‘& Continued from page 1 Barrett slammed the Socreds for cutting back on old age pen- sion benefits, swiped at the ‘‘usur- ious profits’? of the chartered banks, and lashed at the ‘‘scandal- ous gouging’’ of the oil com- panies. But with the exception of a call for a “‘strong public role in oil,” along the lines of NDP pol- icy for an expanded role for Petrocan, there was no hint from him of any new policy initiatives to match the sharpness of his at- tack. In the convention itself there was just one major policy de- velopment, an outcome predeter- mined by the agenda. Debate was limited to four major ‘“‘priority areas’’: economic development, women’s issues, recreation and conservation, and internal party affairs. Few, if any, resolutions on any other matter made it to the floor. Only one resolution on a la- bor issue, and that on Workers’ Compensation, was adopted. And although there were some strong resolutions on human resources } policy passed, there were no reso- _ lutions on education or interna- tional affairs. : The one major policy discussion was around a special ‘‘economic development strategy’’ paper, buttressed by a companion policy paper on energy and nuclear power. The economic development Bi: icy, two years in the making, call- ed for the formation of ‘‘public marketing agencies and crown \ corporations” to ‘regain domes- tic control of B.C.’s resource base.”’ B.C.’s resources are controlled by foreign-based corporations and this is at the root of the high un- employment rate and the weak in- dustrial base in B.C., the paper said. ‘‘In spite of nominal public ownership”’ of B.C.’s resources, it said, ‘‘the actual control of these resources remains in outside hands. Clearly, nominal public ownership is not sufficient to en- sure control of the resources revenues.’” The paper went on to propose the formation of a ‘‘B.C. Coal Corporation’? to operate as a crown corporation and engage in the exploration, development and marketing of coal and other min- eral resources. It also called for the return of the B.C. Resources Investment Corporation to public control and projected an. active role for it in the marketing of for- est products. ‘Although the debate on the pol- icy paper through two panel dis- cussions and a plenary session was only occasionally lively, it reveal- ed the contradictions at every level of the NDP, before its adoption. In the establishment of the par- ty, the paper divided the legislat- ive caucus with some MLAs like Ernie Hall and Dennis Cocke op- posed to what they called ‘‘a shop- ping list policy’? which may put _ Pressure on an NDP government to take some action in the resource sector. But the paper was support-- ed by other MLAs like Stu Leggatt and Norman Levi who were satis- fied that the call for some .new crown corporations with limited “scopes of responsibility was not overly radical. In fact the policy paper makes no mention of bringing under public ownership any of the prov- ince’s major forest or mining op- erations, and the fishing industry is excluded from any considera- tion. Although it calls for increas- ed royalty and stumpage rates in _ the forest industry, it does not suggest any change in the system of tree farm licenses which grant control over the vast majority of the forestry resource to the giant companies. The whole purpose of the crown corporations, the paper admits, would be to provide gov- ernment with accurate informa- tion about the industry and ‘‘a bargaining position with the large corporations’? which would con- tinue to dominate the economy. From the left of the party, there was no. attempt to point out the gap between the aim of ‘‘regaining control over B.C.’s resources’’ and the proposal to establish two crown corporations. Led by SFU professor Mike Lebowitz, critics of the policy paper instead focus- ed their attention on the proposal to establish an ‘‘Economic Devel- opment Council,’’ representing la- . bor and management, to advise the government on economic mal ters. Lebowitz attacked the proposal as tripartism and an attempt to water down existing NDP policy which would require corporations NDP calls for public role in coal, forestry to release relevant economic and investment information to the government so’ that an economic plan could be developed and dis- cussed in public hearings around the province. The tripartist policy was vigorously defended by MLA Gary Lauk and CLC representa- tive Art Kube, but Lebowitz’s amendment to retain the old pol- icy passed the convention in a close vote. In an accompanying paper on energy policy, unanimously en- dorsed by delegates, a strong ap- peal was made for a shift in energy policy towards a conserver socie- ty, for the development of renew- able energy sources and for public control over energy resources “through ownership or regula- tion.’’ The energy policy paper con- cluded with a ringing denuncia- tion of nuclear power, the issue which more than any other grip- ped the convention and united it. The strong opposition to nuclear power and uranium mining, puts the B.C. NDP at odds with both the federal party and the Saskat- chewan government and set the stage for a major debate over the issue within the NDP in coming months. As many delegates remarked, the anti-nuclear debate provided an outlet for the militancy of the party, but it was the full approval of Barrett and the leadership. In fact, it had been carefully planned with special films, guest speakers and several hours of the conven- tion’s time set aside for that pul pose. _As the convention neared its end Sunday, the word most often heard in descriptive phrases about the proceedings was ‘‘quiet.’’ The controversial and spirited debate which had marked so many pre- vious NDP conventions just wasn’t there. In the elections to the new pro- vincial executive, pro-Barrett can- didates made a clean sweep. Gerry Stoney was re-elected president and Joy Langan was acclaimed as second vice-president, but there were no other trade unionists nominated for any executive posi- tion. Scannining the delegates, num- erous trade unionists associated with the former left-centre leader- ship in the B.C. Federation of La- bor could be seen, but they were rarely, “if ever,» heard. The women’s caucus, which in past years has provided some leader- ship to the left in the party, this year seemed ineffectual. It endors- - ed perennial candidates Hilda Thomas and Joyce Meisenham- mer and some others, but did little’ else. In spite of the weak candidates from the left, still about 20 to 30 per cent of the delegates voted against the Barrett slate. It was a sign that the spirit.which didn’t surface at this convention, has not | yet been completely dug out of the | NDP. But more than ever, it cries out for leadership and a focus of expression. “Just our luck — those oleae: get an enc pears years to gouge —PEOPLE AND ISSUES=———== pectators at the many summer ades throughout the Lower- Mainland usually only get to see the traditional marching bands and ser- vice club floats but this year there was at least one strikingly different participant — and with a message _ to convey. The Fraser Valley Peace _ Committee’s Rita Tanche tells us that the group took their trailer- _ drawn mock-up model of the Tri- dent submarine to some 11 parades this summer, covering suth areas as Abbotsford, Chilliwack, White Rock and elsewhere. And for those ' who didn’t make the parades, they were also seen on CKVU TV voic- _ ing their call for a curb on ar- maments spending and a halt to the construction of the Trident nuclear base at Bangor. ‘‘We got quite a welcome response,’’ Rita adds. *s usually far too busy ever to’ spend much time lying down but this time Vancouver alderman Harry Rankin was forced to take a brief respite in hospital after suffer- ing an attack of phlebitis last week. ‘But even at that, he was probably one of the most active politicians in the city, ordering a telephone so that he could remain in touch. And at one point, a television crew in- vaded his hospital room to conduct ‘an interview. He was released Monday — hav- ing hardly missed a step despite the affliction. wo time trophy winner Co-Op Radio was favored, but the Sur- rey Coalition pulled out an upset to win the fourth annual YCL volleyball tournament Monday at _ the Ukrainian Hall. It looked as if Co-Op would walk away with the trophy for a third time after convincing first round wins over Surrey, the Vancouver YCL, Downtown Eastside Residents Association and the Native Credit Union. But the relatives and friends of the Gidora clan — among them a ringer, a member of the B.C. men’s cham- pionship volleyball team — came through with two consecutive wins to take the double knockout tour- nament. PACIFIC TRIBUNE— SEPTEMBER 7, 1979—Page 2 Bayshore’s NPA friends approve eyesore development on harbor | By ALD. HARRY RANKIN Big developers continue to get whatever they want at city hall. On August 22, 1979, city council acceded to the demand of the Bay-’ shore Inn that it be permitted to fill in 1.4 acres of water property and also to build a $4 million ‘‘recrea- tion complex’’ on its property next _to Georgia Street. The