Page 4, The Herald, Wednesday, October 25, 1978

TERRACE/KITIMAT

daily herald

General Office - 635-6357 Published by Circulation - 635-6357 Sterling Publishers PUBLISHER - Laurie Mailett GEN. MANAGER - Knox Coupland EDITOR - Greg Middleton CIRCULATION - TERRACE - Andy Wightman 625-6357 KITIMAT - Pat Zelinskl 632-2747 KITIMAT OFFICE - 632-2747 ; Published every weekday at 3212 Kalum Sireet, Terrace, B.C. A member of Varifled Circulation. Authorized as second class mail. Registration number 1201. Postage paid In cash, return postage guaranteed.

NOTE OF COPYRIGHT

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OTTAWA OFFBEAT

BY RICHARD JACKSON

OTTAWA - Admit it, the federal Liberals know how f6 work both sides of the streef.

They should — they've had plenty of practice.

So nobody has to tell them that in times such as these cutting government spending and saving ‘tax dollars may be great stuff for the taxpayers. Makes the government look good.

But not to forget — and tho experienced Liberals are the last to let such an essential slip their political mind — the attitude and potential votes of the beneficiaries of government spen- ding. Cutting costs: makes the government look bad.

So. what to do?

Well, whether it’s $3.5 billion, $4.5 billion, or whatever Prime Minister Trudeau promised to trim from government spending fat, the Liberals know they've got to talk it up both ways.

Saving is great.

But so is spending.

That's the government message.

It doesn’t make sense?

Don‘t quibble.

Sense can be made of the saving-spending contradiction when you operate a- public relations staff — not counting special ministerial flacks known as aides, assistants and advisers —. approaching the 1,000-man, oops, the 1,000- person, mark.

On, one hand they’re saving like crazy by cutting back planned expenditures or actuaily not spending as much.

1{AAd-You know what can be done with statistics.

50 out come the figures, calculated to please the frugal taxpayers. The totals are seldom the same, but again, don’t quibble, saving is saving, so just be grateful.

But how about all those people on the receiving end of government spending?

Not to upset them.

Turn on the PR tap.

And out pour the reminders of from whence all Liberal government blessings flow. ;

Little messages in the pension checues, a word to the wise in the UIC payments.

But the most unabashed scam of all is that.

great gush of press releases of government.

goodies streaming from the Department of-

Pubtic Works.

They‘re supposed to be on an economy kick in that department, along with all the others.

But nothing, especially spending, really ever stops — least of all those press releases — in the Works Department, making it look like local Liberal (but never Opposition) MPs are “an- nouncing on behalf of the Honorable Judd Buchanan, Minister of Public Works, plans for the construction of this or that multi-miltion- dollar project in the riding directly concerned.

No sir, you just can’t keep a gung-ho depart. ment down. ‘

Not on its spending.

Oh sure, the Canadian Broadcasting Cor- poration, says the prime minister on the CBC. netwerk and again at a press conference, is

going to be ‘forced to save $7 million’’ by holding its 1978-79 current level of spending.

Which has to mean that next year, the CBC can’t spend as much as a thin dime more than it has this year.

Except that while ‘saving’ this visionary, this “pretend” $7 miflion — which was projected for next year’s increase In spending — the CBC brass tells the government regulatory agency that it is going ahead (and damn the spending torpedoes) with its plans for a second trans- Canada TV network.

And there isn't a whimper from the very government that tald the CBC to “save $7 mitlion.”’

It's a case of the government's tongue being faster than the taxpayer’s ear.

Letters welcomed

The Herald welcomes its reagers com- ments. All letters to the editor of general public interest will be printed. We do, however, retain the right to refuse fo print letters on grounds of possible libel or bad taste. We may also edit letters for style and length. All tetters to be considered for publication must be signed. We ask that letters be typed and double spaced.

' Jeoml

RCEMAT

91976 Untversa! Freee Synchoate

“| phoned your

ol

‘

office and they didn't even know you were off sick.”

