Now wWHYEver You po MR. CAMPBELL. BE GARE Nov lef on ANY SHARP {SSUES BORG € RIGHT Crime and punishment AKE YOUTH accountable for their actions. It is the underlying message from Canadians who want changes made to the current Young Offenders Act. And it is the message gasbag politicians need to start getting through their thick heads. Other messages that need to be needed by our elected representatives: make the system effective in providing consequences that mean something to those young offenders who are we?! beyond making a foolish youth- ful error; come down hard on the critninal minority, and let the community know who they are and what they have done. Some of the aforementioned common- sense demands can be achieved through pun- ishment, but much can also be achieved by allowing news media to report the names of young criminals, because punishment and the fear of publicity make a great one-two punch in countering criminal activity and providing some real consequences for apprentice criminals, Punishment without publicity remains the secret of a select few but indicts the many. Justice must be seen to be done. As the North Shore News’ current ‘series delving into the Young Offenders Act has reported, a few really bad apples have ruined the whole youth busket in the public’s eye. It has also revealed that the court system usually ends up dealing with problems that nave their roots in dysfunctional families, where there is little direction and less love. The Young Offenders Act needs to provide the legal teeth to punish those whose age has become a shield for career criminality. And more families need to work harder at the job of raising better human beings. Why treat water that needs no treatment? Dear Editor: The majority of people naturally prefer filtered and ozonated water treatment. Cost is apparently $410 per household. Assume a Statscan- like household of 3.5 persons. That's $117 per person per year. Now assume each person drinks four litres of water per week or 208 litres per year. Bottled water. ozonated/filtered/reverse osmosis treated is available for 24.5¢ per litre, or $50.96 per person per year. Now the question is, not that my “back of envelope” analysis -is imprecise, but rather, why the Greater Vancouver District expounds on the cost of providing Cadillac treatment for over 90% of the water supply that simply does not require it? Nor does it need any treatment. Wayne Muiherin North Vancouver Regional. Petar Speck . Timothy Rensnaw Noel Weight . Publishor ww Managing Edltor Associate Editor............ Sates & Marketing Director ... . Linda Stewart Comptrolier.. sce Doug Foot North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban nawspaper and qualified under Schadule 111. Paragraph 111 of the Excise Tax Act. 15 published gach Wednesday Fnuay and Sunday by Noth Shore Free Press utd and distributed to every door on the North Shore. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 0087238. Mailing rates available on request. Submissions are welcome but we cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited material including manuscripts and pictures which should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. —~ Newsroom V7M 2H4 Display Advertising Real Estate Advertising 985-6982 Subscriptions Classified Advertising SUNDAY WEDNAEGaTPmone 1 139 Lonsdale Avenue Nort Vancouver B.C. Worth Shore Managed 980-0511 986-1337 986-1337 985-3227 985-2131 Distribution 986-6222 Fax 985-2131 Administration MEMBER CNA SoRO. SDA DIVISION 61,582 (average circulation, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday} poyous — ==, Entire contents © 1994 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. Native claims: Who speaks for ALL citizens? ALL TOO quietly a new chapter is opening in the native land claims story. Non-natives whom the story tends to send to sleep would do well to finally wake up and take notice. It began in 1984 when the Gitksan and Wet Suwer'en bands took B.C. to court in a bid to recov- er land their ancestors had allegedly possessed from time immemorial, Their 6.400 members are laying claim to more than 35,000 square kilometres in the northwest of the province, an area two-thirds the size of Nova Scotia. Litigation didi’t work. Seven years later Chief Justice Atlan McEachern ruled in B.C. Supreme Court that aboriginal rights had been extinguished. An appeal upheld certain aboriginal rights but ugain dismissed native claims for jurisdiction and self-government, This left the Supreme Court of Canada as the last tegal hope for the Gitksan and Wet’Suwet'en. Now, however. the bands have abandoned that course in favor of direct negotiations with Victoria. Their court defeats to date sug- gest it could be a smart move. They probably figured a politically cor- réct NDP government might prove easier — let alone safer — to arm- twist than the nine judges of last resort in Otlawa. And given the tar- nished NDP record when it comes to protecting equally the interests of ALL British Columbians, there's now real cause for concern among the non-native 97%. Although the biggest claimants, the Gitksan and Wet'Suwet'en are not alone. Bands representing some 35,000 other native Indians have to date filed statements of intent to negotiate similar land claims with the B.C. Treaty Commission. Basically, their demands are to govern their own territory by native laws or have unspecified rights regarding its use, plus damages for the ioss of alt lands and resources to third parties. ‘Just how native law could co- exist with the white man's justice system, especially as regards white residents on native territory — or . whether the latter would have to leave — is still far from clear. “Damages” pose even bigger _ question marks. What about the value-added bonus of the vast infra- structure developed by the white man since the mid-! 9th century on land now claimed by natives -— complete communities with hous- ing, commercial centres, farming and industrial operations; roads, rail and air transport; you name it? The immediate danger signal is the obvious reluctance of Premier Harcourt to be drawn into public debate on the unfolding land claims. process. So far he’s ducked Reform house leader Jack Weisgerber’s efforts to open up the issue by demanding citizen referendums on settlements in affected areas of the province. Current native land claims cover nearly 80% of the B.C. landmass, including all the North Shore. ; George Erasmus, former head of the Assembly of First Nations, sees self-government as-total “national” sovereignty, subject to neither the Charter of Rights nor Canadian criminal law, The “compensation” Noel demands could total billions. Can Mikey and gang be trusted to safeguard the interests of ALL citizens, when to date they don’t even want to hear them aired? WRAP-UP: Arrival of the Queen’s Baton for the Commonwealth Games will be a ceremonial high- light of the Folkfest '94 parade arriving at Norseman Park, 23rd and St. George's, Saturday, June 25, at 12:30 p.m. —— be there for all the fun ... Don't miss the big West Van Library Book and Record Sale Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in the recreation centre ice arena, 786 22nd St, ... Hottest political group in the province — Reform B.C. — is hotding a North Shore coffee party/meeting Sunday, June 26, at 10 a.m. for everyone interested in knowing more about the new provincial party headed in the. Legislature by MLA .Jack: . Weisgerher. Call 929-2167 or 983- | 3549 for details ... Memorial ser- vice for urtist Elaine Kennedy (née. Smith), West Van High grad and’ 1960 Miss Nortn Shere who died early this year in California, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 25, in West Van recreation centre ... And a very happy 80th birthday tomor- row, June 23. to Mount Seymour Lions past prez Bob Griffin. WRIGHT OR WRONG: Lots of us know we could move mountains if only someone would first clear away the foothills. HAPPY BIRTHDAY boy ... four-scorer Sob Griffin.