Poet Page 4, The Herald, Tuesday, December 19, 1978 TERRACE/KITIMAT daily herald General Office- 635-6357 Pubtished by Circulation - 635-6357 Sterling Publishers PUBLISHER - Laurie Maliets GEN. MANAGER - Knox Coupland ; EDITOR - Greg Middleton CIRCULATION - TERRACE - Andy Wightman 635-6357, KITIMAT . Pat Zetinski 632-2747, . KITIMAT OFFICE - 632-2747 . Published every weekday at 3212 Kalum Street, Terrace, B.C. A member of Varifled Circulation. Authorized as second class mail. Registration number 1203. Postage paid in cash, return postage guaranteed. NOTE OF COPYRIGHT The Herald retains full, complete and sole copyright In any advertisement preduced and-or any editorlat or photographic content published In the Herald, Reproduction is not permitted without the written . help permission of the Publisher. Scare tactics _ on dead issue In a thinly disguised editorial attempt to puff some life back into the carcass of the Kitimat oil port and pipeline proposal, recently dealt a fatal blow by a government study which indicates there is little or no need for the sticky black stuff, the Northern Sentinel splashed an unsigned commentary in support of the plan across the front page of the weekly newspaper. The lengthy piece, an hysterical attempt to capitalize on fears that trouble in the Middle East will leave us freezing in the cold, makes some inflamatory statements about Skeena MP Iona Campagnolo not knowing what is good for this area (read pro pipeline, big business in- terests) and goes on to try and tar all anti pipeline, environmentalists and ecology protectors with a red brush. , The nearly page-long waste of newsprint touts the economic advantages of establishing a new industry for the northwest coast and dismisses as groundless fears that it will destroy the long- established and sensitive fishing industry. With incredible gall, the Sentinel states that oil, a substance fish will swim miles to avoid if they can and which is responsible for wholesale kills of waterfowl and tidal marine life, is but a natural substance and Mother Nature will deal with the inevitable spills. The authority for this naive belief the claim is that ‘there is no documented damage from tankers sunk during World War II. It is true that there isn’t much documentation, but then every one was rather busy with other things, and most of those tankers sunk were torpedoed in the open sea not in the spawning grounds of a major source of food. e justification for us to take the risks that tanker traffic and a pipeline would bring is that the Americans, and consequently the Canadians, need the oil. The Sentinel’s position is that other country’s accept the risks of shipping traffic, it is atrade off. It asks if the benefits aren’t worth the risks. It hints that if we don't go along our high standard of living might eventually be forfeit. The trends, however, are not toward greater and greater need for fossil fuels. The direction is toward economy and alternate sources of energy. After the countless mistakes of the pro development °50’s, when blunder after blunder was made in the name of progress, caution is the keyword. . Let us take a look at our needs and the quality of life we want. Do we wish to jeopardize that which we can pass on to our children, their heritage, the gift of an unpolluted, still productive environment or do we want to satisfy the American lust for overproduction and in- creased development at any cost. If there has to be an oil port, let the Americans take the risks at Skagway and, if that means running a pipeline, let them go ahead with the already established interior route rather than next to the Pacific Northern Gas pipeline, (the one that, if you remember just recently broke). We are not against progress, we just wish to be cautious about it, and look up and down the street rather than rushing into traffic to catch a rolling nickel that may end up going down the drain in any case, EDITOR'S JOURNAL BY GREG MIDDLETON A reader wrole to me and asked that 1 pass on his experience in purchasing unt later trying to relurna Christmas gift, with the hope that his (ale of woe would olhers avoid) ou spoiled Christmas. He says he bought a gift for his wife (rom Carter's Jewellers. When he bought the item de says he mentioned that it was a gift. Fle paid for the present by cheque and so didn't go right up to the cosh cogister where the store displays ils refund policy. This fellow later discovered thal his wife wast'l completely happy with his gift and su he weal fa ask for his money back. ‘The store's policy, as stated ona sign by the cash register, Is exchange but ne refund. Nothing else in the store, however, appealledt to Ue man's wile, The store is well) within its righis, mer chants do not have to give a refund. I is up te the consumer to determine the store’s refund poficy and decide whether or not it iy acceptable before a pur chase ia made. Perhaps the store could tive made some gains In public relations by offering a refund, dul they are under no obligation to do so if a customer changes his mind on a purchase, If you have any doubts abow! your purchase, expecially ifitis a gift, determine the store's policy an goods that may not he whal you want. ‘To be onthe save side, have it writtenon the bill, and keep the bill. And may you have a merrier Christiims than this fellow and his wife. Pars Ss i "ve fi nally succe rs oe | ad a one a z SMTP Ure ge rene a. oe arene ley rs SETS nr Sep nH eded in getting the provin Ls ead? Nelly fe Ie pay ces to pull togeth Crusade Weekly, 50, had What do you know about oppression? These days, people aye conditioned to think of the oppression cf blacks and coloureds in the © United States, South Africa and Rhodesia. Some even think of modern-day Chile. It is, somehow, not considered to be cricket to mention op- pression in socialist states. Why? Billy James Hargis writes in Christan “\.. boat people of South Vietnam, refugees who risk, and often lose, their lives in small boats on the open seas, to escape communist persecution and terror