November 6, 1983 Castlégat News - 7, 1947 92, erly 27, 1900 LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER AUG. 7, 1947-FEB. 15, 1979 PUBUSHER — Burt Campbell EDITOR — Ron Norman be =) fumed ae gun Premature. That's the word to describe the B.C. Government Employees’ Union's decision to pull its 40,000 members off the job at midnight Oct. 31. The union plainly jumped the gun. It should have accepted Premier Bill Bennett's offer to con- tinue negotiations. A lel Premier Bennett has yet to lay off a single worker bypassing the seniority route. And he has not fired any public sector employees without cause, In fact, the union is striking against Mr. Bennett's threat to bring in those measures. And they've done it at a time when: he has offered to sit down and discuss. foth ious issues. to negotiating wouldn't have made the BCGEU look soft; it would have shown to the people of this provin- ce that unions and Operation Solidarity can be moderate and are willing to try. to; reach an agreement even when faced with drastic government measures. Instead, the BCGEU has suc- ceeded in making Premier Bennett appear as a moderate ‘at a time when whole segments of. the cer province's population are Upset at his radical changes to the social fabric. That's not to say some of the union's major grievances aren't justified. After all, who can argue with the union's stand The union's error lies in the fact that it did not make every ef- legislation. It: should have stayed et the bargaining table until pushed to the very limit. Then and only then, would a strike have been justified. That attitude should be true in. any labor negotiations, but especially true in this case, where by going on strike the 2CGEU hos knowingly set in motion a provin- ce-wide general strike that could send more than 200,000 public sec- tor workers onto the picket line. The union in this cose has failed to shoulder its incredibly large bility - a Pp firing public employees without cause? What happens, for example, with a female worker whose superior sexually harasses her? If she reports him to the union and files a grievance, she could easily be fired. And the superior wouldn't have to disclose the reason for the firing. Who, also, can argue with the BCGEU's stand on seniority. Cer- tainly, public sector workers should not have special pri at sibility to try to negotiate an Ggreement. That's nerve! The Bank of Commerce has some nerve. This week the bank announced it will raise some ser- vice charges (see page 86). Why? To encourage customers to use But by the same token, where in the untonized private sector would management be permitted to lay off employees by circumven- ting seniority? You can bet that no private ized forest or mining firm in B.C. would try it. Why should government wo be any ditfarent?....++--~ ‘There's no denying the BCGEU has valid strike issues. But are they strike issues in this instance? The government's actions speak for themselves, au teller hines and move money from a savings ac- count to cover a shortfall in a chequing account will jump 150 per cont, from $2 10 $5, The rub is that we in Castlegar ..d90't even hare automatic, tallars. ...JUST. PREPARING FOR THE SCHOOL SEAR Letters to the Editor No Doukhobor ‘rivalry’ Editor, Castlegar News: Tam amazed more and more about the existing confusion in the media and public as to relations between Douk- ee groups, describing it as “rival- a protest emphatically against such a label, and not only because it is not true, but also because it is a serious injustice to our people, the large majority, of whom, even in the face of extreme _ provocation, continue to maintain law an dorder, upholding the tit ge messiah” leaders using unprin- ipled methcds like fire and bombs, violent assault, slanderous literature . and false propaganda, parades, nudist demonstrations, fasting and the whole bit. Tactics vary with each group and occasion, but they all have one purpose which can be classified as intimidation and blackmail. And not much has been done by the authorities to curb these sometimes even eee along with the basic traditional concept of game, ex- non-violence — of “toil and peaceful life.” This concept is an all-important one because, as is evident to everyone, the that it my all part of the Doukhobor faith; while to the media each such strange act is an opportunity for a story with little regard to the impact upon innocent people. ~ Therefore,.as, one. who is directly affected, Imaintain: to: denounce and’ * deny such to protect ‘one's *“nion-violerice) and: with the ment “Thou shalt not kill.” How many governments and how many religions have made this concept absolute and have abstained from soiling their hands in human blood? Not too many, I'm Worse still is the fact the banks afraid. moke money in the first place by lending out our money at a higher interest rate. And now they want to charge us for giving them business. Merriman A third world war is inevitable. Some would say that a global war at least once before in the d ping affairs of I have changed, but the entire game has been moved to a different field. Learned and clever men sit in think not. My perhaps unwarranted opening statement of pessimism is collabor- ated by the almost continual reports of that the to second guess the future based on ery with know- Now, today, a sorry thing is happen- ing where it is obvious the Doukhobor ranks are being infiltrated and under- mined by a similar compromise, very skilfully done under the guise of the group's own religion. But we very clearly recognise it to be the work of the same element which began under- mining the movement from the very beginning: dissident elements from within, the authorities from the outside, and the media in between. What is happening now is only a continuation of the same. The