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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1969-12-04, Page 4PAGE FOUR ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1969 Hockey Beware Many hockey fans have been disturbed in recent years by the image that the game has been making for itself due to the excessive roughness and resultant fights and occasional brawls. The U. S. magazine "Sports Illustrated" which is no doubt the leading and most authoritative sports magazine on this continent has this to note about hockey under the heading "Roman Holiday." It says:- -- "Hockey is booming right now. It maintains an extremely high level of popularity in its old tradit- ional bastions and at the same time wins new follow- ers almost everywhere itoes, enticing even in areas where natural ice is totally alien. It seems a shame then, that even as it widens its appeal hockey may very well be sowing the seeds of its own decline by condoning the mob -scene brawls and super roughness that clutter up the ice in too many games. Agreed, hockey is a hard, aggressive, body -contact sport, and no one expects or wants that to change. But toughness and drive and occasional flareups are one thing; deliberate brutality and battle royals are quite another. Only a few days after Ted Green, the "bad -boy" of the Boston Bruins, had his skull fractured in a stick fight in an exhibition game, the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs in- terrupted their game with another of those tedious mass fights, with officials clawingineffectually at the participants like the clown reerees in professional wrestling. If the men who run hockey feel that it is desirable to have their sport degenerate to the level of wrest- ling and Roller Derby that's their business. But it isn't good business -- not in the long run." (St. Marys Journal Argus) We Can Do Something About Inflation There are some people who believe that there is little that the common man can do to combat in- flation. The myth is propagated that inflation con- trols are only in the hands of governments, banks' and the like and unless these Institutions do some - thin positive, we are completely at the mercy of an inflationary spiral from which there is no way out. This may be true to a large extent, but the con- sumer still has his say, and often he can do a great deal more than he thinks. The consumer or buyer still plays an important role in one of the most basic economic laws - the law of supply and demand. Briefly stated, the law functions as follows. The higher the quantity of a certain commodity on the market, the lower the price will be. The price will also be lower if the consumer demand for the product tends to drop. Conversely, if the demand increases or the supply decreases, the price goes up. Due to other influences, the law doesn't always function as smoothly as economists would like it to, but enough so that it does have considerable influence on prices. Take housing, for example. The demand for homes has been going up and this has helped to force up the price. However, other factors have entered the pict- ure to make prices go up even higher than they nor- mally would. The result is that the demand had drop- ped off, mainly because of consumer resistance. In other words, the cost of housing is so high that people either cannot afford to buy or else refuse to purchase a home at such prices. It is this consumer influence, and this influence almost entirely that has caused the cost of homes to actually drop in many places in Ontario. With mortgage rates now approaching 12 per cent in some centres, with the large down payments required and with the high asking price in the first place, it is understandable that there is considerable buyer resistance. In some centres of Southwestern Ontario, the resistance had been so great that one large construction company sold only two houses in all of October, a new low for the company. Prices in Ontario on Multiple Listing Service are down an average of 12 per cent and there are indications that they may drop further before an upswing starts. Take heart. There are times when we may not be able to do a great deal by ourselves to curb inflation but there should be a considerable number of housing salesmen around who can testify that we are not completely helpless. (Stratford Beacon Herald) They earn their keep This column is dedicated to my namesake, Bill Smiley, a high school principal in Sask- atchewan. He doesn't even read my column, bad cess to him, but his wife does. Recently, she forced him to listen as she read a column in which I hurled a dart into the raw hides of school administra- tors. It made him write, but it was a friendly letter and it's nice to hear from you, Cousin Bill. He must be a cousin. The Smileys, five brothers of them, came out from Ireland' during one of the periodic potato fa- mines and with the skill and foresight that has always char- acterized the name, chose some of the most meagre land in Canada on which to strike it rich. The crops were mainly stones, with an occasional bo- nanza of boulders. Most of them had enough dim Irish wit to get out and move West, but my grandfather, with nine kids and no wife, stuck it out and the old family farm is still there in Pontiac, Quebec, push- ing up its