PAGE Aé6,. THE HERALD, Wednesday, December 8, 1976 Federal Cabinet Ministers Skeena MP Iona Campagnolo and Transport Minister Otto Lang faced a barrage of cameras and reporters at a press conference following meetings with various committees and representatives in Prince Rupert Transport Minister claims: Saturday. Although a lot of discussion took place during the day, most delegates felt the tran- sportation difficulties were not resolved in any way. No immediate solution to transportation problems By PHYLIS BOWMAN Otto Lang, federal Minister of Transport, was in Prince Rupert m a whirl-wind five- hour visit Saturday and left a . great many skeptical people in his wake, with the question of adequate transportation on the northwest coast still unan- swered. : Accompanied by aides Roger Marsham, Ian McDonald and Mary Molloy, and Skeena MP [ona Campagnolo, and her aide, Tom Mellifateurick, the minister arrived here at 9 a.m. on a government plane, leaving shortly after to tour the harbor, the Fairview port and Ridley Island by helicopter. Following that trip the delegation met with the Skeena- Queen Charlotte Regional District Board in the Moose Hall, and then with northconst mayors and representatives . from Stewart, Queen Charlotte Islands,.Port Edward and the city. About 125 people attended these meetings, with the minister parrying questions fired at him from the various delegates, to the abviays . dissatisfaction of the audience, STEWART MAYOR Mayor Jan McLeod of Stewart seemed to sum up the whole feeling of the recent tran- sportation fiasco following the federal government’s can- cellation of Northland Navigation’s subsidy by saying there was “wholesale dissatisfaction by all the people up and down the coast.” He suggested a passenger and freight service similar to Northland be reinstated im- mediately for a year, and a study be made immediately also, with costs shared by the federal and provincial govern- . ments and locally. When Lang commented he was pleased the local regions were willing ta underlake part of the cost financing the project, McLeod said that way it wouldn't be a “secret study and we would have access to it.” He said the minister should take a trip on the Lumba Lumba (renamed the Bella Bella) such as he had taken recently — while trying to hald two seasick children while the vessel “stands on end.’ “This whole thing has become a classic example of ’ decen- tralization of government,’’ he concluded, Ancther strong petition was presented by the Ocean Falls delegates, Al Demers, chair- man of the Coastal Action Transport Committee, and Sandy Kandal, Harvey [nskip, Wayne Corbin, Eldon Blackwell and Larry Kirchhofer, {n- dividually and collectlvely they stated that something was radically wrong, that their town was having a hard time getting teachers, hospital workers and - 1392 sq, ff. - 6 years old - Electric heat could bea aie real : after five. _ Stated'she ‘FORECLOSURE Large 3 bedraom house on 75x100 ft. lot located on Hagen Street in Thornhill. - Extra large living room - Some finishing required This home was appraised at $27,500 in February ‘of this year and we are open to all offers, This Will consider renting to rellable party. For more information or to view call 695-6310, or 635-3744 skilled laborers because of the poor transportation, and the Bella Bella was definitely not the vessel lo fulfill the needs of their community, They sald how much they had enjoyed eating fresh bread on their visit here, for that is now a rare commodity in Ocean Falls and they would be taking some back as a treat for other residents there, and added how their community had banded together in a surprising way to fight for reliable transportation. RUPERT COUNCILLORS Local council members took the minister sternly to task with Ald. Evelyn Basso telling him outright she felt they were not getting through to you at all — you are a getting the message. I only regret your visit is so short that you cannot take a ride on these boats,” She cited the dates the city had sent wites to his office.and x evan phoned hint once heréelf at hér an éxpeme — getting a reply to that call from his private secretary eight days later. She said: ‘You people in Ottawa seem to think you are the real people — well, we are the real world here, we are real people and we are really suf- fering here!” Ald, Art Murray stumped the minister in his tracks by asking him pointblank who controls the freight rates on this coast, and if” RivTow could increase their rates unchecked if they found they were losing money, As Lang fumbled around for ananswer and repeated some of the pat phrases he had used so often in his replies: ‘‘subsidles, these boats are being used on a temporary basis, and studies must be made,” Murray created laughter and applause by remarking: “That's more complicated than-1 thought’ and went on to say that the government had caused a “monopoly position” by only having meé freight service — and asked about the railways being subsidized. The other aldermen added their concern for the increased costs and complete lack of proper planning, with Gordon Gillam commenting '‘You are always talking about developing the north — this act 1s very detrimental to that development" and Lou Vannier adding he thought it was “a grave error on the part of the government and showed their lack of concern for the people." The high cost of air travel was brought up by Ald. Audrey Anderson, who said ‘‘more contact on a basic level’! was needed, while Ald. Vie Prystay sald it was frightening to me” that the government would take away the service and not have anything to take Its place. buy for someone. Mayor Nick Grosse of Massel, tepresenting the Queen Charlotte Islands along with Carey Linde, agreed with Ald. Basso that the minister was not “really listening" and had come here “to get us off your back.” He said: “People have been trying to be civil, but you have no idea what is really going on. You have seen some action taken at Ocean Falls — [ hate to think what will happen next. People are upset — nice, quiet people who never use swear words have