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Times-Advocate, 1978-11-23, Page 4Pc»ge 4 Times-Advocate, November 23, 1978 r—-------------------------------------------------;--- quIM'ICIN k,......................................................“.............. -............... A poor decision Mayor Bruce Shaw appears to be attracting some support in his criticism of Maclean’s magazine over their decision to not carry a story on book censorship in their October 2 issue. Huron County was naturally men­ tioned predominantly in the article and it does leave the magazine suspect when its readers in this area were eliminated from those able to read it. The incident is relatively easy for those of us in the publishing business to understand. Maclean's in fact did not leave the article out of the issue reaching this area, it was more a situa­ tion where it was added to those in the Toronto market where additional, local advertising content opened space for a couple of other items. We would naturally agree that the article on censorship was more rele­ vant to readers in this area than some of the items that did appear, but editors are known to make some terri­ ble decisions in regard to content and no doubt those at Maclean’s will be prompted to"choose more carefully in the future. The article was basically rhetorical in nature and probably wouldn’t offend anyone in Huron, regardless of which side they took on the book issue, so Maclean’s were presumably not of the opinion it was too hof to handle as the Mayor suggests. In fact, most publications find they thrive more economically on contentious issues. Had it been contentious and offend­ ed some people, the magazine probably would have been attacked for printing the article. Oh well, such is the publishing game? * i .* * It is interesting to note that SHDHS teacher Colin Lowndes was also upset that the article did not appear in copies circulated in Huron. His suggestion that he would “go underground" in the matter of choos­ ing books for his English classes was a rather irresponsible statement’ as a public servant. x Opponents of some books on the curriculum in Huron have suggested they are not literary works of art and no doubt Mr. Lowndes gave them am­ munition for their attacks by his choice of words. “There are a hell of a lot of good books, you know," he was quoted as saying in the Maclean’s article. There are a hell of a lot of them that apparently use a hell of a lot of slang and don’t promote good English usage for students (or teachers?) as well. “This is your last chance to get rid of that thing. ” From famine to feast Why not the truth? Last week Royal Trust announced its decision to take its headquarters operations out of the city of Montreal and set up a new shop in Ottawa. Royal denied that there was any political im­ plication in its decision. They were moving only because so much of their business has to be transacted west of the Quebec border. Naturally no one can prove that Royal Trust was motivated by the language restrictions now in force in Quebec, but even a dolt may surmise that their reasons for such an expen­ sive move were similar to those of hun­ dreds of other firms which have left Quebec in recent years. Perhaps the company is afraid it will alienate French-speaking Quebecers who are its customers, but it is doubtful that many Francophiles will be fooled. The drain of big business from Quebec to other provinces, notably to Toronto, is a serious development, although far from unexpected. For every job lost to Quebec’s economy by direct removal of a head office opera­ tion, it is estimated that at least five other persons lose their livelihood...people such as taxi drivers, restaurant employees and all the other service people needed to support the of­ fice staffs. The syphoning-off process is in­ evitable. Enforced use of French by a company which has business connec­ tions all over an English-speaking con­ tinent poses an expensive problem. It is much simpler to remove to a province where a choice of language is still available. Wingham Advance-Times Thinksmall Disastrous Consequences By SYD FLETCHER Perspectives Area elections are now history, and with only a few exceptions, the results held few surprises for most citizens, although the losing candidates no doubt felt they were treated rather harshly by the electorate. While the majority of elections were fought strictly on “personality” issues, a few innuendoes also creep in to either support or defeat people who stand for public office. Exeter certainly had a rather un­ usual election in terms of number of business people running, and while there has often been criticism about the lack of business people on council in the past, the surplus this year created an uneasy feeling with some voters. That was evidenced in part by the strong showing of newcomer Don Cameron. He went into the race as one of the least known of all the candidates, and while he staged an arduous cam­ paign with the help of his supporters, the anti-business vote in part pushed him into a strong third place finish, behind two other non-business can­ didates, Ted Wright and Lossy Fuller. Ron Cdttrell, of course, took the brunt of the anti-business backlash, we suspect in part even from many of his Main St. cohorts. That’s rather ironic, because few people have done as much for the Main St, business community in the past three or four years than Cottrell. However, in ttje process he has un­ doubtedly stepped on a few toes, and that showed up at the polls. He was certainly the most recognizeable figure