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Clinton News-Record, 1972-04-06, Page 4tieWS crew CONY 1C"'S ytIOULII STAY WITH ea ft tE Youtt. EVER woo ooT KIN Noist,ray'a Om AO "You march right into that bathroom and wash those hands properly — and this time finish your vegetables or no TV for a week!" hat's new at Huronview? second class mail registration number 081/ 'SUBSCRIPTION RATES: (in adva nce! 'Canada, $8,00 pet' year; U.S.A., $9.50 KEITH W, libuLsTON — Editor J. HOWARD AITKEN General Manager Published every Thursday at the heart of Huron County' Clinton, Ontario Population 3,415 THE HOME OP RADA) IN CANADA 4 Clinton News-Record, Thursday, April 6, 1972 Editorial comineitt Worlds apart cry for community Astronomers tell us we live in a world within worlds, Politicians, however, would tell us we live in "worlds" within the world. Politi cs— international, national, provincial and municipal—are built on that premise. each "world" endeavors to sustain itself independently with as little external influence as possible. Only culturally are we moving positivelytowards establishment of a global community. Mention trade and commerce: the politicians wax eloquent and the money-changers and black-marketeers rub their hands GNP W-h-a-t? Something called the "Gross National Product" has become a cherished statistic of economists, even more so of politicians, probably because it tends to become larger every year. GNP is an estimate of a nation's total output of goods and services, valued in its own currency. Canada's 1971 GNP has been announced as $92.13 billion, an astronomical figure, quite close in fact to the mean distance in mil I ion- mi les between earth and sun. It is up 9.1 per cent from 1970, which was 7.5 per cent over 1969. • If rising GNP is a prosperity indicator, which some people think it is, these figures should cause gratification. But others are sceptical about GNP, or at least the way we interpret it. Statistics Canada credits over a third together in anticipation of the profit that is sure to follow, Meanwhile, mankind suffers. Nothing will change until we see ourselves as individual members of a global community with basic responsibilities embracing all people, regardless of their color, religion, nationality or politics, The resources of Canada—natural and human—should be shared on a. reciprocal basiswith all countries of the world with much less political squabbling and economic philandering. Only then will we be able to begin to bui ldthe best of all possible worlds.—Contributed. of last year's gain to "price increases," that very inflation so generally conceded to be a bad thing. Far from signalling a boom in the Canadian economy, this rising GNP the last two years has been accompanied by factory shutdowns, increasing unemployment, a definite recession in the Atlantic provinces and pockets of poverty elsewhere. Beyond doubting that GNP measures prosperity, looms an even more disturbing thought. Suppose we are reading it wrong way to? Can it be that increasing GNP actually tallies the amount by which we are consuming our natural resources faster than we can replace them and, combined with similar processes in other nations, is measuring the rate at which we are speeding toward world economic disaster?—Contributed. Parents should quit smoking Since evidence of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking is overwhelming, should it be legal to manufacture and sell them? Lots of people think not But pause a moment, When liquor was banned in the early 1920's bootleggers grew rich on the increased consumption, The same thing would happen today if cigarettes were prohibited. Illegal manufacturers would simply go underground and get wealthy while the death rate from smoking would rise like a sales graph. Society cannot prohibit a person from taking his own I ife—suicide was recently taken out of the Criminal Code—and we .have seen what prohibition does. So, in the case of cigarettes, it seems that people will continue to follow the path of disaster, However, we can protect our children from this evil: Better policing of the law regarding the sale of tobacco to minors is needed. This might mean more prosecutions of vendors, but more in-home examples of abstinence is a must.' Anyone with a lung problem as a result of being hooked on tobacco can fill you in on its merits as a pacifier. Dancing fools "Something almost instinctive drew me to the most handsome woman at the party. Watching her across the room I'd that feeling, as the lyrics of the old song go, that we'd met before—but who knows where or when? And, clearly, it was reciprocal. Several times I fielded her appraising glance. Finally, summonsing my three ounces of raw courage, I asked her to dance. She fell naturally into my arms, as if she'd been there many times before. 