The Wingham Advance-Times, 1967-01-12, Page 15Only Part of The Story
SUGAR
AND SPICE
by Bill Smiley
100 years of what?
MRS, ROBERT MacKENZIE, former secre-
tary-treasurer of the Lucknow District High
School Board, who was named assistant
secretary of the Huron-Bruce Board here
last Wednesday shows some of the figures
from the Lucknow school to newly-elected
chairman Ross MacRae, left, and principal
of the Lucknow High Scohol, Noel Mason.
—Advance-Times Photo.
twentieth century belongs to
Canada?
One look would, reveal a ma-
terial prosperity and comfort
beyond their dreams, But it
would show that a lot of other
things they were familiar with
had not changed or improved
in 100 years. Fear of the U.S„
corruption in high places,
French and English Canadians
wrangling, dirty fighting at Ot-
tawa, the taxpayers being
bribed with their own money,
the rich gt .1g richer and the
poor gette.„, children; a famil-
iar world to The Fathers.
But +!..4 sorrow might change
to In-tror when they looked be-
yond the familiar things and
saw that the healthy-looking
body was riddled with disease.
The pollution of air and water
would make them furious. The
soaring rate of divorce, drug
addiction, homosexualism, ale°•
holism would appall them. The
number of dead on the high-
ways each year would sicken
them, The power of huge mono-
polies would frighten them.
And the apathy of the average,
well-fed Canadian would dis-
gust them.
No, we'd have to divert their
attention quickly, and turn it to
other things that would dazzle
them. Perhaps they'd be im-
pressed by some of our great
cultural traditions, developed
since their time, Like the Grey
Cup Game, when the punks and
the drunks take over, Or Hock-
ey Night in Canada, one of our
great national customs, when
this entire, sprawling nation is
linked together into a warm,
friendly group of idiots, rising
as one man to fetch another
beer when the commercial
comes one.
Pierre Berton, who is certainly one of
Canada's best known writers and com-
mentators, has devoted two of his supper-
time interview broadcasts to alleged bru- stalities in the care of Ontario's disturbed
and retarded children, His first broad-
cast on the subject featured a young wo-
man who recounted a horror-filled child-
hood spent in a series of child care in-
stitutions, where she said she had been
terribly mistreated, Among the punish-
ments she mentioned were solitary con-
finement for periods up to four or five
days; being tied inside a dirty potato sack
for hours at a time; beatings, knifings,
etc.
The bare possibility that such savage
conditions could exist in a publicly super-
vised home for children merits the most
careful examination by officials of the two
departments concerned, health and wel-
fare.
On the other hand, the broadcasts
have left the impression that all Ontario
child care institutions are operated by sa-
dists, which is far from the truth. We have
some personal experience in the child care
field and could mention several homes we
have visited where the exact opposite is
true—places where every intelligent effort
is put forth to seek the source of the
child's disturbance and to treat his prob-
lems with love and understanding.
Senior officials in the department of
welfare who bear the responsibility for
child care we have found to be dedicated
people who have suffered all the difficul-
ties of staff shortage which are so com-
mon in other fields today. Few of them
are paid adequately when their endless
hours of overtime are considered, Their
one great concern is the welfare of the
hundreds of children in public care.
The department of welfare faces a tre-
mendous handicap in its efforts to provide
the best care for helpless children. Sev-
eral of the larger church and fraternal or-
ganizations still Insist on operating institu-
tions based on the old "orphanage" con- inglbam Abbancio-Ciinto
Minor Hockey Week SECOND SECTION Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, Jan. 19, 1967
News Items from Old Files
Maybe they'd enjoy a tour of
one of our new atomic energy
plants? But ' I wonder what
they'd think of the pictures of
Hiroshima?
We could tell them what we
did in the two great wars. But
one look at the tax bill for de-
fense would give them apo-
plexy,
And so it would go. Personal-
ly, I think that after the initial
novelty wore off, Sir John A.
and The Fathers, more in sor-
row than in anger, would re-
turn to where they came from,
without ever taking a look
back.
Wouldn't it be fun if we
could conjure up frem their
neglected graves Sir John A.
and the other Fathers of Con-
federation, and take them on a
tour of the nation they tied to-
gether ZOO years ago, with
string and sealing-wax?
Would they think they had
builded well? Would they swell
with pride over the nation that
has emerged? Would they look
with awe on what has been ac-
complished? Or would they cry,
as with one voice, "Lemme
outa here! What have you done
to our glorious Dominion?"
