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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1976-03-25, Page 14�r• ADVIInCE TJME � A page of editorial opinion Thursday, March 25 \, \ ( ��! 1 , �?�:. .,y, ♦ .d..,. sr::•o-•• .rti . 2. .. •\ ,v....... , .. •. , '�lj ,�.:. a k\, , �ti_ y a>: •: •: •.'2a`s::? . .\ .` A ?44 . �.�.,,,., .::,�:.............,... �a\�., , ,.. ��..�\..�;......:........�... '� :............yy.,,,, ....�,.:. .....yam...,,,. :�': <:>:: . �.. .. �il��. � v. �.la ..vl�!..,, �{...,,. ,J .\, �� � `w�?,.,..................... w4 {.....,....,...'�:3c.�.\ .,. ....�s,,."......r...f,.. '•:k:`•Y+., .,:.,......,.•::..... ,....+c.2.... . <...:..:... ...., .:: •., •.:• :.., a:, ,•.do-•:.�{•::>:;:i:•::::•t:a,•;.WINNOW. Turnerlis\n't far away When John Turner left the federal cabi- net a few months ago and later his seat in the House of Commons he set the stage for one of the more intriguing mysteries in modern Canadian politics. Long thought of as a pos- s-ble candidate for the leadershipof the Lib- eral party and thus a possible prime minister, there was widespread disappoint- ment at his departure from the party and from Ottawa. Turner is obviously one of those rare hu- mans who knows how to keep his mouth, shut when silence is advisable. It was not until last week that he finally gave the public even a small peek at his own attitudes toward current government fiscal policy—which had to be the reason for his withdrawal from the Liberal caucus. Addressing the Ontario Economic Coun-' cil, Turner did not attempt to tear the pres- ent government's economic policies to rib- bons, but he very plainly disagreed with Prime Minister Trudeau's New Year's Eve speech in which the PM spoke of the failure of the market system which has been basic to Canadian life, and progress. Mr. Turner agreed that wage and price controls had become necessary to curb infla- tion, but it is his belief that they should have been preceded by a short-term "freeze"—a view notably parallel to the opinion of Robert Stanfield. Turner also made it clear that he believes controls such as now exist must be Letters to the Editor continued "not a day longer than neces- sary". He is a patent disbeliever in the eco- theories John Kenneth Galbraith, How did it happen - who is responsible • SENDS LETTER TO m�'e', by reports that the Government is to reduce its nomic of fort to make it all possible .. . The experi- to defeat the government and the stage was social fabric in order to solve erste convinced me that the benefits to kids from sport involvement could be very worth- tions that have been a major has been strongly critical of the PresOntMedical Assoc. We are very concerned now, ., . focus within their way of life. ty' HOSP. ADMINISTRATOR going who has been a guide to the Trudeau brand of It is a striking, and sometimes How was this possible, and who a no connection between their Editor: financial support to this vital part of Ontario's health care program. reasoning. g The former finance minister, who, it frightening, world that we live a when we stop to think that some responsible? The answer a every are responsible each and every OHIP premiums deducted In Advance -Times , The vincial government has a background i eco of our citizens have, iP their life- one of us. These institutions most cases at source, and the cost of the system. Once the premium Dear Sir: Enclosed is a copy of a letter I pays, a present, $12.85 per resi- dent day and the resident pays nomics which few can dispute, believes that nomimust s which few s salvation for this country lies in a return, as time, watched the stagecoach g ng corrin to town, and men walking evolved because the people felt a need for them and by hook or by is paid, they deem the service "free", "Doesn't sent to Mr. Hayes, administrator $6.15 per day for ward care. As of soon as possible, to the principles of free en- on the moon. It is a small wonder crook saved and donated to their or ask meekly, the government pay for it?" of Wingham and District Hospital re the closing of Clinton Hospital. April 1, 1976 we hear that the Government will reduce its pay- terprise and open market—and no way does he feel that these methods have failed us. He that we experience from time to time periods of social re -adjust- creation in many ways. But then we felt the need for underwriting Without question, the principle of I would hope that those who agree ment to $12.60 and at the same does admit that the unlimited growth of ment. Social change has had dif- our health needs and we became underwriting the risks of health care services has basically with my thoughts on this subject would also send letters to our has- time will require pursing homes to collect an additional =1.25 per power in big corporations and big unions ficulty in keeping abreast of the part of a greater whole and abdi- served us well and, as our society pital board that its members may day from each resident. must somehow be contained. ever quickening technical ad- cated the financial responsibility evolves in sophistication, will im- know the wishes of the people We