MaILBox IMMIGRATION POLICY Collins’ arguments lack ‘historical perspective’ Dear Editor: As Doug Collins has proven to be a unique catalyst in motivating dialogue of topical issues in this other- wise sedate, unquestioning community, I appreciate the past opportunities of reading his opinions in your paper. Bear in mind that I have seldom, if ever, agreed with his point of view. One such example immediately comes to mind — the federal government's policies on immigration. Al- though the ethics of allowing wealthy Pacific Rim na- tionals to purchase immigration rights does trouble me, I find his arguments lacking historical perspec- tive, and reactionary. Mr. Collins’ comments suggest those of a person feeling threatened with the loss of his home by a force beyond his capabilities of defence. Ic may be claimed ‘race’ is the undeclared prejudice behind such reac- tions, but I believe it is fear. Canada is renowned for its open arms and sym- pathetic acceptance of foreigners in need of a safe haven. This is one of the most fundamental and his- torical attributes, coupled with the delightful diversity of French living with the rest of us (referred to as ‘English’), which make this country great. To change would be regressive and boring. If fear is the dilemma, then the advice of those who have previously experienced a similar situation, al- though of far greater magnitude, should be sought out. Perhaps we should ask members of the RS 5 In- dian Reserve where they found the inner strength to accept the loss of their native homelands, and how we may better protect ourselves should the immigrants of the Pacific Rim buy up the country and send us all to a reserve. Perhaps our fishing rights might extend from shoreline to 5 km out. My point is this: The fear and outrage felt by many, and expressed by Mr. Collins, must be tempered with the realization the ‘collective we’ did far greater harm to the native inhabitants of this land when compared to that threatened by those attempting to flee the bru- tality likely to face them which we witnessed in Beijing this last summer. Being the result of ‘melting pot’ philosophy, which includes French, English, {talian, German, Irish, Scottish, Black Dutch, American Indian and French Canadian, perhaps the thought of my grandchildren including ‘Chinese’ is not so bad. Maybe their other grandparents will be wealthy. If not, the additional gene poo! would still be of benefit. S. Korall West Vancouver Suffering without support unfortunate Dear Editor: With reference to the Dec. 1 ar- ticle Group offers support for bowel disease sufferers, 1 was distressed to read that Mrs. Christ- jansen felt that she didn’t have anybody to talk to when she was going through the trauma of colitis and ileostomy surgery. Jt is unfortunate that she was apparently not aware of the United Ostomy Association, a non-profit related surgery resulting from in- flammatory bowel disease and cancer. The Vancouver chapter, which includes many North Shore resi- dents, will on request provide suit- able trained visitors who have themselves been down this same road, and can offer reassurance and understanding to the new ostomate. The Vancouver group, one of in North Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. at B.C. Cancer Foundation, 601 W. 10th Ave., Vancouver. Members alsc receive a quarterly magazine from the UOA head of- fice in California. Groups such as the Foundation for Heitis and Colitis are doing an excellent job in trying to find the cause and cure for such diseases. However, when surgery is neces- sary, ostomates can benefit greatly from contact with UOA members almost volunteer group whose purpose is America, to aid in the rehabilitation of per- sons undergoing ostomy and Forest industry must change ments to change their policies. Dear Editor: Commenting on Geoff Lyons’ letter in your Dec. 17 issue, not only would it be a pleasure but a relief to ‘look at some of those reforested hillsides and marvel at the lushness of new growth.’ But where are they? No doubt they exist somewhere, but does Mr. Lyons actually believe that these ‘‘forests’’ will keep the industry alive when all the remaining ancient forests have been destroyed? I ‘tmarvel’? at people who believe that irresponsible clearcut- ting in environmentally sensitive areas, followed by haphazard at- tempts to better what it has taken nature thousands of years to achieve, will see the forest industry through the coming years. It is not environmentalists, but the forest industry itself, which threatens the future of logging as one of B.C.'’s most important in- dustries. logical clearcutting, causing mudslides and soil degradation, the planting of inappropriate, genetically-similar, disease-prone nursery saplings and the subse- quent use of pesticides and her- bicides to destroy the naturally oc- curring deciduous trees which vainly attempt to combat the destruction display the true “‘im- pact which the forest industry has,*’ and it is certainly not beneficial. There is no doubt that the forest industry is vital to all British Col- umbians, but it must undergo drastic changes if it hopes to sur- vive. 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