Page 4, Fhe Herald, Monday, November 20, 1978 TERRACE/KITIMAT daily herald General Office - 635-6357 _ Circulation - 635-4357 PUGLISHER - Laurie Mallett GEN. MANAGER - Knox Couptand EDITOR - Greg Middleton CIRCULATION - TERRACE - Andy Wightman 635-6357 KITIMAT - Pat Zetinskl _ KITIMAT OFFICE - 632-2747 ; Published evary weekday at 3212 Kalum Street, Terrace, B.C. A mereber of Varifled Circulation. Authorized as second class mall. Registration number 120). Postage paid In cash, return postage quaranteed, NOTE OF COPYRIGHT The Herald retains full, complete and sole copyright in any advertisement produced and-or any editorial or - photographic content pyblished in the Heratd. Reproduction ts not permitted without the written | permission of the Publisher. Published by Sterling Publishers 632-2747 Now’s the time for assessment ring to dry things are ‘be todry out after the recent raing, it is time to take stock of the situation. B.C. Hydro and B.C. Tel crews did a good job of dealing with an almost impossible situation, that of _ trying to reconnect services while trees were still taking - lines down. The highways : department, under the Jeadership of Mike O'Con- -nor, did an absolutely amazing job of re- establishing access where roads were cut off. Highways department. crews, private contractors working for highways «and helicopters chartered by the depariment undertook most of the evacuation and emergency work. . Local police and ved wath squad personne. wi _ the evacuation at Lakelse Lake. As a number of individuals have commented, that there wasn't a more desperate situation is a credit to the various agencies here and to the resiliance and self- reliance of the northertier. Now: that the disaster is well behind us, the gover- ment is committed to making aid available and there is a special fund, the Salvation Army Flood Relief Fund, set up to deal with special cases, it ia time to look at the recent rain storm and flooding in perspective. One way to view the in- cident is as a freak of nature. That it certainly is, It was probably the kind of storm and run-off situation that we won't face for another generation. Planners and engineers speak of 10-year, 20-year, 50-year and 20-year floods. The appropriate authorities should now be beginning to assess the information from the flooding and rainfall statistics and make jections. If this situation isa oncein 200-year phenomena, or ever a once in 50-year happening, according to the best predictions available, does that mean we ignore the danger? Do we engineer for those rare occurrances? Do we disignate certain areas and restrict building. What about questions of compensation for residents who find their land devalued, if we do restrict develop- ment? Would we be better to restrict development completely or look for land uses that would be better able to accept occassional flooding and promote that kind of development as an alternative. Perhaps the answer is in some federal- provincial relocation aid scheme. It is difficult to say at this time what the best course of action is, but these are the questions we had best face now while the flooding is still fresh in our minds. As the memory of the deluge fades into the past, it will be only too easy to forget until ‘the next time, the time when there will be no federal money available and everyone will ask why something wasn’t done. LETTERS TO. THE EDITOR Dear Sir: On behalf of the Ministry of Highways and Public Works, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all the people who assisted us during the recent flood emergency. To the general public for their patience; to equipment operators and contractors for their diligence; and to our own employees for their efforts above and beyond the call of duty, my sincerest. thanks, M.J. O'Connor, P.Eng,, | Regional Highway Engineer. eran Sy GAownDd For w PHORE “This coffee reminds me of the policies proposed in the throne speech — old and weak!” It is remarkable how all people, and all levels of government, worked together as a team to help resolve their problems. This is another example of how the human race is at its best in times of trial, and can work together for a common goal. The same thing happens to a nation in times of war ~ like the Battle of Briatain and ather such examples. A nation’s ability for improvements are unlimited it the people work together in times of affluence as they do in times of trial and disaster. I haven't seen so many people at their best since World War 01, and it is a pleasure to be an M.L.A. working with people when ail strive for & common goal. I would also like to congratulate all thase people in government, services, and utilities who worked above and beyond the call of duty. These include; B.C. Hydro, B.C. Telephone, Pacific _ Northern Gas, and many others. Their achiev- ments were very out- standing and deserve the appreciation of all. Now thal the flood crisis is over, itis time for all levels of government (federal, provincial, regional and municipal) to take a hard look