The physical changes in
those 10 tiny decades, a flea-
bite in the human span, would
surely impress them. The vast
towers of steel and concrete in
our cities; the ribbons of road
and rail that span the conti-
nent; the St. Lawrence Seaway.
And surely they would be
thrilled by the vast technologi-
cal leap made since they stood
together for that stiff portrait
in Charlottetown. They would
be dazzled by the simple facts
of electric light and power,
flight by jet-liner, radio, televi-
sion, the telephone, the auto-
mobile, oil-heating, air-condi-
tioning, and a thousand other
things we take for granted,
But how would they feel
about the country they created
after the fancy wrapping came
off the toys? After they'd seen
the Toronto City Hall, and
flown across the country in a
few hours, and plunged into the
bowels of a modern mine, and
gone up in a chair-lift at Jas-
per, and faced annihilation in a
Montreal cab, and groped for
their drink in a gloomy cocktail
lounge?
Behind the glittering play-
things, would they really find
much change in the country?
Not at this time of year, any-
way. It would be still a sham-
bling geographical monster,
buried in white, tail turned to
the north wind. Only a sprin-
kling of lights, a few curls of
smoke, and a few ants crawling
about would suggest it was not
straight out of the ice ages.
And if Sir John A. and his
fellows lifted that familiar
blanket of white and peered
under it, would they be sur-
prised and delighted by what
they saw? Would they perceive
a mature, virile, independent
people proudly proving that the
0....11111tIN
fully passed his tests at Galt
Aircraft School and is now at
No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto.
Mrs. 0. G. Anderson has
accepted a position as teacher
in a school near Fergus and
commenced her duties at the
beginning of the year.
tario Department of Agricul-
ture and the Dominion Live
Stock Branch, Federal Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Ottawa.
JANUARY 1942
The former Habkirk barber
shop is undergoing a great
change. Work is now in pro-
gress to make it into an up-to-
date office which will be oc-
cupied by J. Harley Crawford,
local lawyer, on completion of
the work some time this month.
Already a new large vault has
been constructed and other im-
provements will be carried out
at once.
Lloyd Henderson, son of Mr.
W. James Henderson, Bluevale
Road, has enlisted with the
RCAF and is at present station-
ed at Manning Pool, Toronto.
We are glad to report that
A.C. 2 Jack Carter has success-
U. of Waterloo announces
early admissions program
across this great nation takes an alert na-
tional governing body, and active provin-
cial organization and energetic local
groups. But most of all it takes boys.
Boys are the life blood of the game, as
they are of the nation, and we are pleased
that through the efforts of the various or-
ganizations 250,000 Canadians boys are
being given an opportunity to play properly
supervised, well organized hockey. Truly,
hockey is Canada's national sport and
more boys take part in this healthful, rous-
ing activity than in any other game.
So we suggest that each one of us
take time to visit the arena during Minor
Hockey Week. By doing so we will be
paying our tribute to the men and women
who make it all possible. While we're at
it let's hope that minor hockey continues
to flourish and exert its influence for
good on more and more local youngsters
Minor Hockey Week starts Saturday
and minor hockey enthusiasts all across
Canada and the United States will be draw-
ing attention to what minor hockey can
do and is doing for boys.
In our own area minor hockey is an
important part of winter life for hundreds
of boys and the arenas in the district are
kept busy with yok,ing players being guided
and taught by men and youths who give
agof their time because they have a love for
lep hock ey a n d for working with boys.
Their work is no "soft touch." There
is a lot to do, and a lot to be done, and
rarely, if ever, are there enough volunteers
to fill all the management, coaching, time-
keeping, refereeing and transportation re-
sponsibilities. Right here we salute the
few who are taking on all these tasks in
an unselfish effort to build better young
Canadians, with a heritage of good health
and a sense of good sportsmanship.
To make minor hockey function all
The University of Waterloo
will introduce an early final
admissions procedure for pro-
spective members of this fall's
freshman class.
