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2 The Canadian Statesman. Bowmanville, August 24.1983 Section Two Editorial Comment Battle of the Polls Most of us don't realize it, but our lives are being governed more and more by opinion polls. First rate new television shows may have an extremely short life if the pollsters via the Neilson ratings find that not enough viewers are watching to justify continuing. Actually, Actually, if the viewers aren't watching, watching, there won't be enough commercial commercial sponsors to pay for the costly time, so something else that will produce more advertising revenue will be substituted. New products are tested in the same way. A market is selected, advertising advertising poured in to create a demand, demand, possibly aided by special price offerings or coupon discounts. discounts. Then, if customers don't react positively and buy the items, the product probably will be considered considered a dud and discarded. This is not only happening all the time in the marketplace, it's becoming becoming a fact of life in politics at several levels. Proposed legislation's details details are leaked to the press and broadcasters well ahead of being introduced. Publicity results and after those in charge feel the public knows what probably will be coming coming up, the pollsters go to work, asking asking hundreds or thousands in various various parts of the province or the country for their reaction. If there is strong opposition by a majority of those contacted, the legislation will either be dropped or revised and given another run through the same procedure. Now and again, political parties and governments follow through on something they really consider important without having widespread support, but it doesn't happen too often. They've found that the long term best procedure procedure is to make certain whatever ; they're planning to do will be fairly popular or not too odious to the general general public. The Davis PC government government has managed to stay in office in Ontario for many years using this technique and even locally we've seen instances where this procedure procedure has been followed, although not as extensively. Pierre Trudeau and his Ottawa Liberals haven't followed these tried and true methods as faithfully. faithfully. In recent years, they've produced produced such divisive items as our Constitution with its Bill of Rights, the bilingual language legislation and other items that haven't been too popular. Along with these, the federal government is also being blamed for its part in the current recession that has bankrupted many companies and left so many out of work. And Trudeau himself hasn't endeared himself to electors in many parts of the country, with his cavalier attitude, with the result that his and the . party's popularity at the moment is at an all time low, according to recent opinion polls. With the byelection results in Nova Scotia almost a sure thing for Brian Mulroney, the new Tory leader, and an election in the cards, probably next year, the Liberals are in real trouble. Already, some of their members who weren't promoted promoted in the recent cabinet shuffle, are saying that Trudeau must be replaced replaced or the PCs will walk in and take over the government. This movement probably will grow if the polls continue to show the Liberals losing ground. At the moment, Mr. Trudeau is out of the country, holidaying, holidaying, and his future plans are still a mystery. His decision may have been made already, but he hasn't passed it along to his party members. We would think there would be some action soon after Parliament resumes this fall. Trudeau, no doubt, is anticipating an opportunity opportunity to demonstrate his debating skills for a while against Mulroney. Then a leadership convention will be called for early next year and the race will be on for his job, followed followed fairly quickly by an election if the polls show great gains for the Liberals. Living Standard Still High oyment It's an almost perfect example of how numbers can be used to mean almost anything you want them to mean. We're referring, of course, to the unemployment statistics which grimly reveal the number of Canadians Canadians out of work each month. It is commonly believed that the number of unemployed Canadians amounts to roughly 12 per cent of the workforce. But information released last week shows that if all of the part- time workers who need full-time jobs were added to the statistics,, unemployment would hit 13.5 per cent. Then there are the opposition political parties who might argue that both the 12 per cent and the 13 per cent figures are wrong. Critics would suggest that the number of Canadians without work is closer to two million if you count up all the individuals who have given up seeking employment or have settled settled for low-paying jobs when they are qualified to do more. Balancing these claims are the stories we hear from time to time about companies which simply can't find staff to fill certain jobs either because there is a shortage of skilled tradesmen or because no one will work for minimum salaries even in today's tough job markets. What is the real truth about employment employment in Canada? It probably consists of a combination of all of the factors listed above plus many more. There's no one magical number which can sum up the em-. ployment statistics because this issue is a complex one. We might also add that the higher jobless rates may be partly due to the fact that the workforce has grown. In many of today's households, households, both husband and wife work full time. This fact may be an economic necessity, but it also creates a huge demand for jobs--a demand which is difficult to meet when the economy takes a downturn. downturn. Therefore, unemployment rises and people begin to talk about the onset of a recession. The official government statistics on unemployment in Canada are not meaningless. And yet, suggestions suggestions that these figures do not tell the whole story are also valid. The conflicting data on unemployment should be read with a maximum of common sense if we wish to really understand the country's economic condition. And let's not forget that even if the most pessimistic outlook is accepted accepted as true, the fact remains that well over eighty per cent of Canadians Canadians who want jobs are, in fact, working. Moreover, the Canadian standard of living still remains high. In many countries of the world, this would be cause for celebration. (Zttie Canadian Statesman 623-3303 Durham County'i Great Family. Journal Established 129 years ago In Î654. 