A6 - Wednesday, January 4, 1984 - North Shore News EE editorial page The battle of Bowen residents against recent drastic ferry rate increases raises a wider issue. At scores of points throughout B.C. the highways are interriipted by water obstacles crossed by, the vessels of B.C. Ferry Corpor- ation and the Transport Ministry’s inland ferry services. There are many who argue, therefore, that ferries are an integral part of the provincial highways system. However, a ferry link of ‘x’ miles obviously costs much more to operate than an equivalent stretch of blacktop. hence, the counter-argument that people who choose to live in locations dependent upon a ferry for access must pay for the privilege. Probably no Bowen residents: would dispute this logic. Their beef is against the disproportionate SCALE of the fare increases (as high as 84%) compared to increases elsewhere. But Gulf Islanders, too, have. some similar cause to beef, and: there are doubtless grounds for complaint about comparable value-for-money at individual crossings elsewhere in the province. The only equitable answer, we suggest, is a common ferry tariff everywhere in B.C., bas- ed on distance travelled — whether it be the main Vancouver Island routes, Snug Cove to Horseshoe Bay, Kootenay Lake or even the SeaBus. - Subsidies would still be required. But then water is also a major B.C. money-earner — contributing many millions to the economy from electric power, fisheries and tourism. A common tariff would at least ensure the com- mon right of all British Columbians to travel . their essential water ‘‘highways’’ at a price fair to everybody. Keep plugging Preliminary North Shore police reports sug- gest the message about gas and alcohol is at last getting across. Holiday season roadblock figures to date indicate surprisingly few drinking-driving charges among the hundreds of motorists stopped. If the final statistics confirm this (rend, congratulations are due to everyone working for the CounterAttack program — with one rider added: DON’T LET UP! 196 VORCE OF comeTTy) AON? WHET VArCAFUVER sunday news north shore news 980-0511 986-6222 885.2131 986. 1337 980 7081 Display Advertising Classified Advertising Newsroom Circulation Subscriptions 1139 Lonsdale Ave... North Vancouver, 6B C V7M 2H4 Publisher bere: Spe: & Associate Publisher Hobert Crahan Editor in Chiet Noe Wrgt! Advertising Director rk oe Personne! Director Bern: Millard Classified Director Maalbee geanings Circutation Director Barth McC owe Production Director Gobet Jobitusae Oftice Manager Photography Manage: Udcorsesa Cot atdy i nn North Shore Newa boone! | erwapreag me at op ant Sem | wet tek Nos bac ne ae A, pea ye ea Web bay 8 ‘atiore bree bo oes LC Ce CO SP Vd CO oe ' ‘ Sper ord at Mart bergente ate Paerdoe beset 1963 Entire contents North Shore Free Presse itd All rights reserved yom op te fe Ne Member of the 8 C Press Council Loy sm & THIS PAPER IS RECYCLABLE MAINSTREAM CANADA Ferry fairness | Schools fail jobless youth UNEMPLOYMENT among youth is abnormally high, and it is likely to remain that way. - By W. ROGER WORTH While it’s difficult to generalize why this is so, there is more than a suspicion that the open school system of the late 1960s and 1970s has had a negative impact on the skills and work attitudes of a generation of Canadians. John Bulloch, President of NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS were tougher than ever this year. For a few gloomy minutes, gazing in- to my shaving mirror last Sunday afternoon, | wondered whether it was worth starting at all. The shower helped a little “After all, Wright,’ | said to The Face, ‘somebody has to show moral leadership on January 1, even if at's only you ”’ So... into the typewriter went the paper and into ac tion went your sertbe, with the Ghost of New Year Past lecring over his shoulder NEW YEAR RESOLU TIONS, Po tapped out at the head of the sheet Lod resolve to be a much micer person all round tn 19R4 “Noto much hope at this stage ° muttered the GONYP 2 tl resolve to cut out tobacco. alcohol and candy bars. and to jog two miles cxery morning, fain of shine Just listen to him again,’ tattered the GaNYEP VoL resolve tO sasc moncy be tidy around the house and tremembcr my wifes Durthday Ihe (ONS BP puflawead out boounad Youve been repeating these stale old yokes covery Varaary 1 tor the past 20 yvoars Why deal vou try a new bine for a change’ Meaning what cxactlhy ° Pasked the CoN YP haugphitily Well for cxample take wel CPyerse Hootlort CMs wou re alwoarys writing about preeoprle [den vers Cvet fee’ axhuarned oto vonatsett? ‘“'Mind your own business,’’ | snapped. ‘‘And while you're about it, get lost'"’ As soon as he'd safely evaporated, I flipped furtive- ly through my 1983 clippings file. After a while | wiped the (ears from my cyes and con- tinued the list. NEW NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS, | typed. 