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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1984-08-29, Page 9THE HURON EXPOSITOR, AUGUST 29, 1984 — A9 Candidates debate farm issues Close to 250 people, most of them farmers, heard the Huron -Bruce candidates in the upcoming federal election speak on farm issues at an all -candidates meeting on Aug. 22. Jointly sponsored by the Huron and Bruce Federations of Agriculture in Londesboro, the issues at the meeting centered on agriculture related topics such as capital gains tax and agribonds. Each of the candidates - incumbent Murray Cardiff for the Progressive Conservatives, Liberal Bruce McDonald, New Democrat Valerie Bolton and Libertarian Joe Yundt - outlined their respective parties' positions on various issues. Murray Cardiff said his party's position on the capital gains tax, introduced in the fall of 1981, is to completely abolish it. Ms. Bolton took a similar stand adding that her party's commitment is to "equality and fairness" for the family farm. Liberal candidate McDonald said there's "no question" the capital gains tax has "effected farmers drastically' . However, he said the Liberal government addressed the issue by allowing 80 to 90 per cent of the sale value of a farm to be put into a Retirement Savings Plan (RSP). He said "he fully intends to speak out and work hard for farmers" if he doesn't agree with party policies brought forward, Mr. Yundt cautioned farmers by saying that putting money into a RSP doesn't eliminate tax, it only defers the tax. Three of the four candidates spoke in favor of agribonds. Libertarian Yundt, whose party believes in less government involvement, doesn't support the government ,being involved in agribonds. Mr. Cardiff said the agribond issue had been introduced into the House of Commons earlier this year. It had gone to the finance committee and returned to the house for approval but the house recessed before dealing with agribonds. Mr. McDonald and Ms. Bolton also agreed with the agribond concept. The Liberal candidate said minister of agriculture Ralph Ferguson "supports in principle" the con- cept,of agribonds. Ms. Bolton said the idea of agribonds is "a good one". There were a variety of answers when all candidates were asked which was a more serious issue, high interest rates or low commodity prices. New Democrat Bolton said the two problems go hand in hand. She said to solve the problem, the NDP would set the Bank of OFA will make sure winning party keeps farm promises The three major political parties have all reacted to the Ontario Federation of Agricul- ture's (OFA) agricultural issues platform. Their commitments were presented to the OFA's monthly board of directors' meeting, held recently in Toronto. "We've got their promises in writing. now we have to make sure that the winning party follows through on those promises," Harry Pelissero, OFA president said td the directors. "Our task now, as farmers, is to ensure -the winning party acts quickly after Sept. 4 to address issues that are vital to agriculture." At July's board of directors' meeting, the OFA released an agricultural issues plat- form, which outlined solutions to many of the problems facing Ontario's farmers. County federations of agriculture used the platform at the local level, and the OFA solicited reaction from the party leaders. "I'm satisfied that these agricultural issues got good play in the election coverage, particularly at the local level," PelisSero said, "1'm hoping that when Parliament recon- venes that the House spends as much time on issues relevant to our industry. No matter which party gets in, the promises they have made to the farm community are substantial, so they should figure prominently in the discussions scheduled for the next session of Parliament." Drainage pays off in drought prevention Good drainage promotes root growth as plants reach for the capillary water In the sod In undralned land, capillary water Is available only near the surface so root systems are shallow When dry weather arrives, shallow roots cannot supply enough water to the plant t0 keep 11 healthy Deep rooted crops also withstand wind and stand butter at maturity as well Postill Tile Drainage R.R. 5 CLINTON 482-7822 CO.OP BOOK YOUR WINTER 1 SEED WHEAT NOW! • FREDRICK • FRANKENMUTH • AUGUSTA • ROUSER Canada rate at one per cent above tate inflation rate, support the dollar by taxing away the gains from speculating in Canadian dollars, change the bank act to require banks to loan a portion of their money to farmers, small businesses and home buyers at the same rate they lend to big business, and 'continue to press for legislation to protect farmers from bank foreclosures and increase the role of the Farm Credit Corporation in loans to farmers. Mr. Cardiff said high interest rates slow down the entire country. Lower interest rates, said the PC candidate, would make the entire country thrive. The Liberal candidate said both issues are a concern. He suggested that Canagrex, which assists in marketing agriculture products will improve commodity prices. Mr. Yundt agreed interest rates are slowing down the country. Mr. McDonald was questioned on his involvement in the $17 million project for the Goderich harbor. He said he makes no apology for being involved as a private citizen because he had recognized the potential of the project for the Huron -Bruce riding. Mr. Cardiff said he too had worked in the project for four and a half years and will be pleased to see "ocean-going vessels fully loaded" leavine the Goderich harbor. Annual count match held by Perth PlowmenYR. 