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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-02-13, Page 4THE RDVAACE TUIIES Limited reassurance The visit of Hon. Frank Miller, Ontario's minister of health, to several Western Ontar- io communities last week provided, if noth- ing else, an opportunity to fire $.dme impor- tant questions at "the boss man" in the health care field. The people in this part of the province most concerned about health ministry poli- cies are members of hospital boards and health unit personnel in addition; of course, to medical practitioners. The famed (or HI - famed) Mustard report, which was released last year, advocated some drastic changes in the general pattern of hospital usage and administration. The document created a new climate of concern and certainly a measure of determined opposition. Specific recommendations in the report advocated the formation of very large hospi- tal regions, so large, in fact, that hospital boards found the suggested regions totally unacceptable. Another recommendation, if implemented, would dictate to doctors the areas in which they would be permitted to practise. County health units, too, would be required to merge into very large-scale operations. • in answer to questions on the subject of health care regions, Mr. Miller was reassur- ing. He declared that no firm decisions have been made about the size -or boundaries of sucli regions and reminded his questioners that the Mustard report was not final govern- ment policy. He also intimated that there are no plans on the drawing board for the closing of small hospitals. Rather, he advocates the A vital rat hole Opposition parties are crying out dire warnings to the federal and provincial gov- ernments over the decision to invest hun- dreds of millions of dollars in the Syncrude protect which, it is hoped, will eventually tap vast oil reserves in the Alberta tar sands. They fear that the commitment of public funds is merely "rum in a rat hole", with no foreseeable end to the outpouring of money. They may well pe correct, but there is some considerable difference between rat holes in this nation. With the present situa- tion in petroleum supplies and the spectre of energy blackmail beingforced upon us by the Middle Eastern countries, Canada hasno choice whatever. We do have these oil re- serves and, whateverthe ost lle r c f e tti l ized. The sticky side of the Syncrude'project is that of collaboration with so.-ne of the giant elimination of duplicated services. The health minister has an ability to communicate, which his predecessors lacked. „He was candid and reasonable, but his remarks about the future of health planning indicated that the status quo will not be altered hastily. The minister's approach to the questions which are troubling local health authorities was that of a man who sincerely wants to seek avenues of co-operation. However, people who carry the responsibility for health services in our communitjes have lived through too many yearn of changing policy to be totally reassured about the future. Hospital insurance was inaugurated 15 years ago and local hospital financing im- mediately became subject to the dictates of the Ontario Hospital Services' Commission, MTh its hosts of directors, inspectors and auditors. A complicated system of book- keeping was demanded and then revamped four or five times. A few years later the inclusion of physicians' 'services in the in- surance scheme required an entirely new system of financial administration -and even- tually removal of hospital jurisdiction from the services' commission to direct control of the ministry of health. • The people who devote their time and ef- fort to the provision of good health care for small communities are naturally fearful that even a minister of health cannot speak with any accuracy of future policies. They have ,,been changed too often in the past. oil companies. These corporations have sim- ply refused to finance the tar sands project on their own and have demanded a vihopping bag of public money before they will pro- ceed. All well and good. They haveasked for investing parjners, so it is only fair that the new government partners have full access to the companies' books. No way should tax money go into the Alberta rat hole unless the big corporations can prove that their profits are reasonable and not exhorbitant. The federal government and the govern- ments of Alberta and Ontario have agreed to invest a percentage of the cost of developing the tar sands, a percentage, which for openers is esti muted at seyera1 and Ph 'I- lion dollars dndtobviously might in the long_ run exceed a billion. That's a lot of dough, but as an • investment it is likely to bring much fatter returns than $600 million to a