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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1974-11-28, Page 4With the current increase in the number of strikes in transportation in- volving planes and trains as well as bus and subway, facilities, is it wise to keep emphasizing that "we're not doing too badly," in these near-emergency situations? Rather shouldn't we be emphasizing that the "liberties" which are being taken with the much-boasted principle of liberty. not only by striking employees, but by many minority groups which take the law into their own hands, represent a definite threat to the very freedom which the word liberty proclaims? Today in practise our so-called liberty is beginning to border upon license, with little regard to the fact that there can be no liberty unless it is accompanied by a necessary sense of responsibility. With the increasing complete dis- regard for the rights and welfare of others, there will come a time when .the majority of persons will rebel against such license, and stricter legal prohibitions will be in- itiated which could lead to actual cur- tailments of our hard.-won freedom. Unless we learn to accept responsibili- ty for the welfare of others, and place limitations on the exercise of our liberties, more drastic ones may be forced upon us. So let's not talk of how well we did, or could do again under strike conditions, but concentrate instead upon what more we can do to prevent such emergencies recurr- ing. Both employers and employees need to realize and accept the responsibility for the inconvenience, discomfort and actual hardship they are causing to others. Not "my rights" but freedom to act within the limits of the rights of the general public should be the accepted criterion, A different lullaby The world food bank's supply is down to about one week's provisions. To put it bluntly, Earth is having a difficult time feeding its growing population. Everywhere nations are scrambling to find ways to limit population through education. Well, almost everywhere. This ap- parently is not the case in our neighboring province of Quebec. Over recent years this province has done an outstanding job in controlling its birthrate. At least that's how we looked at it with the rate in Quebec approaching zero population growth. It now stands at an average of 2.2 children per family. We were absolutely astounded to learn in a publication titled 'Quebec at a glance,' put out by the government of Quebec, that the province considers this to be a 'dangerous' situation. "Unless this situation is corrected soon, Quebec society will be condemned to disappearance being no longer able to reproduce enough to preserve its numbers and still less to maintain its relative and numerical importance within the Canadian federation," the article, Fighting Quebec's Declining Birth Rate, warns in the October issue of the publication. To combat the declining birth rate, a University of Montreal demographer Jac- ques Henripin proposes a number of new measures. They include such enlightened ideas as: increasing family allowances to $40 per month per child, more generous scholarships, more day care centres and housing subsidies. But following a survey of 1,000 married women under age 35, demographer Henripin moaned that "Even given all these favorable elements, the birth rate would not increase more than seven percent." Thus he proposes "immediate govern- ment intervention, especially in the form of supplementary aid to families, higher benefits, a network of day care centres, recreational activities and also higher tax- es for bachelors." We can only wonder if M. Henripin has had his intellectual vision checked recently—obviously it doesn't extend beyond the borders of his own province. And we can only hope that members of the Quebec government will pay more atten- tion to another native of their province who went on to become prime minister of Canada and who had the foresight to note that "government has no place in the bedrooms of the nation." —The Listowel Banner :A A • Taking a rather different line "'HE. 5A15 WHO15- 501A/ Ad oui THAT "J . A look at the election scene Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C,W,N.A„ 0.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Editor Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Women's Editor — Terri Irvine Phone 235 ,1331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation March 31, 1974, 5,309 `SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $9.00 Per Year; USA •$11.00 — 3, By ELMORE BOOMER Counsellor for Information South Huron For appointment pnone: 235-2715 or 235-2474 An , o „Jii! opr.tifq wetacn-rervAmm:*, ' 3,3 "Out next speaker needs no introduction!" Liberty or liberties? Apples of gold 4 Had to make a speech the other night to the honour students at our school. I say "had to", because, the vice-principal, who is six feet twelve, told me I was going to be the guest speaker. I am five feet eight and a half, How can you be a "guest" speaker when you work in the joint? However, I done my best, as we say in the English department. It wasn't much of a speech, but the remuneration was not exactly princely, either. Zero. I abhor speakers at honour nights who get up there and praise the kids and tell them to stick in there and fight and be competitive, because that's what the world is all about. I took rather a different line. I told them that being an honour student is chiefly a matter of birth. Either you are born with some intelligence, in which case you can walk through our school system, or you are born to