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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-06-18, Page 4PAY}'1f4 RICHSIGNI L,-STARt'WEDNESDAY, std 18,11880 BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second class mail registration number -0716 SINCE 1848 .. THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICII & DISTRICT ifeunhtd•in 1$** and published every Wednesday at Goderich. Ontario. fdeltdett of the CCRt* and OWIiS. Adver- tising rates Ola ragvest. Subscriptions payable In.advan4ai'VIM in Canada. +IIS.M to U.S.A.. 41.100 to ail other wren - hi", 6%14 .tppier S9'. OIspkry edwrtising rates nitaliabio on request.. Moose ask far ihsta Card IMo. 7b effective Sept. 1. Mt Sofond clasp mall aegtetratlon Itumbor S7141. Advertising Is accepted en the conditloi that in the event of typegrepphkgl error, the.tndvortising.space occupied by the erroneous Item. together with roosonabie allowance for signature. will not be charged for but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the appno®ble rete. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or sorvicits at a wrong price, goods or service may not be sold. AdxertlsPng is morally en otter to toll, end may be ,nithdrown at any time. The Signal -Star If not raspon Ie for the Iota or damage of unsolicited manuscripts. photon or other materials used for reproducingpurposes...fs; PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHR$ER - Pres.ident`andPublisher SHIRLEY J. KELLER - Editor DONALD M. HUBLCI( - Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES - Assistant Editor P.O. BOX 220, HUCKINS ST. 6116 aet INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 486 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 Headline -misleading A front page story in last week's edition of the Signal -Star regarding the opening of a farmer's market caused some concern. The story stated the market opened without a contribution from farmers but later explained that a real evaluation of the market will begin June 21 when local farmers will have produce available for sale. The story was not meant to be a slight against farmers or the market but it seems, could have been intrepreted so. In previous stories and editorials the Signal has heartily endorsed the project. Last week's story was simply meant to make people aware of the opening of the market and the fact that produce was not yet available there. A little knowledge of the growing season would substantiate that. While farmer's produce will be available shortly_ the market also feature crafts, arts and baking to compliment the goods of a traditional market. If anything, the headline above the story was the misleading factor and a proper choice of wording could have easily clarified the situation. The Signal - Star erred in that respect.There may have been some truth in it but it failed to tell the entire story. But looking ahead, and considering the agrarian base of this area, the farmer's market can make a significant contribution to the community. D.S. Check it out first The ad caught your eye as soon as you opened the paper: "Make Big Money -- Clean up in the Office Cleaning Business. No experience required -- small investment 'yields large rewards!" Further down the page there was another: "Vending Machine Route -- Cigarettes, Candy, Soft Drink machines -- Gold Mine for Right Person! ! " And another : "Fantastic Franchise Opportunity - - exclusive distribution rights available in your area for product in daily use by every householder. Act now and get in on the ground floor! ! !" Well, why not, you think, your imagination fired by the idea of telling your slave driver boss to get some other hapless soul for your tedious, underpaid job. Here's your chance to be the boss. With this vision of independence and large financial returns glowing brightly in front of you, it's easy to let enthusiasm swamp judgement, but before you slit open the mattress and dig out your life savings, take a closer look at what you'll get for your money. Unfortunately, careful investigation is apt to show that'promises are about all ,you're getting for an investment which can'range from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. Take the office cleaning ad, for example. In exchange for your investment, the company agrees to provide you with cleaning jobs worth a certain amount of money each month. Unless you're familiar with this kind of work (and it's not as simple, or as easy, as you might think), you may find that the cost of your equipment and supplies, plus the' --number of hours you have to work _to complete the jobs, results in your earning less per hour than your old job paid. If you're interested in a vending machine route, don't just take the salesman's word that dozens of. businesses will be delighted to have the machine on their premises. Call on a few businesses before you invest to see if they really would be willing'to have the machines installed. The condition of the machines you're buying is important. Vending machines take a lot of punish- ment and even new machines can break down frequently. Repairmen are apt to be hard to find and expensive. Some people have ,Ir fade a lot of money with franchises; others have lost a lot. Just because an ad offers exclusive rights to a product in everyday use, don't think this guarantees success. In spite of the ad's claim, few products are truly exclusive. There is nearly always an alternative available and customersmay buy it instead of your product. Usually the most successful franchises are those which are backed with staff training and which sell a product or service known to the public through national.advertising. Before you invest in any business opportunity, check it out first, with a competent business or financial advisor. Nature's in control Area farmers are wondering what else can happen to make their lot in life more miserable. High costs for agriculture -related supplies, low prices for agriculturally -produced goods, and generally decreased funding opportunities and increased interest rates are making financial success difficult for all but the well-established