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y § 3A [13 Spr gs a a a TA 7 Ll - NIC aa, Editorial Comment - ChalterBox tin ify an by John McClelland I came across some interesting reading last week in a column by Jim Smith, who writes on a regular basis for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Smith reviews a new book by a York University professor entitled 'Small Business: Building a Balanced Economy". The book, which had an initial first run of nearly 70,000 copies (almost unheard of, by the way, in the Canadian book publishing trade) comes to some startling, and, I believe, valuable conclusions. First, the author, a Professor Rein Peterson debunks the too popular notion that large businesses expand and develop because they are more efficient. Rather, says the author, "the growth of corporations is the result of a very basic urge on the part of many businessmen to succeed by expanding". - And I couldn't agree more. We have almost come to accept as absolute truth the idea that bigger is somehow better, and therefore more efficient. One can see this in the operations of large corporations with mergers, takeovers, and expansions creating multi- national giants with more money and assets than a lot of the countries in the world. In the province of Ontario, we have seen the growth of district school boards, and of course regional government. And speaking of governments, the swelling of the civil service at all levels has been staggering in the past decade or so. But are they more efficient? Do they operate better? I think not, and there are likely many readers who have had dealings for one thing or another with big corporations or big government departments, or a big labour union, who would have to agree. Professor Peterson, who has studied business in Canada, Asia, and Europe, goes so far as to say that "the next generation of whiz kids will be those who make a big business grow efficiently smaller by selling off bits of the corporation. Where it has been fashionable to boast how many workers it employed, and therefore how powerful it was, it will become fashionable henceforth to boast how much work it has subcontracted out and how much more profitable it is". I sure hope the professor is right, for I'm getting tired of "big". I'm increasingly skeptical of the faith we're supposed to have in big corporations, big governments, big unions, big fietworks, and various other big conglomerates and gmpires. Any efficiency that these ""biggies" have is a result not of the optimum use of human and other resources, but rather the sheer weight and momentum that they can genérate. As many have found out, it is tough to go head-to-head with Motors, Exxon, the federal civil service, or the International Teamsters'. They can smother the smaller guy simply be rolling over and taking a deep breath. I'm convinced, however, that small is better in both the private and public sectors: more efficient, more productive, and with less waste of human and other resources. Small is better both for those who are receiving a product or service, and for those who are providing them. Competition should be based on the real meaning of the word: thrift, sacrifice, and sheer hard work, rather than the artificial competition of quotas, licencing restrictions, tariffs and other trade barriers, tax concessions, write-offs, and mergers and takeovers that concentrate the production of some goods and services in the hands of a very small group. "Good for Professor Peterson. I plan to read his book. Maybe it should be mandatory reading in the board rooms and cabinet offices of business and government across the country. BAN FOOTBALL? Imagine the audacity of a Timmins chiropractor who suggested last week that football be banned in Ontario high schools because the sport causes serious injuries among young players. And imagine still the wisdom of four high schools in northern Ontario who appear to have taken the good doctor's advice and replaced football with soccer. Now, I agree that soccer is a great sport, for sheer competition, fun, and conditioning. And as one of the many who has suffered knee damage of a rather " permanent nature as a result of high school football I would also agree that there is a degree of risk involved. But despite my gimpy knee that rattles all the time and aches a good part of the time; despite the still very vivid memory of the pain when the cartilage ripped on - the football field: and despite the further pain of the corrective surgery on the knee which didn't correct anything, I'd play high school football all over again, gladly. : Those days in autumn when the team worked out all week for the big games each Friday afternoon were happy and satisfying ones for me. In fact, those days provide me with my fondest memories of what was otherwise a lacklustre high school career. Some of the friendships I devel more than ten years ago on the high school football field are still important today. Nobody forced me to play football. I took a few lumps (and gave a few, too). I know le say that high school kids have changed, but I'll bet anything there are many playing football today who will look back in a few years and feel the same way I do. It was damn well worth it. SRR SE o- [] ; Ary 2 ej 0 Highway Fatalities Statistics published last week from Durham regional police and the Whitby detachmerdyf the OPP indicate that 14 persons have lost their lives in traffic accidents so far this year on highways and roads in the Durham Region. And at least three others have fost their lives in the area patrolled by the Newcastle OPP. 'g, Early Sunday morning four more names were added to the growing list of fatalities following a "tragic, high speed accident on Scugog Island. The four, all from Oshawa, were young men in their late teens and early twenties. . While the number of fatal accidents shows a marked increase so far this year in the Region (the Durham police statistics alone show an increase of 50 per cent) figures for the entire province actually show that the number of deaths in traffic accidents has declined by seven per cent. Statistics of course are nothing more than numbers on a page, and cannot measure the real meaning of the loss of these human lives. That will be left to their families and friends. Every time an accident such as the one Sunday morning occurs, there seems to be a flurry of demands from various sources, including newspaper editorials, for tougher laws and tougher enforcement governing drivers on our highways. Especially, when it is ™ suspected that alcohol abuse has been involved. As a deterrence the imposition of tougher laws and enforcement might be a factor in reducing highway accidents and deaths where the drivers are able to recognize the possible consequences. But one wonders if a person intoxicated with alcohol or drugs would realize or even care that driving a car could result in loss of licence, fine, jail term, injury or even death. The number of convictions on second and third charges of impaired driving would lead to the conclusion that this is so. The problem of drinking and driving starts long before the drunk driver gets behind the wheel of the * car. It starts with a society that seems to accept the use of alcohol not just as part of the lifestyle, but as a way of life. And it also starts with a society that has become almost completely dependent on the auto- : . mobile for recreation and leisure activities. "More people drinking more, and- driving more often will result in more accidents. It's as simple as that. Tougher laws and stricter enforcement may not be the answer. But there are four young men from Oshawa who will never find out. Lottery Addicts Lottery addicts take heart. Here is a new lottery plan where you are guaranteed to win at least $250 once a year, suggests the editor of The Refrew Mercury. However it involves stopping spending money on any other lotteries. The day Before each of the Wintarlo, Provincial or Loto Canada draws [ust deposit the value of two tickets in a special bank account. With 26 Wintario, 12 Provincial and four Loto Canada draws the total after a year will be $252. And to make the winnings even bigger, you will be pald interest on the money. 3 Of course, there isn't any chance of winning a million dollars, but then the chances of winning a -million on the lotteries is so small as to be worthless anyway. The truth about the lotteries is that from 40 to 50 per cent of the money goes into prizes. That means that of your $252 entered, only from $100 to $126 is paid back in prizes. So that means that, after levelling out the odds, you could make twice as much money by putting the ticket-money into the bank. : And then at Christmas or whatever time you decide to take the cash out, you will have a nice total of ¢ winnings on hand instead of cursing that you didn't win. Some Days??? Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. In the August 3 issue of the Port Perry Star we noted that woodcarver Lawrence Davis of Seagrave would be demonstrating his craft at the Scugog Museum, We incorrectly stated that Mr. Davis lives in Caesarea. To make matters worse, the Star carried a picture of Mr. Davis at work in the issue of August 17, and we somehow called him Clarence instead of Lawrence. To Mr. LAWRENCE Davis, a well-known wood- carver from SEAGRAVE, we offer our apologies. &