6 ~ Friday. September 12, 1986 —- North Shore News News Viewpoint Pitiful PR QO FT has come to this. When tocked-oul Shaw Cable workers ap- peared before North Vancouver Distriet Council recently, the group in effect asked the municipal pov- ernment to take sides in a labor issue that is, in actual- ity, solely between the workers and the employers. The workers’ bid at seeking support for a petition asking the CRTC te put a lid on cable companies’ rate increases seems 10 be a thinly veiled attempt to bring the labor dispute into yet another forum and to further blast the company. Some may argue that the district should endorse anything that will save the resident taxpayers some of their hard-earned money. But district council, fortu- nately, appears to have seen through what can only be called the workers’ rather pitiful attempt at trying to tea voice THANG WIANT VANCOUVER wt DMESOAY * FHIDAY 1139 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver, 8.C. V7M 2H4 57,656 besetigqe see ten GF Friday te at 77 iv? Ve; fa" Publisher: Editor-in-Chief Peter Speck Noel Wright Display Advertising 980-0511 Classified Advertising 986-6222 Newsroom 985-2131 " Distribution 986.1337 Managing Editor Barrett Fisher Subscriptions 986-1337 Linda Stewart Advertising Director Ope eta Noth Shore News * Entire contents ae 1486 North Shore oan x ig 4 Free Press Ltd All » nghts reserved RIGHT, NOW ALL WE HAVE TO D0 1S GET RID OF OUR EXPO VISITORS AND THINGS GAN GET. BACK TO NORMAL... harm their employer's public image. Under the guise of saving subscribers an added $1.05 a month, the workers are having a good shot at mak- ing the company look bad. They say that an outside crew has so far worked for two months this year, so no added services have been provided to the community. The timing of the workers’ community concern must certainly be called into question. While their hearts might seem to be in the right place with a bid to improve service, one cannot help but think the workers took the pending increase as a perfect opportunity to add fuel tu the smoldering labor dispute. North OPEN LETTER TOSPCA [ am sorry to have to say that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has forgotten that the feelings of those people who adopt and love animals must always be considered as very important. Failure to be direct and considerate with these peo- ple is indeed in itself, cruelty of another kind. Recently, my one-year-old cat had been carried off by the coyotes in our area. I grieved, then decided to get another cat and to get it from the SPCA. I went down to the Vancouver Regional Branch office. 1 informed the lady at the front desk of my inten- tion and she pointed me in the direction of the cat building with a smile. After half an hour of petting, looking, checking, etc., | chose one healthy looking black female kitten and went to pay for her. | wrote the cheque and the papers were filled out. Please tell me why it was only at this point that I was told that there was a bad virus circulating among icy ‘an cat lover ipsets the cats and that **... 11 yours looks sick within 10 days, bring her back and we'll refund your moncy or let you choose another.”’ Why was ! not told about this virus when | came into the building and stated my intentions? Do not forget that many of us who love animals will feel at- tached to them after even a few days. To watch an animal get sick and then ‘trade it in’ is not an experi- ence most people would wish to go through. I adopted my kitten on August 6. She died on August 15 at the 4th Avenue Emergency Clinic of complications resulting from an upper respiratory virus. (She had been to see our family veterinarian before that and was being treated with Amoxil). Over the last few years, my annual contribution to the Vancouver SPCA has not been less than $200 each year. As of August 6, I will find a better way to serve the neglected animals of Vancouver as well as those caring people who adopt them. Rose McClelland North Vancouver SOUTH AFRICAN SITUATION Biacks destined to freedom ’ Dear Editor: It is refreshing to read the letter of Elaine E. Bundy (Augusi 6) to “Put this Straight’ rather than Doug Collins telling us to ‘Ger this Straight.’’ : No doubt Mr. Collins would perceive Afrs. Bundy as a ‘‘ter- rorist and communist’’ as he does those black South Africans who are fighting for their basic human rights. So, Mr. Collins, what, in your wisdom, do you calf those people in the Communist blocks fighting for their human rights. Are they pressed and for cheap labor.” “terrorists and ‘what?’ ” As a black South African — now Canadian (thank God) 1! can assure Mr. Collins that the supres- sion of blacks by whites in South Africa had been going on for de- cades supported by Britain, the U.S.A. and the likes of Mr. Col- fins. Like the macho man believes that you “keep womer in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant’’ so does Mr. Collins believe you “keep the blacks illiterate, sup- It is destined that the blacks will achieve freedom in what every way they can, and | hope that Mr. Col- lins would be in South Africa, among the Nationalist government the day it happens. To Mrs, Bundy and the many whites who still possess the most important human quality — caring for other human beings — I thank you as a black. Alex Davids North Vancouver WEY URE LANG FE LAE {eee SRI LANKAN LIFEBOAT INCIDENT immigration a long process for some Dear Editor: Five years ago my husband I started the lengthy process of applying to immigrate to Canada. My husband had to go in a costly trip to Canada (paid out of our hard earned savings) and travel right across the country looking for a job. Although everyone offered him a job, the employer did not wish to approach Manpower which is essential when employing a prospective immigrant. However, he was very fortunate when he was interviewed by a com- pany in Vancouver, as they approached Manpower in order to employ my husband, should Canada accept us as immigrants. He then returned to the country in which we were residing, at which time we applied for immigration. We had to undergo complete and thorough medical examinations at our own expense. This included x-rays, pathologists’ reports, eye tests, etc. Understandably, Canada would want to be aware of the health of a potential immigrant — other than contagious diseases, the Canadian laxpayer does not want to support immigrants with health problems. We had to provide original documentation of birth certificates, mar- riage certificates, passports, etc. (to prove we are who we stated we are). Police clearance certificates had to be furnished. Canada does not wish to import ex-convicts and the like. Letter of reference from present employers. Canada wishes to accept hard working and capable individuals. Original certificates of education and training — to prove we are qual- ified as stated in the application form. Evidence of fun ‘s available for transfer. And yet... all we had to do was float in a lifeboat off the coast of Newfoundland for a day without any documentation to prove where we are from, who we are, whether we are capable of working and supporting ourselves, speak English or French, that we are not ex-convicts! We find this extremely unfair and dangerous for Canada. However, we have proved that we are hard working and capable im- migrants (now proudly Canadian citizens) supporting ourselves (at times under very difficult situations) and neither of us have ever claimed benefits from the government. (i.e. UIC, Welfare). M. Crichley North Vancouver