Discomfort Zone
We have had a response to my challenge in the last issue:
Dear Sir,
Reference to the challenging letter from Alan Horrocks in the Christmas issue, here is my response to the comments about the European Union.
I thought the original idea behind the E.U. was to strengthen trade within Europe and thereby become united in making a future together - the outcome of the devastation two world wars caused in Europe. However, as time went on more and more of the social, political and religious activities of the member states have come under the control of Brussels. I find all this very worrying, especially as we are not a part of mainland Europe. We are an "offshore island" with very different needs and culture from continental countries - ask anyone who has visited there as holdiday makers or church planters in B.E.M.
So why should we give up our distinctiveness in exchange for controls on our lives of dubious value? I don't have to remind you of the controls on our agriculture and horticulture and the disappearance of fish around our shores from overfishing. Now we are less able to be economically strong in those areas - so much for the ethos of G.A.T.T. (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trades) that preceded the formation of the E.U.
Yours faithfully
Jennifer Jackson
It is good to know that somebody else agrees with my stance on Europe. There are obviously more people who will nail their colours to the mast on this point. Good, well done, and thank you. If anybody else has something to say on the subject of Europe and/or the Euro, I would love know about it! To move the matter on, I hereby respectfully request that the P.C.C. debate the matter and submit a response for publication in the next issue of Outlook. (Name and address to be supplied but not printed if you prefer not to).
Now, South Crofty, this is an emotive subject alright. The question is (and remember, it is only a question and I am not against the local traditions or way of life and for those who don't know, No, I am not Cornish either), although it is important to maintain the miners world-renowned skills as well as a link to local industrial heritage, is it time to move on and allow more sustainable industry and other development onto the site which could this bring more jobs than mining?
Now, what do you think?
Editor - It isn't the European Economic Community I voted for - where did this creeping federalization come from? There have been advances in Health and Safety over the years, and also security, it could be said, owing to the increasing membership and influence of the Community. We cannot, as Christians, be aloof from civil responsibility - surely vigilance is improved and increased by our involvement? But what is the proper, and best, forum for this discussion? The P.C.C. has specific non-partisan responsibilities for our church - but we support Free Trade, don't we, as we have previously the Abolition of Slavery? Our friend and parishioner, David Fieldsend, puts the Christian viewpoint "over there" - but he must sometimes feel himself ploughing a lonely furrow.