4 Castlégar News February 21, 1968 SPORTS CALGARY (CP) — The federal government has sent a letter or reprimand to Marty Hall, head coach of Canada's cross-country ski team, for implying Soviet skiers used blood-doping to help win races at the 15th Winter Olympics. Sports minister Otto Jeliner, at a joint news conference with his Soviet counterpart, Marat Gramov, “I don't believe it is appropriate for any of our officials to make they cannot sub: Hall said on Monday it was “logical” to assume the Soviet cross-country skiers had used blood-doping after they easily won their second set of gold and silver medals. Hall later said his remarks were “misinterpreted” and said he did not accuse the Soviets of blood- | Coach reprimanded for remarks | includes the Scandi coaches — dicted two years ago that the Soviet Union. would make a major leap forward. “I think it would be better for your coach and our coach to get together and talk about their athletes. I have seen your athletes, They are good fellows. Our coach told me that if he had his hands on (Canadian cross-country but “a number of countries refused to give permission to take blood from their athletes.” He said Soviet athletes “have given assurance they would all give blood to be tested. This is a written agreement. They are willing to give blood to be tested.” Jelinek said talks with Soviet officials on co-opera- tion on anti-doping programs are continuing and an February 21, 1 00 CastlégarNews + ference, said the Ca: Hall. said the contents of the letter were passed on to Gramov, whose government had angrily protested Hall's remark Jelinek, who signed an exchange agreement for a physical fitness program with Gramov at the news con- ian government associate ourselves from the statements made by Mr. “generally dis- doping. The procedure is used to increase an athlete's stamina by removing some of this or her own blood and reinjecting it days or weeks later to raise the oxygen-carrying red blood corpuscule count. Gramov, speaking through a translator, said: “The coaches who follow developments in this sport — and that ace Pierre) Harvey, he'd be world champion in two years.” Gramov said Olympic athletes are checked for marks on their arms that could indicate blood-doping. He said the Soviet Union has tried to introduce measures to tighten testing for blood-doping with the International Olympic C "s medical agreement could be reached by the end of the Calgary Games Feb. 28. At the Nordic skiing venue in Canmore, Alta., Hall said he believes he will be fired when his contract expires April 31, even though “I haven't had any negative vibes. He declined comment on blood-doping but said that “doesn’t mean I won't mention it later.” BIG REBOUND ... The Stanley Humpries Junior Rockettes played Boundary Central from Midway on Friday night. The Rockettes went on to trounce the Boundary squad 83-13. CosNews photo by Brendon Nogle Shell downs Hi Arrow By CasNews Staff Doug Knowler scored four goals — including the game winner — and one assist to lead Woodland Park Shell to a narrow 7-6 victory over Hi Arrow Arms at the Complex Thursday night Hi Arrow got on the board with 36 seconds gone in the game when Robin King scored from Don Deschene and Frank Costa. Just over a minute later Shell evened the score when Neil Archambault and Mike McCormack put Bruno Tas. sone in the clear. Shell took the lead for the first time in the game on an unassisted effort from Bob Larsh. Hi Arrow tied it up with Rod Zavaduk's goal. Wayne Kinakin and Frank Costa drew the assists. Hi Arrow went out in front again on a goal from Des chene. Wayne Zino and Chief Mercer recorded the assists. The final goal of the opening frame went to Shell's Doug Knowler. Pete Tischler and Kelly Keraiff provided the help. The first period ended in a 3-3 tie. CASTLEGAR TAE KWON DO Castlegar (Day (Deyttins) 365-7226 TIMES: Tues., 7 to 9 p.m. — Thurs. 7 to9 p.m. PLACE: Kinnaird Elementary School CASTLEGAR & AREA RECREATION DEPARTMENT FEB. 21 — Robson Flea Market 9-1 Robson Hall. Public Skoting. 2:15-4:00 p.m Acemiasion Children 75¢ Students, $1.00; Adults FEB. 22 — Last ‘day to register ior the Stress Management Workshop $15.00. (2 Sessions) FEB. 23 — Seniors are invited to attend a Regional meeting on the B.C. Seniors Game at the Senior Centre at 10:00 FEB. 24 Lunch Hour Hockey, 12 Beginner's Gymnastics 5-6 p.m (Half price.) * FEB. 25 — Parent and Tot Skate, 11-12. Public Skating, 2:30. 