RED RED (Reading's Only Newspaper) September 4th - 17th 1983 - - - BABY SNATCH An Account of What Happens When The Police Take Away Your Baby........ Jack is four nearly five weeks old. He has a sweet round face, a big dimple under his mouth and large, alert round eyes. His mother, Jan, thinks the world of him; she's wanted him for a long time. He was born at home and she gives him the best food possible - mother's milk supplemented with the bottle when necessary. But the police, the social services and the Berkshire Health Authority have all taken a hand in removing Jack from his mother. The perfectly normal baby I saw today is the same baby that was taken from Greenham Common by policemen, one of whom said he looked like a victim from Belsen concentration camp. When he arrived at the hospital a statement was issued saying that the baby was not malnourished. It was later retracted, but only after it had been broadcast on the radio news. Hospital doctors now say that even if they give Jack a clean bill of health, they cannot discharge him from hospital. He is some 1/4 lb under the average baby weight for his age, which doesn't surprise anyone, as his parents are both small-framed and skinny. The hospital has been designated "a place of safety" to which the baby was removed on the instructions of a social services court order issued in South Wales. These emergency orders are generally issued to rescue a child in cases of gross neglect, e.g baby battering, untreated diseases etc.. One would think that an examination of the baby would establish quickly and accurately whether in fact he is dangerously neglected. The court order suggests that he is deliberately neglected and that his health is poor. The doctor who has examined him in Reading tends to disagree, but professional opinion is not enough to get Jack home. On what grounds was the order made in the first place? (one then asks). Surely there must have been serious cause for concern. Well it seems that Jan made the mistake of taking the baby to see the doctor whose ante-natal clinic she had attended. He had told her that she should have Jack in hospital and was appalled when she presented him with a fait accompli, i.e. a healthy baby born at home. A cold wind had blown up as Jan arrived at the clinic and made Jack look a little pale. On the basis of his opinion of Jan as a mother - a pale face and the delivery - he decided that Jack was "on the brink of death" and should be hospitalised. He didn't undress the child to examine him nor make any enquiries as to his feeding patterns and nappy wetting patterns. You can tell a lot about the health of a baby from the colour and texture of its poo - delightful I'm sure - but Jan assures me that Jack's nappies were dirty in all the right places. When Jan, convinced and advised that her baby was ok, didn't show up in hospital, the social services were contacted and an order subsequently issued. It is possible that all would have been quietly dropped, but Jan had returned to Greenham Common Peace Camp. The police leapt into action, it took an occupation of the Social Services Dept. before the women could have Jack's whereabouts - Battle Hospital, Reading. The children's ward in Battle Hospital is filled with pretty pictures, and all the windows are screwed down in case Jan, Jack & John (the father) should think of escaping. At night extra staff nurses are allotted to the ward and the doors in the corridor locked so that even the night nurses have to traipse about the outside in the dark to get a cup of tea! Wet nurses and bedraggled porters are the order of the night on account of one little mite who is hopefully unaware of the chaos caused in his name. The nurses are not the only people to suffer: the mother and father find life in and out of a strange hospital room more than a little unpleasant. Worse than this however is the threat of a compulsory care order being brought to bear on Jack by one or other set of Social Services. Jan is scared that they will seek to smear her reputation in an attempt to take Jack away from her. Police involvement did not stop with Jack's snatch from home. A week ago three women from Greenham Common visited the family in hospital. Jan and John had a small meths stove in their room on which they were brewing up some tea. Policemen were called to oust the visitors. The first thing they did however was to tamper with the stove in a misguided attempt to put it out. They got flames coming out of the side so they stamped on it. Then they got smoke belching out, at which point the sister panicked and got a fire extinguisher. One of the Greenham women tried to move the baby away from the choking fumes and had her way blocked by three policemen. Things calmed down until about an hour later when police reinforcements arrived, it is claimed by two witnesses that the police pushed one of the nurses, sending her tumbling on top of the family, nearly causing an accident. Then the visitors were dragged away in a manner to which they have become accustomed. Jan wishes to publicly thank the women of Greenham for the support which they have given her. She resents taking up space in the hospital and wants to leave to pursue her own life in peace, she wants to care for her own baby in her own style, and why not??? Good luck to her. - - - CAMPAIGN TO REHOUSE MARGARET SMALL Do you like to watch the late movie, or listen to music, perhaps have friends call at the weekend? Margaret Small does. Unfortunately for her and her three children - Andre (5), Nadia (3), and Jerome (2) - her neighbours do not. Margaret moved into a council house in 1979 with one child, Andre. Margaret was 19 at the time and had previously been homeless. Margaret was optimistic about the future, and she hoped she would be able to provide a stable home in which to raise a family. She could not have foreseen the chain of events to follow. Soon after she moved into her new home, all her windows were smashed, trash was dumped in her front garden and she faced consequent abuse from neighbours. Margaret's was the only black family living in the street. In April 1980 Margaret was served with a notice under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, requiring: the abatement of a noise nuisance. Then, in the July of 1980, Margaret was taken to Court for two breaches of this Order, one for having friends call at the weekend, and one for having a surprise birthday party for her mother. Margaret went unrepresented to Court, and unable to understand the complexity of the case and its implications for her and her family, she pleaded guilty to these charges. An intricate web has been spun around Margaret. In September of 1982 Margaret found herself in Court again on similar charges, and, again on her own, unable to understand the complexities of the law, she pleaded guilty, and the Council began the process by which they would remove Margaret from her home. During her Court appearance, a supposed petition