complete

srvted cond bolemee Wo Cantts Nowe t (prepared trom repro

Colang wo tne adverse

ae

Tes aes

Wilson given C+

if Finance Minister Michael Wilson was graded on Thursday's economic statement, he'd receive an A for style and a C+ for con- tent

More than anything, the economic statment was meant to send a clear signal that the two- month-old Tory government plans to take a different approach to governing the country than the tormer Liberal regime

derline the “top priority” the government attaches to spending restraint and deficit reduction.

Yet, the pay cuts are also a good example of the lack of content in the economic statement: The cuts look good, but they really don't amount to much of a saving.

In the same way, the gover- nment has tackled the problem of spending and the deficit, but hasn't really addressed the issue ot

And though the ge was for

eryone, it was particularly aimed at the business community

Throughout the election cam- paign Prime Minister Mulroney and his Tory colleagues — including Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco — said the way to reduce unem- ployment and decrease the deficit is through a strong economy, an economy driven by the private sec- tor

Thursday's economic statement was intended to let the private sector know that the new government will be fiscally responsible; that it is working at getting its own financial house in order

There was no clearer indication of that than the symbolic pay cuts agreed to by Mr. Mulroney and his 39 cabinet ministers. The cuts un-

Poor B.

Whot planet is B.C. Tel on?

or new ways to get the economic engines in full gear.

Controlling government spen- ding and reducing the deficit should be only two planks ina plat- torm to rebuild the economy. If the government is to put people back to work by getting the private sec- tor to increase investment, it will have to do more than simply set a tone.

It will need to make moves like the one which raised Canadian oil prices to the world level. That could very well stimulate a sluggish petroleum industry and create more jobs in the process.

But it is only one move in one in: dustry. The forest industry and the mining sector are in need of similar moves

C. Tel

difficult economic years in recent

The poly utility c pany has applied for a 15 per cent rate increase at a time when the B.C. economy is struggling to simply survive

A telephone is a basic com- Modity for both businesses and

dents. What business or resident can afford a 15 per cent increase in any basic commodity these days? The answer is simple None.

B.C. Tel’s reasoning tor the outrageous increase (four times the inflation rate) is that it needs the extra money to finance capital spending and provide a better rate of return for investors

Poor B.C. Tel. In one of the most

ory, the y expects to rack up a rate of return of 12.6 per cent. In fact, profits tor the first nine months of this year totalled $48.2 million.

But that’s not good enough for B.C. Tel. It wants to increase revenue — $38.5 niffilion more and to increase its rate of return to 15 percent.

It's true telephone rates were held to a three per cent increase in 1983 and an interim four per cent hike this year. But B.C. Tel has been able to increase its prices by an average of more than 10 per cent a year for the last four years

What other B.2. company can say that?

Fred Merriman

From time to time we see merchants advertising appliances for sale with a minimum down payment and interest-free pay ments over twelve months.

The merchants are to be com mended in at least one regard: It is a Biblical instruction to loan money interest free. We could assume that the cost of the appliance has the rent-for-money built into the profit

However, those merchants who do advertise interest-free payments may be the forerunners of an interest-free society. Not many years ago interest or rent-for-use of money was said to be usury

Then, for a time the small loan companies propsered and were held in disrespect for charging what appeared to be unreasonable in terest rates.

The major financial institutions were locked into a modest six per cent. The Bank Act was changed to permit banks to enter the mortgage business, exceed the interest ceiling and jump with both clay feet into the lucrative consumer finance business. Exit HFC, Laurentide and the Hastings Street Finance Com pany

Where does that leave us?

I am not addressing this column to that rare and special breed from the past who can say with head held high that he does not owe his soul to the company store. The rest of us should hang our head in shame. We have beep taken — virtually sedu- ced - out of our daily bread by the numbefs racket.

Seven years before the mast of Canadian banking did, in fact, instill upon me the priesthood of finance.

An institution that is so very prosperous must be absolutely correct, credible to the limit of belief and above all else, kind and lovable. If we want credit or neeu credit then by golly we are going to get credit. Amen.

None are innocent. The financial statement of an area credit union reports that deposits are down, loans are up, and there is a respectable profit for the year. It is nice to know that the members will get their dividends.

Nevertheless, it is ironic that the tougher the times, the better the profits — for money lenders of any class or kind, principally because they have time on their side.

We the borrowers have mort- gaged our futures for the house of today or the wheels for this weekend. The salesman's closing line in a rising economy is classic: “Buy today before the price goes up tomorrow.”

