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by MURRAY MOORE Good news emerged during a press con- ference with the visiting chairman of the board of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Sadakazu Shindo, in Midland last Friday. Later this month or early next month, Mitsubishi's. Midland plant will go to three shifts a day, doubling the number of em- ployees to 400. Mitsubishi Electronics Industries Canada Inc. (MEICA) President Yutaka Takano, the man in charge of Mitsubishi's only manufacturing plant in Canada, said that when his company bought the plant last year from RCA, their schedule set this coming September or October as the period when the new company would be ready to start around- the-clock production. More production workers will be hired further in the future when MEICA begins Euchre champs The Wednesday evening euchre playoff cham- pions cf Roval Canadian Legion Branch 68, Penetanguishene, are from left, with Legion President 'Bud' Brown, sitting, Katherine But- tineau, Jean Dumias, Sonia Penna, Irene production of different size colour television picture tubes, Takano said. Increased demand for picture tubes is the reason for the early move to three shifts, Shindo said. The chairman said Mitsubishi thinking of making products other than colour television picture tubes in the Midland plant "at the present time." The chairman of MEICA's parent company came to Midland from Japan to see for himself the result of the conversion of the RCA plant, and to see how well the plant is running. Shindo praised his staff for their effort, and the federal and provincial governments and the residents of Midland and area for their support (using a Japanese saying) "in the shade and in the sunlight." Reasons contributing to the unexpected is not overseas. proven Fulawka. Standing from 'left, Len Prisque, Legion President "Bud'"' Brown, Ed Fulawka, Garry Livingstone. Absen are Rita Chevrette and Gill O'Rourke. May 25 designated Arbour Day in Ont. by ALLAN K. MCLEAN MPP Simcoe East To help communities and groups join in general celebrations marking Ontario's bicentennial, May 25 will be Arbor Day for the province. On this date, thousands of white pine trees will be planted across the province, courtesy of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The white pine will soon be named Ontario's official tree. Both the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Education are coordinating the distribution of white pine seedlings to par- licipating schools across Ontario. There will also be a number of ceremonial plantings of white pines at Queen's Park, and other centres in the province, on May 25. It was my colleague, Doug Kennedy, MPP for Missisauga South, who originally promoted the idea of an Arbor Day for Ontario. According to his idea, Arbor Day will be a time to encourage a greater appreciation to the plan- ting, preservation and conservation of trees. As well, Arbor Day should serve to remind us all of the important role the forestry industry plays in the life of our province. The white pine has been chosen to represent the province because of its beauty, as well as its significance in the growth of our communities. The tree was abundant when settlers first cleared the land 200 years ago. At that time the harvest of the tree formed the backbone of the developing economy. Today white pine still has significance in the economic life of the province. White pine is frequently used by craftsmen and furniture makers, as well as builders. Municipalities and non-profit groups can request a white pine free-of-charge for tree planting ceremonies during bicentennial year. I can think of no more fitting symbol of our province's celebrations than the planting of a tree will bring shade, protection and comfort for many years to come. eCont'd. Employment Develo- pment (COED) grant from Page 1 awarded by the Friends Arril: A musket salute Of Sainte-Marie. will accompany the launch. The official party and guests will tour the Bee after the launch. The wee was one of three major transport vessels at the Penetanguishene Naval Establishment between 1817 and 1831. Originally a Durham boat, the Bee was designed and rigged as a schooner to allow navigation in the Great Lakes. In August, 1831, the Bee was offered for public auction. The new Bee will have, in addition to normal schooner equipment, a diesel engine, fuel and water tanks, a head, galley, safety equipment, and navigation lights, all-~ hidden or camouflaged. The cost of building the Bee was nearly $200,000. The con- struction is part of a Canada Ontario aa yee Fr. Stephen Sommerville, Church of Midland, spent last Sunday