in the minds of voters who feared more of their tax dollars would be going to support down­ town projects. Not surprisingly, incumbents came out in winners in most other contests in the area. Despite complaints citizens often ' raise regarding their elected officials, they still take the familiar over the un­ tried in the majority of cases. A vivid example of people voting more on a regional basis was evident in the Turkheim-Noakes fight for a school board seat in Hay, Zurich and Hensall. Herb easily took Zurich by a resounding margin, while Minnie won wide support in Hensall. Hay supported Turkheim to provide his decisive1 margin, in part because he resides in the middle of the township, while Mrs. Noakes is located at one end. Hay voters also gave a resounding vote of confidence to Reeve Jack Tinney, no doubt some of that support coming in the hope that he’ll win the . county warden’s job. It would have been rather strange for them not to have returned him for that task. * * ¥ An interesting election result for one of the seats on the Huron County board of education may not have been noticed by some readers. Up in East Wawanosh, Morris and Blyth, board chairman John. Elliott was being challenged by Lloyd Barth. The latter is a name that will be known to those who closely followed the lengthy debate about school books in Huron. Barth was one. of the predominant figures behind the campaign to get some of the books off the English list. However, he was trounced in the election, with Elliott scoring a 973 to ■ 248 victory. re not sure what that verdict may indicate in terms of the book business, but Mr. Barth will obviously have to carry on his campaign from outside the board chambers. ★ * * Most area residents followed the mayoralty battle in London with keen interest, but perhaps none more than Peter Raymond, who had been a classmate of winner Al Gleeson. His upset win was obviously ac­ complished with an extremely strong election campaign, some estimates placing the cost at over $35,000, which is considerably more than many ridings spend on seeking spots for the two senior levels of government, In becomes unfortunate, perhaps, when there is a strong indication that money can in fact produce results a,t the municipal level, where most can­ didates don’t have the party support to help pay their bills. The fact remains, of course, that public apathy dictates huge expen­ ditures in most municipalities, par­ ticularly for those who are less known. Even in Exeter, candidates for jobs that pay less than the minimum wage, had to dig into their pockets to produce advertising material to get their names, faces and messages to the voters. How much simpler and economical it would have been, had the electorate taken the time to attend the special public meeting to meet the candidates personally and hear them on the plat­ form. Few roles in life are hard­ er to play than that of the small-c conservative. Liberals, after all, monopolize the op­ portunities to appear as nice folks, concerned about the defenceless in society. Con­ servatives can only take com­ fort from, their pragmatism. (Small-c conservatives and small-1 liberals are not related to Conservative or Liberal Party politics.) For the most part, liberals and conservatives tend to fall into logically consistent camps. Academics and other government employees nat­ urally support expansion of the public sector. The busi­ ness community — and the smaller businessman in par­ ticular — must live with the higher costs created by too much government pnaturally there’s little sympathy for the liberal point of view in that quarter. When a noted academic - one with a reputation for lib­ eral inclinations - breaks ranks and adopts a conserva­ tive philosophy, therefore, heads turn. Right now, heads are turning in Quebec where Pierre Fortin, an associate professor of economics at the University of Laval, has just come out in opposition to the minimum wage, an ap­ proach on the same level as Menachem Begin nominating Yasser Arafat for Man of the Year. Prof. Fortin didn’t set out to denigrate the minimum wage. Rather, he was hired by the Quebec government to study the impact that prov­ ince’s high minimum wages were having on employment there. By the time he had fin­ ished studying the subject, however, the man who des­ cribes himself as “a social democrat” was balking at the prospect of raising the floor on wage rates. “In spite of our prejudice in favour of a better distribu­ tion of revenues in Quebec society,” the Fortin report noted, “we wanted to remain neutral regarding the means to attain this objective. How-! ever, as the work progressed, it became more and more ob­ vious that judgment to be borne on the relatively high minimum wages in Quebec ($3.27), compared with $2.65 in Ontario and the United States, has to be severe.” For­ tin estimates that between 25,000 and 42,000 Quebec­ kers are currently without jobs because the minimum wage is too high. Moreover, companies have been reduc­ ing work weeks with the re­ sult that workers who remain employed actually end up earning lower total incomes. The problem isn’t entirely with the minimum wage it­ self, Fortin found. When the minimum wage rises, how­ ever, workers at higher wages also demand more and a chain reaction sets in. Predictably, organized la­ bour in Quebec has expressed displeasure with Fortin’s con­ clusions. The provincial gov­ ernment, however, has taken the advice to heart and plans to bring Quebec’s minimum wage inline with Ontario and American levels within the next three to five