Loading...
The Citizen, 1994-02-02, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2,1994. CitizensTheNorthHuron I CNA P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont N0M1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell r«io The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 A good news education story When it comes to education in Canada, there is very little good news to be found in the newspapers and on the airwaves these days. A recent international report, however, shows Canada at the top of the list in at least one important category. The study released this week by Population Action International rated 112 _______________________________.....countries according to I__________________ 1 educational attainment of women, male-female enroll­ ment ratios and the percentage of females enrolled. Canada and France led the world with a rating of 99 on a 100 point scale. It's not often Canada is a leader in this kind of educational study these days. More often we're being told how poorly we stack up against Japan and Taiwan and just about any other industrialized country. We're told our science and math levels just don't measure up. The list goes on and on. Yet in this important area we lead the world. "Educating girls is one of the best investments any country can make," says Joseph Speidel, president of the group that conducted the study, pointing out those countries that top the list have lower poverty rates, fewer infant deaths, higher literacy and a more stable population. In these days when we're constantly tdld how poorly we're doing, it's nice to get a good report card now and then. — KR The right to cheap suicide Sometimes in a democracy it doesn't matter what is right or wrong, only how much of the population that formerly thought something was wrong, now think it's right. Take the case of cigarettes and smoking. Smoking was once thought to be sophisticated. The liberation of women was even tied to their willingness to suck dirty smoke into their lungs. Today people who smoke are relegated to cold sidewalks, banned from smoke-free offices. On the other hand, a rebellion by smokers against higher taxes on cigarettes seems to have the federal government, and some provincial governments, ready to throw in the towel and lower the tax on cigarettes by a huge amount in order to stop the black market on smuggled cigarettes. There is no doubt the underground economy is a serious and growing problem in Canada. A report released Monday estimates $4 bullion in taxes are lost each year in Ontario because of smuggling and under-the-table deals. One in four cigarettes smoked in Ontario was smuggled, costing Ontario $200 million in taxes. The rebellion against higher cigarette taxfs and the hated GST which has led to the underground economy is as serious as the Boston Tea Party, and it is becoming more accepted, even praised. In Quebec, store owners have taken to openly selling smuggled cigarettes to protest the high taxes. One right-wing columnist in a national magazine recently suggested that it is those avoiding tax who are true patriots and those who live by the law who are letting their country down. Respect for the law is one of the fundamentals needed for a country to function. Our governments must do something to restore order before the country descends to the level of some countries where the underground economy is larger than the "official" economy. Yet the idea of changing the laws because too many people disobey them seems wrong. If a large proportion of the population decided stealing was something they wanted to do, would we change the law? And then there's the concern about the people who will be hurt by lowering the tax on cigarettes, and therefore the price. While smokers want the right to kill themselves at a cheaper rate, health groups worry that at lower prices more teenagers will be tempted to take up a health­ threatening habit that can be hard to break for the rest of their lives. This is an issue much larger than just a tax issue. Before the federal and provincial governments cave in to pressure from law breakers, some serious thought should be given to the consequences. — KR Consultation is best Studies can be a waste of money, but the federal government's decision to consult Canadians on how to reform the social safety net is a needed one. Changes must be made to make such programs more efficient but these changes will be more accepted if we all have a chance to have our say. These programs have been at the heart of the compassionate society we have built, part of what we call Canada. If we all have a chance to decide how to change the system we’re more apt to support the changes.—KR E ditorial Frosting Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years Blyth tries for license office 20 YEARS AGO Feb. 6,1974 A Blyth native A. H. Wilford, known as the "Rutabaga King" died in Kitchener. Despite a rebuff from the Min­ istry of Transport and Communica­ tions, Blyth council pushed ahead with their attempt to gain a license issuing office in Blyth. Craig Miller and Betty Konarski were the Hullett Central Public School Prince and Princess. Jeff Craig was a member of the Ilderton-Lucan Jets, who won two games in Reno, Nevada. Jeff is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Craig of Lucan, formerly of Auburn and a grandson of William. J. Craig. Ronald Hallam and Percy Youngblut were elected as stewards to Knox United Church. ONE YEAR AGO Feb. 3,1993 A decision to ban smoking in the Blyth arena was rescinded after local organizations vented their anger over the decision. HCBE projected a surplus, hav­ ing underspent the 1992 budget by over $1 million. Betty Graber headed the Huron Ray Salvcrda was named chair­ person of the Rutabaga Festival. Bob Szusz bought the Londes- boro Seed Plant. Brussels Bulls' goalie Trev For­ tune was named "Player of the Month. Hans Boonstoppel, RR1, Auburn was named president of the Ontario Jersey Club.Perth Presbyterial. Letter to the editor THE EDITOR The Ontario SPCA and humane societies across the province are receiving a great many calls concerning animals left out in the very cold temperatures now being experienced. The OSPCA is asking to make sure that any animal normally kept outside, has access to proper weatherproof shelter with good dry bedding and adequate food to enable the animal to keep-warm. Housing which might be adequate at other times of the year may well be unsuitable for severe winter weather and owners should make extra efforts to see to the well being of their animals. Continued on page 6