Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-03-03, Page 6Page 6 - Citizens News, March 3/76 He's writing to ask Miller if he has any influence with the ministry of education! Edhori One of the worst poisoning disasters in history occurred over the last 20 years in Japan where hundreds of people died from what has come to be known as Minamata disease --the incurable mercury poisoning known by the name of the industrial town where it was first identified. Here in Canada, the Native people of two northwestern Ontario reserves and those along the edge of James Bay in North- eastern Quebec whose ancient fishing grounds have become polluted with mer- cury, could be facing a disaster of similar proportions. The disease is grotesquely deforming, affecting the central nervous system and culminates in brain damage, paralysis and death. But after more than five years of extensive tests, both levels of government still insist, despite medical evidence to the contrary, that symptoms of poisoning showing up in a number of individuals may be related to other illnesses and "more proof is need- • ed. ' As far back as 1970, the Ontario govern- ment moved to protect its tourist industry by advising sports -fishermen to "fish for fun only" and not to eat their contaminated catches. Yet the Indians of Grassy Narrows and White Dog reserves in the Kenora area are still eating the fish from mercury poll- uted waters as the main source of their food. And it was in the same year that the Golden Glimpses a P 9 province issued control orders on 11 comp- anies ordering them to stop dumping mer- cury waste into the waterways. But mercury requires up to 100 years to be dissipated from polluted waters. And no control order was issued on mercury dispelled into the air, where quantities are still anyone's guess. The provincial government did promise alternative supplies of food by providing two large freezers and a small subsidy to truck in fish from unpolluted lakes. The federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs offered to move the people from their reserves to other areas to get them away from the polluted water. These attempts to alleviate the situation indicates an utter lack of understanding. The'Natives who live in these areas have an entire culture, a lifestyle, based on fishing in their lakes and streams. They feel lost even destroyed with it. Simplistic solutions only serve to heighten tensions. If the paper mills that spill their lethal poisons into the water and air refuse to accept their moral, if not legal, responsib- ility•to clean up their mess and compensate the Indians, then the government involved must act quickly without waiting for further studies. Irreparible damage may already have been done to residents of these reserves but continued inaction or inappropriate action will have the effect of a major human and environmental disaster. Despite the weather forecast- ers, it appears that March has made a Iamb -like debut. Talk of bulbs peaking through the ground and maple syrup operat- ions getting under way makes us feel that too much more wintry weather would be a bit unwelcome. On Monday evening, films were shown, followed by refresh- ments. We regret that Miss Mary Ann Steckle is a patient in South Huron Hospital, Exeter. The sympathy of residents and staff is extended to the family of the late Mrs. Vida Dunn. On Thursday evening, ladies of the Zurich Mennonite Church provided a social evening for the residents consisting of a variety program, followed by refresh- ments, which was all very much appreciated. We are very grateful to the Zurich Lions Club for providing the Home with a geriatric chair, making life more comfortable for residents unable to walk about. Miss Cecil McLeod formerly of Bayfield is a welcome member to our Home. Please keep in mind that the Annual Meeting of the Home will be held on Tuesday, March 16 at 8 p.m. All interested people are invited toattend. The Sunday evening chapel service was conducted by Rev. Donald Beck of Hensall United Church. Mrs. Lenora Turkheim presided at the organ and ac- companied the choir during the worship service. Many residents remarked on how much they appreciated this special music. NFU meet (condensed from report by Ursula Regier) A 25% drop in farm incomes for 1976 and increased farm costs were two predictions made at a Federal Agricultural Outlook Conference. Roy Atkinson rep- orted February 24 to • a meeting of Local 317 N.F.U. executive on the conference. In 1975, Local 317 N.F.U. fought mainly for higher farm prices for all commodities with some success. Local 317 was represented at a National Annual Convention in Edmonton last December 8 to 12 by Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Willert and Mr. and ..Mrs. Casey Inth- out. An increase of young farm- ers attended this convention with Youth Exchange participants taking a leading role. The local is planning to send one person on Youth Exchange this year. There is still time for appiicants to get their names in before the draw takes place. Region 3, 1976 elected officers are: National Board of Direct- ors, Blake Sanford, Jim Sheldon, Ken Marisett, and Joe O'Neill; Women's Advisory Committee Member is Elva Kerr and Jun- ior Advisory Member is Dan Sheedy, he Last Word -- , —, �e ::1-77,----- .F-- ,)J _ by Ted Rowcliffe Last week, hard on the heels of the Prices Review Board, the general public were exposed to more news which tended to undermine it's confidence in the agricultural industry. The Prices Review Board, which placed the blame for high food prices squarely on the shoulders of the farm commodity marketing groups, was blasted immediately by federal ag- riculture minister Eugene Whelan and Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Gordon Hill. Then later in the week, reading the Globe and Mail, we hear charges that egg prices being artificially inflated cost consumers $1 million a week more than necessary for eggs. . The charges were made by three agriculture professors from the Consumers Association of Canada to the National Farm Products Marketing Council in Ottawa. Naturally, the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency denied the charges as "unfounded speculation" and "figures picked out of the air." Reading the newspaper, we found out that there were too different opinions but there was no indication of which was correct; not even which was more believable. * * * So what are we to believe? Many will no doubt go on the premise that "where there's smoke, there's fire," using the charges made as an indicator that something is wrong. Such are the ways that headlines, justified or not, are harming the position of the agriculture industry. "They (the consumer groups) are much more skilled at getting headlines than we are," said Gordon Hill of Varna, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, speaking to the annual meeting of the Stephen Township Federation of Agriculture Friday night. Mr. Hill had attended the Ottawa hearing into egg prices and said he was heartened when the arguments of the cons- umers group were demolished. "After their brief was presented, the consumers group backed up on their statements on feed conversion." said Mr. Hill, explaining that it had evidently based it's figures on information obtained from only three producers in British Columbia. Mr. Hill said the lawyer for the consumers group admitted that its case had been so badly shattered by the CEMA group' that had the hearing been a court of law, he would have mov- ed to have the charges withdrawn. "It was gratifying to the farmers to hear the CAC demol- ished," said Mr. Hill. Well, Mr. Hill, it may have been gratifying to you and others who attended the hearing, but most of the consumers only read the headlines and the charges. No doubt in their minds, the egg producers are "ripping them off." Admittedly, Mr. Hill told the Stephen farm group that farmers were going to have to d� a better job of explaining "why and how" before moves are made. "We need to find new ways to explain our problems to the public," said Mr. Hill. And he's right! Consumer groups are throwing everything they've got into their campaigns. Industry is putting more and more stress on public relations, telling their story as glibly as possible, putting them in a favourable light. Farmers are going to have to keep up - or fall behind. People like Gordon Hill are working hard on the problem but it's a little like sending David against Goliath when you look at the enthusiasm of the consumer groups and the resources of the corporations. If farmers are going to keep .up, it 's going to have to be more than a one man affair. ilucrti©h d?ze/i-/A Published Each Wednesday By Huron -Middlesex Publishers Ltd. HERB TURKHEIM, EDITOR Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385 Member: +CNA Canadian Weekly. Newspapers Association C Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association Subscription Rates: $6.00 per year in advance in Canada; $8.00 in United States"and Foreign; single copies 200