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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-05-31, Page 5Government still under attack about xsoray Bill Taves, a Bruce plant employee who, under the pseudonym M. Schultz, released secret Hydro documents challenging the safety of the nuclear development at Douglas Point. CHILD SUPPORT Men separated from wives and children in Ontario probably will owe more than $38 million in back payments for child support by the end of the 1978-79 fiscal year. Statistics compiled by the family court for 1977-78 show the accumulated arrears to be $32,9 million; up by more than $6 million from the previous year. A further $6 million increase during this fiscal year is ex- pected. Keith Norton the Minister of Community Turn to page 20 BY JACK RIDDELL, M.P.P. The government continues to be under attack by Opposition Parties on the subject of X-ray hazards, following the recent disclosure in a University of Toronto report that excessive radiation exposure from X-rays is causing 20 cases of leukemia a year in Ontario. Charging that the government has allowed its X-ray inspection service to dwindle to only nine employees, Liberal Leader Stuart Smith accused the Ministry of Health of being "secretive" about its inspection program and not taking the safety issue "at all seriously". "It seems", he , said, "that the Ministry only` becomes concerned when this sort of.thing is public knowledge". The Minister, Dennis Timbrell, replied that Ontario is "further ahead than any other jurisdiction in eradicating a very serious problem", stating the inspection team has been reduced by only one with another being transferred to the Ministry of Labour in 1976 when Labour was given responsibility for non- medical radiation safety. EQUAL PAY A Private Member's Bill calling for equal pay for work of equal 'Value has passed second reading, or approval in principle. Tt now goes to a committee of the Legislature for review, although the government could let it die on the Order Paper• by not re- introducing it for final reading. , The Bill provides for government evaluators to compare dissimilar jobs performed by men and women, to determine which are of equal value, assessing the amount of wages outstanding, and forcing them to be paid. Current legislation only requires equal pay for jobs, that require sub- stantially the same skills, which women's groups maintain gives em- ployers a loophole because wages for traditionally female work can remain low. When introduced, the proposed legislation had the support of all New Democrats and Liberals. However, the Minister of Labour, Dr. Robert Elgie, did not support it because he believes many questions have to be answered "before "a sound and responsible legislative decision can be made." Dear Editor... • from page 4 borders of Canada, my wife and I carry our Canadianpassports very proudly. When we return to Canada, we feel thank- ful that this is our country, even if we arrive in a snowstorm. This is home, and we will take up arms to defend it, if necessary. I do not think the word 'foreign' should be used when you talk about people. That word does not sound right used in that text. It seems to refer to something that does not belong there and thus should be removed. We are members of the human race even though we were born outside the. borders of Canada. My wife and I arrived in Goderich Township in 1952 and our neighbours surely did not treat us as foreigners. I would like to thank the Austin Fuller family, the Mclllwains, the Williams, the Mathers and last, but not least, the George Wraith family, for trying to teach us the English language and the ways of life here. I also believe that Mr. Riddell is doing a good job for his own people and the rest of us too. He will go out of his way to help everybody. I even hope that in the next election, Mr. Smith will do better than Trudeau did, and Mr. Riddell might get a • cabinet post., Yours truly, Kase Vanden Heuvel. Concerned Dear Editor, The Goderich Sailing Club would like to ex- press •its deep concern with regard to the recent thefts in Snug Harbour during the past two weekends. One outboard motor was stolen from a member's sailboat May 19. This past weekend three more we're taken. We have been proud of Snug Harbour's trouble- free record and enjoyed the confidence among those who frequent the harbour for boating, fishing and sight-seeing. We would like this at- mosphere of trust to be maintained for, the benefit of all who enjoy the waterfront facilities. The recent thefts have put our members on the defensive. We find our- selves locking everything all the time, viewing touring strangers with newly -felt suspicion, and monitoring each other's property like protective watchdogs. We neither •enjoy this defensive climate nor feel it should be necessary that we darken the harbour atmosphere with such a "protective at- titude. It is unfortunate that our faith in Snug Harbour has been shattered. It can, however, be re- established through the development of another long trouble-free record. We ask for the While he agrees with the concept of equality espoused by the Bill, he doubts it could be "translated into prac- tical, workable and en- forceable legislation." Job defining is not an "exact science" and the kind of wage