billion in the Olympic games. ;They're at it again One of the factors which led to the rapid ,3 rise of the United States to world supremacy as a nation was the ability of its people and • its leaders to learn from their own mistakes. • That is an ability which appears to have been 4 lost in the conceits of power achieved. No single policy of the American nation\ 4 ever proved as devisive to its people as the proliferation of American men and arms in 4 the Vietnam war. The presence of US forces in a field of conflict forsaken years ago as impossible by France has proven to be a cancerous growth, dividing not only political ideologies, but families and friends. More mature nations have learned long since that it is wise to stay out of wars they had no hope of winning, but the Americans persisted for 10 years in their efforts to de- fend a government that did not deserve pro- tection in a land were_ conclusive victory was impossible. Glossed over though it may have been, President Nixon's decision to end the war was tantamount to admission of defeat and was forced upon him by the increasing opposition of his own people: And what do we find this year? Exactly the same indications of renewed American interference which provided the origins of the war 10 years ago. A "few" American military men have returned to Vietnam to sort out supply and transportation problems. Next there will be a few combat experts ad- vising on military strategy and they will be followed by 50,000 soldiers and airmen. If the American interests were devoted to the support of a government fighting for the freedom of its people there might be some excuse: That is not the case. The gov- ernment of South Vietnam is a corrupt one, as every student of far eastern politics knows. The American authorities have even assisted the _ Vietnamese in+ the "orderly" conduct of elections in which only the names of government candidates appeared on the ballots. So much for sincere interest in free- dom and democracy. Few of us in the western world are in- clined to favor communistic forms . 3f gov- ernment, and that has been the perennial American excuse for interfering in the development of Southeast 'Asia. Unless we are totally blind, however, we have to admit that a communist revolution in China, op- posed as far as possible by the West, has achieved the beginnings of an orderly and productive way of life for the people of that vast land. We don't like the way it as done, but only a fool would deny that a Chinese people are any worse off than they were 40 years ago. The foundations of world peace are pre- carious enough without Henry Kissinger's veiled threats to the Arab nations and the re- newed presence of US advisors in Vietnam. Year of the snowmobile Yes, this is it! After two or three winters when snow was in short supply the snow- -mobilers.__ are really having a_ _field._ day. - Despite a warm fall and too many rains in January, at last we have a good cover of the white' stuff and the snow coasters are revel- ling in the pleasures of the great outdoors. It's the beginning of a new era in the sport, too, for the co-operation of the snow- mobile cluos witn ine Natural ttesources' people and a new sense of responsibility is rapidly_ changing. the -picture: _ A -few- years back the public regarded snowmobile fans in somewhat the same light as long-haired motorcycle nuts. Better organization, in- creased respect for private property and fewer serious accidents are making snow- mobiling a respectable and thoroughly en- joyable sport. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited Barry Wenger, President Robert O,, Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulations' ember — Canadian Community Newspapers Assoc. ubscription $10.00 per year. Six months $5.25 Ontario Weekly Newspapers Assoc. To United States $12.50 Second Class Marl Registration No. 0821 Return postage guaranteed J'• 'int n , , onn.. ,ems, Home poses financial problems John MacKinnon, social ser- vices administrator, asked Huron County Council for more money in 1975 to cover additional costs which may be incurred by the committee in providing as- sistance to the boarders at Heather Gardens in Vanastra. The home, operated by Clair Haskett, a former psychiatric nurse, provides a home for pa- tients who have been released from psychiatric hospitals in London, St. Thomas, Woodstock and Goderich. Social services is presently providing assistance to 16 of the 27 boarders at the home since there is no government funding, while the remaining boarders are able to pay for their room and board with disability and old -age pensions. In the social services com- mittee report the committee stat- ed that it is concerned about the potentially large number of cases that could be generated from