The Wingham Advance-Times, 1967-12-21, Page 11Before one writes any solemn thoughts
about the meaning of Christmas a good
deal of careful deliberation is necessary.
Only a few years ago there was no need
to hesitate about the glad tidings. The
message was clear and the promise was,
as it had been for more than nineteen
centuries, self-evident to all people of the
Christian world.
Now things have changed. Countless
thousands deny any need for the yearly
renewal of a covenant with the Creator—
if indeed they even acknowledge the ex-
istence of any Supreme Being, We don't
argue. The world has witnessed upheavals
of this kind many times, when too many
new ideas have been thrust upon limited
human intelligence. Men must think their
way through to whatever conclusions they
can find.
The striking fact, however, is that
after every one of these periods of self-
examination and discovery, the Christian
concept has remained, sometimes standing
forth in greater clarity than it did before
the doubts and criticisms beclouded the
central truth.
Christmas serves to emphasize the all-
pervading need of man for something on
which to found his hopes. No matter
how intellectual we may become; regard-
less of our mental accomplishments, our
grasp of science and philosophy — very
few of us are so self-sufficient that we can
actually accept as final the limited years
which are permitted us in our present
form. Hope for something better, the
opportunity for a respectable fulfillment
of our countless good intentions—remains,
News last week that our former towns-
man, Bob Carbert, has received a new and
important appointment does not come as
any great surprise to those who know him
well enough to have a reasonable estimate
of his abilities.
Bob's first venture into the somewhat
complicated world of communications was
as farm editor for CKNX, where he did
what we considered an outstanding job.
Not content to report only on the actual
news of the agricultural scene, he excelled
at digging into the background, the under-
lying causes of the events which made the
news.
After his nine years in Wingham he
Last week the Prime Minister of
Canada, Hon. Lester B. Pearson, announc-
ed quite unexpectedly that he will retire
from politics and gave his Liberal party
supporters ample and fair warning that
they can start the task of locating and
electing his successor as leader of their
party.
Within a few months this nation will
witness the retirement of a man who has
contributed a great deal to the country he
has served for nearly forty years. The fact
that he is resigning at the peak ,of his
power is, in itself a mark of the man's
good judgment. His intention to leave
leadership to the young and energetic is
clear.
We were somewhat disappointed when
Lester Pearson agreed to enter the hurly-,
burly world of partisan politics — or at
least the demanding partisanship of the
national leadership. No other Canadian
in our time has brought such favorable
acclaim to our country, largely because his
practical ideas on the means by which
In a recent letter Dick Lloyd, who is
spending the winter in Phoenix, Arizona,
included a clipped editorial from one of
the papers in that city. It was written on
a subject which is of interest to Canadians
at the present time. It starts this way:-
"France should pay up or shut up.
Even if he tried, it is doubtful if
French President Charles De Gaulle could
more effectively splinter Western unity
than he is doing' with his present meddle-
some tactics.
De Gaulle is not satisfied with block-
ing Common Market membership for
Britain, whose very economy may depend
on whether it is admitted . .
He it not satisfied with heightening
unrest in Canada by continuing to call for
Quebec's independence and sovereignty .
He is not satisfied with disrupting
NATO by ordering American bases off
wrench soil and threatening to withdraw
French forces from the alliance entirely.
Now, at a crucial time in world mone-
At Christmastime
and always will be a basic component
of humanity, Any belief which robs
mankind of this one reason to struggle
through the handicaps and frustrations of
human frailty is simply unacceptable. Only
the very young, the boisterously healthy
or the fantastically inexperienced could
think otherwise.
The first Christmas, the birth of the
Saviour, occurred in an age not unlike
our own, Personal insistence on freedom
from moral regulations was beginning to
shake the greatest empire the world had
ever known—and the multiplying tremors
created by these demands were destined
to shake that imperial structure into the
dust within four centuries.
Thinking people, the "self-righteous"
of their time, were desperately concerned
to find a basic truth, worthwhile faith
that would have meaning and purpose.
Few of them realized that a manger in
Bethlehem contained the answer for which
the world had waited so long.
