BTL 1 LU ieee OT PET Jah Dominican solidarity week on April 24-30 An American student carrying a pla- card in a recent peace demonstration protesting U.S. action in Vietnam and Santo Domingo. Art and the people — Vancouver style By MARGARET APPS One of the great tragedies of the western world during the past century has been the isolation of the artist from the people and the Mass of the people from the artist, If we ever needed proof that this was an artificial lone- liness the last few weeks in Van- couver has debunked the idea for us, Not only did the artists rush to adorn the Courthouse fence but the people also rushed to watch them, What started pos- sibly as a joke, blossomed into a Spontaneous flowering of color, interest and happiness. Ex- pressing the feelings of the art- ists, the paintings reflect the many ideas, forms and desires of the Canadian people, It does not matter that the quality, technique or content; there was little time for care- fully prepared panels, they vary as the skill and experience of the individual artist varies. Naturally, most of the artists are young, for it takes the older Person longer to become a part of such a new experience. : And youth today delight in spon- April 24 to 30 has been pro- claimed the week of solidarity with the Dominican people in their struggle for independence and democracy, The decision to set the week aside for world wide solidarity actions was made at the recent First Solidarity Conference of the Peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America, meeting in. Havana, Cuba, An appeal to “world opinion,” issued by the General Secretar- iat of the Tricontinental Confer- ence, calls for support for the Dominican people’s struggle for freedom, It urges support for the demand that U.S. and foreign troops be withdrawn; and con- demnation of the Inter-american Peace Force in the Dominican Republic, * taneous action, Yet the panels show a love of life, of beauty and gaiety, a concern for man- kind, (there are several panels with a peace theme), a delightful “spoofing” of government — of the Fountain and of the people who came to watch the painting, A healthy irreverence for the status quo by artist and viewers alike, Unfortunately a few did display the impact of commercialism, In fact, I heard two young girls bitterly complain because their sponsor (a store owner) insisted they paint his idea — he had bought the paint! Something to remember in judging art today — after all artists do like to sell sometimes in order to eat! Above all, it is to. be hoped that this is encouraged to con- tinue, for it helps to break the loneliness and misunderstand- ings. With more time to pre- pare, and all artists have now been forewarned, more and more artists will depict their ideas under the public eye, and as it spreads to box cars and across Canada, we can welcome a real blossoming of Canadian Art, TRAVEL 2643 kast Hastings Street, Planning a trip? LET US MAKE ALL YOUR ARRANGEMENTS | GLOBE, Ce Vancouver 6, B.C. TOURS Telephone 253-1221 FLASH! Wait no longer— mail it in today! Many people already have! $3500 has come in Forget something? For instance, your donation to the PT’s $18,000 Financial Drive? As the PT went to press we received a report from Rita Tanche, Press Dir- ector for the South Surrey Club, inform- ing us her Club has already achieved its $350 quota and gone over the top. Congratulations, South Surrey! And now, which Club will be next? but we still need $14,500 Geer FORUM promises we may not be able to keep,” Socreds & water Bruce Yorke, North Vancou- ver, writes: B.C, Lands and Forest Minister Ray Williston is reported in the press opposing export of B,C.-owned water to the United States, while Jack Davis, parliamentary undersecretary to the Federal Cabinet Minister re- sponsible for a national water policy, enthusiastically supports the idea. There appears to be a con- flict, But careful reading of what Mr. Williston said, plus realiza- tion of the fact that the Social Credit government of B.C. advo- cates integration, customs un- ion and unlimited export of raw materials to the United States, leads to the conclusion that it would be most unwise to rely on the B.C, Social Credit gov- ernment to protect our water re-_ sources, The key point Mr, Williston makes is that of timing, He doesn’t reject the idea of export of water out of hand, He’s say- ing — don’t rush us, wait till we know what we can deliver and what price the Americans will offer, The following quotes from his speech illustrate the essence of the policy: “Tt is idle chatter to talk of water exchanges or water sales at this point long before the basic decisions have been made.” “It is foolishand unfair to make Once again we have the old shell game of Ottawa versus Victoria, There are seemingly different policies, but the disagreement is only a matter of the form and timing of the projected sellout, It?s the Columbia River Treaty pattern all over again, However, this time it is possible to defeat those who would literally sell Canadians out, j Let’s keep control of all our water. resources in B.C, ...per- iod, Export of water will never be in our interests, If U.S, in- terests don’t like this attitude then they will surely find other ways to solve their problems, We have the responsibility to fully develop our own resources in order to provide the maximum number of jobs for Canadians, It’s not our task to act as water boy for the United States — now, later, or when the price is right. oe Pourquois pas? (Brussels) “If you don’t study, you'll end up like your father—a member of Parliament.” Criticism N. Carson, Vancouver, writes: Sorry I couldn’t attend your re- cent press meeting, but I think the idea of collective discussion to improve the paper is very timely and worthwhile, In general the PT is attrac- tive in format, but one often feels the contents are too general and lacking in depth of meaning; are repetitive, and in many cases boring to the reader, The “letters to the editor” are interesting and some feature articles are good. Perhaps more time should be devoted to im- proving the quality of writing and reporting, all of- which would stimulate more interest and de- sire to read the PT, Hope this criticism is valid, and helpful, Dog lover’s protest (or crockodile tears for Soviet pooches in orbit), The members of the Peerage With kindly feelings burn For Space Dogs in the *Steer-. age” They show “humane® concern, * * * By oddest acts and speeches Their conduct is well known — “Humane* to other species, But beastly to their own, —Anonymous, April 22, 1966—PACIFIC TRIBUNE—Page 7 ST RES. ee ease u ‘i q