1 heard her soft voice in my ear. "One-two, three-four," she whispered. "One-two, three- four." And, gallantly, whispered, hack: "One-two, three-four. One- two, three-four " "Jack!" she cried. "Molly!" I cried, It took us back like an arrow to the golden years of the Embassy Hall and Mr. Gurney's classes in ballroom dancing, guaranteed to make or break you in the terpsichorean social graces. We were, on the average, sweet 16. We were united, some two dozen of us, by the common bond of misery. One way or the other we were all misfits, hoping that a mastery of the fox trot and the waltz at 50 cents a lesson would open at least a crack in life's door. Everyone was locked in the iron grip of shyness. Everyone was either too fat or too thin, a strange herd of bean-poles and butter- balls cast together in the dream- like wish of becoming Fred Astaires or Ginger Rogers. I was there, myself, as a two- time loser in the rat-race for popularity. Charles Atlas' promise to transform me from a 60-pound weakling into a bronzed Adonis had failed, miserably, Ab Hines' promise to make me the master of a gigantic Spanish guitar' and in constant demand had given me some of the muscles that Atlas never gave me, but little else. Mr. Gurney was, I felt, my last hope. He was a wiry, intense little man with a pencilled moustache above thin lips and a frustration that brought him constantly to the lip of hysteria. The sight of his awkward squad shuffling disconsolately about the waxed floor would cause his voice to rise to a thin scream. "Dance, you idiots! Dance!" he would cry, leaping up and down in livid anger. His wife sat with an upright piano seemingly in her lap, an enormous woman draped in folds of flesh. Her hands were like starfish, sparkling with imitation diamonds. The chords of "Tea For Two" came like thunder 'cross the bay. When Mr. Gurney's ire would reach apoint of maniacal fury he would grasp Mrs. Gurney about her ample waist and they would twirl madly about the floor to demonstrate how ridiculously simple it all really was. Once, when Mrs, Gurney went down, shaking the Embassy Ballroom to its foundations, Mr, Gurney turned from her and strode angrily away, holding his forehead with his hand as if suffering the final humiliation. It was wonderful for our morale. The classes fell into two distinct phases. The first four or five lessons consisted of us looking down at our feet, moving painstakingly through the steps Mr. Gurney had shown us, and counting aloud. The over-all effect was of some tribal rite of mourning, the heads all bowed, the drone of the toneless counting a half beat behind Mrs. Gurney's shaking piano. The subsequent lessons consisted entirely of trying to break us of this habit., "Look up! Lookup, you idiots!" Mr. Gurney would scream hoarsely, but we'd learned our earlier lessons only too well. In self-defence we had voluntarily paired off as partners—all, that is, except the two wretched extra boys who were forced to dance together and were always exchanging blows in the outer corridor over who would accept the feminine role, My chosen one and I never looked at each other as we slid about woodenly at arm's length. We never talked except to mumble "Sorry" or "My fault." I would solemnly gaze down over the crinkly material of her shoulder into the deep dimple•in her left elbow, hypnotized. • Molly still has the dimple, but she's overcome the blight that Mr. Gurney left on so many. I could have danced all night. Letters to the Editor The Editor; We are aware that directing this letter to you does not follow the customary procedure in respect to matters of the type that we are about to mention; neverthelless, we think that this will be of benefit, not .merely to ourselves, but to the community in general and youth in particular, Knowing that your editorials often endorse such projects, we have taken the liberty of writing this letter, We are interested in starting a soccer team which would he an affiliate of the London league, In order to do so, the following are desperately needed; A.) The names and addresses of players in the Clinton vicinity who would be willing to participate in a venture of this type, B.) Someone willing to coach the fledgeling team. C.) Sponsors who would be willing tohelp us, (granted that the team gets off the ground), to purchasb uniforms, nets and halls. D,)The general moral support of the sports-minded people in this and neighbouring communities,. Thank you very kindly for allowing us this space in your newspaper. We are sure that the publicity gained here will furnish us with a team, a coach, the required equipment and the support of the sports enthusiasts here. Tony Van Dongen and Gurnos James, P.S. Those interested in the aforementioned are requested to contact Mr. Tony Van Dongen, 482—'7588 or Mr. Gurnos James, 482-9638. ,Safety tips The 3M Company produce many reflective products that contribute to traffic safety. Their hundreds of other products also include fire fighting materials, says the Ontario Safety League, and they recently gave an impressive — though unplanned — demonstration of the extinguishing power of their Light Water foam. A team was all set to demonstrate at the RAF station, Mildenhall, when a USAF Super Sabre jet crash-landed and caught fire a few hundred yards away. The test team rushed over in their truck and cut a knockdown path to the cockpit within five seconds of reaching the fire. Ten seconds later, after three sweeps with the foani, the fire was 95 per cent extinguished and the pilot rescued. An English safety magazine publishes a picture showing the fuselage of the jet fighter blackened yet still intact as a result of the rapid application of the foam. 10111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110.11111111 Mili111111111111111111111111111111111111111111lituillilliltliffliiilli Cracked eggs and Not too long ago, I wrote a column suggesting what would happen if housewives went on strike. A long, intelligent and often witty letter from Mason Bailey, President of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture tells me bluntly that there is another species in our society which, if it went on strike, would make a housewives' strike loOk like a box luncheon. Naturally, he is talking about farmers. Farmers are like the weather: everybody talks about them but nobody does anything. 