It is just about the same today. Per-
haps in a world twisted and tormented
by complicated problems the answer is
just too simple. We have become, as had
the Roman world, so sophisticated and
self-sufficient, that a simple answer is un-
believable.
The only weak element in the Christian
concept is the example of those who are
its avowed practitioners. In the 19 hun-
dred years since the birth of Christ no
other philosophy has ever emerged which
has a hope of meeting man's need for ful-
fillment and peace of mind.
held posts as director of information for
the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in
Ottawa, secretary-manager of the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture in Toronto and
more recently as a commentator on agri-
cultural matters for the CBC.
Certainly no deparment of the Ontario
government is more important today than
the one which deals with agriculture and
food, where serious problems of an eco-
nomic nature for farm people are combin-
ed with the future of the millions who
must be fed in years to come. The depart-
ment needs and now has an able com-
munications man to keep it in touch with
the tax-paying public.
a
world peace might be maintained were so
widely acceptable. When war was only a
few bullets away in the Suez crisis it was
the calm and fair reasoning of Lester
Pearson which prevailed.
Sadly enough, a man of his calibre
must shed the role of impartiality when
he enters the political arena and it was
something of a let-down to hear Mr.
Pearson engaged in the necessary bit
puerile debates of a Parliament which had
momentarily wandered from the dignified
and serious course to which it should at
all times be dedicated.
Despite the denials of the Opposition,
the Pearson government has provided
many excellent pieces of legislation for
Canada — and best of all, it has never
succeeded in smothering those opponents
who believe that there is an even better
way to govern our nation. The Opposi-
tion is strong and virile and the prospects
for good democratic government have
never been better.
tary affairs, as a result of Britain's recent
devaluation of the pound, De Gaulle has
launched an irresponsible attack on the
American dollar, which is the very back-
bone of most of the currency of the free
world.
. . . Having failed in its policy of pa-
tience, Washington now must, by word
and by deed—call De Gaull's bluff. France
should be told in plain, blunt language,
that it is time for her to pay up or shut
up. (France still owes the U.S. $7 bil-
lion in interest and principal from the
First World War plus $50 billion in Lend-
Lease aid during World War II and $17
billion in foreign aid since the war).
If France continues to demand gold
for dollars the United States should re-
taliate promptly by announcing to France
and to the world that no demand for gold
will be honored until France pays her
debts to the United States."
Congratulations Bob
A Great Canadian Steps Down
American Opinion
THE WINGHAM ADVANCE • TIMES
Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited
W. Barry Wenger, President - Robert O. 'Wenger, Secretary-Treasurer
Member Audit Eturein of Circulation
Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association.
Authorized by the Post Office Department al Second' Class Mall and
fot Payment of postage in dash
Subscription Rate:
1 year $5.00; 6 months, $2.76 iii adsoance: LISA, 0.00 per yr.; roreign tate, 67.00 per yr.
Advertising Rates on application
THE JOLLY OLD BOY brought smiles to
the faces of dozens of youngsters as he
appeared for his annual visit at the town
hall on Saturday afternoon, and this group
proves how welcome his visit really was.
—Advance-Times Photo.
4 xngbant VortnctaZinve
Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, Dec. 21, 1967
SECOND SECTION
News Items from Old Files
SUGAR
AND SPICE
by Bill Smiley
At home for Christmas
The readers ,write71
"Caroline" not entirely
popular. with viewers
Editor,
Advance-Times.
Dear Sir:
We in part support the view
of the "defenders" who object-
ed to your comments re
"Waiting for Caroline". From
their comments it is obvious,
but not surprising, that all
nuts need not have long hair
nor be involved in the enter-
tainment world. For certain
we "950/0" are grateful for the
tax contribution of those few
who must live in these small
communities where "cheap"
movie houses and pornographic
literature are not readily
available to satisfy their need.