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 St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3KB it OliC JOHN M. JAMES Editor --Publisher RICHARD A.. JAMES Assistant Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr. All layout! ind composition ol sdvirtlssminlt produced by the employees ol The Cansdlsn Slslesmsn, The Newcastle Independent and The Jamea Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and must nol- be reproduced without written permlaslon ol the publisher!. $15.00 a year -- e months 15,00 strictly In advance foreign --145.00 a year Although every precaution will be taken to avoid error, The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising In Its columns on the understanding that It will not be liable for any error In the advertisement published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement Is requested In writing by the advertiser and returned to The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed by the advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted In writing thereon, and In that case If any error so noted Is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman Its liability shall not exceed such a portion of the entire cost of such advertisement as .the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement, Unique St. John's Anglican Church at Rosedale in Kawarthas SUGAR and SPICE A Bevy of Boners Too hot. Nothing on TV. Nothing in the papers. Two grandboys, one of whom wants a peanut butter and honey satidwich, the other a jam and ' banana sandwich. Not the best day; for writing a serious column, -f So. Let r s have something on the light side. I am deeply indebted to a faithful reader for the following, a compilation of "boners" or "howl-; ers" put together by historian Anders Henriksson from students at McMaster University and University of Alberta in their freshmen year. I'd love to print thé whole thing, but haven't space, so will settle for a few, with the odd editorial comment. First, about the Black Death. "In the 1400 hundreds most Englishmen were Perpendicular. Finally,' Europe caught the Black Death. The bubonic plague is a social disease in the sense that it can be transmitted by intercourse and other etceteras. It was spread from port to port by inflected rats. Victims of the Black Death grew boobs on their necks. The plague also helped the emergence emergence of the English language as the national language of England, France and Italy." Now you know about the Black Death, should the subject come up at a cocktail party. Just ask, "Where did you get those boobs on your neck? ' ' Now, all the gen on the Middle Ages. "During the Middle Ages; everybody was middle aged." Well, I'd give him a mark for that. I)Iow thë next phase., "The Middle Ages 1 slimpared to 'a halt. The renaserice bolted in from the blue. Life reeked with joy. Italy became robust and more individuals felt the value of their human being. Italy, of course, was much closer to the rest of the world, thanks to northern Europe. Man was determined to civilize himself, even if heads had to roll. It became sheik to be educated. Europe was full of incredable churches with art bulging out their . doors." That takes care of the Renaissance. Nicely. But the Reformation is not neglected. neglected. "The Reformation happened happened when German nobles resented the idea that tithes were going to Papal France or the Pope, thus enriching Catholic coiffures ... An angry Martin Luther nailed 95 theocrats to a church door. Theologically, Luther was into reorientation mutation . . . The Popes, of course, were usually Catholic ... the last Jesuit priest died in the 19th century." More. "After the refirmation were' wars both foreign and infernal. If the Spanish could gain the Netherlands they would have a stronghold throughout Northern Europe which would include their posetions in Italy, Burgangy, central Europe and India. The German Emperor's lower passage was blocked by the French for years and year." No wonder we had two world wars ! , Just some other gems. "Louis XIV became King of the-Sun-. . . if he didn't like someone he sent them to the gallows for the rest of their lives." "The French revolution was accomplished before it happened... Napolean was ill with baldder problems and was very tense and unrestrained." Poor devil. The 19th century? "Industrialization "Industrialization was precipitating in England. Problems were so complexicated ' that in Paris, out of a population of one million people, two million able bodies were on the loose." Hm! Always knew the French were loose, but not quite that loose. Politics? "The middle class was tired and needed a rest. The old order could see the lid hold down new ideas beginning to shake. Among the goals of the christs were universal suferage and an anal arliament. Voting was to be done y ballad." Well, have things changed all that much.? Culture? "(It) fomented from Europe's tip to its top. Richard Strauss, who was violent but