The Rural Voice, 1983-03, Page 69*El
1)t.4 -<
FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
BOX 429 CLINTON. ONTARIO NOM ILO
Of ice Hour*
Mon. i9.4
TELEPHONE 519, 482-9642
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY MEMBERS MEETING
THURSDAY, FEB.3/83
Londesboro Hall, Londesboro
The meeting opened at 8:00 p.m. with
President Tony welcoming everyone
present. Mr. Doug Donnelly of the
Ministry of National Revenue read a
presentation on the "coloured diesel
fuel problem'. Mr. Gord Tinselly of the
Ministry was aiso present. After the
presentation, the two gentlemen ans-
wered questions. No specific reason
has as yet been established as to the
cause or reason for the 'problem' of the
coloured fuel
President Tony McQuail announced
the Huron County Directors Seminar
coming up on Thursday, Feb. 24 to be
held at St. Columban For more infor-
mation, contact the county office or
your Regional Director. Murray Gaunt is
going to be hosting a 3-5 minute talk
program each Saturday a.m. at 7:35
a.m. with Huron County farmers being
interviewed. this program starts on Feb.
5/83. Tony announced the date of our
next Directors' meeting. Feb. 28 at
OMAF at 8:30 where our budget and
Farm and Country subscriptions will be
discussed.
At this point in the meeting. the
group was divided into 5 groups to
discuss a draft discussion paper from
the Review and Planning Committee
titled "Future Directions". Each group
had an executive person in charge.
After a 45 minute discussion, the group
reconvened and each group reported its
results. In general 1 consensus of each
group was very similar; each group felt
the objects and goals were quite ac-
ceptable and agreeable, the feeling was
that counties should be included more
in the main body of OFA, possibly a
universal constitution for all counties,
ISM Directors could also be on their
county executives, OFA should recog-
nize that each county is a part of OFA.
"Page 11' was not satisfactory, did not
include enough ISM's or enough time
for meetings to get things done. Each
group felt we needed more money to
make OFA and the counties to run
smoothly. but how?? Do we receive
more money, raise the fee or will this
mean losing members?
Resolution, presented by Turnberry
Township:
"Whereas Lloyd Axworthy (Minister of
Employment and Immigration) is re-
questing that all incoming trainees par-
ticipating in the International Agricul-
tural Exchange Association (IAEA) be
paid on a par with local agricultural
labour (850.00, month and no room and
board deducted) instead of the $750.00
less $100 room and board/month as
proposed by IAEA and whereas:
IAEA provides (at no cost to govern-
ment and a mirOmum cost to partici-
pants: host families, work visa's, travel
arrangements, orientation seminars. fa-
mily atmosphere. community involve-
ment and agricultural experience with
work normally done by the host family
and whereas;
Canadian job loss is offset by Canadian
trainees working in other countries.
Other participating countries typically
require hosts to pay 50% of local farm
wage, less a room and board fee.
Trainees participate for the experience.
not the money;
Therefore be it resolved, that rather
than encounter the expected 50% loss
of host families and perhaps the dis-
banding of IAEA in Canada, Huron
County Federation of Agriculture re-
quest OFA to pressure the Honourable
Lloyd Axworthy to reduce the required
wage for incoming trainees to the
wages proposed by IAEA."
Moved by Brian Jeffray, seconded by
Gerry Fortune. Carried.
Ontario Corn Producers Association:
OFA Executive member Merle Gunby,
explained the newly organized voluntary
association incorporated under the Ag-
ricultural Associations Act of Ontario. It
is an independent, non-profit body
dedicated to the financial betterment of
corn producers and the advancement of
the corn industry in the province.
Anyone interested in joining the Asso-
ciation to ensure greater stability and
progress for their industry may join. For
more information or application, call
the county federation office.
Farm Financial Situation:
The Board of Directors of OFA resolved
to work towards setting up teams of
farm experts to give practical advice to
farmers facing financial difficulties.
Approved Recommendations:
1. to work on setting up a team of farm
experts to provide practical advice to
farmers.
2 The team would help the farmer
assess his overall position, re-estab-
lish communications with the far-
mers banker (if they had broken
down) and draft a proposal spelling
out realistic options at the farmer's
request.
3. the teams would operate under the
direction of OFA. Knowledgeable
farmers, independent financial con-
sultants and possibly OMAF and
Canadian Bankers Association staff
would make up the teams.
Resolution by John VanBeers, secon-
ded by Walter Elliott "Be it resolved
that any presentations at political party
gatherings be made as individuals, not
on behalf of the federation."....After
much discussion the resolution was
defeated.
Mel Greig announced the Howick/
Turnberry Annual meeting to be held on
Friday, February 25, 1983 at 12.00 noon
with Ralph Barrie as guest speaker.
Anyone wanting tickets can see Mel or
any Howick/Turnberry Directors (to be
held in Belmore).
Before adjournment, President Tony
held a quick "evaluation" of the crowd
as to their feelings, good and bad
toward the meeting. (cont'd on page 69)
'HURON FEDERATION MEMBERS MEETING
Date - March 3/83
Place - Blyth Public School
Time - 8:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker - Gary Davidson - Huron County Planner
Rural Planning & Development
The emphasis will be on secondary plans. An invitation to attend has been sent to
the councils of Hullett & Morris townships as neither has yet adopted a secondary'
plan Come for coffee at 8.00 p.m.
PG. 70 THE RURAL VOICE, MARCH 1983