VICTORIA. REPORT

BY CYRIL SHELFORD

VANCOUVER (CF) — The British Columbia ‘government should prepare a comprehensive energy plan for the future, says a report made public Monday by the Association of Professional Engineers of

The report, presented to Premier Bill Bennett Friday, calls for a comprehensive _long- range plan for the province against the time when its supply of non- renewable resources, particularly oil and natural gas, begins to dwindle.

“(There could be a crisis in five, 10, or 15 years, reauiting in the shutting down of factories, schools and offices,” said Robert Handel, association president.

“We think provincial government should decide on an

the

LET'S DO IT NOW

energy policy and a plan. that should include getting users to switch away from oil to natural. gas, for example,” he said.

The association's report calls for a firm government policy on all firma of energy: oil, gas, coal, hydro, nuclear and, for future energy sources, such as biomass, wind power, and solar.

It also advocates re-

_ thinking the exporting of

ral gas to the United tes. “Over half of the

natural gas produced in B.C: is experted to the US,” the report said. “On the face of it there appears to be no im- mediate problem with the gas supply in B.C., particularly as the export commitment will end in about 10 years time.”

“Demands are growing in Canada and prices are

Look at the alternative

rising rapidly in the U.S. as its own supplies of natural gas are depleted. It’s estimated that gas from Alaska wilk cost more than $4 a thousand cubic feet delivered in the U.S, double the present price,

“The temptation to sell additional gas to the U.S. will be tremendous.”

The association said that short-term export of gas is a reasonable course, but the provincial. government should move

. carefully on future long: term gas exports in case B.C. falls short,

The report also said that during the next 10 to 15 years, government should substantially fund research and develop- ment construction of pilot

- plants for conversion of coal to synthetic gas and oil, and the study of the local application of the- use-onsite process.

Handel also sees a future need for nuclear power stations on Van- couver Island.

“It takes about 10 years from the design stage to the first generation of “ electricity. We in Canada have the proven Candu- type reactor that has been 50 successful in Ontario,” he said, adding there are nuclear reactors are also operating in Quebec and one is being built in New Brunswitk.

He also said that the B.C. government should encourage uranium mining because Canada and B.C, stand to gain considerably from the export of uranium. which © would partially, offadt the cost of incréispig' oll imports.” B.C: currently produces about 25 per cent of its oil needs, About 70 per cent of the balance comes from Alberta, and about five per cent is imported from overseas,

Rese

YORK, England (CP) — Two Yorkshiremen have landed a jub Andy Capp would love. They are being paid to go un a glorified pub crawl. ‘

Stephen Crovk, 27, ahd

Peter Cressey, 30, of York University’s sucivlugy department are conducting serious research intu the drinking habits of the British peuple. And they are being financed by a television cumpany. “Andy Capp would enjoy the idea of a free pub crawl,” said Stephen, “but I doubt if his horizontal altitude to life would be conducive to serious research. We will haveto keep vur heads fairly clear in order to watch ulher drinkers."

PUB CRAWL PAID FOR .. arch we would lik

Cressy said they would make a close sludy of what happens when peuple get tugether in pubs, clubs and discus, Du they want to gel drunk? Du they move from bar tu bar or frem tabwe to table? Dues drinking give them extra confidence? Does it make them friendly, dif- ficult ur aggressive?

“We will wry to find out whether peuple really like buying rounds of drinks, or whether they are afraid to

back! out,'"’ said Cressy.

“Many are duwn on buying rounds because they believe il makes peuple drink more than they want.”

The landlord uf a pupular

York tavern said while Englishmen are famous fur

standing al Ihe bar to drink, there are signs the cuslum is waning. .

“This is largely due to the influence of women," he said. “Few women enjoy propping themselves up agains! a bar and there are more women in pubs today than ever ‘befure, Their escorts usually find them a table.”

Alfred Heaten, 27-year-uld

‘senior arts student, said

must students enjuy roaming from ane pub to another and meeting a variety uf peuple.