Bayshore Inn is owned by Western Interna- tional Hotels, an American outfit., . Filling in another 1.4 acres of * water will mean a still further en- croachment on our constantly shrinking Inlet. Bayshore Inn plans to use this new area for a marina, a parking lot and a restaurant, built out over the water. Big developers are taking over more and more of our water area. I tried to find out how nia the Bayshore Inn people paid the Na- tional Harbors Board for,this 1.4 acres, but they refused to divulge the price. Why the secrecy? Was it, as I suspect, given to them for a song? One thing I know for sure is that the Bayshore Inn people didn’t pay the market price which is certainly in the neighborhood of at least $2 million. I suspect the price was much closer.to $1.00 if we can go by past experience. The fill application was opposed by the Vancouver City Planning Commission and by the ‘‘Save The Entrance to Stanley Park Commit- tee.’’ I voted against it in city coun- cil as did aldermen Boyce, Ford and Marzari. The so-called ‘‘recreation com- plex’”’ will be a huge structure on Georgia street that will include four tennis courts, two squash courts and two racquet courts. They will be private courts, for the use of ho- tel guests. This ugly structure will destroy: the view of the sea and mountains and will be an eyesore at the en- trance to Stanley Park. City coun- cil’s Design Panel stated that ‘‘the again ‘at a handsome profit, design of the tennis court facility was considered unacceptable in that it constituted a massive, barn-like structure that will be incompatible with the existing Bayshore buildings and inappropriate on Georgia Street, a major thoroughfare and entry point to the city. The panel feels strongly that the tennis facility should be refused.”’ ~ Despite this advice the pro-de- . veloper NPA council voted over- whelmingly for it. Only alderman Boyce joined me in voting against it. The Bayshore Inn property has a long record of strange deals. Nine valuable acres of waterfront property (currently the Bayshore Inn) were acquired in 1949 by a Mrs. Spencer. The National Har- bors Board gave the nine acres to her for $1.00. The deal was engin- eered by a law firm of which the former chairman of the National Harbors Board was a senior part- ner. It was a highly unusual and un- precedented action since such pub- lic waterfront land is not usually sold, it is leased. The Spencer fam- ily was associated with real estate — interests and included supporters of the NPA. Council specified that the prop- - erty be used for ‘‘industrial, general storage, warehousing, wharfing or commercial purposes.’’ Hotel use was not included. The Spencer family then sold the property, at a good profit of course, to Crown Zellerbach. Crown Zellerbach then. sold it, of course, to Georgia Centre Estates, owned by a local developer and construction magnates. This firm included supporters of the NPA as well as big-wigs in the Liberal party. City council obligingly rezoned the land from high density to com- mercial to enable the Bayshore Inn to be built. The hotel was built in 1961. In 1963 Georgia Centre Es- tates was sold to Marwest Hotel ‘é ‘owned this property, they alway’ Company, formed to operate th Inn. In 1967 Marwest sold it to tw big U.S. firms. In 1969 the assessed value of thé Bayshore Inn property was set at $1.9 million. On the appeal of two ‘private citizens, the assessment waS increased to $2.9 million. But the provincial assessment appeal-boat' promptly reduced it to $2.1 million An independent ‘survey of thé properties at the entrance to Stanley Park made at this time (the Harbo Park-Four Seasons property ane | the Bayshore Inn), placed, theif | market value at $17.5 million. Ye their assessed value was only $3. million. In other words they welé paying taxes on less than one-qual ter of the real value of their- proes ty. As you can see, no aia had good friends where it counte And that includes the NPA coun! today. PHILLIPS Continued from page 1 spond in giving assistance and in 0 ganizing solidarity actions with u% ions, Phillips said, ‘‘almost. aS © they don’t know what to do, or 4 afraid to do it.”’ The new stance by the Federatio® is political, he" said, as the leadef” ship has become ‘‘a mouthpiece the right wing provincial leadersh ship of the NDP.”’ : ‘This year’s B.C. Federation ° Labor convention should be forum for ‘‘a thorough review on policy,’’ Phillips suggested, “he Kinnaird leadership must be calle to account and the world should b& started for a return to centre-™ unity at the 1980 convention.”