PAGE 4, THE HERALD, Friday, December 16, 1977

Junk Mail

It might not seem like a very important
subject to merit an editorial. Undoubtedly,
the problem is not new, either — but with
the increase in the cost of postage several
times over during the last few years it is a
problem that involves a great deal of
money. Taxpayers money — at that. At the
same time, we realize the subiect of wasting
tax payers dollars — millions and millions
of them — has been proven so often people
begin to yawn at the mention of it.

Anyhow — we will try.

This week four Loto Canada “In-
formation” packets arrived in our mail. All
identical. Each costing $1.20 in postage.
Each “kit”? contained ninety-one pages of
“information’’ plus returning cards. A
reasonable assessment of cost — $2.00 per
packet. So far that’s a total of $12.80.
However: in the same mail were four
identical pieces of mail, each with 12 cents
postage, each with identical Christmas
cards — also from Loto Canada. The
illustration — in full colour — of the
Christmas cards (so the cards are in-
scribed) was designed “...by one of the
students at Lucy McCormick School for
mentally retarded children.’’ (The
“message” on the cards was almost in-
decipherable.) Estimated cost of the four
“Christmas” cards to us, from Loto Canada
— including postage — another dollar...-
makes a total cost to Loto of $13.80.

Terrace Post Office Zone supervisor
Nancy Canary told the Chamber of Com-
merce this week that each piece of mail
delivered to Native villages by air from
Terrace costs the Post Office $1.89 — just
from Terrace! Imagine what Loto Canada
multiple mailings such as this must amount
to. Then multiply that by all the branches of

the various governments — federa
provincial, regional etc. with similar
“junk” mail.

The “Loto Canada’’ costs come out of
your Lottery Ticket money. Each such
multiple mailing to our office by Loto is
costing a $5 Loto Ticket — for which there is
NO winner — and many losers. One of the
chief “losers” being the Post Office
department which gets deeper in the red
with each mailing.

Though Nancy Canary “‘kept her cool”
remarkably when peppered with questions,
complaints and accusations from the floor
of the Chamber meeting the other night, she
knew — though she could not admit it —
what we all know.

With the present system of post office
regulations there are no winners. And, for
the many questions the public is asking, day
after day, regarding the poorer and poorer
service at higher and higher cost — there
can be no real ‘‘answers”’.

Until — or unless, that is — the public
finally reaches the saturation stage where it
will put up with the nonsense, no-more, and
demand — and obtain — a hait to the annual
‘public hijacking” by the Post Office, each
Christmas.

New B.C. Fed. Park

Ottawa — Honourable the
Hugh Faulkner, Minister
responsible for Parks
Canada annojnced
recently, approval of a
major development plan
for Fort Rodd Hill
National Historic Park
and Fisgard Lighthouse
on Vancouver Island,

In making the an-
nouncement the Minister

defense

facilities
harbour.

Fisgard

mid-1950’s, are
regarded as classic
examples of a coastal
establishment.
The fort's gun batteries
guarded the approaches
to the Esquimalt Naval
Base and the commercial
of Victoria

Lighthouse,

said, ‘I’m certain that
the park will become a
major historic landmark
an reserve for all
Canadians, a distinctive
part of our cultural
eritage.”’

The program of
preservation and
resotvation work to be
undertaken on the 74
hectares (183 acres)
waterfront park is ex-
pected to take five years
at a total cost of $4.7
million.

Fort Rodd Hill, 13.7
kilometres (8'2 miles)
from downtown Victoria,

became a National
Historic Park in 1962. Its
fortifications, spanning

63 years of military
history which ended in

the first light station on
the rugged west coast,
was built in 1860 and is
still functional. It is a
National Historie Site in
its own right as well as
being a part of the Fort
Rodd Hill historic park
complex. The lighthouse
will be restored to its 1873
appearance and will
house an exhibit related
to west coast navigation.

“Fort Rodd Hill,”’ Mr.
Faulkner said, “has been
used as a_ military
defense within living
memory and anyone
having an association
with the site is invited to
share reminiscences and
assist in this ambitious
and exciting project.”

TERRACE

daily herald

General Office - 635-6357
Circulation - 635:6357

PUBLISHER... W.R. (BILL) LOISELLE
EDITOR ... ERNEST SENIOR

Published every weekday at 3212 Kalum 5St., Terrace,
B.C. Amember of Varifled Circulation. Authorized as
second class mail. Registration number 1201, Postage
pald In cash, return postage guaranteed.

NOTE OF COPYRIGHT

The Heratd retains full, complete and sole copyright
in any advertisement produced and-or any editorlal or
photographic content pubilshed in the Herald.
Reproduction is not permitted without the written
permission of the Publisher.

