Uranium issue plagues Blakney : By GORD MASSIE SASKATOON — Uranium development and direct billing by the medical profession were the central issues debated at the New Democratic Party convention, held here, November 2 to 4. Al- most 800 delegates attended the convention and heard speeches by Premier Blakeney, T.C. Doug- las, and federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent. Dennis McDermott was scheduled to address the convention banquet but was un- able to appear. Expecting a sharp debate on uranium development the government organised several weeks in advance to win support for its position. Cabinet ministers were assigned to press the con- stituencies to send pro-develop- ment delegates. Premier Blakeney devoted a major part of his opening speech to this issue. “There are risks associated with nuclear power generation and the nuclear cycle”’ he said, “‘but there are risks associated with all human activity and with the fai- lure to act.’’ Blakeney also said that Saskatchewan has no right to deny nuclear power to developing rag ee ! fie WO \ T | adie Pea). G poor countries with no other energy sources. What he did not say was the fact that most uranium exported from the pro- vince goes to developed capitalist countries. In all.16 resolutions calling for the limitation or stopping of uranium development were be- fore the convention. One of these reached the convention floor, Canadian explorer honored in Moscow MOSCOW (APN) — On Oc- tober 30 a formal function was held in Moscow's Friendship House to mark the centennary of the birth of Canadian arctic explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson. The function was attended by So- Viet scientists, seamen and pilots who had been working in the north and also by staff members of the Canadian embassy here. Soviet people honor the mem- ory of Stefasson. It was pointed vut during the function that his name ranked with the names of such outstanding arctic explorers as Amundsen, Nansen and Peary. Outlining Stefansson’s life story, Soviet Historian Zinovy Kanevsky said that he had been not only one of the legendary arc- tic heroes, but also a man possess- ing encyclopaedic knowledge of geography, permafrost, an- thropology, ethnography and foiklore. Soviet experts believe that the Canadian explorer’s innovative spirit and foresight manifested themselves in his calls for gaining ~ a firm and lasting foothold in the arcuic areas. Stefansson believed that the scientific and economic objectives were among the pnm- ary goals in the exploration of the north and characterized “the are- tic mediterranean” as a hub of sea lanes and air routes. Way back 70 to 80 years ago he was urging a csretul approach to nature, par- ueularly to northern nature. Soviet people not only value Stefansson’s scientific heritage but also remember him as a true humanist, the ardent opponent of wars and a great friend of the USSR. Vilhjalmur Stefansson was one of the first to welcome the par- ucipants in the Soviet trans-arctic flights. He enthusiastically hailed news about the establishment of the Soviet scientific drifting sta- tion ‘North Pole.”’ Incidentally, the crew of the first Soviet station bore out one of Stefansson’s pre- ‘mises, that a comparatively var- ied animal life existed even at the pole. Peter Hancock, Minister- Counsellor of the Canadian Em- bassy in Moscow, expressed in his concluding address satisfac- tion with the progress of Cana- dian and Soviet scientists in the exploration and development of the northern areas that continued the cause started by Stefansson. others were debated in work- shops closed to the press. Peter Prebble, a Saskatoon MLA, the main spokesman for the anti-nuc- lear group in speaking to the resolution, that reached the con- vention floor, pointed out that it was a compromise resolution which would limit nuclear development to presently operat- ing and slated mines and ex- pressed the hope that it would bring the two.sides together. The motion was defeated 370 to 161. Although Federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent when asked by the. press if he favored uranium development replied ‘‘as much and as fast as possible’, both Prebble and Blakeney acknow- ledged that the issue still remained. The convention was much more united on the question of extra-billing and direct billing by the provinces doctors. In an al- most unanimous decision the convention voted *‘that the prac- tice of billing beyond the Medical Care Insurance Commission fee schedule be stopped either through negotiation with the med- ical profession or through legisla- tion.”’ Although many delegates argued that both extra billing and direct billing were an infringe- ment on the principle of universal- ity it is clear that the government prefers a solution of negotiation with the doctors to move their fees towards those prevailing in Alberta, a demand previously re- jected by the government. Direct billing was a concession to the medical profession when medicare was first introduced in the province in 1962. Obviously the government, feeling pressures from the medical profession and also from the public, wishes to come down in the middle of the debate by maintaining full pay- ment under the MCIC fee schedule at the same time con- ceding to the doctors original de- mands for a hike amounting to almost 25%, while maintaining the right of doctors to direct bil- ling. Labor-Minister Gordon Snyder especially between the ND: led the opposition to a resolt giving unionized firms first ( at government contracts, eV they do not submit the lowe! for the project. This resol was narrowly defeated in_ corded vote of 209 to 203. St did support a resolution callit an end to injunctions in labo putes. The question NDP/Labor ties was kept at? key level. ¢ In Blakeney’s opening add he stressed opposition to el under way to undermine? Canadian Wheat Board and orderly marketing sys® Combining this with decl® support for the maintenan@® the Crow-Rates Blakeney shal criticised Hugh Horner, | newly appointed grain ¢ “This issue’’ said Blakeney, pechaps our most important] ical task in the months ahea On Native issues Blakeney} land entitlements, jobs, hot and education are the main cerns. While these may pi ‘‘violently unpopular’’ af some people Blakeney said we prepared to remind ou that our society has a moral! that is still unpaid and mus) paid.” In a generally low-key vention the Blakeney gove appears to remain in the d seat of the party. Howeve remains many areas of the labor movement. Al these were not allowed to sul to any great degree, they doubt call for solutions in t future. The government sharp negotiations with 16, its own employees before is out. Indications are th government, in accomodati financial restraint, is adop hard nosed bargaining pos! Loss of Crow rates spells disaster SASKATOON — “A Fight Back Conference” that will focus public attention on the positive aspects of retaining the Crow freight rates on export grain will be held in the Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, Jan. 8 and 9, 1980. National Farmers Union presi- dent James Mayne in making the announcement said it was time to. acquaint the general public and the farm community in particular with some of the economic realities of what the loss of the Crow rates, if it should occur would mean to the prairie farm economy. _ Mayne said preliminary ap- proaches have already been made to the grain related and railway running trades, labor unions to determine their interest in par- ticipating in such a conference and a positive response has ‘been received. Other interested parties will also be contacted. An atten- dance of 400 is being planned for. The NFU president says he is appalled by the apparent willing- ness of some farm organization spokesmen and others of the academic community to sell out one of the only national policy concessions ever granted the west. “It is worth considering,’ he observed, ‘that no Royal Com- missions after intensive study has ever recommended the scrapping PACIFIC TRIBUNE— NOVEMBER 23, 1979—Page 8 of the Crow rates, yet some people are prepared to cast these rates aside and in exchange place their blind faith in gaining charita- ble consideration from the rail- way companies and future governments. The NFU president said it was only necessary to look south of the Canada-U.S. border to see how the coporate strategies of the railway companies there have led to high grain freight rates and rail freight. services worse than our’ own. Farmers in this country he cautioned should not allow them- selves to get hoodwinked into en- tering the same kind of. fool's paradise in order to satisfy the railway companies’ insatiable ap- petite for profits. ‘Prairie farmers should learn from Maritime farmers how an- nual rail freight rate increases in the movement of potatoes have eaten away at their net income position without any improve- ment in the supply or quality of reefer cars. “In fact, the rail rates are now so high on New Brunswick potatoes that the CPR will move none by rail this year as all potatoes moving into the Quebec and Ontario markets will go by truck, . “The game plan for the future of grain movement is similar,” Mayne predicted. ‘Progressive Conservative Party agricultural policy statement of April 11 committed the party to retaining the Crow rates and the support for that policy. tha come from the “Fight Back ference’ will re-enfor government'’s policy posi “ Loss of the Crow rates in the rail shipment of grain will be the The NFU president said the January conference called by the National Farmers Union.