1. Public Skating 2-3:30. Twin Rivers $7.50 FEB. 26 — Lunch Hour Hockey, 12-1. Public Skating 2-3:30. Sth Rebel Playotf Game MARCH 5 — Youth Workshop, 9-4 p.m. This workshop is for teachers, Brownies, Guides ond Scout leaders MARCH 12 — Castlegar salutes the 1988 Husky Wosid Downhill Dinner $12.00 — Castlegar Community Com: 2101-6th Ave., Castlegar Phone 365-3386 Knowler got his second goal of the game at the 3:15 mark in the middle stanza to put Shell ahead by a goal. Keraiff and Tischler got the assists. Five seconds later Des. chene replied for Hi Arrow with Mercer and Zavaduk drawing the assists. Shell scored two unan- swered goals to end the middle frame. Keraiff scored from Knowler and Mitch Quaedvlieg and Knowler scored his third from Mc- Cormack and Quaedvlieg. Local travel By JOHN DALZIEL On Wednesday, Feb. 17, eight rinks from the Castle- gar Pensioners visited the Nelson rink as guests of the Nelson Retirees. Competition was keen but the host club came away with most of the honors. Of the eight games played Nelson was victorious in five, tied one and allowed the visitors to win two. Castlegar winners were Buffett and Dalziel while Mills got the tie. A return visit to Castlegar is sche- duled for Thursday, March 3, when the local curlers hope to even things up. This week will be the final one of the current competi- tion. The draw for the rink personnel for the fifth and last competition of the season will be held following the morning curling on Wednes- day. In last week's shortened schedule winners of two DOG OBEDIENCE Shell was up 6-4 after two periods. Hi Arrow got right back into the game with a goal 51 seconds into the final frame when Zavaduk got his second marker from Deschene and Mercer. Shell got the insur ance marker from Knowler with just 6:01 remaining to play. Keraiff and Tischler provided the help. The final goal of the game went to Hi Arrow's King. Deschene and Zavaduk assisted. EVEN SERIES Nite Hawks By BRENDAN NAGLE Staff Writer Dave Terhune and Wayne Salekin both scored two goals, but it wasn't enough as the Beaver Valley Nite Hawks beat \the Castlegar Rebels 7-5 in the second game of their opening round KIJHL playoff matchup. The Friday night game was play- ed in Beaver Valley. The win evened the open- ing round of the playoff series at one game apiece. The Nite Hawks got the only goal of the opening period when Dwayne Boul- iane scored from Bob Moon and Kevin Carless. The Nite Hawks took a two-goal lead early in the middle frame on Brian Reid's goal. Moon and Mike\ Dennis got the assists, The Rebels fought back with a goal from Taylor Harding. Lorni Kanigan got the lone helper. Beaver Valley went ahead by two goals again on a goal from Careless. Boulaine and Moon drew the assists. Their lead was extended to three beat Rebels goals after Wayne Titus con- verted a pass from Cory Neil. The Rebels tried to come back when Terhune scored from Kelly Sidoni and Sandy Renwick. Two minutes later Salekin scored from Walter Sheloff and Jason Hughes. The final goal of the second period went. to the Nite Hawks. Dennis scored from Moon and Ed Bertuzzi. The second period ended 5-3 for Beaver Valley. The Nite Hawks continued to roll up the score in the final frame. Neil scored from Vince Phillipoff, and Reid scored an unassisted goal to make it 7-3 for the Nite Hawks. The Rebels started a rally, but it was too late. Terhune scored from Shel- off with 2:32 remaining in the game and Salekin got the final goal of the game from Terhune and Sheloff.” Castlegar netminder Nick Colvin faced 25 shots and Nite Hawk goalie Rick Vol- patti faced 31_ . The Rebels’ next game is in Beaver Valley Tuesday 8:30. Soviets play in NHL? By GRANT KERR Canadian The CALGARY — There's a Press slim chance some top Soviet skaters will play in the National Hockey League next month following the Olympics as the spirit of glasnost continues, Hockley content with playdowns By CasNews Staff Despite losing three straight games in the B.C. playdowns earlier this month and placing third in the B.C. Police playdowns, local curl- ing wizard Dale Hockley is content with his results. “I enjoyed he said of the B.C. playdowns. “We played well but lost the games down at the last rock.” From Vancouver, the Hockley rink went off \to Terrace to compete in the police playdowns Feb. 8 - 10. senior curlers to Nelson rink games were — Leckie, Bate, Rust and Archambault. One game was won by — Mills, Verzuh, Waterman, Ruda- shy, and Heagy. Culley and Flynn played to the lone tie. This week's game are as follows: Tues. Feb. 23, at 9:30 a.m. — McGillivray vs Dalziel; Rust- vs Verzuh; Mills vs Flynn and Obedkoff vs Leck- ie. Jit At 12:30 p.m. — McGilli- vray vs Obedkoff and Mc- Gauley vs Dalziel. Wed., Feb. 24, at 9:30 a.m. — Buffett vs Heagy; Mc- Gauley vs Burak; Culley vs Bate and Waterman vs Ar- chambault. At 1 p.m. — Bradford