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Zurich Citizens News, 1961-01-05, Page 8PAGE EIGHT ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1961 Farm Commodity Groups Meet Politicians Taking advantage of the holi- day week, and the seasonal recess of governments at both provincial and federal level, leaders of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture last week invited representatives of the area in both houses to at- tend a noon luncheon in Hotel Clinton. Reports were given by each of the 'commodity groups, and questions were fired both at the government men, and by them at the farm leaders. This meeting is fairly unus- ual, in that Huron is one of the few counties in the Province of • Ontario to conduct such an event, However, tit has become an annual custom for Huron, with both farmers and govern- ment men appreciating the op- portunity to inquire into var- ious aspects of farm life, and law. Possibly the subject which aroused the most interest was that outlined by Alf. Warner, RR 1, Bayfield, secretary of the Huron Hog Producers Associa- tion, who said, "The producers are in a pretty hot spot." Mr. Warner congratulated + the federal government on chang- ing the hog premiums, after the producers had asked for it for ten years. However, when he approached the provincial rep- resentative, Charles S. Mac - Naughton, Mr. Warner did not have complimentary things to say. Mr. Warner was concerned that the Ontario Hog Producers Board, which is composed of 11 men elected by the hog produc- ers, had been ordered by the Department of .Agriculture to change the method of sale of hogs, and have a proposal in the hands of the government by January 16. "That board can't do a thing without the OK of the delegates," stated Mr. War- ner. "In the county, we feel we could work something out, if some concrete program is put forward, but in April, Mr. Good- fellow (Minister of Agricul- ture) told me he did not know what the Farm Products Mar- keting Board wanted in the way of a change of method of sale, and apparently he still doesn't know." Mr. Warner also worried that $75,000 had to be returned by the Hog Producers Association to the Hog Producers Market- ing Board, for he said that only through part of the 40 -cent de- duction per hog, could the As- sociation get money with which to operate. Without this money, the Association and the Co- operative "will have to fold up". NIr. Warner said he felt it had been a mistake to exclude the press from meetings through the years. "I believe they should have been at all of the meet- ings." He felt that the At- torney General's Department should have stopped the sale of FAME debentures sooner, but that the halting of sale would probably be a good thing, "I think the sale will go on stronger than before." Charles MacNaughton, Exe- ter, the MLA for Huron, re- ported on discussing m•attens with the Minister of Agricul- ture, the Hon. W. A. Goodfel- low, that morning. He said the minister and his assistants feel that the sale of hogs should be more in the open, and allow for sale to the first offer of the highest bid. Mr. MacNaughton said, "I can't conceive of the minister saying he doesn't know what he wants, for he sure as h--- does." "Whatever is done is being done to save the present plan," went on Mr. MacNaughton. "The government fears that pressures now being applied may bring on a vote, and that a vote may wreck the plan. The government is asking for an improved plan, but is leaving the details up to the Ontario Hog Producers." Carl Hemingway said that the only thing that allows Mr. MacNau'ghton's statement (that sale is not always made to the first offer of the highest bid), to be true, is that hogs offered in Windsor may be bid at $30 by someone in Peterborough; but it made more sense to sell to a London buyer at $29.75. Transportation enters into the practical aspects of sale. Mr. Hemingway also suggest- ed that if there were doubts, why not put all sales on a tape recorder, with bidders to state name, place and amount bid. The government order that all buyers be assembled in one place in Toronto places a hard- ship upon the small packer some distance from Toronto, who would have to resort to a brok- er service to make his bids. Mr. Hemingway Indicated his con- cern for this method of sale when all bidders were within sight of each other. Mr. MacaNughton said he was sincere in hoping for the selling plan to work, but if there were "flies in the oint- mente it was. up to the produc- ers to sit down with the FPMB and work with them. Mr. MacNaughton noted that there was $260,000 transferred from one hog group to another so far this year, not just $75,- 000.