“ _ Business trends | survey | Business conditions in British. Columbia have reached ‘a relative plateau according to the Employers’ Council of British Colum- bia’s seventh Business ‘Trends Survey. Executives of 176 firms. employing 187,474 people throughout B.C. participated in the survey. The general business climate did change during the last half of 1976, but that change, although negative, was very slight, the survey indicates. Commenting on the future, the respondents do not except substantial improving trends, but are positive. Most of the change is from “poor” to “fair.” Comparing the immediate future with the immediate . past, a majority of the executives expect no change. Twenty-one percent expect an improvement with the primary sector being the brightest. “The significant factor, and an encouraging one,'? com- mented Council President William Hamilton, ‘is that both the Council’s Economic Outlook and the Business Trends Survey agree in anticipating some economic growth in the B.C. economy and the Canadian economy. during 1977. However,’’ he continued, “neither group anticipates better than ‘fair’ conditions.” Lack of demand is the over riding problem facing B.C. companies according to the responses. Seventy- seven percent said that lack of demand for their products or services will limit their operations during the first half of 1977. This is the highest percentage for any factor since the survey was initiated three years ago. Reflecting the demand situation, only 37 percent anticipate that their firms will be at a satisfactory rate of operation. Over half the respondents expect their labor force to remain at current levels, while 25 percent expect fewer employees. An- swering a question can- cerning the unemployment rate generally, a slim majority expect a wor- sening oy unchanging situation with the remainder looking for an improvement. There will be no change in labor-management — relations according to close to three-quarters of the companies polled. Hamilton called this a “positive sign”. “The last six months of 1976 ~ saw very few major con- frontations and a good degree of peace and ¢c ation between labor and management,” he said. The attitude reflected in the survey indicates two things to me: first, a desire on the part of management, for it is management who was polled, for a successful, peaceful negotiating year and two, because of that desire, an implied un- dertaking to. proceed through this year on a reasonable, rational basis so that confrontations will be avoided.” . . Corporate after-tax earnings suffered during the last half of 1976 according to the survey. Forty-seven percent of the firms ex- perienced a decline; 29 percent reported an in- crease. The outlook for 1977 is for moderate im- provement; a majority expect that earnings will go up or remain constant, while 28 percent expect a decrease. ‘‘It is our hope, — obviously," commented Hamilton, “that there will be an improvement, par- ticularly when one notes that corporate profits before taxes was the only com- ponent of net national in- come which declined during the first nine months of 1976.” A positive sign in the survey was the expectation for capital expenditure. Compared to the previous 12 months, increases are ex- pected during 1977. Most of this will occur in the service: sector, which includes, utilities ; the primary sector anticipates major increases in repair and modernization expenditures. A majority of survey respond reported that sales i §§ ns of dollar value it...vved during the last-half of 1976. In terms of volume, however, only 47 percent ‘experienced’ an’’ increase. The gap, Hamilton said, is the inflationary effect, Looking ahead, 53 percent expect an increase in dollars and only 41 per- cent in physical volume. Terrace Reps Only two Terrace Minor Hockey Rep teams saw action on the weekend and both came up with double victories. ; The Peewees travelled to Smithers where they came through with 9-2 and 94 wins. . In the first game, Mark Flaherty fired a hat trick. Glen Palahicky and Mel Reimer each had two. Eric win both games and Robert Cederberg. Terrace Pups hosted Kitimat's Atom Reps and won by scores of 12-4 and 8-2. Trevor Hendry and Terry Zaporzan each had hat tricks in the first game.’ Henry Reimer and Ben Biagonni scored two each. Dave Kawinsky and Brian Badge had singles. In- dividual results from the second game were not OTTAWA and Small Business . Z by JIM SMITH _ Canadians,as you've prob- ably noticed, are funny peoplé. While the Americans, the British, the Russians and even, presumably, the Patagonians have cultivated a national sense of pride and achievement. Canadians have specialized in self- effacement. eve Canadian entertainers, Ca- nadian writers, Canadian scientists, Canadian athletes, and Canadian politicians can, almost without exception, find more interest in their work and achievements from outside Canada than they find here at home, We get a bigger thrill out of im- porting our culture, our technology, and our eco- nomics than we get from creating our own. eee - Nonetheless, there are oc- casions when Canadians are responsible for notable achievements. And, when- ever this happens, we should take note of the fact, puff out our breasts, and indulge in some ‘hearty, congratula- tory back-slapping. oe As it happens, Canadians are now well on the way to setting new standards in un- productiveness, For many years, our costs — primarily wages — have been increasing much more rapidly than our productivity. Now, according to the Canadian Federation | of Independent Business, Ca- nadian industry is as much as 37 per cent less efficient than similar industry in the United States. : ees The implications of that figure are grave. In the sim- plest terms, our higher wages The Apple Juice Cu ec and lower productivity mean that the Canadian dollar should be trading at only 60 or 70 cents in terms of the American dollar. Only our consistently high tevel of re- source exports and ‘foreign borrowing have kept the two dollars close to par. ese But what happens when our resources and interna- tional credit rating run out? Already, we've exhausted - our export capacity in petro- leum. Ultimately, our other non-renewable resources must become exhausted, tao. The challenge of the fu- ture for Canadians will be | leaming to live better ‘with less. A conserver society must be developed to replace our present wasteful consu- ‘mer society. Canada can't af- ford to constantly expand the ranks of the unemploy- ed, forcing those looking for work to do our national con- serving for