equality called for "can - be reconciled with our collect -Ne -bargaining system". Infuriated by • the Minister's comments, Liberal Margaret Campbell said she felt a "deep sense of humiliation. Asa woman, I am in the year 1979, once more trying to prove that women are people." ROAD DEATHS UP There was.a 67 percent increase in the number of drivers and passengers killed on Ontario roads in the first three months of this year, and the government plans a road surveillance and ad- vertising blitz. From January 1 to March 31, there were 211 fatalities, compared with 126 for the same period last year. The Minister of Transportation and Communications, Jim Snow, stated there's no apparent reason for the increase, except that there were more multiple death accidents. Total assistance of all harbour users to put an end to such incidents and help recreate and maintain a secure recreational at- mosphere so that we may all enjoy one of Goderich's finest assets. Yours truly, Ken Dawson Commodore, Goderich Sailing Club. Thankyou Dear Editor: Thank you so very much for your .excellent coverage of our Professional Education Week. We certainly do appreciate the time you spent with us during the • week plus the time and expertise you put into the extensive article. You have given the public a comprehensive overview of the multitude of services available to the handicapped and their` families. I'm sure that your story will help dispel the misconceptions and apprehensions" that many people hold in relation to those who are mentally retarded. Joanne Buchanan's personal comments in `Tid• Bits' made me feel good. I know that our residents are given lots of tender, loving care. They have as good a home and 'family' as anyone could ask for that's a pretty important point for their parents peace of mind. Sincerely, Pat Wheeler, Co-ordinator of Volunteer Services. . ANTI-PERSPIRANT N������ ARRID SPRAY T27 KLEENEX TOWELS 225 ML. $1.49 994 2 ROLL PKG. DEODORANT 71 ML. BAN ROLL-ON .49 FACIAL TISSUE KLEENEX • S9< BOX OF 200 TOILET TISSUE DELSEY 4 ROLL PKG. 99 „a 340 ML. OR 50 TABS MAALOX PLUS $1 .89 100 ML. OR EXTENTABS 12's DI�IIETAPP $1 .39 NA A AMURA PHARM -AC -Y Suncoast Mall. Goderich GUARDIAN RUGS OPEN MON.-FRI. 10-12, 12:30-6 WEEKDAY EVENINGS 6:30 P.M. -9 P.M. SATURDAY 10-0 00,0 524-:195 deaths, including pedestrians and cyclists, were 270 compared with 198 for the same period last year, an increase of 36 percent. The Minister stated the figures represent a "complete turn around" from declining figures which followed in- troduction of mandatory s -belt legislation and lower speed limits three years ago. Since cars are now built to more exacting safety stan- dards, "one thing is obvious, and it's that these grim statistics point to Ontario's drivers as the culprits." In 85 percent of the fatal accidents, there was no alcohol involved, no mechanical defect, and no snow or ice on the road. Regardless of views expressed to the con- trary, in 1978, out of 27,275 unbelted drivers involved in accident, 336 were killed. Out of 258,578 belted drivers in ac- cidents, only 159 died. HYDRO The Legislature's select committee on Hydro has recommended that the Rolphton nuclear demonstrator plant remain shut down until possible -safety short- comings can be in- vestigated. The motion was passed at ya special meeting of the committee requested by Liberal MPP Julian Reed, after a Renfrew County citizens' group submitted a brief demanding a public hearing into the plant's safety features. Also in connection with the province's nuclear program, the multi- million dollar bill for repairs of 36 Babcock and Wilcox Canada Ltd. boilers will probably be paid by Ontario Hydro customers. The contract for these boilers, which have never actually been in service at the Pickering nuclear generating plant, was awarded without calling for tenders, partly, "so -the company would stay in business in Canada according to an Ontario Hydro Spokesman. Hundreds of dents and bends in the tubes leading into the boilers caused the equipment to be returned to the com- pany's plant in Cam- bridge for rebuilding. During the summer hearings, the committee will hear testimony from GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1979 --PAGE 5 1 SEE U$ FIRST FOR... We carry a complete line of *BELVEDERE KITCHEN CABINETS *PANELLING *WALLPAPER •INTERLUX PAINTS *ALUMINUM DOORS & WINDOWS GORD SMITH CARPETS 1 MILE EAST OF GODERICH ON HIGHWAY No. 8 524-7123 i r4 THEATRE FOYER COURTYARD STORES OFFICES L ANE WAY • .•11ss.rs44;• • '• .; � BVI •• •11.. •-a -w•.• •. 1979 THE. LIVERY THEATRE SOUTH STREET BESIDE THE BEDFORD HOTEL MIDNIGHT MADNESS OPEN HOUSE Friday, June 1 from 6 p.m. to Midnight FREE COFFEE and DONUTS We are in the middle of renovations -drop in and see what we are doing! GODERICH PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION For the promotion of visual and performing arts This message brought to you through the co-operation of the following: RIECK N•zwisie PHARMACY SHOPPERS SQUARE, GODERICH OPEN ALL DAY WEDNESDAY LYLE PINKNEY & CO. LTD. Insurance Adjusting 33 HAMILTON ST., GODERICH 524-8396 GODERICH INSURANCE AGENCY DON MacEWAN 10 THE SQUARE, GODERICH Goderich 524-2177 MCCALLUM FUNERAL HOME CAMBRIA AND EAST STREETS, GODERICH W. J. HUGHES REALTY LTD. 524-8104 � I EAST ST., GODERICH