That line is causing much of our trouble today because the flip side of the record is played like this: “Don’t buy today because the price will go down tomorrow.”

Nobody is innocent. Governments buy votes, but some kid cirea 2020 foots the bill. It is our fault. Eating, drinking and being unkind to Mary — and its all wrapped up in the word usury.

It is dishonest and completely odious to enter into any transaction which avails itself of the nature and intent of credit. Yet, like common criminals, we all collude.

Letters to the Editor

Column ‘questionable’

Editer, Castlegar News:

Many people in the business com- munity are not aware, that the short, bald, bespectacled gentleman, who makes iris about

for the sometime passenger he would take along.

He then opted for the top model canes All this caused another customer

new car; writes a rather " qoastionable weekly colupp.

This prospective customer writes: “after a reasonable period of time in the showroom.” Fact: upon entering the dealership premises this gentleman was greeted spontaneously and was addressed by his first name. Strike one.

A short conversation followed and the gentleman expressed interest in the purchase of a new automobile. We presented some material, brochures and invited him to sit in our office.

There, we explained about the different models and asked which model would suit his taste and needs. Fresh coffee was made and the gentleman was informed that it would take a moment for the brew to arrive Another point missed by the gentle man. Srike two.

While coffee was being brewed the gentleman was again invited to view all the different models available, just to help see what he would like best. And like any other car lot, all the models are on the car lot.

The prospective customer decided that the model in the showroom would be his choice. In the showroom again he was then shown_and introduced to all

. But the legroom was not sufficient

about the care we had taten to show this geatleman the line of cars available. Strike three.

Our potential customer was also invited to test drive a vehicle. Yes, we also very politely asked if it would bother him if we took the automobile out of the parking spot for him. That's logical when one sees several cars closely together. Customers don't always want to squeeze the car in and out of a tight parking spot.

By the way, in B.C. many new cars are “lost” every year for several days from car dealers’ property — because some prospective customer does not appreciate a salesman riding along on a demonstration trip. Some even call it theft.

Upon his return to the dealership premises the bespectacled gentleman

Crossing solution

, Castlegar News:

I have a solution to the problem of “Moore Mountain,” formerly known as the level CP Rail Columbia Ave. crossing.

We get our city government to instruct our fine engineering depart- ment to raise the level of the bump just a little more. We then get CP Rail to tunnel underneath and thus eliminate the need for a level crossing altogether.

Michael Heard Castlegar

Speak up to save Daybreak program

Editor, Castlegar News:

We would like to alert your readers to the fact that we may be seeing some serious cuts in CBC radio programming in 1985.

Specifically, there is concern that the Daybreak show with Bob Sharples may be combined with the morning show that focuses on Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Anyone who listens to Daybreak knows how successfully it links small towns and communities throughout the B.C. Interior, allow. ing us to talk about common concerns and issues and keeping us informed about what's happening in BC

Combining this show with the Vancouver oriented one simply won't work for those of us “Beyond Hope” . . . a8 we have already seen

each summer, when, for two mon ths, we experience a combined show when CBC staff take their holidays.

This is also the only program on CBC radio which provides a forum for the B.C. Interior.

Anyone who feels concerned about this possible change, should write immediately to: Ken Davey, Direetor, CBC (B.C. Region), Box 4600, Vancouver, V6B 4A2.

Copies of the letter could also be sent to Kootenay West MP Bob Briseo, to Daybreak and to MP Marcel Masse, Minister of Com munications, House of Commons, Ottawa, K1A 0A6.

Now is the time to speak up before the final decisions are made. Ann and Bad Gedderis Costlegar

was again invited into our office, received his coffee (which never arrived according to the column) and was properly introduced to a sales- person.

I apologize for not being able to help out the day after. I also apologixé for not having enough gas in the car. But here, too, I feel our prospective customer was not unbiased.

Could it be that this short, bald, bespectacled gentleman was still sore about the fact we did not rent his apartment in Rossland several months ago?

Strike four and you're out. You owe us an apology.

Werner G. Mrosek

Kootenay Honda Trail

Don't buy war toys

Editor, Castlegar News:

With the Christmas season rapidly approaching, we are writing to voice our concern over the increasing availablity of war toys for children.

Children learn from play; we are concerned about what they learn when they play with war toys. When “little Johnny” plays with his G.I. Joe or play machine gun, he is definitely not looking for non-violent solutions to conflicts.