„ There are a lot of peo- ple coming to us in dissatisfac- tion with the plan.” Mr. MacNaughton said that the government expected that the solicitor for the Hog Pro- ducers would have directed the arrangements to sell debentures properly. A debenture is part of a mortgage, and must be backed up by securities. The government believes in the co- operative movement, and that it is the best way to set up a competitive situation. But with- in the law FAME was not set up as a co-operative." Mr. Warner felt there would Bowling Scores ZURICH LADIES BOWLING LEAGUE Team High Triple H.L.A. (J. Smale, 458) Lazy Six (I. Frayne, 497) Tooters (I. McCann, 541) Dreamers (A. Masse, 473) Hot Shots (F. Denome, 436) Nighthawks (M. Hesse, 565) Jokers (B. Sauder, 570) Dashettes (V. Miller, 523) Dominionaires (M, Shea, 545) Ups and Downs (S. Tieman, 580) Bluenotes (H. Thiel, 442) Varieties (A. Desch, 549) Turkey Bowl Results High single, I. McCann, 268; high triple, S. Tiernan, score winners: J. Munn, L. Rose, M. Kroft, M. Schilbe, I. Gelinas. Season's high average, S. Tieman, 172; high single, R. high triple, M. Kroft, 695, ZURICH MIXED BOWLING LEAGUE Weekly Team Point points Standing 5 37 3 55 3 63 4 53 0 43 7 71 3 34 5 94 2 27 5 65 0 8 7 38 Alley Cats (Ann Desch, 517) Hard Rocks (Earl Flaxbard, 512) Gutter Snipes (Ken Breakly, 497) Boo Boos (Clare Deichert, 470) Nite Hawks (Jack Bannister, 534) Hi Los (Harold Stade, 523) _--..-Hensall Hornets (Jean Cornell, 557) Busy Bees (Forefit) Flying Frenchmen (Janet Moir, 606) Gimmicks (Pat O'Brien, 539) Walnuts (Jim Dinsmore, 493) ..- Cannon Balls (Wilmer Adkins, 483) 2 5 0 7 2 5 7 0 7 0 5 2 580. Lucky McCann, M. Decker, 324; 55 19 16 60 29 65 66 69 83 35 46 41 be poor voting on zone direct- ors, since a special day was set aside for the vote, separate from the annual meeting. Mr. MacNaughton felt, "Well, with all the controversy over hogs now, if people don..'t come out to vote, I wouldn't like to hear complaints from them later." Later when the poultry plan was being discussed, Mr. Hem- ingway noted that there should be more polling booths. A far- mer is not expected to go far- ther than about six miles to vote for the municipal, provincial or federal governments, but for the last poultry vote only one booth was set up per county, and for the hogs, only one per township. In the case of the last hog vote, Mr. Gordon Greig, first vice-president of the county federation (former fieldman) noted that the government set up one polling booth in the county, and the Federation set up one per township, paying for booths, and manning them, as well as paying transportation to take the ballots to a central place. Mr. Hemingway said that "if the government sets up the vot- ing on the basis of more polling booths, I believe the people would man the booths for no- thing. There should be a better accommodation for people wish- ing to vote, before we complain about the percentage of people voting." Elston Cardiff said "It's a matter of who is to pay for it. The government is you, the peo- ple, and an election costs a lot of money." Mr. Hemingway raised a chuckle when he re- plied, "Yes, but we don't go out electioneering." Warren Zurbrigg, president of the Federation, noted that the percentage of farmers was steadily decreasing, with the prediction that by 1970 farmers would make up only eight per- cent of the people of Canada. "Farmers have become very ef- ficient. This has benefitted the consumer a great deal, but sometimes we have not been paid for our increased effic- iency. Surpluses which we must have to feed the world, are used. as a weapon by big business." Lorne Bodges, representing concentrated milk producers, noted that they felt the De- partment of Agriculture was acting unwisely to advise some farmers to expand, and for oth- ers to leave farms when unem- ployment was so high. "The cost of putting in bulk milk tanks, etc., is high, and a •bur- den on farmers. They have too much invested, and must live a lifetime to get the money out again. Besides, I believe these bulk tanks have contributed to surpluses. The fluid milk sur- plus is growing all the time, making the trade very inde- pendent when we bargain with them. Hobby farmers also in- crease the harmful surpluses. We believe the difference in cost between butter and marg- arine 4s too great." Mr. Cardiff said he believed the surplus of butter is coming from increased sale of two per- cent milk for diets, and from the increased fluid milk supply. Barry