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PAGE 4e,WB)MAY, I(VEMM R29,1978. HUBYFREEPRESS whifby I Published every Wednesday Sby M.B.M. Publlshlng S and F'hotography Imc. Phone 6084111 Cofmmnty Editor Contributlng Editor Production Manager Print & Promotional Manager Clesslfied Ad Mailing Permit No. 460 Member of the: Better Business Bureau of Toronto -Brian Wlnter -Jim Quail -Marle Burges -Robin Lyon -Lynn Wagnler Volce of the 'County Town Michael Ian Burgess, Publishor - Managlng Editor 'be only Whltby newspaper Independently owned and operated by Whltby residents for Whltby residents. qi 'Anc Fre Presuildtiing, 131 Brock Street North, A reader's solution to Christmas card madness Dear Friend: ##The Season" is upon us, and with it the arinual Christmas Card madness. Some years ago, 1iowas at the point of dreading the formidable task of, once again, getting the cards away. The following rhvme teils how 1 have dealt with the dilemra until it ) n longer even belongs in 'that categorv. And se, fellow card-writer, get our vour pret- tiest china tea'-set and smile! lt's time to visit your friends! Ycurs, with empathy, Marjorie Elliott Box 52, R.R. 5, Bowmanville, L1K 3K6 it costs too much! It takes too long! This custom's gotten out of hand! lt's just a racket, after ail1, This serîding cards about the land! Perhaps you've hoard a neW excuse. There seem to be a lot about! And as the pistail-rates increise, The Scrooges can be heard to Shout. ""I won't be sending cards this year. I vo more important things to buy Than hundreds of stamps and Christmas cards. Just lot this Christmas custom die 1" e'Néw is that such a good idea?" 1 ask myseîf, th is wvint'ry day. 4010m sure it wouldn't work for me. It makes a Birthday seem so gray." They're really Jesus' Birthday cards, mhess mastrpieces - green and red; And since 1 can't mail them to Hlm, 1I .,.d them te our friends insteadt I like to write my Christmas crs I make a party out of it; And if you coulId peek i on me, You'd« ne the candles 1 have lit. I'm ail dressed up in sOmething nice. Vou'd scarcely know that it was mne! You see-l'm visiting our friermds; And yes, I'm even sipping tees! So whether 1 chocs. "Christmas Belîs", Or ""Humble Croche", or l'Smnta's Oeer",. Or maybe'tCurrier and Ives"#- IN! SENDING CARDS AGAIN THIS VEAR! Thainks .from teachers Dear Sir: On bohaîf of the Teachers' Action Comm- ittos 1 would like t#) thank yGu and your staff for Vour kmer, ii- terest and fine report- ing of tho Public Aware- nots Campaign we ran during the weeks Ix, the election. 1 look fcirward to tinuing our associatic the future. Vasmin Skirrow, Public Relations Officx Teachors' Action omItto. Craît sale a success 3erEditor: The orprhizers of the Ashburn Crift Sale and Fleamnarket wish to thank you for tho advertising recslved via your column nmch appeciated had good remtitti. Thanks ega Gail Kozyriaci Btty Gardinu ?fore By George Ashe MPP CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS conI- Nearly $1 million was returned to Ontario consumners last )n in year through the efforts of the business practices division of Ontario's Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Iluring the 1977-78 fiscal year thousands of people wcre able Mr. to cancel contracts and receive refunds because of provisions in the varins consumer protection statutes. The business practices division is teAinsr' diita tive and enforcement. arm for some orthlw t(ugiest conisunmer legfislation in Canada. In the pasi fisciil yezir efree activîty resulted in 163 investigations, wlîich is nearly do)uble that of the previous ycar. As well, a totail oflr.setcharges. were laid, which is two and a half times more tai th le yea-r lxfore. and Th hr increase in charges was a resuit in part of higi proiisplaced on such areas as auto repaires, tax discounting furniture dealers and home repairs. Hih prionities are also placed on the ministry's commnit- fi, ment to more industry self regulation and cuttîng bureaucratie cvj red tape. The catch phrase of the ministry is -we want less.not Br more government intervention in the marketplace." In both turning over much of the government's regulatory role to the industry directly over the next 12 to 24 months. Perhaps the most important initiative of this ministry is that al new legisiation wiil be examined before it is enacted to ensure right from the start that the replacement legisiation has a deregulation spirit to it. Condominium and rent review legisiation are two examples of this. These are some of its future directions. Should you have any questions regarding consumerism, please feel free to dial a collect eall to the Consumer Information Centre in Toronto at iu Leers to the Editor Box 206, Whitby, Ont. LIN S1 or deliver te 131 Brock Street L