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"RESORT BCA SARE EANING ENN SHR Editorial Comment A program for Seniors A program designed to assist senior citizens is just i starting to get underway in Scugog Township (see story on front page). The intent is to provide a volunteer service for those who need it such as transportation, light and heavy housekeeping, repairs and maintenance around the home. The hope is that by helping out with relatively small matters such as these, some senior citizens may be able to remain in their own familiar homes and environment, rather than having to be institutionalized. The program seems to be a good one in principle. When it gets off the ground early next year, it will no doubt experience a few initial problems. But in order to work, and work effectively, a strong and active organization of interested and capable citizens will be necessary. The initial merits of such a program are obvious. Most senior citizens, where reasonably possible, would prefer to continue living in their own homes rather than become institutionalized. - If relatively easy services such as transportation to a doctor's appointment, or snow removal in winter, can help make living at home just a little easier, the program will be a success in human terms. In addition to these important reasons, there are other longer term implications of such a program which suggest that the local community should take more than just a casual interest in assuring its success. It costs something in the neighbourhood of $5,000. to maintain an individual in a provincial nursing home for one year, and that does not include the capital costs of building these homes. for this kind of care is increasing. If one considers that it will not be too many years before those born during the so-called post war baby boom (1945-50) reach retirement age, the demand is going to increase greatly. In terms of long range planning involving potential expenditures In the millions, it is not too early to start seriously thinking of ways to reduce this demand. If solid community organizations for the program now being planned can develop and maintain them- selves over the years, they could very well help to reduce future costs. And while the need for homes to provide care for the aged cannot of course be completely eliminated, it can be reduced. One way Is to allow seniors to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The community care program in Scugog-deserves support. If it is successful, it could open the way for any number of related projects designed to help people and reduce provincial spending. Davis in Japan It must have been distressing for Premier William Davis, when he was recently told in no uncertain terms that Japanese businessmen consider Ontario a poor place to invest capital. The reasons cited are all too familiar: high labour costs; poor productivity, high taxes, frequency of labour disputes, and tough environmental regula- tions. And while there were some like Ontario Environ- ment Minister George Kerr who immediately claim- ed that if the Japanese couldn't live by these regulations, Ontario would be better off without them as corporate citizens, this was really a back-tracking statement designed to save face for the Ontario government. After all, the taxpayers of this province are footing the bill for the trip to Japan by Premier Davis, Industry minister Claude Bennet and Agriculture Minister William Newman (who is 'also visiting Australia). The intent was to get the Japanese to buy more Ontario products like food, and also to entice them to invest capital here. To come home 'empty-handed, so to speak, would be damaging economically and politically. While the Japanese may be citing the tough environmental regulations, it must be kept in mind that they could probably live quite confort- ably with these regulations if the other factors in the investment climate were a little more promising. All of this points to a question that begs for answers. What in blazes has gone wrong with not onl Ontario, but the whole country? Blessed with natural resources that are the envy of most coun- tries, fertile farmland, an education system suppos- edly second to none, a skilled labour force, a sophisticated scientific community, a good system of The demand. ; i . land and water transportation, Canada is slipping in economic terms to a point where not only is foreign capital hesitant about. investing here, money gener- ated within the country is being invested elsewhere. The uncomfortable news that Premier Davis i pA received is just the tip of the ice-berg. Surely, it is not unreasonable to expect that a country like Canada, and a province like Ontario, both of which : have so much, should somehow'be going better than they are. In short, where do we go from here? ERE ChatterBox by J. Peter Hvidsten ri NH Read an interesting but amusing letter in the Saturday edition of the Globe and Mail, claiming that pay for housewives is 'simple justice'. Could be, but it does bring to mind a number of questions. x If a woman, or man for that matter, were to be paid for household chores, how much are they worth? Would a newly married woman be entitled to less than one who had years of experience behind the vacuum, duster and dishpan? Would a woman with three children be entitled to more wage than another with only one? Should the woman in a two bedroom apartment be entitled to as much as another housewife who lives in a 4 bedroom home with rec-room, two baths, living, dining and an assortment of other rooms? Hard questions to answer, but all would have to be considered. - There are many other problems as well. Who is the employer? The government, the husband, or is she self-employed? Where is the money to come from? Do they have to pay unemployment insurance, compensation, Canada Pension Plan? What hours will they work? It's hard to imagine a housewife working the same hours as an office girl. Can you imagine what would happen to the household? . Supposing her day n at 9 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m. Would this mean that if the baby wet its diaper or fell out of bed before her starting time, that she would leave them until "the office opened". Not any of the women I know! If supper was not finished at 5 p.m., would she shed her apron and responsibilities, then go sit in front of the TV to relax for the rest of the evening? Hard to imagine. Most women I know, who have taken on the roll of housewife rather than career woman, are more dedicated and meticulous than that. They work to keep their homes and children clean and happy because that is their desire. Not because the system says they are supposed to. SR There is little doubt that child-rearing and house- - work are tough, tiring jobs, and there are few men who would change their position as the family bread-winner to take on the chores of the housewife. The argument that everyone should be paid for their labour, and that it shouldn't be done for love, like charity volunteer work are not strong. ' : If there is any reason at all why housework should be done "gratis", it is for Love. Pay for housework simple justice, 'bah'! CO ee hhhdd It took a long time to happen, but it finally has taken place. I refer to Toronto's new anti-smoking bylaws. Effective October 1, it was illegal to smoke in public places in Toronto without the threat of a $1000 fine. The law rhakes it illegal to smoke in retail stores, hospitals, elevators, escalators, banks, offices, reception areas and municipal offices. « And it's about time some action was taken in this direction. For too long now, non-smokers have been subjected to the huffing and puffing of their fellow employees, neighbours and friends. Being a non-smoker myself, I would like to see the by-lay passed Canada-wide. A move that I am sure would be appreciated by millions of Canadians who presently suffer with the plague of "smokeitis." There will undoubtedly be a lot of crying and protesting about the "smokers rights". But what about the non-smokers rights? Do they not have the right to enjoy a meal in a restaurant without the continual wave of smoke drifting past their nostrils. For the non:smoker-this is an almost unbearable situation, but in most cases they suffer through without asking the smoker to butt his cigarette. This how means the non-smoker in Toronto can go to a bar, restaurant, theatre and many other public places without having eyes water and burn from the smoke filled rooms. Now if we could only get Scugog Township council to follow the pattern. Not very likely with the: cloud of smoke which hangs over the council chamber. a SR