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Times-Advocate, 1979-05-09, Page 17Candidates debate the issues Energy conservation, abortion, gun control and capital punishment were some of the issues debated at a Thursday meeting of the three candidates in the Huron-Bruce federal riding. The meeting sponsored by the Huron Federation of Agriculture attracted about 200 persons to the Huljett Central school at Londesboro. Huron F of A president Merle Gunby was the chairman. Answering a question by Lucknow area farmer Tony McQuail, two of the three candidates indicated they were in favour of a study on the safety of nuclear power plants. Progressive Conservative candidate Bob McKinley who was a member of the natural resources com­ mittee in the House of Com­ mons said nothing of a serious nature had taken place since nuclear plants had been established. While assuring that the plants had been deemed safe by experts, McKinley said. “I would like to see an in­ dependent authority with ex­ pertise to let the public know whether these are safe plants and if people who live around them are safe,” Graeme Craig, the Liberal candidate from Walton didn’t commit himself to a moratorium but agreed more studies should be made on the safety of nuclear plants. He added, “Experts tell us CANDU reactors are safer than what happened in Pennsylvania.” Moira Couper of Bayfield, the NDP candidate said her party is committed to a moratorium on the develop­ ment of further nuclear plants until the vies of the public are known and fully considered by government bodies... She said her party also believes in more research into renewable energy resources. The meeting opened with each of the candidates speaking for seven minutes followed by questions from the audience. McKinley said his party believes agriculture is one of the most vital com­ ponents of society and must be given a mofe important and central role in society. He continues, “Our party is convinced greater export sales opportunities exist for agricultural products and would put sales persons in Canada’s embassies to promote the sale of Cana­ dian agricultural goods around the world.” The Conservative party would also attempt to bring producers and consumers closer together and to promote better understan­ ding between the two groups. r-------- Mrs. Couper said agriculture is important since it is the social fabric of the local community and without it, the community breaks up. She said her par­ ty favours- the creation of land banks in which the government purchases farm land and then leases or sells it to farmers at a reasonable rate. She also advocated using Canadian resources to create more secondary in­ dustry, at the same time providing employment for more Canadians. Mrs. Couper said the NDP plans to establish a Fair Prices Commission to in­ vestigate items which are priced questionably high and to investigate costs between the farm gate and the con­ sumer. Graeme Craig said while Canada’s inflation rate has been attacked, last week’s was only nine percent com­ pared to a 13 percent infla­ tion rate in the United States, He said while cam- paigning he hasn’t had as many questions about Prime Minister Trudeau as he has received about the com­ petency of the leader of the Progressive Conservatives to be prime minister of the country. Craig continues,“The Agricultural Export Council announced by the prime minister in April will be working with marketing boards and provincial governments in the future to negotiate better access to foreign markets for Cana­ dian agricultural products.” The Liberal candidate said he would eventually like to see lower interest rates for both the beginning farmer and the small businessman. In answer to a question from the floor which criticizes Prime Minister Trudeau for promising he would cut back on the civil service in 1968 and then hav­ ing more than 110,000 more today, Craig jokingly replied, “That’s job creation,” He added, “While govern- ment spending has in­ creased in the past decade, individual salaries have also gone up to the same degree.” On the subject of gun con- tol, McKinley said, “the law has to be straightened out so it will not affect the average person.” Craig commented, “If you are going to shoot someone, it doesn’t make any difference that you have to go and purchase a cer­ tificate first. I am hopeful legislation can be brought in making gun control less a burden on hunters.” Moira Couper said she felt there should be more train­ ing available on how to use guns properly and carefully adding, “the government needs to work to improve conditions in society so peo­ ple wouldn’t be shooting in anger.” The subject of abortion was raised by Dirk Van der Werf. The Liberal and Conservative candidates agreed that they were not in favour of mand. Craig said, “That’s a strong personal viewpoint.” Mrs. Couper said, “Abor­ tion is a matter between a woman