different Freedomite groups are pushing with their. twisted ideologies to gain public recognition for them- selves headed by their “missionary” self from them — is not rivalry. It is much too much aone-sided affair. Our And because they were themselves of the people and for the people, they had no need to pose as missionaries, ‘ Remember When? 35 YEARS AGO From the Nov. 11,1948 ane the Com- On Monday evening last, the missioners of Kinnaird and Castlegar ‘and members of the Castlegar Board of ‘Trade met with City officials and mem- bers of the Nelson Board of Trade in Nelson to discuss the Castlegar Air- senor decided to purchase the’ Castlegar Air Field from Fhe Land Set- tlement Board, the purchase being made by the Village of Castlegar, Kinnaird and the City of Nelson. For the past month and a half Trail has been endeavoring to get CPA to move to Columbia Gardens, but it is understood now that Columbia Gar- dens will only be used as an alternative landing field as Castlegar is the central point to service the Rocanays: ; s es. Found: Pearl necklace in front of Kerr's store, owner may have same by - applying at the Castle ale s s Just received: shipment of ski caps, rain proof — $1.50 and $1.65, Leitner’s Clothing Store. ele s St. Alban’s Evening Guild held a: dance in the Parish Hall on. Friday night. Music was supplied by Cecil Turner and Earl Stanford. Three.spot - ~datices were held and the winners re- ceived as their prizes shampoo prod- ucts, butter, eggs, cheese, bread and milk. parbe, Columbia’ Builders Limited of pastors or = pts: com- pletely foreion te Doukhob eer eger wors low bidders on the And especially when violence, hatred and revenge make their appearance, it can easily be recognized as political and foreign. The large body of Doukhobors, and the USCC in particular, tries hard not to violate the principle of non-violence, making no violent attacks upon others and not retaliating, even as I said before, when severely provoked. If the ‘Freedomites wish to impose their actions upon us, to make us appear equally responsible, it is entirely their and they must be prepared to stake. .the; consequences... And; that applies to those who sympathize and support them. This equally applies to the media which, seeing what is before their eyes, and for Doukhobor (USCC) principles regard- ing human behavior are of 2 long- standing and clear-cut nature, totally consistent with highest Christian stan- dards. They who wish to compromise, can do so for themselves, but cannot force them upon others by calling them Doukhobor. And they can have all the leaders they want, but they can't be Doukhobor if they condone violence, slander, hate, etc., even after assuming titles of auth Doukh many years in succession, must alse bear responsibility for present the Pessrasy in its true ‘gue, the by making z ar” ‘out of it. I wish to add, Mr. Editor, that although I'm making this statement as an individual, it does not mean I am alone of this opinion. Even many non-Doukhobor friends closely obser- ving the situation, interpret it as I do, which Pp all the more to raise leaders. Rivalry, as I see it, belongs more to the political and business world where there is a selfish struggle for power. Doukhobor leaders didn’t struggle for such power because they represented moral and spiritual principles that were able to stand on their own merits upheld by the people they headed. my voice in protest. As to our people, I know they will not willingly submit to the pressure to on their basic principles of- faith, regardless whether the pressure comes from inside, outside, or from both. Harry Voykin Castlegar CBC didn’t tell whole story Editor, Castlegar News: On Sunday, Oct. 80, CBC’s Man Alive carried nage mixed in. The answers do not very fabric of our current society. Labor wants to bring the govern- ment down because it feels the gov- ernment — which it identifies as specific personalities — has a “bottom line” intention to legislate away bargaining rights. Perhaps, the government may only want to even up the teams a little. Nevertheless, organized labor senses that the end may be near. They cannot be blamed for making a province-wide show of force and solidarity. On the other hand, many large have found th priced out of foreign markets due in large part to the impressive daily wages enjoyed by members of the major and most powerful unions. Those wages have been earned by many hours and even weeks walk- ing to and fro outside the company gates. Could it be that both are correct and — equally as important — both are incorrect in pointing the finger of blame at each other. We see confrontation, adversarial positions, polarity born out of stub- sit. They cannot be supported with The out cannot be Many still think in terms of rich and poor, economically speaking. We still use terms like “you are either for us or against us.” We spout words like the Third World and presumably someone will explain to me the definition and geographical “First” thought we lived on one world, a rapidly shrinking and maybe quick- ly sinking world. If we do not trust ourselves, then why should we as westerners trust the east or ‘south or north? Do those who live on that fine line that is neither east nor west — and cer- tainly not north or south — mistrust everyone? Line-drawing at the bargaining: table or in facing western armies against eastern armies is a ridicu- lous childlike sport that reminds us of a juvenile game called “chicken.” Tom Sawyer should be re-read by all who practice line-drawing. Until we, who stand appalled at terrorist activities and cringe at the and/or jh prin- ciple. Very few people’are capable of accepting change. Even fewer can realize that it's not the rules that P of war being escalated to nuclear war, learn to live in peace with those who do not share our