businessman with a keen sense for making the right decision. But this week, farmers around derich and throughout Ontario have had to contend with a new headache. Near freezing temperatures most nights and some frost in parts of the immediate district has threatened to destroy this spring's crops and make costly replanting necessary. According to one sppkesman this week, good hot weather in July -and -August ;could -still -save-local. farmers. Most field crops would catch up under sunny skies and the occasional warm rain. Grains such as wheat, oats and barley will be unhiiirt, Corn will be stunted but will likely revive if there is plenty of warmth in the weeks ahead. White beans, perhaps the most delicate of, -area field crops, and of course some small vegetables, may need to be resown. These second plantings should do well, _farmers believe, if the weather is warm enough for quick germination, fast growth and early maturity. Weather buffs though, have been predicting a cooler than normal summer in southwestern Ontario. That is probably adding a new dimension of fear to the farmer's plight. Take heart though. It has been the rare season when area farmers did not come through with good ,yields from most crops regardless of the bleak outlook from time to time. That's probably because nature replenishes itself annually, and orders the forces of the earth every year so that the harvest is always adequate to feed the world'.s_hungry,--Al.l-in-duesea-son-,- as -the -Bible says, according to the will of The Maker. Farmers then, must certainly be among the most faithful workers. Their's is a risky business if you look blindly to the future .... but a sure thing if you recall faithfully the past when there was plenty for all without fail. - SJK DEAR. READER Ant's eye view by Cath Wooden Farewell' Dear Editor, I feel that I must write to you and via the media of your paper, to the residents of Goderich and surrounding area, Unfortunately, we have to leave this beautiful town. Over the thrPP years that we have lived here, we- have grown -to love and appreciate the people• and the com- munity. Having moved here from the city, we have been able to enjoy a quality of life that was not ours before. We arrived in Goderich with very little ex - Ads at fault? We're hitting the suds folks. peer constt iption in the province of Ontario has gone up by 4,3 per cent in the last year to a total of 160 million gallons That's a fair bit of beer con- sidering the population roseby a mere one per cent in the same period. That would indicate that Ontari-ari-ari-oo is a place to stand, a place to grow and a place to drink. ° Those stats fueled a fire in the Ontario Liberal camp and the provincial party wants a crackdown on beer advertisements., At least on ads that in- dicate drinking a special brand of the comforting beverage will improve your sex life, athletic abilities or contribute to youthful good looks. The Liberals maintained that government policy indicating that beer advertisements must not imply that social acceptance, personal success en- business r business or athletic achievement may result from beer consumption are not in use in Ontario. Admittedly the beer ads paint a somewhat ob- scured vision of life or the way it should be lived. By uncapping a certain brand no-one is likely to be thrust onto the countryside with ballons overhead or enjoy the company of scantily -clad young ladies on the beach. It doesn't happen that way and for 99 per cent of the population it never will. But, while the advertising could be cleaned up to reflect a more natural and realistic approach, is it plausible that such ads contribute to increased consumption. Take a look at tough interest and mortgage rates, -a depressed -housing m r.ke.t_an_d_.s11.bs.antial. layoffs. It's a poor excuse but it must contribute a larger percentage to the total than those searching for the free and easy life. However, if you feel there's something missing in life, according to beer ads Shangrila is "Me and the boys and our beer." D.S. . , ' EDIT D..R perience, and so •this letter -must thank—all those people who have been patient with us, who have helped us, taught us and encouraged us in our ministry. It is difficult enough to leave our own congregation, but yet we leave as well many others, who we have come in contact with during our stay. Fortunately we will be taking a bit of Goderich with us, as our first son was born here. Naturally, that will always -be -'a source of joy and remembrance of Goderich. We say thank you as well to all those who have supported our recent Red Shield Campaign. This Campaign is of immense - importance to the local and national Salvation Army. Reluctantly, we must move on, but. _Goderich will not be forgotten. To our friends and acquaintances, we say farewell, and pray that God's rich blessing will be yours. Sincerely, Neil Watt (Lieutenant) The Salvation Army 18,Waterloo St. S. Goderich, Ontario Thanks Dear Editor: As June is the mencement of a new Legion year, Goderich Legion Branch 109 takes this opportunity, to thank`_ the Signal -Star for its coverage of our Branch activities since June '79. Your coverage is one major method we utilize to keep our members and, the general public in; corn - formed of the plans, policies, - activities and community contributions of the Royal Canadian Legion in this town and district. Yours in Comradeship Neil Shaw P.R.O. Legion Branch 109 Workshop Dear Editor, We are trying to org.anize a group discussion - weekend workshop - local folk school on "The Future of the Family 'Farm". The purpose of this gathering, would be to examine several questions. What is a family farm? Is the family farm important for our future? Should we preserve and promote the family farm? How? If you would like to participate in a discussion gathering on these questions please contact: Adrian Vos, Blyth, 523-4294; John VanBeers, R.R.1, Blyth, 523-4431 ; or Tony McQuail, R.R.1, Lucknow, 528-6542. We are hoping to organize such a gathering somewhere in Huron County and at a time convenient to members• -of the 'farm community. We believe this is an im- portant area of concern