A4 - Wednesday, November 9, 1983 - North Shore News media. Anyone reading Starshell is immediately struck by the note of desperation that runs through its pages. Despite the commissioning of six more ships to be built under the new frigate program, Canada’s Maritme Com- mand has an international reputation as a naval cream puff. This is certainly not the fault of the various admirals who have had to try to cope with the irresponsible dither- ing and tinkering of the Trudeau administration since 1968. In that time, the Navy has been cut in half even though its tasks have multiplied awesomely. As former Navy com- mander Vice-Admiral Douglas S. Boyle pointed out before being forced into early Strictly personal by Bob Hunter Newsletter insights THE NAVAL OFFICERS Associations of Canada put out a small newsletter called Starshell which of- fers insights you don’t normally find in the mass retirement on orders from the Prime Miunister’s office for telling it like it is, ‘‘we are responsible for 5.8 muilhon square miles...or 1/33rd of the earth’s surface.’’ In the years since the Navy’s principal mission was shifted from its traditional first commitment to NATO and collective defence to the protection of national! sovereignty, the three-mile offshore limit was pushed to 12 miles, then the fisheries and economic control zone was expanded to 200 miles. When Canada joined the In- ternational Commission on the Northwest Fisheries in 1974, the Navy was ordered to assign warships to police the fishing grounds. All this was in addition to patrolling 18,000 miles of coastline, the longest coast in the world. In the same period, the Navy’s strength fell from 17,000 officers and men with a fleet of 28 modern warships and 71 fixed-wing aircraft to 9,500 men with 26 warships ready for the wrecker’s yard and 44 aging patrol planes. It will be 1989 before the newly- ordered frigates are ready for duty. As military writer Gerald Porter observed in his ex- cellent book, ‘‘In Retreat,’’ the decline of the Navy began in 1969, when the defence budget was frozen for three years. Writes Porter: ‘*Forced to economize in the face of rising wages, in- flation and increased opera- tional demands, the Navy cannibalized itself to stay afloat, consuming stores, spares and ammunition that were not replaced for lack of funds. When the mbs began to show and the pulse grew CHAIRMAN APPROVES WV turns a blind eye weak, ships were laid up to give the body a rest, yet the condition became worse. ‘‘For the first time in a decade men were leaving the Navy faster than they could be replaced. Morale, along with the ailing fleet, began to sink.”’ Ironically, in view of Pierre Trudeau’s decision to assign the task of establishing our ‘‘ownership’’ of the Far North to the Navy in the face of oil-hungry American challenges to our claims to control the rich oil and gas deposits of the Artic, surveillance flights along the ‘‘third coastline’’ have been reduced to one every seven days and the forward base at Baffin Island has been closed down. In 1975, a Polish yacht sailed boldly through the Northwest Passage in de- fiance of Canadian govern- ment orders and was never spotted. It appears certain that Soviet nuclear sub- Marines routinely slip through Canada’s backyard because there are no subsur- face sonar devices to detect them. It is common knowledge that U.S. nuclear submarines do the same thing, both for Strategic purposes and to underscore American claims in the area. Gilbert and Sullivan would have loved it. to parents in schools WEST VANCOUVER School Board are turning a blind eye to parents who wish to cross the teachers’ picket line and replace striking teachers. Asked by the News what the Board's policy on parents crossing the picket line and replacing the tcachers was, Chairman Notm Alban rephed ‘traditionally we en coutage patent participation”’ West Vancouver Teachers’ Association president Hicather Walker said she was “‘surprised’’ at Alban’'s response, citing that) the chairman should be aware of the Diastret’s lability oan regards to pupil safety “Parents are not by the Board's insurance poly Walker said However. at covercd least one intends kindergarten at Elementary hidis are going to come hell or high sand a parent, wished tremaoen That parent had parent on group operating a Westcot “My ‘u“ thor water" who bo aANOHYyMaous cathe poked about suse he took oa making “baseball bat woth ohim oto cross the teachers proket fine When Alban was told of the parents Cbascball’ bat remark he sand ob trust they will keep them baseball bars re the bach of Che cas Saul Atban stated that cbibdien wall neon tee oan ycopmardsy nor wilh they tee poenalicca Cor staying bvessive desprte the board s pledge te By BILL BELL try and keep the schools open Walker told the board that teachers were not striking against “‘this board,’" but it was “the final step in a series of protest to help maintain the quality of education ’ “We are defending nights of ourselves, people and the Walker said However. the other children,’ Trustee Margot Purk gave an impassioned Plea to teachers to honor them contract with the board and remain on the job “This is hypocrisy of the woesc kind. you must live ap to your comtract ° Puck told the teachers ino the Monday mecting Purk was responding to a mothon passed by the board that will see ictters sent outte all teachers Tt pomts out that the board tn the pase has bved up Poows contract obligations and us now the CAPs as professionals to live up te teachers ther comtract obligation This asthe first test of cus hew oagicement with the teachers do we past theow that . Alban asked Trustee Machact Sanith saad the board was away agreement crbyy vorunsty vehemently opposed to thas strike’ **There 1s very little to gain from a disruption of service, only the children will suffer, | just don’t see the government backing down because ot! what is happening in West Vancouver,’’ Smith said Alban told the meeting that Mayor Derrick Hum phreys had phoned him before the meeting lo say that West Vancouver police *‘would be made available to quell any disruption on the picket lines °’ -NOTICE- To All Nall Customers Yatlls‘a Lashes stoi 1558 Lonsdale Ave Has brought tor you their most asked tor & expenenced technician (5 years!) We welcome you back to perfection. For your next nau fll Call Sue 980-5797 * introducing our new lunch and dinner menues * our breathtaking brunch bar Is back on sundays * book your Xmas party now etry our ‘lighter: fare’ menu anytime Weekly Specials Roses 10 for $699 Cactus = 159°.. 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