The Huron Expositor, 1963-12-12, Page 2Since 1860, Serving the Community First
Published at SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, every Thursday morning by McLEAN BRAS., Publishers
E ANDREW Y. MCLEAN, Editor
Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association
Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association
Q Q Audit Bureau of Circulation
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CANADIAN SCENE
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 12, 1963
Audit Reports Are Hard To Follow
Is there a relationship between the
involved financial reports municipali-
ties are required by law to produce and
the lack of interest which the average
ratepayer shows in the affairs of his
town or township?
For the first time this year, each On-
tario municipality was required to pub-
lish an audited statement of account,
and this in turn has led to much dis-
cussion by councils concerning the cost
and what was being accomplished.
Councils were not endeavoring to hide
the financial facts of life as they con-
cerned their ratepayers, but felt rather
that the reports would be understood
by but few.
Certainly it is reasonable that every
municipality be required to disclose its
financial affairs. At the same time, per-
haps thought should be given to crea-
tion of a simplified beprt which can be
understood by the ordinary citizen, as
well as by the auditor.
The Exeter Times -Advocate discuss-
es the need for such reports, and is con-
vinced that one reason why people no
longer take an ' interest in municipal
affairs is the financial complexity re-
sulting from the multitude of grants
and other financial aid from various
levels of government. This creates a
monetary jungle through which even
experienced officials flounder and grope.
To the inexperienced or casual onlook-
er, it presents an impossible obstacle
to the understanding or evaluation of
municipal business.
"The provincial government has cre-
ated this maze, obviously not deliber-
ately, but through its varied and often
complicated efforts to provide financial
assistance to municipalities," the Exe-
ter editor says. "In its attempts to
`share the wealth' equitably, it has de-
vised numerous ingenous formulas and
systems which have merit but which
add to the confusion.
"There are ways',' of clarifying and
simplifying the report of financial op-
erations by municipalities which would
assist the public in understanding what
is taking place. The onus for develop-
ing these is probably on the department
of municipal affairs which oversees the
operations of the individual corpora-
tions and which prescribes the forms
which must be used to record the muni-
cipal expenditures.
"Obviously, the financial reports are
not prepared exclusively for the use of
auditors. Their primary function
should be to show ratepayers as clearly
as possible how their taxes are spent.
The department should devise methods
to accomplish this objective."
It's Part Of the Job
"It may be irritating for people in
public office to be subject to criticism,"
remarks the "Trentorian" of Trenton,
Ont., but the writer goes on to remind
us that "they are servants of those who
elected them, and not their masters.
Thus, however weary of what may
seem like unwarranted criticism they
may be, elected representatives must
treat their constituents with reasonable
courtesy.
"It is always easy for people in gov-
ernment to become enamored of their
own ideas to such an extent that they
really believe that what they think is
the best thing for the people is actually
so. It may be. It also may not be. But
whatever is the case, the people have
a right to speak freely, and to. be re-
spected.
"What is more, they have a right to
be wrong, if that is what may some-
times result. Progress at the expense
of riding roughshod over the taxpayer
is not real progress. Governing needs
a mixture of courtesy, wisdom, firmn-
ness, and yet reasonable readiness to
yield.
A MACDUFF OTTAWA REPORT
PENSIONS PASS A TEST
OTTAWA -The 1963 Federal
Provincial Conference had been
built up in advance as the test-
ing time of Confederation. It
turned out to be nothing of the
sort. 1t was much the same as
any other Federal -Provincial
conference with nothing settled
and not too much agreement.
However, with the exception
of a lengthy blast from Saskat-
chewan's CCF Premier, the
Hon. W. S. Lloyd, who may be
fighting an election before this
time next year, there was no
violent disagreement.
Premier Ernest Manning of
Alberta, dean of these func-
tions, described it as the quiet-
est on record, and Mr:Manning
should know. He was in at-
tendance as Industry Minister
in 1940 when the late Mitchell
Hepburn stalked out and re-
turned to Toronto to launch a
lasting feud with Mackenzie
King. He was there in 1946
when Mr. Duplessis walked out,
declaring that he had better
things to do at home and add-
ing a touch of irony by leaving
the Quebec Legislative Building
address with the secretary "just
in case anyone should want to
reach me". That conference
broke up in angry stalemate ad-
journing sine die and there was
no further meeting until both
Mr. King and his finance mini-
ster, Mr.Ilsley, had passed from
the Ottawa scene.
