6 - Sunday, June 11, 1989 - North Shore News INSIGHTS Publisher declares war on Ottawa spendthrifts FOUR WEEKS AGO LINK BYFIELD made the regular twice-monthly trip to the local Revenue Canada office to pay in his firm’s employee tax deductions. It was quite a - visit. He handed over 1,000 loonies, 700 $2 bills, 935 $5s, 440 $10s and 635 $20s. It took the cashier 45 ’ minutes to count the cash before she couid stamp the receipt. Just 10 such ‘‘customers’’ would have taken up her entire day. On the next pay-in date Mr. Byfield planned to use a cheque again — written in large letters on a four-by-eight sheet of plywood (this too, we're told, is legally in order). Link is the publisher of Edmon- ton’s outspoken and respected Western Report magazine. He’s also author of Resolution One — now being adopted by the Reform Party. It demands an immediate law forcing the government to _ match all increases in revenue with GREATER reductions in spending until the deficit disappears. Failing this, the government would have to resign and call an election. His Resolution One Association aims to get one million endorsing signatures by January 1991, The method is to supply any interested employer, at cost, with a series of pay-envelope stuffers which would explain Resolution One in simple terms to employees at the very moment when they are sadly ex- amining the theft by the govern- ment of one-third of their wages. Included would be an endorsement card to be signed and returned by those supporting the resolution. But as Link observes, response cards, while necessary, are rather quiet. ‘‘Resolution One,"' he says, “should also make some noise and have some fun.’’ His $24,175 payment to Revenue Canada in $1 to $20 denominations and his 4 ft. x 8 ft. plywood cheque were ex- amples of that fun — in which he wants others to take part. “‘Imagine,”’ he says, ‘‘the bliz- zard of memos between Revenue and the PMO if, on the 10th and 25th of each month, there are sud- denly long line-ups of businessmen dragging in plastic bags of $2 bills and sheets of half-inch plywood. True, it’s a waste of tirse for the businessmen. But it’s an even big- ger waste of time foi PF evenue Canada, and when it makes the local newscast, it is catastrophic for the government. It hammers home a very blunt message: Higher taxes stink — cut spending.” Meanwhile, the pay-envelope kits can now be ordered from Vic- tor Olivier, Western Repozt, 17327 - 106A Ave., Edmonton, Alta. T5S 1M7 — phone (403) 484-8884, Link Byfield sees them as a formal declaration of war on the irresponsible spendthrifts in Ot- tawa who are robbing us blind. And in war, he suggests, the soldier who does nothing is doing wrong. eee TAILPIECES: It was “‘all in the family” when Lt. Christopher England of North Van recently completed pilot training at No. 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, Moose Jaw, Sask. He was awarded his ‘‘Wings’* by Dad — Major John England, a retired military pilot also of North Van ... Elected 1989-90 president of Capilano Kiwanis (45 West Van retirees) is Donald Ross, together with veepees Murray Henry and Gordon Tallman, secretary Earle Moreton, treasurer Robert Framp- ton and auditor Keith Holman. Tim Christie is past prez ... From the Egg-On-Face Dept. — sorry about that gremlin which put retired Carson principal Jim In- kster’s photo where lookalike Alderman Alex Brokenshire’s should have appeared in Wednes- day’s column. However, each of the two said he felt rather flattered om: NEWS photo Nell Lucente by the identity switch and no apology needed! ... Last call Monday (to 926-6614) for any re- maining tickets to Tuesday’s West Van Chamber of Commerce a.g.m. dinner at the Hollyburn Club with John Reynolds, MLA and Speaker of the Legislature ... A happy 5ist anniversary salute today, June 11, to West Van’s Bob and Hazel Bremer ... And a happy 43rd to City Mayor Jack Loucks and Olive this Tuesday, June 13. aet WRIGHT OR WRONG: Look ahead or look back. Just try not to look confused. Phota submitted “LOOK WHAT YOU CAN BECOME!”’...Associate Defence Minister and Capilano MP Mary Collins (left) reviews young members of 525 Pathfinder Air Cadet Squadron at their annual inspecGie in West Van last weekend; (right) North Van's Lt. Chris England celebrates the award of his pilot ‘‘Wings’’ at Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw. Mixed message budget breaks where its mouth is and en- T HE FEDERAL government should put its courage, rather than penalize, those who pro- vide alternatives to alcoholic beverages. A recent case in point is the double tax the govern. ment levies on de-alcoholized wine. The product is be- ing taxed first as a grape juice by Canada Customs and then as a wine under the Excise Tax Act. The tax — amounting to almost 37 per cent — is 11 per cent higher than the tax on wine and wiil effective- ly discourage the purchase of de-alcoholized wine by importers, merchants and consumers. The government is sending out mixed messages. On the one hand, it has escalated its campaiga against drinking and driving and against mixing alcohol with pregnancy, showing drinking to be secially unaccep- table. Yet, on the other hand, the government has done little to promote viable alternatives to alcohol, and now, because of a bureaucratic oversight, is actually taxing those taking the government’s message to heart — or liver. Instead the government should be reducing the taxes on alcohol alternatives; and encouraging bar pro- prietors and restaurant owners to provide de- alcoholized drinks at a price iess than alcohol. Importers, merchants and consumers alike shouldn’t have to wait until next year’s budget before the gov- ernment hammers out a consistent, comprehensive policy. 980-0511 986-6222 985-2131 Display Advertising Classified Advertising Newsroom Distribution 986-1337 Subscriptions 986-1337 Fax 985-3227 MEMBER SN" Sereees Revers of keer Publisher Peter Speck Managing Editor... . Barrett Fisher Associate Editor Noel Wright Advertising Director . Linda Stewart North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and quatitied under Schedute 111, Paragraph Ul of the Excise Tax Act, is published each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press Lid. and castrated 2 every door on ine Non Shore. Second Class Mail Registration Number . Subscriptions North and West Vancouver, $25 peryear. 99,170 feeerace. Wednesday Mailing rates available on request. Submissions are ii a welcome but we cannot accept responsibility tor Friday un y) unsolicited material including J Doe eneped. ae 4 pictures e which id be accompani a stamped, address tone aoe pa ¥ SDA DIVISION envelope. Entire contents © 1989 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. SUNDAD | WEONESOAY = FRIDAY 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 North Shore owned and managed