a mother or father who makes you get off your lazy butt and do some work. In either case, it was an accident, not something to sit around and feel self-satisfied about. Both my kids were honour students, in Grade 9. And the boy could almost tie his own shoelaces when he was 14, and the girl was still knocking over her glass of milk at table when she was 14. From Grade 9 they went straight down hill. But I'm not too worried about them. They both have a sense of honour, and that's a lot more important, to me, than honour standing in school. Some of the rottenest people, physically, morally and emotionally, whom I have ever met, have been honour students. With no sense of honour. I was an honour student too, once, in Grade 8. This was back about the time of the Boer War. I knew I was about the smartest kid in the school, and was con- fident of coming first in Grade 8, or the Entrance, as we called it. Entrance to what, I never did find out. Entrance to five more stultifying years of school, I guess. Unfortunately, though I was the smartest kid in school, I was also the laziest. Eddie Kirkland, now a big corporation lawyer in Montreal, came first. I beat him up as soon as the results came out. This didn't solve my frustration. Muriel Robbins came second. I was going to beat her up too, but she was bigger than I, so I settled for third. Third is a good place to be, You can't be accused of being a teacher's pet, as we called it, or a "brown", as today's youngsters so bluntly label it. On the other hand, you have proved that you are not a dummy. I've been running a comfortable third ever since. I was the third member in our family of five. It was rather pleasant. I didn't have to com- pete with my older brother and sister, and I could bully my younger brother and sister. When it came time to take our lumps in the war, I still ran a comfortable third. My older brother chose to have himself blown up, rather spectacularly. My young brother, in a desperate attempt to get some recognition, won a decoration for bravery, after being shot down in the English Channel. (I don't see what's so brave about that.) I went quietly off to a prison camp, and emerged with three thousand dollars in back pay. They were both broke, There's nothing wrong with being a third-place runner. I don't mind getting a little mud in my face, as long as I finish in the money. Now let's be serious for a moment. I'd like to take a closer look at the word "honour". It's one of those abstract words that you hear less and less these days, as though it were embarrassing to utter them. Words like corn- Judging from the turn-out at Wednesday's citizens' meeting in Exeter, the local election is creating more interest for a change—and a welcome change it is. While the attendance of 75 people at a public meeting is certainly nothing to rave about in a town this size, the number was three times greater than any previous ratepayers' - or nomination meeting and there is every indication that, had the weatherman been more cooperative, even more would have turned out to hear the candidates. In general, the presentations of the candidates were good. For a change, some issues were discussed. Four of the five new council candidates 'were on hand, Glen Northcott being the only one not to avail himself of the op- portunity to speak to those in attendance. Incumbents Harold Patterson and Bob Simpson appeared to be "caught with their pants down" so to speak as their addresses indicated they had not planned for the large turnout and they were out-shone by the four new candidates, all of whom had well prepared talks and gave the impression' they had planned carefully what, they wanted to say. Those people who went to the meeting to make up their minds how to vote, would have to come away with strong consideration for incumbent Ted Wright and newcomers Barbara Bell, Lossy Fuller, Garnet Hicks and Dave Zyluk. The writer was particularly impressed with Mrs. Bell, as she displayed an ability to candidly discuss issues and question conditions in an even-mannered way. + + The contest between the two candidates for reeve is probably the most difficult for voters to decide. Reeve Derry Boyle has served the community well at the county level, as well as locally in his term of office. By the same token, Ben Hoogenboom has been a strong member of council for the past two years and has presented several good suggestions during his term. Neither is timid in presenting his viewpoints. It's a job that requires con- siderable time and the incumbent passion and virtue and chastity and loyalty and decency. People almost blush when they use one of them. It seems that we all have to he tough and callous, From this "all", I would except , our young people, who are not afraid to talk of love and com- passion and tolerance and kind- ness and pity. They see only too clearly through the "plastic" World they have been bequeathed: a world of false values, lip service to ideals, and violence, No' wonder there is a generation gap. We worship the golden calf, and are flab- bergasted when our kids see it for what it is: a graven image. We want to sweep everything under the rug, so the neighbours won't see it, We want our kids 'to be "nice", and "sensible", and "solid", while they see the joy and the pain that is real human life. These are some of the thoughts I shared with the students, In closing, I suggested, "Don't just be an honour student. Be an honour person," Do you agree? and will succeed in having council undertake more long- range planning than is presently evident. Mr. Delbridge has served this