& 7 Politics left for better topic VICTORIA — “What is it about this world that is prepared to spend $2 billion a month on an armada in the Gulf, but can’t find the pennies a day to save the lives of kids?” It was more than a rhetorical question: It was an impassioned plea for sanity in a deranged world. And deep-down, I’m sure, every person in the audience felt a sense of shame, because David Lewis, Canada’s former ambassador to the United Nations, was bringing his audience face to face with some very disturbing images of themselves. “While we’re all preoccupied with what we call the loud emergencies of the Gulf, the silent emergencies proceed inexorably to take their toll,” Lewis told a gathering at the University of Victoria. “Seven thousand children under the age of five die every day from easily preventable diseases like measles, diphtheria, tetanus, and all for the lack of immunization. One dollar for the life of a child. “Seven thousand children under the age of five die every day from dehydration induced by diarrhoea, all for the lack of a little packet of oral rehydration salts, a sugar and salt solution which, when mixed with water and ingested orally, stops the dehydration and induces rehydration allowing the child to live. And one packet costs seven cents. Seven cents for the life of a child. “Seven thousand children under the age of five die every day from acute respiratory infections, largely pneumonia, for the lack of antibiotics amounting to a cost of $1 a child. “A thousand children in the developing world under the age of five go blind every day for the lack of ten cents worth of vitamin A. “Now, you will forgive me, I want to know what kind of international society we have crafted which is capable of that insane daily harvest of children. I’d like to know about the values which animate international society that allows this to happen.” What kind of society, indeed? Lewis’ message must have hit home with the audience, because you could have heard a pin drop. I know it hit home with me, so much so that I decided to leave provincial politics to its own devices for once and write this column instead. Stopping the harvest of hunger, misery and death, Lewis said, is not beyond mankind’s financial capabilities. At a cost of $6.8 billion a year for the next 10 years, the 45 countries of sub-Saharan Africa could achieve dramatic reductions in infant and maternal mortality rates, eliminate measles, do away with polio and tetanus, improve the water supply and sewage systems and reach an 80-per- cent literacy rate. This and more could be accomplished just by forgiving the developing countries their debt to the developed nations, Lewis said. The countries of sub-Saharan Africa, he added, will pay $9.6 billion a year servicing their debt. Pulling the same countries out of their misery, on the other hand, would cost the developed nations only $6.8 billion a year. But Lewis went beyond simply appealing for compassion. Helping the developing world, he Said, was our own ticket to survival. The Western World, Lewis said, needs the developing countries, because without them there is NO way to save the globe from self-destruction. “We need them desperately, not out of some sign of overweening generosity on our part, but because quite simply of the environment. There is no way of saving this planet without the co- operation of the developing world.” I hope you'll forgive me for having put aside provincial politics for this once. The change of pace, f thought, was worth it. Thank you. TheReview Wednesday, November 14,1990 — A 5-10025 GALARAN RD. 656-1313 AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES A FREE SERVICE TO EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES If you are a reliable worker looking for work or are an employer looking for reliable employees in the following areas: xiarm labour x landscaping x construction *& greenhouse labour *general labour on a full time, part time or casual basis, contact us at 2661 Douglas Street, Victoria, phone 382-7201, Monday - Friday *silviculture Election results by the minute UP TO THE MINUTE election results is what Shaw Cable 11 is planning to broadcast to Peninsula viewers Saturday. “We’re doing a big push this year with people at each polling station calling in the results,” Shaw program manager Mike Stanlake said. The broadcast begins at 8:30 p.m. and will continue until the last results are in, no matter how late that is. Company radios and personnel at all polling station will allow resi- dents to watch the race develop, cheer on the winners and share defeat with the losers. * ke * THE SAANICH PENINSULA Chamber of Commerce has a new president, it was announced in a press release this week. Rick Roberts is the new man at the wheel, replacing past president John Fortune. Helping Roberts are first vice- president Mel Hernblad, second vice-president Paul Deeton and third vice-president Jerry Dewitt. A new slate of directors were also chosen. Their luncheon meeting this Thursday at Images will feature speeches by the mayoral candidates in Saturday’s election. * eK * A LOCAL STAR SHINES on the noon news of Chek T.V. Parkland Secondary 1981 graduate Jill Krop has just been named news anchor of Chek Six News at Noon. Since graduating, Krop has attended the University of Victoria and then BCIT to study for a broadcast journalism career. Her first on-air job was in Prince George, followed by jobs in Regina and in Halifax. xe % WINNERS WALKED OFF with several prizes following the Pythian Sisters Bazaar. The painting was won by Nina Bill. Second prize went to Ollie Bannister and third prize to Mary Wolonick. Other prize winners were Gladys Gnam, Marg Swallow, Scotty Star, Peggy Briggs and Lil Blow. ke x * kk TURN IT ALL OFF tonight for B.C. Hydro’s Power Smart Night which encourages B.C. residents to turn off all unnecessary lights at 8 p.m. for one hour. Hydro estimates up to a million kilowatt hours could be saved on power smart night and hopes to encourage year-round power conservation. As part of the program, B.C. Hydro is holding a competition for students to design television commercials promoting energy conser- vation. The winning commercial will be pro- duced. Entry forms are available at local school. * * x A 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY will be celebrated Sunday to mark the anniversary of Wesley A. Jones and Phyllis P Primeau, who were married on Nov. 14, 1940 in Sidney. Friends and family are invited to attend an open house from 2 to 6 p.m. at 1398 Tapping Road, Sidney. * * x SHORELINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL is holding a 10th Anniversary Reunion this Friday at 2750 Shoreline Drive. For information call 479- 7851 or 386-8367. 8 am to 4:30 pm. Our Reputation HOUSE OF RUSSELL Su neten HAIRSTYLISTS LTD. UNISEX © 656-1522 se ® Precision Cutting Saiece IN SIDNEY CENTRE #102-2367 Bevan Ave., Sidney, B.C. (Next to Safeway) LUNCH 2 SPECIALS EVERY DAY Includes SOUP Ce JOUTL...........c200c200008 $5.95 DINNER SPECIALS - ROAST LAMB - FILLET OF SALMON INCLUDING SEAFOOD CHOWDER SOUP de JOUR OR SALAD, MINILOAF.... 9 10.95 OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER EVERY DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK ISLAND ACOUSTICS INC. SIDNEY ¢ #301-2453 BEACON AVE. » 656-5520 By VANCOUVER ISLAND'S HEARING AID SPECIALISTS” IMPROVING YOUR HEARING IS OUR CONCERN MRS. EVELYN HAMBLEY & MR. DOUG KOESLAY GOVERNMENT LICENSED HEARING AID CONSULTANTS CONDUCT HEARING EVALUATIONS Every Monday from 1:30 - 5:00 Tuesday & Thursday from 9:00 - 5:00 All the latest noise reduction hearing aids and improved technology in small canal hearing aids are available We service all makes and models of hearing aids and supply all types of batteries at a discounted price by quantity. All hearing aids are fitted with a 30 day, NO Obligation trial! 301 - 2453 Beacon Avenue, Sidney 309 - 645 Fort Street, Victoria 225 - 1900 Richmond Avenue, Victoria 656-5520 385-3103 _ 598-2334