1:11 quote bits from his letter, . and make some comments. He asks tersely, "What if all the farmers went on strike? . , Most of 'society and the majority of columnists seem to hay forgotten that farmers continue t, exist. And that is just what farmers are doing! Existing! Net farm income in Ontario has dropped over 30 per cent in the last three years, In 1971, Canadian farmers received less than ten per cent of the money that Canadian consumers spent on food." Well, Mr. Bailey, accept your figures, for a start. And they certainly don't make me want to plunge into farming with a 30,000 dollar mortgage and the prospect of working 10 or 12 hours a day, six days a week, On the other hand, like all figures, they can be misleading. How many Canadian farmers grow coffee, tea, fish, sugar, pepper, peanut butter, oranges, bananas and all the other items that beef up our food bills? Another of your points strikes a sympathetic chord in rne, "I was in a restaurant last week, The menu Said one egg, 50c, Do you know what farmers got for eggs last Week? 22c a dozen for Grade A large: 70 a dozen for cracks." rich farmers This is utterly ridiculous, and somebody, obviously the farmer, is being shafted. The only solution I can see is to demand "cracks" in restaurants, Which is probably what we get in some places anyway. 1 share completely your burning wrath at restaurant prices. And now let's sit back and hear a howl of protest from the restaurant owners, who are starving to death, The average one isn't, and works long hours for a decent living. But those room service prices in hotels drive me right out of my skull. $1.65 for a sandwich, $1.50 for a pot of lukewarm coffee. You go back to the war; when sugar and butter were rationed and otherwise honest people would cheat, lie or steal to get enough or more than enough. And you say it would happen again if farmers went on strike. I agree. Some would, but a minority, in my opinion. I think the farmers would get a good deal of sympathy and support, just as the coal miners did in England, despite the hardships their strike imposed on millions. In such an event, you suggest that "Bootlegging food at inflated prices would become as common as drug peddling. The bootlegging farmers would start to show a profit. Sonie might even be able to hire help at the minimum wage." Surely, right there is one spot where government could help—by subsidizing farm Wages. The government subsidizes practically everything else that even approaches work, Or simply pays people non° work. Surely, the next logical Step Would he to Make farm work attractive, financially, 'rather than paying farmers not to grow grain, or spuds, or Whatever, However, we mustn't mention government and logic in the same breath. You mention something that depresses me—that the average age of farmers in Ontario is about 55, that not many young men can start farming under today's conditions, and that even if they can, the liberated little woman has other ideas. And you also point out rather pungently that if the average age of housewives "Was 55 and no replacements forthcoming, you would have something to scream about." You're right. The scream that would echo across the land would be apocalyptic. Another point in your argument is that corporations may take over food production. "If wealthy corporations ever replace the family farm and hire organized labour, there probably will he food strikes." That is an appalling thought. Would that mean that I couldn't buy one of those "chickens" that taste no more like chicken than my old running-shoes, unless you plaster them with some synthetic flavoring? Would it mean that I couldn't buy any of that enriched bread that tastes like wet kleenex? Life just wouldn't be worth living. However, I agree with your premise that the farmer has been left sucking the hind teat in these years of inflation, I think the chief trouble Is the same as that of the housewives: farmers are too stubborn and individualistic to get really organized. They should, perhaps, setup their own coops, processing, handling and sales organisations. That, Of course, would leave us with mobs of unemployed tniddle-inen, Put my heart is with you, chaps, and will be even the next. time I pick up a $1,49 a pound hunk of steak, took at it wistfully, replace it, and reach for the hamburg, 10 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 4, 1962 Page and Steele, Toronto, architects for the million dollar vocational school addition to Clinton District Collegiate Institute are calling tenders: Advertisements will appear in the Daily Commercial News and the The regular monthly song service sponsored by the Clinton Christian Reform Church and led by Mr. Vanderenden was held in the auditoriutn on Sunday evening. Mr, Jake and Alice Roorda assisted with the musical numbers. • Monday