us. Now for the good news. Learning to live within our means shouldn't be as diffi- cult as might be imagined. For example, Canada, one of the world’s major agri- cultural powers, is a net im- porter of food! We could easily — and profitably — increase our output of food and drastically zeduce our imports. Canadians can learn to vacation in Canada rather than abroad. Or we canlearn to conserve our limited resources. - The key toa better tomor- row may well be a Canadian society that drinks apple . juice rather than orange juice while vacitioning in New Brinswick-rather thai Florida. oy Hydro tender date extended A B.C. Hydro spokesman confirmed today that the tender expiry dates for the construction and land- scaping of B.C. Hydro’s North Coast Divisional Centre has been extended to March 2 from February 18 and 23, The spokesman said the ‘ change was a_ result of addendums added to the request for tenders. - Once the tenders are in it will be about 15 days before they are studied and a contract awarded. Con- struction should be un- - derway by the end of April. The Canadian Faderation of Indepandant Business@ YOU CAN TALK TO US... Cyril M. Shelford - The. work’. of the Legislature ground to a standstill this week with the estimates of the Minister of Economic Development continuing through. the seventh. day and three _ nights, which is the longest on record. A record I would say all parties would be well advised not to try and surpags in the future. In my. experience over 22 years littie, if anything, is added after two days and one night on a minister's estimates. - After that time the speeches become repetitious and receive the attention from the other members of the House they deserve. I'm sure all of you would leave the organization you belong to if aresolution put forward lasted seven days and three nights, or 37 hours. _ There is no question there is a great need for change to the rules of the Legislature; + as no democracy can’ sur- vive for long when’ the business of the peoplé grinds to a standstill by members | repeating themselves 10 or 12 times on the same issue with nothing new to offer except throwing sand in the. wheels of government, I note the tactics of the op- The new Toyota position have changed a great deal since the days of great opposition leaders like Harrold Winch, Arnold Webster or Bob Strachan. They would hit hard with short, hard-hitting speeches rather than repetitious speeches designed apparently for - delay only. I fully realize the opposition would quickly answer this by saying this is exactly what the Social Credit opposition did when we were in government, which I must concede is right after lodking over Hansard, but: two wrongs ’ don’t make a right. For this reason it becomes even more urgent that all parties seek better methods to keep the workings of government moving for the good of the province, no matter who is in government. The N.D.P. tried to bring in some reforms which did improve the procedure of dealing _ with the Throne debate and Budget debate; however, their attempts to limit the total time of the estimates to 135 hovrs failed. It was challenged by the Social Credit opposition but still in effect. No doubt this will have to be changed for the simple reason over one- years of this kind of testing engthy - THE HERALD, Wednesday, February 23, 1977, PAGE A? Victoria report quarter of the total time has" been taken up with only one department, which would mean little or no discussion on important departments such as Education, Health and Welfare along with Forestry, Mines and, Agriculture, the depart- ments that produce the wealth that others spend. There is no question ways have to worked out to limit debate on all departments to not more than two days and one night, which would still take 34days, or seven weeks at five days a week. With governments getting so large, both federal an provincial, we simply can't afford the luxury of days and days of repetition. This - is the number one reason why the elected govern- ments are losing control of the system. Canada Post POSTAL SERVICE CONTRACT Tenders are invited for the performance of the Terrace and Greenville-Nass Camp stage service. involved is the con- veyance of mail between Terrace and Greenville Post Offices | as well as intermediate points along the route. A sultable motor vehicle Is required for this service. The contract is to commence on April 1, 1977, Details may be obtained af the Terrace and Greenville Post Offices or af the address belaw. Tenders must be received by March 9, 1977 at: Transportation Services £.C. & Yukon Postal District 750 Cambie Street, Roam 400 Vancouver, B.C. V68 4K1 Postes ° Canada Of course, the actual mileage _— . MODELS susiness HOURS: ) | SEE a he high- i available. : oN = : pina ioeeg Sy Sunday's The Peewee ‘B’ team a Canadian is the lowest priced resulted in an automobile —_ you get will vary according 5 clash . Flaherty nt Played three games. They popular car sold in Canada‘ that's built to take on tothe kind of driving you do. a goals each, Singles were played to a 99 tie, At When driving, wateh for pe- Pp AR AGON ‘Terrific, but price isn’t the worst weatherthiscoun- ___ Backing theToyota ; rapped by Metzmeier, Granisle, they won by destrians who step out from eve. g. try can dish out. And win, | Canadian are over 230 deal- & Evans, Reimer, Colin Parr . Scores of 64 and 5-4. between parked cars, The Toyota Canadian “The Toyota Canadian ers right across the country : in S WJ RAN C E definitely lives uptoits | comesespecially equipped and a sophisticated comput- 7 | _ 4 ._ _ fame and comes equipped —_ with.a powerful electric erized parts system to en- “4 - ALL Y ARNS AG ENGY to give you exceptional rear window defroster, side ‘sure the rapid availability of . mie > value for your money.That's window defoggers, a virtually any part, anywhere. “5 Knitting Crochet because it’s a direct result heavy duty heater, a heavy The Toyota Canadian... 3 AST of exhaustive testing by duty battery and some very born out of exhaustive : Rug & Other Yarns Toyota in Northem Canada advanced rust inhibitors research in this country and : ove and various Canadian including plasticfrontfender now part of the world's 9 5 % OFF cities undersome of thecold- liners, zinc coated rocker number one selling car model ‘ | (s est, meanest, toughest + panels, corrosion and damp- line... lives up to its name... ‘ Co . _ weatherconditionsthatexist ness resistantengine fittings _ terrific! , oe anywhere. ...to name but a few. q . 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