and her doctor.” In response to a question on capital punishment from Bluevale area farmer Bev Brown, Graeme Craig said he understood capital punishment was enforced only in the murder of a prison guard or police of­ ficer. He added, “I wouldn’t want to be the one to pull the plug on someone. I would rather see harsher sentences than the death penalty. Bob McKinley said it wasn’t, true about capital punishment being enforced in the case of guards and told the audience that both times the vote <?n capital punish­ ment came up in the House, he had voted for the reten­ tion of the death penalty and would do so again. Mrs. Couper said the NDP party voted against capital punishment and said she believes “we must something about the do con-abortion on ELECTION CANDIDATES SPEAK — The Huron,Federation of Agriculture sponsored an all-candidates meeting Thursday at the Hulletf Central School at Londesboro. Above, F of A president Merle Gunby talks with candidates Bob McKinley Graeme Craig and Moira Couper. T A photo Mi ft Seniors hold rally at resort Told to fulfill responsibilities By TED CHAMBERS The Huron County zone 8 of Senior citizens held their meeting at Grand Bend Anglican Church Hall May 1 with 119 members present from all the various groups including Goderich, Exeter, Brussels, Bayfield, Grand Bend, Blyth, Seaforth, Hensail, Zurich, and Dash­ wood. The meeting was called to order after the arrival and registration of 119 members by the president of Zone 8 of Ontario, Harry Baker. We had one moment of silence for members deceased during the past year. Rev. . .......- HOECHST CLEAN The first true liquid linuron was Mrs. of Ontario can be proud of their position they holdin this province because they have the largest union of any group in Ontario with paid up members and can get things done by writing to her and have their needs taken to the government and they will listen. This organization or we may say union was originally started by two men and has grown to what is a today Miss Turnbull gave a wonderful speach talking for a good three quarters of an hour. She is in her 81st year and greatly devoted to her task. She gave us a reading to finish entitled “This is the truth”. Once upon a time there were four men who belonged to one organization. Their names were Jack Anybody, Jim Everybody, John Somebody and Roy Nobody. Everybody thought he would like to go to the meeting but figured that Somebody was not friendly with Anybody so Nobody went. Everybody was asked to attend meetings to work on committees to give his ideas and suggestions but he thought surely Anybody would want to attend and work and at least Somebody would do it but Nobody did. Whenever a job is to be done, Everybody argues with Anybody Somebody will do it Nobody always does Precious memories. These tour men belonged to the same association and guess who got all the benefits for it. You’re right nobody. Don’t let this happen to your association Attend meetings, fulfill your responsibilities and reap the benefits of your con­ tributions. Again we were entertained by a group from Seaforth, some business done and more entertainment by Goderich group. A day well spent for Senior Citizens. Come and join us. dition of our society . .. that’s where we must start.” Tony McQuail asked candidates whether they would recommend that in­ centives be provided to encourage energy con­ servation on the farm. Graeme Craig said $250 million had already been allotted to solar heating research in Canada and that he had noticed in his door-to- door campaigning that people are becoming more energy conscious in regard to home heating. He said he doesn’t know how to en­ courage energy conservation on the farm. McKinley agreed educational programs are needed on energy con­ servation and said the province had had a program to encourage farmers trying to experiment with alternate energy sources. He said, “we must stand by the tried and true methods until a lot more work is done.” Moira Couper said the NDP party recommends an increase in the energy research budget. Tony McQuail said he didn’t feel any of the can­ didates had answered his question fully. “As a farmer I feel somewhat concerned that the agricultural in­ dustry may be being neglected . . . without in­ centives and encouragement we will never see the development of alternatives we can turn to.” Another member of the audience referred to the gun control issue again. He said a rabid coyote hadbeensighted near Londesboro Thursday norning and although the ministry had been notified of the sighting immediately, no one showed up to look into the situation until evening. He said, “I feel we (farmers) have got to have a gun around.” He added, “ You can’t take a stick to a rabid animal.” Bev Brown, second vice- president of the federation, said she was pleased when an Agricultural Export Council was formed by the federal government but said she