"We intend to offer early
admission to candidates with
good academic records by us-
ing criteria other than grade 13
departmental examinations,"
said C. T. Boyes, University of
Waterloo registrar, in announc-
ing the new program. "Ac-
ceptances given to students will
be firm offers and will not be
conditional on grade 13 results'
JANUARY 1953
Mr. Miller Davis, of the
Holmdale Creamery, Mr. Rod
McIntosh and Mr. Percy Harris,
of the Maitland Creamery, at-
tended the annual convention
of the Dairymen's Association
of Western Ontario, held at
Hamilton last week. Pere won
first prize in the butter judging
competition also the special
prize, two silver cups awarded
by the Cherry Burrell Corpora-
tion of Canada for the highest
aggregate score in butter judg-
ing and cream grading,
JANUARY 1918
There died in Lower Wing-
ham on Dec, 25, Jas. Gaunt in
his 78th year. Some time pre-
vious to Mr. Gaunt's illness he
prophesied that he would die on
Christmas day and this proved
correct. The deceased was
proprietor of a large lumber
business in Kinloss for a great
many years, selling out about
10 years ago. He leaves a wid-
ow and several children.
Among the successful win-
ners of the Zaner Penmanship
Diploma, in the Spotton Busi-
ness College, during the month
of December were: Misses Ella
Armstrong, Mary E. Wilkie,
Viola L. Hartman, Sophia Par-
ker, Ethel Chandler, Verna
Hueston, Irene Scott, Messrs.
John A. Lockart, Stanley R.
Purdy, Clarence Pocock, Robt,
Brook, Leonard Merkley.
Posiibly the oldest citizen
to cast a vote in the Municipal
elections here on Monday last
week, was Mr. Arthur Knox of
the Queens Hotel, and Mr. Robe
Knox, jeweller, was a close
second. May these hale old
men be spared to poll more
votes.
The trustees for S. S. No. 10
Whitechurch appointed for 1918
are, Messrs. Thos.. Moore, Wm.
Taylor and James Wilson.
It Could Happen Here
IT§ "MINOR HOCKEY WEEIGstarts Jan.210.
THE WINGHAM ADVANCE - TIMES
Published at. Winghatn, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited,
W, Barry Wenger, President - Robert 0. Wenger, Secretary-Treasurer
Merhber Audit Bureau of Circulation
Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association.
Authorized by the Post Office Department as Second Class Mail and
for payMent of postage in each.
Subseription Rate;
yetit, $5,00; 6 months. $2.75 In advance; U.S.A., $7.00 per yr:; Foreign rate, *7.00 per yr.
Advertising hates on application,
JANUARY 1932
The people of Langside
community have started a club
which meets every other Friday
in the hall there.
Mr. T. Y. Smith, a former
manager of the Dominion
Store, has returned to town and
is again in charge of the store
here.
Orville Tiffin of near White-
church had the misfortune to
have his fine L-shaped barn
burned Thursday evening by
'fire, when a lantern exploded.
It is our sad duty this week
to chronicle the death of W.
Logan Craig, editor of the Ad-
vannt-Times. He is survived
by his widow, Jane Rea Craig,
one daughter, Mrs. W. W.
Armstrong; and a son, Dr., Mar-
vin Craig, A son, Rea Hamil-
ton, predeceased him six years
ago.
The BeIttiore young people
prefer skating on a pond at Wrn.
Edwards', the rink being quite
deserted so far.
Wilbur G. E. Brown, a pros
perous young farmer of the 5th
Concession of Ashfield Town-
ship, has been awarded third
prize in the " Bacon Litter"
Competition sponsoted jointly
by the Live Steck 'Ranch, On- Don't send, take your boy to the arena!
Students who apply before
March 1 will be considered for
early admission. Those who
apply after March, or do not
qualify for early admission, will
considered on the basis of
.ade 13 results,
Admission standards at the
university will not be affected
by the new program.
Applicants who qualify for
early admission will be notified
by June rather than August as in
the past.
The program will entail
more work at an earlier date by
both the university and second-
ary schools but will ease the
annual August-September rush
following the publishing of the
grade 13 results.
Mr. Boyes said that although
the grade 13 final exams will
not be a criterion for early ad-
mission, students who receive
acceptance under the plan must
complete their grade 13 course
of study and write the final ex-
ams. Early admissions will be
based primarily on the appli-
cant's grade 12 average and
confidential ratings by his prin-
cipal and teachers.
In addition, the results of
the new aptitude and achieve-
ment tests which are being pre-
pared by the Ontario Institute
for Studies in Education will be
used as an aid in determining
the acceptability of a student.
These Ontario Tests for Ad-
mission to College and Univer-
sity C OACU) measure aptitude
and achievement. The aptitude
test which measures a student's
potential will be given this
month. The achievement tests,
to be written in English compo-
sition, mathematics, and phys-
ics, will he conducted in late
April and early May. These
three subjects will be the only
ones tested this year but others
may be added in subsequent
years.
