i A Lome Bhd > LE NZ SYDNEY GORDON Trib reporter Sydney Gordon dies in Berlin Canadian writer Sydney Gordon, who lived for the past 20 years in Berlin, German Democratic Repub- lic, died at the age of 70, on June 14. He was widely known to Canadian readers as the co-author, with Ted Allan, of the book The Scalpel, The Sword, the story of the life of Dr. Norman Bethune. Less widely known is the fact that since 1973 Gordon has been a regular contributor to the Tribune under the pseudonym Fils Delisle. He had pre- viously written for the Tribune during two years in China when the Chinese People’s Republic was completing its first decade. Syd Gordon was born in Montreal where he got a high school education. He furthered that with extensive read- ing in English literature, history and economics, using his brother’s McGill University library card. Then, at age 20, he became a repor- ter, later night editor of the Daily Clar- ion, published in Toronto. Through the years he turned his pen to many fields, fiction, ghost writing, freelanc- ing and, for a time he reported from the Middle East for a number of pub- lications, including the Toronto Star. He was also the author of a score of radio dramas aired on the CBC under another name. His travels took him to China, where he completed a film assign- ment, and met and interviewed many of the people who had known and worked with Bethune. His collection of data on the internationally known Canadian Communist doctor was unmatched at the time. Gordon visited the USSR and east and west Europe, finally settling in a wooded suburb of Berlin where he produced a number of plays for GDR Radio and TV, and several short sto- ties for magazines in Berlin and Prague. In addition, as he wrote to a friend a few years back, “I work on the novels and plays I have been accumulating and tailoring for years.” In reports to the Tribune, he saw Berlin as the “city between two worlds,” with all the political confron- tation that suggested, and he wrote of the important role, largely hidden in the West, of the German Democratic Republic. He made regular trips home to Canada. He leaves his wife, Renate (GDR), a daughter and grandson, and adopted children of an earlier mar- riage (Canada and U.S.). Mee Draw results The draw for the 1985 Ford Tempo, the trip for two to Cuba and the video cassette recorder was held and the following were the winners: Ist prize, 1985 Ford Tempo or $6,000 cash: Jack Poulson, Powell River. 2nd prize, trip for two to Cuba: Richard Niemela, Vancouver. 3rd prize, video cassette recorder: Mabel Richards, Victoria. Tories ‘most continentalist gov't ever,’ charges CoC By BRENT FRASER EDMONTON — The Mulroney gov- ernment’s cozy “friendship” with Reagan’s Washington has placed Canada’s sover- eignty in great peril, said publisher Mel Hurtig, June 19. An enthusiastic crowd of 140 people gathered at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre to warmly welcome the message of Canadian independence deliv- , ered by Hurtig and three other members of the newly-formed Council of Canadi- ans (CoC). Other speakers included University of Toronto econo- mist Mel Watkins, playwright John Gray, and Edmon- ton political econ- omist Gordon Laxer. The CoC is a new and improved version of the Committee for an Independent Can- ada which expired in 1981. Emerging from the former committee’s narrowly-based nationalism, the CoC is building broader support for Canadian independence and, for the first time, includes organized labor in it ranks. Hurtig described the trade union move- ment as an important force for independ- ence. The participation of peace activists is likewise welcomed, he said, drawing the link between U.S. economic domination and the former Liberal government’s capitulation on cruise missile tests and the Tories’ sup- port for the Star Wars scheme pushed by Reagan. Speakers at the meeting repeatedly emphasized that economic unity with Rea- gan’s America will fail to deliver jobs, it will halt the growth in the Canadian economy and cripple our cultural development. ““We face the most continentalist govern- ment in the history of this country,” said Hurtig, referring to the federal Tories and their desire to turn Canada wide open for U.S. economic penetration. However, as speakers mentioned, the Tories are, at best, junior partners to ‘Rea- gan’s ambition. Mulroney’s so-called road to recovery hinges on a monumental sellout to U.S. multinationals — the controlling interests within the White House. Mulroney’s route could “spell the end of Canada as a separate country,” said Hurtig, adding that economic marriage to the Uni- ted States will undermine Canada’s integ- rity in both domestic and foreign policy decisions. MEL WATKINS American big business is inherently hos- tile to Canadian interests, whether they are those of the working class or certain indi- genous capitalists. Economist Mel Watkins pointed out that any free trade bargain struck with the United States is likely to lean heavily towards satisfying Washington’s