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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1965-12-16, Page 94 • Folly on the Farm Front During the past few weeks there has • been considerable talk among Ontario farmers about the need for government assistance because of crop losses occasion- ed by bad weather this fall. Though as- sistance of his kind would entail consider- ation for one single industry which is seldom forthcoming for other forms of • business, we tend to favor the idea, Con- sidering the fact that labor unions, as one example, are protected by unemployment insurance, union strike funds and pen- sions, it does seem unjust that farmers have no protection whatever against loss- es suffered through no fault of their own. The Farmers' Union, however, called a big protest meeting at Durham at the week -end and managed in one fell swoop to alienate any sympathy which might have been forthcoming from the general public who would have footed the bill for • crop loss compensation. Taking their cue from those true-blue, red-blooded Ca- nadian farmers in Quebec, the speakers at the meeting promised unprecedented • demonstrations unless aid is provided at once, Walter Miller, of Tara, second vice- president of the Ontario Farmers' Union, said that failing the provision of, crop compensation the government could ex- pect strikes by the farmers and a "trac- tors on the road" demonstration aimed at creating a traffic nuisance. Fortunately the Union does not repre- sent a majority of Ontario farmers, It would be alarming to know that recom- mendations of the kind put forth at the Durham meeting represented the opinion of a large cross-section of the agricultural industry. The type of action Mr. Miller has ad- vocated is just about as crude a form of organized action as could be imagined in a progressive nation. Tractors out in large numbers on the roads would, of course, not be any direct blow to the gov- ernment — but rather a nasty cut at the general public, most of whom are in com- plete sympathy with farmers and their problems. Interesting Subject Rev. George W. Goth of Metropolitan United Church in London makes a regular practice of shocking his listeners, one way or another. According to a story in The London Free Press he has done it again. He reportedly stated in a sermon on Sun- day evening that "when people of future generations look back on the society of 1965 they will say how strange these peo- ple were who were afraid to look at a woman in a bikini because it was immor- al and yet exalted war and toys devised to kill." He said Christians must raise their sights from petty issues such as naughty magazines to problems of much greater magnitude. "War is the ultimate obscenity in modern life," he said. "So far we ac- cept it as almost inevitable." • He further said he would much rather go to a burning of war toys than a burn- ing of (sex) magazines. We wonder just how well informed Mr. Goth is on the two subjects of war and sex. In the first place there is very little evidence of any connection between • a child's interest in toy tanks and guns and his eagerness to kill his fellowmen. Secondly, we would argue most strenuously his contention that we accept a third world war as inevitable. We can all recall the complete disregard shown by the general public for civil defence pre- cautions and the building of fallout shel- ters—an evidence of complete disbelief in the likelihood of a world war. And thirdly, perhaps the minister in question is not aware that there are sev- eral degrees and classifications of "girlie" or sex -orientated magazines for sale on the news stands of even srnall communi- ties like our own. Some of them, as he suggests, show nothing more shocking than girls in bikinis. A great many others, however, show infinitely more. There are, in fact, many publications which are turned out with the prime purpose of pro- voking eroticism of the most flagrant kind. In the hands of teen-agers these mag- azines are a distinct menace. It is time we faced these facts. If you are a parent, look for yourself. Perhaps Mr. Goth would do well to stick to the book he knows, or should know best. He would be on much safer ground. Spirit Still Prevails Despite the fact that our super -realistic thinking in the mid -60s is inclined to make a laughing stock of anything pur- porting to be miraculous, the spirit of the Christmas season seems to be as all-per- vading as it ever was. This modern, • scientific world would like to put a ra- tional explanation on everything—regard- less of how ancient and honored may be the traditions. Parents are supposed to be old-fashioned if they persist in the "myth" of the virgin birth or the vision • of angels to simple shepherds. The miracle of Christmas remains what it has always been—the knowledge in human hearts that there is something more to living than those realities on which we place our hands or see with our human eyes. True, there is no logical and reasoned explanation for the hope which springs anew in human hearts at this time of the year. All the evidence presented by modern science says it just couldn't have happened that way. The materialists say we should face reality, facts. The believers are glad be- yond expression to leave some important things unexplained. They look about