the opening of such a home: The home could eventually have 70- 100 boarders and as a result the committee added $30,000 to the budget to provide for this pos- sibility although they hope it will not be required. Elgin Thompson, reeve of Tuckersmith, said that council has been `led down the garden path' and it was unfortunate that the people of Huron County had to look after these people who had come in from outside the county. Brussels reeve Jack McCut- cheon argued that the boarders at the,home would be an added fin- ancial load to Huron County and that the financing should come from the province and not the residents. He stated that since the residents were coming from 'outside the county, Huron County is handling someone elses bur- den. Mr. MacKinnon stated that anyone _ who comes to Huron County then becomes the respon- sibility of the county. Despite the fact that many of therm __come from St. Thomas they have taken up residence in a private home d` .therefore bec91 a private; residents. He stated that they can apply for disability pension and all have been referred to welfare and the county should lose all fin- ancial responsibility. Goderich reeve Stan , Profit concurred with Mr. MacKinnon's stand, saying to council; "We must remember that these people are not animals, they are human beings." Mr. MacKinnon said that no one received any warning but Mrs., Haskett simply came and started the home. He continued, saying that at this point council's concerns should be about poten- tial fire hazards at the home, supervision and financial ar- rangetnents. Dr. Frank Mills, medical of- ficer of health, agreed with Mr. MacKinnon that .the building is more of a fire hazard than it should be and that it should be in- spected by the fire marshall's of- fice to make sure it is protected against any tragedies. - 1.1 Apace of editorial opinkn S, ti � t ♦ta 1 11 is 8� ��'�'.'L�n4�T.��,�`'- February 13; 1975 5Ay. I S'o T DIS%oVt t.D ANoTNtR OSEFoRTNE NOCKifSTICK- scomico. Letters to Editor, The Advance -Times. Dear Sir: Community spirit is very much alive in the town of Wingham. This fact is being demonstrated by the generous organizations and citizens who are volunteering their help and financial support to send our Scouts to the World Jamboree. Unfortunately there are some citizens who are not completely aware of what is involved and we lame this on the Scout Group 411: ammittee who have failed to. inform the public- fully. ' Since we are asking, for your financial support, we feel you should have more details regard- ing the organization and exactly what was involved in qualifying for the World Jamboree. The main purpose of Scouting is to provide brotherhood, service and outdoor life. Each Scout group has a sponsoring body—in Wingham' we have the Kinsmen Club. At the local level we have three groups of people.. The boys are the most familiar to everyone, the Cubs in their grey and green, and Scouts in their green and gold uniforms. A •boy becomes a cub scout at age 71/2. After investi- ture, he begins his programme of earning badges and stars by completing tasks set out in the Canadian Cub handbook. At age 11 he "goes up" to Scouts and continues this process of earning the>right to badges at a more ad - TODAY'S CHILD Billy is a happy three-year-old, lovable and easy to care for. He is used to much attention from his foster parents and several teenagers, but is not a demandipg child. He is quite cheerful if left to entertain himself, as long as he can see people. Billy has been slow in developing and is considerably"behind the average for his age. He has only started to walk and, though he chatters a lot, only a few words are recognizable. A healthy boy, Billy has blonde curly hair, fair skin,and dark eyes. They did turn in but are improving after corrective surgery. He has u good appetite and sleeps well. Billy needs a family who will appreciate his happy disposition and not worry over his slow development. To inquiry about adopting Billy, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of Com unity and Social Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto M4P 2142,, For general adoption information consult your local Children's Aid Society. vanced level. There are two types of badges to be earned. The Challenge badges which are single stage .badges focusing on hobbies and interests: Achieve- ment badges, which are multiple 'itage badges with bronze, silver and gold stages. A few examples of this type of badge are Citizen- ship, First Aid, Life Saving, Conservation, etc. We would like to give you the requirements that must be met for just one of these badges but it would .involve too much space: If 'anyone is in- terested, any $cputr , ;wquld be.. pleased to show. you his Scout book. _ Then there is the hub