A somewhat belated story on Prince Andrew is still in order, if not for any other reason than the fact he's still in Canada and still getting a lot of attention from the media. You might be interested to know that I had the honour of meeting Prince Andrew on his first day in Toronto at Queens Park. There were about 50 journalists, including photographers and TV cameramen-ail anxious to meet the Prince and ask a number of silly questions. For instance, when Prince Andrew encountered the unruly members of the press, he asked them the standard royal question: "And, what newspapers do you work for?" I told him that I. write a weekly column for the Whitby Free Press and that I also do some camerawork for the CFTO News. On In My Opinion by Norm Mealing The most pressing issue facing the country today is the possible separation of Quebec from Canada. Rene Levesque and his Parti Quebecois government, have stated that independence for Quebec is inevitable, and one can only assume that they are laying the foundation step by step to ensure its happening. Although any movement to take Quebec out of confeder- ation requires an amendment to the British North Amenica Act, an amendment only possible through the action of the British House of Commons, the crucial contest to be fought is the referendum to be held in Quebec. Depending on Mr. Levesque, and it would appear the day of the week, the referendum will be held in two, or three, or five years. The opposing sides are forming now, and the first shots are being fired, almost daily. In setting up its side of the fight, the Trudeau govern- ment is pointing out to Quebecers the social, and economic hardships that separation will bring, and exhorting English Canada to end its bigoted ways, and do more in the cause of bilingualisni and biculturalism. 1 But, is this fair or honest? I think not. Bilingualism and biculturalism are concepts which, in general terms, have been largely accepted outside Quebec. French- language education, use of French in the conduct of government business, and French-language communications are but three positive examples of the practice of bilingualism in areas as diverse as British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. Clearly, the pattern is there. Economic hardship has been a way of life for many Quebecers for many years now. The working class has had a variety of masters over the years, but their main 119 Green St. top of that, I managed to inform him that I an a fréelance photographer here in Canada and elsewhere. He replied: "That's very interesting". (Incidentally, that was also his standard royal reply as all newsmen seemed to be doing the same thing-either writing or taking photographs). However, there was some uneasiness on the part of the press corps when Toronto Star's photographer Boris Spremo answered the Prince's question declaring: "I work for Canada's largest newspaper", quickly mentioning the Star's circulation. "That is big", said Prince Andrew "and what is the smallest?" "Lakefield", said the Star photographer, "where you are going" It was a lighthearted response. However, it did not amuse Iw/illiam E. Dickson, publisher of the Lakefield Leader. According to Dickson, his paper has a circulation of 1 800 which is an impressive figure in a tiny communitv of 2,211 residents. For Boris Sprerno's information, the Lakefield Leader is not the smallest newspaper in Canada. It is not even the second smallest. And, as one perceptive reporter put it: "It has week, every week, to get things right Prince Andrew then turned to a very pretty face-Mary Stewart who works for a television station. She was impressed with Andrew's wit and aplomb. But once aaim. oppressors nave oeen the aristocratic French-Canadian families. Times may not get better in a separated state, but Levesque and his cohorts are of the people, and the perception may be of everyone being forced to tightelh the belt, not just the working man. And this might be very acceptable. Separation from the rest of Canada, either in fact or in spirit, is not a new phenomena in Quebec society. The history of that province's politics is such that the voters have consistently favoured those politicians, and those political parties, which have preached a nationalistic line. The great issues of conscription in both wars, and the success of men like to Duplessis, Lesage, Johnson, and, even Robert Bourassa, were linked to Quebec nationalism. It is endemic to Quebec society, and Quebec politics, and Levesque is only advocating the logical culmination of the many men who preceeded him as Premier of Quebec. If this is the situation today, then what options exist for Canada at this time? Not very much, l'n afraid. Further shifting of power from Ottawa to Quebec will achieve very little. Quebec now enjoys more power than virtually every other province, and every other