methodical like his wife made him, plunged into vicious and perverse plays. Dramatized were adventures in seduction and abortion. Music reeked with reality. Wagner was master of music, and people did not forget his contribution. When he died, they labeled his seat as "his; torical." Other countries had their own artists. France had Chekhov." Moving along. "World War I broke out around 1912-1914. Germany was on one side of France and Russia on the other. At war people get killed and then they aren't people any more, but friends . . . in 1937 Lenin revolted Russia." And oh to World War II. "Germany was displaced after WWI. This gave rise to Hitler. Germany was morbidly overexcited and unbalanced. Berlin became the decadent capital, where all forms of sexual diprivation were practised. A huge antisemantic movement arose "Moosealini rested his foundations foundations on 8 million bayonets and invaded Hi Lee Salasy." Sounds jolly uncomfortable for Moosy. "Germany invaded Poland, France invaded Belgium, and Russia invaded everybody. War screeched to an end when a nukuleer explosion was dropped on Heroshima. A whole generation had been wiped out in two wars, and their forlorne families were left to pickup the pieces." Those are just samplings. It's not quite the way I remember my history, but it sure as hell is more interesting. Aug. 18,1983 R. R, 5, Stratford N5A6S6 John - Thought that part of the article which appeared in the recent issue of the Stratford "Beacon Herald" would be of some interest to some of your older readers, I remember once we at Brookdale entertained entertained all the supervisors in Ontario for the V.L.A. in Bowmanville. During the day they held a practical workshop workshop at our place but at night we held another "workshop" - what a party I Brookdale at one time had almost an exclusive exclusive on V.L.A. business for nursery stock (and they sure bought plenty) because of our special discounts to veterans. Surely was good business for us and many of those original vets remained customers for many years to come, Some day, I will write for you an article on the nurseries of Bowmanville - when Bowmanville Bowmanville was the nursery capital of Canada - yes - more nurseries nurseries than any other place in Canada concentrated in and around one town. Then of course there were offshoots of the production of nursery stock such as the people we brought in to help (mostly skilled) from all parts of the world after the war II. At one time we had 13 different nationalities at our place - and that condition brings up lots of situations and stories for example the Dutch hated the Germans etc. etc. Enough for now. "Regards" to Dorothy and hope you are well. By the way, why don't you do a story on Charlie Cowan of Newcastle? Newcastle? As a salesman for Brookdale, he beautified or was responsible for more landscaping of homes from Whitby to Peterborough than any person living today - what a salesman. Come see us when you are in Stratford area. "Regards" Norm and Ruth Scott P.S. - The item 25 years ago - is Janet (13) going to England alone to see her pen pal. Thunks to Miss Coutts (South Ward school) brought buck a lot of memories. Part of the article follows: PLEASANT DRIVE By Stanford Dingman Pleasant Drive runs north from Ontario Street to Devon Street in the northeast part of Stratford. The houses on both sides of Pleasant Drive,' and on the east side of Burritt Street (one block west), were all part of the Veterans' Land Act (VLA) subdivision opened in Stratford Stratford for veterans returning from the Second World War. Although there were many VLA homes and farms in and around Stratford, this was the only VLA subdivision in the city. The Veterans' Land Act was passed during the war to enable enable returning veterans to purchase land on favorable terms, The maximum VLA mortgage loan was $6,000 and the federal government required required a down payment on the loan of 10 percent or $600. There was no interest on the first $1,400 which was written off as a grant to the veteran if he (or she) retained the property property for 10 years. The remaining $4,000 was usually mortgaged over 25 years at an interest rate of three and one-half percent. Payments amounted to $19.90 per month. ; The VLA had a special arrangement with Brookdale- Kingsway Nurseries of Bowmanville Bowmanville to supply nursery stock for VLA properties on a bulk-purchase basis. Many of the trees and shrubs planted by home- owners on Pleasant Drive, came from Brookdale-Kings- way. The nursery was owned and operated by Norman J. Scott, who now, 36 years later, lives retired on his large country country estate east of Sebringville, The nursery stock must have been good, because Mrs. Player says - "Now when I look out at all tiie trees we planted - it certainly certainly is a 'pleasant' place to live, It's just what I thought it would be - Pleasant Drive," To Thomas Kennedy, With all good will and "Egads" From Ms. Mary Morris. (Mrs. Morris was my Mom.) Dear Thomas, It might be well to understand understand the subject under discussion discussion better. Than you might ceased to be "disturbed." "disturbed." "Amazement" and wonder are good things to keep in your life and mind. (Whether closed or open.) All that is change is not necessarily progress. And likewise, all progress isn't necessarily goixi, With your "God Save The Queen," I heartily concur. Bless her regalness, dignity and tradition! Do YOU really believe her Highness could or would, sit through a session of the highest decibal, hard-rock- sound? Of course you don't - not really?? It's not music under discussion discussion lad, it's Noise. Noise against which 1 most certainly am biased; biased no matter what era or eon in which it occurs or occurred, Yours truly, Ms. Mary Morris. Pitch-ln and Keep Canada Beautiful