signed by neighbours complained of Margaret's noisy behaviour. No such petition was ever presented as evidence in Court. Margaret then discovered that one of her neighbours, a certain Mr Humphreys, had been keeping a daily record of such things as when Margaret switched on her TV or her record player, what time she woke in the morning, what time she left the house and what time she returned. In his summing up, the Crown Court judge Justice Piggott QC told the Court, "Where the evidence conflicts between the two parties. I would take Mr Humphreys' word on every occasion." Reading Borough Council then ruled that Margaret had made herself intentionally homeless and considered that they had no obligation to rehouse her. Fact 1: Of the complaints against Margaret investigated by the Borough and the Police during 1982 more than 90% were found to be unjustified. Fact 2: 80% of complaints received were from one individual, the other 20% being from another. Fact 3: Complaints received were not limited to noise but included one about a blocked drain and even one about the baby crying in the night. Fact 4: Owing to racial harassment Margaret had to leave her home from 23rd February 1981 until 7th April 1982 - she found it impossible to live her life. The future of Margaret and her family is in jeopardy. Driven from her home, she has been advised that Social Services may intervene and take the opportunity of bringing Andre, Nadia and Jerome into the custody of the same said local authority. She has been declared intentionally homeless and she faces the prospect of continuing her struggle alone. To ignore this scandal is to side with Margaret's oppressor. Defend the right of every individual to live in freedom from fear and vendetta. Contact: Mark-I at Central - 54421 Marjorie at Centre for the Unemployed - 596639 Sandra, RCRE - 583773 Phone D. Birtwistle, Director of Housing, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices - 55911, ext 2370 - expressing your concern. Support equal rights and justice for all. One Love Reading Council for Racial Equality 46, Caversham Road, Reading. Tel 583773. (Margaret Small's house in Chagford Road was squatted on 16th August by a group of friends and supporters. They were then evicted on the morning of the 18th. Her furniture and possessions, at first put in a garage by the Council, have since been moved to another squat, in Blagdon Road. She is being used as a test case by the Housing Department: the Director of Housing, Mr Birtwistle, has told several campaign members that Ms Small is being made an example of. If they are successful in evicting her, others will follow. Therefore the campaign for Margaret Small is a campaign for other single black women too. The campaign wants to involve the whole of the black community - especially older people. A week's picketing of the Civic Offices produced much support. The campaign is organising a meeting for the black community at Apollo (Mount Pleasant) on Sunday 11th September at 5pm, and a press conference the next day.) - - - DEAR RED RAG, I feel a self-gratifying ambition to lay the sardonic talents of my pen coming over me, as Councillor Mike Orton would say. If I'm "indiscriminate" because I sometimes criticise Labour politicians as well as Conservative ones, well, so be it. No, I don't know the names and political labels of all councillors (I think he's actually referring to a mistake made by someone else - see Red Rag Aug 15th '82) what has that to do with "showing signs of caring about people"? So Mr. Orton knocked on a few doors" (yes, doors open if you are a Councillor; yes, people turn to their local representatives". People in prison turn to the screws! But that's an argument against prison, not one in favour of prison officers!) If Mr.Orton has been able to use his influence to help people, it's about the least he can do. Parading their misfortunes to make political capital for himself and his party I find rather tasteless. On the specific matter of the debate on "Bison" dwellings, I'm a bit perplexed. My only "sideswipe at the residents" was to ask why they allowed themselves to be deceived and manipulated by Mike Orton and his Group. (I remember their first single - typist). I notice Mr. Orton doesn't deny that they were being deceived and manipulated. Incidentally, if Mr.Orton thinks "community action" means going to Council Meetings, why is he so cross with me? Your miserable friend, Diogenes. - - - READING CITY FARM Work is now beginning on site, which is at the rear of Robson's Rec., access from Blagdon Road. Plans are being, considered for car parking, water supply, pond clearance and accommodation for our first animals - young chicks. Many more animals are available to us but cannot be taken in until suitable amenities are on site. Anyone who is interested in organising or being organised in any small part of this community project can contact Alan Edwards on Reading 873201, or turn up at the regular Weds, meetings at Ashmead School Staff Room, Northumberland Avenue, Reading @ 7.30pm. There is a long way to go, but at least we are getting started A. E. - - - ECOLOGY PARTY The Ecology Party is organising a 'green/alternative' fayre in the late Autumn - provisionally booked for 26th November. This is open to any organisation wishing to have a promotion or sales stall. The cost of the stalls has not yet been decided but would be in the region of £2-4 for the afternoon. Those interested should write to Eco-Fayre, 38 Long Barn Lane, Reading, Berks, by 14th October. - - - WOMEN'S CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS Organised by the W.E.A. Tuesdays from 20th Sept 83 7.30 - 9.30 pm at The Women's Centre Basement, Old Shire Hall, Abbey Street, Reading Cost: £6 for 12 weeks - concessions for jobfree. To explore those jotted down feelings, poems and memories, letters, diaries or stories. They are our history, which need not be lost - and which could perhaps be put together in a book by local women. If interested, please give me a ring on Reading 873469. Penny Henrion. - - - Don't forget: WOMEN-ONLY DISCO Women's Centre, Abbey St Friday 9th Sept Bring fave records + booze - - - CAPITALISM TODAY A comprehensive look at capitalism and its institutions in Britain and in Reading in particular is the aim of an imaginative 8-session course being put on by the WEA Reading Industrial Branch starting on October 10th. Capitalism isn't just a dirty word, nor is it any longer anything like assembly of competing Lancashire cotton mills run by their owners and their families that Engels described in the last century. It's just based on the same principle on which it was based then: the accumulation of wealth in the form of money, which is the mainspring of the very many changes that have taken place particularly since the Second World War. Capitalism Today is about those changes. Changes in the financial institutions which now swamp the private investor (the first session - Pensions: