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Times-Advocate, 1980-04-02, Page 4Amalgamated 1.924 TIrnes-Advocate, April 2, 19$Q Tim.* gs.t Ohli*.hoW, 1 173. Advocate Established 1881 1 Mainstream Canada Teein.elerk e''eeee • .eeesee SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C,W,N.A., O.W.N.A. CLASS W and ABC Published by J. W, Eedy Publications Limited. LORNE [EBY, PUBLISHER Editor Bill Batten Assistant Editor — Rost Haugh Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett Composition Manager -- Harry DeVries Business Manager -- Dick Jong kind Phone 235-1331 Keep out of reach Published Each. Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Clan Moil Rogistration Number 0386 • SUBSCRIPTION RATES; Canada $14.00 Per Year; LISA $35.00 00,19/rOwn".rta.PrVit. TILL 'tit AxewQrthy's Big Problem lively • high-paying jobs is among the top problems. Need by small and 'medium- sized. enterprises, And the situation is just as bad. for bigger businesses. So a .crash program to up. grade skills, particularly among the unemployed, will undoubtedly he"a priority for the new minister, The delicate political problem that is likely to de- velop, though, is somewhat different. If Axeworthy strikes out in efforts to provide enough skilled trades people, he may be forced to allow more im- migration or permit qualified people to work in the country on r a temporary basis,: return- ing home when the job is k completed. Such a move would be political dynamite, particu- larly if Canada's high unem- ployment persists. - In short, Axeworthy has been handed one of the toughest jobs in the new cabinet, dealing with issues that affect the future of the country, and the place of Canadian workers in 'their own land. Get poor quick scheme Want to be a millionaire? Silly question! Well, the answer to your dreams could be contained in a suggestion by a real estate broker from MisSissauga who wants to sell Canada to the United States. The asking price is a mere $15.6 trillion, which would result in a million dollar payment to every man and woman who is a Canadian citizen over 18 years of age. "They want our water, oil and gas and our minerals," claims Ben Pich in a tongue-in-cheek outline of his plan. "Well, they can have it all, for a price, and we in Canada can all retire and let them take over." He explains that the plan would also help to reduce the American unemploy- ment situation, in that the new millionaires in Canada would quit their jobs and would be replaced by unemployed Americans who would move here to take over. Pich, who points out he would be only too happy to work as the exclusive agent for the mammoth real estate transaction, also has the future worked out for Canada's politicians. The prime minister would become vice-president of the newly enlarged United States, Canadian senators would be retired, MPs would join the House of Represen- tatives and the provincial premiers would be governors of the new states. * * * In any rosy scheme, there are naturally some drawbacks and it is to * * * Having sold our birthright, it would naturally follow that the mortgage companies, banks and credit Ca' " be hoped some of our readers could fur- nish answers to ensure that the sale would go through so we can all start enjoying life as Millionaires. The first major problem, of course, is the disposition of our current national, provincial and municipal debt. Unfor- tunately, about half the million dollars each of us receives would have to be turned over to repay the debt unless we can convince our creditors to merely write them of. That would leave us with only $500,000. Secondly, there would be some ques- tion whether the sale would be in Cana- dian or U.S. dollars. If it was the former, each of us would receive only $415,000 in our new currency. Of _course, there would have to be some special consideration given to Albeeta intview of their claim to most of the nation's valuable gas and oil supplies. Given their penchant for striking it into us as far as possible, we could possibly hope to settle for giving them half the share for Ontarians. That still leaves us with a sizeable $207,500. However, there's still Quebec to look after. They'd be looking for their usual extra payoff from Ottawa and couple that with Premier Rene's obstinateness, he'd probably expect at least a third of our original $415,000 and suddenly we in Ontario are left with only $691166.67. Heading for the frosty north Well, admit it, sourpuss. It's been a great winter, hasn't it? January, un- believable. February cold but clear. About half the amount of snow of an average Canadian winter. My snow removal bill is about, half what it was during a normal winter. And that makes me wonder. What are all those towns and cities and villages who put aside in their budgets so much for snow removal and disposahgoing to do with all the money they haven't spent? I'll tell you. They'll switch it to some' other department, and spend it on something equally as non-producing as snow removal: so much for straighten- ing bent parking meters; an allotment to the fire department for three new checkerboards; a little dispension to the Parks Board to repair vandalism; a portion to the Board of Works to pave over some grass for new parking meters; expenses for a councillor to go to a convention in Hawaii to study racism. You name it, but it won't be a refund to the taxpayer. By the time this appears in print, the March Break will be over. This annual affair, which used to be known as the Easter Holidays, has grown into a gross exercise in lowering our national balance of trade with the U.S. It involves hundreds of