wingham Town Council
and the Wingham Centennial Committee spent most of the
Mayor's Centennial Levee Monday on their feet in a
reception line, greeting the more than 200 who attended the
first event of the centennial year.
a Q,
New Books
I in the Library
THE WAR BRIIDffJ *dW by
Joyce Hibbert
In this book 60 of these war
brides recall the war years in
Europe, their, meeting with
husbands, their emotion -charged
farewells and that long Atlantic
crossing. They remember, with
startling clarity, those first few
days and years in Canada.
MAULEVER HALL by Jane
Aiken Hodge
A young girl is set down from a
coach in the turbulent 1880s in
England, at a lonely moorland
crossroad, her memory gone.
Cradled in her arms is a strange
child; she is penniless; has no
knowledge of her destination, but
she thinks he{ name is Marianne.
THE SEARCHING SPIRIT by
Joy Adamson
'A day in the bush is never
dull,' writes Joy Adamson. 'Nor,'
says Elspeth Huxley in her
forward, 'is a page in her
autobiography."- Here, for the
first time, the countless readers
of Joy Adamson's books have the
privilege of muting her, not so
much as an author but as an
outstanding human being.
THE DISCOVERY by James
Parry
Working alone in New York
City, Dr. Paul Justin has finally
discovered a cure for cancer. Not
even his wife, who fears she has
breast cancer, knows of his
closely-gu#rded secret.
However, theme results of his
research have been discovered
by an unscrupulous phar-
maceutical company on the brink
of financial ruin, which in-
capacitates Justin in order to
steal the cure from his lab.
FOR TEENAGE READING
—RUNAWAY VOYAGE by Betty
Cavanna
—TOMBOY by Norma Klein
Items from -Old Files
JANUARY 1932
One of the largest votes ever
recorded in East Wawanosh was
polled on Monday at the
municipal election when over 650
ratepayers cast their ballots.
This means that out of every
seven voters, six exercised their
franchise. Peter S. Scott was
elected reeve.
The new year was ushered in
with stormy weather as a severe
ice storm struck the district.
Tons of ice collected on telephone
wires and' with a high wind
proved too great a strain on the
poles. Between 30 and 40 poles
are down between Wingham and
Blyth.
At the inaugural meeting of
Wingham Town Council,
Councillor Gilmour introduced
the matter of the members of the
council receiving pay. After a
short discussion, it was decided
that there would be no
remuneration this year.
The marriage of Elsie Jane,
youngest daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. George Doubledee of
Belmore, to William R. Miller,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller
of Brussels, took place at the
manse, Belmore, on December
26.
'Boys will be boys but the CNR
would rather they have their fun
off their property. On three oc-
casions damage has been done to
CNR property. One case was
when a group of boys decided to
have a ride on the jigger and had
started for town from the June -
the past year, there were 33
patients. The hospital is having a
first class x-ray machine donated
by the C. Currie Estate.
AC2 Alvin Higgins of Trenton
was presented with a purse of
money by relatives and neigh-
bors at a gathering at the home of
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Higgins, concession three,
Morris.
James Leitch was engaged as
caretaker of the Belgrave School
at a salary of $96. per year at a
meeting of the trustees on
January 1.
JANUARY 1955
examinations held in the high
school in November.
New officers were elected
when the December meeting of
the Ladies' Auxiliary to the
Wingham Canadian Legion
Branch 180 was held. Named
president to succeed Mrs,, Ernie
Lewis was Mrs. Stewart Forsyth.
Vice presidents are Mrs. Dave
Crothers and Mrs. Joseph King;
secretary is Mrs. Ted Gauley and
treasurer Mrs. R. Dawson.
JANUARY 1965
Little Janice Elizabeth,
tion when the noticed the af- An increase in crime in daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George
TODAY'S CHILD y McInnes of Lucknow, was the
ternoon train coming toward Wingham during 1954 was first arrival of the new vear at
them. They immarliataly ,iifni, o,a ..,,..i 1.
4
the 'i -
jigger and in doing so broke
uy ""1cc %-111el I. W.
Platt in an annual statement on
the Wingham and District
BY HELEN ALLEN
XA
one of the handles.
The contestjor reeve in Turn-
police affairs in the town,
presented at the council meeting.Ronald
Hospital.
Lee was installed
berry between Isaac J. Wright
In his report, Chief Platt said that
master of the Wingham Masonic
s
and Roland Grain turned out to
Wingham's increase in crime
Lodge AF AM No. 286. Other
officers
Joey is a healthy four-year-old with dark eyes, unruly
be exceedingly close, only two
votes difference. Mr. Wright
was in common with other
municipalities in Canada and the
c
include Fred McGee,
Bruce MacDonald, Gordon
brown hair and fair skin. Anglo-Saxon and Dutch in
polled 310 while Mr. Grain drew
United States. A recom-
Leggatt, Keith McLaughlin, Scott
descent, he is below average in development, es y
B p peciall
-
mendation in the Chief's report
Reid, Mel Craig, H. L. Sher -
in speech. His potential is probably low average to aver-
Miss Elizabeth McKee of
was the installation of traffic
bondy, Ted Elliott and William
age.