“T don’t believe in gving vut ty get drunk,” he said. “But if youtind the company su gard you have a few tov many, well, that's your privilege. In a democracy a

et sgn eke mbes

man shuuld be free tv du almost anything provided he doesn’t spoil things for oth- ers,”

Retired bus driver Bill Aikinseon, 71, has already contributed to the pub research project.

“Apart frum the bovze, most men go to pubs in

search «uf good fellowship,” -

he said. “They enjoy a game of darts, working the pinball machines or perhaps 4 sing- sung araund a pianu. “Persunally I'm against buying, rounds of drinks. A man knows what he wants and what he can affurd. He shouldn't be sirong-armed into «buying =reunds— especially when the fellow un the end of the round usually gels off without paying.”

WASHINGTON (CP) — With U.S. election day two weeks

campaigns federal, state and local seate up for grabs Nov. 7. Polls indicate the most likely election result will -be a near stand-off in the congressional races, with ~ Republicans picking up a few extra seats.

licans also are expetled to make some gains in the gubernatorial races, But the polls see ‘littie sign of the major postWatergate comeback Republicans had been _ hoping to make.

Although the over-all U.S. political scene is expected to change little after the voting, some of the individual campaigns are extremely close.

One of the most fascinating and brutal Senate campaigns is in Massachusetts, where Republican Ed Brooke, the only black member of the U.S, Senate, is trying desperately to retain his seat.

Brooke’s messy and bitter divorce, followed

WORTH LOGKING AT

by disclosures + of questionable financial and personal matters, cloud his chances. But his Remocrat opponent, Paul

congas, a liberal former representative who came from behind to take the primary, is having his own support problems.

His campaign workers admit concern about the possibility that many liberals who would or- -dinarily support someone like Tsongas might vote instead for Brooke

because they don't want ‘to see the only black senator defeated.

In the Virginia Senate race, Elizabeth Taylor is

_ probably getting as much coverage as the tax-cut issue in the campaign. She is trying to help her latest husband, Republican candidate John Warner, defeat Democrat Andrew Miller, who has a narrow lead in the polls.

Both men are fighting for the seat left vacant by retiring Republican William Scott, who had the distinction of being named the dumbest U.S. congressman a few years ago by New Times magazine and Ralph

US. election day nears

Nader’s Congress Watch organization,

If there is going to be a woman in the Senate next year, she likely will be Kansas Republican Nancy Landon Kaasen- baum, daughter of one- time presidential can- didate Alf Landon. Democrat Bill Roy, who started far behind in the polls, has come on strong recently and analysts say the race is too close to

ct.

In the campaigns for governorships, Republican hopes to recapture California have been dashed by a surge by Democrat Governor and presidential hopeful

. Jerry Brown.

Brown has won needed points by handling the implementation of the tax-cuttlng Proposition 13 with style.

InFlorida, former state senator Robert Graham now looms a8 a major threat’ to Republican hopes ta recapture the governorship.

He faces Jack Eckerd, a millionaire drugstore chain owner who wanted to be the successor to the retiring Democratic gov- ernor, Reubin Askew.

The Minnesota cam- paigns have provided probably more drama than any other state. Governor Rudy Perpich, a Democrat who inherited the office in 1976, is showing more staying power than had been expected, But he faces a strong challenge from Republican Al Quie.

Senator Wendell An- derson has been playing a game of catchup ball with Republican Rudy Bosch- witz and the two are run- ning close in the polls.

The other U.S, Senate race was created by the death of Democrat Hubert Humphrey, whose widow Muriel decided not to seek election for the re- maining two years of the term after filling in for ber late husband. In a surprise primary, businessman Robert Shorttook, the Democratic nominee, de- feated Representative Donald Fraser who was endorsed for the seal. Analysts say many of Frager’s liberal backers will not vate for Short, giving Republican David Durenberger a shot at the

seat.

- There has been a lot of controversy over the © minister’s wolf contro! program. This is due to a. lack of knowledge as to what he is trying to: achieve: which is to balance the game and wolf population rather than seeing all the game destrayed, then the wolves dying out due to lack - of feed. in my letter to the minister | outlined a new" approach which | expect will be supported by all sincere groups on both sides as if will give alla chance to prove their point. This is really the

‘only way it can be resolved.