interests. . Watkins derided Tory chatter about “harmonizing” the U.S. and Canadian economies. “That means that the U.S. will call the tune and Canada will sing har- mony.” The alternative to free trade with the Uni- ted States is to develop a comprehensive Canadian strategy for self-reliance and div- ersification, a better guarantee of jobs and stability, he said. Another frightening consequence of free trdae is that an agreement will signal increasingly vicious attacks on social services — in addition to obstructing eco- nomic growth, said Laxer. He explained that the likely lure for for- eign investment will be corporate giveaways paid for by cutbacks in social programs. -. found the organiza- Meanwhile those same corporations will intensify their clamor for employer reduc- tions towards employee benefits. Playwright John Gray launched a biting and humorous, though dark, attack on fed- eral government cultural policy. He condemned the cultural alienation that begins early in our lives, continues through school and is abetted by a govern- ment (of the rich) which is offended by Canada’s true cultural and historical herit- age, that of working people. Canada has a proud history that most people don’t even know about, said Gray, using as an example the 1837 democratic uprisings in Ontario and Quebec. He also condemned those who control the media. “Broadcasters do it to make profits and it’s not in their interest to give us freedom of choice.” As for Canadian- content quotas, Gray said that “we need quotas on foreign culture, not Canadian culture. We talk about quotas as if we were the intruders.” Referring to the fight for Canadian inde- pendence: “‘The people are Canadian, the place is Canada, the time is now.” Ata smaller public meeting in Vancouver June 27 local CoC organizers Jeffrey Logan, a Vancouver lawyer, and Dr. Art Goddard, a profes- sor of political science at Simon Fraser University, reported on plans for an upcoming national CoC con- ference in Ottawa this October which will both officially tion and approve its basic policy. Special working groups have already been established across the country to develop policy statements on so-called free trade and opposition to continentalism, on the need for an independent Canadan foreign policy and opposition to Star Wars, on water policy, and on Canadian culture. Dr. Goddard announced that the CoC will shortly issue a series of popular leaflets around the theme of “exploding the myths” which stand in the way of the struggle for Canadian sovereignty. In addition, the council will publish a detailed fact book on features of the Canadian economy and for- eign policy, and will set up a speakers bureau to take the mesage of the CoC out to other organizations and the Canadian pub- lic in general. Classified Advertising COMING EVENTS JULY 14 — Delegation Send-Off Party. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. G. Legebokoff's, 3310 Cardinal Dr. North Burnaby. Admission free. Sponsored by B.C. Committee, World Youth Festival. Phone 251-9457 for more info. JULY 14 — Burnaby Labor Picnic. Robert Burnaby Park. Swimming pool, tennis, child- ren’s & adult games. Phone 526-5226 for more info. JULY 28 — Hold this date open for Annual Garden Party. Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association at the Ukrainian Hall, Sunday afternoon. COMMERCIAL GRAMMA PUBLICATIONS. Complete print- ing services. Brochures, menus, leaflets, etc. A union shop. 1595 W. 3rd Ave., Vancouver. Hours: Mon-Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 733-6822. ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, appliance repairs. Don Berg 255-7287. GENERAL INSURANCE, home, business, trade unions. Dave Morton, bus. 986-9351; res. 433-4568. VICTORIA BILL HARTLEY your Auto Plan man. All types of insurance. Mail in or phone in. 2420 Douglas Street, Victoria, V8T 4L7. 388-5014. LEGAL SERVICES | RANKIN, BOND, McMURRAY. Barristers and Solicitors. 2nd Floor, 157 Alexander Street. 682-3621. DIRECTORY COMMUNIST PARTY OF CANADA offices located at 102, 2747 E. Hastings St. Vancouver. Phone 254-9836. Office hours 9:30-12 noon; 1-5 p.m. Mon. to Fri. For information on political issues or assistance in political activity. HALLS FOR RENT RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME — Available for rentals. For reservations phone 254-3430. UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE — 805 East Pender St. Vancouver. Available for banquets, weddings, meetings. Phone 254-3436. ‘RANKIN’ & COMPANY Barristers & Solicitors 4th Floor, 195 Alexander St. Vancouver, B.C. V6A IN8& 682-2781 Offers a broad range of legal services including: Personal Injury & Insurance claims Real Estate & Conveyancing Divorce & Family Law Labour Law Criminal Law Estates & Wills eS 7 Le T/A JOIN THE GR in \\f/ With GLOBE TOURS For any of your travel needs big or small. Let Globe Tours find the best way for you. Specializing in tours’ to the USSR GLOBE TOURS 2679 E. Hastings St., Vancouver, B.C. V5K 1Z5 253-1221 PACIFIC TRIBUNE, JULY 3, 1985 e 7