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Zurich Citizens News, 1975-06-12, Page 4PAGE 4 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1975 Help thy neighbour! In this day of fast travel and instant communications, it seems the smaller the global village becomes, the less we know our neighbours. Recently a class of students from a Detroit school tried an experiment at a large suburban shopping mall. They each took turns being locked in a cage in front of the stores and pleaded with passers-by to help them. Few persons would even acknowl- edge the pleas for help, let alone help them. But, we're glad to report, things are different up here in Huron County. People still care about people. The ancient bib- lical saying "Love thy neighbour" is still put to use, and quite literally. There is no clearer evidence than two cases in this district recently when two families were hit by tragic fires. In both cases, the Brandons of Bayfield and the Kennedys of Huilet--the flames were still burning in their homes when friends and neighbours came and offered their help. The offers of clothing, bedding and donations to help the families, have poured in since andit's enough to warm the the heart of even the hardest cynic. Both families were the recipients of the proceeds of two very well attended benefit dances last weekend, and now both are back on the road to recovery. If such generosity and kindness were more widespread in today's troubled world, then maybe the world would be a much better place to live. (Clinton News Record) Political will can bridge the gap! The injustices of land distribution around the world are only too obvious --locally, nationally and internationally, One village with fertile soil and an ample water supply may get double the crop yields of another one only a few miles away. Some of the most unfortunate nations are so poor not because their people have less intelligence but because they lack resources. And on a global scale, the inequities as to land ownership are truly staggering. Bangladesh, with 75, 000, 000 people, has a population density of 1, 360 persons per square mile. That figure in Canada is six persons per square mile, and in Australia only four. These two countries put together have a combined area of 6, 500, 000 square miles --more than 100 times that of Bangladesh --yet their combined populations do not even numb- er half of those living in Bangladesh. It is crystal clear that the disparities are dangerous...It is just as evident that very little can be done immediately to correct the situation. In fact, by the end of the century, the four billion people who are expected to live in Asia will rep- resent about 62 per cent of mankind. But there are signs of change, and change will have to come more rapidly. Those blessed with much fertile land will have to learn to give more readily and more often to those nature and history have deprived. Governments in overpopulated lands such as Bangladesh and India, authorities on overcrowded islands such as Java and Mauritius, will have to find the courage to dissuade their people from having large families. Rich nations must put behind them the temptation of using cheap labor to exploit the natural resources of developing countries. Fairer prices must be paid by the rich to the poor if the tilting global balance is to be corrected. Much will depend on the leadership in many lands. The comb- ined political will of rich and poor can bridge the gap that cont- inues to divide too much of the world into those who have much, and those who have nothing. It will be a long and complex task, a desperate struggle with many setbacks. But all of us must per- severe --and must look at the alternatives toreater justice-- if we are to ensure for our children and grandchildren a peaceful 21st century. ZURICH Citizens NEWS PRINTED BY SOUTH HURON PUBLISHERS LIMITED, ZURICH HERB tURKHEIM,, Publisher Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385 *146,6 Member: .'0 . CsapCNA Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association � �+'. Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association 7. Subscription Rates: $6.00 per year in advance in Canada; $8.00 itt United States and Foreign; single copies 20¢ c._ InternationalScene PRAGUE - HOME OF GOOD KING WENCESLA S I almost didn't get to Prague. A friend of mine who was com- ing on the trip got fouled up in plane connections and didn't get in to Munich airport until about 1:30 in the morning. Our visas for entry into Czechoslov- akia were only valid for one day and for one point of entry. Had we missed that, we would have been back to square one as far as crossing the border was conc- erned. However, we made it and after a wait at the border while our passports were exam- ined thoroughly and probably photographed, we were allowed to enter. While I was waiting for them to decide that I wasn't too much of a bourgeois reactionary at heart, I had a look at the iron curtain at that point. What I saw was enough to convice me it would be rather difficult to sneak across the border. There was barbed wire, cleared fields and watch towers at strategic places so that any movement across the ploughed fields could be spotted almost instantly. No doubt there were patrols out too but they were not to be seen. Finally we were on our way and the s parte traffic was in direct contrast to the cars to be seen on the highways of Western Germany, As we passed through Pilsen, famous for its beer, we wondered where all the traffic had gone to. About the only thing that happened was our meeting with an army patrol. They stopped us to examine our papers, the car and our passports and then waved us on without too much delay. Given the Czech interest in hockey, it surprised me that they didn't ask if we knew Gordie Howe or Bobby Hull or somebody like that. If I ever go back to Czechoslovakia again, I swear that O'11 carry a hockey stick tied to the front of the car. It's the best thing I know to establish one's identity. Finally we got to Prague. It was Goethe who called it "the most beautiful jewel in the stone crown of the world." Much as I admire the great German writ- er, i just couldn't see it that way. I don't know what there is about Communism, but it has a way of making the brightest of cities drab and Prague is no exception. Budapest is another example of this and those who have been behind the iron curtain may be bale to add others to the list, A friend of mine once told me not to expect the inhabitants to be dancing Smetana's "The Bartered Bride" when I arrived; it is just not that gay a city. However, it didn't seem gay in the slightest. The Czechs have had their ups and downs in the twentieth cent- ury. They knew a moment of freedom and democracy between 411111eseweseser Independent Shipper to United Co-operative of Ontario Livestock Dept Toronto Ship Your Livestock with Roy Scotchmer Monday Is Shipping Day Prom Varna SMakyard CALL HAYFIELD 56$4634 By 7:30 a.m. Monday Per Prompt Soryiae He Charges en Pkk the two World Wars, they were sold down the river by the Allies, they surfaced again after the end of the Second World War only to be taken over by the Commun- ists in 1948. They enjoyed a brief respite from their Stalinist regime when the Slovak leader Alexander Dubcek tried to introd- uce a more liberal brand of Communism only to be slapped down in 1968. Since that time they have been back in the dold- rums again and so it is not surp- rising that their capital Prague should reflect the national senti- ments. If there is one thing interesting about Prague, it is its architect- ure. You will see Gothic struct- ures dating back as far as the tenth century and, at the same time, the expansive barogue style that came along in about the 16th century. It is in Prague that you will see the statue of the first well-known Protestant martyr, Jan Huss, who was cons- idered to be a heretic in 1415 and burned alive for his beliefs. His ideas did not die with him for he left behind a strict Protest- ant church sect which, as you are probably aware, still exists. As I mentioned, Prague is the home of our good old King Wen- ceslas, and there is a Square named after him - the Vaclayske namesti--if you want to see how it looks in Czech. In case you didn't know, he lived in the 14th century and is the patron saint of the country. I didn't try going down the street singing the Christmas carol in his honour. The Czech police have been known to lock up people for less than that, and I had many other places to visit before the month was out. There are other cities of note in Czechoslovakia but Prague dominates them. Banghart, 'ICetly, Doig and Co. Chartered Accountants 268 Main St., Exeter ARTHUR W. READ Resident Partner Bus. 235-0120, Res. 238-8075 Business and Professional Directory OPTOMETRISTS J. E. Longstaff OPTOMETRIST SEAFORTH MEDICAL CENTRE 527-1240 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sat- urday a.m.. Thursday evening CLINTON OFFICE 40 Issec Street 412.7010 Monday and Wednesday Call either office for appointment. 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