Too, we are grateful for a
local press with courage to
object and a sense of responsi-
bility to protect the public
from the electronic intrusion
of trash "culture" into our
homes. All would be highly
indignant if someone slid porn-
ographic literature into our
mail boxes or under our doors,
or thrust same into the hands of
downtown shoppers, yet we are
expected to accept as "culture"
and "enlightenment" the squal-
or of the airways. The law
prohibits our mail service to be
used for dirty literature. Why
not prohibit dirty airways and
thus require those who need
trash in their lives to grovel in
the gutter for it.
The " almighty" C.B.C. has
no divine right to open a sewer
outlet in our living rooms, nor
to hold as captive those local
stations whose management
strive to adhere to a code of
ethics, ironically sustained by
the Board of Broadcast Gover-
nors.
Some of the "95°/o" -- John
Hayes, K. M. Streich, J. De-
neau, B. Conron, C.D. Robin-
son, W.H. Edwards, E. Elliott,
J.T. Goodall.
Dear Sir:
I have noted your editorial
of December 7th regarding the
production "Waiting for Caro-
line" shown over the National
network recently.
I viewed this production
As some brilliant clod once
pointed out, Christmas comes
but once a year. And it's a
jolly good thing it does.
Think of what we'd be like if
we didn't have the glory of
Christmas to pull us out of the
bleak, little lives of selfishness,
misery and lonesliness.
Especially in these bracing
northern climes is Christmas a
necessity. It is cold, the nights
are long, and the festival pro-
vides a splash of color, warmth
and love that enables us to
face the dreaded long winter
ahead.
Oh, I'll admit it is a bit of a
drag, in some ways. The gentle
day of joy has become the fo-
cus for a multitude of
irrelevancies.
There's the dam' tree to put
up, the ridiculous cards to be
sent to neighbors you saw yes-
terday, the horrors of gift
shopping, and the stupid bird
to be stuffed, trussed, cooked
and eaten.
In addition to these trap-
pings, which make perfect
ladies swear and strong men
weep, there is the incredible
commercialization of the event,
in every possible aspect. But
don't blame that on others.
You don't have to take part
unless you want to.
Admitting all this, there is a
magic in Christmas, in the
very word, that still holds up.
There's a vast satisfaction, for
example, when you finally get
the tree to stand up with no
more than a 45-degree list,
and it's all decorated, and you
realize that, despite what your
wife said, it's the best tree in
town.
When you sit down to write
those cards, you discover that
you still have a great affection
for old friends you haven't
seen for so long, and you wax
quite lyrical, and ask them to
visit you. Sometimes, alas, they
do.
And you must admit you feel
as though you'd climbed Ever-
est when you get that last
package Wrapped and sit back
admiring your good taste in
gifts, paper and ribbons.
Then there's the turk. For a
number of years, this has beefy
my baby, at our house. And
when I've made the dressing,
and wish to state that I agree
wholeheartedly with your re-
marks, I can see no reason
why the Canadian tax-payer
should be subjected to this type
of low entertainment in his own
home,
I have put a question on the
order paper asking for informa-
tion as to the cost of the pro-
duction and when I have re-
ceived a reply, I will write
you again.
With kind regards, I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Marvin Howe, M. P,
Wellington-Huron.
The Editor,
Advance-Times.
Dear Sir:
Not having seen the film,
"Waiting for Caroline", I
have no opinion to express ,
but in the light of two con-
demning letters which you re-
ceived and published, I desire
to commend the Advance-
Times for the stand which is
taken in its editorials. Knowing
this publication so well, I am
truly convinced that the charge
of "Preposterous self-righteous-
ness" is without foundation in
fact. Rather, your editoria..:
column reflects elevated moral,
spiritual, social and political
convictions.
Most people are aware that
we are going through a time
of moral and spiritual unrest
and insecurity, we sense the
shaking of the foundations.
But one thing is certain to me;
that if only we will close our
eyes to the unseemly, and
follow after righteousness we
shall do much to fortify these
weakening foundations; and
which will bring about a civil-
ization of which both present
and future generations can be
proud rather than ashamed.
Keep up the good work.
Hew to the line and let the
chips fly where they may.
Your newspaper is making a
fine contribution to the uplift
of mankind in a day when it is
difficult to speak out.
