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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-12-24, Page 1010 THE HURON EXPO$TOR, ,BY ALICE GIBB, Canadian Karin women tniA. in Cittalwa. recently to discuss how thqy‘catt.chabge. their public intage and beenttie • more visible - in the cornnumity,Brenda MeIn- tosh 4 Seaferth„sentbythettnroil. COOtity Federation of 'Agricultrife, waS the only local delegate to the fir* National Farm Women's Conference which attracted over 200 delegates from across Canada. During the two-day conference, the women discusse‘d monetary recognition of a wife's. labour in the, farming operation, the lending practices of banks and federal institutions to farm women and demanded farm fam.ilies receive ade quate returns for their investment and labour to provide incentive for young farmers to enter theindustry. Delegates to the conference included _Federation..2ef Agriculture and National Farmers' Union members, representa- tives of the Christian Farmers' Associa- tion and the Uniform group in Alberta, a Quebec delegation from the Association for Feminine Education and delegates sponsored by Department of Agriculture in various provinces. The conference was chaired by Dianne Harkin, president of the Women for the Survival of Agriculture group. In opening the conference, Mrs. Harkin told delegat- " es, "I,believe that farm women are this country's richest untapped resource. Its time we reached out beyond our own line fences to share our talent, ability and knowledge with others. We farm women are a driving force in agriculture and in society. A force that deserves and demands recognition. Mrs. Harkin suggested the lack of recognition was partly due to the farm woman's own poor self-esteem, which has created the public image of them as simple homemakers rather than working Vi4rtnefs in tt' fare lOPeratIltb, ' Mrs, McintpsJI sad Dianne, Harkin pointed out the farm wife is Jill the cheapest source of labour on the farm since' she's often cook, gardener, ac- copntant, seamstress, hired man •and mother "and she does' all this for three and a half a day - for three ineals and half the bed." Following Mrs. Harkin's remarks, Federal Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan addressed the cenference dele- gates. During his speech, he announced the appointment of the first woman .member to the Farm Credit Corporatism, Mrs. Carol Teichrob of Saskatchewan. Mrs. Teichrob, piesident of a poultry processing plant, is in partnership with her husband in a mixed farming operat- ion specializing in turkey meat product- ion. As well as being the first woman appointed to the five -member board, she's the second Sitting farmer on the FCC board, The agriculture minister told confer- ence delegates if they want to attain their goals of equality, they must become active in. farm organizations and make themselves heard, both at the local and national level. He said the increase in female agriculture graduates is sure to mean there'll be more women on the farm in future. One of the main concerns of the conference delegates was farm women's access to credit. Mrs. McIntosh sai,d Rita Cadieux, deputy chief commissioner of the Canad- ian Human Rights Commission, told delegates banks and loan companies do discriminate -against women applying for farm credit. She said her commission will investigate discrimination charges, but added women should make gr e ate r use of the commission by airing their complaints and problems with lending institutions. DELEGATE TO FARM WOMEN'S CONFERENCE -Brenda McIntosh of RR 4, Seaforth, was the only area delegate to the first National Farm Women's Conference, held in Ottawa recently. The distinctive logo for the conference features a man and woman's hand on the fence, as if they were surveying their farm buildings. (Photo by Gibb) The Christmas poem BY ROBBIE GLUE, ERIC HARRISON KEVEN VARLEY, ILIA+ On Christmas night all is bright On Christmas day all is gay. All the presents are big and bright On Christmas day it is so fun to presents On Christmas day all is right Ten When up in the sky angels are Ming And Santa is on his way To give all the people m the v.,Isld presents When it is supper in the town Ail the people gather around To eat the feast of Jesus That is how come Christmas is so blight Be an angel and have a glorious holiday: DAVID LONGSTAFF (519) 527-1303 Optician Seaforth, Ont. Delegates..apprOved a motion asking that lending. ' histitutionS Consider a woman's Separate credit history or