at some of the problems we faced this time, and see whether they can be resolved on a permanent basis ~ such as; dykes AT Kitimat, riprap to control streams in many areas, etc. At the top of the list for governments to ‘resolve is a sub- division of flood plains. Many people I've talked to in the last two weeks didn’t even realize they were buying on a flood plain. Whether the respon- sibility should rest with the province or the regional district makes no difference as long as someone takes control of a very loose regulation, Especially, in areas where subdivision took place prior to 1972, The province at the present time is being sued in Squamish and another area for not allowing sub-| division of flood plains. The possible solution might well be to allow | CYRIL SHELFORD Comments on good work people to make their own decisions; but have the land registry office mark all title changes on flood plains with red letters to _ _ draw attention to those buying the land that It is likely to flood at least every five years, and no compensation will be paid by the tax-payers. This is especially needed now that the federal govern- ment has said publicity. they will pay this time for damage on flood plains, but not a second time. This statement alone should be enough to get the province and the people involved to look for solutions, and aboye all not to encourage others to build on flood plains. Rivers have been changing their channels since the beginning of time and this is the reason there are large deltas at the mouth of all major rivers and streams. Many people without first-hand experience regarding rivers will fall into the - trap of offering quick solutions to the problema, such as; blaming it ‘on logging slash causing log jams in rivers. Yet, you can go up any river in the ’ rivera, [ would appreciate north where the only tree - cut was one by a trapper: for firewood and you will see exactly the same amount of log jams as you do in local rivers. One sure way to prove this to yourself is to an- swer the question; “did you ever see fog jams made up of sawn stump- s?" They are all made up of trees with stumps attached, which is the mormal thing with nature. The river cuts under the tree roots; it topples into the river and floats down till it hangs up. There it will collect smaller trees, gravel, and rocks which will finally bring the river. bottom up higher than the surrounding country. Then the river will jump its banks and cut a new channel; taking the trees in its path; creating the start of the new problem further down stream. I mention this in an attempt to help people understand nature and the normal action of the views of those in- terested in this question as quickly as pollible -- so that longterm policy can be worked in. EDITOR'S JOURNAL BY Greg Middleton There is an old adage in the news ‘ per business that you si always try to get it first, but first be sure you get it right, [It has been drummed into me that if you suspect you've made even the slightest mistake, check it out. Hf there was an error in fact then make it right, at least by publishing the corrected version a3 soon a8 possible. Sometimes. however, you seem to get into more trouble trying to correct things. To give you an example, this column was supposed to be a review of the Terrace Little Theatre group's production of ‘Vanities’ which played Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Terrace Little Theatre playhouse, I planned to go to the Friday night performance. As I spent some time ina university town which had a reasonably good collection of theatre groups, and while I was there I took some theatre courses and developed a taste for live theatre over film and television, I wanted to promote this play as well as see it myself. I truly believe there is a magic to the theatre which none of the more artificial technological art forms can capture. [ am also beginning to think my efforta to help make pegple aware of this play and this performance have been bewitched. : So T wanted to be sure the play got a little publicity, I ran an article and a photo about a week ago. Later, I noticed there were some typographical mistakes in the story in the paper that made it difficult to deter- mine when the play was being put on. In an honest and earnest attempt to correct that I ran a story in which I was especially careful to see to it the dates and times came out right. And you guessed it, I got the place wrong. I have been to the R.E.M. Lee Theatre on several occasions. [ was there Wednesday night. I have not as yet been to the Terrace Little Theatre's playhouse. i didn’t get there Friday night to see the play. Yours truly went to the R.E.M. Lee Theatre with his tickets In his hand, and wondered why everything was dark. I, of course, checked the newspaper article, the one I- had written, to make sure 1 had the date and time right. 1 made absolutely certain the time was right and I was definitely there Friday. The play, however, was noi there, it was at the Terrace Little Theatre playhouse. 