thousands of Canadians, parents and children, students, school teachers, in a massive airlift to the south, where they spend several millions of our sick Canadian dollars getting a sunburn. Somebody should put a stop to it. It's a waste of energy, with all that oil and gas going up in smoke. It's a waste of money. And it's a waste of time. Maybe you think I'm just jealous, when all the teachers, and half the students, tell me they're off to Jamaica, Hawaii, Florida, the Bar- bados, Texas, for their one-week break. I am. But I'll be diddled it I'm. going to spend a thousand bucks, and another on my wife, to line up in confused air ter- minals with all the other peasants, fly down south at some ungodly hour, stay in some hotel that has about as much style and class as a McDonald's ham- burger joint, be ripped off for everything I eat and drink, and come home broke and exhausted and peeling. Not when I can do the same thing for aobut two dollars, four months later, and not be burned, frustrated, or even tired, by just driving out to the beach, opening the thermos, gently brown, swim in clean water, and come home relaxed. People who can't cope with March by staying in Canada for the March Break should be picked up at the border, lock- ed into box-cars and sent up to James Bay. And that's exactly what I con- template, as I write. Instead of heading for the sunny' south, and a sybaritic week pretending I'm rich and elegant and swinging, I'm planning to head for the frosty north, and a frigid foot pretending I'm poor, 'tough, and hardy. It takes a lot more guts than flying to Barbados, bolting rum punches, and getting stung on the foor by a sea urchin. I'll be training to Moosonee, bolting rum punches, and getting squeezed all over by human urchins. My grandboys. It's only a twenty-four hour ride on the Polar Express, and I love trains. I can sleep and read and contemplate the inanities of the human race far better than on one of those great cattle cars they call jumbos. There's a four-hour stop in Cochrane, and I doubt that I'll have to like up to see the sights there. I won't have to stand in a sweaty line to catch the last four, five or six-hour train ride to Moosonee. Instead of having to fight for a taxi, Area retailers who have failed to follow the pleas from various sources to have adult magazines kept out of reach of youngsters may be spurred into action by a court case recently settled in Columbus, Georgia. A drug store in that community agreed to an out-of-court settlement of $6,250 for a 12-year-old girl who was "shocked and mortified" when she ac- cidentally purchased an adult magazine. Part of the claim submitted by the Need new Many of the honest and dedicated secondary school teachers in this province must be squirming with em- barrassment after reading the words of their federation's first vice-president, David Judd. Commenting on a deadlock in negotiations between teachers and board in the Sarnia area Judd said, "It may be time for students to lose their credits or their school years to force government to address the problem." It is difficult indeed to believe that a majority of members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) actually agree with Judd. During a teachers' strike • in Huron County a couple of years ago we spoke with many teachers who were' deeply concerned about the effect of the work stoppage on their students - youngsters whose progress was of paramount per- sonal importance to the teachers. In virtually every instance however, the teachers claimed there was nothing they could do about the situation because the federation ex- ecutive was calling the shots. The, stance of the OSSTF vice- president falls squarely in line with all- out union activity in many recent labor disputes. Make the innocent suffer seems to be the watchword. the princi- ple behind this sort of reasoning (if one A feature in last week's issue about ARC Industries in Dashwood gives further proof of the vast improvements that have been made in providing benefits for handicapped people in our community. Over the past 10 years, great strides have been made in providing educational and employment oppor- tunitieS for youngsters and adults alike and they have obviously responded to the faith placed in them. However, there are still a large number of deprived people in the com- munity who are at the other end of the By SYD FLETCHER Though I have handled and used guns a number of times over the years I have no great love for them. As a competitive sport where a person shoots at a stationary target, I see some value in weapons. Archery, pistol shooting, rifle shooting, all develop eye-hand co- ordination and demand a great deal of concentration of brain and of fine muscular ability. Back in the days when this country was developing from a dense forest, hunting was a way of life, necessity. You killed animals to survive. NoW the picture has changed considerably and the amount of wild-life has diminished. girl's mother was that she too was shocked by the magazine beindsold to her daughter and "I myself was shock- ed and humiliated by seeing the magazine". The magazine had been on display in a section adjacent to a comic book section. So, it would appear there are finan- cial reasons for retailers to keep such magazines out of reach of youngsters and to alert their staff members to en- sure such material is not sold to non- adultk. spokesman could call it that) is that if the public is sufficiently injured there will be an out- cry for government to back down. Com- mon sense and intelligent observation should by this time indicate that precisely the reverse