The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PERM COMPLETE ................... COLOR or HIGHLIGHT cor SHAMPOO, CUT & STYLE 203 KING STREET SOUTH, WATERLOO(Close to MUTUAL LIFE) N Nudd WE USE AND SELL REDKEN PRODUCTS Best professional products and experienced services at low, low prices Well, it seems hell froze over last week. More specifically, the head of Canada‘s largest autoâ€" parts manufacturer was quoted as saying that his company would contribute to the NDP in the next federal election. Frank Stronach, Austrian immigrant, and founder and chairperson of Magna International was quoted as saying, We have perhaps neglected to give to the NDP but we will...because I think it has different views, looks at things differently which hopefully contributes to a better society." He also said that he‘s considered running for parliament to push his "fair enterprise" system of running the Magna corporation â€" a very progressive management technique involving workplace incenâ€" tives, profitâ€"sharing and worker democracy which Stronach credits for Magna‘s success. "I‘m not very happy with the way the present government runs Canada," Stronach said. A corporation contributing to the NDP because of the views it espouses? Quick Toto, am I still in Canada? Actually, it was bound to happen. After all, it happens everywhere else in the western world. KITCHENER OFFER WATERLOO Queen & Charles expires Jan.30/88 110_'_(”_@ N NOW ON SALE Waxing & Pedicures 15% OFF Something completely different... IVY BEAUTY BOUTIQUE â€" CHRISTMAS SPECIAL COMPLETE HAIR CARE FOR LADIES AND MEN â€"â€"745â€"1962 (10 Bessions min.) complete .... ..... only .. only 2999 1 900 1400 In Sweden, the socialist party is financed mainly by the larger corporations such as car manufacturers and steel industries, while small business supports the more conservative parties. In France, there are not only companies contributing to the socialists, but also several highlyâ€"vocal millionâ€" aire ist party members. In ;‘:En::d Greece the socialists are the party of small iness and agriculture. In Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Australia and New Zealand the pattern is similar. But until last week, there were no corporate heads voicing support for and making monetary contribuâ€" tions to the NDP. The NDP has been known to brag of this. There had been an illâ€"fated attempt in 1985 by provincial leader Bob Rae to convince small business he was their natural representative. But habits, especially voting habits, of Canadian business leaders (and labor leaders for that matter) have been firmly entrenched. e _ o _ Big business tends to support the Liberals and the Conservatives. Small business supports both, but leans to the Conservatives. This does not necessarily make sense. The Canadian NDP has not been a truly socialist party since the early 1970‘s when it excommunicated the leftâ€"wing ‘Waffie‘ movement within. Since then it has become a party of welfare liberalism â€" often indistinguishable from the federal Liberal Party in all but its close ties to the labor movement and its opposition to remaining in expensive "entangling alliances‘". Is Stronach the thin edge of the wedge? Are businesses which are going to be hardest hit by the free trade agreement (many of them in this area) about to shift allegiance to the party which promises them strongest protection if elected? The NDF is still doing well in the polls despite a Tory attempt to label them "soft on communism" in an almost Americanâ€"style smear campaign. Seems perâ€" haps staying in NATO is not a priority with the electorate after three years of Lyin‘ Brian running the country. Will business hedge their bets and shift part of their electoral budget to the NDP in the next campaign? Nobody wants to risk being on the losing side. Everyone loves a winner. It‘s sure shaping up to be an interesting 18 months or so until the next federal election.