Zurich Citizens News, 1978-05-04, Page 4Page 4 Citizens News, May 4, 1978
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Cooteration needed
The approach of summer in addition to signal-
ing weather that we all can enjoy will also signal
the opening of a shopping plaza and a shopping mall
in Exeter.
While there has been some discussion as tc
where these developments will draw their
customers, it's a fair assumption to say that the
outlying communities will be hit the hardest unless
something is done and scon!
They say that there is power in numbers and
Exeter certainly has the numbers but the one thing
which it has never been noted for unless it's been
under the gun ) is a willingness to work among itself
for the betterment of the community.
In the surrounding villages, each municipality
has a record of community spirit and co-operation
that makes Exeter look pale by comparison:
Zurich's bean festival. Dashwood's Friedsburg
Days and Hensall's fiddling contest.
What is needed at this time if these com-
munities are to continue to prosper is a joining of
forces to help protect each town's commercial es-
tablishments. Some form of a body that could be
known as the Rural Merchant's Association of
South Huron could be used to promote the stores
and shops of each community while at the same
time not detract from each community's "big
everit" of the year.
How abcut something like an "Old Fashion
DP:ri" 3aie in which merchants from each
re:Tenn.:mins urn back the clock a few years in
tams .tf. nness and prices, To encourage the people
to 3111(11.: In- the other member municipalities,
ecunens glettng discounts on gas could be dis-
r. ibuted and these could be used at the gas stations
in the member conammities.
:?.heedless to say such an event would require
much werk b many people and promotion that
would extend beyond advertising in the local
media. bet a project of this type could work
because the peopie in this area have proven over
the years that they can pull things off.
Canada is becoming increasingly urbanized and
something must be done to make the rural life style
a viable alternative.
Farmers deserve understanding
Producing food is a mug's game in Canada,
1978. Canadians who used to spend 25 per cent of
their, disposable income on food, now only spend 18
per cent. The result is that in 1978 the buying power
of farm income will be less than it was in 1966. And
you think you have trouble keeping up with in-
flation!
Efficient food production is the foundation of
Canada's life and economy but people who produce
food, the farmers, are taking an economic beating
which the rest of us do not seem to care about.
Farm costs are rising much more quickly than are
farm receipts. So, Statistics Canada forecasts a
lower realized farm income for the third con-
secutive year.
What hope is there then for Canadian farmers
in 1978? With any luck there will be increased sales
of cheese, yogurt and ice cream and increased
;'))r.).•
,asmasse"
sales of fluid milk. But, these will be balanced by
lower sales of industrial milk. Beef prices are ex-
pected to rise, but hog prices will fall. Cereal and
oilseed prices are not expected to improve. It cer-
tainly doesn't inspire great confidence in farmers.
who face higher prices for equipment, fuel, fer-
tilizer, labour and other production costs.
Farmers, always at the mercy of the weather,
always pressed by consumers.pleading for cheaper
food, are worried and angry. From their point of
view, Canadian consumers are expecting the
farmers to subsidize them. No wonder farmers see
marketing boards with strict powers to control
supplies and prices of farm commodities as agents
of justice. They offer the farmers some stability of
income, some protection against other parts of the
food industry. Canadian farmers in 1978 are facing
terrible uncertainties. Their efforts deserve our un-
derstanding as well as our admiration.
•:))))))
eNA
Published Each Wednesday By J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd.
Member:
Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association
Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association
News Editor - Tom Creech
Second ClaS3 Mail Registration Number 1385
Subscription Rates: $7.00 per year in advance in Canada $18.00 per year outside Canada Single copies 20c
lIfIilILIIIIIHflhIl
Miscellaneous
Rumblings
By
TOM CREECH
English
etiquet te
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In last week's column I detailed the progression of
the English language from its earliest moments to its
present level.
As I said, the English language continues to
evolve just as society as a whole continues to change.
While most people couldn't care less about the
proper use of the language, both in its verbal and
written forms, there has been one individual who has
been hi the vanguard in the correct use of English.
Edwin Newman, a broadcaster for NBC television
authored a book a few years ago called "Strictly
Speaking" which detailed from his viewpoint, how the
United States was killing the English language.
In his introduction Newman states "Language is
in decline. Not only has eloquence departed but sim-
ple. direct speech as well, though pomposity and
banality have not . . . it is at least conceivable that our
politics would be improved if our English was and so
would other parts of national life. If we were more
careful about what we say, and how, we might be
more critical and less gullible. Those for whom words
have lost their value are likely to find that ideas have
also lost their value."
As in many cases, Canada has not escaped the use
of a poorer form of English with the Prime Minister's
use of the term "fuddle duddle" in parliament a few
years ago coming immediately to mind. Oh well, the
leader is only as good as the people who elect him.
On an individual basis, this writer has been ac-
cused by certain members of the local press corps
(and who are dear to this writer's heart) of being the
typical functional illiterate. In other words, the person
who can read and write but not much more. On more
than one occasion these gentlemen have been so kind
to point out these deficencies among my fellow co-
workers. My excuse is that the school system failed
me but if you want a realistic answer I think it's my
inability to strike these stupid typewriter keys proper-
ly. Co-ordination has never been an asset of mine.
While Newman states the art of the language is on
the decline, he agrees that it must continue to change
ju'st as everything else which has a human element
changes.
Although Newman states that the degradation of
English began long before Watergate, it never the less
focused attention on how language can be used to
deceive and confuse. One of the things that sticks in
this writer's mind from that sordid episode was a
statement by press secretary Ron Ziegler. Referring
to a statement which he had made previously, Ziegler
said "That statement is now inoperative."
In plain English, Ziegler had lied to the press.
I read somewhere many moons ago, there are
three responses that one can make to a question that
requires specific knowledge of a subject: give the cor-
rect answer, guess and hope that the answer is right or
give an answer that is so confusing that the person
who asks the question can't determine whether the
answer is correct or not. Apparently, sometimes it
pays to sit on the fence.
A statement that this writer likes to throw out
whenever he is asked if he has done an assignment is
"it's in the throes of completion."
Sometimes garbage statements like the above
come in handy.
* * *
A word of congratulations should be passed along
to the Chamber of Commerce for their support of a
playground for Zurich youngsters.
Apparently the Chamber received few comments
from the public about the operation of such a program
but this should not deter the Chamber.
The public on many an occasion reacts slowly to
anything new, whether it has merit or not. I'm sure the
playground can be a success considering the enviable
record of achievement which this community has. The
program, which will be financed by the Ontario
government Experience '78 program and by grants
from the Chamber and possibly the Lion's Club, is a
worthwhile project from the aspect that it will employ
two young people for most of the summer.
As the years progress, summer jobs seem to dry
up and this effort by the Chamber will help things out,
* * *
The award for the worst one liner of the month
goes out to the advertising manager of J.W. Eedy
Publications. I quote (somewhat reluctantly): I'd
never invite Saiming to a party because he'd Borje to
death."