if true. Rather than ,4a public desire for submission to union demands there has been a hardening of public attitude against capitulation. Jean Claude Parrot, presi- dent of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, who was last week released from prison, should be able to attest to the negative results of third party in- jury. Although the Huron teachers protested there was nothing they could do about Uniot . executive decisions, they are profoundly mistaken. They can exercise their democratic right to elect officers wh6 will respond to the will of the general membership. Given the power of most union officials it is not easy, but if we have reached the stage in this country where the membership is powerless to control its own organization it is high time to rethink and reorganize our labor laws. So far we have seen no repudiation of the vice-president's words by any teacher. This newspaper would be glad to print any such expressions of teacher opinion. scale. They are gifted children with special abilities who are often held back in our educational system which tends to "specialize" on the student with average ability. Unfortunately, these gifted children are often denied the special challenges and resources they need to reach their potential. It is unfortunate because these are the talented, gifted and creative children who are the potential leaders of the future. Many of them succeed in reaching their potential despite the system, but it is regrettable that in many instances they are being handicapped. eege (e/ eee me a small hole in his coat. A neighbour boy and he had been playing together with their BB guns, shooting small birds. Tempers had flared and the other boy had turned and 'shot him,' the BB penetrating only the outer layers of cloth. However, it could have just as easily been the end of an eye. The second case was so simple, about two or three years ago when a youngster in this area shot her brother. None of the children in the room knew the gun was loaded. They were just playing, but that will not bring back a 12 year old boy who never had a chance to grow up and live a full life. With proper controls guns may have their place, but I for one would not Want one in my home. Bx Roger W, Worth Most political, pundits in Canada. believe Manitoba's Lloyd Axeworthy received a. second-rbte federal cabinet post, considering he is one of only two Liberals elected from Western Canada. That's not the case. Axeworthy has been handed the task of dealing «ith what is potentially the most explo- sive political situation in the country. As Minister of Manpower and Immigration, he is the federal minister responsible for training, the lens of thou- sands of skilled trades people Canada will require during the next decade as the coun- try gets set to spend $200 bil- lion on major projects.- Roger Worth is Director, Public Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. ' And a severe shortage of skilled labor already exists. Surveys conducted by the 55,000 member Canadian Federation of Independent Business indicate finding qualified workers for rela- 55 Years Ago After 15 years of splendid missionary endeavour in West China, Rev. Alfred and Mrs. Johns are returning home with their five children for their second furlough. Mrs. 13 urkart of Cleveland, Mr. & Mrs. Gor- don Davis of Toronto, and Mr. & Mrs. Clifton Davis of London, attended the funeral of their grandfather Charles Steinhagen Sr. of Dashwood. William Hatter had the misfortune to break one of his little toes when a wagon wheel ran over his ,foot. 30 Years Ago' Evelyn Desjardine, Grand Bend, a student of Exeter District High School, won se- cond place in lyric-poetry at the OEA convention in the King Edward Hotel, Toronto Monday evening. William Mickle, Hensall is this year's choice from Ex- eter District High School for the Leader's club sponsored by the London Free Press. Charles Fisher has purchased the 100-acre farm of Bert Bissett, Concession 2, Usborne. Mr. Bissett will reside on the farm until he can secure a home in Ex- eter. Ulric Snell is having the foundation dug for the erec- tion of a new home on Sanders Street. 20 Years Ago Mr. & Mrs. A . W Etherington have returned home after spending the winter in Florida. Judy Mason visited her home on Sunday. She had just completed a 'two week course with the Bell I'll be met at the .station by a snow- mobile, inexpertly driven by my daughter. I'll whistle out to her house, teeth chattering, not with cold, but fear, as we circumnavigate tractor trailors, trucks, and Indians under the influence. hugs, and misaimed kisses by two little blonde boys who love the north, and haven't had a cold since they went up there. (When they lived in the city, they had eternal runny noses and chest barks.) centre of attention, which is good for the soul of a grandad. neighbours and venture into town to see whether it's true that the Hudson Bay Company is gouging the natives, as it has since the time it was formed by Prince Rupert in the seventeenth cen- boy!" across the 300 miles that separate my daughter and my brother, tury. who is up in Northern Quebec helping organize the greatest hydro project in wear, son Hugh having taken off with the World. the last of my thermal underwear. Where- does one purchase fleecelined panty-hose? sneer and snigger at my colleagues with the tan that will last a week. I'll be greeted by bone-wracking I'll put out some presents and be the I'll have the odd skoal with the If it's a clear day, I'll holler 'Hello, My only concern is what I should And when I came back, I'll smirk and ' Ontario. The largest approached my