certainly know that the The entire address, delivered before a vances made by mankind. The to a central agency and thus prove to service us better. How- who elected them. Government must find ways to highly influential organization , would dislocation in our economy which made the individual boards of di- ever, we owe it to ourselves and It is not enough to merely feel hold down spending in the health appear to be a fair indication that we have is manifest by the co -existence of rectors subservient to the distant to our society to once again as- sorry for those who are less fort- field. We just don't understand, not heard the last from John Turner politi- recession and inflation is an ex- bureaucracy over which they had sume responsibility in the opera- unate than we. Let us put forth however, why the government is tally. The best guess is that he could not ample of this imbalance. This little or no influence. All was well tion and maintenance of this some action to show that we do reducing its payment at a time agree with the rime minister's declared a9 P phenomena has resulted in diffi- until the day of reckoning. service by re -developing the care. when nursing homes are faced economic policies last fall and that he re- culty in adequately distributing We, the people, are not• without principle of co-insurance where- Yours respectfully, with substantial increases in moved himself from government as the goods and services made avail- responsibility in these matters. It by we spread the risk and pay a Helen Underwood. wages and must pay higher plainest possible wayof telling the g public Ole to us by the rapidly advanc- is true that we have taken many small participation fee whereby hydro prices for food, insurance, y that he Is -his own man and is willingto sacri- ►ng technology of our age. A Period of adjustment would of our technical advances for granted, squandered our re- we can y personally audit the serv- N. Hayes, Administrator, and so forth. fice one of the most important jobs in the appear to be at hand whereby the sources in an inexcusable man- ices received by the system and Wingham and District Hospital, We are very concerned, and we land rather than bear the stigma of policies social sciences can once again ner and demanded services far by the professionals involved. A Wingham, Ontario. are sure many of you who have with which he cannot agree. g come abreast of our technical ad- beyond the point of reasonability. participation fee could not be con- P Dear Sir: relatives and friends in nursing ng It is quite probable that we will see more vances to bring productivity into We have developed ivory towers sidered restrictive since we have As a citizen of the Wingham homes are also concerned. If we of John Turner. It is far from impossible that line with demand. Our socially under the guise of sophisticated already developed a system of community and having made use are to be heard I .would suggest he will, sometime hence, be a strong con responsible society now finds -it- treatment centres where profes premium assistance based on of our hospital on many occasions we put our feelings in writing to tender for the prime minister's job and that self challenged by the exceed sionals who should have known social need and with minor built- over the years, I would hope that Mr. F. Miller, Minister of Health he will have a very significant body of sup- ingly high cost of 1. social better have pushed the costs of in features to protect against in this time of great need, our or contact our local MPP. If we port. service; 2. education; 3c health health care deliver to astrono- y catastrophic occurrences this system could befreed to be oper- hospital board would see fit to as- Clinton On - and other towns and cities in On- tario show our concern perhaps _ on one demandfor and carthe always under ated by a socially respon- sist in keeping the Hos- pital open, even if it does mean, Parliament will reconsider. pressing provements in 1. housing and the guise of the true entific a proach rather than the less costly sible public who would then de- and it surely will, a cut in our own A. N. Keay urban tion 2. transportaion clinical application of well -tried termine the type and quality of health care services they require services. Every is entitled to hos- Brookhaven Nursing Home Inc. and energyewa 3. p gy—on ghe cultural technology—on mentiples sof diagnosis iag osi terms, d thave P and not. have these foisted upon person pital care, and I feel we can not other. been living beyond our means. them or withdrawn from them as sit in our "comfortable pew with " Th' t 1 b ' f t the case may be, by an all a feeling of smug complacency o is s rugg a rings us ace o Similarly, the consumer is not powerful body who resides else- e Down n the f irst round face with the basic tenets of our above reproach, for a great many where. and congratulate ourselves that - society. Should we preserve the patients give no thought to the our hospital was not touched by J K McGregor MDCM It seems impossible to refrain from comment about politicians these days. They have thrust