Loading...
The Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-08-03, Page 4PAGE 4--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978 tH� j erl i,".„. • IGNAL-STAR The County Town IOTewspaper of Huron Founded In MS and publishedeveryThursday qt Goderich, Ontario. Member of the CW PIA and QWPlA. Advertising rates an request. Subscriptions payablo In advance '13.00 In Canada. 97.00 to U.S.A..'20.00 to all other countries, all; copies 30 cents. Display advor. Msing rates available on request. Moose ask for Rate iRard No. / effectiva Oft. 1. 1911. Second class mall Registration Plumber 0711. Advertising I -s accepted on the condition that, In the event of typographical error, the advertising apace occuplod by the erroneous Item, tpgofher with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, poods or oofvico may not bo sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell. and may be withdrawn at any time. Tho Signal -Star Is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited 'manuscripts or photos. Business and Editorial Office TELEPHONE 524-8331 area code 519 Published by Signal -Star Publishing Ltd. ROBERT G. SHRIER — president and publisher SHIRLEY J. KELLER — editor EDWARD J. BYRSKI — advertising manager ._Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 220; Industrial Park, Goderich Second class mail registration number — 0716 Check those flags It is time for another editorial urging citizens of Goderich and area to check their -flagpoles ... and pull down those raggedy faded flags that are a disgrace to fly. Whether it is the town flag, the county flag, the Canadian flag, the Red Ensign or The Stars And Stripes, if people are going to fly flags, let's make certain they are in top shape. Let's not fly a tired, tattered version of once bright and crisp bunting. Flags are special. They represent a place in a way that everybody understands. They should stir up the soul and set the mind on fire with thoughts of patriotism and pride. But when flags are allowed to fly until they are faded rags, frayed and torn, partially gone and totally disgusting, they are an insult to the country or the community they were designed to represent. They are worse than nothing and should be taken down and given a decent burial. Look at the flag pole in your back yard or at your buSsiness. Take the flag down if it isn't in good `shape. Do it today.—SJK Starting with YOU Last' week, for the first time, The Goderich Signal -Star ran a Shop Canadian filler: Readers may have noticed it - a maple leaf on a string which resembles a price tag? Those "fillers" are supplied to the newspapers by the federal. department of Industry, Trade and Commerce with Jack Horner as minister. Shop Canadian is a positive program planned by IT&C tof subtly get people thinking Canadian merchandise and of course, buying Canadian merchandise. It is said to have cost $1,715,000 in advertising and' promotional costs, and while some people may feel this is a monstrous bill, if it works nearly half as well as the .Participaction program, it will return good, dividends on the original expense. It is absolutely amazing how effectively ad- vertising works - certainly advertising which is ,consistent and ,persistent. One sample•.of a suc- cessful advertising campaign is the one by a disposable tissue company. -Even now, years later, people don't ask for a tissue when they are caught short without a handkerchief. Chances are they will lean over and ask "Have you got a Kleenex?" Jim Smith who writes a weekly editorial message from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business agrees that advertising `,'gimmicks" are fine in their place. He fears that all the "Shop Canadian" program will do is create the illusion that Ottawa is actively helping Canadian manufacturing. He points out that unless Ottawa is willing to back the message (or the intent) of the advertising scheme, it simply won't work. By .Jack Riddell,- MPP Smith reported in his column that Loto Canada recently ordered many millions of dollars worth of computer equipment. But the order wasn't placed with a Canadian firm. In fact, Canadian firms were not even given the opportunity to tender bids, ac- cording to Smith. The order went to a firm in the United States! The Council for Canadian Unity, a private body subsidized by Ottawa, went to Japanese -made scarves for a unity program because there was no comparable Canadian products, says Smith. And he claims that "Ottawa is rife with similar tales". Jack Horner has 'made this plea: "Purchasing competitive Canadian -made goods will provide more jobs, build a stronger Canada where all Canadians share in. higher living standards