Page 4, THE HERALD, Friday, Seplember 1, 1978 | EDITORIAL Me and Wacleans - Close to twenty years ago, I was watching the swirling Busting past the kitchen window in my house on the shore of Hudson Bay, at Churchill Manitoba. The dog team of a trapper friend of mine had just pulled up and delivered my mail from the local post office, and was ing a pot of tea with me, across the table. As I opened the string-tied bundle of letters and papers, a copy of Macleans was one of the first to fall out, and I was soon thumbing through the contents. The articles of “Canada's National Magazine” dealt, as it usually did, with the problems and joys of a lifeso distantly removed from that of its northern two thirds that to read it was to read of life in another country. The treeless, permafrost based, harsh climate, land of Canada’s Arctic and subarctic had produced a life-style vastly different in almost every way, from that of its United States hugging lower third. ; . The upper two thirds held no university, no technical schools, no library system, no lateral air or rail transportation, no T.V., no farming - hence no cattle and other farm animals, All milk, , vegetables, fruit and almost every other com- modity - had to be brought in from the south. For the time, I found myself wondering why, in all the half-million square miles of Hudson and James Bays and Foxe Basin there was not one single attempt at commercial fishing. That not one of the ships that came to take on wheat at the port of Churchill was Canadian. That, in the twenty years I had lived there, I had yet to see a privately owned ship, or a passenger ship, or.., my mind wandered once in on the scores of “Why don't theys”’ knowing I would never get an answer. That evening I tumed to my typewriter and . dashed off a lengthy letter to Macleans, suggesting they consider a series of articles on the Canadian North - the people, the animals, the educational system, the transportation system, Tack of ameniie, the high oot of everyting ; amenities, cos’ thing - and the numberous advantages of the northern lifestyle, with its peacefulness, its slower pace, its horizon to horizon carpeting of skyscapes, and its unanswered challenges. The next day I mailed the crtitcisms - then forgot about it. A week or two later, a letter arrived from Macleans,| thanking me for my suggestions, and ending with the suggestion that I add to my letter, turning it into an article - with an offer to pay me $500 for my trouble, ‘‘on acceptance”. I was ecstatic. My friends were skeptical. One who had spent a lifetime in submitting articles to Macleans cautioned me against optimism, suggesting that Macleans would “pick my _brains’, then tell me my writing was unac- ceptable then, at a later time, would have one of their writers re-write what I had sent in, and use it as their own. and one right sat down vith the Clght pouring one Sa wi ilight pouring through the kitchen window, from reflecting ice on Hudson Bay, dashed off ‘‘a bunch of words’, stuffed them in an envelope and, the next — moming mailed them to the magazine. Roughly a month went by, without any word. Then, a bulky manila envelope arrived with the Maclean-Hunter address in the upper left hand comer. It was my manuscript - not rejected - in galley proofs, with a covering note asking me to check it out for errors, and promising me I would receive a cheque for $400 “on publication”. My joy was tempered only by the reducedsum - $00 - but they had i $500. “Take it,” my wife said, sensibly, “You never got a nickel for anything you ever wrole, _ before.’” But there was the matter of “principle” - and the stars in my eyes shone brighter, in those days, than they do now. Imarched to the CN telegraph office and sent a wire to Macleans, something along these lines: “Manitoba cuts off the upper 20 percent of its tourist mapof the province and Macleans the top 20 percent of its cheque. But, if that’s the way you want it, it’s O.K. by me.” Within a couple of hours - a record for a reply by Churchill standards, came Maclean's answer, “Sorry about that, oldman. You'll get the $500. Ihad already caught the mistake. By the way, do you know you wrote 12,000 words?” (They had asked for 4,000) Two months later, the article appeared in Macleans. The publisher of a bi-monthly newspaper saw it, phoned me up and offered me the job of editor for the Churchill Post - which I accepted. A year later, I founded my own weekly newspaper... but that is another story; two stories, in fact. But, looking back, it is interesting to recall how Macleans was instrumental in my entry into journalism, and embarking on what, tome, is the ' Tnost exciting profession in the world, And now, within the last week or so, the word is out that Macleans - or, rather, Maclean-Hunter, has bought the Sterling chain of newspapers and printing presses, of which this newspaper, is one of the 9 dailies in that chain. It may mean nothing to Macleans, but it means alot, to me, And, hopefully, it will mean a lot to our readers when, as some are predicting, Macleans will infuse the needed capital and the sophisticated management that enable the HERALD to develop info an outstanding daily newspaper meeting the tie needs of Terrace and Kitimat - not forgetting, of course, Cable-Car Crossing. THIS 1 pal \ | iF There has been considerable discussion in- recent weeks on the proposed loan by the Export Development Corporation for the development of , a@ major copper mine in Panama. Unfortuantely, much of this discussion, and much of the criticism of the proposal, is inac- curate, base on false