annual crop of milk- weed, burdock and fieldstone. Cousin Bill must be a de- scendant of one of the Smileys who went West and starved during The Depression, instead of staying home and almost starving, We've lost contact complete- ly. But I did meet a chap, Bev Smiley., directly ahead of me in a line-up on a troopship com- ing home, who turned out to be a son of my father's first cousin, Joe, who went West. Isn't this fascinating? However, this is not a family history, though I know you're intrigued. It is a heart -felt expression of sympathy for high school principals, like Cousin Bill. A high school principal is usually a normal human being (though not always) who is caught, not between two grindstones, but four. Grind- ing from above are the school - board and the parents. From below, he is whetted to a fine edge by teachers and students. Either he emerges keen as an axe, or ground to a pulp. The odd one is smart enough to quit and go back to the HESS ZURICH Fine Quality Watches, Rings, Silverware, Crystal, China, Dresser Sets, 'Mantle, Cuckoo and Chime Clocks. We have an excellent stock of: BLUE BIRD AND KEEP- SAKE DIAMOND AND WEDDING RINGS. Buy her a diamond for Christmas 10% Discount Just a $1.00 purchase entitles you to a Free Draw on a fine lady's or gent's wrist watch. Draw Christmas Eve Prompt Watch and Clock Repairing and Diamond Resetting. See (our Window Display Illuminated Every Evening classroom before either hap- pens. But most, driven by the insatiable greed of their wives, keep at it until they are punchy. This is one of their hairiest times of the year. After three months of unbelievable chaos, they have finally got the big, brutal, awkward, maniacal ma- chine, that is a modern high school, running with only the odd fit or start. (Be careful there, linotype operator) The Board has cut off all expenditures until the new budget is struck in January. The students are becoming un- ruly. The teachers are com- pletely browned off with Board, principal, students and each other. In short, every- thing is normal Then the poor old principal gets three or four resignations from his staff. They are from people who are ill, fed up, or merely going out of their minds. Where do you pick up, in December, an art teacher who can double in typing? Or a German teacher who is a whiz at German but weighs 200 and must coach the basketball team? Or a history teacher who can pick up a welding class without doing a Nero? Somehow, they find bodies to put in front of the kids and the show goes on. And the principal takes another giant step, not for mankind, but to- ward his first coronary. Bless you, chaps, and have a happy Christmas. It's a job I wouldn't touch with a 20 -foot Hungarian, let alone a ten -foot Pole. Emmanuel Men Elect Officers Emmanuel United Church Men held their November meeting in the church basement with Russell Grainger chairing the program. Oscar Greb led the sing song accompanied by Mrs. Milton Oesch. Scripture was react by Richard Erb and Jack Schwartz led in prayer. The program consisted of slides and commentary of the recent tour taken by resid- ents of the community to Switz- erland. Keith Westlake's slides and comments were greatly enjoyed by the group. In the business session that followed, the organization vot- ed to continue holding meetings the fourth Wednesday of the month and plans were made to sell Christmas trees. The nominating committees' report was read by Oscar Greb and resulted in re-election of present officers; Robert Horner, president, Richard Erb, vice- president; Elwood Truernner, secretary; and Russell Grainger, treasurer. The officers were installed by Rev. John Huether. FOCUS: One Moment of Time Our camera records a child's First Smile . . . makes an official report on the bride's radiance . . . Commemorates a trio posed for Dad's birthday surprise. Moments like these can never be recaptured unless they are per- fectly preserved by HADDEN'S STUDIO. Your family's pictorial history should be in qualified hands. Contact Hadden's Studio GODERICH 118 St. David St. 524-8787 Business and Professional Directory OPTOMETRISTS J. E. Longstaff OPTOMETRIST SEAFORTH MEDICAL CENTRE 527-1240 Tuesday, Tnursday, Friday, Sat- urday a.m., Thursday evening CLINTON OFFICE 10 Issac Street 482-7010 Monday and Wednesday Call either office for appointment. Norman Martin OPTOMETRIST Office Hours: 9 -12 A,M, — 1:30- 6 P.M. Closed all day Wednesday Phone 235.2433 Exeter ACCOUNTANTS Roy N. Bentley PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT GODERICH P.O. Box 478 Dial 524-9521 HURON and ERIE DEBENTURES CANADA TRUST CERTIFICATES J. W. HABERER Authorized Representative 8%% for 3, 4 and 5 Years 8%% for 1 and 2 Years Minimum ;100 DIAL 236-4346 --- ZURICH FUNERAL DIRECTORS WESTLAKE Funeral Home AMBULANCE and PORTABLE OXYGEN SERVICE DIAL 236-4364 — ZURICH AUCTIONEERS ALVIN WALPER PROVINCIAL LICENSED AUCTIONEER For your sale, large or small, courteous and efficient service at all times. "Service That Satisfies" DIAL 237-3300 — DASHWOOD INSURANCE For Safety .. EVERY FARMER NEEDS Liability Insurance For Information About All Insurance -- CaII BERT KLOPP DIAL 236-4988 -- ZURICH Representing CO.OPERATORS INSURANCE ASSOCIATION Robert F. Westlake Insurance "Specializing in General Insurance" Phone 236.4301 --- Zurich