and help increase the industrial strength of all our regions." He's right, of course .if Canadians were buying home -produced goods and if this country's producers could somehow manage to keep prices competitive with those of foreign manufacturers. As Jim Smith says, the IT&C "thinkers" may be wasting time on window dressing when there is much to be done in tackling the fundamental problems of Canadian industry. But again, every Canadian ... starting with YOU ... can make an effort to Shop Canadian even when Canadian costs more. Think of it as an investment in Canada and the future. — SJK Ne'w'' system working well.. Asyou know, our system of parliament is based upon centuries of tradition, both here in Canada, and at the Mother of Parliaments, Westminster in England. Our parliamentary rules are based upon many ancient privileges and precedents. Over the years, some major changes have been made, which have significantly altered the historical development of our legislative procedures, although these changes have frequently occurred so quietly and smoothly that only students of parliamentary procedure have been aware of what was taking place. At the end of the Fall Session in 1976, the Ontario Legislature adopted some 48 new procedures. These new rules were produced by a Committee of the Legislature, based upon research and study material and the many recommendations of the Ontario Commission on the Legislature. You will probably remember that this Commission was appointed in t972, in recognition • of - the fact that it was necessary to, enhance the role of parliament and the power of parliamentarians. When these new procedures were 'adop- ted, it :was considered advisable to have a trial period, probably one full session, at the end of which the Procedural Affairs Committee of the Legislature would review the situation, and either recommend changes or the adoption, as part of,, Ontario parliamentary tradition, of the new procedures. Last year's Provincial Election interrupted the trial period, and we began all over again whefi the new Legislature reconvened. At this time, we are now ap- proximately half way through the experimental stage, and this is, perhaps, a good op- portunity to review progress. The Provisional Standing Orders at Queen's Park have had a major effect upon the activities of the minority Legislature, and have resulted in some in- teresting • recent developments. One of the most in- teresting and exciting changes was in con- nection with Private Members' Bills. Previously by tradition, only the Government was permitted to proceed with legislation and create laws for the Statute,' Books. When the new procedures, `were adop- ted, for -thefirst time inOntario's. history., Private Members from all three -parties were given the opportunity to present legislation to be voted upon by, ..the Members of the Legislature. P. Several significant Private Member's, Bills have been introduced. Liberal John Eakins tabled a Bill to encourage the development of Small Business in Ontario. Lorne Maeck (Con- servative) introduced a Bill regarding life sup- port systems and Evelyn Gigantes (NDP) tabled a Bill on Special Education, which also received Second Reading. Liberal Remo Mancini tabled a Bill proposing that the legal drinking age be raised to 19. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly apparent ' that the Government has vir- tually no intention of allowing Private Members' • Bills to proceed beyond the first step 'in the legislative process. However, even with the certain • knowledge that" the Government will not permit Private Members' Bilis to become law, it is important that the. Members vote upon "this type -of proposed legislation, Bills such as Bob McKessock's on the Niagara Escarpment, and Stuart Smith's a proposed "Sunset Law."' At least, we now have the benefit of the recorded debates and recorded votes by Members on matters of public in— terest. Another provisional change was' the extension of the Question Period to one Hour from forty-five minutes. This extension has allowed many more Members to ask questions of Ministers. It is a positive step towards increasing the ac- countability of Ministers and allowing Members to express local and regional concerns in the Legislature. A rule enabling Mem- hers to examine the Annual Reports of Agencies and Ministries by referring these to a Standing Committee has resulted in increased focus on several im- portant issues. The Government's proposed OHIP premium increase was sent to, the S6Cria1 Development Committee, wjiere Ministry officials were called upon to account for the need to increase premiums by an enor- mous 37.5 percent. When it became apparent