Joey is always good-natured, easy to live with. He
sleeps well, eats everything offered to him (except
Gorrie left for Echo Bay where
she has acquired a teaching
lights at the intersections of
Josephine and John Streets and
Elliott.
Gradually the older buildings
the
pork
and beans) and loves to help his foster parents do chores
position.
Sunda morningfire broke
y
Josephine and Victoria Streets.
Playoffs
on main street of Wingham
are disappearing and this
around the house.
He is with adults but immediately friendly
ultsth
out
in in a o
of the schoolboys,
y y
ding held in
week
the Mitchell butcher shop, of
and extree
mely talkative
pBelgrave,
Bank Commerce
cupiedpped
W masriel ,lore
by D.
the oldest on the main drag, fell
This little fellow will be a lovable son for parents who
and Mr. Gidley's store. The
Murray missing out in the main
to the hammers of a wrecking
make no great demands for academic achievement, but
building was destroyed except
event by a score of 9-8 to an Owen
crew' The frame store has stood
are ready to give him warm affection. He should be the
youngest in his adopting family.
for the part used by the bank as
Sound team. Members of the
for probably well over years.
The
To inquire about adopting Joey, please write to Today's
offices.
JANUARY 1944
local rink were B. Clark, D. Carr,
B.
building is owned b
b y R. A.
Currie and Sons and the lot
Child, Ministry of Community and Social Service, Box
888, Station K, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2H2. In' your letter
staff has of the
Rintoul and D. Murra y
Ontario license plates
will
be used by the. Currie firm for
tell something of your present family and your way of
tBenl
Telephone
p
might—be easily mistaken for
extra off-street parking.
life.
sferred to Sarnia. Mr. Newcombe
American markers without the
Mr. and Mrs. John Boyd'moved
had been plant installation
distinguishing letters to indicate
last week to the home in Gorrie
foreman here for the past two
the difference. Wingham
which they recently purchased
years, coming here from
markers, however, will be the
from Bob Stephens.
Stratford. William Brooks of
exception to the rule, with the
Mrs. R. Bailey was initiated as
r✓
London will take over his
position.
letter 'prefacing the boxcar
a member of the Ladies'
Auxiliary a the Royal Canadian
r
R
1
Dr. A. O. Thompson, who has
numbers.
An application for permission
bion at last week's meeting.
been the minister at Blyth,
to use the town hall for a Teen
1n Whitechurch, Sunday's
Auburn and Carlow Presbyterian
Town dance met with some
snowfall enabled Elwood
.'
Churches since last March, has
questions at the council meeting.Groskorth
to try his new
accepted a call to Elmvale
Some dances have a
apparently
snowmobile. This new machine
J ,
Presbyterian Church ib the
been held in the past without
will make it Possible for hunters
/
Barrie Presbytery.
adequate chaperonage. Coun-
to cross fields of snow. It seats
Miss Frances Robinson has
been accepted by the Women's
cillors decided that the teens
could use the hall on
two. The boys of the village were'
given rides on the new machine.
T
Royal Canadian Naval Service
condition
that the y provide their
An impressive ceremony was
and will report in the near 'future,
own
chaperones in future.
held at the nurses' residence
•
Leonard .Elliott of Turner's
Corners has been transferred by
The ex
expectant father wasn't
the
when 21 nursing assistants
received their caps. The
the CNR to Mitchell. Mr. Elliott
is
only person who paced the
floor waiting for the first baby of
capping
was performed by Mrs. E.
'
well known here as he is the son
1955. The managemeht of
Fielding and Mrs. Lloyd Elllia cott,
�,
of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elliott,
Bluevale Road,
Fairyland was beginning to
The addition to the Turnberry
and was section
man at Bluevale for some time.
wonder whether anyone would
claim the prize offered to the
Central School is progressing
favorably with weather con -
Rev. G. K. Nobel of Aylmer
has been appointed rector the
first
baby of the year. Arriving on
ditions in the contractor's favor
The addition
of
Anglican churches at Fordwich,to
January 3, it was a daughter born
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mason
will provide six
extra classroomq expanded
Gerrie and Wroxeter.
of
RR 3, Blyth.
administration area and,a new
At the first meeting of
Wingham Town Council,
Friends in the Whitechurch
auditorium.
Mayor
Davidson spoke about the
c o m m u n i t y e x t e n d
over-
crowded condition at the
hospital.
congratulatiovis to Miss Annie
Kennedy who was among the 28
St. John Ambulance warns that
The hospital has 21 beds
slid at times there
from Wingham Hospital who
snow blindness is painful. For
immediate
ALWAYS GOOD-NATURED
are 28 to 28
patients. On one Occasion during
were successful in
government
relief apply cold
getthe casualty
nausrns i n g
tcomss"o medical aid
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