exper- , ienc'e when she is applying for h loan. They also' aSiced that lending institutions adopt equal partnership guidelines in extending credit. Agriculture Minister Whelan said he 'Would alscrask the Farm Credit Corporation to look into the matter. The delegates also debated issues related to farm wives and property law. Mrs. McIntosh said delegates concluded the monetary recognition of a wife's farm labour, enhances •her chances for equit- able division of nroperty. Also, delegates expressed conce I a that the Income T'ax Act now discourages husbar is from giving wives the salary to which their work entitle them (an exec ption is a limited company operation). But financial cencerns weren't the only, issues raised at the two-day conference, and a major part of the discussions revolved around the question of how farm women can become more visible in the community. A study commissioned for the conf6r- ence, titled The Invisible Pitchfork, found farm women are generally overlooked by the Canadian media, They are the subject of lefty than on per cent of daily newspaper news and feature stories on women, although they make up tnore than six p er cent of ;t1te female populat- ion, Mrs. Mcliite,sh said the study conclud- ed women shOuld be pertrayed by the 'Media as active in both farm management and produc"-m. "Few agricultural wo- men are sh nvn 'working in farming operations. IA hen they are covered as farm operators, it is generally for their notoriety ratherthan their valuable farm labour," the study concluded. Also, the study concluded much of the valuable work done by rural and agricul- tural women's organizations reittains urknown to the Canadian public due to the poor reporting of these activities. Mary -Jane Lipkin, co-ordinator for the _sIndy.....suggestecL that.Women!s Institute _ and other farm women's meetings should be reported to emphasize the community service nature of their organization rather than the recreational or social aspect. Mrs. McIntosh said another excellent , speaker at the chnference was Professor J. Gil son of the University of Manitoba, speaking on relations between agriculural , producers and the urban conimunity. He said never before has there been mote conflict between both regions and social cla cges in Canada and suggested,: this conk. bepartly overcome if there Was more interaction between rural and urban residents. He said farm women could play an important role in creating a' dialogue between consumers and food producerrsince they are both producers and consumers. - Mrs. McIntosh said Prof. Gilson told delegates they can tell the urban cocsum- er why it's necessary to have an adequate return for farm labour, about the large risks in farming and the enormous capital' investment involved, and that the occas- ional large crop is necessary to offset losses from drought, wet weather and insects. Prof. Gilson also noted farm women -could-point-out their-sons-and-datIghters- are raised and educated at considerable rural expense before they are exported to the urban centres. He concluded that farm women could tell the rest of the population why the cheap food policy must come to an end in Canada. The delegates to the National Farm Women's Conference included members of a variety of rural organizations including the Women' Institute, National Farmers' Union, Federation of Agrictil- titre, Women of Unifarnr(Alberta), D.C. Cattlebelles and some Newfoundland farm wive, whose way was paid by the 1. Secretary of State. Mrs, McIntosh said the conference's emphasis wasn't on forming another rural women's organiz- ation, but encouraging women to work ,within already existing farm groups. Leta Jensen, past -president of Alberta's Unifarm ,group, advised delegates to learn how to lobby and prepare briefs and to use these skills to lobby anyone in a decision-making , position. Future plans for conference delegates include a meeting of the National Planning Committee, made up ef one woman from each province, to continue working on conference recommendations -'andesutionfor-future.presentainto the provincial and federal governmen s. In the meantime, delegates like Brenda McIntosh will be returning to their own communities to report on the conference, and to try to promote an appreciation both of farm women and agriculture in general to both the rural and urban community upse Can form. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) recent- ly attacked the federal gov- ernment for its feeble sup- port of the agriculture indus- try. OFA Presdient, Ralph Bar- rie, saidfarmers are upset by the end of federal financial support for Canfarm Co• - operativeCanfarm, a cord- puterized farm accounting system, was taken over by a "farmer -owned co-op in April 1979, after it was abandoned by Agriculture Canada. Can - farm is expected to cease operations in the new year. Ralph Barrie was.bighly critical of federal agriculture minister Eugene Whelan for __blaming .fartn,-groups - and provincial agriculture minist- ries' for eanfarm's failure. "Whalen promised Canfarm support until they had time to establish themselves. He has not kept his promise. First he dragged his feet on hirning it over to the farm ' - = end co-op, then he ch anged the rules and loaded them down with red tape and needless expenses. How could they succeed?" Mr. Barrie said Canfarm's loss is tragic, given the increasing cost/price sqeeze facing farmers. Can - farm, he said, is .a unique management tool farmers can use to make themselveS more efficient. "Whelan should stop tak- ing cheap shots at others -and place the responsibility where it belongs - on the federal government." . Barrie said Ontario farm- ers are also concerned about a lack. of funds -available -t -- the Fa?m Credit Corporation (FCC) the federal body which provides low interest long- term loans to farmers. At its December • board meeting, - the OFA passed a unanimous resolution calling for a large increase in funds for FCC. THE CHRISTMAS CHOIR-The'St. Columban school choir, under the direction of Mrs. Craig, concluded the school's concert last Thursday 0.:040 40%040 :GOO 0--0-01:0407040v0,C)40.:0407 with -a selection of popular Christmas songs includin9yDrummer Boy and We Wish You A Merry Christmas." (Photo by Gibb) 111rAr NECHTEL THURS. & FRI. MON. TUES. & WED. SATURDAY WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES • 9-6 P.M. 9-9 P.M. 9-6 P.M. TH FO MARKE LOTS OF FREE PARKING FOR YOURSHOPPING CONVENIENCE WE LIKE TO SERVE YO A LITTLE BIT BETTER. Mealtyme Dark FRUIT CAKE 2 lb. Pkg. 3.49 Valley Farm Crinkle Cut FRENCH FRIES 2 Lb. Bag 3/1.00 Chapmans 13 flavours ICE CREAM 2 It. Ctn. 1.19 MON.-.FRI. 9 A.M. - 9 P.M. SATURDAY 9 A.M. - 6 p.m. Lucky Winners TURKEY - 009743 CHEESE - 009914 111Edr Am66..KNECHTEL Carnival Pieces & Stems MUSHROOMS 10 oz. Tin .69 Bluewater W/Shrimp OCEAN SNACKS 8 oz. Pkg. 1.39 Bluewoter Crunchy W/Shrimp FISH PORTIONS 12 Oz. Pkg. 1.99 Bluewater Crunchy FISH PORTIONS 12 oz. Pkg. 1.79 Mclarens Stuffed Manzanilla OLIVES 12 oz. Jar 1.49 Bicks Sweet GHERKINS 375 ml Jar 1.19 -- Prices effective ' until Saturday, • December. 27, 1980. FRESH ONTARIO PORK SALE Lean iTTCHOPS or rViShoulder Made Fresh Daily Pure Pork SAUSAGE MEAT Ideal For Turkey Dressing Homemade Pure Pork SAUSAGE Plain or Garlic Lean Smoked PICNIC HAMS •i 5-6 lb. Average Bruce Packers Homemade Style HEADCHEESE Store Sliced COOKED HAM Schneiders Olde Fashioned HAM By The Piece Halves or Whole Prices effective until Saturday, December 27, 1980 Prod. USA Can. No. 1 Emperor RED GRAPES • .49 lb. Case of 23 Lb. $11.25 Prod. USA Can. No. 1 Sunkist 4 - NAVEL ORANGES 1.39 Dozen Prod. USA Can. No. 1 Fresh GREEN ONIONS Weston Brown 'n Serve ROLLS Pkg. of 12 2/1.00 Fresh Regular GROUND BEEF Fresh POLISH SAUSAGE Store Packed Economy WIENERS 1.19th 1.29th 1.59 .991b. 1.1911b1 2.99 Ib. 1•791b. 1.79. .89 lb. Del Monte Crushed, Sliced or Tidbits PINEAPPLE 14 oz. Tin McLarens Salad OLIVES 12 oz. Jar .99 Black Diamond Colby, Farmers White, Farmers Coloured, Gouda, Mozzarella or Marble Natural CHEESES 12 g. 1.89 E.D. Smith GARDEi, COCKTAIL .59 Granny BUTTER TARTS Pkg. of 12 1.19 SOSO'S OPUTINS Witston Soft 'n Crusty ROLLS Pkg. of 12 2/1.00 The Management and Staff wish all our customers VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR I E.D. Smith Cherry E FILLING -19 oz. Tin 1.19 -Libby Fancy PUMPKIN 28 oz. Tin Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail or Cranopple DRINKS 40 oz. Bottle 1.49 Mr. and Mrs. 'T' BLOODY MARY MIX 25 oz. Bottle 1135 Mr. and Mrs. 'T' FIINA COLADA MIX 25 oz. Bottle 1.69 THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Decgriakrk. 24, 1 ANNU ONE •MAR SALE BUY ONE PAIR AT THE REGULAR PRICE AND FOR • ONLY ONE DOLLAR YOU GET AN EXTRA PAIR UP TO THE SAME PRICE WOMEN'S SHOES A large selection to choose from Up To ONE $55.00 PAIR Buy extra pair to some price for only Sat Dec. 27 Mon. Dec. 29 Tues Dec. 30 Wed. Dec 31 SALE HOURS 9 a.m to 5:30 p m. 9 a rn to 5,,30 p m 9a m to 5:30 p m 9 a.m- to 5:00 p.m. Main Street 527-1110 Seaforth