that there was considerable doubt.as to the' need for such a large increase, this percentage was cut in half. Only the new rules made this effective detailed examination of the matter possible. For the most part, the, new rules were intended to provide Members of ' the Legislature of all Parties with easier ac- cess to information on the -operation of the Government. It was felt that better government would result from enabling' the, Members to become better informed. Dubious distinction By Dave. Sykes 10111111111111, BY SHIRLEY J. ' KELLER • This column this week will be light -and easy. It is designed to pick up my own lagging spirits ... and perchance yours. It is also designed to be a tribute to the news as it • happens (but is seldom reported) in the paper. .One such news item around town last week involved my own son, the youngest member of the Keller clam, He asked perm'is'sion • one morning to bicycle with a friend just north of town to play mini -golf, and after due consideration I decided that he should go despite the nagging hunch that something was not right about this -outing. "If I tell him I have a premonition he'll get hurt;;. he'll tell me I`m imagining things," I reasoned. "I probably am imagining , things, too. He's old enough to ride his bike out-of-town. Let go of the apron strings, mother." So with,a warning that he should be especially aware and careful of the traffic, -I... gave 'my blessings on the trip. The next news of my • son was via his friend and travelling co'mpanion. ' "There's been an ac- cident, Mrs. Keller," said the friend who seemed to pause, waiting for me to faint, I suppose. "He's been hurt. He's at my house right now." +++ DEAR READERS When 1 -arrived, my son was holding his side and , it was obvious he was suffering 'quite a bit of pain. The story tumbled out. He'd been returning to Goderich en' his bike and coming up the hill at the northern approach. Something had happened to tip over his bicycle. God was watching. My son fell into the ditch and away from the wheels of the three transport trucks that were following him up the hill. In an instant, my son knew he'd narrowly escaped a violent ac- cident that could have taken his life. He was scared, he told me. No wonder, I told him. A .:.- Bell Telephone employee was going out of Goderich at the time of the accident. He saw what had happened, and was good enough to go back'to where my son had fallen, pick up my son and his bicycle and transport them both to his friend's house. That's where I came in. A quick assessment advised that we should make a.__ visit to the emergency department at the local hospital. We are one of those families i.n Goderich caught without a family doctor so the emergency department seemed like the best course of action. At the hospital we were. greeted by friendly, ef- ficient staff who un- derstood at a glance my son needed help -and set about to care for him in a most thorough manner. ..+W From time to time, the Signal -Star hears .. com- plaints about the emergency department at the hospital. Per- sonally, I have never run into any kind of a problem there. My family has gone to the emergency department at many different times for many varied reasons throughout 10 years. We've always found them the same - helpful and understanding. When somebody's sick or hurt, it is always an emergency as far as the immediate family is concerned. But in a hospital where staff is trained to . know that emergencies come in varying degrees of in- tensity, it isn't surprising that things don't work on a "first come, first served" basis. One wouldn't expect this staff to let a heart attack victim die just because a child was there first with a bean up his nose. At any rate, I was iinpress.ed with- the at- tention given to my son. And I was impressed by the nursing staff. They certainly couldn't have been more thorough, more thoughtful 'or more comforting., •- A doctor was sum- moned and arrived' without delay. He was called from his office -which- undoubtedly - was filled with r waiting patients,,, but he came quickly to examine lily son. Not only was he'good to my son and to me, he took extra time with a student nurse to give her the reasons for his diagnosis. Nice touch. +++ Fortunately for my son, his injuries were not as serious as at first suspected. He was im- mediately released from hospital and allowed to go home to take up normal living along with pain pills and ice packs. But my son learned.. a few things from his outing. First of all, he learned how quickly accidents happen ... and that they can happen even when people are trying to be very careful. The Bell Telephone employee who called me later in the evening corobora'ted my son's story that he was staying well, to the shoulder of the road and proceeding as carefully as possible. A peddle may have caught the curb and tipped him over, the Bell employee suggested. Secondly, my son learned that there are still people who care about other people. The help of the Bell workman was greatly appreciated by my son who didn't know which way to turn. Also there was the con- cern of his friend and family .