and hope that if you share this concern you will let us know of your interest. Yours sincerely, Adrian Vos, John Van Beers and -Tori -y -M cQ.ua-i-1 BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER For the last few weeks,. I have been preparing to attend a seminar in the United States. Part of my preparation has involved reading and assessing other weekly newspapers, all from the USA. Just like Canadian publications, there are_ some good ones and some that are not so good. Along with -each newspaper has come a covering letter from the editor defining total staff required to produce the editions. Consistently, and to my continuing horror, I have been con- fronted with the fact that American weekly newspapers are producing more of everything with less workers. That really shouldn't have surprised me. I've known for quite a while that Americans-., have a better record of productivity than do Canadians. It has always bothered me: - I'm not anti- I American, but I am pro -Canadian. I'd like to believe that Canadians can do anything that the Americans can do - and do it just as well. Maybe better. But alas, it isn't true. That's why, American-made goods is so ' corn- petitive on the world markets. It costs. less money to produce it. And the quality remains high in most instances, But when I find it is also true of the area in which I work every day, it is a bit huinblvng. In our business, our workers believe they work hard. And I think they do. But we just don't match good -old American know-how when it comes to getting a job done efficiently and lfectively. Perhaps you saw a story in Monday's London Free Press out of Schwedt, East Germany. That story took another twiston the same subject. Apparently in Schwedt, a petrochemical company has ' been under the watchful eye of , the East German government for a while. The plant is East Germany's biggest oil - refining plant, The Schwedt industry terminated more than 2,000 jobs - and itis being heralded as one of the country's most exciting innovations. Why? Because East Germany faces two serious � conomic weaknesses - overmanning and low productivity. It all started two years ago when the company faced the task of finding 2,400 workers for a Japanese refining plant being built at the northern East Ger- man industrial centre. In a country of zero unemployment, the labor was simply not available. Management realized there was no point in hoping for a miracle, so they Need money Dear Editor: During Mental Retardation Month, The Goderich and District Association for the Menally Retarded again regtie*s your financial support of our current programs. In the past year, we have: expanded the Workshop to cover 25 clients; opened a small toy production and woodworking facility;, negotiated several new contracts with local in- dustries; n-dustries; changed the Workshop name to"ARC Industries of Goderich"; opened our Group Home at 200 Keays Street and received nine residents who have adjusted well to a family -community environment; in planning stage of establishing an apartment support program 'for adults; in planning 'stage of establishing a nursery school for handicapped pre-schoolers. As you were kind enough to extend your support last year, we wish to again call upon your generosity to assist in maintenance of the elsting operations along with further expansion of the Workshop and development' of an apartment support program as an extension to the Group Home. Your donation may be allocated, if you wish, to: General Association needs; Workshop sup- port ; Group Home - Apartment support; Camp ($250 sponsors one person for one week); Corporate membership ($50 for one year). P'rea s e-- s-e7rd yo u -r contribution to 140 Palmerston Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 3E8. Yours sincerely Don Budnark set out to supply the staff from within the company's own resources. A study of staffing levels showed that nearly, 1,800 existing jobs and 600 of the planned new jobs could be abolished. It meant transfering one-fifth of the company s entire labor force to other jobs - and a huge retraining program - but it worked. And productivity skyrocketed. This is what the Communist party daily Newues Deutschland said about it all: "We do not have too few workers; we have too many jobs. It is time to make better use of existing production staff and to ensure every worker more challenge and fulfillment in his job." The Schwedt study showed that only 40 percent of the average worker's time on the job was spent usefully. The goal is to raise this level to 70 percent. It hasn't been accomplished without problems. The Schwedt situation has resulted in many unhappy workers who have quit their jobs be -cause they can't cope with the new stresses and strains of the increased objectives. What's more, indications are that remaining workers are resentful of the heavy concentration of administration staff which so far has gone untouched. But the plant intends to do something about that too. It will cut the proportion of non -production staff at its plant to 48 from 53 percent within two years, largely by replacing office workers with computer equipment. Many readers will see the. Schwedt approach as self-defeating in a country like Canada where unemployment is already a problem - and the creation of jobs is an ongoing occupation for government. But is it? If Canadian productivity could be increased, Canadian -produced goods would be increasingly com- petitive on the world market. And if that began to happen, Canada's economy would rosier prospects. Canadians would eventually have more money to spend - and new jobs would naturally be the result. The whole concept of increased -productivity isn't new. Canadians have heard about it for years - but they haven't taken . Perhaps the it time hu arrived when each of us must take it very seriously. At our own individu'al work place. Bad enough when the Americans can put us to shame With their daily annual work record .... but when the Com- munists who are oppressed can do it consistently better than those of us in the free world, -we're in a lot of trouble. And not just of the economic nature.