But this year the sweetness
and light of co -operative -feder-
alism shone over the proceed-
ings. A start was made on set-
ting up permanent consultative
machinery between the two lev-
els of government. All prov-
inces agreed to accept their
share of a higher allowance un-
der old age assistance as well
as blind and disability pensions.
The increase to a $75 a month
ceiling will cost the Federal
Government $33 million a year.
If anything had a testing time
it was the Canada Pension Plan.
It was the appropriate moment
for Premier Robarts of Ontario
to plunge his knife into it. In-
stead, he was sufficiently co-op-
erative to raise Federal hopes
that it would survive, though
in modified and substantially
" changed form.
The Federal Government has
laid down aneight/point plat.
form on which it is determined
to stand;
L The Pension Plan trust
have provision for voluntary
participation.. Some .provinees,
notably SaskatclleWan,, would`
have it compulsory for self-em-
ployed as well as wage earn-
ers.
2. It will apply to the aver-
age level of earnings with con-
tributions and benefits escalat-
ing with these levels.
3. Combined with the $75.00
flat pension it must provide a
modestly adequate income for
those who are unable to make
other retirement plans.
4. Disturbance of present pri-
vate plans will be kept to a
minimum.
5. It must have a tamoderate-
ly short" maturity -period. The
original plan put this at 10
years which would mean vir-
tually no reserves for invest-
ment. This is likely to be ex-
tended to 15 or 20 years as a
concession to Premier Robarts.
6. There must be a pension
available at 65. This is one of
the costliest features of the pre-
sent plan, but the Government
is determined to retain it.
7. There must be a relation-
ship between pensions and earn-
ings at the time of retirement.
8. It must provide safeguards
against the cost of the plan be-
ing increased to the detriment
tors.
Within these limits the Fed-
eral Government is ready to
discuss changes with Ontario
and Quebec. With Quebec,
which is planning its own Pro-
vincial pension plan, it will be
a matter of dove -tailing the two
schemes and particularly pro-
viding machinery for portabil-
ity for those moving in or out
of the Province.
The problem with Ontario is
basically a problem of funding.
Premier Roberts has never been
frank enough to admit that his
so-called pension plan is two
for the economy of the Prov-
ince and less than one for the
pensioner. Unlike Premier Les -
age who is building a govern-
ment pool of investment for
Quebec industry, Mr. Roberts'
objective is to protect private
insurance company funds and
other sources of investment for
Ontario development.
The national plan with its
lower contributions and higher
benefits than could be matched
by any private contract is a
grave threat. To keep the pri-
vate companies in the picture
the Government will have to
make its plan lea's attractive.
The simplest means is to extend
the period before maximum
benefits are available without
lessening the eontributlons or
inereasing the benefits. 'This;
would build up a substantial
pool for investment which, with
Quebec out of the picture,
would be allocated between the
other provinces.
* * *
Capital Hill Capsule
Finance Minister Gordon ad-
mits that Mr, Krushchev has
pulled Canada out of a nasty
hole. We are still dependent
on borrowing in the United
States to close the gap between
funds we send out of the coun-
try to pay our bills and 'money
we receive. By virtue of the
Russian wheat deal that cur-
rent account deficit is running
well under $500 million com-
pared with $842 million last
year. But until they know what
tax if any they will have to
pay on purchase of Canadian
securities under their interest
equalization plan -which won't
be for some months -American
investors are not interested. In
July, August and September the
inflow of U.S. capital had
dwindled to a rate of only $100
million a year, less than a quar-
ter of what we will need, even
with the wheat sale.
gun; .,...:,,,; „
e r.� tg.
•
It's late to be commenting
on the assassination of Presi-
dent Kennedy. Most of the
words associated with the act
of violence -tragedy, shock, hor-
ror -have already been used.
But as an average Canadian,
I cannot refrain from remark-
ing that the people of this coun-
try seemed just as deeply af-
fected by this moment in his-
tory as their friends across the
border.
