Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1977-03-16, Page 2Page 2 Citizens News, March 16, 1977 Shorthorn club brief Federation of Agriculture The shortest and most concise brief presented to Huron's three members of Parliament Saturday by the Huron Federation of Agriculture produced plenty of discussion. The brief from the Huron -Perth shorthorn club presented by Frank Falconer touched on four subjects. In the first paragraph Falconer said, "We are tired of low beef prices due to imports of beef." On this subject, Mervyn Smith a Huron F of A director said, "Without the cow -calf stabilization plan we would be in worse shape than we are now. The United States could supply all the beef we need in a moment without any increas in price." The second part of the brief asked why farmers have to pay high prices for gasoline com- pared to the prices at pumps in the towns and cities. Falconer cited a situation in November when farm delivered prices were 84.9 cents per gallon as opposed to 73.9 cents at several east end Stratford service stations. Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell said he personally checked into this matter, Riddell commented, "The gas companies tell me the cost of distribution is much less to a station where they drop thousands of gallons at one time as opposed to maybe 200 gallons at a farm." The MPP continued, "I know of several instances where farmers did take large tanks to city station and receive gas at the lower prices and they are still eligible to receive the tax rebate from the governments." Huron -Middlesex MP Bob McKinley said the big difference in gasoline prices in Ontario and the United States is the amount of tax charged. McKinley added, "In most states they charge seven cents in tax plus a federal levy of three cents agsgallon while here the Ontario tax is 19 cents and the federal excise tax is 10 cents," The third concern by the shorthorn group, centred on the fact some feed mills are charging as high as three percent a month on over -due accounts. The only advice given by the politicians was for better relations with banks. On the fourth point, Falconer said his group was fed up with all the talk that farmland should be savedfor production. He con- tinued, "We feel it should be sold to the highest bidder regardless of the intended use." Jack Riddell replied, "We have to look at this problem in all fairness. Farmers seem to want free enterprise but still expect governments to close off borders to imports. If you want free en- terprise you must be prepared to work on a competitive basis." Riddell .continued, "At a recent conference I was really shot down when I suggested farmers should be compensated for "down zoning" of their land. I was told in no uncertain terms that farmers are not in the business of speculation." In defence of land preservation Riddell said, "The Queen Elizabeth Way should,have been built above the Niagara Escarpment instead of on prime fruit producing land. If we ever have to rely on imports for food we will be in the same boat as we are with oil now." Specializing in GENERAL INSURANCE 236-4391 ZURICH J. E. LONGSTAFF OPTOMETRIST SEAFORTH—TEL: 527-1240 TUES., THURS., FRI. 9:00 - 5:30 WED., SAT. 9:00 - 12:00 CLINTON—TEL: 4827010 MONDAY 9:00 - 5:30 BY APPOINTMENT Hugh Tom FILSON and ROBSON AUCTIONEERS 20 years' experience of complete sale service Provincially licensed Conduct sales of any kind, any place We guarantee you more To insure success of your sale or appraisal Phone Collect 666-0833 666-1967 NORM WHITING LICENSED AUCTIONEER & APPRAISER Prompt, Courteous, Efficient Norman Martin OPTOMETRIST Office Hours 9-12 A.M. 1:30-6 P.M. Closed all day Saturday 235-2433 EXETER ANY TYPE, ANY SIZE ANYWHERE We give complete sale service Profit By Experience Phone Collect 235-1964 EXETER Telephone FEDERATION HEAD TABLE — The three Huron area Members of Parliament received briefs from the Huron Federation of Agriculture at a meeting in Clinton, Saturday. The head table is shown above. From the left are Huron Warden Doug McNeill, Huron -Middlesex MP Bob McKinley, Huron Federation president Allan Wolper, Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell, Huron -Bruce MPP Murray Gaunt and former Ontario Federation president Gordon Hill. T -A photo McKinley suggests farmers vote on marketing boards Huron MP Robert McKinley suggested Saturday that a national vote of Canadian far- mers on the subject of marketing boards might be the answer to a lot of problems. McKinley was- one of three Members of Parliament at- tending the annual brief sub- mission day in Clinton sponsored by the Huron Federation of Agriculture. Speaking to a submission on trade and tariffs and especially on the subject of beef imports, McKinley said, "I feel like asking Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan to initiate a Canada -wide vote on this subject. It would have to be with the co-operation of the provinces." McKinley continued, "There is more support for marketing boards and quotas than most people think." The brief read by Mervyn Smith called for tariff protection for agriculture which less vital industries already have. It continued, "Farmers are not willing to see agricultural products traded off for larger imports of manufactured goods. Let's get our priorities in the right • perspective. Many manufactured goods are not necessities—eating is." Gordon Hill, past president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture said farmers get only a small amount of protection from tariffs. He added, "Processors get more protection than the producers do." McKinley agreed saying, "We are well aware that farm producers have not been receiving the attention they should." A Huron Federation vice- president Bev Brown said food has contributed less to inflation than anything else. She asked, "What sort of action is going to get the attention of the govern- ment?" Save money by having us process your order BEEF 9G Ib. Cutting and Wrapping $9.00 Killing 12a; Ib. for Patties HOGS 9a; Ib. Cutting and Wrapping 15G Ib. Curing $6.00 Killing 15e Ib. Sausage Bar Ib. Rendering Lard 236-4939 Next to the Honey House in Zurich it ERL Y WRIGHT T Licensed Auctioneer Kippen, Ont. Auction Sale Service that is most efficient and courteous. CALL THE WRIGHT AUCTIONEER Mensal! (519)262-5515 GERALD L. MERNER Chartered Accountant BUS: 20 Sanders E. EXETER 235-0281 RES: 10 Green Acres GRAND BEND 238-8070 3anghart, Kelly, 'Nig and COe Chartered Accountants 268 Main St. Exeter ARTHUR W. READ Resident Partner Bus: 235-012 0 Res: 238-8075 C.I®A®G. INSURANCE Auto, Horne Protection and Farm Family Liability, Life Insurance HERB KLOPP R.R. 3, Zurich 236-4675 9 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS N. Elias, S. Hudani, M. Warren Main St., Zurich (above Westlake Insurance) 236-4351. 421 Centre Avenue London 679-9550