vs Rudashy; McGillivray vs Leckie; Dalziel vs Verzuh and Clay vs Crossley. Thurs., Feb. 25, at 9:30 a.m. — Obedkoff vs Flynn; Mills vs Bate; M vs Hockley won four games and lost two and came in behind the Williams Lake rink and a foursome from Victoria. Hockley said the rest of his curling season will be spent in the area competing in local bonspiels. says Alan Eagleson. The odds ‘are much better — almost certain — that several other aging Soviet players will be in NHL uniforms at the start of the 1988-89 season, Eagleson said after negotiations with the Soviets during the Olympic Games. NHL president John Ziegler and Eagleson, executive director of the NHL Players’ Association, talked again Saturday with Soviet hockey director Viacheslav Kolosov. The Soviets have expressed a willingness to have their players employed in North America as part of the glasnost and perestroika policies of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. “Money talks and that's what gets their attention,” said Eagleson. “What's it worth for New Jersey to make the playoffs? One million? Two million?” HOLD RIGHTS The Devils hold the NHL rights to star Soviet defencemen Viacheslav Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov. NHL teams have drafted 13 Soviets in all. The release of veteran players by the Soviet Ice Hockey Federation was part of a four-point tentative agreement between the NHL and Soviets. Weekend Wrap-up OLYMPICS What Conoda did Friday ot the Wi Olympics: CURLING ussr vores USSR ‘oung, United States Soderoren, Sw &. Truntachka, West Germany Lorionev, Women: nda Moore, North Ven. couves ied nda Sparkes, Vencouver second Jones, North Vancouver fond Lead Penny Ryan, Edmonton, daleated Norway 6-5 in semifinal game. Men! Ship Ed Lukowich, third John Ferguson, second Neil Houston and lead Brent Syme. all of Calgary. lost 8-5 to Nor way in temitinal game. Men’ jober Souk. ond Andre Beno 10th in fina! ‘Saimon, Donia! Dol bom th Calgary 17th. ap Koren Percy, Boni ct Orangeville, Ont., 6th; Dennis Lawrence, Regina, 47%. Archambault and Rust vs Burak. At 1 p.m. — Waterman vs Crossley; Culley vs Heagy; Clay vs Bradford; Buffett vs Rudashy. 23 area athletes qualify for Games By CasNews Staff There may be as many as 23 people from Castlegar participating in the upcoming B.C. Winter Games. Three of the people are listed as sub- stitutes and will only attend if other athletes chosen can not compete. The Games take place March 10 - 13 in Dawson Creek and the Castlegar par- ticipants will be doing every- thing from competing in events to officiating them as well. Event officials include Er- nest Kraetzky, figure skat- ing; Brad Ashton, men's hockey and Robert Maloff, judo. Jamie Braman will com- pete in In cross-country skiing 11 people from the Castlegar area will compete. They are Claire Andrews, Carrie Brown, Peter Bullock, Mark Dascher, Jennifer Ful- lerton, Collen Gibson, Gord Gibson, Jenny Gibson, Alex Hartman, Kari Hartman and Darren Tamelin. In volleyball, Jamie Laktin will compete on the boy's team with Sherry Makortoff playing for the girls. Jason Ready and Trevor Seville will compete in the weightlifting event. Davin Green and Andrew Port will substitute in the cross-country ski event and Warren Maloff will be a jud6 substitute. Don Poole will coach and ete in bad: (Exhibition) lent % Lynde, Chart Creeeant Booth, B.C fourth afver fiat Borne ichel Duranceau, ooke. Que... 12th. ‘Medal winners Fridey ot the Winter Olympics many Wollgong Stovdinger. West ‘SKiING Marina Kiel ” Karen SP vesers we Benveur 1 ° 1 1 1 2 3 ° ' ' 2 4 4 ~ok Pity way ° (clinched medal berth) Ceechoslovehla s Austria 0 Soviet Union 6 West Gers United totes 6 3 ‘Avetria va. Nerwey, 7 me p.taviet Union ve. Ceschestowehie, 2:30 P West Germany ve. United Stotes, 8:15 pm. Millen, United Stoves Keutov. Fetisov, USSR Stoves Groneto, United Cevek, Crecheslogshie Lehtonen, Finlond HOCKEY i Ne Be Detroit £8888- oronto Minnesoto sp Calgory Edmonton seusePgrenss Brvcoe BS BEuBER Baye & BIIVsepeRese Baowee queen quae avede rane ae ‘ 2» 1 254 245 25 4 264 282 54 20 2 243 320 18 37 2 230 38 Friday Results New Westminster 4 Victoria 0 SeriltCurront 10 Seattle 2 ‘3 Prince Al Medicine Hot? Lethbridge 2 (OT) BASKETBALL ? scswasfesraae eeers.