The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

et ¥ "A Family Tradifidn'for125 Years" "PORT PERRY STAR - Tesdhy, February '11, 1992-3 From Page 1 This proposal has been put on the table to get talks moving and could be accepted as is, or changed. But as it stands right now, it has the farmers worried. Many are fearing their livelihoods could be ruined. "We're concerned that tariffi- cation under GATT would send NO Federal Agriculture minister Bill McKnight was the guest speaker at the Blackstock'Lions Club Farmers Night on Feb. 5. CHARGE AUTOMATIC jobs out of the country," said Bill Mitchell, assistant director, 'communications and planning at the Ontario Milk Marketing Board. "Farmers don't just lose their jobs, it's where they live and their family history." According to Mr. Mitchell ta- riffication would allow coun- tries such as the U.S. to "dump its surplusin other countries." 6 Sierra SLX & SLE Models available for immediate delivery. Y ¥ This dumping has the farm- ers worried, not only for their livelihoods, but for the industry in general. Randy Morton, a dairy farm- er from Cavan, near Peterbo- rough, says he's concerned that if foreign dairy products flood the market the quality of the product will diminish. Kevin Morton, also a dairy farmer from Cavan, says tariffi- cation will not only hurt the farmer, but the whole economy, as the effect of the spinoffs would be felt. "It will hurt farming and everything else attached to it," he said. He added less farmers will have money to buy goods and supplies and many will be forced to give up farming in pur- suitof other trades. The group of about 30 farmers were at the meeting to get the message across and garner the support of the minister. During the dinner the demon- strators entered the building with placards and passed the headtable where the minister was seated. The group was greeted by a standing ovation rom the dinner crowd, many who are local farmers. "We need your support," said one of the demonstrators as he walked by the minister. "You've got it. We're both on the same side," the minister re- torted. Mr. McKnight told the Port Perry Star prior to the dinner that the government remains committed to its current posi- tion and "was not prepared to look at tariffication." 2 & 4 wheel drive, good colour selection, available for retail, fleet, lease or GM Employee purchases. § nw TeRAn BS AWE rien a row A A a CHARGE 305 V8 v He said Canada will continue to push for the strengthening of Article 11. In addressing the more than 200 people in attendance, he told the crowd that he took the - demonstration as a sign of sup- port for what the government has been doing to date. "It's not offensive to me. In re- ality that's support to the gov- ernment," he said. He added the signs were "de- cent, important and in support of what the government was saying." But he agreed that Article 11 needed "strengthening and clar- ification." He promised to con- tinue to press for this. Throughout the evening he continued to reinforce the gov- ernment's position. "We haven't been involved in any discussions other than ask- ing for clarifications of Article 11," he said. In a plea for Canadian unity, Mr. McKnight called upon eve- ryone to work together and co- operate. "The only way for Canada to be stable, is for Canada to stay together," he said. "I'm confi- dent the Canadian public will recognize the need." Mr. McKnight said the future of the agricultural industry in Canada depends on the flexibili- ty of the farmers. He called on them to work together in being supportive. : He noted the success of sup- ply management was due to the ability of the industries to adapt to the consumers' change in PURCHASE A 1992 GMC FULL SIZE PICKUP FROM STOCK AND RECEIVE NO Farmers worry about loss of jobs taste and habits over the past two years. "You've been able to adapt in the past and I'm confident you'll be able to adapt in the future," he said. He added "co-operation will be more important in the future than it was in the past." Mr. McKnight was ham- mered throughout the question period by farmers concerned about Article 11. Repeatedly he assured them of the govern- ment's position. Perhaps the strongest de- mand came from Bill Denby, of Sunderland, who asked Mr. McKnight if he was prepared to resign if the talks regarding Ar- ticle 11 were unsuccessful. He argued a promise was made and that the government should stick to its promise. "I can promise we'll do every- thing in our power," Mr. McKnight said. "I wouldn't re- sign because we haven't broken anything." Later Mr. Denby told the Port Perry Star that he found the minister's answer unaccepta- ble, still holding to the belief that he should resign if tariffica- tion isintroduced. "The issue is the Canadian government said they would try to deliver. They should resign if they can't deliver," he said. Mr. Denby would like specific dairy products. defined and questions whether Free Trade overrides GATT. He is con- cerned thatif Article 11is notal- tered, provinces will be fighting against each other for business. CHARGE BOX LINER * 2.9% financing is available over 12 months. period. See dealer for details, PONTIAC BUICK LIMITED 10 Vanedward Drive, Port Perry 085-8474 ER i BE --.--.,, alli al i Dp fh A od dt rt