Walter reported that the fluid milk association felt their plans were operating very smoothly, Horace Delbridge, cream pro- ducer representative, said that a ten -cent consumer subsidy would help, but that the On- tario Cream producers did not support Huron on that. He mentioned plans for a "fire sale of butter", where three pounds would be sold for the cost of two pounds, plus ten cents. This it was hoped, would reduce the surplus. Marvin Howe, MP for Wel- lington North, said that there was no Ontario surplus, but there was a Canadian surplus of butter. Mr. Cardiff asked if farmers had considered asking that margarine people be compelled to add 20 percent butter to the butter substitute. "This would raise the cost of the substitute, and at the same time cut sur- pluses. Of course, I don't think you could stop them coloring the butter substitute then," ended Mr. Cardiff. Mr. Howe noted that this method was used in Holland. Mr. MacNaughton noted that the butter surplus was aggra- vated by the need of Western farmers to find an alternative product for land on which they had planted wheat. "They plant oil-bearing crops, and this goes into margarine." Mr. Hemingway stated that he understood the percentage added to margarine would have to be over 30 percent, for less than 20 percent could not be detected. Also, concerning the oil-bearing crops, Mr. Heming- way said that he understood that Canada did not produce enough to supply needs for paints and varnishes, but it was the imported oils that create surpluses. Mr. Greig recalled being at a meat processing plant in Toron- to watching the tank car lots of raw oil being brought in from the United States in crude state, to be processed into margarine. "They can /import cheaper than the vegetable oils can be raised here," said Mr. Greig. "The smell from that stuff is ab- solutely awful." Andy Simpson spoke for the cheese producers, saying that since the farmer spends 17 per- cent more than the average householder, it would help the economy of the country if he had a better income. "The president of the cheese produc- ers in Ontario says they could sell cheese in England for 36 cents while the Canadian price is 32 cents. But for various reasons they cannot upset the price. Actually cheese is not in surplus position." Mr. Zurbrigg commended that other than the butter surplus, the dairy business produced only two percent more than the needs of Canada. He suggested that if the Pure Foods Act were changed to provide for proper marking of margarine packages to show the contents, the housewife would be assured of the materials she was buying. "The contents of a pound of butter is standard," said Mr. Zurbrigg. Mr. Cardiff commented on trade with Cuba. "We aren't selling anything to Cuba that they shouldn't get. If we were selling guns it would be differ- ent. The United States won't buy from us, unless they want something. They stop buying when their own production fills their needs." Robert McGregor, Kippen, talking for Beef Producers, said, "If the marketing of hogs is open to suspicion, certainly the marketing of beef is, too." There are bad situations. Pack- ers can cut corners just about as fast as anybody. Yesterday the market in Toronto was dull, and it was disgusting the way those buyers acted. An outside buyer, from the United States, or from another plant, would have changed the picture at once. "Concerning beans, those three elevators in Hensall prac- tically speak with one voice when it comes to price, but we have a processing plant in Lon- don, and already it is making a difference." Mr. McGregor said he would like to see an official weigher in charge when cattle are sold. off truck. He said the young farmers are looking for some protection an marketing. He is a strong supporter of mar- keting boards and of planned production; and is also against hobby farmers. "Fanners must have some- thing better than just hope and faith," stated Mr. McGregor. He added that when planning to enter the meat packing busi- ness, they should enter with one voice, for beef, pork and lamb. Mr. Hemingway said it was high time the government in- stituted compulsory govern- ment grades on dressed weights. He said there were too Many complaints on the sale of condemned cattle, with re- gard to weights, but he com- plimented the government on giving fain' compensation for those animals. The fieldman reported for the Wheat Producers. Lloyd: Lovell, Kippen, spoke for the sugar beets, comment- ing than they hoped for a sug- ar policy for Canada in the near future, and said that the board was