whose money is it anyway? to be led by Richard Minns from the West Midlands Enterprise Board). Changes in industrial production (is Manufacturing Dead?). Changes in the whole organisation of Industry and commerce which now crosses national boundaries with impunity and profit (The Multinational Goliaths). Changes in agriculture and food processing from factory farming to CAP (The Food Business). Changes in the defence industries brought about by what Eisenhower described as the military-industrial complex (Merchants of Deterrence). And changes in the way capitalism exploits the state (Public expenditure & privatisation). The final two sessions will be round-table discussions building on what's been talked about in the first six: Capitalism in Reading and What's the answer?, taking us up to Monday November 58th. Each session will be led by an outside speaker working in the field and chaired by a local person with particular local experience of it, and you can either register for the full course or for individual sessions. Further details and a registration form are available from Margaret Keys, the Branch Secretary, at 29 Denmark Road, Reading. We hope for a good turnout and hope to see you there. We all need to understand capitalism if we are going to be able to change it. Pete - - - EVENTS Mon 5th Closing Date for objecting to Reading Borough Council about an application for a licence for a sex shop at 328 Oxford Rd to be given to Jeremy Bayley of Two-Ways, Oak End Way, Padworth. Banc Women's Group at Women's Centre, Abbey St 8pm Woodley Peace Group contact Sam on 690813 Anarchists contact Box 17, Acorn Bookshop. Ecology Party at 25 Be Beauvoir Rd, 8.00. Recommended that you don't go to the Circus that's on somewhere today, tomorrow and Wednesday. Unless you like other species to be exploited for your amusement. Tues 6th Vegans: Discussion Group, to be held regularly each month at Long Barn Lane (no 38). Topic this time "Can anyone be truly 100% vegan?" 8.00pm ROAR regular meeting at the Crown, Crown St. 8.00 Wed 7th Socialist Workers' Party Red Lion, Southampton St 8pm. Topic "Does Scargill walk on water?" speaker John Deacon. Part of "a series of meetings intended to arm us with the lessons of history in order to the problems we face and the way forward." Thurs 8th Amnesty International usual monthly meeting at St Mary's Centre, Chain St, 8.00pm Fri 9th Uprising: a new black women's support group. 3pm Central Club, London St. Creche 10.30-4pm "Another Consciousness for a new age" Talk by Johann Quanier(?) Editor of New Humanity Journal. "This beautiful little planet is not coming to an untimely end... Creative peoples of the world unite." 7.30pm St Mary's Centre, Chain St Otmoor Fair - see Festivals bit. Saturday 10th Cactus and Succulent Soc monthly meeting 7pm at St. Mary's Centre. Sunday 11th Margaret Small Campaign: meeting for the Black Community. 3pm Apollo Club, Mount Pleasant. Red Rag Collective meeting (that can mean you) 4pm. tel 666681 for venue. Monday 12th Anarchists again. See Mon 5th. Peace Pledge Union meeting at 15, Stanley Grove (off George St). 8.00pm Caversham CND 5 Oakley Rd 8pm Tilehurst CND St Michaels Cottage, Routh Lane 8pm with Marion Sim on the Berks Nuclear Guide. Tuesday 13th Berkshire Antl-Nuclear Campaign/Reading CND General Meeting. Friends' Meeting House, Church St, off London St,8pm. Film on effects of nuclear war, election of delegates to CND national Conference, discussion of resolutions for that and the BANC AGM (which isn't till Feb 14th.) Wed 14th SWP Red Lion, Southampton St. 8.00. "Dialectics" speaker Lionel Starling. East Reading CND. Discussion on Arms Trade. 8.00 71, Hamilton Rd. Thurs 15th Reading Birth Centre "We are showing Leboyer's film 'Birth without Violence' at St Mary's Centre at 7.30 pm. followed by an informal discussion." Small entrance fee. Tel: 65648/584191. West Reading CND 6 Cranbury Rd 8pm. Discussion of campaign against nuclear transport; preparations for jumble sale, and mass canvass. Red Rag Editorial meeting tel 666324 for venue. Friday 16th Uprising see fri 9th Saturday 17th Ecology Party Book and Record Sale 4 Culver Rd 11-4. West Reading CND Jumble Sale. 11-3. Methodist Church Hall, Waylen St, off Oxford Rd. Entrance fee 10p a family! Plants, cakes, tea, coffee etc. Katesgrove Residents and Waterloo Meadows Play Project Fishing Club at Waterloo Meadows 9-1. Every other Saturday. (Typist - not at all sure I wanted to put that in.) Also wanting help with building a BMX cycle track, maybe. Contact Martin 54787/Nigel 867836. Red Rag: The next issue happens today! You will all have contacted the Rag about your meetings and stories, in good time, won't you? Today's your chance to cut it all up and stick it back together again. Contact 666324 for details of when where and how. Folding happens tomorrow so you can use up a whole weekend! Monday 19th Ecology Party meeting at 38 Long Barn Lane. 8.00 Caversham CND Public Meeting 82 Albert Rd 8pm Brian Revell on U.S. Bases in Britain. Tuesday 20th Vegans "Veganic Gardening" (i.e. without any animal by-products) a talk by Kenneth Dalziel O'Brien, author of "A Guide to Veganic Gardening". 8pm St Mary's Centre, Chain St. Reading Health Watch monthly Meeting at the Centre for the Unemployed, East St. 7.30pm. Staff cuts, family planning cuts, you-name-it cuts and what we can do about them. Wednesday 21st Peace Pledge Union Anti-war games planning meeting at Fairview Community Centre, off Oxford Rd. 8.15pm. See forthcoming events Socialist Workers Party Red Lion Southampton St. 8.00. "Socialists and War" speaker Pete Goodwin. New Group Reading Gay Society For help and advice ring 508762. Also starting up a social group. Festivals Sep 5-36 Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms Free Festival Tach Wood, Hay Bluff, Mountain Ed, Hay-on-Wye, Black Mountains, North Wales. Amazing mountain top wilderness. Nature lovers (no dogs please - too many dead sheep last year) Sep 11 Love-in, Hyde Park Sep 9-11 Otmoor Protest Festival and Fayre (against planned motorway through one of the oldest common moors in England, rare wildlife endangered) legal site of 30 acres, music, theatre. Friends of the Earth and Conservation Soc. Details Wheatley 808677 x2679. £5 Oct 7-9 Nottingham Goose Fair Forthcoming Tuesday 27th Berks. Organic Gardeners Talks on "Biological Control-the Latest" and "Preparing for the Winter" 7.30pm St Mary's Centre. Thursday 29th Stop the City Action in London on the "Day of Reckoning " by the Stock Exchange to close the City as a protest against the military-industrial complex. Oct 1st + 2nd Sat + Sun "Armageddon '83" at the Hexagon"! days entertainment for all the family". For peace response contact Peace Pledge Union, Box 10, Acorn Bookshop or tel 588459. How to fill all those long dark cold wet evenings - Look out for the Reading Adult College autumn programme (try the Library) for day + evening classes in all sorts of things. Also, the WEA programme (Available Library, Acorn etc) courses and day schools, as well as the WEA Industrial Branch courses (see elsewhere in Rag). WEA Autumn Programme Rough outline only; further details later 13 Sept: talk by Keith Jerome on The Life and of Harry Qulech'. Venue unfixed but probably Hungerford. 