The Rural Voice, 1978-08, Page 16The Voice of A Farmer
by Adrian Vos
Are we over protected?
It has been said so often that every Canadian knows by now
that we arc the most insured people in the entire world. We are a
cautious people. This will usually get us where we want to go,
but quite often someone else has there been before us, to lick
- cream off the milk.. I suspect that because of this cautious
approach many investors take their money somewhere else. The
risk may be somewhat higher. but the returns are as well. 1 don't
really know how to cure this security syndrome, but I would like
to point out some other security blankets.
When we buy something. we like to be assured that in case we
made a mistake. we can return the product. There is nothing
wrong with that, but when we ask the government to pass a law. in
order to, save us from our mistakes. we abdicate responsibility.
We also limit the freedom of the entrepreneur who works hard to
present his product to us at home. We can force him to cancel the
sale he worked for. if it is requested within 24 hours.
We want laws limiting the profit anyone can make on his
merchandise. if a supermarket makes much profit on a particular
product. we holler for a law against profiteering. instead of
shopping somewhere else.
We want the feed we buy labelled as to the exact content.
when we can ask the feedntill what he put in there.
We want laws prohibiting certain food additives. Thus we
abdicate our responsibiity in knowing what to buy and limit the
feedom of choice of those of us who want that particular additive.
Yet. when restricting laws are passed that affect us. we
scream loud and long. Remember the seat belt law protests?
When we see an advertisement that says something that isn't
tete, we want to invoke a law that prosecutes false advertising.
In other words, we want the governentent to do our shopping for
us.
We want to be protected from cradle to grave. but we scream
loudly that we don't want socialism.
1t is time that each of us start to exercise our own
responsibilities. The more we depend on government to do
thins for us, the less will we be able to initiate things for
ourselves.
Yes, there are lots of things that have to be enacted by law to
protect the weak and feeble. That is the responsibility of us who
are able to so. But we all too often ask to be included in the weak
and feeble category when we are not, just because we are too
lazy to do things for ourselves.
Let us limit that security blanket and reserve that for those
who cannot defend themselves.
Up to a point, I am saying: Every man for himself, with some
exceptions. It will make us all stronger if we have to think a bit
and fight a bit for ourselves.
Next time someone is boasting that Canadians are the most
insured people in the world, we would be better off if we are
somewhat ashamed instead of proud of that statistic.
The counter meeting held by the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture in Ottawa, in answer to the Food Strategy
Conference organised by the Canadian government was an
enormous succes. It was successful even before it began, for the
PG. 16 THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 197A.
minister quickly doubled the invitat ion to producers a week
before the meeting. The meeting focussed the attention of the
delegates on the position of the farmer and when 1200 farmers
lind it important enough to leave everything and spend a lot of
money, the observer can't be anything else but impressed.
especially as farmers usually are not very demonstrative.
However. if the farmer stops there, nothing much is gained.
Peter Hannam, in a letter to the OFA directors and to County
presidents, has recognized this and wantsa fast follow-uo. The
meeting supported. in a rare unanimous vote. four objectives.
I. The extension of farm product markets. both at home and
abroad. 2. The right of farmers to collective marketing of their
product. 3. The Canadian government to dissociate itself
publicly from statements by some ministers favouring a cheap
food policy and to abandon a plan to limit prices of food. 4. The
Federal and Provincial governments to implement meaningful
stabilization and/or income assurance programs.
H e asks every farmer to promote these four points by talking
to their members of parliament. the neighbours and everyone
else and explain the justness of it.
Do something
The producer is thus asked to do something and not to sit back
for someone else to do it. Let's not cry to our neighbour while
hanging over the back fence, but support your organization by
convincing that neighbour to join an organization with such as
sensible program.
That something has to be done is demonstrated by the prairie'
farmers of the Canadian Agricultural Movement. While doubtful
about the longterm results. 1 am in full sympathy with their
plight. And even the long term results could very well be of
benefit to all of us. Cattle prices have gone up since the protest
picketing began. but this happened in Ontario. without pickets.
too.
There could possibly. be a short term glut when the witheld
cattle come to market. but if this will be a price depressing factor
is questionable. Sure. some supermarkets will use it as an excuse
to raise prices to the consumer. but as only a small part of the
total market is affected. this doesn't need be.
The farmers are in effect calling for powers that normally only
a marketing board has. But a large majority of the beef
producers would rather do without for various reasons.
Low Income
The real value of their protest lies in the fart that low fans
income is brought to the attention of the points of the Ontrio
Federation of Agriculture.
Politicians should pad attention to the fact that 1200 Ontario
farmers arc concerned enough to go to Ottawa and that a goodly
number of praiticfarntcrs are concerned enough to risk the irk of
the labour in the stock ards and packing plants. These farmers
appear to be getting desperate. Let's all support the OFA.
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