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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1970-04-16, Page 12PAGE TWELVE ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS The International Scene (by Raymond Canon) I recently received a letter from a Swiss friend of mine who went to the same school I did, and who is interested in working in Canada, if he can find a job where his training in economics will be of value to him. Like many another per- son wishing to immigrate to this country, he asked what Canadians were like, in fact, what the country was like in eneral. This is a tough quest- ion to answer in a letter, and I spent considerable time think- ing about it before I answered, I know he won't mind if I quote from what I wrote. Needless to say I try to be as realistic as I can, but the opinions expres- sed in the letter are certainly my own, and not something I read somewhere in the. past. "You ask a difficult question about Canada and Canadians, and I doubt that there is any set answer that I can give you. Linguistically speaking the country is divided into three groups - English speaking, French speaking and the rest immigr- ants whose mother tongue is neither of the two. The percent- age of these groups is about 4b, 30, 30, so you can be sure that there is far more even bal- ance that there is in the three main groups in Switzerland. The truth of the matter is, however, that not all the English -Canad- ians are any ways unified in their thinking. We are certainly too big a country for the pop- ulation we have, and most Can- adians understand and appreciate only the region in which they live. Add that to the fact that the federal androvincial govern ments are still fighting over what rights each should have, and you will understand that we do have our problems. We have often talked about the Swiss approach to the three minority groups it has - it ac- cords them special privileges, but we find this hard to do to our French Canadians, and some of them make it worse by their outrageous demand which are based on half-truths. The result of all this is one big hang-up on a national scale. Quebec is not sure of what it really wants, nor is the rest of Canada sure of what to give them. In addit- ion, many Swiss would blanche at the horrible wa we teach French in some of our schools. The students come out knowing 1001 rules, 200 irregular verbs Plans Ur der Way For Another Season Of Rec League Rf a l l All softball players are asked to conte to the work bee on Monday night at the Zurich soft- ball park. Bring your hammers and rakes, Rec League Softball League held a meeting last Monday night and decided on May 6, as the starting date of the 1970 s chedule. The schedule will be printed in next week's paper. Four teams will again be part- icipating in the league, Blue - water, Barber -Boys, Charlie's Auto Sales, and Gingerich's Sales and service. Teams have been working out in the last two weeks. A pre -season exhibition game has been scheduled for the 29th of April, between Gingerich's and Charlie's Auto Sales. Charles have signed new coach Bill Bedour and manager Doug Meidinger. The only play- er signed is Ron Corriveau, star catcher of last years Zurich Lum- ber Kings. Tony Bedard is taking over the coaching duties of Ginger- ich's Sales and Service. George "Butch" Sweeney will be acting as chief umpire. He is looking for two or three more umpires. Any one interested should contact him within the nett two weeks, and little else. I am trying to avoid painting too bleak a picture, but I know what rosy pictures are often painted of Canada in Europe, and I want to acquaint you with some of theroblems with which we are faced, but which freq- uently are not known abroad. In defense of our country, I can honestly say that it is one of the freest I have ever lived in, and while it is not a country of unlimited possibilities, the chances 6f getting ahead here are about as goocFas any place in the world, especially for someone who is not afraid to work. As a Swiss you would be remarkably qualified in this respect. Our standard of living is a bit higher than in Switzerland, and so are our wages, but be prep- ared to find slums in the bigger cities, something that, as you know,ou will not find in Swit- zerland. The truth is that, for some reason or another, we have quite a few people who have failed to share in the national prosperity, and this is true in some provinces much more than in others, or even in parts of certain provinces. We are also battling inflation which, together with what we consider to be rather high taxes, doesn't make the average Canadian any richer. What it all adds up to, in my opinion, is that, in spite of the reputation that we have among many Europeans, this country is no Eldorado. If you can rem- ember that when you get here, and concentrate on the many benefits that Canada has to offer, that chances are that you will not be disappointed. 