community well and the time he has spent on town business has been more than the ratepayers could have expected, but nevertheless we feel it is a time for new ideas and new leadership which hopefully can rekindle more enthusiasm from our elected and appointed officials and in the citizens of the com- munity as well. + + + Obviously, we do not expect all ratepayers to share our opinions about the candidates for the various offices, and that is the lone factor which makes elec- tions so interesting. Ratepayers must assume their responsibility in .carefully con- sidering 'all the candidates and mark their ballotS on the basis of the talents and the dedication which they feel the candidates are offering. It is unfortunate that only 75 took the time and effort to attend a public meeting at which time they could have more sensibly judged the calibre of the can- didates and voted on a more intelligent basis. After all, it was a small sacrifice to make in comparison to the sacrifice which 12 other men and women in this com- munity have offered to make by allowing their names to stand for the important work that lies ahead for the next two years. It's a paradox that all ratepayers would hope that the best candidates would win, while at the same time not taking the small amount of time required to judge for themselves who the best candidates are, so they can then vote accordingly. winning Monday's three way contest for town reeve. Charles Kyle, young Tavistock businessman won the $500 prize in Exeter Kinsmen's Grey Cup football raffle, The winning ticket was sold by Les Parker, Exeter. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary to South Huron Hospital were guests of the hospital staff at the December meeting held Tuesday afternoon. Sale of General Coach will likely further delay settlement of the contract dispute between the company and union which has been under negotiation for nearly six months. 10 Years Ago The three top posts on Exeter council were filled by ac- clamation, Friday along with the five public school board positions, Jack Delbridge took over the mayor's chair and C. E. (Derry) Boyle was named reeve. Deputy-reeve Bailey held his seat. Huron people may be hosts to the World's plowmen when the International is held at Seaforth in 1966. Dr. and Mrs, H. H. Cowen returned Friday after attending the dental convention in Koyoto, Japan. They were away three weeks. The driver education course is slated to start at SHDHS around January 15, due in part to the persistence of board member Rev. John Boyne. To date there have been 36 students sign up to take the course, A friend of mine recently brought me around a little book, called Apples of Gold, containing excerpts from sermons of Peter Marshall. The title is taken from the Proverb, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a basket of silver".,We know that Peter Marshall spoke many great words and that 'Apples of Gold' is a truly fit title for this small volume. I wonder if the rest of us ever fully realize how far-reaching our words are, and what impact they have on those around us. I also wonder if we ever stop to think on how much our' words effect and reflect our very own selves. Very solemnly, Jesus said, "A good man's speech reveals the rich treasures within him , . , you must give account on Judgement Day for every idle word you speak . . either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned." Words . . . how easily we bandy them about, often never con- sidering where they will end, An ancient Greek philospher said, "Choose rather to fling a chance stone than to speak a chance word." Once a hurting word is spoken nothing will bring it back; and it pursues a course of damage wherever it goes. Our character is known from our words. We can only produce through our lips what is in our hearts. A few words from us and our listeners soon know whether our minds are lovely, kind and sympathetic, or dirty, cruel, callous and critical, We are constantly revealed by what we say. However, most of us put guards on our words when we're in public, and there's many a person who is a model of charm in their speech when they know r, t4AS' a, Wet, drizzly, overcast day when I drove up the lane to a substantial, two storey, white brick house. It seemed like an average farm home. It is the headquarters for Epp Homes and is located east and north of Exeter. The darkness of the day was in sharp contrast to the Epps and their home. The entry way had an oversupply of boots and rubbers and coats of one sort or another which proclaimed the possibility of life within. Alvin and Margaret Epp ushered me through the kitchen into a small, well-furnished living room. And there we talked, "We have four boys besides our two children with us at the present time. They have come to us from various agencies. And they represent various developmental problems." This was a good beginning. And we followed with a variety of quiries. "Is this the only home you have?" "Where are your headquarters?" "What part does the community have in your home?" "What training do your workers have?" There were many others. "We do have two other homes. One is near Ailsa Craig and the other in London. This allows for rural or urban settings whichever each boy may need," explained my hosts. "Most agencies are looking for a rural environment for their boys," At the present time they have room for one admission, And it was further explained that admissions for the homes was processed at Exeter. Community involvement is greatly encouraged. "We seek to get the boys out to movies, sports events, locally