there at a world in which man has indeed become supreme ... and are glad to know that a God of miracles is still in His heaven to comfort the aching soul of hu- mans who find their finest scientific achievements do not really fill all the needs of their existence. The Christmas season emphasizes love, forgiveness, hope. The most intricate electronic computers yet devised have so far failed to produce workable formulas for these spiritual necessities. Serious Shortage of Help The most significant and least prbmis- ▪ ing factor in our present booming econo- my is the drastic shortage of labor. Un- til a few months ago there seemed to be enough help in all brackets but the highly skilled trades. Today, however, it has become a very real problem to find even the semi -skilled and unskilled type of • help. One of the most acute shortages is in the building trades. Big building projects all over the country are slowed to a crawl because of the help shortage. Right here in Wingham, on the hospital construction project, we have a case in point. The construction firm in charge of the job has stated that occupancy of the new second storey wing can be expected about the • end of March. If it were possible to secure the ten lathers who could be em- ployed for the work in progress the new rooms could be occupied several weeks earlier. Four men are currently doing the work instead of the ten who could be employed. The same holds true in hundreds of trades and the situation seems to be get- ting worse. In the face of these conditions we con- tinue to marvel at the Ontario labor regu- lations which make it illegal to employ a person for more than 50 hours in a week; and the new minimum wage law which forbids the employment of more than one trainee (at less than minimum wages) for every five journeymen on the job. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE - TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Eros. Limited W. Barry Wenger, President - Robert O. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulation; Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Associ- ation; Member Canadian Community Newspapers Representatives Authorized by the Post Office Department as Second Class Mail and for payment of postage in each Subscription Rate: One Year, $4.00; Six Months, $2.25, in advance U.S.A., $5.00 per year; Foreign rate, $5.00 per year Advertising Rates on application OVER 200 CHILDREN REGISTERED for "Discovery Week" sponsored by the local Presbyterian Church at the Town Hall last week. Rev. Tony Capon conducted the series of Bible studies.—A-T Photo. bie ingbant VoanceZinte Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, Dec. 16, 1965 SECOND SECTION REMINISCING DECEMBER 1915 A quiet wedding took place at the Methodist parsonage on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 7th, when George Ernest Cook of East Wawanosh was united in marriage to Ivy Margaret Cook, also of East Wawanosh. Mrs. Alfred Pullen was in London for the week -end in or- der to be with her husband the last day or two he spent in Can- ada. Mr. Pullen left with the 33rd battalion on Monday for England; he makes the fifth brother who is now fighting at the front. Mr. Pullen and two of his brothers were all through the South African war. He leaves in Wingham a wife and five daughters. The staff of Hanna & Co. met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen on Wednes- day evening and presented Mr. Geo. Schaefer with a beautiful wrist watch as a token of their esteem for him before he left for London where he is taking an officer's course, after which he will return to town to join the 161st Overseas Battalion. Mr. Schaefer is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Schaefer, and he will be greatly missed in the store of Hanna & Co. DECEMBER 1929 Last week W. T. Cruickshank moved the Radio Shop down Josephine street to the store lately occupied by the Canad- ian National Railway express office. The new stand offers a much better opportunity to dem- onstrate radios, and greater room to display the various mo- dels and makes handled. At the rear of the front shop is a large room, to be used for demon- stration purposes, and in which the broadcast from Station 10 B.P. will take place. Mr. Elmer Farrish, Mrs. Wm. Gardiner, Mrs. George Lane at- tended the U.F.O. and U. F, W.O. Convention in Toronto last week. .E. L. Greenwood, lately connected with the local Ford agency, has located in Owen Sound, where he is interested in an oil and gas depot. The new school of S. S. No. 5 Turnberry, was officially opened on Friday, December 27th, with entertainment which included addresses, euchre, music and dancing. DECEMBER 1940 Last week Don Nasmith passed his examinations for en- try in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He expects that he will be called up at the beginning of the new year. Don a few months ago received his pri- vate pilot's license. He took this course to ensure, if possi- ble, his entry into the air force. Mrs. Jas. Purdon who had her collar -bone broken in a motor vehicle accident two weeks ago, is improving nice- ly. The following are the win- ners in the Public School table tennis tournament for girls: Senior champion, Helen Lock - ridge; runner-up, Dawna Wal- ker; Junior champion, Gloria Swanson; runner-up, Mary