years. For the professor, it’s all been an illuminating, albeit disconcerting, experience. For the business community, though, Fortin has merely verified what management already knew. Many liberal policies turn good intentions into disastrous consequences. "Think small" Is ian ^chtofidj message from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business© <--------------------------------------------; , Sd down memory lane Some people complain about the high wages that doctors receive. Perhaps the comparison could be made to the mechanic who had a car brought in to him to be fixed. The car’s owner stayed to watch. To his amazement the mechanic charged him ten dollars for only a minute’s work. “Why that’s highway robbery,” the owner sput­ tered, “ten dollars to hit one little bolt with a hammer!” The mechanic grinned, “Oh no sir, it’s only one dollar for hitting the bolt. The other nine is for knowing which bolt to hit.” One cold winter’s night about twelve-thirty my daughter came down with a severe ear-ache. At last I called the doctor. “Give her some aspirins and a good shot of cough syrup,” came his reply. At this point I started to boil. A sobbing four year-old in the middle of the night is no treat. But he didn’t stop there...“And if it doesn’t get better in an hour bring her in to the office.” It didn’t get better. Just the reverse. About quarter to two I bundled her up warmly and started out. The office was ten miles away and blinding snow was covering the road. There was no track to follow other than the occasional view of telephone posts along the sides of the highway. He was there, waiting, a young fellow whom I had never met before, and talking to him I found out he was a new graduate. A shot of penicillin for her off the bat, then a brief ex­ planation of what caused an ear ache-- pus building up behind the ear drum to the place where the thin membrane breaks causing temporary relief until it heals over. Then the process repeats itself forming a new scar each time until even­ tually deafness results. And the emergency procedure? Lancing of the ear-drum with a syringe. No anaesthetic! It was more than I had bargained for. Three-thirty in the morning in a quiet clinic, and a young fellow whom I’ve never seen before is inserting, very carefully mind you, a long needle into my little girl’s ear while I nervously held her head as still as I possibly can. Mercifully she stays very still, only sniffling quietly at the pain. In half an hour we are on the road again, the snow has stopped and “Little Bits’’ is asleep, leaning peacefully against my shoulder in the car. , No, I don’t begrudge a doctor’s wage. If I’m going to entrust myself and mine to somebody, I want the best, and by George, he better know which bolt to hit. Canadians in querulous mood Times Established 1873 SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited LORNE EEDY, PUBLISHER Editor — Bill Batten Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett Composition Manager — Harry DeVries Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Phone 235-1331 XZz ♦B- ./ l-1v . z Advocote Established I imes-Advocate Wtvtof Hwtwr, Mirth MMAeetS ft M»r1h Umto** Story Published Each Thursday Morning af Exefer, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386(*CNA SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $11.00 Per Year; USA $22.00 I don’t think I’ve ever seen, or heard, the Canadian people in a more querulous mood than they are today. And with less reason. Even during the Depression, people weren’t so angry and whining. They were scared and worried and frustrated, because there was no work and they sometimes didn’t know where the next meal was coming from. But, they were also lean and tough and in­ genious and independent. They didn’t spend all their time bitching about the government. Maybe we’ve got too fat and too lazy and too government-dependent during the last forty-odd years. During and after World War II, we sailed happily into the select few nations that had the highest living standard in the world, and we’ve never recovered. We thought all we had to do was lie back like a highpriced prossie and let the money roll in. Germany and Japan were licked, the British were bankrupt, and North America was living high off the hog. Everybody was buying new cars and houses and boats and summer proper­ ties, because the cornucopia of goodies had no bottom. All we had to do was keep the Red Menace at bay, and the Yanks would look after that. For a decade or so after the war, the e pipe-dream lasted, even got more colors and more shine. Industry and business were booming. The Americans were pouring in develop­ ment money. But a combination of things put the handwriting on the wall. My salary quadrupled in a decade. And so did yours. But it still wasn’t enough. We developed a reputation as a nation that was completely untrustworthy when it came to labor relations and strikes. We took on massive social aid plans such as medicare, that we really couldn’t af­ ford. We tried to outdo every other country in the world when it came to unemployment insurance and welfare and pensions. The bills, with interest, kept piling up in the lending capitals of the world. At the same time, Germany, Japan and other nations with populations only too eager to work their butts,off to get rid of starvation and cold and housing shortages, aided by a massive injection of funds from the U.S., panicky about the Cold War, began to rebuild with a speed and singleness of purpose that was frightening. Our trade languished because our products