7.30pm Crisis in Capitalism: 8 week course starting Monday October, 7.30-9.30, Centre for the Unemployed. Probably 7 guest speakers 26 Oct: Teach-in 'Workers Music'. Centre for the Unemployed, 7.30pm. First in three part linked programme, others being Workers literature and ' Workers Film. Details from Centre for the Unemployed. Women's Section All dates yet to be confirmed. Women's Studies. 10 weeks, Women's Centre 28 Sept: Teach-in - Coping with stress. Women's Centre. Oxford Therapy Centre hopefully running Day teach-in on Women's Defence. Date unfixed, probably December Women's Research Workshop, discussion and practical 1st October, 7.30-9.30 then weekly. Theme is Women and Work in Reading. Women's Creative Writing Workshop From Tues 20 Sept 12 weeks. £6.00 Regular things Housing and Welfare Rights Sessions on Thurs evenings at Community House, 117 Cumberland Rd. Share your problems and knowledge. Women's Centre Opening times Tues 10.30 - 2.00 Wed 10.30 - 2.00 Sat 12.00 - 4.00 Also Free Pregnancy Testing Tues 7-9pm - Bring urine sample from first piss of the day. Girls' Club starting up again soon. Music Club every second Sat 11am-12. Reading gay Switchboard ring 597269 between 8 and 10 Tuesdays and Friday evenings Your rights: East Reading Rights Group stall outside the church at Cemetery Junction. Every Sat 11am-1pm SWAG (charity paper collection) Skips at Superkey, Palmer park, Northumberland Ave, St Martin's Precinct, Recreation Road, Gt Knolly's St. 8:30-12.30pm every first Sat of month Central Club, bottom of London St. Fridays 10.30-4pm creche. 3pm 'Uprising' a new black women's support group. Come and tell us what you'd like to do, what you'd like to see and what you're interested in. Community Action Group every 2nd Weds, 8pm, Fairview Community Centre at the far end of George St. All welcome to come along and discuss ideas or offer voluntary help on local projects. Mutual aid scheme, wholefoods co-op, new games sessions. City Farm: After the success of the Open Day, work is now starting on the site (clearance mainly). Ring Alan on 873201 if you're interested in it. Organisational meetings continue, Weds, 7.30pm, South Reading Community Centre, Northumberland Ave Mini-market stalls of handicrafts, fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, cakes, etc organised by Women's Institute, St Mary's Church House, St.Mary's Butts, 9am-1pm every Thursday - - - ACORN'S BIT Special Reductions on some women's books Women and Writing/Virginia Woolf 95p Original Sins/Lisa Alther 1.50 The Shame is Over/Ania Meulenbelt 1.20 The Transsexual Empire/Janice Raymond 60p Dialectic of Sex/Shulamlth Firestone 95p Why Children?/ed Stephanie Dowrick and Sybil Grundberg 95p The Convert/Elizabeth Robins 95p Alberta + Jacob, Alberta+Freedom, Alberta Alone trilogy by Cora Sandel 95p (each) Some of these are going fast! We're still looking for groups and societies that want to take advantage of some free display facilities to advertise their (your) activities and ideas i.e. a display board and wall space and small table. Any takers? - - - TRASH Multinational Corporations Reviewed The growth and proliferation of multinational corporations is a significant development of recent times. Briefly, I shall review their size, influence, and some of the conflicts in which they are involved. Size If wealth engenders power, certain multinational corporations must be considered extremely powerful: as economic entities their size is vast. To quote from Global Reach, a book on multinationals by R. Barnet and R.E. Muller, "If we compare the annual sales of corporations with the gross national product of countries, we discover that GM (General Motors) is bigger than Switzerland, Pakistan and South Africa; that Royal Dutch Shell is bigger than Iran, Venezuela, and Turkey; and that Goodyear Tire is bigger than Saudi Arabia." This was in 1973, at a time when the rate of growth of the larger multinationals was over 2 1/2 times that of any national economy, and considerably greater than that of any uninational business. Major Transnational Corporations, 1975 Company Base World Sales (in US billion dollars) Exxon US 42.1 Royal Dutch Shell Brit/Neth 33.4 General Motors US 31.6 Ford Motor US 21.6 Texaco US 23.3 Mobile Oil US 16.9 British Petroleum Brit. 18.3 Standard Oil, Calif. US 17.2 National Iranian Oil Iran 16.8 Gulf Oil US 16.5 Unilever Brit. 13.7 General Electric US 13.4 IBM US 12.7 ITT US 11.1 Chrysler US 11.0 Philips Neth 9.4 U.S. Steel US 9.2 Standard Oil, Indiana US 9.1 CFP France 8.9 Nippon Steel Japan 8.8 The multinationals, by definition, transcend national boundaries. Metal Box, for example, has 130 subsidiary companies throughout the world (though in terms of sales Metal Box must be considered a fairly small multinational) . ICL, another 'local' company, has approximately 90 subsidiaries operating in over 30 countries. Also, multinationals often transcend specialisation. Unilever, a limited example of this, markets products under the following brand names: Lux, Persil, Omo, Radiant, Comfort, Sunlight, Lifebuoy, Rexona, Pears, Vim, Sunsilk, Harmony, Close Up, Signal, Pepsodent; Blue Band, Stork, Sumner County, Spry, Cookeen, Crisp 'n' Dry, Sol; Cupa Soup, Birds Eye, Vesta, MacFisheries, Lipton Tea, Unox, Walls, Batchelors, Gibbs, John West, Domestos; and so on, indefinitely. Often multinationals prefer to exercise what is termed a vertical monopoly, ie: ownership of the means of production of the raw materials, such as mines or plantations; ownership and control of each stage of production; of packaging; design; marketing; and advertising. Unilever, in addition, owns its own chain of supermarkets. A radically different form of global corporation is exemplified by the Japanese Sogo Shosha, general trading companies whose essential role is to act as intermediaries in buyer-seller transactions. Mitsui and Mitsubishi are examples of these. The ten largest sogo shosha in 1975 earned in gross sales almost 155 billion dollars. They handled 56.4% of Japan's total experts, 55.6% of its imports, among other dealings. Their export and overseas transactions accounted for slightly over 5% of world trade (export) - these figures mean, essentially, that in combination the sogo shosha rank among the world's leading economic powers. Finally, it must be emphasised that the larger multinationals are expanding at a tremendous rate. For example, turnover of General Motors in 1970 was 16.75 billion dollars (GNP of Austria at this time was 14.37 billion dollars), but in 1975 turnover had increased to 31.6 billion. Such growth, and increasing centralisation, leads one to believe that as our century comes to an end the world's economic