themselves so vigorously into our personal lives, with wage and price con- trols and with hospital closings,, they simply cannot be ignored. In the provincial ring the new Liberal party leader, Dr. Stuart Smith, has left his guard down and found himself right down on the canvas. Sensing widespread public alarm at the actions of Health Minister Frank Miller and his ruthless program of hospital closings and cutbacks, NDP leader Stephen Lewis de- cioed that a vote of non -confidence in the minority PC government would be placed before the house on April 6. Of course the NDP•alone cannot defeat the Davis party, so it is a foregone conclusion that Dr. Smith had provided fair indication that the Liberals would also vote for a non -confidence motion. Of course the wily rules of politics could not permit the Liberals an out-and-out "yes" for the NDP motion, so a sub -amendment had to be structured, one which would say Just about the same thing. Then Dr. Smith made it public that his party, too, would vote commum ies or �trari y strut East and West by Pearl S. Buck It is not difficult to appreciate the attracting resident physicians. through meaningful consultation staff we must employ. We agree , Do the adultsdominate? he The author's divided life, spent alarm, snit and sheer iatet he The Council of the Ontario on an issue which so seriously with Governments interest. We, P half in Asia and half in America Medi 1 As t' 'th ff t th bl' d th of This is the season of hockey tourna- ments. The Midget tourney at Wingham will be resumed this weekend and other such meets have been held at various towns in Western Ontario. Not only do these tourna- ments provide some interesting activity at P 9 Y the end of a long, drab winter, they give hun- dreds of boys an experience in sports and in social contact which would otherwise be missing from their lives. Each of these events has meant tre- mendous effort on the part of several hun- dred adults—arranging the actual games and play-offs, providing, meals and billets and a hundred and one other chores without which the tournaments would be impossible. These grown-ups are, for the most part, self- less people who believe strongly that if our sons are to become good citizens they de- serve the interest and aid of adults. There is a growing trend of thought, however, that hockey must be something better than the mere pitting of teams of young fighting cocks against one another with an admonition to win --no matter how. A newsletter published by the Ministry of Cul- ture and Recreation called "Out of the West" carries the following interesting observa- tions which were, in turn, quoted frorR Murray Smith, professor of Physical Edu- cation at the University of Alberta: "When I was a boy a lot of good things happened to me in sport. There were ex- citing games, interesting new friends and exciting things to do. Besides boys my own age there were a fair number of interested a maximum freedom of the indi- vidual to function within the cost of services rendered, seeing adults who put in considerable time and ef. the great axeman, Mr. Frank Miller. The people in the Clinton " New Books fort to make it all possible .. . The experi- to defeat the government and the stage was social fabric in order to solve erste convinced me that the benefits to kids from sport involvement could be very worth- tions that have been a major has been strongly critical of the PresOntMedical Assoc. We are very concerned now, ., . focus within their way of life. ty' community are people, the same �� in the Library set for a spring election. But then the Lib- these problems or should we opt ::,:,., :::'.::.::::::.:.:.:::::::::: Thus is the sto of what hap- as we are people, and if our s, <: <, erals had second thoughts. for a collective bureaucratic methodology to solve our faces the possibility of a. total ca government made a mistake and encouraged our county to over- Ceardas by Diane Pearson It seems that their research organiza- tion had been slow or faulty in its assessment prob- lems? If we trul believe in the Y freedom of the individual, as I Ontario Medical I Assoc. build its hospital facilities, surely Pco PcoP we can not expect the le in The background for this novel is Hungary in the years between of the mood of the voters. Some hasty and believe the majority of us do; emphasis from helping "where they could" ; v ;� , one area to bear, the punishment 1914 and the early 1950s. The book perhaps inaccurate probing brought back the answer that an election would be un- then we are at a time in the de- calls for • planning for all of us.traces Let. us somehow find ways and the fortunes of a handful of closely -linked families, diverse in popular, coming only months after the last velopment of our civilization was also a steady change going on in the im- means to cut our budget so that their origins and political views one, so Smith had to decide against a ov- g g where we must stand up and be counted and to stop abdicating nent. Television, and radio before it, com ,�: Clinton Hospital can continue its but joined by marriage and ernment defeat. Naturally