were too expensive to meet the competition. Our international Clout diminshed rapidly as-we welshed on our NATO commitments, kept our foreign aid frugal, and waffled when we should have snarled, in the U.N. And now it’s- all comiqg home to roost. And we-re crying like a bunch of babies. We’ve wrestled inflation to the ground, but who’s on top in the fall? Our dollar is propped up by interest rates that would make me turn green with sweat profusely were I a young husband hoping to bu$ a house with a big mortgage. Say $40,000 at 11.5 per cent. Figure it out, boy. and it fthe dollar) is still worth only 85r U.S., which isn’t much good either, beside the yen and the mark and the franc. A friend of mine, who fought with the German Army in North Africa gets a bigger war pension that I do, PLUS a civilian pension from Germany worth $150 a month, because the mark is so healthy. Who the heck won the war, anyway? We did, but we lost the peace. With inimitable resources, we have a horrendous unemployment rate. The country is going into debt to the tune of billions a year. Taxes are high and everclimbing. And why? Greed. We all want more and 'more of -everything: new highways, new airports, bigger pen­ sions, biggef* salaries, two cars in every garage, and meat at'least six times a week. But look around you, and see if our un-Canadian whining is justified. It’s still one of the best countries in the world to live in, physically. Take in a supermarket. There’s a power of complaining about prices, but people, even the relatively poor, are snapping up luxury items: frozen foods, oranges, California grapes, hot­ house tomatoes, chicken, lamb chops, deodorants, bought cakes. In the old days, the only time I saw an orange or a grape in the house was at Christmas. I didn’t know what a lamb chop tasted like until I came of age. A chicken was something you bought from a farmer for a dollar, plucked and eviscerated yourself, and had for a special Sunday* dinner, with relatives. My mother would have con­ sidered frozen food an abomination of the devil, and a temptation for lazy women. Deodorants consisted of soap. And yet we never went hungry, and never stank, Well, maybe a little, by the end of the week. Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t want to go back to the old days, when my Dad developed ulcers worrying about the coal bill, and my Mom work­ ed until midnight, patching and sewing to keep us decent. But I’m getting heartily sick of Canadians who are worried about miss­ ing the trip to the Caribbean this winter, or having to put off the purchase of a new car until next summer. Quitcher-bitchin! 55 Years Ago The Exeter Opera House was filled Wednesday for “The Spinster’s Return” put on by the Young People’s Guild of Caven Presbyterian Church. Remarkably mild weather has prevailed for some weeks and some new records have been set. Mr. Thomas Coates left last Thursday for Detroit to take a course in the Michigan Auto and Electric School. Mr. Garnet Miners of Usbome made a very ex­ cellent showing at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto with his Yorkshire hogs, carrying off a large number of prizes. Mr. Roy Webber has purchased a half interest in the creamery business operated by Mr. Robert Higgins, Hensall. 30 Years Ago < Miss Velma Ferguson of Usborne who won othe oratorical contest for Huron County in the Junior Farmer’s Association public speaking also won first place in competition with Perth County at Mitchell Monday. William Cross, for 15 years in charge of the Bank of Montreal at Hensall, retired on pension on Tues­ day. The fourth class of pilots trained at the Flying Train­ ing School at Centralia will receive its wings on Friday. Joanne McCurdy was Daisy Mae and Uel Schroeder was L’il Abner at the Sadie Hawkins dance on Friday evening. Owing to the unusual weather condition prevail­ ing, the lilac bushes are in bud and rhubarb is showing an inch of growth. 20 Years Ago Mr. and Mrs. Chester Smith who published the Zurich Herald for 44 years before retiring at the begin­ ning of this year were presented with a silver tray in recognition of their con­ tribution to the community by fellow newspaper editors at the annual meeting of the group in Zurich. J.M. Southcott made the presen­ tation. Farmers spotted a wild bobcat roaming the woods south of Hensall Saturday. The animal is rare in this area. Two officers of Exeter Lodge No. 67 IOOF were honored at a social evening Tuesday. E.A. Howald, who has served as recording secretary for 30 years and has been a member for 50 years was presented with a chair and William Allison, treasurer for 11 years, received a lamp. The newly completed Bice bridge over the Ausable River, Con. 2, McGillivray, was officially opened Wednesday. The bridge is the largest 'built in the township in 30 years and is 80 feet long and cost $49,000. 15 Years Ago Hensr.ll Fire Chief Byron Kyle has resigned his posi­ tion at Hensali. He said the post interfered to much with his occupation of painting. SHDHS board agreed Tuesday to seek tentative approval from the depart­ ment of education to erect an addition containing seven rooms. Mrs. Hugh Patterson was named president of the Gor­ don Evening Auxiliary of Caven Presbyterian Church ata recent meeting. The three-day assembly of JehoVah’s Witnesses con­ cluded Sunday when 649 dis- trict representatives gathered for the final ses­ sion in SHDHS. Exeter Planning Board met Tuesday with officials of the planning section of the Department of Municipal af­ fairs to discuss preparation of an official plan for the town.