in Southeast Asia.” He further writes, “The number of such refugees has increased from 5,352 in 1976 to 15,433 in 1977. The total this year has topped ° Please reread those figures. Appalling as they are, they represent between 10 and 50 percent of those who set out, Sharks and communist patrol boats did in the rest. In recent weeks our government took in _ THOMAS ATRILL THINKS | Socialist states oppressive several hundred of these unfortunate people. News reports told of overloaded and capsized craft. A worldwide refugee agency has been suggested, Such flights to freedom are net new. I recall the flight of white Russians from Stalin's terror, refugees from Hitler's National Socialism, Chinese refugees and escapees from Castro's socialist paradise. On a comparatively minor scale we noted the exodus of people from the oppression of such countries as Italy, England and Allende’s Chile, And this oppression continues; thestate makes : - the rules and enforces them in the appropriate way, with guns, clubs and prison. The oppressed flee, as best they know how, toward a shrinking free world, and away from the creel, ali- powerful socialist state. Thave never heard of anyone trying to escape from paradise. Officials try to assess hike WASHINGTON (CP) — Shocked U.S. offlcials are still trying to assess the damaging effects of a bigger-than-expected in- crease in oil prices on a national economy that is al- ready widely predicted to slide into recession in 1979. The weekend an- nouncement from the Organizalion of Petroleum Exporting (OPEC) countries that crude oil prices will rise by 14.50 per cent in four stages in 197) came asa body blow for the Carter adminis- tration. Hesides the economic repercussions, it appears to be a major diplomatic defeat for Ihe United States. ‘The White House had dis- patched Treasury Secretary Michaet Blumenthal to the Middle East only a month age Lo try to talk the Arab oil producers into laking a moderate course in selilng oif prices which had been frozen since early 1977. Alter Hlumenthal's trip, administration ubservers of OPEC in Washington thought an increase of no more than eight to 10 per vent, introduced in stages, was IIkely. President Carter, ub- viously caught off-guard, could only issue o ferse stalement from his Cump David retreat saying {he United States reyretled the OPEC decision beeause it feels oil market conditions “do nol warrant a price increase of Lhis magnitude."’ The immediate Impact for - consumers comes when he first rise, 4 five-per-cent Jump ever the current $12.70 a barrel, comes into effect on Jan. 1, [t will mean another one cent or more at the gasuline pump and the same for home heating oil. Hy the end of 1078, when all the increases are in effect, prices for these products will likely be between four cents and five cents a gallon higher. Although most figures are still preliminary, here are some of the other effects government and industry officials fear: —The annual inflation rate, now about 10 per cent, will increase by between two-tenths of one per cent and three-quarlers of one per cent, at a time when reducing inflation is the key economic priority. —Extra payments for im- ported oil will add about $4 billion to the trade deficit in 1979. The 1978 deficit is ex- pected Lo be about $30 billian, but U.S. and European analysts worried ubout the course of the dollar had hoped for a major improve- ment in 1979, —Major utilities, including Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, have warned rates for electricity will rise by ubout four per cent and for sleam by about 10 per cent. --Over-all, tolal economic output will be trimmed by $2 billion of $3 billion, ad- ministration officlals estimate, possibly cutting around one-tenth of one per cent from annual real growth. Though relatively small, this somes in a year when the growth rate was . estimated (o be only between 1.5 und three per cent, Predictably, the dollar plummetted in value on world currency markets. Because of the duilar’s value joss in the posi year, and including the effects of inflation, the price the Middle Eusi countries sow et for oil hag a real value of only about $7 lo $8 a burrel. The other $4.70 to $5.70 4 borre! has been eaten up by inflalion since prices were last raised. THINK BY JIM SMITH SMALL In Praise of. - $moke-Filled Rooms The baste fact of political life ts this: a politician must be elected before he can imple- ment his policies. And he must be re-elected to continue to implement those polictes, Unfortunately for everyone concerned - pollikians and voters - the key, to re-election requires the politician to de in public what the voters de- eve to be best - irrespective af whether the action really 45 best. Provincial premiers, no less than other pulliicians, must be elected and re-elected. Therefore, they, tuo, must act as the vulers wish, But, being men of principie, ihey also know how tu steak in decl- slons that, while best for the publk, are better handled oul- side the spoilighi of publicity. In other words, most lead- ers require some semblance of privacy before they can prop- erly protect the public interes. Force them to act (utally in the open and their ability fo gov- ern wisely iy impaired. And that brings us to the First Ministers’ Conference. If a national contest were held to devise the least effec- tive method of arriving al agree. ment among pollikians, the First Ministers’ Conferences would be the result, Once ten Premiees and ane Prime Min- ister are sented befure natlonal felevision cameras, there can be only one result: potltical gamesmanship. These not being the best of times, governments of alt shapes, sizes and creeds fing themuelves face-to-face with a common nasty dilemma. To wit: there are no politically palatable solutions to the cur- reat economic mess. Politicians - who tell the public the com- plete truth will quickly become unemployed politicians. Behind closed doors, most economic Issues could be set- tled amicably and swiftly with each of the Premiers giving a little and (aking a litte, Bul, with the whole world watch- ing, the Premlers can't alford to be seen making concessions. The voters expect their leaders to jake on their befall, not to give. With so many restrictions plaved on thelr actions, the Premiers could hardly be ex- pecied to rench agreement at the First Ministers’ Confer- ence. As it happens, these con- ferences are useful only to show the necesalty of a strong federal government which can arrange for agreement by these various opposing Interests, Aside from that, we're laying out @ lot of inxpayers’ money (o support conferences thai are less effl- clent than guod old backroom dickering. - Politicians are honourable ‘men, But we must have some sympathy for their profession- al problems and give them every opportunity to help us while they protect themselves. Let's put polltics back in the smoke-filled rooms where li belongs. “Think amal!” is an editorial meseace from the Canadian Federation of independent Businesas' THIS WEEK sO from Ottawa lona Campagnolo, M:P.. The federal-provincial conference: held in Ottawa was clearly one of the most cooperative 1 meetings of first ministers In a long while. Now that all the dust has settled, it is clear that 1 the Prime Minister and the Premiers, working 1 together, have agreed on measures to increase 4 job creation, cut unemployment, reduce inflation 4 flatlon and lower: the cast of government: ser- I vices. They also focused on the Issues of boosting J agricultural activity, industrial output and exports, and speeding developing of our energy, mineral and tisherles _resources. After the three day conference, enough had been accomplished that the official communique listing the conference's achlevements ran to a full twelve pages. There wasn’t unanimous agreement on every Issue, of course. And clearly the most con- troversial topic deatt with was the oil price Issue. The federal government accepis that the price dian oil must keep rising tor seve Oh cane The producing provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan must recelve fair payment for thelr resources so that they can develop their industrial base. Energy companies must have per Hthe revenue to continue the programs of ex- 1 ploration and development which will make W Canada energy self-reliant by the mid-1980's. And Ottawa needs the federal royalties from Canadian oil to alleviate the extremely high prices which Eastern Canadian households (who are dependent on imported oil) must pay. 1 3) For the moment, however, the Canadian economy needs a break from oll price increases. If, as the federal government proposed, the scheduled Jan. 1 oil price increase of $1 ‘per barrel were postponed, the result would be a reduction in the Inflation rate of .7 percent over one year. Not only would consumers get a break, but lower industrial energy costs would lower production costs, making Canadian goods more competitive internationally. And increased international demand, of course, means more jobs for Canadians. In other words, delaying the oil price increase would give the economy a shot in the arm, just as the stimulative budgets of April and November did. Ts The federal proposal made good sense, but some of the provinces tried to. dismiss it as an eldction ploy. Ottawa, they. sald, wanted to delay an Inevitable price increase until after a spring election. The Prime Minister disproved the charge, however, by pointing out that the agreement with Alberta expires next June 30, 30 that Ottawa will be renegotiating the price of oi] with Alberta well before an election. fee eo, 7 " There was a decision that. federal: ministérs should meet with the western Premiers to discuss grain-handling. There was a renewal of eartler federal and provincial commitments to keep public sector compensation in line with pay in the private sector. And there was an agreement te promote Canadian tourism in the growing markets of Japan and Western Europe. Most Important of all, the First Ministers acknowledged the need to coordinate ‘their at- tack on Canada’s major economic probiems. ‘To accomplish this, they will meet periodically to review economic objectives and the progress made toward them. ; . in other developments this week, ! was pleased to see the final report of the Royal Commission on the B.C. Railway. Included in the report's finding was the statement that low rates on the B.C. Railway resuited in a distortion of the normal flow or rail traffic in northern B.C. If the province takes steps fo correct this clearly discriminatory situation, it. can only benefit our region, as the C.N. northern mainiine — and the ports of Kitimat and Prince Rupert will become more competitive with. Vancouver. One important measure in the recent federat budget which has been badly misinterpreted in some quarters is the reduction from 12 percent ta 9 percent in the federal sales tax. This tax is often called the ‘“‘manutacturers tax’ becayse it is applied to the price of an ar- ticle when the article is produced, rather than at the point of purchase, as is the case with the - provincial sales tax, The reduction in the tax ‘will result in lower prices for consumers — not lower costs for manufacturers — so the argument that it is only of benefit to the manufacturing industries in Ontarlo and Quebec is totally inaccurate. Goods “which will be reduced in price as a result of the ‘sales tax reduction include automobiles, home appliances, televisions and stereos, and sporting goods, among many others. Those who benefit from this budget measure are clearly Canadian consumers — in Skeena as elsewhere - who Intend to purchase items such as these in the months ahead. 7 Letters welcome The Herald welcomes its. readers comi- ments, All letters to the editor. of general public interest will be printed. We -do, however, retain the right to refuse to print letters on grounds of possible tibel or bad taste. We may also edit letters for style and length. All letters to be consideréd for publication must be signed. We ask that letters be typed and double spaced,