Pushing for a pliant press THE TIP-OFF that we were heading for an early election (at least until the B.C. Hydro scandal broke) was a recent advertisement in this news- paper. It showed David Schreck on what might be termed his baby-kissing rounds, You never saw a bet- ter misleading of the misgov- erned. The North Shore MLA is one of Fuehrer Glen Clark's favorites and my bet is that Ciark will make him a cabinet minister in an attempt to save his seat. But there was some- thing missing from those pretty pictures. There wasn’t a word about how Schreck was one of the main insti- gators of Bill 33, the Xill Collins Act. Why isn’t he out boasting avout tryitig to slay ihe dragon? © “And why did the natier receive no mention at the Glen Clark love- - in? Isn't the NDP proud of trying . to create a pliant press? Bill 33 was passed for the pur- : pose of eliminating this column from the battle zone of public affairs, Schreck denied that, but the * proof is’ that the News and myself °* .age‘on'line to face an NDP . Inhum2a Rights Council tribunal that can inflict a penalty of $100,000. _... ‘Phe legislation makes it an - Offence to write or say anything Dou Collins “likely” to bring a nerson or group into hatred or contempt. But if you say some politician is power mad. ora loony, wouldn't thar be likely to do the trick? tt is obvious that the Canadian Jewish Congress and other such groups lobbied for the bill because they don’t like whai I write. But nothing that has appeared in this space was actionable under the fed- eral hate laws. So the socialists obliged them by creating a looser law. In the immortal words of Corky Evans, the NDP leadership candi- date with the outsize mouth, Bill 33 was necessary “because the courts don’t always do what we want them to do.” The arrangement makes it possi- bie 10 prosecute and persecute the ; DRAPERIES BY §, LAURSEN : & SON $10.50 Hnved. " CUSTOM VALANCES & BLINDS At PRED prices, For F call 9. Estimates 87-2966 (Ask. about Seniors’ Discounts ) Seretng the Nerth Shove for 34 yoare Defieux-Saxelby Insurance Services Inc. 105-200 West Esplanade, N. Van (Located beneath Famous Players Theatre) " . LONSDALE QUAY f “NORTH VANCOUVER _ 988-6321 politically incorrect. Right on cue, therefore, the CIC and a cohort in Victoria, Harold Abrams, made their complaints. The NDP and its appointees will be judge, jury and prosecuter. Schreck & Co hope to see me on the scaffold. But they are not boasting about Bill 33. They are not anxious, just before an election, to show that they are the biggest threat to freedom of the press since the Alberta Press Act of the 1930s. When the bill was passed the Globe & Mail described it as “a criminal Act.” The Alberta Press Act didn’t get past the courts and if press freedom is to mean anything in this country Bill 33 won't, either. But freedom of speech and press is of little importance to special interest groups, as American author Nat Hentoff has shown in his book Freedom Of Speech For Me Bur Not For Thee. We come now to the Feb. 16 edition of the Jewish Western Bulletin and the headline “Chinese group adds to war chest.” The paper reported that “the multicultural community” is lend- ing support to what was quaintly termed the Congress’ “human rights tight,” meaning the p!an to put your man Doug in the stocks. The misnamed Chinese Benevolent Association has pledged $2,000 “to the ongoing legal battie against columnist Doug Collins and North Shore News.” Lawyer Bill Yee said it was a test case that would have “profound implications for all cultural and ASHER FLU religious minorities who seck to be free from vilification and hatred.” Who will define “vilification and hatred?" Why, the NDP and the multicults, just as Stalin defined what was communism. My old buddy Aziz Khaki has also popped up. He is a profession- al, state-financed multicu!ter who once tried to organize an advertis- ing boycott against this newspaper. { just knew he couldn't be far away. And he has delivered himself of the profundity: “The problem for one community is a problem for all.” My sentiments entirely. I have never thought of myself as important but the CJC has set up a national trust fund “to finance the legal battle against the News and its controversial columnist.” Flattering. Freedom of the press is OK as long as the wretches of the ink know what not to say. pm, ie jug Se) | ge (is Centre 10 Minute 4 a Oil Change’ I y362 M MARINE DRIVE 980-9115 ] Open 7 days a week Mon-Wal 8:30am + 6:00pen Thurs, - Fri. 8:30am - 8:00pm Sat. 8:30am - 5:30pm Sun. 10:COmn - 5:00pm Competitors’ cc coupon of f equal va value ue accepted | ) RRSP Tip #10 s sige a EE | = The average Canadian life expectancy /has risen to 80 years and is rising. Janet Ketchen Branch Manager Are you prepared to fund a long-term retirement that provides you with the freedom to choose your own lifestyle? - Saturday, March 2 at 10-11: 30am & Sunday, March 3 at 1-3pm q Join us rain or shine for our annual.’ FREE Pruning Demonstrations Saturday's Seminar will be on general pruning 7 & fruit trees, courtesy of Greenleaf Products ~