and further afield. We hope to be able to join the Y.M.C,A, shortly. London Little Theatre often finds us in at- tendance." They boys all go to school in the community in which their home is. they're being watched, and who, at home, is a sarcastic, irritable, critical, querulous monster, It would do us good to remember that the words that tell what we are, are those spoken when the guards are down. So much for words that are 'unfitly spoken'. Let's consider, now,. the Apples of Gold words, words that lift us up, that make us glow with a sense of well- being. Such words are all, too rare. In one of his sermons Peter Marshall said this, "A word of encouragement means more than we can possibly imagine. Think how many people there are in the world who are hungry to hear someone say a word of en- couragement, a word of cheer, to keep up morale, to give courage." He points out that although we often say things on the impulse that we ought not to say, there is never anything wrong with words of encouragement and we should never be slow in saying them. There are words of praise and appreciation. We know how we shrivel and dry up with criticism. By the same token, we know how we blossom when complimented on a job well done. Why not pass out a few more apples of gold in the direction of all those who help make our lives happier, easier and more fruitful, Then there are words of testimony to our faith, How many people will be better Christians by what you said about Christ and the church, about prayer and the constant need to keep the pennant of our faith flying high and not dragging in the mud? People around us are starving for these apples of gold. Surely it is one of our duties to God that we help meet their need. rg I "0 yes, we are aigo"Pii.- operating with a local church and we hope some of the boys Will want to join some of the clubs." This brought up the further question - Do Epp homes have a religious affiliation? And the answer was "No". They are free to attend the church of their choice and provision is made for this. I was informed, in answer to our question about training, that Alvin has a diploma in Child Care from Fanshawe College. Mrs. Epp and other couples bring some years of experience to their task. Task is probably the right word to use but much satisfaction is evident in the Epps. They both affirmed, "This is our life." No doubt, with such an attitude much can be accomplished for boys seeking such care. , "What about work around the farm?" The answer was that some farming was done and some animals kept but the boys were not regimented to the farm work. If they could keep busy on their own with self-fulfilling tasks they were not asked to help. The Epps assured ,me "They do work voluntarily." They are involved together in many of the chores. There seems to be a truly good balance between freedom and dicipline. Various agencies make use of the services of Epp Homes, a Children's Aid Society, a Catholic Children's • Aid Society and a Training School. One wish the Epps have is that they might be of service to agencies and families from Huron County. To this and they have printed brochures available from Epp Homes, RR 3, Exeter. They hope that contact with other helpers and those needing help will be enlarged greatly in days ahead. may have an edge in that con- sideration. + + + The race that is perhaps at- tracting the keenest interest is between Jack Delbridge and Bruce Shaw for mayor. Both men have been campaigning and Shaw has succeeded in forming an organization of workers that perhaps has never been done in a municipal election in this com- munity for many years. Mayor Delbridge suggested at the meeting last week that the sports complex was one of the big issues, but the talks given by both indicate they stand in almost identical positions. They see the need for planning a complex, but that the facility as such won't be a reality for several years, if in fact it ever is a reality. Shaw's main platform appears to be the need for council doing more long-range planning and drawing more citizens into the „work of the community to use the expertise that is available among the citizenry to study various programs and present their findings to council. The writer is supporting the challenger in this contest because we feel Mr. Shaw is more imaginative than Mr. Delbridge, will open special meetings of council to the public and press, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! 50 Years Ago On Tuesday evening, a horse driven by Benson Tuckey on Main Street became frightened and started to kick, getting one of its feet between the shafts of the dashboard. The cutter was somewhat broken and the horse's leg cut. The merchants advertising their Christmas merchandise and still doing business in Exeter were Jones and May, Southcott Bros., R. G. Seldon and Harvey's Grocery. Eggs were selling at 60 cents for extras and hogs were $9.00, wheat $1,38, barley 82 cents and oats 45 cents. Usborne Council fixed the rate of wage per hour for snow work for the season at 40 cents for man and team and 20 cents for man. 2$ Years Ago According to C. S. Mac- Naughton, chairman of the property committee, the new District High School building should be completely ready in January. Bert Ostland was named president of the Exeter branch of the Canadian Legion Monday night. The proceeds from the Junior Farmers fall dance amounting to $60 is being donated to the South Huron Hospital Fund. 15 Years Ago Chester Mawhinney, carving out his second career in municipal politics, posted a surprisingly large margin in Our response to now