power will rest with a progressively decreasing number of people. Influence The influence of global corporations relates directly to their size. In small countries they often have immense influence, both in the economic and political spheres. In Latin America they have virtually created and maintained regimes. This is hardly surprising considering, for example, that the United Fruit Company has a sales revenue exceeding the entire national budgets of Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It is sometimes argued that in the economic sphere, through investment and the introduction of superior technology and business methods, the multinationals benefit their host countries in the 3rd World. In contrast to this is the fact that though U.S investment puts upward of one billion dollars(1975) into the less developed countries (LDCs) annually, it takes out each year more than 2.5 billion dollars in profits - in effect substantially decapitalizing the host countries. As for introducing superior technology - this is usually kept within the bounds of the foreign-owned subsidiary. Sometimes, even, technological development is openly restricted. For example, in Argentina during the period 1957-67, 75% of all patents taken out consisted of the registration of foreign patents held by about 100 foreign multinationals. Roughly 45% of these patents were being neither manufactured in Argentina nor imported into Argentina: patenting was thus being used solely to prevent the possible development of effective Argentine competition. Through investment, employment, exploitation of resources, and the introduction of foreign goods, multinationals dramatically effect the economic and social spheres of the poorer and more vulnerable countries; through bribery and economic coercion they attempt to create a political environment beneficial to their reaping of profit. But apart from influencing the host countries directly the multinationals also influence the foreign policies of their countries of origin. This is especially obvious as regards foreign policy of the United States, and the interventions of that discreet arm of U.S. policy, the CIA. This organization took part, for example, in the quiet removal from office of the Iranian premier Mohammed Mossadeq, when he attempted to prevent Gulf and Standard Oil from taking control of Iran's oil fields. The same agency also participated in rescuing Guatemalan banana land for United Fruit (now United Brands) from a democratically elected nationalist government. Other interventions, such as the CIA's activities on behalf of ITT in Chile, are well documented. Covertly, then, the U.S government has acted as consultant and often financier for right-wing coups in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Greece and Indonesia; and the generals thus supported opened their countries to U.S. investment on distinctly favourable terms. Corporate pressure had achieved its ends. But the influence of multinationals is not by any means limited to the 3rd World: it is global. Barnet and Muller, in Global Reach, describe the situation in this fashion: "In the process of developing a new world, the managers of firms like GM, IBM, Pepsico, GE, Pfizer, Volkswagen, Exxon, and a few hundred others are making daily business decisions which have more impact on where people live; what work, if any, they will do; what they will eat, drink, and wear; what sort of knowledge schools and universities will encourage: and what kind of world their children will inherit; than those of the governments of the countries in which they live." A universal person is being created in the Western world. No longer so individual, whether in West Germany, Britain, Australia, or North America, she or he uses Unilever soap, smokes British-American tobacco cigarettes, and is entertained with gadgets marketed by Philips, General Electric, or ITT... Corporate Responsibility Considering, then, both the size and influence of global corporations, it is easy to comprehend the difficulties involved in their control or regulation. In 1972, when the domestic and overseas operations of ITT were the subject of severe criticism, the Solicitor General of the United States remarked that the company was so large it was simply beyond the reach of U.S. law. Additionally, the corporations are, as defined, global, and there exists no effective global authority able to tackle them. Fortunately, this is not important: corporate responsibility, and, as the PR men would claim, an international code of practice, act on behalf of the consumer or employee. Examples of such corporate responsibility have been cited above; here is another from R.J. Ledogar's book, Hungry for Profits: "Among those drugs classified as anabolic steroids is a group of synthetic male sex hormones which have the general effect of promoting weight gain and a feeling of well-being. One of these is marketed by Winthrop under the brandname Winstrol. In the United States, Winstrol is considered too toxic for all but the narrowest indications. It can cause serious disturbances of growth and sexual development if given to young children: in both sexes, premature stunting of growth... in girls, an increase of body hair, male-pattern baldness, deepening of the voice, and clitoral enlargement... But in Latin America Winthrop promotes the drug widely as (among other things) an appetite stimulant for under-weight children." Clearly, corporate responsibility is not sufficient. Multinational V. The Sovereign State Multinationals undermine the nation state. They create a productive network which is international, and select and exploit markets at an international level. It is intrinsic to the philosophy of the employee of multinationals that nationalistic attitudes must be set aside. Loyalty must ultimately lie with the shareholders of the parent company, whose interests are to be protected even if they conflict with those of the host country. Examples of such conflicts may be the transferral of funds at a period of national crisis, a transfer of production from one subsidiary to another, or a transfer of export business. Thus, as multinationals attempt to maximise profits, factories may be closed in regions where unemployment is already wide-spread, markets may be allocated to foreign subsidiaries, and profits, made in countries ridden with debt, may well be invested elsewhere. Multinationals diminish government control of the economy. In addition, they reinforce economic interdependence. Factories in Germany, Britain and Singapore may combine to produce a single product; the most combination, as a multinational, factories produce a handsome profit where individually they would be unable to survive. To some extent these influences are resisted by the sovereign nations. Through tariffs, border controls, and the subsidy of local producers, governments attempt to limit the indiscriminate power of the multinationals. Alternatively, local conglomerates