good friends and associates to request help in supporting the work let down. I want you to know of the Ontario Society for of children with physical how much I have always Crippled Children on behalf appreciated your continued interest and understanding must be made in the field of handicaps. I have never been of the accomplishments that children's rehabilitation. For the most part, it has been a long and uphill battle, but progress is now being achieved, at a more rapid pace than ever before, and wonderful things happen. the future looks bright. The Annual Snowarama has developed into a tremdndous fundraising event that this year raised $800,000 in proceeds ever raised this way to my knowledge, in the Dear Bill: For many years, I have You have helped to make world. This amount will "Whaja do in March Break, Bill?" undoubetedly help to "Oh, nothing much. Spent a few days augment the Society's target at James Bay, shooting caribou and for 1980, to raise $6,000,000 to catching twelve-pound trout through help physically handicapped the ice." children in this province. My only fear is that my wife will By your excellent Media want to go with me. That would require four months planning and put us right coverage demonstrating into the black-fly season. faith in our efforts, the goals OCNA Wingham Advance-Times Some still deprived • ,,..1:04Saawfwg- . Perspectives In most cases people no longer kill game for food. Instead it has come to) be called a sport, though With the advent of high-powered rifles and telescopes, the word sport may be somewhat out of place. What bothers me most is the attitude of Americans and Canadians who consider the owning of weapons to be almost a right, as opposed to a privilege. Perhaps this belief has grown out of the `western tradition' where a man felt naked without a gun on his hip. Whatever, times have changed, surely there is no real need to have in- struments of destruction handly in our homes. Two incidents brought this home to me. The first one was relatively minor. A youngster at school showed firms would expect each of us to im- mediately pay off his/her outstanding debts. That's probably an average of $45,000 (and growing daily) so now you've got only $24,166.67 of your original one million. There's still in- come tax to pay on that too. It's -back to the drawing boards, Mr. Pich! Your scheme doesn't figure out quite as lucrative as it appears on the surface. Our only hope is that the balance gives us 2,416 chances to win a million with Loto Canada tickets. Those who failed to click on the lottery would have $6.67 left which, if you budget carefully, should get you through at least three coffee breaks to diScuss with your friends what it was like to be a millionaire for one day. But there's still one little fly in the ointment. One of these days Canadians are apparently going to be required to face up to the claims of our native peo- ple, particularly those in our energy rich northland. ' Having squandered all your share of the $15.6 trillion sale to the United States, you'd then be required to head out to your friendly banker to take out a loan to meet your share of the native land claims. at That puts you right back in debt again . which is probably where you started! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Telephone Company in Toronto and left Monday for Goderich where she has a position with that company, Mr. & Mrs. Lorne Johnston and boys visited Goderich on Sunday with Mr. & Mrs. Jack Johnston. Mr. & Mrs. Harold Light- foot received word that their son-in-law Cpl. Carl Stuckless of Moosejaw Sask. has been promoted to Sgt. in the R.C.A.Fe 15 Years Ago The beginner group of the Exeter Promenaders were graduated at e,speeial dance at the local arena Saturday, when about 80 dancers froin Exeter, Clinton, Seaforth, Centralia and Stratford join- ed in the festivities. The graduates were Mr. & Mrs. Jack Herm, Mr. & Mrs. Ron Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Tilley, Mr. & Mrs. Jerry MacLean, Mr. & Mrs. Andy Dougall, Mr. & Mrs. Rollie Youngash and Dr. and Mrs. Don Ecker. Dennis Cann, son of Mr. & Mrs. Carman Cann, Usborne, and a SHDHS, graduate, has been awarded a studentship of $3,000 by the National Research Council. Helen Burton skipped her way to her second win of the year in the ladies' final Tuesday, but she had to go to the final end to do it in a 5-4 thriller over Dorothy Prout. The squads were tied com- ing home,. Members of the winning rink were Leona Morley, Helen Burton, Ada Dinney, and Leona Hern. Members of the Prout rink who whipped Pauline Sim- ' mons 13-5 to gain the final were Lee Dobbs, Marg Strang and Dolores Shapton. will be reached. That is, to provide disabled children with the opportunity to reach their fullest potential and take their rightful place in the community. I wish to thank at this time, not only you in the Media but all snowmobilers, Ontario Snowmobile Industry Association, Molson's Brewery (Ontario) Limited, our Easter Seal Service Clubs, and all volunteers that made this event truly successful 1981 is the International Year of disabled PerSens. The focus will be oft _ in- tegration - we want all of our youngsters to share an equal opportunity, regardless of handicap, to contribute to society in their own Way within our communities. When these children become adults, there must be a better world for them. It was a great honour for Miss Snowarama, Nadia de Franco and me to par- ticipate in Snowararria,. I will be riding again in 1981. Thank you again for your support that contributed to the success of this year's Million Dollar Ride. Sincerely, Whippet, Watson