VOL. 38, No. 67 50 Cents CASTLEGAR, BRITISH COLUMBIA, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 21, 1985 WEATHERCAS ‘Mainly sunny Thursday, some Cloudy periods, more frequent in the-atternoon. Highs to 26%. Probability of percipitation near 0 per cent. 4 Sections (A, B, C & D) PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION .. . Gerald Merrithew (left), Canada's minister of state for forests, listens repr closely to the concerns of a local. forest industry in Castl at today’s — CosNews Photo by Phil Colderbonk SOUTH AFRICA Premiers abhor policies By CALVIN WOODWARD ST. JOHN'S, NFLD. (CP) — Can- ada’s premiers condemned the racial poli of South Africa today but avoided using -their annual conference as a forum to launch a national boycott of South African liquor. The premiers discussed the issue at a breakfast meeting before the start of the conference and decided each province yould act i ly, said Newfoundland Premier Brian Peck- ford, the conference chairman. South African wine and spirits,, last year a less than $1-milli racial segregation, but feel the federal government should be the one to launch any national trade sanctions. The premiers opened their two-day ~ meeting after pausing for the official conference photograph — the last with Rene Levesque of Quebec and Peter Lougheed of Alberta, and the first witht David Peterson of Ontario. After quickly dispensing with the South African matter, the—premier “There seems to be a preponderance of views out of Ottawa that the only way you can deal with regional de- velopment is through the private sec- tor,” grumbled Premier Brian Peckford of Newfoundland, chairman of the con- ference. * “Well, with a weak private sector in the have-not provinces, we can’t en- dorse that kind of approach.” i had_ arrived by hi Alt-the—p: MERRITHEW SAYS" ov't concerne about legislation By SIMON BIRCH Staff Writer Federal Minister of State for forests Gerald Merrithew met today in Castle- gar with local representatives of B.C.'s financially hard-hit forest industry. ‘As might be expected, the main topic of concern was what the federal government is doing about proposed protectionist legislation in the United States against Canadian lumber im: ports. “If I had one major worry about the forest industry in Canada it’s that,” Merrithew told the audience of about 40 at Castlegar’s Fireside Inn. “The (federal) government is very concerned about the attitude in the states.” The U.S. claims that stumpage fees RDCK may charge promoters By CasNews Staff ion that the ional District of Central Kootenay charge the promoters of the Aug. 17 Castle Rock ‘concert with violating the dis- trict’s noise bylaw will be i dat (royalties) in Canada are too low and amount toa government subsidy of the forest industry and is d about “We have a 38 cent advantage in the dollar.” ithew said that +h the bill Canada’s increasing share of the U.S. lumber market. Canadian lumber im-* ports accounted for over 30 per cent of the U.S. market in 1984, up from 18 per cent in 1975., American congressman Sam Gibbons _of Florida, chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, has drafted legislation that would change the definition of subsidy in United States trade laws in such a way that Canadian lumber imports to the U.S. would be affected. “It’s the most protectionist piece of legislation introduced in Congress’ in the last few years,” Merrithew said. Jokingly, he added that “Sam Gibbons should know better, what with all the Canadian dollars spent in Florida.” However, Merrithew expressed . some sympathy for the Americans’ position. : “If you were an American and saw truckloads of lumber from Canada coming through your town while your mills were closed, you'd worry too.” Rather than id i could pass in Congress, it could still be veteoed by President Ronald Reagan. He said that if the bill got that far, he hoped Reagan would honor his com- mitment to freer trade expressed at the so-called Shamrock Summit with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in March at Quebec City. He also said Americans conveniently overlook the fact that “in some industries they've got 90 per cent of our market.” Merrithew cited chainsaws as an example, saying that Canada doesn't manufacture the tools and imports most of them from the U.S. i Otherwise, Merrithew expressed an interest in increasing public awareness of the forest industry and its needs. “One of my jobs is to get the people of Canada to pay attention to forestry. I guarantee that when I finish there will be a greater understanding of forestry in Canada.” He said it