happy with "the way you fellows have rolled up your' sleeves and went to work on the problem of sugar 'beet subsidy." Mr. Cardiff had reported that as• a. temporary measure for the year 1961, the price would be subsidized up to $13. Canada imports 80 percent of sugar used, but though the in- dustry must be subsidized, they do not wash to go out of the business, for a time of war or other emergency would leave Canada without any sugar. Harvey Taylor, Brucefield, reported for the Bean Board and for Co-operative Insurance Association. He noted 'that for the past three years 70 cents of the deducted 77 cents per bushel had gone back to the grower. The seven cents was used to operate the board, and to arrange for exporting sur- plus. "The Seaway has let us ship to London, England, via Sarnia, for about the same price as it used to cost to get them just to Halifax. It is hard to plan production in beans. There was only a yield of 13 bushel to the acre this year, compared to 20 bushels some years." Mr. Taylor not- ed that there are only 4,000 bean producers now, compared to 9,000 about 20 years ago when the Bean Board was formed. Concerning CIA, now 12 year old, Mr. Taylor said it was a real success, standing fourth in Ontario for business, among 200 companies. A new builcleng in London was to be occupied by CIA at the start of January. Gordon Greigreported for the land acquisition committee which had been satisfied with agreements finalized with On- tario Hydro. He said that fanners feel they are being un- justly 'assessed for the cost of education, and for the cost of adhninistration of justice. Mr. Hemingway asked for better supervision of the agents of Hydro working in the 8ield, making offers to the farmers for easements. Mr. MacNaugh- ton said that the government would act, if they had specific complaints. In the past, agents Obituary Mrs. J. Bonthron Mrs. James Bonthron, of Lon- don, formerly of Hensall, died suddenly at Victoria Hospital, on Monday December 26, from a heart seizure she suffered on Christmas Day, The former Bertha M. Yung- blut, she was born in Auburn and had been a resident of Hensall for 45 years, until two years ago when she took up residence in Lon- don. During her life in Hensall she was an active member of Carmel Presbyterian Church, assoceated with various church organizations, and held offices in the Women's Missionary Society, the Women's Association, and was soloist in the church choir. Mr. Bonthron pre -deceased her some years ago. Surviving are one son, Harold, Hensall; one daugh- ter, Jean, Mrs. M. B. Greer, Lon- don; two sisters, Lilian, Mrs. Nor- man Peppier, Hanover; Rose, Mrs. J. M. Hell, Pittsburg, Pa.; one bro- ther, Wes, Hamilton; and four gr- andchildren, Brian, Bevan Janice and Shelley Bonthron, Hensall. Rev. G.C. Vais, of Galt, officiated for the public funeral service held from the Bonthron funeral chapel. on Wednesday, December 28, pay- ing high tribute to the life of the deceased. Interment was in Exeter Cemetery. There were many lovely floral tributes. Pallbearers were George Ingram, W. R. Dougall, George Hess R. J. Drysdale, P. L. MacNaughton and Ed Munn. have been "hustled out of your area in a hurry" if offers were not made in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Mr. MacNaughton said a thorough investigation was be- ing made of assessments, and that he expected some changes. WEEKEN k GROCERY S r+ECIALS York Ch ice Peas 2-20 oz. tins 37c Aylmer Tol4;:oto Soup 3-10 oz. tins 35c Giant Niblets 2-14 oz. tins 35c an nas 2 Its. 29c IMPORTANT NOTICE Gre Effective immediately, we have decided to discontinue ex- tending credit. From now on our business will be conducted on a strictly cash basis. We wish to thank you for your welcome patronage in the past, and we look forward to serving you in the future. N ,r'" r~ t F CLARENCE GASCHO — ZURICH s {;.il%Ykkw ll, k1avr ;xt tv..i,f, Li. 44 Y,';1,4,5 �t^_ , 7 "..tt.: tt+••t J„.. Mfa .:nl: .•, iq�;t41'.. '',Tat:. a'.tr, 14 rxsrnN+M•":1:. `N.11 T;v Ir11., +'0)0 rti s rt rose;.- u *zrrtMu, TOWNSHIP OF HAY FIRE „ R TECUiOM Agreements have been made with the following Villages for Fire Protection in the Township of Hay. The Fire Brigades are available by calling as follows: (1) Hensall Fire Department Phone 100 Hensall (2) Zurich Fire Department Phone 10 Zurich (3) Dashwood Fire Department Phone 20 Dashwood For your conveniences attach this notice to your telephone directory and also underline the three numbers in your directory in red, so they are readily available when needed. H. W. BROKENSHIRE, Clerk Treas. Township of Hay.