he has earned the our responsibilities to distant bu- The Ontario Medical Associa- arbitrary closing of other hospi- valuable service to its people, or friendship. Csardas brims with bitter emnity of the NDP party and has, un- reaucratic mandarins and once tion recently released the con- tals. The Council recommends a shall we fold our hands and like romance and drama, with vio- fortunately, struck a drastic and possibly again take hold of our democratic tents of a letter sent by its presi- reappraisal of revenues, ex- Cain of Bible times ask our God, lence and pathos much like the fatal blow at public confidence in his ability responsibilities in such a manner dent to Premier Davis calling for penditures and utilization within "Am I my brother's keeper?" celebrated Gone With the Wind. to lead a victorious political party. to make it unequivocally clear to consultation on the closing of the health care delivery system. Yours truly, y Smith himself acknowledges that his our elected representatives that hospitals. P It is the view of our profession Mrs. Helen Underwood. The Shockwave Rider b John Y yes -then -no performance was bad for his we prize our freedoms above all Following is the letter: that before a decision is made to Hate must be strongly discouraged. Not only Brunner image, but claims that the voters should see else and that we intend to recover close any hospital the Ministry of individual sports, but also between sports It is early in the twenty-first him as an honest man who had the courage the social initiative and rid our- Dear Mr. Premier: Health ought to consult with Dis- NURSING HOME century. A massive computerized to bow to public opinion. Yet the whole exer- selves of the 1984 Orwellian I am writingto convey to o Y you trio Health Councils or Hospital OWNERS WORRIED data -net links all of North Ameri- cise exposes the hypocracy of political nightmare of collective bureau- the grave concern of the Planning Councils, where they ca and gives access to all in- manouvering. It is so apparent that the cratic responsibility. physicians of Ontario over the exist, with the medical profession To the Editor: formation about anyone provided whole exercise was not one which would hon- Speaking of the problems of manner in which your Govern- and with other interested parties. Dear Sir: you have an identity code high estly seek to provide the people with better health care, in recent weeks we ment has reduced the projected Such discussions could evolve This community is well served enough to use it. When Nickie government, but instead was simply a calcu- have listened to the reasoned expenditures of the Ministry of plan for alternative health care by many fine nursing homes Haflinger is picked for training lated use of what, at the time, looked like a arguments of this bureaucracy at Health. facilities for the people in the which are licenced by the Min- by the government as a 'robot' he springboard to power. work and have seen the arbitrary We are particularly anxious community and for re -location of istry of Health to provide skilled manages to escape stealing a and callous manner in which its about the effects of unplanned hospital personnel. nuns$ home care. ' code which Ives him the chance g mandarins have reached out and closing of community hospitals g Y P The medical profession, P Our residents are men and wo to wipe, out his own identity. Thus closed institutions of the people on the health of the people served through the O.M.A., has been men who have lived useful and begins the destruction of the without prior consultation and by the hospitals, on the employ- most co-operative with your productive lives, many of them entire data -net and with it the de - without apparent pity or regard ment of the highly skilled per- Government in, matters affecting right in Wingham. The Govern- humanizing effects of `future for the social dislocation these sonnel working in the institutions, the public and the profession. We ment has passed regulations and shock'. actions would cause within the and on the future prospects of believe your Government has a issued rules concerning the 't• b' '1 k communities without hospitals responsibility to reciprocate members of nursing and other commum ies or �trari y strut East and West by Pearl S. Buck It is not difficult to appreciate the attracting resident physicians. through meaningful consultation staff we must employ. We agree , Do the adultsdominate? he The author's divided life, spent alarm, snit and sheer iatet he The Council of the Ontario on an issue which so seriously with Governments interest. We, P half in Asia and half in America Medi 1 As t' 'th ff t th bl' d th of This is the season of hockey tourna- ments. The Midget tourney at Wingham will be resumed this weekend and other such meets have been held at various towns in Western Ontario. Not only do these tourna- ments provide some interesting activity at P 9 Y the end of a long, drab winter, they give hun- dreds of boys an experience in sports and in social contact which would otherwise be missing from their lives. Each of these events has