was disappointed in its advisory role. “What we need is money spent on salespeople overseas marketing our superior Canadian farm products,” she told the candidates. Craig said plans for the committee still aren’t completely formulated, but he pointed out the majority of directors on the com­ mittee are farmers. He said hopefully the committee will have the same results marketing other farm products as the Canadian Wheat Board had in marketing grain overseas. McKinley criticized the fact the committee would function only in an advisory capacity. He told the audience, “We (the PCs) believe embassies and trade missions already in place can play a major part in selling agricultural products.” He called the new committee “a public relations operation by the government.” imes- Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 A AVdvocate Si Times-Advocate, May 9, 1979 HURON PARK BAKE SALE — The Huron Park Calorie Counters held a successful bake sale Saturday. Shown with some of the baked goods are Linda Morley, Lou Pavlich and Marie Jaques. T-A photo Here's mud in your eye Determination and per- serverance were necessary ingredients for victory in the D-Jer Moto-cross held Sunday at Hully Gully. Over night and morning rain turned the track into a sheet of mud which began sticking like glue as the sun reappeared loading the bikes down to twice their weight which took tremendous strength to manoeuvre them through the l12 mile course. The following athletes took the lead in the Di-jer ’79 series: Small wheels class: first, Frank Price, Sarnia on a Suzuki; second, Jason Walsh, Victoria on a Suzuki; third, Randy Ford, Grand Bend, on a Suzuki. Large wheels class: first, Danny Swion, Chatham, on a Suzuki; second, Jeff Walker, Jerseyville, on a Yamaha; third, Doug Brown, Brant­ ford, on a Suzuki. Junior 125: first, Mark Baxter, Port Burwell, on a Yamaha; second, James Croukshank, Victoria, on a Yamaha; third, Jim Brooks, London on a Can-am. Junior 250: first, Nat Allan, Niagara Falls, on a Maiko; second, Pat Belan, Oil Springs, on a Honda; third, Ed Panger, Blenhiem, on a Can-am. Junior open: first, Bob Marker, Cambridge, on a Maiko; second, Calvin James, Brussels, on a Maiko; third, Brian Kenmir, Niagara Falls, on a Suzuki. The next event at Hully Gully is the Victoria Day Weekend Extravaganza on May 19 and 20 featuring two days of racing, sky-diving, water jumping and complete camping weekend. AFOLAN The weed killer that almost mixes itself! Afolan is distributed by for more information contact w. G. Thompson & Sons Hensail, Mitchell, Granton AFOLANsc i HBRBOM J Hoechst Hoechst Canada Inc. • Montreal» Toronto • Regina Hoechst CO and Afolan are rogistorod trademarks of Hoechst AG. ........... . ................................... - -......- ■ - George Anderson, pastor of St. John’s led in devotions and prayer. He called on Reeve Robert Sharen of Grand Bend who welcomed all senior citizens and was glad to see so many come to Grand Bend. Zone secretary-treasurer Charles Martene gave his financial report showing the funds in good shape with over $400 on hand. The president or someone representing each club was called upon for a report of their club. Goderich was first with 85-100 members in their club and with 11 present. Mrs. Bullock of Exeter was next with a report of 118 members paid up, 22 being charter members, belonging to the Ontarion organization as well as their own club. Len Carter first vice reporting for Bayfield spoke of the project they are working on this summer of renovating the old town hail and hoped to have it opened soon. Grand Bend represented by Ravelle . They have 65 members with 20-40 present at the meetings. Keith Webster spoke for Blyth which didn’t have anyone else at the meeting Seaforth was represented by Lome Dennis who has been president for six years. They have 50-55 members at their meetings. The Hensail 62 member strong report was given by Mrs. McGregor, Grace Peck is secretary Zurich was represented by president Lome Klopp and secretary Pearl Miller. The Dashwood report was given by Charlie Martene. They have 56 members and he also put in a word for Bean Festival. Clinton has a large club of 94 members with an average of 41 in attendance at meetings. Howard Latsch rendered a solo “How great Thou Art ” with the crowd joining in the chorus. Mr. Latsch is the Ontario Field Represen­ tative from Palmerston and he also takes people on bus trips. Wo were served lunch by the Ladies of the Anglican Church of Grand Bend. After lunch we joined in a sing­ song with Mrs. M. Dougall at piano and Kenneth Johns as leader, Mrs. Nola Love introduced the special speaker of the afternoon who was Mrs. Lucy Turnbull of Toronto, secretary of the Ontario organization, She spoke on the benefits that senior citizens groups all over Ontario can receive and advice on organizing a club. 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