4. 1 will stop badmouthing polnicians. In 1984 1 will show all politicians for what they really are — individually and collectively the noblest torm of selfless human cndeavor SI will pay regular tribute to Premier Bennett: for his outstanding contributions to parhamentary decorum and the integrity of the I cgisia ture oO 1 will do everything possible to belp the NDP find a new leader il necessary. by recommending Etnic Crist 1 wall see to om that everyone knows what a gen tle considerate fcllow Art Rube ts. capectally at Chamber of Commerce tune heons x to will suppress all reports about the death gl Solidarity YP wall strive to acquire Te Michacl Watkefés Pavetiaene anne caring scnse of Povattycne the Canadian Federation of ‘Independent Business, for ex- ample, believes “Sir ehuca. tional infrastructure has turned out a -generation of youth that is ill-equipped technically and attitudinally for the labor market of the Bul , it should be said, is vgicing the view of the 40 per cent of his organization’s 64,000 members who say they would hire more of the younger generation if work attitudes were better. It’s also important to note that these are the people who already hire more than their fair share of younger Canadians, and are the likely source of new jobs if they become available. As Bulloch points out ‘‘Foreign languages, which are essential for business to penetrate markets, are no longer obligatory, and miany of our small business members report high school and university graduates can- not add without a calculator or write without a dictionary.’’. ‘*Too many expect to be president of the company next week, and be paid accor- dingly, rather than suffer the drudgery of a long appren- ticeship and the slow acquisi- tion of important skills,’’ he adds. Nevertheless, Bulloch is the first to admit that_nat all youth fit into” the ill- equipped”’ category. For example, there has Facing up to71 10. | will learn to love B.C. Teachers Federation presi- dent Larry. Kuehn, however long tt takes. 11. TE wall speak kindly at all times of mayors, aldermen and school trustees — both those who know where it's al and those who haven't a clue focus Noel Wright TR I> 4 pes, pet lo with ostuow Hruaraa tole se hol supe)ertntcndents, brecence an apectors and all) other ciel sefvanis regardless of whether they serve oor. are or t . _¢ been an explosion in the number of younger Cana- dians setting up their own ‘Dusinesses, particularly in craft manufacturing, as well as retailing and a variety of other business areas. But even some of these newer firms were among the 20 per cent of Federation members reporting that lack of skills among youth was a very real probiem. For governments, there is no simple solution. About 18 per cent of businesses polled in a national survey were skeptical about special incen- tives to hire younger people, including the wage subsidies and tax breaks that have already been offered. Still, changes in the na- tion’s education system are taking place, and there is room for hope. Some pro- vinces have already toughen- ed the curriculum, placing more emphasis on the basics — reading, writing and arithmetic. Others are introducing computers and new technology into the system so graduates will at least be con- versant with the machines of the 1980s. And some pro- vinces are returning to for- mal, province-wide examina- tions to better rate student skills. The system, of course, won't change overnight. But at least we seem to be waking up to the fact that change is necessary and long overdue. (CFIB Feature Service) 984! 13. 1 will temper my en- thusiasm for Bran Mulroney with positive thoughts about peacenik Pierre and = John Turner — one of whom might stall trump Brian's ace 14. In any event, I will honor Prime Minister Trudeau as the saviour of his country on the day he finally retures 1 paused to insert a fresh sheet of paper and = typed another heading OTHER THINGS 1 PRO MISE IN 1984 1S to owill be about) Pay ITV ever buy it opiimistr and might 16 1 will find out what a personal computer can do to Improve me 17 twill be nice to Hooker Chemicals Ih ob wall be particularly hice fo the women's movement WD ot will be very mnie to cvervonc. and 20 Fo won't mention Greorge Orwell again uptil (98S (when there HW be ne more need to) The (GNYP rematcrialised atomy side Phat so much berter. he satde. At last you re being teally Constructive “When bo necd your opt rhea Pub ask foor mo } teclorted Only one snag the GCihost of New Year Past con tinued unabashed “The longest you se hept any resolution since IYO ois preeisclhy four and a hall chavs Pots of tack anvihow!