a SQUIRE OPPOSES EXTENSION

rectified. The brief makes reference to the “com. pany town” attitude at Tahsis and suggests that Tabsis be made an open town with the right of workers to build and own their own homes and for the town to develop the sawmill workers and loggers that will be em- ployed in increasing numbers in the area,

The brief also asks that a firm commitment be given both on road access and “open town” status before the T.F.L. extension is granted.

Two briefs opposing the Tabsis Company’s ap- plication for extension to its Tree Farm Licence firm commitments are, given, were submitted by John Squire, MLA, a member of the Standing Committee on Forestry, at the Hearings held in Victoria, August 25, before the Hon. R. Williston, Minister of Lands and Forests.

No. 19 unless

The purpose of the Company’s application for extension is to include certain quota rights held

Hon. R. Williston, : Minister of Lands & Forests,

Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C.

Dear Sir: Re: T.F.L. No. 19 Extension

In reference to the above, this first submission will, of necessity, deal with some of the economic factors involv- ed. The second is intended to deal with social or community problems that can follow in the wake of Industrial de- velopment unless _ suitable planning is undertaken.

REDUCES AREA

First, however, let it be made clear that I object to this application to the extent that it reduces the area of the Kyuquot Public Working Circle and this objection is raised to the same extent as it was raised when the Clay- quot Public Working Circle was eliminated.

The Public Working Circles were established for very definite reasons and with very definite principles in mind. Those reasons and principles make just as much sense to- day as they did then but argument did not prevent one Working Circle from dis- appearing, and having already voiced objections to a reduc- tion in the Kyuquot P.W.C., I feel it well to offer argu- ment and proposals to safe- guard the interests of those whom the extension will ef- fect in the event the bound- ary changes are granted.

This submission, I should point out, has been drawn up with the assistance of some who have been in the con- tract logging business for years. Some with very small quotas, some with none. In any event their future in the forest industry is a very pre- carious one regardless of their years of experience or regardless of the size of their investment in equipment.

FUTURE EFFECT

It should be pointed out also that Contract Loggers in the West Coast Island areas are concerned over the pos- sibility of a merger of the cutting plans of the Barclay, the Kyuquot and the unregu- lated areas and the effect this might have on their future. This merger has been men-

THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

by it in the Kyuquot Public Working Circle and to bring them into the boundaries of the T.F.L.

The briefs, which are reprinted below, have been submitted in two forms. The first was drafted with the assistance of contractors in the Alberni and Tabsis areas and is in itself self-explanatory with definite recommendations.

The second brief was drafted by John Squire and submitted in the hope that certain social lems in the area of Tahsis and Zeballos could be

rob-

ESS SSSR

tioned and could possibly de- velop if this application is granted.

ONE REASON

This application, like T.F.L. applications before it, is made for one basic reason — a guaranteed source of raw material which in turn guar- antees investment capital and return on investment. This in

turn, with proper planning,,

should of course guarantee continuity of employment.

Neither myself or those who helped in the prepara- tion of this submission, and are here today in support of it, find anything in anyway objectionable to a guarantee of raw material which in turn can bring about the other guarantees already mention- ed. For as already stated some operators have a very small quota which in itself is a guarantee, albeit not nearly as secure as those whose quotas come in the form of a Tree Farm Licence.

This brief, therefore, to- gether with verbal argument, is submitted with one basic object in mind “The develop- ment of a more acceptable and satisfactory method of contract price setting for those operators who depend, for their source of raw material,

on the 30-50% contract clause.”

SMALL LOGGER

The contractors argue, and I agree, that if timber guar- antees are necessary for the successful operation of a large operation, then some form of guarantee or security is necessary to protect the in- vestment and employees of the small logger.

An allocation of timber with his own exclusive cut- ting rights in a T.F.L. would be asking for the impossible. Even were it feasible the age old argument of price for work performed would con- tinue. Nor would the answer for security lie in fixed per- centages above cost of pro- duction, for again the argu- ment would ensue over cost and what is a fair percentage with the T.F.L. holder being in a position to adopt a ‘take it’ or ‘leave it’ attitude.

In this particular applica- tion to extend T.F.L. No. 19 the Tahsis Company is ask- ing for a more secure tenure

over 3.8 MCF now held by quota and which is subject to competitive bidding. This in turn could mean added costs. So in addition to more secure timber rights they indirectly seek protection against added costs.