If we are people who wish to build a better world, based on tolerance and love, we must shield our children from the slick tactics of toy manufacturer's who market their products with violence oriented play.

We urge all shoppers to use diseretion when buying toys for chfldren this Christmas.

With city and school board elections on Saturday, the Castlegar News has established an embargo on letters to the editor okther supporting = at tacking an indi local

The Castlegar District Teachers’ and School Board Party was held last Friday at the Coronation Hall. In keeping with the Guy Fawkes motif the hall was liberally decorated with gunpowder barrels and dynamite sticks.

. 8 6

St. Alban'’s W.A. was greatly hon- ored on Friday to have as its guest speaker Mrs. Kingston, wife of the Most Rey. G. Kingston, Primate of the Church of England in Canada.

. 8 6

Remembrance Day Service: Castle Theatre, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2 p.m. Parade (weather permitting) from Memoria! Hall to Theatre, fall in at hall at 1:45 p.m. All ex-service men and local organizations are invited to

Funeral services were held at St. Rita's Church yesterday morning for Mike Dalton, 48, popular Castlegar CPR station agent and active commun- ity worker who died suddenly Sunday morning.

. 2 e

H. Card, Robson inventor of a new type television signal booster device, is confident his equipment will gain the nod of approval from Department of Transport engineers.

Mr. Card is daily expecting a visit from technicians who will examine the transistor sets to establish if the pass band is lined up and does not conflict with established broadcasting frequen- cies.

The inventor said his equipment can be placed on 2 mountain peak and transmit a clear televsion signal to ¢ set 15 miles away.

* 8 6

The members of the Kinnaird Little Theatre are busy rehearsing their play which will be presented later this month. The play is entitled Man Alive.

. 8 6

15 YEARS AGO Frem the Nev. 13, 1969 Castlegar News

Robson residents have been sent ballots on which to indicate their choice of a Centennial ‘71 project.

Suggested projects include helping the swimming pool committee to bring the Robson swimming pool up to government standards, developing and landscaping a park below the swim- ming pool, and improvements to Robson Hall.

.

A ies hutaide area which was used as a source fo fill material for B.C. Hydro’s Hugh Keenleyside Dam is being rehabilitated through an experi mental seeding program.

The ground which was mostly boulders and sterile ground less than two years ago, is now covered by waist-high grass and is a feeding area for deer, mice, game birds, bear, coyotes, fox and bobeat.

. 8 @

Highway 6 between Silverton and Slocan City was blocked by a tockslide Sunday morning. Regional highways engineer Reg White said yesterday that the most optimistic estimate of when the road will be open is two weeks.

Castlegar

Mid-February is the scheduled com- pletion date for construction of B.C. Telephone’s $1.3-million plant centre on Meadowbrook Road.

The building, on which construction started in September, will include a 10,000-square-foot warehouse, 8,500 square feet of office space and appret- imately 8,500 square feet of garage space with four bays fully equipped for service.

7 8 «

Rejection of a proposed referendum the operation of a crematorium at the municipal cemetery, the escalating cost

Sock 9: peley, ls) nemmnary inthe

And the news pages of the Castlegar News will continue to report in full detail the views and opinions ex- pressed by candidates.

the raised at a public forum last week. by five candifetas whe wit vie for two ety

ther example of the current board's tendency to make decisions

on financial or administrative con- siderations.

When is the board going to put educational principles ahead _ of management concerns? Whether or not kindergarten should be half-day or all-day ought to be based solely on the learning behavior (short) attention span; immaturity, pre- conceptual level) of five-year-olds.

School board chairman’ Doreen Smecher’s comment that Casieger is the “only school district left out of Castlegar, Nelson, Trail and Grand Forks that offering noon-time busing service” is clearly begging the question.

If an idea is educationally un- sound — as all-day kindergarten is — it shouldn't be justified on the basis that it will save busing and that everyone else is doing it. What's wrong with a made-in- Castlegar policy that allows children to “be children” for one more year?

Castlegar

Donations worthwhile

Editor, Castlegar News:

I hope that the article “Food just not enough to stop starvation” published in last Sunday's Castlegar News will not discourage the people of Castlegar from giving money to the starving people of East Africa. Much good is being done, and donations are very worthwhile, though it is true that one must be careful to give through a reputable agency.

Oxfam has a good record in this

t. It is involved in short-term relief, but also in long-term develop- ment projects, and does not use the donated money for political purposes.