told us ta use strong language and protests to you.” He said refrigeration service for the canneries’ fish products could be checked easily on the Northland ships, whereas they were not checked on the four- day barge trip to Vancouver, andthecontents could be ruined. “Barging is an impossible pier of transportation,” he concluded, ort: Edward Mayor Allan Sheppard echoed these statements by saying cannery owners were concerned with proper transportation as’ they had millions of dollars tied up in their businesses and had to have reliable ways and means to get thelr supplies in and out. To all these comments and accusations, Lang maintained the ships Bella Bella and Mal- ibu Princess were not the “end answer," and separate passenger and freight services had to be worked out after a three-year period of study of problems of transportation on the coast had been completed. During the meetings, people kept coming and going, with most of them shaking their neads at the various answers and excuses the minister gave, and even laughing out loud at some af them. Most of them stated after the sessions were over, nothing had really been accomplished and ‘nothing concrete had been suggested to improve present con A BCTY crew, who a covering the whole trip, did + mot . add much to the meetings, with thelr moving about, arranging microphones and lighta, causing many distractions. LIBERAL, LUNCHEON After a luncheon with Liberal rty members at La Gondola pa after the meetings Lang met at | the Crest Motor Hotel with 10 members of the Northcoast District Council, from Skidegate, Masset, Port Simp- son, Kincolith and other villages, in which they ex- pressed their concern for adequate service, In a press conference im- mediately following this session, the minister seemed more at ease, coming oui confideny to say his depart- ment was keeping a watch on the situation and hoped to get better service ‘‘in the long run,”’ He said the Northland subsidy had cost them “‘a great deal of money” and that that service had stood in the way of upping transportation here by non- subsidized businesses. Then he announced the government hada leadon a ship to put on the service but refused to give any details about it, saying they could get.an: ott. theshelf,”” pon-Canadian!-ship right away, but would much prefer to wait for one to be built in B.C. He reiterated this several times as Pravince reporter Don Hunter and Vancouver Sun man Peter McMartin pressed him for details as to where and why this ship was, and how leng these studies were going to take. Lang refused to give any more Information, simply saying they had an option on this ship and couldn't give out’ any detnils. He said there were — two separale problems — passenger and freight — which would have to be resolved as quickly as possible, but it would take me — possibly some months or a year, When reminded the Queen Charlotte cannery may have to clase and the herring catch may be in jeopardy, he answered. that - eachprodlem “would have to be studied and . resolved . separately.” He admitted in answer to another question that it would have been better had he had discussions with individuals here before cancelling Nor- thland's subsidy and putting on other ships, but said his department wanted to improve air servkes and navigational aids and did not have adequate funds for everything. Outreach Counsellor "EMPLOYER: Gitskan-Carrler Tribal $900.00 per month salary; Council closing date; ‘December 13 1976 OBJECTIVES: To promote Vocational Training courses in the Hazelton area, To mofivate those students enrolled in these courses to continue their studies _ ta completion. To assist studants to overcame all _obstactes and problems which may affect completion: of ‘the course(s). To ensure the continuation a? vocational training courses appropriate to the needs of the area. DUTIES: GENERAL 1) Counselling for those in training courses a. individual b) family counselling ¢. group counselling d. class-room work student counselling 2) Other special services. 3) Related administrative requirements. _ SUBMIT RESUME TQ: Gltskan-Carrier Tribal P.O. Box 322 Hazalton, B.C. VoJ 1¥0 _ Ph: 842-5283 Council Ladies Long Dresses and Skirts. The latest in fashions for the festive season. A wide assortment of styles, materials and colors. Sizes 7 to 2414 . aun 20% Off House Coats Beautitul floor length styte in soft relaxing colors and styles. Pre-Christmas Savings Sr. Girls Ski Suits In three styles to choose from. Trilene filled and have bib-pants. Sizes 7 to 14 . ea. 2 4 Pre-Christmas Saving ea. 2 4 Mens Casual Shirts In a wide variety of styles, ota, gos “es + - Pre-Christmas Saving Infant Skidoo Suits ; Full zipper front, nylon shell for protection against wind and cold, Sizes 4 to 6X “1k Pre-Christmas Saving We Thank Youll! our third annual Senior Citizens and Handicapped : persons shopping night, Wednesday, December Ist. The Terrace Co-operative Association would like fo thank the following people for their help during VICKE PARVIAINEN AND HER DANCERS. TERRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL CHOIR AND JOB’S DAUGHTERS EARLY RISER CO-OP BUS AND BRIAN LEN- THEIR PIANO NOX TERRACE COMMUNITY CHOIR AND DIREC- TERRACE LOAN CUPBOARD FOR TOR BRIAN BELL WHEELCHAIRS —_ BILL YOUNG, TILLICUM KEYBOARDS FOR TERRACE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CHIEF THE ORGAN BEST THEO GRANT — NATIVE DANCING CATHOLIC CHURCH HALL FOR TABLE AND CHAIRS DOC’S CARTAGE — HAULING OF PIANO K & M DELIVERIES ( KEITH SOULES) TERRACE HERALD STAFF OF SKEENAVIEW HOSPITAL. and the many persons too numerous to mention who donated their vehicles and time for tran- Sportation and help throughout the store. Once — again, people helping people, made this evening the success that It was. We sincerely thank you, Corbin King General Manager ‘Free Christmas Show Monday. December 20th TILLICUM TWIN THEATRES rt 100 pm, : Children “up to I 2 will be. admitted. 7 Admission will be an article of food, etc. which will be donated to. .. the Salvation Army for their Christmas Hamper Fund - p\ TERRACE CO-OP _____ SHOPPING CENTRE