THERE’S A little immigration drama on the North Shore that might make your hackles rise, seeing that we get thou- sands of phonies in this country who jump off boats or Doug Collins @ get this straight @ planes and get work or welfare. The case concerns young Mrs. Heather Stone of Australia. Not that she wants to join the multitudes. All she wants is a little old work permit that would eatitle her to work here for a year as a nurse. But she has a British pass- port. And that’s not the right sort. Nurses being in short supply, she should have no trouble getting the necessary piece of paper. Prospec- tive employers have expressed in- terest, in fact. In practice, however, she can’t get a job if she doesn’t have that permit, and she can’t get the per- mit if she doesn’t have a job. Catch 22, sort of thing, which is all part of our crazy-quilt immigration aid employment regulations. So she continues to bite her fingers. aay CESS “OK. Rules are rules. Bul they can be stretched. They are stretched every year for thousands of people. who have ethnic or soite other pull. and get ministers’ permnuts for this, that and the other. But Anglos don't seem to have that pill,” Heather was born in Scotland and emigrated with her family to Australia as a child. She married there, and has Australian nursing papers. She and her husband, an upholsterer, both applied for Ca- nadian work permits while still in Australia, and expected to pick them’ up on the way here, in Tokyo. His was there, but she was told she didn’t qualify. One of the patches in the crazy quilt, you see, is that there is something in our rules called the Australian Working Holiday Visa Program. But it seems that there isn’t a British Working Holiday Visa Program. Don’t ask me why. Helen McBride is one person who is angry about Heather’s situ- ation. She runs the West Bay Nur- sing Service and provides qualified nurses for work in private homes. She could easily get such work for Heather. But like most of us silly Anglos she doesn’t want to bend the rules. Neither does Heather, for that matter. {n an effort to do something for Mrs. Stone, Helen has phoned people in tmployment & Immigra- tion, plus Mary Collins’s office. Indian and a woman and you'll simply glide into federal employ- ment."’) McBride got a great deal of baf- flegab, and then talked to Valerie York, who toils for Mary Collins, MP. Listing all the questions that had to be answered with regard to Heather's bid to get one lousy fittle work permit (medical, family his- tory, etc.) she asked whether the East Indians who floated in had to have medical examinations. York said they did. (Yes, but it was a mere formality.) “Mila got her Frenchman in OK,” said Ms. McBride darkly, adding that she sure as heck wasn’t going to vote for Brian next time. OK. Rules are rules. But they can be stretched. They are stretch- ed every year for thousands of people who have ethnic or some other pull and get ministers’ per- mits for this, that and the other. But Anglos don’t seem to have that puil, Good luck, Heather. Sorry vour introduction to this country has been such a mess. ©. Friday, October 16, 1987 - North Shore News ik MeMordies We've been supplying Sony products to Canadians for 22 years — and were celebrating with savings for you on great Sony products. Quidoors Tough This brifiant red AM’ FM Cassette Sports Waliman looks as good - as il sounds, Auto- reverse for continuous playback, and splash resistanl case makes it great for outdoors. “BO WHILE LIMITED SUPPLY LASTS Water-resistant in-the-ear folding headphones are included. atone Big Screen Trinitron There couldn't be a better time to move-up to big screen Trnitron than with Sony's KV2765RA. A bold new design that comes with many features you'd expect from more expensive models. 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