* esesss SESts~ S82 wal coeneees { eke “TRANSACTIONS are" san Soston ted Sox agree te terms with pit cher Ed Lynch. = i oB 88s elder Donnell Nixon. pitcher Mike Com: poet tad colaar oe McGuire on one-yeor contracts Srsinnet Rede "sign vo Nevtider Pou! ONeill to one-year com Foorsau New York Giont through 1991 Pittsburgh Steelers ennounce the ‘etirement of centre Mike Webster Begtsezsuss- BE BEZBISEs. Hong Kong rich eye Canada By JIM SHEPPARD Canadian Press HONG KONG — bluntly. “It is very cold, (and has) a long winter,” the retired businessman and Canadian landed immigrant adds with a frown. Sun, on one of his frequent return trips to Hong Kong, looks out his highrise office window at ships from around the world bustling over the sun-dappled waters of Victoria Harbor. “For a person who has spent many, many years in this part of the world, who has been accustomed to warm weather, the long winter is very, very difficult,” says Sun. But Canada is home to Sun, his wife, their two children and to hundreds of thousands of other Hong Kong Chinese. And more are on the way. The reason is clear. CHINA REGAINS = On July 1, 1997, the Communist rulers of Beijing regain sovereignty over this teeming, highly capitalistic British colony, which was wrung from the ottering Chinese empire almost 150 years ago to foster opium running and the silk trade between East and West. There's tremendous optimism in the colony that Beijing is serious about respecting its repeated promises of allowing Hong Kong to flourish under a doctrine of “one country, two systems” for the 50 years after 1997 covered by the agreement with Britain. Hong Kong’s economy is booming. Real growth for 1987 is estimated at 12 per cent, inflation is moderate and almost tent. But virtually every one of the almost six million inhabitants — from the millionaires i in their luxurious homes on the p Peak that Hong Kong Island, to the denizens of sleazy hostess and mah-jong parlors of waterfront Wanchai — is trying desperately to ensure they have some other place to go if worse comes to worst. Canada has been the main beneficiary of the resulting exodus of people and money. THOUSANDS COME Almost 20,000 immigration visas were given to Hong Kong Chinese in 1987. The same number are expected to be handed out in 1988. Billions of dollars have been invested in Canada over the past few years. Much of it has gone into real estate or don’t like Canada,” Joe Sun says “People are still afraid that things could change." straight business deals, but an increasing percentage is coming from immigration programs that promise a Canadian passport to the wealthy. Why are the Hong Kong Chinese desperate to secure an escape hatch? “It's very simple,” says Sun, a 62-year-old Shanghai native who fled China in 1951, two years after the Communist takeover, by bribing the captain of a fishing junk to smuggle him into Hong Kong. “I had a little experience living under the Communist regime and after I arrived in Hong Kong, I maintained contact with my relatives and friends in Shanghai and throughout China. “I know what their lives have been during the past 30-odd years,” he adds with an evident note of hatred and bitterness. “It's a totalitarian government and everything is con trolled — your job, what school you send your children to, where you live.” 9 HE'S OPTIMISTIC Sun, a balding former insurance salesman who emigrated to Canada in 1985 under a retired businessmen’s program, says he is optimistic about Hong Kong’s future. And he doesn't think the current pragmatic leadership in Beijing — which is experimenting with political and market-oriented reforms on the mainland to boost economic production — will change its approach. “There really is no reason why China should destroy Hong Kong as a bridge between the East and West, as a port which generates so much foreign exchange, as a place where you have a large reserve of talents, business experience, education that are essential to China's modernization plans.” But, as 1997 approaches, Sun wants to be absolutely sure his family doesn't face the fate that was his little more than 35 years ago. “It would be unfair not to make provisions for my children,” he says. “People are still afraid that things could change.” But the vast majority of Hong Kong Chinese — the sweat-shop workers and tailors of Kowloon peninsula, the dockhands of the surrounding New Territories and the bar girls of Wanchai-— aren't nearly as lucky as Sun and his family. THE WEALTHY FEW Some experts estimate that as many as 40 per cent of the professional and business people in the colony have already secured their escape route. The rest are sald to be arranging it now or in the near future. But they're only a percentage of the population. Official Hong Kong statistics indicate that only 10 per cent of the six million inhabitants make more than the equivalent of $6,000 Cdn annually — the level at which they must start paying income tax. And unless they already have family abroad or the promise of a job on arrival, the other 90 per cent have