afternoon was the scene of yet another Old TyMe music session with an excellent crowd on hand to listen to the music provided by Norman Speir on the violin and a guest, Mrs, Flynn, playing the piano, Also lending a hand with the program was Mrs. Dale. Their co- operation assistance was much appreciated as it made the event that much more enjoyable for those in attendance. The Clinton Kinettes served as hostesses to about 80 residents on Wednesday afternoon, A tea and small lunch was first on the agenda for the day, This was immediately followed by a sing- song with Miss Wiltse as the leader and Christol Jewitt playing the piano accompaniment, Other Kinettes who helped With the program wereJoyce Van Meson, Carol Finch, t3ev Riley, Lori Carey and RoxAnn brown. Requests were taken so that everyone would have a chance to ask for his or her favourite song, The program ended as Mrs. Mabel Nickerson showed London Free Press on April 5, 6 and 9. Closing date is April 30. The dates for the massed band tattoo in Clinton have been changed said conductor George Wonch on Monday. The two clay program of parades and concert's will be held June '8 and 9. Eric Collins began his term as appreciation and that of all the other residents by saying a few appropriate words of thanks, The residents Of Huronview were pleased to have visits last week from the Kinettes, the Salvation Army, and St. Joseph Separate School of Clinton. A representative from the Salvation Army along with volunteer helpers toured the home on Wednesday afternoon and presented treats and an easter magazine to each resident, Students from Grade 5 and 6 of St, Joseph School presented treats and Easter cards that were made in class to the residents of the Women's Bed Care and Special Care on Thursday afternoon, Father Kelly chaperoned the students and also took them on a tour of the home, A Communion service was held in the chapel on Thursday morning conducted by Rev, Wittich of Blyth United Church assisted by Mr. Campbell representing the session and organist Mrs. BreWri, The Junior Sunday School of Clinton Penticostal led by Mrs, Pocock entertained on Family Night. The program included vocal and instrumentals by Mrs. Muth Colciough, Bob Whatt and pianist Jean Glazier, A chorus from the Sunday School sang several numbers and led the residents in a sing-a-long. president of the Huron Fish and Game Conservation Association on Monday night, when all new officers took over their duties. 15 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 4, 1957 There has been a matter foremost in the minds of a good many citizens in Hayfield lately— skunks. And if there is a concerted effort on the part of village trustees to exterminate these "not-too-popular" residents of our village, it will be due to the courage of Mrs. George Hopson who tramped this village with a petition and took it to the Stanley Township Council. The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Clinton Public Hospital met in the Nurses' Residence on Monday with a good attendance. The secretary, Mrs. Les Rathbun gave the minutes and Mrs, A. T. McMurry stated that $241.85 had been paid for furnishings for the new rooms since the March meeting. 25 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 3, 1947 Murphy Bros., local garage proprietors, have purchased the building and property from T. C. Proctor, located at the southeast corner of Huron and Orange Streets. Goderich Lauzon Flyers are still in there battling for the 01-1A Junior "C" championship, the only hockey team from this part of the province left in any playdown, Londesboro again was snowbound for a few days last week, Highway 4 was blocked from Tuesday to Thursday and the villagers were again without mail for three days. 40 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 7, 1932 The news of the death of Mayor S. S. Cooper on Tuesday came as a shock to most citizens, for while it was known that he was in very poor health, the seriousness of his condition was not generally known. Mr. Cooper was serving his second term as Mayor at the time of his death, The town council met on Monday and fixed the tax rate at 481 /2 mills, a reduction of 41 /2 mills, Council will look into the matter of Street improvement, Mrs, 'C. E. Dougan and Miss Mary R. Stewart assisted in the musical part of the anniversary services at North Street United Church, Goderich. 55 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 5, 1917 The Doherty Piano Company, for over a century the chief industry of Clinton, has reorganized and the new company will be known as "Doherty Pianos Ltd." The reorganization meeting was held on Tuesday when the following officers were appointed: president, W. Jackson; vice-president, H. R, Sharpe; secretary, C. H. Ivey, London; directors, the same three. C. McKinnon, of Chicago University, a former classical master of C,C,I, is in town for the vacation. Charles T. Keller, formerly organist of Willis Church here, is now organist at Trinity Methodist Church in Stratford. Arantiat A member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Aoetation k Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association and the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) THE CLINTON •NEW ERA Amalgamated THE HURON NEWS-RECORD Established 1865 1924 Established 1881 Clinton News-Record