Hi mailbox DK Minister explains Dear Editor: l‘am writing in regard to a recent letter written to The Editor from Mrs. Bev Schroeter, President of the North Shore Women’s Centre. The decision to eliminate the Post Partum Counselling Program was made in the context of the continuing availability of skilled social workers in our district of- fices, combined with the sup- port services available through community societies. The Post Partum Counselling Program is a specialized pro- gram unique to the Van- couver area and serving a comparatively smal! propor- tion of the families in this province. In other areas, women seek help from their doctors, the services provided by the Ministry of Health or private societies offering counselling to those in crisis. In the area of specialized services, it must be realized that the only resources af- fected are those that are Ministry-staffed and which are primarily in the Lower mainland. Throughout the rest of British Columbia, these child care resources are offered by non-profit societes assisted by Ministry funding. These services will now be of- fered in a consistent manner through the whole of the province. For example, Transition House in Vancouver is the only one which 1s staffed by members of my Ministry out of 23 such facilities. The re- maining facilities are society- operated and receive support from the Ministry through Negotiated per diem rates. A further example would be the Ministry child care resources in Vancouver. These account for only 24 of the nearly 600 resources around the pro- vince, none of which are operated by staff of my Ministry. In conclusion, | am sure that you and your readers are only too aware of the present economic situation and the need for restraint. This government is faced with an increase in deficit of 60% because of the present worldwide economic situa- tion and we had to make some very hard choices. My Ministry’s expenditures were up by 33% last year with an estimated increase again this year by bring the anticipated expenditures of my Ministry to well over $1 bilhon for 1983/84, This money must be used to help those who come to us for the assistance we must provide by statute. It is not possible to continue to provide some programs that we have been able to offer in the past because of this. Grace M. McCarthy, Minister. Nobody left to govern Dear Editor: The recent showing on T.V. of the film, ‘‘The Day After’ has probably touched more people more closely than any show ever presented through that medium, unless of course you were alive dur- ing the last war and saw the original. The non-remains of Nagasaki and Hiroshima after the dropping of the first atomic bomb that ended that war. If the world had heeded that first bomb what need would there have been for the ‘*The Day After.’’ How much does it take to convince our leaders of the inevitable annihilation facing us if we continue the course we are on? What do we know of the feelings of the average Russian citizen on this sub- ject? They are human beings the same as we are and that could be one of our biggest jobs, getting it across to them what is in store for us all. Somehow we must find a way to help them convey to their leaders how they feel about it. It is only through pressure of public opinion that world leaders are going to be swayed from the course they are on. We must devise ways to get through to every man, woman and child throughout the world and have them join us in one gigantic irresistible protest against this senseless game of chess, where the pieces are nuclear warheads in the hands of power-mad politicans. And speaking of politicians | am reminded of that portion of ‘‘The Day After’? where the President of the United States, hidden safely in the bowels of the earth, suddenly broke through on the radio to ad- dress any survivors who might be listening and as how, ‘‘We must now go on with the rebuilding of a better world’’ or words to that ef- fect. 1 could not help think- ing to myself, ‘‘Rebuilding what with what?’’ The only satisfaction I got was in thinking of politicans the world over, who, in the event of a nuclear holocaust will be safely sealed below ground, unable to come up for who knows how long. With no one but themselves as a cap- tive audience. Where moving closure would mean nothing, where no member of the op- position could be thrown out, where a filibuster would not only bring down the govern- ment but the opposition as well. Can you imagine that great day when it is at last con- sidered safe for them to return to the surface, only to find that there is nothing left for them to govern but them- selves. Can you blame me for a little snicker? C.F. Vagg, North Vancouver MAILB R E—E N T A L Ss NORTH VAN WEST VAN 980 4548 11274 1. OC NSDAL E 63€ .t bt Cart A7 - Sunday, December 4, 1983 - North Shore News oa Will represent everyone OPEN LETTER political ideology or pressure group, but rather recognize the varied needs of a diverse community such as ours and intend to represent all citizens in an even-handed manner. Thank you for your sup- port at the polis. To the citizens of North Vancouver District: As your recently elected Alderman, | intend to work hard and effectively in order to earn the trust that you have placed in me. You may rest assured that [| do not represent any particular Stephen McMinn North Vancouver draperies by S. 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