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\ 2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, July 6,1983 Section Two Editorial Comment The Price of Progress Looking into the future is never a rewarding exercise, but sometimes it is vitally important to foresee, even in a limited way, what may lie before us. Until the early years of the last century it was possible to predict, with reasonable accuracy, what would probably lie before the human race. Then came the industrial revolution and a continuing era of change which totally upset all known rules of society. Right now we are barely poking our noses through the gates of a revolution which will have unbelievably greater impact upon us than did the invention of machines. We are on the threshold of the computer revolution. Probably the peasants and city dwellers of the early 1800s found it difficult to grasp the complexities of even the simpler mechanical inventions, but the basics were really not so difficult to understand. The first mechanical devices were made for one single purpose - to replace human labor, thus speeding the manufacture of goods and the production of food. But computers are something much different. In essence they are designed to replace many of the functions of the human brain. Thus they are extremely difficult for the average person to understand. We are already well into the first phase of the social adjustments which will accompany the spread of computer technology. The deep economic recession of the past two years has created massive unemployment. Not only have individuals found what it is like to survive without a pay cheque, but employers have found the means to operate their businesses with a smaller number of human helpers. Computers have already speeded production and it is a sad but important fact that many of today's unemployed will never again find jobs. Economic upheavals such as the present one almost always accompany major changes in technology. Teamsters' jobs disappeared as trains and then trucks started to move the world's merchandise; printers rioted in New York when the Linotype, a mechanical typesetting machine, was introduced. Blacksmiths lost their livelihood when tractors replaced the horse on most farms. The dislocation and misery brought about by such changes are seldom permanent. Teamsters did learn to drive trucks; printers did become Linotype operators; and many blacksmiths turned their mechanical aptitudes into the skills of auto repairmen. The widespread use of computers will, however, create a new and interesting situation. The average time required to work for the sustenance of a family will probably be \ shortened. A work week somewhere down the road will probably shrink to 30 hours or less. There will be more time for what we call leisure occupations -- and that free time may prove both a blessing and a curse. All will depend on how mankind will use those extra hours of freedom. They will be hours in which a person can do wonderful things about the improvement of his or her own mind; enjoy the physical exercise which will bring good health; provide an opportunity to do all sorts of things to help neighbors or comfort the lonely. On the other hand they will also be hours in which to become a confirmed alcoholic. The choice will be ours. --Wingham Advance-Times An Interesting Comparison We've just been reading a copy of an address given recently to the Ontario Public School Trustees' Association by Milan Nastich, Chairman of Ontario Hydro. In it, he drew an interesting comparison between Hydro's and educators' problems of forecasting needs accurately. Back in the '60s there was a period of incredible growth when teachers were in such short supply that many were hired on a letter of permission and went from college right into the classroom without any teacher training whatsoever. That situation put a lot of pressure on the educational system. There were similar pressures on electrical utilities too - right through to the mid '70s. That was a period when the demand for electricity was also growing in leaps and bounds - at about seven per cent a year. The king of growth experienced meant a doubling every ten years of Hydro's capacity to generate and distribute electricity. Educators and school boards responded to the rapid increase in enrollment by enlarging teacher training facilities, building new schools and constructing additions of portable classrooms to existing schools. It was tough to keep up with the demand -- tough on school boards who had to ensure that there were teachers for every course; tough on administrators who had to find the desks, and room space and physical facilities ; tough on teachers who had to cope with maintaining quality education standards in the face of high pupil/teacher ratios. The 60s and early 70s were tough on electrical utilities like Hydro too. Tough because a utility is by its very nature slow to respond. It may take three or four years to plan and build a school. But, it takes 12 years or more to plan and build a major generating station, and it takes 7-10 years for planning, approving, and constructing major transmission lines. Educators could not foresee the decline in birth rates that occurred in recent years and utilities like Hydro had no way of knowing that demand for electricity would lessen because of several factors such as competing forms of energy, the general leveljof economic activity and even the wëàther. Last year was the