We learned of the shooting
with horrified disbelief. Our re-
action was that of a man who
learns that the neighbor with
whom he has argued over min-
or things, , with whom he has
visited, with whom he has
fought against brutality and
tyranny, has been killed by a
sneak thief.
People are a pretty callous
lot, and Canadians are no bet-
ter than the next in this re-
spect, but there was genuine
sympathy, real grief, in this be-
reavement and death.' Across
the nation, women wept and
men looked sad and sober.
I've said this to tell the many
American readers, and remind
the host of Canadian readers of
this column, that we are neigh-
bors, and we are friends.
We have more things in com-
mon, probably, than any two
neighoring nations in the world.
We have a common heritage of
language, law and literature.
We have the same basic moral
values. We are both young and
brash. We are both inclined to
be touchy.
Think of us as brothers. The
United States is the big bro-
ther,,, grown up, wealthy, pow-
erful, past rebellious nature of
his youth, but still containing
the lurking violence which told
the old man to go to blazes,
and made it stick. The older
brother is ready to settle down.
raise a family and enjoy what
his strength and hard work have
created for him.
Canada is the younger bro-
ther, a little more cautious, just
beginning to feel his man's
strength, but just as determin-
ed to be rich and successful,
just as bound he's going to take
nothin' offa nobody. He, too,
SUGAR
3
1
and
SPICE
By Bill Smiley simpil
has cut the family ties, and is
going it alone, but he is envious
of his brother's big spread to
the south, and he is resentful of
his big brother's paternal atti-.
tude, and he is adamant that
people recognize him as a per-
son, not just a kid brother.
When somebody else picks a
fight, the brothers find them-
selves on the same side, slug-
ging it out with all they's got.
When it's peaceful, they squab-
ble with each other, as brothers
have since the beginning of
time.
And the older brother is
astonished at the younger bro-
ther's orneriness. Arid t h e
younger brother is furious at
the older brother's patronizing
attitude.
Whatever we are - friends,
neighbors, brothers -we have a
relationship that is unequalled
in the world. We exchange vis-
its, gifts and citizens. We even
exchange epithets. But we nev-
er exchange blows and cruelties
and treachery.
Perhaps that is why Cana-
dians were .staggered by the
death of a man who represent-
ed the strength, decency and
idealism of the United States.
Perhaps that is why they were
so deeply moved by the lonely
courage of his wife.
'JEST A SECOND*
"You were right, Harry -
it isn't rhubarb!"
TRAFFIC
ATALITI ES
1963
IN THE YEARS
AGONE
Interesting items gleaned from
The Expositor of 25, 50
and 75 years ago.
From The Huron Expositor
December 16, 1938
Seaforth's Main Street is as-
suming a festive air this week
in readiness for Santa's visit on
Friday afternoon, Dec. 23.
W. R. Plant, who for 32 years
has been CNR station agent
here, was notified this week of
his promotion to the St. Marys
agency. He assumes his new
position on Friday of this week.
Mrs. Plant will join him in St.
Marys in a couple of weeks.
Alfred Pentlen was arrested
in Windsor Saturday, charged
with the theft of goods from
Bonthron & Drysdale's store,
Hensall, last week. About $175
worth of goods were recovered.
Mr. Mark Drysdale, accompan-
ied
ccompanied by Provincial Constable Mc-
Coy, of Goderich, were in Wind-
sor over the weekend, and Pent -
len was brought back to Gode-
rich jail.
The pupils of Seaforth public
'school will hold their annual
singing of Christmas carols on
Thursday, Dec. 22, at 9:30 a.m.
The public are corially invited
to attend.
Chief of Police Helmer Snell
was called on 77 investigations
during the year, his report, pre-
sented to council Thursday eve-
ning, shows: 'During the year
Chief Snell found 25 store doors
unlocked while on night patrol.
From The Huron Expositor
December 12, 1913
Messrs. F. Davis and C. G.
Nairn returned to Goderich on
Saturday after completing the
season's work on their big farm
at Iricana, Alberta. They sold
60,000 bushels of .oats at 31c a
bushel.