may be created to compete with foreign-owned companies. British Leyland, and International Computers, Ltd., were created at the instigation of the British government in order to block further intrusion into Britain of the American transnationals. Whatever the success of these attempts, it is clear that a conflict exists. Thus, when the PR officers of global corporations talk of a new internationalism, claiming for themselves the slogan 'Down with borders!' they are merely attacking the restrictions imposed on them by national governments: an alternative bureaucracy, vying for power. Multinationals v. War Beneath this assortment of critical detail, multinational enterprise must seem to have little in its favour. But there is one issue where the interests of the majority of humanity and those of the multinationals meet; in the wish to avoid a widespread nuclear war. The multinationals, as described, are part of an economic network linking every country in the world. In the domination of this network they find their profit, and in their growth they reinforce it. Companies have subsidiaries in Europe and the United States, and contracts with the USSR and China. In conjunction with the international trade of uninational companies, these reinforce the interdependence of the nuclear powers. In the event of a serious war (even if it were a conventional one) this network could be smashed. Borders would be closed, and the flow of cash to shareholders would diminish. If the war were nuclear, whole markets might vanish, assets be pulverised, investments blown. All that would be left would be the controlling shareholders and their leading executives, huddled in their ITT or Exxon or GM bunkers, pining at the loss of their industrial empires. In a world seemingly dedicated to extinction, multinationals are perhaps the most important entities with a vested interest in peace. Hungry for Profit What are the incentives for the internationalising of industry? One obvious incentive is the desire to centralise wealth in fewer and fewer hands. Another is that of ensuring stability. Slumps in local productivity or consumption may occur, but with a mobile, world-wide corporation losses may either be avoided or buffered. In their hunger for profits, however, multinationals are clearly irresponsible. They support repressive governments; they exploit the poor; they undermine intelligence through ruthless advertising. Barnet and Muller write, "The role of the global corporation in aggravating social imbalance is obvious. As owner, producer, and distributor of an ever-greater share of the world's goods, the global corporation is an instrument for accelerating concentration of wealth. As a global distributor, it diverts resources from where they are most needed (the poor countries) to where they are least needed (rich countries and rich regions)." The only entity with a significant role in limiting the multinationals is the national government; but considering the rate of growth of the multinationals, governments may one day dwindle in comparison, their economic independence vanishing also. The sole boundaries may eventually be those of the market place, determined by the global corporation. - Luke Next instalment: Metal Box, Our Neighbourhood Multinational - - - GOING OUT Mon. 5th. Sept. South Hill Park, Bracknell - All that Jazz 7.30pm. £2 plus concessions (to 7th.) Tues. 6th. Tudor Arms - Gay Disco 8ish. Free Treats, King's Road - 'Rebels* 8-late. £2 The Mill, Sonning - Time & Time Again 2pm. and 8pm. £10.50 & £12.50 , matinees £7.50 (to Oct. 1st.) Weds. 7th. Hexagon - Antiques Roadshow 10am.-3.30pm. free Old Town Hall, Blagrave Street - Organ Recital 1pm. free Thurs. 8th. Target - Here and Now 8pm. £1 (N.B. PHP) S.H.P. - Ragtime 7.30pm. £2 + cone, (to 9th.) Angies, Milton Rd., Wokingham - Tony McPhee Band 9 til late £1.50/£2 Fri 9th. Hex - Cinderella's Party Night 10.30pm. - 5.30pm. 'only' £12 including breakfast. Tudor Arms - Gay Disco 8ish. free Target - Disco 8ish. free ABC, Friar at. - 'Psycho II' 11pm. £? Central Club, London St. - Youth Dance (11 - 17 yrs.) 8-11pm. 50p Caribbean Club, London St. - Redecorating, but have a sound system on. Angies - Ruthless Blues 9-late £1.50/£2 Sat. 10th. Hex - Reading & County Youth Orchestra 7.30pm. £2.50 - £3.50 + conc. Target - Doghouse 8ish. free SHP - Tundra 8pm. £1.20/£1.50 (folk) - This is Elvis 7.30pm. £2 + conc. - Jailhouse Rock 11pm. £2 + conc. Sun. 11th. Forbury Gardens - Katesgrove Steel Band 3pm. free Treats - Jive Dive 8-late £1.50 Allied Arms, The Butts - Readifolk 8ish free Target - Disco 8ish free SHP - Southern Comfort 7.30pm £2 + conc. - Martin Mastik 8pm. 60p (recital) Angies - Magic Mushroom Band 9-late £1.50/£2 Mon 12th. SHP - Flaming Hearts 7.30pm. £2 + conc. Tues 13th. Tudor Arms - Gay Disco 8ish free Treats - 'Rebels' 8-late £2 Target - Disco 8ish free SHP - Southern Comfort 7.30pm. £2 + conc. Weds 14th. Hex - Reading Business Exhibition Free (to 16th.) SHP - Nashville 7.30pm £2 + conc (to 16th) Thurs. 15th. Target - Mendes Prey 8ish £1 SHP - Don Juan 7.45pm. £2.25/£2.50 (theatre) (to 17th) Angies - Sam Mitchell Band 9-late £1.50-£2 Fri. 16th. Tudor Arms - Gay Disco 8ish free Target - Disco 8ish free Central Club - Youth Disco (11-17 yrs.) 8-11ish 50p Caribbean Club - Last Rite 9-late £1.50 Angies - New Empire 9-late £1.50/£2 Sat 17th. Hex - The Booze Bros. 12.15pm. free Target - Dynamo Joe 8ish free SHP - American Graffiti 7.30pm. £2 + conc. - Tim Laycock 8pm. £1.20 /£1.50 - Mean Greets 11pm. £2 + conc. Angies - Ground Zero 9-late £1.50-£2 Sun. 18th. Hex - Shakatak 8pm. £3-£5 Forbury Gardens - Thames Youth wind Ensemble 3pm. free Treats - Jive Dive 8-late £1.50 Allied Arms - Readifolk 8ish free SHP - Superfly 7.30pm £2 + conc. Angies - Geisha Girls 9-late £1.50/£2 - - - SIZEWELL CYCLE RALLY To mark the re-opening of the Sizevell Enquiry at Snape a sponsored cycle ride is being organized on the 25th September. Any group wishing to participate must organise their own sponsorship, and cyclists, with the sole guideline that they arrive at Snape on the Sunday after the 25th with letters of protest against the P.W.R. Sponsorship money can be split equally between local groups and the Sizewell fighting fund. There will be entertainment at the end of the ride. If interested, contact Hugh Crawford 01 398 4l66 (day) 01 566 6006 (eve) Adrian Barnett 01 751 6333 (day) 01 890 0197 (eve) - - - TRADES COUNCIL (RTUC) Minutes 26th. July 1983 "It was agreed by 9 votes to 1 that in principle something should be done for May Day '84, with some abstentions. Those voting for the proposal accepted a commitment to at least attend the march". - - - OLD FASHIONED QUACKERY by the Lumsdens A simple and effective cure for indigestion:- Pour boiling water over a few sage leaves. Leave for 5 mins. and then drink. Oh, the relief. In The Garden with Old Lumsden It is a good wheeze to plant nasturtiums in your herb patch or window box: they are rich in vitamin C and