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Coming Events

Letters

Opening debate on book
in spirit of glasnost

Elaine Mitchell, Doug Meggison, Judy
Androsoff, Halifax, N.S., write: We are
enthusiastic about the debate sparked by
Leanne MacMillan and Peter McVey’s let-
ter to the Tribune regarding Gorbachev’s
views on the role of Soviet women outlined
in perestroika (“Backward ideas about
women’s role,” Tribune Feb. 24, 1988).

Upon reading the passages referred to,
we concur that these positions are incon-
gruent with the rest of the book. The
Soviets, in this period of glasnost and peres-
troika, have been very critical in their exam-
ination of all aspects of their society,
including social difficulties. The book
asserts that women’s integration into the
production process is partially responsible
for the societal stagnation; and that the cure
is to “make it possible for women to return
to their purely womanly mission” as
homemaker and child-rearer. This course
would mark a leap backward for Soviet
women. The solution lies in discovering new
alternatives, not retreating into the past.

It’s clear that women under socialism
have achieved important economic advan-
ces, rights to universal daycare, etc.; issues
which remain at the heart of the struggle of
Canadian women. But, we must also recog-
nize when one social system is negated by
another (i.e., capitalism by socialism),

democratic struggles continue, at a higher

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level. In the case of the Soviet Union, the
struggle for social equality between the
sexes continues.

This question needs to be debated fully,
not only in the pages of the Tribune, but in
the draft program of the Communist Party
of Canada.

We have every reason to be enthusiastic
about glasnost and perestroika. But, we
must acknowledge in a sincere and Marxist
fashion that democratic struggles continue
under socialism. This awareness will surely
help the new course of development in the
Soviet Union. To remain silent until the
Soviet Union recognizes their shortcomings
is not glasnost or perestroika. It reflects an
old way of thinking.

socreds won't
find refuge
in promises

A.C.L. Hughes, Vancouver, writes: The
promise of the premier to establish “safe
homes” for pregnant women -should. be
taken with a grain of salt.

Close observation of the Socreds’ han-
dling of agencies that eased the lot of
troubled youth and/or gave solace to single
mothers on welfare reveal a steady lessening
of funding.

Therefore, once the abortion issue loses
its present strength in the public mind, this
promise will join the others made by this
and previous Socred governments with the
distinct intention of never being kept.

In my mine, although neither Premier
Bill Vander Zalm nor Health Minister Peter
Dueck intends to retract his determination
to refuse medicare funding for abortions for
rape and incest victims, each would prefer
to be off the hot seat.

By such airy, never-to-be-kept promises,
the Socreds hope that the abortion issue will
lose its steam and we, the public, will retreat
into our usual lethargy when issues that do

| not concern us personally are aired.
| It’s time to disappoint this would-be des-

| pot.

VISIT THE

USSR

For all your travel
needs, big or small. Let
Globe Tours find the
best way for you.

GLOBE TOURS

2720 E. Hastings St. |
Vancouver, B.C.
Phone 253-1221

Classified Advertising

COMING EVENTS

TRAVEL

MAR. 11 — Centre for Socialist Education
lounge open 8 p.m. til midnight (every Friday).
Darts, music and conversation. 1726 E. Hast-
ings. Bar proceeds to CSE.

MAR. 11 — YCL Public Meeting — “Youth
and Free Trade.” Social to follow. 8 p.m. Centre
for Socialist Education, 1726 E. Hastings. For
info 255-2817. All welcome.

MAR. 13 — International Women’s Day lunch-
eon. 1 p.m. Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Ave.
Entertainment, presentations, speaker on abor-
tion issue. Tickets: $6 from 254-9797 or
254-3066. Bake table, info tables, childcare
provided. Please join the Congress of Canadian
Women.

MAR. 17 — AGM — Canada-Cuban Friend-
ship Assoc. 8 p.m. Britannia Centre, 1661 Nap-
ier St., Rm. L4 (above library). All welcome.

MAR. 18 — B.C. Peace Council Public meet-
ing. Featuring Dr. David and Elisabeth Linder,
parents of Benjamin Linder, first American aid
worker killed by contras in Nicaragua. 7:30 p.m.
Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph St.
entrance. For info. call 685-9958.

MAR. 19 — AUUC-WBA Bowling League. Pot
luck supper social evening. All welcome. 6 p.m.
805 E. Pender. $5/$2. For info 254-3436.

MAR. 30 — Socialist Traditions in B.C. Labour
Movement. Special lecture by Ben Swankey,
labour historian. Question period. 7:30 p.m.
1726 E. Hastings, Van. Auspices: Centre for
socialist Education.

NANAIMO
MAR. 26 — Grace Tickson Retirement Dinner
and Dance. Doors 6 p.m./Dinner 7 p.m. Sons of
Norway Hall, 129 Harewood Rd., Nanaimo.
$16/person. For info on tickets, billets contact
Elaine Kuusisto 245-7297 or CPC prov. office
254-9836.

KAMLOOPS
TRIB LENDING LIBRARY — 242 Larch Ave.
Lots of labour and progressive literature for
your reading enjoyment at no cost. For info
376-7110. Kamloops.

ACCOMMODATION

CHINA — Friends of Norman Bethune special
tour to China. Beijing, Shijiachuang, Tang Zian.
Visit Bethune hospital and new museum. See
Great Wall, Mao‘s mausoleum, People’s Great
Hall and more. One week in Sept. Approx. price
$1,600. If interested write: P.O. Box 1042,
Nanaimo, B.C. V9G 522 or phone (604)
754-5303.

COMMERCIAL

“WILLING TO WORK” — YCL will take on
any task you may need done in exchange for a
donation to the league. For info 255-7369.

CARPET CLEANING — Good rates, phone
George 589-0501.

TRIB PHOTOS — Would you like a specific
photo in the Pacific Tribune? Copies availabie:
5"x7"/$4.50, 8"x10"/$6. Phone 251-1186.

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.
Call Don Berg at 255-7287.
AUTOPLAN, GENERALINSURANCE, home
business, trade union. Call Dave Morton, bus.
321-6707; res. 433-4568.
VICTORIA

BILL HARTLEY your AutoPlan 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 office
located at 1726 E. Hastings St., Van., V5L 1S9.
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.

ROOMMATE — Male or female. N/S. 2 BR.
co-op townhouse. New Westminster water-
front. For info 462-8569 anytime.

Classified advertising rates $1.25 per line per
week. Deadline for insertions: Wednesday of
week prior to pubication.

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re] LAWYER

Uncontested divorce $150 (plus disb.)
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Incorporation $200 (plus disb.)
Probate of will $500 (plus disb.)
Wills $50
ICBC Contingency fee agreement
Welfare/UIC appeal No fee

Conveyancing

108-2182 West 12th Ave.
Vancouver, B.C. V5K 2N4
Telephone 732-7678

RANKIN
COMPANY

Barristers & Solicitors

4th Floor, 195 Alexander St.
Vancouver, B.C. V6A IN8&

682-2781

Offers a broad range of legal
services including:

a Personal Injury & Insurance claims
© Real Estate & Conveyancing

9 Divorce & Family Law

5 Labour Law

0 Criminal Law

Oo Estates & Wills

B.C.’s number

One source for

information on
the USSR

Periodicals
Art
Children’s books
Novels,
Political science

10% off books
with presentation
of this ad

Mail orders please include
50¢ per

1391 COMMERCIAL DRIVE
VANCOUVER, B.C. V5L_ 3X5
TELEPHONE 253-6442

Pacific Tribune, March 9, 1988 « 11