1 do intend to get to a performance of ‘Vanities’ as soon as [ get through apologizing and writing corrections. Dear Sir: In view of continued in- terest in proposed support for a Panamanian copper venture by the Export Development Corporation, 1 would like to elaborate on information I have already provided for residents of Skeena. But first, 1 think it im- .portant to repeat that the E.D.Cc. has not yet com- mitted itself to loan guarantecs in support of. purchases of Canadian goods by the Panamanians. In line with good business pract’.#:, the B.D.C. will stujy the venture thorough: > fore committing ¢ny moses whatsoever. ‘The B.D. . hus an exceptionally gare! tecuk record in choosing reriures for funding, — if * 4 never had a majev éJaull and consistently makes a profit. It is also iraportont to understand that E.D.C. money does not leave Canada, E.D.C. loans are paid directly to Canadian manufacturing or service industries that, in turn, supply their product to the foreign venture. As the money Is spent in Canada it generates employment here, and when the foreign country pays for those goods and services — with interest —- it helps to decrease our balance of payments deficit. There has been particular confusion over whether or CAMPAGNOLO EXPLAINS How the EDC operates not the E.D.C. uses tax- payers’ money in ventures of this sort. I have said on previous occasions that taxpayers’ money ia not involved in the Panamanian proposal, and I have not misled you on that score. The facts are quite clear. The Export Development Corporation operates two accounts — a “corporate account" and a ‘Canada account", The “corporate acert” is conducted In the cs, way as any other somnercial lending in- siih-tnn, Money is raised on iniernational markets, yeoyects are carefully neveened to minimize risk and the going commercial interest rate is charged. The Cerro. Colorade Project, should the £.D.C, decide lo fund it, will be treated in this way, No taxpayers’ money is invowed —- except in the narrow senee that a major default, would be cavered by the government. This has never happened — and the F.D.C. has a contingency fund of ita own, generated out of earnings, to cover this eventuality, ‘The E.D.C, can request the Minister of Finance to lend monty to the “corporate account” gut of the Con- solidaled Revenue Fund, But this avenue has not been used for many years as the E.D.C. has a stature that . now enables it to borrow successfully on the in- ternational market. The second account ia the “Canada account’. On oc- cation, the E.D.C. may be instructed by the federal cabinet to fund certain loan and insurance programs that would not normally qualify under the E.D.C.’s tough guidelines. Such tran- sactions are conducted under the “Canada account” —and the funds required for these transacilons are paid to the E.D.C. out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Cerro Colorado does not fall unter this eealitg tha ars repeat t the E.D.C, is a Crown cor- poration, and as far as day- today work of selecting and funding promising ventures is concerned, is immune from government pressures. It is like the other Crown corporations in this respect. The E.D.C. operates under a carefully worded Parliamentary mandate, and I think you will agree that intervention by government, except in the most extraordinary cir- cumstances, would defeat the objective of sound and efficient Further, it would run directly contrary to the concept of Independent Crown corporations, under our parliamentary system of government. ore is also gome con- management. fusion over just how much money the E.D.C. is authorized to loan. The guidelines set down by Parliament permit an ab- solute maximum of $10.25 billion in outstanding loans — not $26 billion as stated in recent items, Further, oaly $1.6 billion is currently on loan. Concentration on these points, however, misses the whole point of the E.D.C. It was not set up as some sort of sop to firma in developing countries, It is helping Canadians to sell their goods and services abroad. [thas a proven track record in creating jobs — more than 200,000 to date. It earns money for Canadians on its loans, belping to reduce cur balance of payments deficit. It keeps Canadian workers working. Criticism of EDC, operations is largely un- warranted. I find it par- ticularly puzziing that such criticism should consistently come from people who say they are democratic socialists and who claim an interest in creating jobs for Canadians in “value-added” Industries, A true democratic socialist denouncing the E.D.C. is rather like the cookie monster denouncing cookies. Yours very truly Iona Campagnolo M_P,, Skeena OTTAWA OFFBEAT BY RICHARD JACKSON OTTAWA - When govern- ments start failing apart, they stop thinking. Initiative is paralyzed. Action is slow and: con- tradictory. It's like that now — and has been for weeks, a sort of deepening coma — with the Trudeau government, It was like that when the government of former Liberal Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent went to pieces, disintegration before your very eyes. One all-powerful and highly-respected members of cabinet like Minister-of- ‘Everything, C.D. Howe, foolishly taunting Parliament during the pipeline crisis: ‘'Who’s to stop us?" The voters gave him the answer the very next year when they threw cut the government, and with painful reluctance, voted in- the first government of Prime Minister Diefen baker, wondering if the Conservatives, for 22 years out of power, were up to it. . Then sleeping sickness, self-doubt, confusion division in the ranks and a feeling of helplessness in the face of disintegration overtook the so-recently powerful Conservatives. it didn’t matter that winning 208 seats in a Commons of 264 they had run up the country’s greatest- ever majority. The prime minister, seeming to sense impending disaster, became incapable of decision. There was inertia, doubt, drift, and inevitably, defeat. With the St. Laurent Liberals it had been C.D. Howe and the pipeline, and a feeling of public weariness with an old and floundering government. With the Diefenbaker Conservatives it had been the devalued ninety-lwo and a half cent dollar — not bad by today’s discounted standards — and the self- destruct syndrome of disunity. . The public sensed deca and moved to change governments, The same scenario Is unfolding on today’s parliamentary stage. It’s been a long time coming. Region by region, group by group, actlon by action, the aging Trudeau government has been alienating the country to the point — never reaching before such an extremity — of open hostility to the prime minister per- sonally. This time the catalyst of anti-government chemistry in the public, out for Liberal blood, is the postal strike. The strike, to take events back to the very beginning, © is of the government's own making. The Liberals gave the public service the right to strike, and warned by the Opposition at the time that militants in the Post Office could shut down the mail service, Lester Pearson, the nation’s by-far-most- destructive prime minister, protested t they were “far too responsible” for that. As the strike wore on with the postal non-workers defying Parliament, the law, the courts and civil order, the Liberals were so mixed up and in such a panie they were laughing — perhaps out of sheer hysteria. Informed by a friend that every day the government waited to “smash the postal workers who the taxpayers love to hate” it was losing a Million votes, Otto Lang . chuckled: ") didn't know we had that many votes left." ; Then there's the Parliamentary Post Office itself. Itstored mail in the Centre Block basement, unwilling, even if perhaps unable, to deliver it to the main postal inal. Some mail, from public postal sub-stations where some staff remained on the job, was getting through to the terminal where a few other non-strikers were on the job. Tt got through because it was carried in Post Office trucks. But Parliament's mail was embargoed because it was trucked by a private con- tractor. Why didn’t the govern- ment use its own postal trucks? Because government-wise, Trudeau and his’ cabinet were out to lunch. VIC P.C. MLA STEPHENS Well, it's happened again. Mr. Bennett, like Mr. Trudeau, has cancelled election plans because of the results of a public opinion There can be ne doubt that a provincial election was planned. All the signs were there and all the necessary steps taken. Large volumes of expensive campaign material have been prepared by the Socreds, The Queens Printer, on government orders, has been very busy producing the necessary official documents, Bill Bennett's recent highly- publicized tour of the province was nothing more than an election campaign at taxpayer's expense, Suddenly, after months of waffling, Bennett has finally stated there will be no election this fall. This decision was made after he received the results of an extensive poll taken for him by Mr. Goldfarb, who con- ducts all Liberal polls. Now, there can be no serious objection to polling. “—’s part of our political process. It is a kind of private referendum for the use of the party seeking information on a variety of issues. But when the decision to call an election depends not on the needs of the province but solely on the outcome of a poll then the trust upon which our parliamentary system is founded is breached. Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Bennett are playing games with this The date of the next election in British Columbia is still a secret within the mind of one man. There are 2.5 million people in this province who have an equal interest, with the premier, in our future and are therefore entitled to be informed. If our elected servants cannot resist abusing our traditions then it is time to change the rules, On the day a Conservative government is sworn in as the govern- ment of British Columbia | will announce to the public the date on which the next pravinelal election will be “This one’s supposed to go, ‘snap, crackle, BOOM!”