keep the surrounding plants healthy. Grow them alongside peas, beans etc. and aphids will be attracted to the nasturtiums rather than the vegetables. Lumsden's Household Hints You know, a lot of people ask me "What can I do about my smelly "fridge?" Well, the answer is simple: unpleasant smells are banished by leaving a saucer of charcoal in the refrigerator. It's amazing! (Note to Red Rag : We have put all these suggestions through test after vigorous test, and they really do work, and are completely safe.) The Lumsdens - - - LETTERS Dear Red Rag, You seem to dislike, with some reason, all that goes on under the name 'Wargaming', the latest example being Armageddon '83 (were they really so tasteless as "A day's entertainment for all the family") , and as I an a 'Wargamer' I feel some explanation why some of our fraternity do not need to be immediately despised by your readers is called for. There are two main fields of "Wargaming", Role-playing, and Wargaming proper, (along with various fringe activities such as historical re-enactment - ie Sealed Knot up to the more dubious World War II re-enacters) and I enjoy both types in some forms. Role-Playing, fantasy role-playing, etc, now frequently encountered as Dungeons and Dragons, et al, is really no more blame-worthy than reading Science Fiction, Swords and Sorcery books, etc, for a broad description of the field is "Reading a Fantasy book, in which you make the hero's choices for him". A simple description of a game session is that there is a referee (Dungeon Master, etc) and a small group (averaging 3-4) of "players" each of whom is deciding on the actions of one "character", within the story told by the referee. Obviously the character of the story can reprehensible, that of a simple minded barbarian with a war Axe killing anything that moves, up to the most complex social interactions imaginable, where "violence is the last refuge of the incompetent". Regrettably most role-players start at the barbarian level, and one can only hope for development of personality in new players, and so I suppose you could hope teenagers were carefully "handled" when starting to play so that a glorification of violence didn't occur for long/at all. It is this field which will probably attract the younger goers of Armageddon. Then there is Wargaming proper. Its existence should not be surprising when one considers that Chess, Draughts, Go, etc, are all wargames, admittedly somewhat abstracted, but still wargames. These classic wargames aren't really sufficient for a number of reasons. 1) There is no luck in them, and gambling has as long if not longer history than wargames, the thrill of a lucky dice roll, and the variety of occurrences when luck is introduced in a game can be an improvement (though some popular games have no luck component at all). 2) An active interest in history makes a "real conflict" more interesting than an abstract game, and indeed a "good" game should also act as a teaching tool, bringing understanding of what actually happened. It is worth noting that many games seek to involve politics, economics, social forces in their structure, and indeed there exist quite a large percentage of games in which military conflict is distinctly undesirable. 3) Model Army type wargames also allow quite a bit of artistic skill, in simply painting (or even occasion actually making) the model figures, landscape etc involved. For these reasons I suspect wargaming is unlikely to die out, one can only hope for an end to the various black spots. Wargaming can encourage people to think of soldiers as numbers, not people, but it can also cause extreme aversion to war - no way do I wish to be a numbered bit of cannon fodder in a real war, manoeuvred as a bit of cardboard, and should a European war break out its probably that or prison for me, thanks to that delightful concept called conscription. It can be a military tool, or just an intellectual game - like many things wargaming is all of black, grey and white. yours faithfully K. Blackburn. Dear Red Rag, I am writing in response to N.Bonapart's article - Police State - featured in R.R. Bonapart describes his/her viewpoint as reactionary and I heartily agree, this is the only informed and intelligent comment made. It is reactionary because N.B. has accepted (and advocated) the faith in myths that can only impede social liberation. The opening paragraph - Monsters - states that society has produced socially maladjusted "individuals" (though that is not a very good term I admit) who without restrictions would be incapable of disobeying the Pavilion Imperatives conditioned into them to act violently. Though they are society's creation, only society can protect "us" from "them" states N. B., without laws we would descend into "anarchy" and "chaos". So goes the logic of the cosseted household plants, so easy is such a smug, middle class philosophy to refute that the only problem is choosing which part to demolish first! I shall start with the Police. According to N.B. these saviours are a 'necessary evil', heavenly angels who the state have had to bring to earth from paradise to prevent gang warfare and keep the peace. Of course those of us with less well off circumstances (or more commonsense) than N.B. can see that the police are made up of human beings raised nearly all in this society. Indeed N.B. admits that amongst these godheads a few less holt deities may, from time to time, be found and weeded out. What N.B. neglects to notice is that the recruiting methods and entire ethos of the Police is to attract just the social misfits, bullies and thugs that s/he believes they are here to protect us from. Pacifists, Anarchists, Individualists and Internationalists rarely join the force. If they do, they soon leave or are weeded out! The Police Force is one of the largest and most organised (and criminal if judged by the 'laws' they claim to uphold) gangs in our society. To turn to the "inhuman citizens", the crimes this society holds up as most abhorrent are murder and vicious attacks (the crimes he believes to be most abhorrent are freedom and acts against the rich and the accumulation of power). The police arrested the Yorkshire Ripper who brutally murdered 13 women. The police have not arrested the board of directors of Rio Tinto Zinc who have ordered the genocide of thousands if not millions of native people. The state gave medals to the murderers who killed on "British Territory" near the South American peninsular (American state gave medals to the men who bombed Hiroshima). This list I have embarked upon could fill the British Museum let alone R.R. The Reactionary Myths which N.B. has reinforced are the existence of law as a neutral and divine moral yardstick when it is the tidemark of power and the belief in the "society" when we are living in the type of "anarchy and chaos" N.B. referred to, gangs and terrorists who fight each other not only for material strength but psychological supremacy as well, in order to give themselves sordid respectability, N.B. believes in Al Capone's pinstripe suit and Antique Furniture Shop! This view of the real world, where his/her precious police force confiscate Heroin then sell it on the street two days later for their own pocket, where nuclear bombs have replaced tommy guns in the big thugs' armouries (or should I say added to?), the "doomsday" which N.B. dreads, if s/he looked around, would see s/he is living in, is too frightening for such a closet case. I find Red Rag irresponsible for printing such mindless rubbish in times when crisis looms large, N.B. will probably be the first to vote for a sexually frustrated Hitler figure to protect him/her from the cold reality outside the conservatory. Yours, Ken Peacock - - - OUTLETS Fine Food Stores, 168 Oxford Road Acorn Bookshop. 