little chance of being accepted as immigrants by a western, country. That includes Canada, which has focused recently on attracting immigrants with money to invest. Canadian officials in Hong Kong vigorously defend their approach, saying thousands of jobs have been created or saved as a result. “The object is to get immigrants, not money,” said a senior Canadian high commission official who insisted on anonymity. But Canada has severe critics both in Hong Kong and at home on this score. DRAIN OFF BEST Hong Kong officials fear a “brain drain” and accuse Canada of stealing away the best and brightest young professionals. A United States official complained recently that Canada is “practically selling visas.” And even one senior official in the External Affairs Department, who insisted on not being identified, agreed the problem is little more than “passports for sale.” Sergio Marchi, Liberal immigration spokesman, says the Mulroney government's emphasis on business immi- Lei has meant less attention is being devoted to family i or the thi ds of Vietnamese refugees still languishing in Hong Kong's resettlement camps. Others complain that many of the “immigrants” stay in Canada only the minimum time necessary to qualify for citizenship, then run right back to Hong Kong to make money before 1997. “There are a number of examples of people who got out, established their bolt holes and then have come back,” says Michael Leifer, as Asian expert with the respected London School of Economics. CRUNCH TO COME Brian Bridges, an Asian expert at London's Royal Institute for International Affairs who visited Hong Kong a few months ago, says he found people “slightly more optimistic than I had expected.” He said there's plenty of evidence of people preparing escape routes just in case but warns: “I don’t think the crunch years have come yet. Round about 1992, you've got to start thinking: ‘Five years, that's all we've got.” Sun, who still maintains contact with his former employer, the Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. of Canada, agrees with most of the experts when he says few Hong Kong Chinese want to go to Canada Besides the bad weather, the opportunities for business are far better here, he says. MUST PREPARE However, Hong Kong Chinese don’t have the luxury of doing nothing, Sun adds. “They're all looking for various options to, get away before 1997. They all express the view that they have to try to get this second passport.” So for now, Sun and his family will live in Canada until they qualify for citizenship. After that? It depends, he replies. If his sons find jobs, get married in Canada, he and his wife will stay. “When a person gets old, he wants to be close to his children.” But, he adds with another covetous glance at the panoramic view outside his window, if the children want to come back to Hong Kong, that would be even better. GROUP INSTALLED . . . The Hi Arrow Shrine Club in- Staltedits new members last Friday night. (From left) Andy Andrew, hospital rep; Jim Grant, director; George Armstrong, presi Richard E. Barr, chiet rabban and installing Poitier, koe Foubister, treasurer and Gary Bacon, secretary. PLANK RACE . . . The #581 Air Cadet Squadron spent the last weekend in January with the Nelson and Trail squadrons at Camp Sanca. The weekend was spent with competitions held in skiing, volleyball and sur- vival exercises. Quebec popular vote up in air By ROBERT RUSSO Canadian Press MONTREAL — Just as the federal Conservatives were beginning to make tentative steps forward in Quebec, they seem to have stumbled to the edge of a cliff. After dominating the news for months with the fight for free trade — a popular cause in Quebec, backed by liberal Premier Robert Bourassa — the Tories appear to have lost control of the agenda. A string of scandals involving Quebec Conservatives has forced them to change their strategy. “No doubt about it now: we're going to have to confront the integrity question during the next election,” says Mare Lefrancois, the party's chief organizer in eastern Quebec. The bad news for the Conservatives came as they were within striking distance of the Liberals and the NDP in most public-opinion polls. And the much-pub- licized support Bourassa gave Prime Minister Brian Mulroney had focused attention on the troubles of federal Liberal Leader John Turner. But this was before Michel Cote, former supply and services minister, and Energy Minister Marcel Masse ran into trouble. Now, the Tory machine that won an astonishing 58-seat victory in Quebec in 1984 appears to be coughing and sputtering, carrying the weight of five grounded cabinet ministers. “Mr. Mulroney