1, Seaforth; Don Little, Monkton; Bevan Shapton, Exeter. Class 11, four or more furrows: John Little, Monkton, Norm Chaffe, Mitchell. Class 12: antique tractor and plow oyer 40 years old, Ron Scotchmer. Mitchell, Geo Dakin, Woodstock; Robt. Wanlus Sr., R 3, Palmerston, LET US CUSTOM APPLY YOUR FALL FERTILIZER SEAFORTH CO-OP Main St. S. Seaforth 527-0770 HURON ALL -CANDIDATES night was held Federations of Agriculture, In the photo, Garnlss, Liberal candidate Bruce McDonald at the Hullett Public School In Londesboro. It from left to right are NDP candidate Valerie and Libertarian candidate Joe Yundt. was co-sponsored by the Huron and Bruce Bolton, MP Murray Cardiff, emcee Doug Perth County Plowmen's Assoc. held its 60th annual county match at Warden Glynn Coghlin's farm north of Atwood on. Highway 23, Aug. 24 and 25. Friday, Aug. 24 featured a soil conserva- tion tillage class run and sponsored by the Perth County Crop Improvement Assoc. It attracted eight entries from areas as far away as Rockwood. Also on Friday, the Plowman's Assoc. 4-H coaching and competition plowing was held. There were 11 entries. Perth this year has two 4-H Sodbuster Clubs, one in the south and one in the north. Approximately 200 people attended this days match. On Saturday, Aug. 25 there were 50 entries in the regular competition with about 75 plowing in the novelty classes, • 40 partici- pants in the nail driving contest and 50 in the log sawing contest, Perth County Junior Farmers supplied refreshments on Saturday to the approxi- mately 400 people attending. The Queen of the Furrow competition attracted the following entries: Bonnie Bender, R. 2, Listowel; Sherri Herefort, R. 1. Newton; Marlene Kernick. R. 1, St. Marys; Trish Nicholson, R. 2, Monkton; Tammy Pauli, R. 1, Milverton; Laurie Scherbarth, R. 1 Bornholm and Linda Rank, R. 1 Monkton, Each girl had an interview with the judges and plowed a piece of land. At the awards Francis, Mitchell. night in Milverton on Oct. 16 they will be Class 8, Perth residents under 18: Darryl further judged on public speaking and other Sykes, Mitchell. talents and the winner picked. Class 9: Open, no age limit, three or more The following are the results of different furrows: Elmer Erb, Milverton; Kirk Black - classes on 'Friday in order of merit. ler, Kirkton tied Mike Mulholland of Soil conservation tillage class, eight Mitchell; Bryan Bertrand, St. Marys. entries: Bob DeBrabandere, R. 1, St. Marys; Class 10: Open, two furrows, Paul Dodds, Clarence De Groot, R. 5, Rockwood; Jack Nichols, Listowel. Class 1, 4-H class: John Good, R. 2, St. Pauls; Robert Levy, R. 1, St. Marys; Darrel Sykes, R. 3, Mitchell. Saturday's results: Class 2 -Brian McGav- in, Walton; Elmer Erb, Milverton; Don Little, Monkton. Class 2A, open to those never competing at a match before 1984: John Good, St. Pauls; Gord Aitchison, St. Pauls; Don Hamilton,'R. 1, St. Marys. Class 3, 3 or more furrows: Bryan Bertrand, St. Marys; Norm Chaffe, Mitchell; John Little, Monkton. Class 4: Perth County Jr. Farmers, Kirk Blackler of Kirkton. Class 5A Horses: Andrew MacRobbie, R. 2. Mt. Forest; Gilbert MacRobbie, R. 2, Mt. Forest; Robert MacRobbie, R2, Mt. Forest, Class 6, open class, under 21: Darryl Brodacker, Drayton; Paul Dodds, R. 1, Seaforth; Jeff McGavin, Walton. Class 7: Perth residents under 21: Scott OFA wants government aid , for farmers If the federal government can bail our Canadair, it can bail out farmers having economic problems. the president of the OFA said recently. The federal government announced that it would assume Canadair Limited's $1.35 billion debt. Harry Pelissero said, "The bankruptcy statistics show how bad life is in Canada's rural communities. Our industry needs assistance too, and we sure could use a billion -dollar boost." There have been 32 farm bankruptcies in Ontario this year, compared to 28 last year. The total for Canada is up 58 percent from last year, "The federal government can't even guarantee a market for Canadair's planes." Pelissero said_ "There's always a market for food. But little encouragement is given to the food producers. We need emergency help." Pelissero said there is "a feeling of frustration in the rural areas." He said that the bad times in farming over the past few years have discouraged prospective farmers from buying farm businesses, just as the bad economic times discouraged buyers frd ai buying jets. "And farmers who are trying to get out of the business have discovered that there is no market for their property,' Pelissero added. The low return farmers are getting for their products, especially in the meat industry. is also a big part of the problem, he said. "The federal and provincial ministers of agrictii- ture have been dragging their feet too long on red meat stabilization. The time for talking is past. We need a plan right away, and it has to be retroactive to be really effective." s Pelissero said the OFA supports the Canadian Federation of Agriculture's de- mands for legislation that allows farmers to appeal to the courts before bankruptcy procedures are launched. Order Your Seed Wheat By Quality • By Name Certified Augusta Wheat - "Certified Houser Wheat" In Hyland Brand Bags • These varieties by any other name or in any other bag are not the same You will not go wrong if you order these top yielding varieties from any Thompson Branch or Hyland seed dealer. For top yields, Germination, Purity...Sow Certified Seed Custom fertilizer spreading Soil analysis fertilizer recommendations from a qualified staff Aliso! Graig Hensall 262-2527 Mitchell 348-8433 Granton 225-2360 Port Albert 529-7901 4