assumptions and has done more to confuse the issue than to resolve it. Let's look at the facts. NO TAXPAYERS MONEY . The Cerro Colorado project, as it is known, is a very large copper mine development in Panama. When in full operation it will produce about 187,000 metric tons of copper per year; the estimated capital cost of the project is, with allowances for inflation, $1.4 billion. The mine could not be put into. operation earlier than late 1984, and it is much more likely to not be producing until 1985 or 1986. . The export Development Corporation (E.D.C. ' is a Crown Corporation established by the federal government to create jobs for Canadians through its encouragement of Canadian exports. This encouragement often takes the form of financing for overseas industrial projects un- dertaken by Canadian E.D.C. financing is nota grant or a gift. It is a commercial loan, made in competition with other, similar agencies operating in other countries, but at international commercial rates. The E.D.C. does notuse the taxpayer’s money. It raises its funds on world money markets and, in fact, because it is very selective in its loans, has - actually made a profit each year since its in- ception, => ; The E.D.C. has never had a loan defaulted. JOBS FOR CANADA . All evidence clearly indicates that the Cerro Colorado project will go ahead: If it does not receive E.D.C. financing, other sources are readily available. This is because copper markets - which have been depressed -- are now improving, and by the mid-1980’s there will be sufficient demand both for new projects such as Cerro Colorado and for existing and new Canadian copper mines. _ If the E.D.C. is successful in its negotiations with Panamanian authorities, its involvement in this project will mean 55,000 man-years of em- ployment in Canada, mostly in manufacturing and high-technology employment. And the demand for copper will be sufficiently great that the project will not take jobs away from Stewart, “Can’t we keep him — I’ve got kind of attach industry. . ed to him?” he sthen side of the (copper ) coin Granisle, or other Canadian copper-mining towns, . ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION If we are to diversify our country's economy, and gain a foothold in new, high-technology industries, it will be through projects such as the Cerro Colorado development. At the same time, however, we must work to re-establish the strength and vitality of in- dustries such as mining, which are still all- important to areas of Canada such as our own. I have already been discussing with my Cabinet colleagues in portfolids auch as-Industry, Trade and Commerce, Regional Economic Expansion, Energy, Mines and Resources, and Finance ways of doing this, and will continue my efforts in this regard. . Possible routes of assistance include loan . guarantees for resource projects with proven potential; expansion of mineral-related secondary industries (e.g. - smelters); revision, in conjunction with the provinces, of the complex federal-provincial taxation structure of the mining industry. (With respect to taxation, it was, of course, the poorly-considered taxation policies of the former N.D.P. government in B.C. which compounded many of the problems of our copper industry.) ; In addition, it should be made clear that western Canada also stands to benefit from the proposed E.D.C. loan to Cerro Colorado. Because of the major role played by. mining in the B.C, economy; most of the technical skills, some of the manufacturing skills and a lot of the transportation expertise which will be required are available right in our province. B.C., as well as Ontario, will benefit if the E.D.C. loan goes ead. FACTS ARE CLEAR The facts of the matter -- when one bothers to look at them -- are quite clear. The Cerro Colorado project has identified issues which must be.looked into, and initiatives for our own area which must be followed up. And this is what I am doing, in order to help achieve our goal of stabilizing and diversifying the economy of our area. But one thing I have learned -- even before my election as your Member of Parliament - is that accurate information and documented evidence are most helpful in winning arguments than simplistic slogans and shrill rhetoric. It may not be as entertaining — but its usually — more effective, oo ot wt "EG f = 7 Ottawa, - Not that it really matters - except | perhaps to those Canadians who still have some Tespe~ :. thelr British heritage and traditions — but the kinf “over home” seem a little put out with our ces1ct during the Queen's Com- monwealth Games visit. 7 Here at home, the joint Senate-Commons Minister Trudeau is by-passing both his party and its parliamentary caucus on the issue of the constitution and the place of the Queen in Canada. The Canadian Bar Association may take one position and various other groups assume dif- fering attitudes. But in Britain, they re at angry. - It was only some 10 years ago Prince Philip told an Ottawa press conference that if Canadians were tired of the monarchy ‘for goodness sake, have the courtesy to tell us we shall leave.” ; _ The Prince added that the last thing the Queen would wish in the even then developing situation of growing Canadian disaffection for the monarchy would bea parting with hard feelings. If there should have to bea farewell sometime in the future, he said, let it be with mutual friendship or at least respect. _ So now out comes The Daily Express of Lon- don, Britain’s second largest national _ ‘ newspaper, with a bitter commentary in caricature by its famed cartoonist, Qummings. ’ Jt shows Prince Philip and Princess Anne discussing the Queen’s recent Canadian tour and looking at some typical “snapshots” of the visit. The first “picture” in the royal album shows a blank square and under it “Trudeau welcomes the Queen.” The second “‘snapshot” shows a pair of feet in sandals, hairy legs in baggy jeans, with the caption “Trudeau, at last, shows up.” Picture No. 3 shows a picket sign reading “Queen, Go Home,” and under it the message “Loyal Greetings from the Canadian Bar Association.” Fourth picture in the Cummings “snapshot” cartoon shows an Air Canada jet, taking off from Calgary, blowing four tires and bursting into flame, with the caption “‘A Right Royal Sendoff for Philip.” Then, lest there be any doubt as to how the millions, of readers of The Daily Express ‘are: ” supposed to feel about the whole thing, thére'is‘a - * Page One “splash,’ as the English dailies term the day’s big story, reporting how the royal visit was one insult after another. It’s been a long time since the Brits worked up sich a head of steam. And to really blow the lid off the boiling kettle, The Express does another front page “splash” with diagrams and pictures of “Philip Air Safety rm. Tt concerns Air Canada’s twice-aborted Calgary takeoff with the Prince and 371 other passengers. Expressman David Miller was one of the 371 aboard, and got The Express alll excited with his report that “Twice the Prince escaped near- disaster in the Air Canada jumbo jet.” : The Express charges Air Canada with carelessness in taking off the second time too soon after the first. The brakes, tires and un- dercarriage were still overheated from the first aborted attempt with the blowout and fire resulting, ‘The British public is left with the vague suggestion that it was just another in a series of disasters, contrived or accidental, spoiling the royal visit. TERRACE/KITIMAT daily herald General Office - 635.6357 Circulatian - 635-6357 Published by Sterling Publishers PUBLISHER - Laurie Mallett EDITOR . Ernie Senior REPORTER - Donna Valileres REPORTER - CIRCULATION - Pat CIRCULATION Joyce KITIMAT OFFICE - 632-2747 Zelinskl 632-2747 , Fish 635-6357 Think small byJim Smith © | Greatness is just a state The Ultimate State of Mind happened out in Edmonton, can, indeed, be great. At the demonstrating that Canada of mind. What, after all, distin- The United States progressed guishes the outstanding poli- from a few muddy villages tician from the merely good? ig global domination almost Normally, dedication and effort, Or, what separates the wonders of the world from the passing tourist attrac: tlons? Not much other than an extra dose of architec- tural input, And what mokes the dif- ference between the world's greatest athlete and all the reat? A heck of a lot more determination, It's the same thing — be- lief that the nation can be preat — that produces the truly impressive civilizations. entirely because its people possessed that ambition to be great. And It began to de- cline when the people started to have doubts about their national abilities. Greece. Rome. The British Empire. Pick an exceptional nation | and you'll always find an ex- ceptional stateof mind. Canada has always pos- sessed two of the three ingre- dients for greatness — resour- ces and talent — but we've lacked the essential third -- the expectation that great- ness is not only possible but inevitable, We've never deye- oped a Canadian culture be- cause it was easier to import whatever the Americans were passing around, We've never developed our own re- sources because the Ameri- cans, Germans, Japanese and a lot of other great peoples made it too easy for us to accept their finns, Ouraporta teams are dominated by im- ported athletes (“Our im- ports can beat your imports" is the battle cry of Canada's | professional sports) and our universities seek out foreign- educated professors. And so it goes. .But something wonderful Commonwealth Games, Ca- nada — the former 98-pound- weakling of nations — clean- ed up in the medals depart- ment, Granted, some of the truly heavyweight athletic nations — notably the U.S.A. and Russia — weren't on hand, but it was a mighty salisfying display just the same, Don Talbot, the national men’s swim coach this year, explained recently that the team polled the swimmerson the subject of nationalism before and after the Games. Before the Games, Canada was regarded as rather sec- Published every weekday at 3212 Kalum Street, Terrace, B.C. A member of Varifled Circulation, Authorized as second class mail, Registration number. 1201. Postage pald in cash, return postage guaranteed, 7. NOTE OF COPYRIGHT The Herald retains full, complete and sole copyright In ‘any advertisement produced and-or any editorial or photographic content published in the Herald, ° _ Reproduction Is not permitted withou? the written permission of the Publisher, ° - ond-rate. Afterwards, it was 4 different story and the swimmers loved their coun- iry. Just as iniportant, the country loved the swimmers, Are athletics all that far _ removed from government and public policy or from economic excellence? Inone sense, they all function in the same manner — outstanding | _ government will beget better politicians just as gold medals in swimming will encourage more-Canadians to try the sport. On the other hand, however, we are sorely lack». ing in examples of govern- | mental or business excel- lence. i . What this country needa most of all is the belief that economic greatness Is possi- ble. Edmoziton should have shown us the way to the top in more than just athletics.