is important that people understand the necessity of using tools gave three reasons why Canada’s share of the U.S. in- creasing. First, he said, Canadian spruce, pine and fir are better than U.S. products and are preferred by American con- sumers. Second, he said the Jones Act in the lumber market is such as i and herbicides. “In New. Brunswick we've been spraying for 35 years. Here (in B.C.) it's difficult to get the public to accept * Merrithew also indicated the need for the private sector to get involved in research. “All research can't be left to the the Sept. 7 board meeting, RDCK administrator Reid Henderson said Tuesday. The recommendation comes as a result of complaints from seven Castle- gar residents about the noise gener- ated at the Saturday night Sunset Drive-In concert,: Henderson said. Regional district bylaw 372 pro- hibits, among other things, “the ampli- fication of sound by electronic mears” between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and all day Sunday and statutory hol- _idays. Henderson explained that judging whether the bylaw was violated is not determined by decibel levels but in- stead is “based on objections” to the disturbance. ! U.S. requires that A lumber be transported on their own ships, which adds to the cost of their: product. But Merrithew said the most im- portant reason was the difference in the Canadian and American dollar. © g "he said, adding that the research must also be transferred to the field. “Research stuck in the lab is no use to anyone.” Shaw Cable strike in second week | By CasNews Staff The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ strike against Shaw Cable is into its second week, and turned to questions of trade with the United States and regional disparity. The conference is also becoming a of Canada’s modest trade with that country, are banned from liquor store shelves in five provinces. Boycotts have yet to be introduced in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatche- wan, Prince Edward Island and New- foundland, although Peckford and PEL Premier Jim Leeé have indicated they will soon take a position in their provinces. ~~ Peckford said the premiers abhor apartheid, the South African system of of regional des toward the government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney after its freshman year in office. Some of the premiers, especially those from the poorer Atlantic’ prov- inces, said-they are worried about re- straint measures outlined in the budget last May, measures that promise to eventually reduce the flow of federal monies transferred to provinces for social, héalth and educational pro- grams. Tuesday evening at the swank, down- town hotel where the conference is being held. The meetings are private, and news media access to the premiers is controlled by a small army of secur- ity and conference officials, reinforced - by members of the Royal Newfound- land Constabulary. WERE SURPRISED Economic issues were briefly over- shadowed by the unexpected resigna- tion of Ontario Opposition Leader Frank Miller, who decided to quit politics after a brief but unhappy stint as premier of a minority Tory govern- continued on page A2 SABIE LEE FE Jews Staff Davis arrives Friday regional ‘By BCSSA director Don = Canadian Olympic gold -medallist ctor Davis will be the highlight at this week's B.C. Summer Swimming McDowell, one of the organizers of the provincial meet in Trail, said Davis's visit had been in the Associ being held at the Wright pool at Butler Park in Trail. Davis is scheduled to arrive at Castlegar airport Friday on a flight from Calgary. He will presidé at the opening ceremonies of the provincial cham- pionships at 3 p.m. Davis will con- duct a coaching clinic at 4 p.m. and at 8 p.m. he will be the guest * speaker at a Kiwanis-BCSSA ban- quet Friday night at the Cominco Gym. ‘On Saturday seven lucky winners of a raffle will get their prize — a chance to compete alongside Davis. The race will take place at 10 a.m. The Waterloo, Ont. athlete de- parts on a flight back to Calgary on Saturday. Davis's visit is sponsored by the BCSSA and the City of Castlegar, which put up $500 towards the swimmer's visit. stages since last October. Meanwhile over 1,000 swimmers from over 60 clubs from across the province, Washington State and the Yukon are expected to participate in the meet which begins Thursday and ends Sunday. A total of 23 Robson River-Otters _ and~26~swimmers and 22 relay teams from the Castlegar Aqua- nauts qualified for the provincials earlier this month. The diving events begin at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Wright