Letters

Eunice Parker, Coquitlam alderman, Writes: What’s in store for municipalities? I believe we are at a crossroads. We can take the line of least resistance and adopt all the New measures the provincial government Suggests in its new Bills 21 to 25 the “Pro- vincial Municipal Parntership Acts” or we Can oppose these giveaways and try to pro- tect the people in our municpality with Tational administration.

Through the new legislation, which Municipalities are invited to endorse whole- heartedly and participate in, we can then Srant new industries exemptions of 50 per cent of their property taxes, 50 per cent of their education taxes and a reduction or elimination of business licence fees. Furth- €tmore, the province will give these new

Usinesses a generous reduction in their electricity rates.

_ Victoria says, “Homeowners won’t face

igher taxes to compensate for the loss of

Uusines property taxes — the government will pick up the tab from general revenue.” Is this the same General Revenue who can’t Taise welfare rates to even the poverty level, the same one that can’t fund education, health care or job creation programs? Come ©n now, hardly anyone over the age of three believes in the tooth fairy. If business and industry are going to be relieved of taxes, if ‘ Tesources are getting a big write-off then Who will pay? This tax break will bea gift to business from our pockets.

The complete elimination of machinery and equipment tax (for education purposes) Means a loss of $358 million alone over the Next three years, and the virtual abandon- ment of the democratic demand that this

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EUNICE PARKER. ..‘’municipalities at a crossroads.”’

tax be extended for municipal purposes which would provide millions in funds for general revenue. Add the phasing out of corporation capital tax means a loss of $33 million by 1986/87 and $144 million less in property taxes for school purposes.

The province forecasts the deficit this year to be $1 billion. (It turned out to be $300 million more than predicted last year.) In 1979 there was a surplus of $542 million and today we “enjoy” a total pro- vincial debt of $17 billion with interest payments of $1 million every single day to service the debt.

Defying all logic, Finance Minister Hugh Curtis applauded his government in the budget speech and said “the success of our restraint program is bringing our deficit under control.” Incredible!

The cuts in social services, education and health alone will mean a loss of thousands of existing jobs and the savaging of an edu- cation and health care system that has been a point of some pride for British Columbi- ans.

If this tax break is extended to business and industry — who do you think will pick up the burden? And with no guarantee that it will create a single new job. What it is likely to create is a competition among municipal governments as to who can give the most and the fastest.

Special economic zones are another pro- ject the government is anxious to set up, all in the name of job creation and competition

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on the world market. In the U.S. there are 104 of these zones. Of these only 20 per cent are operational and about 30 per cent of the space avilable is utilized. they employ a total of 14,000 people in the whole United States, an infintesimal number of jobs in relation to the U.S. work force. Special economic zones are in operation in many parts of the world, and their presence has not brought great benefits to working people. Electron- ics and garment manufacturers are domi- nant features in many of them.

The Yearbook of Labor Statistics 1981 shows average hourly wages for 1980 in economic zones:

Garment

Electronics Industry Korea 91 ay) Malaysia 42 n/a Singapore 90 80 Japan 5.97 3.56 US. 6.96 4.57

That is hardly a testimonial to prosperity for workers. Other statistics show the shameful lack of benefits, job protection and safety in these low-paid job ghettos. Not only do these industries get away with a tax holiday, the low incomes of workers do not generate tax on their income and the low level consumer purchasing power does not create a greater demand for goods and services.

Municipalities are already in a real bind, trying to keep pace with growing needs, rising inflation, cuts in provincial grants and reduced work forces. The “partnership” will inevitably lead to a sharply increased municipal tax on homeowners who will be called upon to foot the bill and provide the additional servicing for these industries as well.

7} You are invited to an evening of film and update reportsin |

SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE | OF SOUTH AFRICA Sunday, April 21, 1985, 7:30 p.m.

Auditorium, King Edward Campus, VCC 1155 East Broadway

SPEAKER: a representative of the African National Congress FILMS: “You Have Struck a Rock” — focuses on the role of

women in the fight against the pass laws and other repressive conditions under apartheid.

. , “Generations of Resistance” — chronicles i the history of the peoples struggle | against racism in South Africa | from the founding of the ANC | in 1906 through to the | Soweto massacre | and present day

ADMISSION: $3.50

All proceeds to: South African Solidarity

Classified Advertising

COMING EVENTS

APR. 12 — Reuniun for all previous Interna- tional Youth Festival delegates, 1947-1978. At Ukrainian Hall, 805 E. Pender St. All welcome. For further info. 251-9457.

APR. 14 — CHESS TOURNAMENT Regis- tration 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cost: $10. Centre for Socialist Education, 2747 E. Hastings. Pro- ceeds to Chilean Democratic Movement. Phone Ray: 253-6442 days or 589-3163 eves.

APR. 21 — Solidarity with the People of South Africa. An evening of films and update reports. 7:30 p.m. Auditorium, King Edward Campus, VCC, 1155 East Broadway. Admission: $3.50. See display ad for further details.

JUNE 2 — Burke Mountain Labor Festival. Circle this date on your calendar now. Further details soon.

JUNE 22 — Tribune Victory Banquet. This is definitely a “not to be missed” event. So mark this date on your calendar too.

NOTICES

BOOKS:All kinds needed for COPE Book Sale to be held May 10 and 11. Books received at Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Ave., side door. Apr. 3, 4, 10, 11; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. Tues., & Wed. from Apr. 15 to May 8; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hall phone 254-3430 or Jonnie Rankin 872-2128.

SHARED ACCOMMODATION

SINGLE PERSON, mobile home on King George Hwy. $250/mo. incl. 596-9059.

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.

DRYWALL, TAPING, Spray-tex, T-Bar ceil- ings. Tony 596-1355.

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 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.

Bookstore i= The Social Writing of Jack London. Edited by Philip S. Foner $12.95

Marxism & the Oppression of Women: Towards a

Unitary Theory Lise Vogel $12.95 History in the Making: Memories of World War Ii Diplomacy.

Valentin Berezhkov $8.95 Concessions and How to Beat Them.

Jane Slaughter $8.95 Mail orders add 50¢ postage.

1391 Commercial Drive Vancouver, B.C. V5L 3X5 Telephone: 253-6442

PACIFIC TRIBUNE, APRIL 3, 1985 e 11