The Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-11-02, Page 7opinion
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Trees are symbols of life
[Contributed by Evelyn Cook]
God created us, he also made the trees to
grow and produce beautiful leaves, flowers
and fruit.
In the Spring the trees feel a new surge of
growth after the long winter, so leaves
appear portraying whatever kind of a tree
that it is. Some trees have lovely scented
flowers, other bear fruit.
'In Summer they stand beautiful, giving
shade or fruit to the weary traveller and
making the landscape very attractive.
In Fall the trees begin to change and
become still more beautiful with the coming
of the cooler nights. That change tells the
tree that the leaves must undergo a transi-
tion, and soon - the lovely orange, red and
yellow leaves of the maples and others
appear. Affected by wind and rain one by
one the leaves slowly leave the tree and fall
to the grown to rot and make the tree more
productive for another year.
How very short is the life span of the
beautiful leaves! The tree that stands, riding
out winter cold and storms will once again
feel new life when the hot sun returns in the
spring.
How like our lives! We are born as babies,
pure as a new leaf. We are In. God's care just
like the tree. In youth we grow tail and go in
different ways, producing a good life for
ourselves and helping others.
In middle age we see the fruit of our
labours of youth and have a real satisfaction
in our experieliaes. Like the tree we endure
storms and set backs, but we persevere on in
God's care.
In Fall or nearing old age we revel in the
past experiences and begin to wonder how
long it will be until, like the leaves, we get
Lueknow Sentinel, Wednesday, November 2, 1983—Page 7
the message that Winter or old age is
approaching and we too must leave this way
of life,
One by one through old age or sickness we
slowly pass beyong the bounds of Time,
Each leaf flutters down to earth when its
stem becomes weak. So Tike our lives, life
has taken its toll.
We are called by God to return to Him and
leave all behind which we enjoyed on earth.
We came with nothing, and we will leave
with nothing. Only the memories that others
have of our lives remain.
In the cold winter months they that remain
can remember the lovely leaves like the
memory we leave to others of our time on
earth, 5o as the Seasons of our lives pass by,
let us grow strong with Faith and Hope in
the future.
What have the "Asphalt Twins" accomplished?
Editor's notes The following is a commentary
for CBC Radio Noon written by Donald C.
MacDonald, for 27 years NDP Agricultural
Critic in the Ontario Legislature.
By Donald C. MacDonald
Two years ago the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food had sunk to an all time
low. County farm organizations were calling
for the minister's resignation, an unpreced-
ented development in view of the tradition-
ally close, if not cosy, relationship between
governments and farm organizations in this
province.
Apparently the Premier concluded that a
rescue operation was necessary. First, he
appointed Duncan Allan as Deputy Minister,
and then Dennis Timbrell as Minister.
Neither of these men had had any personal
experience with agriculture or the ministry,
but Duncan Allan is one of the most
influential bureaucrats in the government
and Dennis Timbrell is a senior cabinet
minister. With two such powerful men at the
top, it was assumed that agriculture was
being given greater clout; that a new day
would dawn for Ontario farmers.
Now, during my 27 years as agricultural
critic in the Ontario Legislature it was a
common practice for government spokesmen
to dismiss my criticism as without credibil-
ity, After all, 1 was just a city slicker, that
asphalt farmer from York South, so what
could 1 know about agriculture?
Well, let me return the compliment. Now
that we have a couple of city slickers running
the agricultural show at Queen's Park, what
have these Asphalt Twins accomplished?
More specifically, how much better off are
the farmers?
To begin with, it must be conceded that
they have done a superb public relations job.
in fact, the Minister is the leading public
relations officer, meeting farmers collective-
ly and individually all over the province,
assuring them of the government's concern
for their problems.
Furthermore, the public relations job is
back up with a wide range of grants which
are judiciously doled out so as to provide a
regular reminder of the beneficence of
Queen's Park for the agricultural commun-
e
Some of these grants are the traditional
grants in aid of activities in organizations
ranging from 4-11 Clubs and the Junior
Farmers to the Swine Breeders Association
and the Ontario Council of Rabbit Clubs.
Some of them are the so called B]LD
grants, the Board of industrial Leadership
and Development, They are given to com-
panies to extend storage and packing in the
fruit and vegetable industry, or to rebuild
our dwindling food processing industry.
Thus there was 14 million to Canada Packers
for a canis crushing plan+ in Hamilton; or
13 million to the Heinz company for a tomato
paste plant in Leamington.
All of these are private operations, with
the prospect of long term profits, but their
owners were unwilling to undertake the
enterprise without a government hand out.
Some of these grants are for improving
energy efficiency -• a few thousand here and
a few thousand there, to install thermal
blankets or »loveable benches in green-
houses. They come from a 15 million, five
year fund which can be spun out well past
the next election.
Now, admittedly, some of these grants
serve a purpose from which farmers will
ultimately get some benefit. Certainly, they
are appreciated by : the individuals who
receive them. But make no mistake about it;
this widespread distribution of government
largesse keeps the Tory political machine
well oiled. It's all a magnificent exercise in
political seduction of the farm community.
But, what does it contribute to the basic
needs of indiividual farmers, the tens of
thousands who work long hours to produce
the food we all need? Despite the greater
clout of the Asphalt Twins at Queen's Park,
there is precious little improvement in the
position of agriculture.
For example, Ontario remains lowest
among the provinces -- with only 1% of its
budget going to agriculture, At times the
province of Quebec has had a budget 50%
larger than Ontario's, for half as many
farmers,
After years of promises, and months of
delay on the specific details, we now have *
Beginning Farmers Assistance program. But
it is restricted to those who began farming
after last May 10. it is not available to the
young farmers who came into the industry
over the past five years and have had to cope
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AUTHORIZED SIM AGENT FOSS
Rktitsedires Greetashaellar of Baia W.
NOT10E
Towndulp of
Ashfield
THE SECOND AND FINAL
INSTALMENT OF THE
1983 Tax Levy
is due on
Tuesday, November
150i, 1983
Tam which have not been paid
tyy the due dote will be subject to
a penalty of 1,5 per cent and a
further 1, 5 per cent will be added
on frye first day of each month
until paid.
DONA L D M, SI MPSON
Clerk -Treasurer,