I would suggest a very de- sirable objective:

Present contractors and those who will be needed when timber requirements are doubled, require some as- surances also, particularly in a rapidly and ever-changing industry.

The small wood policy as announced by your Depart- ment is welcomed by con- tractors but changing meth- ods of logging means invest- ment in new equipment or equipment change. They can only participate in this new phase of logging. activity if they can bargain on even terms with the T.F.L. Holder,

if closer utilizations is de- manded,

RECOMMENDATIONS

To this end it is recom- mended, that if you find in favor of the applicant, T.F.L. Licence No. 19 should contain the following provisions:

1. Written contracts to be entered into between the T.F.L. Holder and the Con- tractor with adequate renew- able and termination clauses.

2. Said written contract to contain provisions for third party participation in the event the two parties are un- able to arrive at a fair and equitable price for work re- quired and performed.

In making this proposal for third party participation neither the Tahsis Company or any other T.F.L. Holder can find serious objection to the proposal. For is it not a fact that Contractors to a great extent work on Crown Lands within the T.F.L. hold- ings and certainly they can- not object to a professional arbitrator when _ necessary protecting the public inter- ests in the disposition and re- turn on a crown asset.

While possibly Department “small wood policy” is outside the current terms of refer- ence, quota holders express the very definite opinion that no reservation for pulp tim- ber be made without provid- ing prior opportunity of ac- quisition and development by said Quota Holders. Public

Hearings are recommended to this end.

It is my opinion, therefore, that without consideration and implementation of the foregoing recommendations or some comparable solution then the original intent of the 30-50% clause is lost. The contract clause becomes the tool of the T.F.L. Holder

rather than a vehicle through which established operators can obtain a continued source of raw material to keep their employees fully employed and their investment secure.

S. J. SQUIRE, MLA

SQUIRE BRIEF

Hon. R. Williston, Minister of Lands & Forests,

Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C.

Dear Sir: Re: T.F.L. Extension No. 19

In considering the above application for extension, the Department of Lands & For- ests must of necessity give the same consideration to the social needs of the workers and families who reside and work in the Central West Coast Island area, as it is re- quested they give to those who will invest and profit from the Pulp, Paper and Lumber complex that will dominate the Tahsis, Zeballos,

Nootka, Kyuquot and Much- alat area.

Planning for full utilization of our forest wealth is not in itself enough. Planning for proper, full and adequate community living is just as desirable — if not more so — than planning the economics of any development. One re- cognizes the need for both but to date no firm public statement has been made as to the future of the Village

of Zeballos and the company town “Tahsis”,

TOWN STATUS

More specifically, reference is made to the abolition of the “Company Town Status” of Tahsis and the develop- ment of access roads to both centres, Recognition is made here of the Tahsis Company’s letter of July 6th to Zeballos Village Commissioner which included access road plans within three years. If the ex- tension is granted this prom- ise should be included in any agreement entered into.

as a service centre for

As major sources of raw materials, both chips and logs to the Pulp complex at Gold River, they are entitled to the same consideration and plan- ning as the new pulp and paper Townsite.

SUPPLY CENTRES

Just as important too is the need for these two areas to develop as service centres and living centres for those who will maintain, operate and be employed in the ever-increas- ing numbers of camps in this area.

Centres of supply are now too far away for logging com- panies and delay in receiving parts and material is unneces- sarily costly.

Nor is it too much to ex- pect to have permanent and attractive communities where loggers can come home to their families at night or at least on weekends without the penalty of a $70 to $80 return ticket to Vancouver as is now the case.

With this development, the much needed hospital facilit- ies will follow. It is a matter of record that even in these times of emergency air travel, weather conditions are such on occasion that injured workers have died because of the lack of adequate hospital

diagnostic and treatment fa- cilities.

FIRM COMMITMENTS

In short, Mr. Minister, it is my contention that if the extension is to be granted, then firm commitments should be had from the Tah- sis Company on access to both communities and the de- velopment of Tahsis as a full- fledged community with its own. self-government.

The Company’s Develop- ment plans for full utilization of wood products must, as al- ready indicated, of necessity, include a blueprint for the social development and com- munity improvement in this Central West Coast Island area. I feel, too, that the For- estry Department and the Highways Department should actively engage themselves financially and otherwise in the access planning.

S. J. SQUIRE,