Higher education

a low Socred priority

MARJORIE NICHOLS once wrote that Bill Bennett
believed universities were designed for people who couldn't

sell cars.

Allan Fotheringham would reg-
ularly regale his audience with the
observation that British Columbia
was the only provitice in Canada
with a premier who had never at-
tended university.

The Social Credit party, during
the nast 40 years, must be the on-
ly democratic organization in the
free world that has NEVER had a
university graduate as a leader.
W.A.C. Bennett, Bill Bennett, Bil
Vander Zalm and Rita Johnston
have this dubious distinction in
common.

Even in the small Black African
states, you will find leaders who
have attended distinguished cam-
puses around the world.

It gives pause for reflection
when the guy with tribal scars on
his cheek fas a Harvard degree
and can discuss Shakespeare,
while your head of government
lists John Oliver High and
Vaughn Palme: ‘s latest column.

What’s even more remarkable is
that with only one exception, the
children of both Bennetts and Bill
Vander Zalm have avoided the
hallowed halls of academia (Bill
Bennett's sister Anita is a school
teacher).

Tam unsure about the educa-
tion levels attained by Mrs.
Johnston’s three children.

Perhaps that was Dave Barrett’s
problem: overeducated. With a
degree in arts and a masters in
social work, and the stern tutelage
of the Jesuits in St. Louis, Mo.,
he was a complete misfit in the
legislative barnyard.

eso

Everywhere else, the public
complains about too many lawyers
in government. In B.C., when At-
torney-General Bud Smith enter-
tained us with his follies,
replacement was a problem. The
premier had a choice between
lawyer Angus Kee and an
engineer. He chose the engineer.

A university degree is proof of
nothing. Society is plagued by
highly educated !osers, just as it is
enhanced by the wits, talent and
determination of self-educated and
motivated people,

It can be argued that common
sense is too easily lost by those
who pursue certificates with the
obsession of a hunter stalking
game.

But this dearth of formal
education within the government
of British Columbia must be an
indication of something.

Jack Davis’ death eliminated
30% of the earned university
degrees from the Social Credit
caucus.

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The late Seymour MLA and
Rhodes scholar had two doctor-
ates among his many academic
achievements.

In the previous government,
Davis had the company of Dr. Pat
McGeer. They needed a U-Haul
trailer to carry their curriculum
vitae. It is not an exaggeration to
say that these men were Goliaths
in Lilliput.

The B.C. Legislature presently
has 41 Socreds, 26 New Demo-
crats and one independent. The
Davis seat remains vacant.

The 68 active members have 41
university degrees among them.
Thirty of these degrees are held by
NDP members.

Put in other terms, the opposi-
tion has only 38% of the House,
but 73% of the formal education.

Sixteen of the 26 New Demo-
crats have at least one degree; !4
of them have two.

Only eight of the 43 Social
Credit MLAs have earned a
bachelor’s degree. Three of these
eight have two degrees.

Read the ‘‘Careers’’ pages of
the daily newspapers. Ask yourself
how many of the current cabinet
ministers could qualify for any of
the advertised positions? Few if
any of the people we trust to gov-
ern society could meet the criteria
for even the most menial of jobs
advertised.

Two possible conclusions come
to mind: entrance requirements

for career positions are seriously
out of sync with society at large,
since such a high percentage of
proven leaders have a different
background; or (more to the
point), if you are an unqualified
bozo, the only hope for you is to
go into politics.

Where else can high school
dropouts be called ‘‘Honorable”’
and receive a pay and perks
package worth over $100,000 a
year? A quick-thinking politician
might respond that the business
community has an overwhelming
number of success stories among
those with little or no higher
education.

There is a difference. En-
trepreneurs win at a fair but
rough game of talent, effort,
discipline and judgment. Politi-
cians win popularity contests that
don’t necessarily relate to ability.

This assessment, beginning with
a look at premiers back to
W.A.C. Bennett, begs a question:
has it always been thus in B.C.?

We checked that out as well.
One has to go back to Simon
Fraser Tolmie in 1928 to find a
premier who achieved higher cer-
tification; he was a veterinarian.

Soha D. Maclean (1918-27) was
a teacher.

The best the immortal Premier
Harlan C. Brewstez (1915-16)
could present was a mate’s ticket
in marine navigation. Premier
Bowser (1903-15) was a lawyer
and an engineer (J. Dunsmuir)
preceded him.

oes

Why is British Columbia so dif-
ferent from elsewhere? We remain
the only province without a uni-

versity graduate as a premier.

Sociologists could have a con-
vention on this topic, but the
splendid isolation of British Col-
umbia, and its formidable
geographic barriers to develop-
ment, have forged a society in
which ferocious individualists have
become dominant.

The youthful history, the
diverse personal backgrounds of
the populace, and the geographic
obstacles have prevented suf-
focating conveiztions to take root.

The unconventional thrives.

Those who trust associations,
diplomas, wealth, appearance,
religion, language or similar at-
tributes to deliver success become
ill at ease in freewheeling British
Columbia.

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Sunday, May 26, 1991 - North Shore News - 9

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AFTER HOURS

THE CORPORATIONS OF
THE CiTY AND DISTRICT OF
NORTH VANCOUVER

SPRINKLING REGULATIONS
REMINDER

Regulations limiting sprinkling and other fawn and
garden irrigation are effective in the City and District
of North Vancouver from May 15, 1991 to September
5, 1991.

“Even numbered premises may water only on even
calendar dates and odd numbered premises on odd
calendar dates. In cases of newly planted lawns,
special permits may be obtained from the respec-
tive Engineering Departments for relief from these
restrictions.”

We alsc request that during periods of hot weather,
you do your sprinkling in the morning and evening
hours. Afternoon sprinkling is less effective in con-
serving your lawn and puts a greater strain on our
water pumping systems. Your understanding and
cooperation is appreciated.

Chuck Gaile, P.Eng
City Engineer

E.J. Bremner, P.Eng.
Director of Engineering Services

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