first year since 1944 that the people of Ontario used less electricity than the year before - about eight-tenths of one per cent. The reality Ontario Hydro now faces is to scale down its expansion so it can more closely match capacity to generate electricity with a slower growing demand. Of interest locally were Mr. Nastich's comments on why the Darlington generating station isn't being cancelled. He said Darlington's completion will allow Ontario Hydro to phase out older, less efficient and more expensive coal-burning units. And would also fit in with the utility's commitment to cut acid gas emissions in half. In conclusion, the chairman outlined some efforts being made by Hydro to carry out the theme of the trustees conference: "Restraint, Realities and Renewal." Qitie (Eanahian ^talesman Durham County's Greet Family Journal Eetsbllahed 129 yeere ago In 1954. Also Incorporating The Bowmanville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second class mall registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62 66 King SI, W„ Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 JOHN M. JAMES RICHARD A. JAMES Editor -- Publisher Assistant Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS BRIAN PURDY DONALD BISHOP Business Mgr. Advertising Mgr. Plant Mgr. All layoule end compoilllon ol advertisements produced by the employees ol The Cenedlan Stateiman, The Newcaelle Independent end The James Publishing Company Limited ere protected by copyright and must nol be reproduced without written permission ol Ihe publishers. 116,00 a year -- 8 months H.OO foreign -- *46.00 eyeer strictly In advance Although every precaution will be taken lo avoid error, The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising In Ils columns on the understanding that It will nol be liable lor any error In the advertisement published hereunder unless « proof of such advertisement Is requested In writing by Ihe advertiser and returned lo The Canadian Statesmen business office duly signed by Ihe advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted In writing thereon, end In that case If any error so noted Is nol corrected by The Canadian Statesmen Its liability shell nol exceed such a portion of Ihe entire cost ol such advertisement as the space occupied by the noted error beers to Ihe whole space occupied by such advertisement. 623-3303 J HalVs Lake SUGAR and SPICE 4 A Word to the Groom Queen's Park Report By Gord Cochrane It must be summer. Talk is in the air that Premier Bill Davis intends intends to shuffle the deck, to reassign cabinet ministers who have botched their current current assignments and to promote a few deserving deserving backbenchers. Hardly a summer goes by when Davis doesn't have a cabinet shuffle in preparation for the fall sitting of the Legislature. And, since he chose to forego the customary spring shuffle, shuffle, chances arc good that this will be a major housecleaning. This time around, the task is easier. With a pack of hungry backbenchers backbenchers on his hands, Davis has a lot of choice. In some senses, the prime candidates, most of whom were elected for the first time two years ago, are more qualified than several of the current ministers. They've now served their apprenticeships apprenticeships and arc ready for promotion. Among this select group are three people. But, Sarnia's Andy Brandt is considered the most likely. A former mayor and upset victor in the March 1981 election,lie has impressed as a par liamentary assistant and vocal advocate of government policy. As well, the geography is perfect. Only two Southwestern Ontario Tories are in the cabinet. Neither holds a senior portfolio, or is likely to get one. Susan Fish, member for the downtown Toronto Toronto riding of St, George, could be next in line, While she hasn't impressed to the same extent as Brandt, her gender (and age - she's only 38) make her attractive attractive to a party known for its stodginess. stodginess. How better to debunk debunk a stereotype than by appointing a young, attractive and brainy woman to a highly visible visible portfolio? Fish's chances are also made better by the expected resignation of Social Development Secretary Margaret Birch, whose lacklustre political and administrative administrative skills have made her an embarrassment to the government, Rounding out this list of minister-in-waiting is Jim Gordon of Sudbury, Sudbury, Another former mayor, he too beat out an incumbent for his scat. Unfortunately, nothing nothing much has been heard of him lately, Al though a parlimentary assistant for the ministry ministry of health for the last two years, he has largely stayed in the background. But, his geography is all wrong. The North already has three cabinet ministers and none is likely to leave. Making way for this fresh blood is something something Premier Davis will likely leave to the discretion of his current current ministers. The aforementioned Margaret Margaret Birch along with Transportation and Communications Ministers Ministers Jim Snow are likely candidates. Both have had their shot and" have blown it. Both are lucky Davis has a soft: heart, even for political liabilities. Poet's Corner [ Thoughts on BeautifXil Open and friendly Wonderful Many people's home All kinds Neato! Vivacious and happy Interesting Lovely place to call home Likeable in many ways. Especially, I'm here to say Happy Birthday Bowmanville Andrea SchafTeler Bowmanville Senior Public School