-,. and_the setting. aside of -everything else to tend to him in his time of need. . Thirdly, he learned that the hospital is a good place to go when you are in need of emergency treatment. All those stories 'he's heard about the hospital just aren't true, at least in Goderich. Nurses and doctors are A-..• okay. In the fourth place, my son learned why it is important to be bathed and wearing clean un- derwear in all situations. One never knows when one will be caught with his pants down. Last, but by no means least, my son learned that life is precious and that while we tend to think we are in control of every situation, we often are in the hands of what some would call destiny. In our home we believe we are under God's care at all times. He learned that moms and dads are people you can count on when the going gets tough, and that home is a place where you really find out what love is all about. News stories don't often tell the whole story. It wouldn't be possible. It probably wouldn't even be appreciated. But in just this one case, you know the facts. Thanks for reading. 75 YEARS AGO . The schooner Thos. H. Howland came in Sunday with 600 tons of coal from Cleveland for the big mill. She will probably be unloaded today. Tuesday nightsomeone cut the. ropes to which the unloading buckets were attached. Next week will be a busy one in Goderich. On Wednesday the picnic at Ransford's- Grove will provide a gala occasion and 6n the same day there will be an excursion party, in town from Mitchell. On Thursday there will be an excursion from Seaforth under the auspices of the regimental band and on Thursday and Friday the West Street bowling 'green will be the gathering place for 100 bowlers from all over • LOOKING BACK Western Ontario. The citizens may prepare for a big time next week and should all do what they can to make the visitors' stay in town a pleasant one,. The 'addition to the big mill salt block is about ready for the placing of the ironworks of the plans. 25 YEARS AGO In public life for about, 25 years, Elston Cardiff, 64 -year-old farmer near Brussels, is ,,.the Progressive Con - servative candidate in the Huron riding. Publisher of ' a weekly newspaper, the Huron Expositor at Seaforth, Andrew Y. McLean is seeking his second term in the House of Commons as the Liberal 'standard bearer. Huron County Museum, fast becoming a top tourist attraction, ap- pears to be headed for a record year .as far as visitors are concerned with the 4,000 visitors for 1953 recorded this week. A familiar sight in Huron County for many years, an old' butter and egg wagon owned by J.R. McNab, has gone into permanent retirement and now rests on a vacant lot in LucknoW. Rosemary Clooney, who rose to fame through her recording of "Come- On-A-My-Holse" arrived at the'"-SpnBset Hotel in Goderich this week with. her husband, renowned stage and screen actor Jose Ferrer. The two stars, who came to Canada to view productions at the ,i Shakespearean Festival in Stratford, flew from California to Toronto and came to Goderich by car. 5 YEARS AGO After about 35 years at its location at 37 West Street, The Goderich Signal -Star and Signal - Star Publishing Limited will be relocating at the Goderich Industrial Park, just south' of town on Highway 21 late this fall. President R.G: Shrier announced the relocation this week. When Goderich Town Council meets this evening they will,find on their agenda a recom- mendation from the local Planning Board that they proceed to make the necessary zoning and land - use changes in- volving 16% acres of land off Highway .21 south to permit construction of a shopping mall as proposed in an ap- plication earlier this year by Suncoast Estates. On Wednesday, July 25, Judge Franci's Carter presided at his first. CitizenshipCourt in Goderich. Eighteen new citizens received their Canadian Citizenship certificates before a group of 40 people. Mrs. A. Gori, 73 Britannia Road was a recent recipient in her home of a 60 year jewel • presented by Sister Mrs. Pearl Lawrence P.D.b.P. of RR •5, Goderich on behalf of Goderich Rebekah Lodge No. 89, Two fake $50 bills 'were discovered by local banks on Friday .;morning having' been passed on Thursday at the, People's Store and Gerard's Clothing Store.