Rev. C.F. Johnson,
145 Patrick St. E.,
Wingham, Ontario.
trussed the brute and stuck it
in the oven, I feel something
akin to the pure pride and joy
of a woman who has produced
a real baby.
There's the fun of spoiling
your kids rotten and putting
yourself in hock for six
months, Christmas wouldn't be
the same if it didn't make you
a little reckless.
But perhaps the best things
about Christmas are the sim-
ples ones. There's the won-
derful moment of peace and
quiet on Christmas Eve, when
everything is done, and the
stockings are hung and the fire
murmurs and the tree glows,,
and you talk warmly and lazily
of Christmas Past and Christ-
mas Present.
Then there's the church
service, with its ancient, sim-
ple story, so familiar, so real
because you've known it all
your life. And the gastric
juices churning in your stom-
ach. And the post-church
salutations of "Merry Christ-
mas," really meaning it.
And the opening of the pre-
sents, after church. There's
love in them, You realize this
daughter of yours tried to get
something really special for
her Dad. And this son of yours
spent his last five bucks on a
gift, Even though he'll beat
you for ten before the day is
over. And nothing fits your
wife, as usual.
And, of course, dinner. But
the time you enjoy this is
when you are 14, and have an
elastic stomach, not when you
are 44, and have a dyspeptic
one.
After the dishes, which are a
real pain in the posterior, be-
cause all you want to do is
sleep, some carol singing re-
stores the spirit. And the old
carols sound like new.
This year, we're having a
quiet famiiy Christmas, after
many years of having a large,
fairly noisy one. Hugh said he
was coming home for Christ.
mas, even if he was in Aus-
tralia;
It may be a mess, because
we fight a lot in bur familSc
But not at Christmas time.
May you all have the Christ.
mas I hope we'll have.
DECEMBER 1918
When Mr.. T. J. McLean
was putting in a sewer at Mrs.
McCrackin's house on Shuter
Street the ground gave away
owing to the heavy floods and
more resembles a German
trench than an excavation for
pipes.
Mr. L. Lott has sold his
handsome chestnut driving
horse to Mr. Hay of Seaforth
and according to the way Mr.
Lott's pockets are bulging he
must have secured a pretty big
price.
Sgt. C. R. Copeland's many
friends were delighted to wel-
come him home on Tuesday .
"Peck" Ireland and Joe Carruth
are also among those recently
returned from overseas.
DECEMBER 1932
While working at his factory
on Friday afternoon Mr. C.
Cook had the misfortune of
having his right hand come in
contact with a saw. His thumb
and three fingers were sew ly
cut.
Thomas Bowers, who c-
ited poultry at the Winter Fair
in Guelph did exceedingly well
his entry taking eight firsts and
In a Christmas message to
Canadians, Commissioner
Clarence D. Wiseman, com-
mander of the Salvation Army
in this country, emphasizes
that the primary loyalty of the
Canadian Christian is to his
sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ.
"His is a dual citizenship. He
does not ask to opt out of his
responsibilities as a citizen,
but Christ has prior claim on
his loyalty, love and service.
Any competing claim that
Stocking hanging
started by Santa
Santa Claus, envisioned to-
day as a jolly, cheerful man
with an affinity for children,
was a romanticist too, accord-
ing to legend.
The first Santa Claus, St.
Nicholas, started the custom
of hanging stockings by the
chimney when his romantic
heart was touched, and he
gifted a bankrupt merchant's
three marriageable daughters
with gold for their dowries.
Desiring anonymity, he tos-
sed the three bags of gold
through the window, or, as
some tell it, down the chimney
One of the bags landed in a
stocking which had been hung
up to dry on the mantelpiece.
Hanging up stockings thus
became part of the holiday ri-
tual.
seven seconds.
Specials Saturday at Thomas
Field & Co. - Fresh picnic
hams, 80 lb.; sausage 8d lb.;
head cheese, 4 lbs. 25e; boil-
ing beef 80; mince meat, 310z.
cartons, 250.
DECEMBER 1942
On Friday when the Trans-
Canada Airline leaves Toronto
it will have as a passenger a
78-year-old lady who will be
taking her first plane ride.
