Speaking to You By SCOTT FENNELL, MP (PC -Ontario) Last week I spoke about one of the most fascinating countries that I have ever had the pleasure to visit: China. China's civilization dates back 4,000 years, to a time when the Chinese were much more advanced than any other people in the world. I mention Chinese history because it is very significant to understand the context within which social programs have been developing in China. Throughout time, the Chinese have always taken care of their own. When a son married, he brought his bride to his family home and a new generation was born there; a generation which would even- tually .provide for the aging grandparents and parents. The family unit has been and still is a strong force in China. As a result of this practice of caring for one's own, the Chinese have not required Government pensions and extensive housing programs. In fact, most Chinese companies provide company housing for their employees and even after retirement, they are allowed to remain in the company community. The Government has developed medical programs, however, and these are administered at the municipal level. The Government is also developing outstanding programs for handicapped persons. Many of these programs have been initiated by Deng Pu Fang, the son of Deng Xiaoping, who was purged from power by Mao and his allies in 1976. In fact, Deng Pu Fang became a paraplegic as a result of being thrown out of a win- dow at that time. If there is one aspect of Chinese life that Canada would benefit from emulating, I believe it would be to follow their example with respect to allowing the handicapped people to be as productive as their potential allows. In general, I was struck by the vast difference in the level of services which the Chinese people ex- pect their government to provide for them in com- parison to our expectations of our own government here in Canada, In China, there is still a very impor- tant emphasis on people trying to do as much as possible to help themselves. As for the future, I would predict that there may be an increase in the level of services provided directly by the Chinese Government as the current trend toward smaller families will leave fewer children to look after and provide for their decen- dents. Only time will tell. $1.5M Hike in School Grmat Budget promises by the Ontario government to increase grant ad- vances will give the Durham Board of Education more than $1.5 million over last year's advances for the first three months of 1986, Chairman Ruth Lafarga said. The new budget promises to increase grant advances for January, February, and March to 7 percent of the previous year's general legislative grant and raise the en- tire grant by 5.4 percent for next year. Grand advances traditionally totalled 8 percent. They did so as late as 1982. However, by 1985 the advances were down to 3.6 percent making it necessary for some boards to borrow at interest rates higher than the province would have to pay to borrow. Lafarga said had the 7 percent rate been in ef- fect last year the board would have received $3.5 million or $1.5 million more than they did receive. Lafarga said the budget included $67 million in total with $25 million set aside for school boards experien- cing growth, money for which Durham is ap- plying. Lafarga said there has been chronic under- funding by the province, such that there are some places where there is literally no ac- commodation left. The government in the past few years has not faced the reality of the urgent need for accomodation she said. T HAT'S A LL! Just 60* ... is all your Free Press carrier will be asking you for ... 60* for a whole month of-home delivery of your local newspaper. This voluntary payment is the best bargain in town. No other newspaper costs so little and of- fers so much to local residents. And even if you don't want to contribute we'll deliver your newspaper anyway. Your 60* payment may not seem like very much money, but it means a lot to your carrier and to us. Your carrier ear- ns more money and as a result is more properly rewarded for a job well done. Your local newspaper benefits through defrayed circulation costs and happier carriers. And you benefit by supporting and helping to maintain your very own truly local newspaper. P.S. You can win valuable prizes also! So when your carrier says "Free Press calling" you'll know what it's all about and that your money is going to be well spent. WHITBY FREE PRESS 131 Brock Street North, Whitby 668-6111 Young Hoofers set for NYC Dance Fest The Inta Kids dance troupe has a good reason to grabbing second place in a DEA regional com- be smiling. They'll soon be hoofing their "On petition in Buffalo recently. Pictured are (front, Broadway" routine in the Big Apple itself, where centre) Dana Slevin, age 12, Kim Corrigan, 13, and they'll compete next July in the Dance Educators of Shannon Marks, 11; (left to right) Shannon Cliff, 10, America Nor.th American dance finals. The girls -- Alison Henry, 11, Ruby Bhatia, il, Alison Carr, 12, from Whitby's Studio of Dance and Performing Arts and Kara Leigh Harness, 11. have already made teacher Inta Leja proud by Courtesy: Inta Dance Troupe - -- --- -- -- - -, - ý - a -4