province would expect as much, if not more, if this was perceived as the way to keep Quebec in confederation. Emotional arguments aimed Quebecers offer slim hope, and exhortations to the rest of Canada mean little inside Quebec, and probably less in the rest of Canada. In my opinion, the only arguments which might sway Quebecers are the ones which warn of economic domination by the United States or France, or of political domination in the form of Cuban Socialism. These, however, are very hypothetical, and negative in the extreme. In surmmary, therefore, the crisis is here, and, despite what our leaders in Ottawa are telling us, you and I can do very little to influence the outcome. The traditions of Quebec nationalism are very strong, and the advantages of federalism not very obvious. And although it is fashionable to say that the vote for Levesque was a vote for good Op"n7 dasa week Ata( RESTAURANT 20 SWOCU ST. M. WHITBY - TEL.: "S-9461 DeliciousC ¢andien Md lien Dishes SUNDAY ALI SPECIAL 12 - 3 p.m. starting Sun. Jan. 30 INCLUDES: Salad, bake potato, sour cream, chives, roll & butter, pickles & olives, coffee or tea. Pork Chop.. ............$2.95 Chopped Sirloin ............ B.B.Q. Back Ribs.....................$4.95 Ali Baba Special (top sirloin)...$4.95 Junior Filet Mignon........--$4.95 Steak Sandwich.......................$3.95 KIDDIES CORNER INCLUDES: bake potato or pan fries, small milk and vanilla ice cream. Ground Steak Pork Chop BarB.Q. Back Ribs FREE Pebbles or Charlie Brown Cocktail. STEAK HOUSE H1OURS: Mon. thru Thurs. I 2 noon tol1 2 midnigh - Fri. & Sat. - 12 noon until I a.m. Sunday - 12 noon until 10 p.m. 918 BROCK ST. N., WHITBY - TELEPHONE 668-9369 Y FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9,1977, PAGE 5 it was srnall talk. I got the impression that local reporters are terribly inexperienced in their own line of work, and even less experienced on a highly sensitive subject of monarchy. Some of the questions they asked Prince Andrew made me blush. Fortunately, I carried a camera and not a reporter's notebook. And, speaking of ineptness, I should single out a flag- waving Canadian named D. Mole of Beihaven. Mr. Mole writes: "Now that we have a real prince here, let's keep him. He would be our man and, of course, marry some lucky Canadian girl". Then -believe it or not - Mr. Mole suggests that "on his 17th birthday he receive from his mother the rank and the title of Prince of Canada". And, should Prince Andrew decide to marry a Canadian girl (which is a possibility, I must say) then, guess what -he'd eventually become King of Canada. I have not heard such rubbish for decades. Frankly, who cares about Prince Andrew and his royal future? To me, hé is just an ordinary schoolboy who's having a good time at Lakefield. government, and not for separation, if the Parti Quebecois provides the former, the people of Quebec will probably accept the latter. And when you consider how little they must do to improve on the record of the Bourassa Liberal government, you can readily understand why Rene Levesque says "independence for Quebec is inevitable". Two lines heard this week which are worth repeating: One, in an advertiseftient for men's Hairpieces, "Remember, men, the only thing that stops falling hair is the floor", and, two, in a description of President - Carter's and Prime Minister Trudeau's penchant for kissing young ladies when campaigning, "Unlike Mr. Carter, with Mr. Trudeau, after he kisses you, you better check to make sure you still have your lips". Legion presents awards to Meadowcrest stùdents Two students from Meadow- crest Public School in Brooklin were presented with awards Thursday for partici- pation in the Royal Canadian Legion's Remembrance Day essay competition held last November. Trophies, plaques and certificates were .given by Bob Brown, of Bowmanville; representing the Legion's District F, and Bob Hedges, President of Brooklin Legion Branch 152. The winners we re Ron Martinelli, of Grade 7 who came first in Branch 152 in the intermediate category, and third in the Zone F competition, involving 54 Legion branches; and Gerry Gregg, of Grade 6, who came first in Branch 152 in the Junior category and second in Zone F. Branch 152 presented prizes of $15 to the first and $10 to the second place winners in each categor.y. A I MORTGAGES 1.st 2nd Arrangeod Bought ad Sold at Prime Rates cau Peter Kade 668-1556 ANUBIS INVESTMENTS Ltd. iee Srock St. N.. Whitby PASSPORT PICTURES NOW TAKEN AT RUSSELL TRAVEL 116 Brock St. S. WHITBY 668 - 5000 Photos Required Wili Be Complimentary With Your Booking "Your Travel is our Busirress" HoursMon - Set 9-5 ~L.JrE Mi~LoR A good or professional eut, set, permanent straightening can add life to dull hair. Professional hair coloring can highlight or change your hair for a totally new look. LA CONTESSA BEAUTY LOUNGE m 1 ý LN 668-9262