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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-03-03, Page 4Page 4 - Citizens News, March 3176 Farmers need inco The need for an income prot- ection plan, the problems of pub- lic relations between the farmer and the consumer and the activ- ities of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture were the three plain topics in the address given by Gordon Hill at the annual meeting of the Stephen Township Federation of Agriculture. Mr. Hill, president of the Ontario Federation, spoke at the meeting held Friday night at the Stephen Township Hall in Crediton. Mr. Hill said that although farmers have had some good years in the recent past, there were indications that conditions might lead to less profitable years as were experienced in the 1950's and 1960's. The income protection plan, as outlined by Mr. Hill would have the farmer and the government both contributing to a fund in good years and in bad. "We realize farmers would rather obtain their income from the market," said Mr, Hill "but if the market can't provide a fair price, an insurance plan is needed." Mr. Hill answered charges that such a plan would cause over production or quotas by stating that if the commodity producers did not want to live with quotas, they would have to lower the insured price of their product. The Ontario Federation leader said he advocated a two com- mittee system. The first committee would be a committee to negotiate with the Ministry of Agriculture made up of three members from the Fed- eration and five from the com- modity groups; grain, neat, vegetables, fruit, etc. Each commodity would also set up a committee, first to decide if the commodity group wanted to voluntarily take part in the voluntary insurance plan and sec- ondly to negotiate a formula to establish efficiency norms for cost of production and level of support. 'He suggested the commodity committee be made up of one representative from the Feder- ation and six from the commod- ity producers. m e pion: "The plan should be on a vol- untary basis," said Mr. Hill. "Despite some good years, we still want it because we can see problems on the horizon." Mr. Hill said he believed the province was working on legisl- ation right now that would allow farmers to institute such a plan and he hoped it would pass in the next session. "The NDP and the Liberals have both publicly supported such a plan and every farmer should tell his MPP that he wants it," said Mr. Hill. "Maybe that would influence agricult- ural minister Newman who seems to be waiting to see what Ottawa will do in this regard." Mr. Hill accused the federal government of instituting the farm prices review board to "take the heat off the govern- ment.,, "The final report of the board has done harm to the image of the farmer," said Mr. Hill, "but the facts don't support it." Mr. Hill said farm people reacted angrily to the report, handling themselves badly. "I wish I hadn't made the statements I did," said Mr. Hill, referring to a daily newspaper Hill article which stated his react- ion. "We haven't reacted in a constructive way. There were some good points made by the board as well." Mr. Hill admitted the farm spokesmen were not as skilled as the consumer groups in getting headlines. He said the Ontario Federation has hired a public relations firm which has assisted the Federation in getting access to media attention. In reviewing the week's act- ivities of the Ontario Federation, Mr. Hill said meetings were held with the Ministry of the Environ- ment regarding importation of American chemicals; with the executive of the Quebec United Agriculture Producers and with Liberal leader Stuart Smith reg- arding agricultural policy. Mr. Hill said he also appear- ed on a CBC radio phone in prog- ram, and attended the enquiry into the Canadian Egg Market- ing Association. In closing, Mr. Hill said he felt the future for farmers would be secure if they would stick together. "Right now we're price -takers, not price -makers, as Mrs. Plum- tre has noted," said Mr. Hill. "Hopefully, that will change. PROVINCIAL SPEAKER - Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Gordon Hill of Varna was the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Stephen Township Federation Friday night at Crediton. Seen above are Harry Hayter, Stephen director; Glen Miller, Stephen president; Mr. Hill and Adrian Vos, president of the Huron County Federation. News Photo Miller naed Federation head President of the Stephen Town- ship Federation Glen Miller got a vote of confidence following his re-election as a director at the annual meeting at Crediton Friday night. Commenting on his year in office, Mr. Miller jokingly com- mented that it would probably be a long time before the dir- ectors named him president again. Mr. Adrian Vos of Blyth, president of the Huron County Federation, quickly pointed out that Mr. Miller was one of the best directors on the county level. Also named to the Stephen board of directors were Jim Patt- erson, Ken Baker, Jim Morlock, Roger Ratz, Doug Lightfoot, Larry Jones, David Glavin, Russell Jenner and Simon Brand. In his address, Mr. Miller said his group had three main areas of concern, namely land planning, water and waste. Mr. Vos commended the Steph- en Federation for its excellent turnout. He said that the county Federation was reverting to its previous policy of holding direct- ors meetings and was encourag- ing local federations to meet frequently. He stressed that the lndivid- ual Service Membership fee method did not affect the need for financial support on a county level. McGregor of the Ministry of Agriculture was on hand to pres- ent 4-H awards sponsored by the Stephen Federation. Recipients were Allan Powe, Bev Shapton, Janet Shapton, Elizabeth Brand, Joanne Malone, Robert Pavkye, Paul Pavkye, Wayne Shapton, Stephen Preszcator, Murray Preszcator and Bev Preszcator. ATTENTI 0 ACIA N YOU RE CORDIALLY I DA WIT FARMERS VITED TO SPEN TOPICS OF CURRENT INTEREST WILL BE PRESENTED INCLUDING: • 'How to get an even break from the tax man" •"Your Bean Producers' Marketing Board —Why and How" What's new in chemicals" TWO DATES & LOCATIONS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE „FOOD REFRESHMENTS AT NOON" KI RIKTON-WOODHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE KIRKTON, ONT. Thursday, March 18 9:30 a.m.—early bird coffee 10:00 a.m.—program begins PINERIDGE CHALET Hwy. 84, 2 Miles W. of Hensall Tuesday, March 23 9:30 a.m.—early bird coffee 10:00 a.m.—program begins Pick Up Your Free Tickets At Any Of Cook's Elevators — Hensall — Centralia — Kirkton Due to limited accommodation, admission is by ticket only on a first come, first serve basis. • LI' •