17 Chatham St Lazer Records. Butts Centre (downstairs) Pop Records. 172 King's Rd Central Club, bottom of London St. Unemployment Centre. East St Our Price Records Butts Centre (downstairs) The Emporium, Merchants' Place (off Friar St) Mace Grocer, 2 Crown Colonnade, Cemetery Junction Jobal Cash and Carry. 14 Cholmeley Rd Elephant Off-Licence. 1 Derby St Ken's Shop. Students' Union, Whiteknights. - - - RED RAG PHONE NUMBERS Helping with next Issue; news items: 666324 Reading Between The Lines; Events; Getting this delivered to your door: 666681 Going Out Guide: 507598 - - - SMALL ADS Solar Panels 2 large "central heating radiator in wooden frame" type solar panels. About 1/2sq. metre each. Need glazing, painting etc. Bring a friend (or 2) to help move them! Cost £100 each but first offer of £20 donation to Red Rag gets the pair. Phone Stuart Smith - Reading 67027. Red Rag Plants These are for sale at Acorn Bookshop, from l0p to 25p. Usually in stock (or available to order!): coleus, spider plant, tradescantias, begonias, geraniums, succulents, some cacti. For after sales service ring 666681. Unbeatable Offer If anyone can use a box of "thermal" stencils, it's available at Acorn. Room Wanted Feminist seeks room in a liberal household. Pls. phone Acorn Bookshop and leave message (Rdg. 584425) or write to: Sarah Gatehouse, St. Catherine's College, Oxford. Accommodation wanted Junction area or miles out of town. Phone John 666681. Wanted More recruits for the Red Rag labelling job. It's easy and fun. I don't know, I'm just the typist. Also the events compiler wants to stop. Anyone who wants to take it over, tell Nick on 666681. He'll be glad to hear from you! Extra Late nite vegan outlet at Cemetery Junction. (No, really) The Londis Shop stocks Tomor, soy milk, vegan biscuits, open till 9pm every day - - - RED RA ..... is Reading's only newspaper. It's free and fortnightly (except for August and Christmas when even committed politicos seem to slope off to Torremolinos) and is produced by a jolly sound (if small at the moment) group of people. It is not linked to any political organisation or the university. 1250 copies are produced; half go out through shops and other outlets, the rest distributed by a faithful and dogged group of individuals to the door of anyone asking for it. Opinions expressed are those of individual contributors and the people in the collective are discouraged from making replies to articles in the same issue (so they're in the same situation as everybody else, so there!) Anyone is welcome to write (but please say how you can be contacted and whether you mind being edited). Help is always wanted, so is money. In fact, this issue will cost us about £56 to print, leaving about £40 in our account. However the financial position isn't as rosy as it might seem, because we intend to print Reading Between The Lines to come out with the next Rag. So donations are more than welcome at the moment - to Flat 7, 66 Wokingham Road, or via Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St (where we have a collection tin). Make your bullion payable to "Red Rag". Copy deadline for next Issue: Thursday 15th Sept 6pm Red Rag, c/o 17 Chatham St. - - - West Berkshire Health Authority Great Western House Station Road Reading RGl 1LU 5th August 1983 Telephone: Reading 586161 Ref. MRC/aa Your Ref. Please ask for Mr. Cubbin Ext. 281 Mr. P. M. Ruhemann Acting Secretary Reading Health Watch c/o Reading V.S.C. 38 Caversham Road, Reading RG1 7AZ Dear Mr. Ruhemann, NIGHT NURSING SERVICE Thank you for your letter dated 19th August 1983, concerning an article in the latest edition of 'Red Rag'. Having investigated the statements made in this story which indicates hardship amongst disabled and geriatric patients I can only write hack to assure you that from the facts available to me it is quite clear that there has been an increase in patient care during 1933 compared with 1982. I hope this allays your concern and thank you for the interest you have shown in writing to me. Yours sincerely, M. R. Cubbin District Nursing Officer (Note from Reading Health Watch - This letter speaks for itself!) - - - RACISM Survey after Survey has confirmed that adequately qualified black people are under-represented in * local government and their departments - especially in positions of authority; * positions of authority in industry, etc.; Black people are over-represented * on the dole * in poorer housing * in menial and low-paid jobs. Frustrated by the lack of any real power to do anything, black people are told that * They like to live in poor housing! * They are not qualified! * They have a chip on their shoulders! * They do not apply for jobs! etc, etc. People in positions of authority who could help eradicate inequality claim that 'there is no discrimination here - we treat them all alike!' Reading Council for Racial Equality is joining in the campaign for a new tougher Race Relations Act which would * make local authorities more answerable for the state of equality * place a legal responsibility on local and central government to take positive action to alleviate inequality * give black people wider powers to prosecute against discrimination with an improved balance of responsibility for proof * tougher and more realistic fines for those convicted of discrimination. Please join the campaign * attend a public meeting at 8.30 p.m on 21st September 1983 at the Old Town Hall, Reading on the issue. * Write to your MP demanding support for a tougher Race Relations Act. * Write to Reading Council for Racial Equality and the Commission for Racial Equality (London) about the changes that you would like to see. * Encourage your organisation, your trades union, your political group and other voluntary agencies to get involved. * Help RCRE develop a strong local campaign. Further information and copies of leaflets produced by Commission for Racial Equality available from Rajinder Sohpal, Reading Council for Racial Equality, 46 Caversham Road, Reading. Produced and printed by Reading Council for Racial Equality - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1983/1983-09-04.txt#2 $