can no longer ignore the dirt that threatens to irrevocably soil a Conservative party that is still trying to find itself in Quebec,” Montreal's Le Devoir said in a recent editorial. The political scandal socresheet includes Suzanne Blais-Grenier, who quit the cabinet in 1986 to protest against- the govetnment’s lack of help for the economically.moribund east end of Montreal. There were reports she was about to be fired over her travel budget. Tories under fire Also gone from cabinet is Roch LaSalle, former supply and services minister, who resigned a year ago after reports he had attended a dinner at which businessmen allegedly paid $5,000 each to meet him. Andre Bissonnette — now on trial on conspiracy, fraud and breach of trust charges in connection with the Oerlikon land flip — was fired as junior transport minister by Mulroney in January 1987. Masse resigned from cabinet for two months in 1985 while the RCMP investigated charges he exceeded election spending limits during the 1984 campaign. And Cote was fired for failing to disclose he had received a $250,000 loan from a Quebec City business- man. “When I hear of all these problems, I felt like telling these people: We have a code of ethics. You should either follow them or disappear,” Lefrancois said in an interview. id LaSalle and Cote were much appreciated as men who can raise money and prepare the party for an election. Cote's departure “is definitely going to have an effect at the grassroots level in Quebec,” Lefrancois said. “The way he left was a blow to morale, plus he was a very dynamic force here and heavily involved in organizing the party for the next campaign.” Masse, the Conservative “godfather” in Quebec, is another strong campaigner who has been hobbled by calls for his resignation because of alleged election over. spending. “No. doubt, we're going through a difficult period right now, but it’s nothing we can’t rebound from,” Masse said recently “There are still eight cabinet ministers from Quebec in cabinet and they are all quite competent,” Monique Landry, minister of state for external relations, said in an interview. Landry, co-chairman of the committee preparing the Conservatives in Quebec for the next election, said Mulroney's quick handling of the Cote affair and switching the spotlight to economic questions help limit damage. “Obviously we would have preferred if all this didn't happen,” Landry said. “But these are isolated incidents and we plan to concentrate on the positive economic achievements of the government.” Canada has more officers in military than other nations OTTAWA (CP) — The Canadian Forces have a higher percentage of officers than comparable armed forces, figures released by the Defence Department show. The most recent figures available for Canada, dated March 31, 1987, show that 17.25 per cent of the Can- adian Forces were officers. That compares with 15.85 per cent for Australia, 12.98 per cent,for Britain and 7.94 per cent for Belgium. Officers include genera colonels, lieutenant-colonels, majors, captains and lieute- nants. Air force and naval equivalents are included in the statistics. When it comes to generals, however, Canada is a relative piker. The Australians have 150 generals in a total force of 66,448. There are 590 British generals to command forces of 291,972 soldiers, sailors and airmen. Canada has 119 generals to command total forces of 76,932 and the Belgians have 39 generals in a total force of 84,179. The Defence Department's 1987-88 estimates show the eight lieutenant-generals and one full general in Canada earn an average of $95,216 a year. The 27 major-generals earn an average salary of $83,750 and the 83 brig. adier-generals earn an aver: age of $73,484. MORE PRIVATE The Belgian forces have the highest percentage of non-commissioned officers and ordinary soldiers at 92.06 per cent, compared with 87.07 per cent in the British forces, 84.15 per cent in the Australian forces and only 82.75 per cent in the Can adian Forces. A senior official with the Defence Department said the figures can be misleading unless a study of each force is conducted. Forces with a large land army would have more ordinary soldiers and NCOs than forces with a greater number of pilots, nuclear-submarine personnel and others who operate high- tech defence systems, he said. The official, who requested that his name be withheld, also said the Canadian Forces need more officers because of plans to re-equip the forces with modern equipment over the next 15 years. But he acknowledged that the British forces have a smaller percentage of officers and operate much more mod- ern defence systems.