meant tre- mendous effort on the part of several hun- dred adults—arranging the actual games and play-offs, providing, meals and billets and a hundred and one other chores without which the tournaments would be impossible. These grown-ups are, for the most part, self- less people who believe strongly that if our sons are to become good citizens they de- serve the interest and aid of adults. There is a growing trend of thought, however, that hockey must be something better than the mere pitting of teams of young fighting cocks against one another with an admonition to win --no matter how. A newsletter published by the Ministry of Cul- ture and Recreation called "Out of the West" carries the following interesting observa- tions which were, in turn, quoted frorR Murray Smith, professor of Physical Edu- cation at the University of Alberta: "When I was a boy a lot of good things happened to me in sport. There were ex- citing games, interesting new friends and exciting things to do. Besides boys my own age there were a fair number of interested a tion experienced b le in ca socia ion, - repre- a ec s e F. �c an a 1, es as Nursing Home owners, are Pe Y PcoP sentation from across the prov- j sion as does the closing of hospi- pleased and proud to be in a busi- is reflected over and over in her adults who put in considerable time and ef. communities such as Clinton, Durham and Chesley who are ince, has unanimously deplored ' tal facilities. ness which brings much happi- writing and in these stories the range of her background is rep - fort to make it all possible .. . The experi- faced with the closure of institu- the projected abrupt closing of Yours sincerely, ness and comfort to the lives of Doctors Hospital (Toronto) and Donald C. MacNeill, B.A., M.D. many older people. resented as well as a time span of erste convinced me that the benefits to kids from sport involvement could be very worth- tions that have been a major has been strongly critical of the PresOntMedical Assoc. We are very concerned now, ., . focus within their way of life. ty' thirty years. while. It also convinced me that the assist- Fade-out by Patrick Tilley ante and know-how of sincere adults could ::,:,., :::'.::.::::::.:.:.:::::::::: Thus is the sto of what hap- make a good thing better. But a lot of things s, <: <, pens when the civilized world have changed since those days. For one, faces the possibility of a. total ca adult involvment in kids' sports is deeper '�`"'+ tastrophic breakdown in nine and more influential than it used to be. Thisweeks . If it is not controlled, it deeper involvement has resulted in a shift in � f.%,> will wreak more havoc than an y emphasis from helping "where they could" ; v ;� , natural disaster, than any nu - to a pretty clear domination of kids' sports t> clear war. Dissension and in- by adults. "While trtgue rage as the scientists and the this shift was taking place there military men argue over the was also a steady change going on in the im- appropriate response to a visit by portance of professional sport on this cont$- the most potentiall destructive nent. Television, and radio before it, com ,�: object ever encountered by the human bined with higher pay, shorter work days 402WWa race. and cheap air travel vaulted professional ` ` sport from relative obscurity to a place of almost unparalleled importance in public This tremendous in theQD ,<' •FA attention. growth importance of professional sport has spilled ' IN BRIEF over into kids' sports and resulted in a lot of interference and confusion. �:.'` ysr 71 The possibility of an early elec- tion in Ontario was eliminated "Kids ought to be allowed to set their own goals in sports. A kid in organized sport �' when Dr. Stuart Smith, newly - elected leader of- the Liberal is a pawn for adults with whom to further party, rescinded his decision to their own ends. Kids must endure impossible � � „ ;� support the NDP in a move to un - situations created by adults. Kids should y seat the minority PC govern - start young but only in their own situations. `.S ment. Smith changed his mind Hate must be strongly discouraged. Not only s - after his research team told him the should kids have a choice between team and public was not in the mood for individual sports, but also between sports an election this s ng. spring. and music, art and drama." 0-0-0 W. 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 1[amber — Canadian Community Newspapers Assoc. Ontario Weekly Newspapers Assoc Subscription $10.00 per year. Six months $5.25 To United States $20.00 Second Class Nail Registration No, 0821 Return postage guaranteed "Oh, by the way, did I mention the Concorde flight path?" Paul Carroll, chairman of a citizens' committee fighting the closure of the Goderich Psychi- atric Hospital, expressed encour- agement at the results of a cam- paign to gain support for their cause among members of the Legislature. Out of a total of 60 replies, 42 have been in support of the committee's battle to save the hospital. However, little hope of success is accorded the cam- paign, since the prnvinep owns the hospital outright.