8 ~ Wednesday, February 7, 1996 — North Shore News matbox Stop gov't gambling with food genetics | Desr Editor: Bob Hunter’s Jan. 21 column, “Genetic Gamblers Run Amok,” has it right on. As we speak, the Canadian government is accepting comments on its proposed communique on the labeling of foods derived through genetic engineering. Bottom line: if the public doesn’t speak up, there'll be no tabeling and we'll never know if we're eating tomatoes with fish genes inserted in them or canola oil with human genes in them. To date, there are seven genetically engineered foods that the health department has approved for human consumption ranging from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin-containing potatoes (remember the controversial Bt airplanes spraying overhead in 1992?) to insecticide resistant canola plants. If you care about what's in the food that you and your children eat write: Associate Director, Biotechnology Strategies and Coordination Office, Food Inspection Directorate, Food Production and .Inspection Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 59 Camelot Drive, Nepean, Ontario, KiA OY9. Jane Johnson North Vancouver Garbage story trashed. Desr Editor: incompetent. trash collection is big news! I trust many North Shore residents were gratified to see it as a front-page. photo and headline “news” item (Jan. 28). : But I wish to especially com- mend the North Shore News for twice pointing out that the suspect is a “pony-tailed perpetrator.” Aiter all, one’s hair style is- an indis- ‘putable mark of character ... which the News seems to be straining to_ " indicate. FAALLBOX POLICY LETTERS TO the editor must be legible (preferably typewritten) and . include your name, full address and telephone number. | Due “to space. constraints the 7 “North ‘Shore News cannot publish all ietters.° Submissions can’ be “>. faxed to 985-2104 but still must be - signed and fully addressed. If the collector had neatly trimmed short hair, he undoubtedly would be a totally different kind of “garbage man” (a deliberately cho- sen pejorative phrase?). It is pretty bad when we have to watch the News watch Kathleen “watch the garbage man.” Randy Faro North Vancouver ALL GOLD & DIAMOND JEWELRY VALENTINE’S SALE EXPIRES FEB. 15/96 : VITALE JEWELLERS #402 - 935 Marine Drive anside capitano mall) 8-6007 ' a ASK YOUR DOCTOR, OR CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE HEARING CONSULTATION, Being able to hear warning signals like your smoke alarm is important for your personal safety. If you have a hearing loss, we can help. North Vancouver 935-5552 West Vancouver 926°9424 | AUDIOLOGISTS AND HEARING INSTRUMENT SPECIALISTS REGISTERED UNDER THE HEAR eT TE e/a SE aA 4: By Claire Bernstein G i COURIER POINTS TO SMALL PRINT WHER VCR ES LOST’ “Warren, what's keeping the courier with the up your records.” re VCR? The whole family is sitting around the TV Fred drummed his fingers on the cou waiting’ to see the video you made of our couldn’t afford to have even one. cus precious Wendy dancing the role of Clara in angry, et es the Nutcracker Suite.” . “Sorry sir, your waybill says Warren was pacing up and down. The lost your VCR we would only. owe sooner he got the video, the sooner he - $4.41 a kilo. That means about $75.00 could play it, and the sooner he could say ” Fred could feel his: arteri gocdnight to 10 aunts, 14 uncles, two | “And just where does it say that?" grandmothers, one grandfather, and four “Right on the top. Surely: you sets of godparents. i} y small print on the back of every bill? : Finally, Warren couldn't take it any Jonger. He rushed to the phone. 8 Based on Actual “Hello, Fred’s TV? Warren here. What's holding up the courier?” ' A faint voice on the other end answered. “Mr. Allister? ; Fred here. Bad news. Just heard from the courier. They lost : the VCR.” suing!” " : ’ Fred argued nervously in cout, “Your ho could we know about that clause? The cou: the door, he takes the package, and | sign. The print is and the courier’ doesn’t say ‘a’. word , about.’ buy! magnifying glass and a PhD. What crooks!. “Lost it? You must be kidding? What am | going to do with this ravenous mob assembled in my home. Now I'm going to have to feed them to give them something to do. It would have been much cheaper to pay the courer, You better put another VCR in your car and drive over here. Or else send back my cheque tomorrow by courier ... but insurance. It just isn’t fair. Make them pay for the VCR. Lightning Courier showed the waybill to the judge “Your honor, we are terribly sory, but it says ‘right'at’ the top that we won't pay more than $4.41:per kilogy. And, on the back, the conditions for:that limitatio ~ described. Then a little lower down, you can: of insurance that Fred neglected to buy. "That's why we owe just $75. I's all there in black'a white. People just have to get used to reading the fine print.” ; PS Should Lightning Courier pay for the lost VCR? YOU ° BE THE JUDGE! Then see below for the court's decision a different courier this time.” In disgust, Warren slammed down the receiver, Fred immediately phoned Lightning Courier. “It’s all your fault, You fost the VCR. You better send me a cheque for $449 to cover my loss.” “One moment,” said a voice at the other end. “ill look Lawyers who answer © legal needs. ei a a re ‘in plain language. Jabour yarn jenn Soeyko Call for your FREE Consultation Suite 300 - 233 West 1st St., N. Van. 986-6600 _ DECISION: - oe “Mr. Lightning Courier, pay Fred $449 for the value of the VCR,” the judge held. “You have to make the, customer aware of the clauses. The print is much too small for the naked eye and they are so complicated | that no one can understand them.” = YOU! BE THE JUDGE is based on actual court cases. Today’s decision is based on the facts of the case and the law : *. ‘of Manitoba. Claire Bernstein is a ldwyer and syndicated columnist. Copyright 1995 Haika’Enterpri