MRS. JUNE SKINNER of West Vancouver has been writ- ing to the Queen. She’s put a lot of work into it, too. Her petition is full of ‘humble duties”’ and ‘‘respectful wishes.”’ Iu other words, the lady has done her homework and has used the proper forms and customs. She is also very serious about her theme, which is the conduct of the Hon. David Lam, Lt. Gov. of the province of British Columbia (who was referred to‘the other day by a BCTV announcer as the **Lootenant Governor’’, which in itself should be a matter for a peti- tion to the Queen). priate manner, that he has over- stepped the boundaries of his of- fice, and is setting a dangerous precedent for future representat- ives of Your Majesty.”’ Mrs. Skinner submitted for Her Majesty’s scrutiny a newspaper headline that read, ‘‘Lam secs immigrants as key to B.C.’s eco- I mmigration IS a volatile issue — even though our politicians pretend it isn’t. So the Lt. Gov. should stay away from the subject.” we NE tee ee Tae a Mrs. Skinner’s piaint is the Hon. Mr. Lam’s comments on immigra- tion. For she believes that royals and their representatives should keep their traps shut on such things. She wrote: “T believe that the immigration issue is 2 tinder-box of such incen- diary proportions in British Col- umbia that cannot be divorced from the political scene, “TI strongly object,”’ she stated, “to the Hon. Mr, Lam's choosing to address this issue publicly, and do not feel that the office of the Lt. Governer is being served ina constructive or constitutional manner. **! further feel that by making these statements, the Hon. Mr. Lam has behaved in an inappro- nomic future,’ GIVE THE GIFT THAT LASTS FOREVER * plus a story in which he talked about our need to accept change. The story also quoted him as saying we must show patience with and under- standing of immigrants and that he does not feel bound by the tradi- tions of his office, which demand that the Lt. Gov. should be discre- tion itself. Mr. Lam has said that he asked experts in Ottawa whether he was entitled to speak out in the way he did. They said he could, provided he did not get into politics. Mrs. Skinner says he did get into politics because immigration is politics. She quotes from the Sth edition of The Government of Canada, by R. McGregor Dawson. (I told you this lady did her homework!) The Queen’s representative, it states, is at the mercy of his own cabinet, ‘‘a subordination which makes assertions of independent opinions unlikely and any strong line of conduct impossible.’ Air- ing such opinions would ‘‘under- mine his influence and reputation for impartiality.” Even in discussing art, music, social services, etc., he should watch his lips. ‘In voicing his views on any cf these matters, he must go warily, lest he should un- wittingly trespass on what some touchy person, political party or organization considers to be a con- troversial issue on which offi cially and nublicly he must have no opi- In ‘short, the Queen and her rep- resentatives must be above politics. What then, can she or they ever do, apart from opening parlia- ments and kissing babies? Mrs. Skinner quotes Dawson to show that they may not offer their services as mediators and con- ciliators between political party leaders when the occasion war- rants. But “‘intervention of this kind is usually of an emergency nature and will occur only at the time of crisis.” l agree with Mrs. Skinner and her experts, rather than with those consulted by Mr. Lam. Immigra- tion IS a volatile issue ~- even though our politicians pretend it isn't. So the Lt. Gov. should stay away from the subject. The only reason he hasn’t caus- ed a furore is that his comments have been in line with liberal views. Turn his statements around and you will see what I mean, Suppose he said, with regard to immigration, that we should not accept change and that change is bad for us, or that we should not show understanding and patience. .In that case the media, academics and politicians would have a fit. Can’t wait to hear what Her Majesty has to say to Mrs. Skinner® GENTS 10K YELLOW ONYX RING 9 ~ Friday, April 14, 1989 - North Shore News Seas YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS IT Containers just unloaded from England & Belgium. 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