pool,-which has been converted to a 25-metre pool from a 36.50 metre pool. The preliminaries for diving begin at 9 a.m. Waterpolo events will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. Waterpolo will also be held between heats and finals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Swimming heats on Friday, Sat- urday and Sunday begin at 8 a.m. VICTOR DAVIS Finals are- held two hours after completion-of the heats. The regional relays, one of the highlights of the provincials, will be held Sunday afternoon, where teams, made up of swimmers from easch region, will compete against each other. |_gar-RGMP-about the i a “thy hibit the key to the bylaw. The Castle Rock concert began at 8 p.m. Saturday and lasted until approx- imately 1 a.m. Sunday. The bylaw also has a provision whereby an application can be made to the regional district for exemption from the regulations for specific events. However, Henderson said the prom- oters, Paul Strelaeff and Jack, Leb- edow, “didn’t make application for ex- emption to the bylaw.” e “They've been in touch with us and have received a copy of the bylaw. They know what the problems are and how to rectify them,” Henderson said. A series of concerts at the drive-in are scheduled, with Castle Rock II slated for this Saturday night. Strelaeff said Tuesday he was aware of the complaints and said he is taking measures to avoid a repeat of the prob- lems. d_time is i rt—earli down the sound and put up sound baf- fles.” He said he had talked to officials of the regional district but said he was not informed*of the provision for the ex- emption to the noise bylaw. However, he said he did have a copy of the bylaw. Strelaeff also said he had talked with Staff Sgt. John Stevens of the Castle- mplaints ans was told that “some complaints are just standard procedure.” The bylaw provides for a fine of not more than $1,000 and not less than $100 for a first offence and not more than $1,000 for a second offence, Henderson said. He said all legal matters are referred to the board for its consideration and a decision whether or not to prosecute is based on a majority vote of board members. If a decision to prosecute is made, the matter is then referred to the board's solicitor, Henderson said. - He said the promoters have not applied for an excemption to the bylaw for the jing concerts. union spokesman Bob McKnight said Tuesday Je-is-high on the picket lines. “The members are set and the only thing that will settle this is a closed shop and job security,” McKnight, business manager of local 1003, said. The 17 IBEW members at Shaw Cable voted to go on strike March 5 and the strike began Aug. 13 after several months of negotiations failed to pro- duce an agreement. Shaw Cable is the only unionized cable company in B.C. that does not have a union shop provision in the collective agreement. McKnight said the union is “pre- inside pared for a long strike,.” and added that his local is now’ receiving. support from other IBEW locals across the province. He said IBEW local 213 has agreed to supply life and medical insurance to the striking workers. The strikers do not receive strike pay and McKnight said he is seeking - financial support from other locals. He said public support is “very good” but said he didn’t know whether Shaw customers are withholding payments from the company. McKnight also said one worker who had been working behind the picket lines has changed his mind and decided to join the union. Lynn Greentree, system manager for Shaw Cable in the Castlegar area, was unavailable for comment. HOOP CAMP: Rockettes basketball camp opened at Selkirk College on Monday . . . B1 Stanjey Humphries Secondary School: P| oe - ST Tee Ore NOPE ARK EVENTS: A wide variety of events are happe Creek Park this week . . ing at Syringo’ FIRE DRILL: Firemen from Robson, Pass Creek and Tarrys held a familiarization drill at the Brilliant Cyltural Centre Tuesday . . - A4 SNAKE BUSINESS: LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) — Ten youngsters, who formed Snakes Inc. three months ago, are hoping to make it big in the serpent market. So far, they have raised $31.43. Since they've only averaged about $1 a snake and because of the nature of their business, they've decided to donate the, money to the Denver Zoo to help build a reptile house. The business is the third try for the young capitalists. “started with a business called the Bristol Taxi Co..” said Chad Weygand, 10, who says he’s “sort of” chairman of the board of Snakes Inc.i"i drove people arouad on my bike. That wasn't very successful.”