She is Mrs. Roberts, mother of
C.A. Roberts of town.
Sgt. Harry Posliff, RCAF,
who spent a few days at his
home here last week, is attend-
ing an instructor's course at
Mountain View.
On Friday Roy Adair receiv-
ed a cable from his son Leslie
that he had heard his father's
message on a recording made
earlier in London, Ontario, on
the BBC.
Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Welwood
of Whitechurch received a
cable that their son Sgt. Nor-
man Welwood is a prisoner of
war in Germany.
One of a crew of a Lancaster
bomber that smashed up Turin
in Italy was F/O George Wheel-
er of town, son of Mrs. Thomas
Wheeler.
would usurp Christ's place of
primacy, is to be rejected."
Commissioner Wiseman
points out that in our compli-
cated urban society it is often
difficult to distinguish between
causes and claims that are
harmful and those that are
helpful. Simple solutions are
seldom at hand. "Intimacy
with Christ through prayer;
together with a study of Bibli-
cal insights and sensitivity to
the Holy Spirit as He instructs
our minds, can help guide
Christians through the maze of
decisions demanded daily in
the overlapping spheres of busi-
ness, morals and human rela-
tionships."
'the bustle of preparation
for Christmas, and the cheery
gatherings associated with this
holiday season, may pose a
deadly threat to the lives of
small children, Fire Chief
David Crothers warns.
"Many activities at this
time of year may tempt par-
ents to leave small children
unattended,. Even though the
intention may be to 'slip out'
for only a few minutes, only a
few seconds may be needed to
turn a happy holiday into fam-
ily tragedy, Trees, wrapping
paper and decorations bring
an increased risk of fire unless
constant care is exercised,"
DECEMBER 1953
The resignation of Mrs. El-
mer Walker as secretary-trea-
surer of the Wingham General
Hospital board was accepted
with regret. Mrs. Walker has
held the position since 1947.
Miss Lois Gilkinson has been
engaged as stenographer and
lama Harrison will take the
position of treasurer. John
Strong has been appointed sec-
retary of the board of directors.
Fred Carter of Frances Street
was admitted to the hospital
Friday night suffering from the
effects of fumes from his re-
frigerator which had escaped
due to mechanical trouble.
Mrs. Carter was also affected
but did riot require hospital
treatment.
Carman A. Coutts, 41, for-
mer Wingham boy has been ap-
pointed warden of Saskatchewan
Penitentiary at Prince Albert.
He is one of the youngest men
ever appointed warden of a
penitentiary. Mr. Coutts will
leave Ottawa next week for
Prince Albert.
Orton Williams of Simcoe
succeeds Paul Heel as manager
at the local Dominion store.
iiiiiii 1 iiiii 1 iiiii 11111 lllllllllll 0.1111.01 llllllllll 11.11 lllll 1/11
Stressing that the roots of
Canadian culture lie in the
Christian faith, Commissioner
Wiseman suggests that it will
be a sad day for Canada if the
nation tolerates the slow sever-
ance of its life from these roots.
Canada's history is part of
world history, and draws its
escellence from the Judea-
European tradition. The nation
should be alerted to the dire
consequences that could result
from the erosion of this tradi-
tion which has at its heart the
controlling concept of divine
sovereignty over all human
affairs, Loss of this faith could
well pave the way for some
form of totalitarianism.
says the Chief.
The Chief points out that
the Criminal Code of Canada
forbids such negligence which
may endanger the life or
health of any child under the
age of ten yoars. He further
reminds parents that under cer-
tain conditions a Christmas
tree can be ignited by a single
match, to burn furiously.
Trees should be bought green,
and kept with their fresh-cut
butts immersed in water during
their stay in the home,
"Enjoy this happy season,"
he says, "but make sure that
Christmas cheer does not bring
a careless attitude to fire risks,"
Christmas message from
Commissioner Wisem gi=n
1.44.1111.4 ttttttttttt 111.1 ttttttttttttttt 111101111111111111111,. 111,111.111111...1 i t I ttttt
Children need special care
as season adds fire risks