afternoon at the Martyrs' Shrine leading a rehearsal of the Midland plant soon to go to three shifts a day were a major concern of the company. Takano noted the two countries' different histories, cultures and languages. iS Takano hinted that the understanding was instantaneous saying : management and the old RCA workers did not = demand for picture tubes given by Takano were recognition of Mitsubishi's products' quality, and reliability. By 1987, Takano said, 40 percent of the plant's tubes will be sold in Canada, 40 per- not cent in the United States, and the remainder The co-operation of Japanese business and Canadian governments is cited on Japan by journalists as an example of successful co- operation between government, Shindo said. The decision to buy the closed RCA plant has to be a good one, chairman said. Japanese management and Canadian workers have come to an understanding, 'Takano said. He has noticed recently that the Canadian workers are trying very hard to understand the Japanese method. The attitudes and work habits of Canadians eS Mitsubishi's Good news from Mitsubishi's top brass -- that the new = exactly hit it off at first. The two groups have come to an un- =: derstanding, he said. Canadian workers do % work when they see that there is work which has to be done. Now, for example, some staff = are working into the early hours of the =: morning to prepare for the move to three =: shifts, just as their counterparts in Japan would do in the same situation, he said. All of the plant's main Canadian managers have been to Japan, courtesy of their em- %: ployer. Their visit, Takano said, helped them =: understand the Japanese people as well as the % company's technology. Mitsubishi's chairman has kind words for area, workers by DOUG REED East met west Friday evening ion Penetanguishene and both were rewarded by the experience. The occasion, in the Flag Deck Room of the Inn at Bay Moorings, was a buffet dinner in honour of an _ official visit to Canada _ by Sadakazu Shindo, chairman of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation of Japan. The popular' top company e:.ecutive said hehad come to Canada "'to see first hand"' Mitsubishi's operations at Midland. He indicated his pleasure "at seeing production in progress"' The. chairman had_ kind words too for those associated with Mit- subishi here since it took over operations of the former RCA plant on Highway 12 while he was especially humourous' in_ his remarks concerning plant president Yutaka Takano especially when Mr. 'Takano's_ well- known beard. (Mr. Shindo's brief tran- comments were ' - hy 4, Papal choir rehearsal of St. Margaret's slated from Japanese to English through an interpreter. ) At the outset of his remarks, the chairman delighted those present when he quipped in English, 'I would like to speak . 'to 'you. in English...but I can't." Present for the gala buffet dinner and reception were officials from the local Mit- subishi operation from affiliate operations and from the local com- munity. Penetanguishene Mayor and Mrs. Ron bellisle, 'Tiny 'Township Reeve and Mrs. Morris Darby, Tay 'Township Reeve and Mrs. Bruce Tinney, Port MeNicoll Reeve and Mrs. John Moreau, Midland Mayor and Mrs. Al Roach and Warden and Mrs. Ross Whiteside attended the HPalaienc as did representatives from both Penetanguishene and Midland Chambers of Commerce and The' Midland 'Times-Pen- etanguishene Citizen. In his short remarks, Mr. Shindo called at- tention to his pleasure that Mitsubishi has received a warm welcome since taking over the former RCA plant i Midland. Following a series of short thought-provoking and warm speeches, Japanese hosts literally provided the en- tertainment as is their traditional custom. Table after table of first Japanese and then Canadians were called upon to provide some sort of entertainment which in most cases turned out to be singing a song or two in front of one's peers.. At the conclusion of the evening all were in agreement, they couldn't recall having a more delightful evening especially with so many new-found friends. Even Chairman Shindo got into the act by getting rid of his sports jacket which by then was laden with lapel pins from Midland, Penetangu- ishene, the County of Simcoe and the Papal Visit, to sing several well known Japanese songs which on each occasion drew standing ovations. Amid "'let's do this again soon', the evening drew to a close with a final Japanese farewell ceremony [0 which everyone in the room (ook part. several hundred area church choir members who will make up the choir at the shrine on Sept. 15, the day of Pope John Paul II's visit. Wednesday, May 16, 1984, Page 3