Published by
Sterling Publishers

Lions and thelr wives from as far off as the Queen Charlotte Islands, Stewart,
Prince Rupert, Terrace, Kitimat, Fraser Lake, Vancouver and Bellingham
Washington - approximately 120 of them - attended a combined meeting of Lions
from zones A3 and Adin International District 19, earlier this month, at Smithers.
District governor Dick Pierce, from Vancouver, held a District cabinet meeting.
It was his second Smithers visit in two months. Guest speaker at the Smithers

Rivers and Shores

CLOCKWATCHING
ANYONE?

Time — how do we define it? It is reputed to do,
and to be, many things. It is something we never
have enough of when we are enjoying ourselves.
It’s something of which there is far too much when
it rushes past like a centipede with 101 sore feet!

Time can be something we hoard, something we
actually save kup for, but we cannot save time for
it marches endlessly on. It can be scheduled, it
can certainly be mismanaged and we must be
admit, it can be wasted.

Time is certainly a versatile asset which can be
used in a multitude of ways, not all of them
commendable, but it must be used. Once it passes,
it’s gone forever. Itcan be stolen. Reliable sources
estimate that the value of time stolen in Canada is
$8 bition annually. Think of it. An amount equal to
1 per cent of the entire annual Canadian gross
national product!

Eight billion dollars. This horrendous figure
represents the cost of time stolen by workers who
deliberately waste or abuse time during the period
when they are being paid to work. The first
reaction to this is “Who, me? Oh, no,” Well, ob-
viously, many are going astray in a variety of
ways and we propose to explore some of these
ways.

People who arrive at their place of employment
latre are rarely known to compensate for this theft
of time form their employers at the other end of
the day. On the contrary, ithas been observed that
efforts are often made to offset by leaving early!
Shortening the working hours is stealing time —
and one thing we probably did not stress — Time
IS money when one is on the job.

There are ways of passing idle moments by
socializing. A lite chat aobut last night's game, a
second cup of coffee in a neighbouring office or ...
but the picture Is fairly clear, there is no need to
explain further. .

There are people who feel entitled to so many
sick days — and take them — regardless of need
and of the extra load placed on f
the potential overtime therefore needed. These
are brother and sister to the personwho is con-
tinually on the telephone, rehashing last night’s
adventures or trying to organise tonight’s
escapade, Of course, such organisation takes time
and thought. While the thought may be the per-
sonal possession of the thinker, the time devoted
toit belongs to the person who is paying wages and
salaries. The use of it, in unauthorised fashion,
sinctitutes theft.

“T)] just eat my sandwich at my desk — my
bench — my counter....” we have all heard this.
Far too often it is followed silently by the words
“ond then will take my lunch hour”. Does time
make thieves of us ali? We hope not, but there is
developing a careless use of work-time which Is
affecting productivity. It now take longer tomake
the proverbial widget than it did in the days of
Ebenezer Scrooge. The, the clock ticking away on
the wall was far more prominent and, in every
sense, better observed.

What price do we pay for lower productivity?
The question hardly needs to be asked. It is
reflected in the intolerable inflation we have all
expertenced, and could continue to experience
unless this contributing factor is reastrained ani
reduced. It should never be forgotten that these so
called buried or hidden costs, related to such
things as stolen time, are passed on to the even-
tual consumer. The consumer, of course, is US —
all of us. Whether we are part of the time theft
conspiracy as a participant, or an unblinking and
untelling observor, we help pay for it.

With the imminence of Christmas and the
inevitable retelling of the Scrooge epic and his
conversion to kindliness, we do not advocate a
return to the working conditions endured by Bob
Cratchitt. All we suggest is a realistic look at our
work habits and a recognition that conscious
misuse of time is stealing.

ow workers and ~

*riks hall was past

trict governor Dennis Gudbrandson, from Bellingham who,
with his wife Lynne had travelled the furthest of any delegate.

While Lions attended the Saturday afternoon meeting, their wives went on &
shopping spree, then met at a wine and cheese tasting in the Tyee Motor Hotel,
After this they joined in
Representing Terrace was

a cocktail partydlinner dance at the Elka Hall.
Zone Chairman Hugh W. Hepburn, of District 18-A4.

Kitimat Oll Pipeline
and
Thompson Inquiry:
The ‘Thompson Inquiry is completing its final
act, summarizing its findings and listening to final
submissions from major participants in the

in .

ee this week, the staff members of the
inquiry submitted a report on their views to Dr.
Thompson. Noteworthy was their position that the
Oil companies and their supporters have not been
able to show that a West Coast Oil Port is needed.
The staff report said that American oil
requirements can be met by oil swaps, such as
Alberta oil going to the U.S. midwest with oil
landed on the U.S. east coast going to Eastern
Canada. Alternatively, Alaskan oi] could be
shipped to Japan with Persian Gulf oil which was
originally ta apan delivered instead to the U.S.
East Coast or Gulf of Mexico ports and through
existing pipelines and by unit trains to the Nor-
thern Tier refineries, Because answers to critical
questions, such as. supply, demand and en-
yronmental impact are far from satisfactory, the
staff report urges Canada to reject any pressure
from the United States for a quick decision on a
West Coast Port. The staff members report should
be commended on the latter statement.

