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"A sharing of powers in Ottawa, particularly in the social area, should satisfy discontented federalists, both inside and outside Quebec," said Manning. The Reform Party Leader said he believed this option of decentralizaâ€" tion is a third option to the other two more polarized views of status quo With increased effectiveness, Reform could get across its message of how to keep Canada together â€" by decentralizing the powers in Ottawa and sharing it more equably among the provinces. "With some of the byâ€"elections coming up, we have an excellent chance in getting more seats and being promoted to the Official Opposition," he added. He said the combination of the increased focus of his party â€" the ending of the traditional honeymoon for the Liberals â€" and the fact they are within one seat of becoming the Official Opposition, all will increase Reform‘s effectiveness in Ottawa in the coming months. "We‘re more focused now," he said, noting that 50 of the party‘s 52 MPs had never sat in a Legislature before. Manning said his party‘s perforâ€" mance in the House has been hamâ€" pered by the inexperience of many of its members and the rules governâ€" ing House debate which allow the official Opposition the first five questions. Since the Bloc is the Official Opposition, the first five questions and the ensuing debate has all been in French, hampering the Reform, he said. This week, the Reform Party put down its first roots in Quebec with the establishment of its first two fedâ€" eral riding associations in the province. The party hopes to run a candidate when a byâ€"election is held in Bromeâ€"Missisquoi, left vacant when Bloc Quebecois MP Gaston Peloquin died in a car crash. He said the Town Hall electronic meeting is intended to be selfâ€" financing, but will probably be fundâ€" ed by the party. He did not provide any cost estimates of the 90â€"minute program. Why would trying to discuss posâ€" itive solutions (on the Quebec issue) be fanning the flames of sepaâ€" ratism?" he responded afterwards. Manning said an uneasiness with new technology is behind criticism of the hall electronic meeting. "With this, we will have thousands involved rather than hundreds at a regular Town Hall meeting." The Reform Party plans to hold a nationalâ€"televised Town Hall meetâ€" ing on Oct. 3rd, when Canadians, for $1 a call, will phone in their opinions on the issue of Quebec durâ€" ing a 90â€"minute discussion. Three questions during this telephone refâ€" erendum will be asked on Canadian unity and results will be posted almost immediately, he told reporters, afterwards. The Reform Party leader was in town, Wednesday, speaking to the Canadian Club of Oakville. D , eform Party leader Preston "~ _ Manning rejected criticisms A. ®that his upcoming national telephone referendum will serve only to fan the flames of separation, claiming it will allow many more Canadians to voice their opinions on the issue of Canadian unity. By DIANE HART Special to the Beaver Manning defends Reform‘s phoneâ€"in national referendum He said the discussion in Ottawa has been centred on three major Offering a constructive alternaâ€" tive to the other two options should satisfy those both inside and outside Quebec, he added. federalism and outright separation. ‘A sharing of . powers in Offawa, particularly in the social . area, should satisfy discontented federalists, | both inside and outside Quebec." Preston Manning "SLATS appeals to the "SLATS appeals to the ___ decorator in me. money manager in me. Worth a Double Take. Strellson at Garvey‘s The FALL The FALL VALUE DAYS VALUE offer an DAYS are unbeatable going to selection save me a of colours bundle." and styles." Manning said if the Liberal govâ€" ernment attempts more tax increases rather than cutting its own spending, Canadians should object. "Substantial social reform is not going to happen because the federal government and the provinces are bickering over centralization (of powers) versus decentralization," he said. He said Reform will bring in its own package calling for a greater degree of decentralization in social programs than the government wants. He said the delay of the Liberal government‘s promised social reform package points to a lack of action on this issue. issues â€" Canadian social program reform; economic state of the counâ€" try; and the national unity issue. DOWNTOWN, OAKVILLE 183 Lakeshore Road Fast §45â€"8911 "Duette" Cellular shades Your choice Every szl:, every fahnc every every colour Custom made, every size and every colour Exclusive Levolor "Forever Warranty" Features full lifetime warranty SSSSSSSSSSS The Swiss don‘t miss a trick in style * Fasy fit, Easy feel, wool and cashmere blend in shades of Vicuna, Forest, Navy, Black, Olive, Cranberry. Double breasted, soft * shoulder, luxurious wool and mshmem your choice of Navy or Olive Strellson Outerwear DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON 389 Brant Street 639â€"6165 172" ‘410°"°