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PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1980, WHITBY FREF PRESS whit by Voice of the County Town Michael lan Burgess, The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated bv Whit L Pubiished ever% Wednesday - --by M.B.M. Publishing and Photography Inc. Phone 66-61 Il The Free Press Buildiny Publisher . Managing Editor 131 Brock Street North, by residents for Whitby residents. P.O. Box 206. Whitby. 01 g. Michael J. Knoll Community Editor Marjorie A. Burgess Production Manager Karen Thompson Advertising Manager Malling Permit No. 460 Moemr of the Whltby Chember of Commerce Budget will mean more to Canadian unity than debate over constitution Last night, an event took place in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the Dominion, an event shrouded ln tradition, an event that effects the lIves of ordinary Canadians more than any other activity of the government. And yet, it is highly probable that this event will crowded out of the nation's eye while attention is focused on the debate over the patriation of the Canadian constitution. For the first time in nearly three years, the Government of Canada will lay down a budget. Finance Minister Allan McEachern will outline his party's economic strategy for the year to come. This country needs that budget, not because it ls a good or a bad one, but simply because the nation has not had this economic testament since then Finance Minister Jean Chretian introduced his in 1977. While this opinion was penned prior to the budget being handed down, it Is important to note that it will have a greater affect on the status of this country as a nation than has the debate over the new constitution. For example, should McEachern impose an ex- port tax on Alberta's oil and gas shipments (as is his legal right), the waves of separatism from Western Canada may be of a greater menance than those from our neighbouring province of Quebec. This budget is more vital to the unity of Canada, than is a new constitution. The reason is simple, a country is based upon Its economic strenght, without that strength, there can be no country. This publication does not often side with any political party on an issue, although in this we find ourselves in general accord with the Progressive Conservative Party who have stated repeatedly the major issue that the federai government must deai with is the economy of the country and an arrivai at solution to the nation's energy problems. This publication again finds itself saying that a new constitution ls not an important issue, the present has served us well for the last 113 years. Any changes that should be made to it can wait un- til the economic worries of the day have been dealt with. A new constitutioln will not do the average Canadian any good at ail if he is thrown out of work and can no longer support his home and family. Last night's budget ls the most important event to take place In Canada in 1980. This document will have a greater effect on the average Canadian than a new constitution. What ls at issue in this country ls the gover- nment's threat to ellminate the indexation of per- sonal income tax, the probability that they will raise business taxes, that inflation wili gobeyond the 12 per cent mark this year, that the taxes on energy wili rise again. If nothing ls done about issues like these, the country will be in mucti-greater trouble than it will be if the constitution is not patriated. It has been the vision of Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau to write a new constitution, it has been his ambition since he took office for the first time 13 years ago. For the last 50 years, the provincial governments and the Dominion have agreed that a new con- stitution is needed and wanted. This publication agrees. However, now is not the time to pursue this goal. The time ta pursue this goal is when Canada 1s economically strong again, when Canadians are working again, when the inflation rate is weli below the 10 per cent mark, when the interest on mor- tgages has falion. When Canada is back ta work, then we can worry about the constitution. Last night's budget was the most important plece of government policy that has been In- troduced in the last five years. More attention should be given to it than to any other matter. Since the Liberal Party's return to power in the general election last February, it has concentrated its efforts almost entirely on the constitutional question. Now is the time for the cabinet heavyweights in the economic field to stand up In the Commons and announce what they intend to do to improve the nation's wellbeing. The government should also be concentratlng on reaching a new energy agreement with Alberta to ensure that the rest of Canada does not go short of fuel. Now that the government has invoked the closure rule on the debate and sent the con- stitutional proposais to a joint Commons-Senate committee, perhaps Canadians will see some ac- tion from them on the economic problems we are all experiencing. After all, you can't eat a con- stitution...nor will it pay any bills. UWtelethon most successful Dear Sir: On Sunday, October 5, the Oshawa-Whitby- Newcastle com- munities were enter- tained by a 12 hour United Way Telethon, which was successful in ail respects. Hundreds of par- ticipants and United Way volunteers gave their time and abilities to the telethon for a dynamic kick-off to this year's United Way Campaign. The talent from our three United Way communities was both professional and entertaining, the par- ticipation of United Way volunteers hear- twarming, with the in- volvement of the local media - namely, Pine Ridge Cable T.V., CKAR and CKQT Radio Stations providing the broadcast facilities. The primary objec- tive of the telethon was accomplished - namely, providing an oppor- tunity for various community groups to become involved in an Untied Way event and at the same time for the citizens of our com- munities to become aware of the United Way and the voluntary services provided by its member agencies. The financial goal of the Telethon was also achieved. On behalf of the 1980 United Way of Os iawa- Whitby-Newcastle Campaign Committee, we extend our thanks and appreciation to Pine Ridge Cable T.V., Grant Broadcasting Limited and the Oshawa Centre for providing the facilities and personnel to present the United Way Telethon. We aiso ex- ten our thans to ail telethon participants, United Way volunteer workers involved in the Telethon and the local newspapers for their coverage of the event. Thanks to you, the United Way continues to work for all of us. R. Larry Windover, Chairman