Canada does not have a comprehensive energy

licy. Therefore it should not, under pressure

companies agree to the construction of an oil port
on Canada’s West Coast until it has decided it is in
Canada best interests to do so.

It is interesting that the majority of people in
Washington state do not want an Oil Port on their
coastline regardless of the employment and
economic benefits. Yet in Kitimat, which does not
have dire economic or high unemployment

roblems, actively supports the oil port proposal.
Why? How can people have such opposite per-
spectives.

Not often talked about since the question of a
West Coast Oil Port has arisen, yet very crucial
and important to peoples health, is the air
pollution from an off-loading oil terminal. I read
recently that the Oil Terminal proposed for Long
Beach, California wiould produce the equivalent
air pollution of.a city of 600,000 people. -

What would be the effect of an Oi! Terminal at
Kitimat upon the air quality oveer that com-
munity? Atmospherice conditions over Kitimat

rom the United States, (who does not want an.oil -
port in Washington State) or the Multi-national Oil _

are noted for having inversion conditions 50 per
cent of the time. This means the air is trapped and
not moving. Even if the Terminal that was
proposed for Kitimat produced the equivalent air
pollution, say of 300,000 people, the impact upon
air quality would be horrendous, when combined
with emissions from existing industry and urban
activities.

Why in the name of progress do community
leaders so oftne support large industrial
developments that are not in harmony with the
region or tthe majority of its people, — vis-a-vis
the Oil Port proposal’

The editor of this paper made some interesting
points this week which some local politicians
should take not of, instead of waiting for huge
grandiose projects to be plumped on thelr door-
steps.

Fish and Wildlife laws:

For many years the B.C. Wildlife Federation
has been very critical of the light penalties im-

sed upon those who break fish and wildlife lawa
in B.C. Most often the law breakers if found guilty,
have been dealt only a minimum fine or penal
for their mideemeanor. In recent years there has
appeared to be a new awareness by judges in B.C.
towards the values of fish and wildlife, with much
stiffer penalties being imposed upon those who
flaunt fish and wildlife regulations. .
enecent local co a Becvinesal Cop ' Kederal

sheries’ Officers, and. Provincial Conservation.
Officers, seerns to indicate that the awareness of
the value of fish and wildlife to Northwestern B.C.
has not yett reached those who are responsible for
imposing penalties upon the law breakers in this
region. {t is strange and sad that so many
politicians and members of the judicial system
treat fish and wildlife almost with contempt.

Our Federal and Provincial Fish and Wildlife
Officers work many long hours gathering
evidence, writing and deliverying subeonas, along
with compiling all the other written information
for each case, including attendance at court
hearings.

All too often their efforts produce no more than
a $25 fine or the case is thrown out of court ona
techinicality. Itis frustrating for these people who
are usually very dedicated hard working public
employees. And it is frustrating for the general
public ‘who feel helpless to try and do anything
about it. It is easier to criticize the Prime Minister
of nity Country than a judge in our own Com-

unity.

Letter

Christmas

Hold your Christmas
wrappings and fancy
bows until you reach your
destination if you intend
to fly during the holiday
season, is the advice of

wrapping can disa

Farcels hadn carried
on an aircraft must pass
through security screens
at alrports and may

watchman.

sent with
inspeciton before
boarding. If this is

necersary, the hours of siad the airline.

artistic talents in gift

\ ppear
in minutes. Also CP Air
points out, nuch of the
Uletide wrappings and
ribbon is metallic which
Air, is sure to excite any
conscientious electronic

Parcels wrapped and
regular
require to be opened for baggage which is stored

in the cargo hold of the
aircraft is not affected,

to Editor

Dear Sir:

With the year 1977
drawing to a close I once
again would like to ex-
press a deep sense of
appreciation to the
Terrace Herald and to
Radio Station CFTK and
CFTK-T.V. for assistance

rovided to the Canadian

ational Institute for the
Blind.

A special mention must
go to Al Purschke,
campaign chairman, and
to Lions Clubs and the
dedicated volunteers for
giving of their time and
efforts in support of
CNIB, The generous
contributions of citizens
of these areas enabled us
to make this year’s
campagin for funds the
most outstanding ever
conducted.

On behalf of the
Canadian National In-
stitute for the Bline I
accept this assistance
with sincere a
preciation. It will enable
our agency to continue
our programs in the area
of prevention of blindness —_
and the regabilitation of a
our visually handicapped a oo : i

citizenns. pas * . ‘ee ~*~
icy ae ; a | aan ; a jn
Yours sincerely While ae: a e mecting —b = Ca Li eee 30 sae Y
zon was being held, Lions’ wiv: Me
__ Fred Koalenz Lorraine Penner (left) and host president's wife Clara Capen coffee party 4
District Administrator Hepburn from Terrace (zone chairman Hugh's wife) first choice of the muffins.

ths