INSIGHTS Legion sounds Retreat THE ROYAL Canadian Legion is losing a glorious opportunity to win a big bat- tle. But its officers are sounding Retreat instead of Reveille. They could be striking a blow against the bullying Thought Police. But they cringe. Gone is the spirit of Dieppe and D-Day, We don't want to fight, is the cry. Yes, we are back on the turban issue and with good reason, For even though the rank and file voted overwhelmingly in Calgary for the right to say yea or nay on headgear, the generals are all a-tremble. Democracy if necessary, as Mackenzie King might have said, but not necessarily democracy. Mind you, some big guns are being brought out against the Legion. In B.C., our socialist govern- ment is threatening to deny Legion branches their liquor licences if they don’t come to hecl. You didn’t know that? You 66 In two great wars we owed it to the coun- try to ‘do our bit.’ Today, we owe it to the country not to be dictat- ed to by minorities whose presence we did not invite. 99 know it now. And I would bet that the NDP’s top Sikh, Moe Sihota, is leading that little ploy. Strange, ain’t it? Harcourt and Co. don’t mind overruling the Motor Carrier Conimission to give highly profitable taxi licences to its East Indian friends, but it draws the line at letting private clubs run their own affairs. No sooner had the Calgary vote taken place than the Gaming Commission sent a letter to the Legion's provincial headquarters, The commission controls raffle and KEN BAXTER LAWYER 24 Years Experience Doug Collins ON THE OTHIER HAND bingo licences and its letter stated: “Groups that foster religious intolerance are not eligible for gam- ing licences.” It has also asked for a list of all 172 branches, plus the policy of each branch on headgear. The Gaming Commission letter went to Robin Blencoe, Minister of Government Services, and to Attorney General Colin Gabelmann, the brilliant non-legal mind to whom the Liquor and Licensing Branch reports. Then there are the human rights commissions, smiling their cat- with-all-the-cream smile, along with demands from the Sikhs and the Canadian Jewish Congress. Oh yes. The CJC had to stick its big beak into this affair even though I have never heard of any headgear dispute between the Legion and the Jews. The top-brass Legion reaction to all this has been less than valorous. M.A. Burdett, provincial president, has warned that any legal action taken by the human rights crews could be “very costly,” win or lose. Further — this to the branches — “Please don’t involve yourselves in any letter-writing campaigns to the government agencies. We are trying to solve this issue through the bureaucratic process...” But it’s the political process that’s needed, not the bureaucratic. The same wimpish attitude is evident at the Legion’s national level. They don't choose freedom, Here is the kind of battle cry LONSDALE QUAY =f NORTH VANCOUVER 988-6321 CUSTOM BEDSPREADS, TRACKS AND VALANCES Labour $8.50 per panel unlined, $9.50 lined. CUSTOM DRAPERIES & BLINDS At low, low prices. For FREE Estimates call 987-2966 (Ask about Seniors’ Discounts) Serving the North Shore for 23 years they should have ulteted, complete woth bugle cals. “Those of you who fought inthe war, and your sons and daughters who have followed you, believed you were fighting against dietiters and for the right to self-deterniina- tion. “Hanan eights’ finaties and social engineers sity you are ‘racists’ and that you are diserimi- nating on the basis of religion, “Butany Sikh who qualities can become a Legion member provided be obeys the branch rules. So Where's the racisar? “The religion argument is equal- ly false, Do all Sikhs wear their religion on their heads? No, Many don't. “The intolerance stems from their side, not ours. They want us to bend to their cules rather than Frespect ours, “We don'tievept that, We are therefore proposing that a Canada- wide fighting fund be set up. If nec- essary we will take the issue to the Supreme Court of Canada. “In two great wars we owed it to the country to ‘do our dit.” Today, we owe it to the country not to be dictated to by minorities whose presence we did not invite. “If the NDP wishes to deprive us of our liquor licences, fet it, It would be just the job to alert Canadians to the way they are being harassed. “As that Dead White European Male put it, ‘Come the four corners of the carth, and we will shock them.’ " $89,900 IMMEDIATE REVENUE PRODUCING U.S. INVESTMENT PROPERTY Suitable for small to medium: investor. Great freeway access, minutes to Bellis Fait Mall. Bordermy the beautiful grounds of the Bellingham Country Club, Deluxe, prestigious, spacious, 2 & 13 bedroom units with large balconies & golf course views. 3350 NORTHWEST AVENUE., BELLINGHAM FINANCING AS LOW AS 5% DOWN PRICES STARTING AT “JOANNA (206) 734-3420 up to $360,000 HARTLEY (206) 734-4025 EOE TE ACRE AE, STUDENTS ARE READY TO WORK HIRE A STUDENT 666-9192 ~ “PLUS” 1) SMALL DEPOSIT 2) NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS 3) NO INTEREST | 4) ONE PAYMENT JAN YS cromsien GSWAY VANCOUVER (at Knight) y= 5:30 PM SUNDAY 12 - 5PM * bedroom * dining room * wall units * desks *tables aus? * loveseats * sofas * chairs * recliners 876-2201 PARKING AT REAR |