Zurich Citizens News, 1980-06-26, Page 4Page 4
Citizens News June 26, 19$O
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The barn which is no more
Let's be consistent
To some people, the word indexing has to do
with filing systems and the like. To others; it's one
of the fingers that does the walking through Bell's
vaunted yellow pages.
But to the federal government and bureaucrats
in Ottawa, the word indexing conjures up visions of
the sugar plum fairy dropping hundreds of millions
of dollars on the nation's capital.
The reason: Ottawa is talking about dumping
automatic indexation,of basic personal income tax
exemptions, a program started in 1974. to help
Canadians deal with inflation.
Such a move would mean last year's personal
income tax exemptions of $2,650 for a single person
and $4,970 for a married couple would not rise.
The result: every taxpayer in the country would
pay more money to Revenue Canada.
The change would allow the federal government
to raise more badly needed cash, without having to
blatantly "raise taxes."
With a federal deficit that may reach $14 billion
this year (that's about $1,300 for every working
Canadian) , there may be some merit in the
scheme.
But what about the other side of the coin. If Ot-
tawa is so gung ho to cut income-tax indexing, why
not be consistent and outlaw indexing altogether.
All federal government spending programs now
indexed for inflation would not be increased, with
the resulting political fallout. Members of Parlia-
ment, of course, might be upset if they had to forego
automatic salary increases.
Obviously, they are not going to do this. So why
not just raise the needed taxes through higher rates
or other honest devices.
Indexingresults in government profiting from
inflation, a funny kind of taxation without represen-
tation.
Canadian Federa t ion of Independent Business
They're off and tripping
By the time you will have read this the first
ministers' conference on the constitution will have
concluded and the 10 provincial first ministers and
the one federal first minister will have gone their
separate ways - In body if not in mind.
Before the conference opened it was obvious the
spirit of cooperation that existed immediately after.
the Quebec referendum had evaporated .
While NDP leader Ed Broadbent was gung-ho
for taking part in presenting a "common front"
federal case, PC leader Joe Clark was not. While it
didn't bother Mr. Clark whenhe was prime minister
to talk about taking. unilateral action in order -to
give Newfoundland off -shore mineral rights, it
seems he finds the possibility of unilateral action on'
the part of the federal, government unacceptable.
The real reason for Mr. Clark declining
Trudeau's invitation to take part in the federql dis-
cussions is obvious to anyone who has followed his
utterances regarding a new. constitution. He and
Newfoundland Premier Brian Peckford are on the
same wavelength when it comes to the subject of a
renewed federation. They see Canada as a "com-
munity of communities" with the provinces getting
more rights than they presently have.This . is not
what Trudeau, or BroadbenAee in their visions of a
new Canada. Therefore by refusing to participate
"at this time" in the federal discussions with the
provinces, rightly or wrongly, Mr. Clark appears to
be stating that if he can't have things his way, he'll
dissociate himself from the proceedings.
It's an attitude. that is prevalent among first
ministers as well and it doesn't inspire hope. as far
as 'a cooperative redrafting of our constitution is
concerned.
In fact one wot}4d have to be an optimist
equipped with rose-coloured glasses tosee anysign
of constitutional agreement at present. Quebec
Premier Rene Levesque has made it plain his heart
just isn't in it. Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed,
Saskatchewan Premier Allan Blakeney, British
Columbia Premier Bill Bennett and New-
foundland's Premier Peckford have all served
notice they will be pressing for full control of their
resources. Peckford has gone further than any of
the others, downgrading the federal government to
an "agency of the provinces". Peckford also made
an attempt to have a preconference get-together by
the premiers for who -knows -what reason but had
his plans quickly scuttled by Ontario Premier Bill
Davis who flatly declared he wouldn't attend. Mr.
Davis along with. Premier Richard Hatfield of New
Brunswick support Prime Minister Trudeau'§ stand
for a stong central government.
A With such divisions, is there really a chance of
getting a new constitution by July 1, 1981. as an
nounced by Broadbent and Trudeau? •
It doesn't appear likely unless Trudeau puts
proposals before the.people in a national referen-
dum. And that's a possibility that's growing in favor
across the land. The first Fathers of Confederation
had theirdifferences too, but managed to com-
promise to give .us the BNA Act. After almost a
decade of haggling however, many Canadians have
given .up hope of ever seeing 'a repeatperformance
of that early conference in Charlottetown.
Listowel Banner
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Milapose
Runiblibige
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TOM CREECH
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"The Barn"
Weather-beaten timbers, field stones the -size of
small auto- tires and a lightning rod pointed towards
the heavens, such is the , material which makes up
many of the barns which dot the country -side.
Barns have always held a particularjascination
for the writer mainly because of the fact .the primary
storage area for many a year atthe Creech household
was a more modest version of what one finds in the
rural areas. -
Never was there . a more adept description of
the barn at 47 James Street; it sure had seen better
days but what could be expected considering the fact
that the structure was older than our house and had
received considerably less maintenance.
Covering an area of roughly -875 .feet "The Barn"
was floored in what appeared to. be hand boards six in=
ches wide by one,inch thick and the ten feet long laid
on the finest soil • which the heavens could provide.
Such a simple thing as wood has a surprising
number of memories for the youngest member of the
Creech elan.
It was "verboten" to walk on the barn floor in bare
feet as the possibility for three negative experiences
existed; one could 'accidently slide a foot along the
floor and experience the pain of a hunk of wood in the
bottom of one's_foot, one could catch a minute piece of
glass in the same area or (Isn't this exciting?) step on
a stone whish had found its way into the barn.
As children "The Barn" was also an area of for-
bidden pleasures for in the back and in the loft lay
items which tickled a young person's imagination.
Running across the entire width of the barn was an
enclosed area about five Leet wide wich was the
equivalent of a closet in a home. it was here where the
imagination could run rampant. 0
Scattered among straw which was ,50 years old
were bed frames of an earlier era, crocks and Air
which while old "might just come in handy some day_',
a modelling form on 'Which the finest ladies' fashions
of the 1920's could be made and last but not least, -two
push -carts which .had seen use years before.
Upstairs was where the fun could really take place
as there was an element of danger involved. '
Situated in another part' of "The Barn" was the
opening to the 19ft along with a ladder which led to this
area of forbidden, fruits.
After climbing up at a near 90 degree angle, some
careful steppinkwas requiring in order to avoid a tum-
ble through the loft opening. But the pleasures which
awaited the young adventurers were worth it.
How about opening up the door where straw may
havebeen pitched in, taking a look at a magnificent
vista which included the Creech house and front lawn,
the hydro poles running along James Street, -the then
James Street United 'Church and its parking lot.
Other views could be had in the other three direc-
tions thanks to the large gaps In the barn board.
Let's talk about the treasurers which could be
found 10 feet in the sky. How about a clock with a
beautiful wood case or a sleigh which had been used to
transport dear sister and her brother during those cold
winters long _ago or the suitcase which awaited its
traveller.
While "The Barn" was in many respects a dying
entity it did provide a basis for life for both humans
and plants.
It was a proud day oh so many years ago when the
writer discovered that he could grow strawberries
thanks in part to "The Barn" which provided enough
shade for the. berries to thrive.
"The Barn" also proved to be the area in which
Please turn to page 10
chic tj ii i.•c i)
IllubNshad Each Wednesday ay J:W. Sedy.Pybl siitiois Ltd.
Member
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A
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News Editor Tom Creech
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