opinions, then ultimate war is inevitable. an but ex- tremely biased and incomplete doc- umentary account of the Doukhobors in B.C. The focus of the program was supposedly on the Sons of Freedom, ting the usual Irish Protestant to explain, (for tele- vision, in 80 minutes, pleasel) what Irish Catholics‘ are all about. The pro- gram succeeded more in presenting a glorified image of the Orthodox (USCC) Doukhobors today, than ‘in- sight into the fervent Sons of Freedom. film clips showing acts of nudity and arson, then turning to executive mem- bers of the Union of Spiritual Com- munities of Christ (USSC) for their ““offical” explanation of the Freedom- To my mind, that is like asking an LETTERS EMBARGO It is that over 80 years of complex and sometimes tur- bulent Doukhobor history in Canada cannot possibly be in a Doukhobors; but failed to state that he is also the hereditary, material leader of the Sons of Freedom, who believe that the leader is inspired with divine wisdom, knowledge and power. They love, follow and obey his instructions unconditionally and without question. Every single Sons of Freedom or former Sons of Freedom I have ever talked to, has sincerely believed that the d di they have it ROME witha bia of $44,692. s s A meeting was held seals by the Castlegar Development Co. Ltd. to hear reports and recommendations on the new building to be constructed by the. Castlegar Savings Credit Union and the Castlegar Co-operative Retail Society on the northeast corner of 1st Avenue and Pine Street. s s s The Parent Teachers’ Association meeting which opened with the singing of O Canada was held on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Kinnaird Elementary School with the president,.-Mrs. E.- Heagy in the chair and Mrs. J. David, VP, acted as recording secretary. There were 26 members presented. Mr. H. Bate presented a past-presi- dent's: pin to Mrs. Marshall and thanked her for her many years of service on the executive. Mrs. Marshall made a brief acceptance speech. s ? s An eight-man delegation, represent- ing the project society, attended Tues- day’s council meeting to enlist help from the village. Outlining the position of the Project Society, R.E. Fenner told council they had “about come to the end” as far as canvassing and pledges were con- cerned for completing the arena, An Santa ice ar is the curling rink is the main topic for discussion at curling club meetings. 15 YEARS AGO From the Nov. 14, 1968 2 News It was a happy occasion for the Castlegar Rotary Club on Saturday when the official start on its Senior Citizens’ Villa project began. The project is located at the corner of Tamarac St. and 5th Ave. in Castlegar. Guy Guido Construction of Kinnaird has started on the foundation for the villa and Mr. Oglow says the pre- fabricated units are expected to arrive within the a CD wrecks. One of Kinnaird’ ees on Re- gional Recreation Commission No, 1, Rene Archambault, has has resigned. 80-minute documentary, nor can the gaps be filled in this brief space. However, there were a few omissions in the program that should have been "included for the sake of accuracy and further understanding. Since the taping of the documentary over a year ago, the Expanded Koot- enay Committee on Intergroup Re- lations (KCIR) has held an ongoing series of hearings to try to find a way to end the problem of burnings and bombings in the Kootenays. Chaired by Robin Bourne, assistant deputy attor. ney general, the committee members include representatives of various levels of government, as well as rep- the Sons of Free- dom, Orthodox, and Reformed Douk- hobors. Scores of witnesses have been cailed and statements read into the record, | giving evidence as to the origins and continuation of the prob- lem. Though a practical, permanent solution has yet to be found, progress has been made and all four groups are sincerely seeking a responsible solution to the problem. The program mentioned that John J. ‘erigin (as Honorary Chairmen of the USCC) is leader to the 5,000 Orthodox have been faithfully performed as “invited” or instructed by the leader. They have responded to the call to “save Doukhoborism.” Man Alive made no mention, whatso- ever, of the 800 Reformed Doukhobors; ° or of their leader Stefan Sorokin, who has spent the past 80 years helping these (mostly) former Freedomites to “see the light,” and give up bombing and burning. Sorokin's efforts, to put an end to the terrorist activities and better the lives of the Doukobors, have constantly been hindered by betrayal. There are those who follow him as spiritual leader, but who also accept Verigin as their material leader. Membership in one group or another is often quite fluid. The USCC spokesman on the pro- gram, Joe Podovinikoff, who provided insight into the Sons of Freedom belief that fire “purges and cleanses in the battle against materialism” and that they were sincerely trying to “help” him when they came to burn his home, was once an active Freedomite himself. More letters page B4 The Castl ai Distiel Chamber of Commerce has not placed petitions in local stores calling for retention Of ys, the Robson ferry although the matter” is to be discussed by the group's executive. e s s One hundred and twenty People from the Thrums, Tarrys, Glade and Shoreacres area dente Cee uoted the Be Tel for th y icodians tase ie those areas and Castlegar. en The petitioners are presen sub- seribers to service provided ie BC. Tel's South Slocan Exchange. They want the Castlegar cxehange'a facil- ities extended along the Kootenay River valley so that all of School District No. 9 is included within the Castlegar exchange boundaries, Tenders were invited last w, addition of a 10-bed extended ant ster a second elevator and new maintenance shops to Castlegar and District Hos. P i SUTUUUONLNCONOCOSUMELENEDEESNOG