of the organization, the leaders. Each Cub Pack has an Akela and each Scout Troop a Troop Scouter who is responsible for the group as a whole. Ideally, to effectively implement the programme, there is then a leader for every six boys. These leaders devote countless hours to these boys, receiving nothing in . return ex- cept the respect of the boys' coos cerned. In the background there is the , Group Committee made up of} parents and interested citizens. Their main duties are to relieve the leaders of administrative duties and assist in any way pos- sible. All fundraising is also their responsibility. Since we are all. human beings we make mistakes and fall short of what may by ex- pected of us. If anyone can help us to do betteroplease join us: We are always in need of leaders and group: committee members. Please contact any member of the committee if you can help. Chairman, Perry Holmes; vice-chairman, 'Dr. Stewart Leedham; treasurer, Murray Taylor; secretary, Mrs. Elayne ti Rintoul; padre, Rev. Robert Armstrong; transportation, Blake Evans; ''telephone, Mrs. Edna Foxton; finance, Mrs. Gail Holmes, Mrs. Helen Daugherty, Mrs. Donna Cornwall; Kinsmen liason, Grant McIntyre. Approximately one year ago it was decided that we would at- tempt to send Wingham Scouts to • THE HOuNO ty CERTAtNOI A TERROR wHENEVER A TtttENO CALLS! the Editor the 1975 World Jamboree. This event is held only every four years. The boys were informed of this and told that all who QUALIFIED. could apply. In order to qualify a boy must' be 14 years of age but not 18 on August 1, 1975. He must be a Pathfinder Scout. To qualify for a Pathfinder award he must have earned: 14 Challenger Badges, 4 Achieve- ment badges at the GOLD stage, one of which. must be Anchor, Camperaft or Explorin t 2 Out- door badgei Miler jes 2 mmunitt S Goa: Citizenship badges. He must also attend three winter camps. Applications were completed by each qualifying Scout. Reports were also required on each boy from the Troop Scouter and also from the school he attends. On November 30 the boys appeared -before a selection committee in Palmerston. They were interviewed .by men as- Minimum wage rates revised The Honorable John P. Mac - Beth announced new minimum wage rates for Ontario which will come into effect on May 1st, 1975. The minimum wage for general industry will be $2.40 and for the construction industry $2.65. "This revision," the minister said, "has been necessary to keep pace with the increased cost of living." He added that the ministry is preparing . a booklet for distri- bution to employers iO the province Outlining in detail the intention and applications of the newly revised Employment Standards Act. Subjects will include coverage; homeworkers; hours of work; minimum wage; paid public holi- days; equal pay for substantially the same kind of work; benefits suck as pension plans; pregnancy leave and termination. The booklet will be available in February. IT NEVER FAILS sociated with Scouting but not known to the boys or associated with our District. '- On December 2, Dave Hudson, assistant provincial com- missioner, announced who the successful candidates were. Now our boys are busy apply- ing for passports, arranging for immunization and a complete medical. Hopefully, with the blessings of our community, they will be leaving Canada on July 19. Yours truly, Group Committee,? . 1*iugham Cubs and Scouts! Perrie Holmes. Overwatering is bad for plants • Too much tender loving care, if it includes too much watering, can kill houseplants. Avoid over - watering during the winter when there is little.sunlight and plants are growing at maintenance levels rather than gutting on new growth, says Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food horti- culturist, J. K. Hughes. Many gardeners give their plants a thorough watering when- ever •the shil feels dry to the touch. This saturates the entire soil ball and allows water to run from the bottom of th4` pot. "Unless the soil mixture is so porous and well -drained that water does not lay at the top of the pot for more than two seconds, this procedure should not be, followed," warns Mr. Hughes. Excessive watering of plants in heavy, poorly drained mixtures causes high salt build- ups and plant death. To overcome the low relative humidity in most homes during winter, occasionally mist the foliage•of plants, or place a tray of water close to them. Do not attempt to make up for low tela - five humidity by overwatering. Respect your body. Eat sen- sibly, exercise and don't smoke. You'll feel better and reduce your risk of heart disease. 'nog OQIGINAL %Nii.L • GO To LEO 5 GAGLAHA/i BROOKLYN, N Y FOR. SENDING 'N THE sfIFA- .•• rnnum nn i i i r. .......001110... ' ///lj,. 11 II III\ ,i,..**'* 4:::- � , �o ' llL\ ��\\\\\\