0 Wheat Producers Rick Ne' '.'Slate The Ontario Wheat Producers' Marketing Board recentlyan- nounced that its slate ofexec- utiw officers for 1970 have been elected. D1,R. McDougall, R,R,2, Blenheim, was elected chairman of the board for the coming year. Mr. McDougall, prominent Kent County farmer, has been assoc- iated with the marketing board since its inception and takes over the position of chairnman following two years as first vice- chairman. He succeeds James O'Shea, R.R.3, Granton, who served as board chairman for the past two years and remains on the board executive committee as immed- iate past chairman. William Brander , R. R.1, Mahon, was re-elected to the executive committee as first vice-chairman, moving up from the second vice -chairman's position which was filled with the election of Ray Bellamy, R, R. 2, Chatham. Fergus Young, R.R.1, Ennis - more, was appointed as fifth member of the executive com- mittee. Elections took place at the marketing board's inaugural meeting Meld in Toronto. At- tending their first meeting as newly elected directors for 1970 were: Russell rogers, R.R.1, Kingsville; Gary Clinton, R. R.7, St. Thomas; and Euclid Martin, R.R.1, Inwood. Mr. Rogers, representing Essex County, replaces Ralph Davison, R.R.2, Maidstone, Mr. Clinton replaces Morris Taylor, R.R,8, St. Thomas as the Elgin County director, and Mr. Martin replaced Oliver Dawson, R.R,3, Sombra, Lamb - ton County. Remaining directors of the twelve -man board include:John Cochrane, R.R.2, Colborne; Sam Chambers, KR.1, Burgess - vile; A.R. Coulter, R.R.3, Campbellville and R. T. Bolton, R, R,1, Seaforth, THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1970 . Consuti er news and views Irr'�. *►: tea`, I M ll' 11 by oe 1 � • Consumers' Association of Canada per' 165`. "Credit cards have been the debt of me, I charged when I should have retreated." Are those innocent -appearing little cards which promoters claim will "uncomplicate" our lives a blessing or a curse? Are they an aid to keeping track of our finances, or an open invit- ation to disaster? From a rather slow start less than 10 years ago, these plastic cards are today bulging wallets across the entire continent. Con- sumer's Association of Canada became concerned when hund- reds of letters flooded in to pro- test the receipt of unsolicited credit cards through the mail. Their efforts to control this by legal means or through post office regulations were unsucc- essful. So now the Association advises you to destroy or deface, at once, any card you do not wish to use. A useful follow-up is a letter to the issuer, stating your objections to this means of ad- vertising and enclosing the mut- ilated card. But if you feel you need such cards, to help you live with them and stay solvent Consumers Association of Canada suggests the following precautions: Guard your credit cards well; never leave them in glove comp- artments or other spots from which they may be easily stolen. Check frequently to make sure that they have not been lost if you make limited use of your credit cards and if you find they have disappeared, be sure to notify the issuer at one --by registered mail. Most companies will not charge the purchases made on an unsolicited card if you have never used it, but once you have used or signed the card, you are completely resp- onsible for all purchases made with it, unless the issuing com- pany is notified. Keep a record of your card numbers and the address to notify. If you make many purchases at a store which promotes the use of credit cards you may wish to obtain the use of one. You are paying for credit on each purchase and by using the card will gain a month's interest on the money you have on deposit in the bank. Use if purchasing large quantities. You gain not only a month's use of your money, but the opportunity to inspect the purchase and have any defects remedied before you are required to make pay- ment. The wise use of a credit card will also help you establish a good credit rating. Never impulse -buy just be- cause it is so easy to charge a purchase. Remember the pill will always arrive with the first of the month, Don't let your credit cards become the "debt" of you! To prevent unpleasant surp- rises at the end of the month, try keeping a list of the amounts charged. This way you can be more certain that you have not charged more than you can pay when the bills come in. Check your bills when they are receiv- ed to make sure they are accur- ate listings of your purchases. Even computers make mistakes! 1f you have questions regard- ing your account, or if charges are recorded after a card has been stolen, get in touch with the issuing company immediat- ely to state your case and have an investigation made, One of the greatest dangers of credit cards is that the holder must assume legal responsibility for a debt incurred in their use, whe- ther or not authorized. To av- oid mistakes in billing, notify all companies of your change of address immediately when you move. Whether credit cards are good or bad depends on the uses of which you --the consumer --put them. Consumers' Association of Canada suggests that you remember that careless use of credit cards can lead to serious personal debt, It may be a fact- or in continuing inflation and can be a severe shock at the end of the month. But, care- fully employed to make the best use of your money, they can be a useful family financial tool. So it's upto you -- don't let credit cardbecome the "debt" of you! Verfre G1I6lail Nome Due to inclement weather, Our Giant Paint Sale will continue for One More Week! Take Advantage of These Special Prices ! ! re pleased to announce the appointment of /.1 9C As Their Exclusive Dealer in this Area!! EXTERIOR HOUSE PAINT EXTERIOR LATEX EXTERIOR PRIME INTERIOR ENAMEL UNDERBODY 2 GALLONS 2 QUARTS ®95 $ INTERIOR LATEX INTERIOR LATEX PRIMER 2 GALLONS 2 QUARTS 095 $ 35 SATIN FINISH ENAMEL HIGH GLOSS ENAMEL 2 GALLONS 2 QUARTS $ 1 Z.95 $3.95 spring ... it's time to paint