Letter to Sam Bawif, minister of recreation & conservation, dated October 13, 1978: “

“Dear Mr. Bawlf: . .

Having not received all the details of your pian: to spend $500,000 In the next four years to study | and control the excessive wolf population in the . north, It is difficult to fully comment; however, it” would appear to be a definite step in the right

direction. a

I’m concerned that your efforts will be difficult.’ to carry out; due to the lack of knowledge, and: desire, by many in your ministry to do anything fo control wolves as they sincerely believe : (because of faulty educational system) that no” action is warranted. You are no doubt aware of . this reluctance by now. a

There are many, on the other hand, in your; ministry who have practical knowledge of the : problems and want to see the game animals: saved, even If it means killing wolves to main-;; tain a balance. Rather this than losing all our.- deer, sheep, caribou, etc. and in the end have the : wolf die out due toa lack of feed ending a com- - plete cycle. :

I note in the report in the Vancouver Sun of* October 4, 1978, the study area would be 5,000" acres, and wolves would be killed in less than; half of it. If this is true, which | doubt, it will be.”

‘no test as wolves and caribou range over an area

a hundred times that size. The result would be

the same in both areas as lasi winter. an

Areal test can only be carried out in an area as . large as Tweedsmuir Park which is 22 million: acres. Even there, when the walves wiped out the, caribou and deer in the late 1930’s and early

_ 1940's, they moved: In from outside this large’

area. This indicates the size of the problem.

Five thousand acres is only the size of one good farm, approximately eight square miles, and wolves will often move.10-t0 15.mbes in:a-night. : This makes the reported test area completely 3 impractical, Any test area.to- be of value will é have to be strictly controlled by people who: (1)

want the test to work; and (2) have the knaw-how ;

on how to contro! wolves. -

The area should be in a good caribou area. One-

should have no wolves, The second should have- no control at all. And if funds are avallable, there. - should be a third area with limited controt to see.

at what level you can maintain both caribou and © ‘wolves, The increases and decreases can be

recorded in each area; which.will give sound information on the three management techniques. ;

| know from past experience the difference in the caribou population, at the end of the test period, will be dramatic and prove to all what I've been trying to get across for years. Many,- like myself, saw it all happen before, and saw the rapid return of game once the predator contro!

program came In. However, It will destroy the |

“Farley Mowatt Myth’, and: show our

educational system (both In grade schocls and ~

universities) to be completely inadequate in game management; and of a minus value in’ practical knowledge, rather than of a plus value fo the student.

This recommendation will no doubt surprise you, however, | think it very important. You should encourage your game managers to have thelr say knowledge will add a great deal and the theorists will prove how little they know. It won‘t be long before you know who should be in charge of each

study area, and if the dreamers can maintain a-

larger game herd — good tuck to them {and Ill

concede they are right). You have a lot of good, .

sincere people in your ministry even though many lack practical knowledge and experience.

This study, if set up right, can be an exciting experiment for both groups to try and prove their theory. | would be only too happy to recommend people who will be helpful; as you must include non-professionals with practical knowledge, along with the biologists, to make up a credible

team. All groups must be involved so + will be accepted. o the findings

The greatest weakness in my recommendat is the fact that; most of our game will be destroyed by the tlme the study period is com- pleted. I'll go so far as to bet with anyone, 50 to

disappear,

one, that fhe game in the non-controlled area will a

In my opinion, It is time to get groups s Green Peace, Telkwa Foundation, lore cian and many biologists In your ministry to prove thelr theory. However, they won't be put to the fest, unless, you have an equally large area

where control is properly carried out so there Is -@ talr comparison. Unless, the areas are com: _

pletely separa’-d t in doubt. P he conclusions will always be

| trust you wilt consider

my recom.

mendations.”

in public. Those with practical -

teens te

NE ene AT RAE Mya