Ross, DECEMBER 1951 The new Memorial Chimes at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wingham, were dedi- cated Sunday, December 9th, by Miss Helen Inglis, grand- niece of the donor, and Rev. A. Nimmo. Mrs. Carl Lott of Wingham and Grocer Harry Angus are both $230 richer after winning the Mother Parker contest Sat- urday night. Christmas came early. Saturday night will behock- ey night in Wingham, com- mencing this Saturday evening when Wingham Mohawks meet the Clinton RCAF team. The final line-up is not available yet. Roy Wilson, Johnny Crew - son, George Westlake, Bill Lockridge, Jack Pym, Bill Hil- bert and Jim Gebhardt will dress up for sure. Candlemas Eve is Favored As Time To Remove Green When is the right time to take down the Christmas greens? Before they become a fire hazard, is the modern be- lief, and that usually means soon after Christmas Day. In earlier times, however, the question was not so easily answered. Some people believed that Epiphany, or Twelfth Day, January 6, was the proper time for removing all Christmas decorations. Others firmly contended that the greens should remain until Candle- mas, February 2. One of those favoring the later date was, apparently, the poet Robert Herrick, who lived front 1591 to 1674. He wrote of taking down the greens in his SUGAR AND SPICE by Bill Smiley The Christmas Game People become a bit frantic as foot -wide fireplace. Christmas approaches, and I don't blame them. Every year, despite fervent pledges to keep it simple, the holiday season seems to begin earlier, grow more garish, and finally turn into a three-ring circus before the last stocking is hung. While we all deplore the ex- pense and exhaustion involved, we are all ardent players of that great North American game known as "Needle Your Neigh- bor." That's why the simple little candle in the window has evolved into that hideous phan- tasmagoria of colored lights all over the front of the house. That's why the few sprigs of ev- ergreen over the mantel have evolved into a living -room re- sembling a spruce swamp. Regardless of such things as a happy family gathering, the pleasure of the old carols, the joy of giving, Christmas is not really a success unless we can come up with something that will put the neighbors' noses out of joint. And this is where I come in. I can't bear to see people unhap- py. Except my neighbors. After a lot of thought, I've come up with a few pre -Christmas suggestions that will turn your neighbor green with envy, red with rage, in the proper colors for the season. How about a Yule log this year? Get that old mattress out of the attic. Or off the bed in the guest room. Saturate it in gasoline. Roll it up, tie it with ropes and hide it in the garage. On Christmas Eve, when your neighbor is gloating through the curtains at the vulgar nativity scene in four colors on his front lawn, take out your Yule log and burn it on your lawn. When he rushes out — and he will — tell him it's the genuine article, ordered from England. Then watch him burn. By the way, don't over -do it. Don't try burn- ing your Yule log in your two - poem, "Ceremonies for Can- dlemas Eve," but warned that the greens must be completely removed, "For look how many leaves there be Neglected there (maids, trust to hie) So many goblins you shall see," A variation on this theme is an eternal flame. If you don't have gas, have a line run in to your front lawn. Tell your neighbor the guys who are tear- ing up your lawn are looking for a leak in your sewer. This will please him. Then, some night, half an hour after he turns on his elec- trical monstrosity, flip your gas switch, and slip out and light your eternal flame. The fiendish ingenuity of your plan, the sim- ple dignity of your little light burning away, in wind and snow, will drive him wild. It'll be worth the few hundred bucks it costs. This year, forget all about that junk for your living -room: Christmas candles, spruce boughs, sprigs of holly, colored lights in the chandelier. Oh, let your wife go through the mo- tions• Women enjoy such futili- ties. But a couple of nights before Christmas, when your wife is on a last mad shopping scramble, throw all that garbage out. Then take two gallons of paint, one red and one green, and paint ev- erything in your livingroom one or the other. Your neighbor will be livid with envy when you ask him over for refreshments. Your wife may be any color. A variation on this is to let your kids help you paint, and not ask your neighbor over. Christmas morning, you send the kids over at seven a.m., in appropriate colors, and they ask him over. Speaking of refreshments, how about a wassail bowl this year? It's quite simple to make, and bound to impress. Take any large bowl or small washtub. Half fill with nut -brown ale. It's an old Elizabethan recipe, and don't forget to telt your neigh-' bor this. Stir in several wassails. These are small, ancient Englishmen, pickled in alcohol. Something like the shepherds in shepherd's pie, but no gristle. Flavor to taste with nut -meg, nut -brown maidens, mistletoe and garlic salt. Fill bowl with gin. Ply neighbor generously. But don't touch the stuff yourself. If you haven't got him by now, there's no hope for you, and you might as well relax and enjoy Christmas with all the old familiar horrors of last year.