A goose that was raised in
Dashwood was delivered in Exe-
ter which weighed 23 pounds,
measured '6 feet 2 inches from
tip of wing to tip of wing, and
from beak to tail it measured
47 inches.
A pleasant evening took place
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.
H. Reid, Seaforth, on Friday
last. The members of the choir
of the Methodist Church met
there and presented Mr. and
Mrs. W. Bright with a handsome
easy chair in recognition of
their recent marriage.
About two o'clock on Wednes-
day morning the slumbers of
Seaforth citizens were disturb-
ed by the sounding of the fire
alarm. It was found to be a
fire in the small house of Mr.
Charles McNamara, south of the
railway track.
From The Huron Expositor
December 14, 1888
Mr. Thomas Finnen of East
Wawanosh brought a dressed
hog to Wingham market the
other day that weighed 454
pounds.
On Wednesday of last week a
shotgun shooting match was
held at the residence of Mr.
William Goerly, on the second
concession of Morris. The cap-
tains were James Pugh and
George Turvey, the former win-
ning by 51 points.
Mr. Robert Wilson and Mr.
F. Hohnsted are in the field as
candidates for the mayoralty
of Seaforth, and it is said that
Dr. Coleman also intends to
come out.
The auction sale of the pro-
perty' of the late William Mc-
Connell, of Tuckersmith, was
held on Wednesday last. The
weather was bitterly cold, but
there was an immense crowd of
people present. The , farm was
sold to Mr. William Eberhardt,
of Egmondville, for the sum of
$5,340. J. P. Brine wielded the
hammer.
Mr. John McNaughton, Tuck-
ersmith, has had erected dur-
ing the summer months, a fine
brick residence.
Mr. George McNair, of the 3rd
concession, Stanley, has rented
his farm to Mr. Holland, of
Goderich Township, for the
sum of $280 a year.
A SMILE OR TWO
"Emmett, do you think I still
look pretty?"
"I don't know - push the
wrinkles aside and let me
look."
"Evan," said the teacher, "if
there were seven flies on your
desk and you killed one of
them, how many would be left?"
"One," said Evan, "the dead
one!"
"What did your father say
when your wrecked the car?"
a boy asked a friend.
"Shall I leave out the swear
words?"
"Why yes, of course."
"He didn't say a word."
A worried mother warned
her daughter that she might
lose her fiance for being so sar-
castic to him.
"Don't worry, Mother," said
the girl, "George knows I'm just
ribbing him."
"Listen, daughter, there's a
thin line between ribbing and
needling, and you don't want to
begin needling a man until af-
ter the marriage is all setved
up?'
4t7EST A SECOND'
SPARKS by WIIIIs Forbe'
A man has to be
a good actor to
join in the laugh-
ter when the joke
is on him.
For
CHRISTMAS
eeiL2LE u 1
Coro
BOXED
JEWELLERY
$1.00 and up
at
SAVAUGE'S'
Jewellery - Gifts
Fine'China
SAFORTH
A Hibbert
Review
(Part One and Part Two)
and
THE STORY OF HIBBERT
TOWNSHIP
(Three Books)
By ISABELLE CAMPBELL
$2.50 Per Book
THE PERFECT LAST-MINUTE GIFT
For Friends of the Area and
Former Residents.
Available at
Phone 141 -- Seaforth
PHONE 141
SEAFORTH
Stop Toying Around and Pick From Our
LARGE SELECTION
Electric Race Car Sets $10.50 to $29.95
Crokinole Boards 4.50
Meccano Sets 2.95 to 11.95
Children's Dishes 98c to 4.98
Large Plastic Tractors 6.95
Wood Wheelbarrow 5.95
Stroller 2.98
4.98
4.98
Wood Burning Set 3.9$
Steam Engines 3.98 to 5.75
Bow and Arrow Set 3.59
Chemistry Lab 12.98
Chess and Checker Set 2.98
Sta-Lok Building Blocks 3.98 to 5.98
Doll Suitcases 2.98 to 3.50
Games - Games - Games
Rocking Chair
High Chair
C.C.M. SKATES and EQUIPMENT
.CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS
and Decorations
INDOOR and OUTDOOR LIGHTS
i___ 1 i ,
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