If a student is granted early
admission to the University of
Waterloo he will be mailed an
acceptance and a reply card.
Should he wish to attend the
university, he will return the
reply card with a $50 deposit:
This will guarantee him a place
in the freshman class and the
deposit will be applied to his
tuition when he registers ini Sep-
tember.
cept, where as many as a hundred young-
sters are herded together and provided
with food, clothing and lodging. For at
least 20 years and perhaps longer enlight-
ened child care studies have proven that
these large institutions simply cannot pro-
vide normal children, much less retarded
or disturbed youngsters with the personal
attention and warm affection they need.
However, every suggestion that these
places be modernized has been met with
refusal by the sponsoring organizations
and the government hesitates to force a
decision which might result in the com-
plete loss of a child care service which is
below standard but better than nothing at
all.
Another factor which you might think
about if your response to Berton's dis-
closures has been one of outrage: The
biggest single reason that some institutions
are not all they might be, lies in the fact
that your demands for super highways, for
arena grants, for the best in local schools
eat up such a tremendous slice of the pro-
vincial income that welfare budgets are
inadequate for the tremendous tasks which
face the department.
We believe that Berton's exposure of
conditions which are anything less than
ideal is definitely in the public interest.
Long centuries of cruelty to unprotected
children must be terminated without delay.
We can imagine no greater sin in the eyes
of a loving Creator than abuse of help-
less youngsters.
A man who wields such convincing in-
fluence, however, must also discharge the
responsibility of providing all the facts,
not just those which combine to form a
sensational story. If Pierre Berton is as
truly dedicated to the public weal as he
appears to be, he should continue his in-
vestigations and tell of the places where
progress has been made. The public needs
to know more about the entire question
of child care — not just the points at
which gross errors have been made.
ly one million dollars of debt has been
accumulated as the town invested in such
necessary facilities as schools, hospital,
sewage plant and recreation plans. The
worrisome part is that although the law
forbids further borrowings for some time
to come, there are still many places where
public expenditure is needed.
One of the obvious advantages of re-
gional government would be a wider dis-
tribution of the high capital costs of pro-
gress. It might well be that under a
regional council the smaller centres would
be the greatest beneficiaries for some
years as the larger number of taxpayers
in the areas of heavier population helped
to pay for the needs of the outlying area.
Of course no one has yet described the
exact form such regional government
would take, so the development of the plan
cannot be predicted with any accuracy.
The pressing needs of the last half of
this century are likely to disrupt a great
many of the old patterns by which so-
ciety has lived for so long. Obviously it
will be foolish to operate in the space
age with no changes in a governmental
system which has clung to the same basic
form for the past 500 years. Neverthe-
less, when the planners are laying out the
course of the future it is to be hoped that
they are not all stricken with today's
plague — insistence on change without
Sound reason, change only for the sake of
something new.
The future will not be too promising if
the voice of the ordinary man on the street
is throttled. A stalwart nation cannot be
made up of experts only. The rest of us
are needed too.
Have you ever noticed how the most
important and far-reaching changes in pub-
lic affairs are first whispered about as
relatively quiet rumors—particularly where
senior governments are involved? The
unexciting mention from time to time of
the possibility that town councils may dis-
appear is a sign of the changing times in
which we live and something to which
we should be paying close attention. Note,
for example, how quietly the status of our
public libraries has been changed from
that of autonomously - controlled local
functions to county-operated and financed
organizations. The truth of the matter is
that the local library board no longer
exists. It is merely a sub-committee of the
county library board.
We are not so foolish as to decry all
moves toward centralization. Autonomy is
good only so long as it provides the pub-
lic with the best possible service, and in
the case of the public libraries it may well
be that the county plan will be a great
improvement.
Whether or not the disappearance of
town and township councils would be
similarly beneficial no one yet knows. The
centralization of authority would certainly
offer many advantages and economies, but
these might be created at a very high cost
in individual freedom of choice. Most
Canadians balk at too much strangulation
—though usually too late and too little.
If such a move does become a reality
it will be directly attributable to the need
for money. Wingharn, as an example, like
Many other smaller centres, has borrowed
all it cdn afford or all the law allows
.throughsuccessive debenture issues. Near-
CANANIAN
CtN TtNNIAL
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HOCKEY
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KINGSTON. CoNt.
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