I realize that many who read this letter are not in a position to give money, and many others give to their chosen causes and many not want to support this one, but if any of your readers feel able to help at this time I would urge that they send donations to:

OXFAM- Canada, Fund)

2624 Cypress Street

Vancouver, B.C.

V6J 3N2

(Ethiopian Relief

EVA VARABIOFF inolist

Varabioff chosen Miss Photogenic

Eva Varabioff of Castlegar, who recently competed ia Quality TEEN Pageant returned to Castlegar after a successful competition.

She was selected one of the eight semi-finalists, was second in talent and was chosen Miss Photogenic.

The first four runners-up wefe all from B.C. The winner was Kelly MacLeod from Amherst, Nova Scotia.

TEEN stands for Teens Encouraging Excellence Nationally. It is a program for young women who have achieved good grades, talent, communication skills, per- sonality, poise and willingness to voluntarily help in their

in the Can

community.

Cascade to fly to Calgar

basis.

with a

SPOKANE (AP) — Cas cade Airways has announced it will resume flights be tween Spokane and Calgary this month on a permanent

The Civil Aeronautics Bo- ard this fall had selected Alaska Airlines to serve the route permanently, but the ‘airlitie bowed out of the competition Nov. 1, citing conflicting demands on its aircraft and manpower re-

sources. Cascade had served the route on a temporary basis irlines va 1983. Mark Wilson, vice pres ident of marketing for Cas- cade, said the airline will restart service on Nov. 26 ination of 70- new the

fine te. rae 19°

STANDING ROOM ONLY .. . Downhill ski enthusiasts packed Kinnaird Hall Satur- day in hopes of having first crack at choice ski equipment for upcoming season

Annual ski swap was organized by Red Mountain Racers

Costews Proto

Union claims LRB

VANCOUVER (CP) — A mine union official says the B.C. Labor Relations Board is “making up the rules as they be counted. go along” following a decision Jess Succamore, the Can expected to cost the union its adian Union's national sec right to represent miners at retary-treasurer, said the Comineo Ltd.'s Highland Val- board should have ordered a ley Operation. new vote because “a quick

Te Ge W Aasociation YoU Without a hearing was

of Industrial, Mechanical and Paging a “en Allied Workers Union, which

represents about 360 wor He said that the board kers at the copper mine near ©&rlier denied workers at Ashcroft, lost its appeal on a Cominco’s Trail and Kim board ruling that allowed berley operations the op- miners to vote on who would Portunity to decide between represent them. his union and the United Steelworkers of America, which represented those wo rkers, because the Canadian Union membership cards the

ballots already cast in the representation vote among the mine workers will soon

The decision upholds a ruling in July and rejects the association's argument that a

passenger BAC

rboprops.

You

in Toronto,

SUPPORT THE

11 jet aircraft and 19-pas senger Beechcraft 1900 tu:

Wilson said the airline expects to expand service to Edmonton by next spring.

ALL CANDIDATES MEI

Mon., November 12 — 7

workers had signed were judged to be stale.

“This type of decision only confirms what people are saying about the labor bo ard’s total lack of credibility,” Succamore said.

1 Highland \ Valley Association of Independent Mine Emp- loyees, is influenced by the employer.

In a letter to both groups this week, the board said

Attendance is Urged

TING

at Kinnaird Hall CHILDREN HAVE ONLY

CANDIDATE WHO SUPPORT

EXPERIENCED

ACCOUNTABLE

— 8 years on.council — 20 year resident

For Strong Accountable Representation on Nov. 17

RE-ELECT EMBREE, Len

Aid Aide

COUNTRY Coste NELSON MAKUSP asec LIMES

SCHEDULE @ FARES

‘making up rules’

“It is a bad decision for the labor movement because it encourages the formation of organizations which lack any semblance of being an ef. fective union.”

CANADIAN BRAND

CIGARETTES Od © ag

PINK

SALMON coaror sr $4.29

GLOBE

CORN BEEF

CENTRAL FOODS

2717 Columbia Ave ASTLE

1223 - 3rd St., Castlegar 365-6256

Lordy, Lordy,... Brian's

40!

The “Coffee Club extends sympathy

Wt ia incumbent upon all | te peopias of the world to cile their ditferences 'O

with pertect unity and econ, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving kindness.

2 intormetion convect THE BAHA'I FAITH

Box 3323, Castlegar, B. VIN HG or cal 365-57 13

AVACARE

Natural Source Products “By People Who Care”

*° Ava Products — retain the true values of the plant gel and actually bring changes you can see and fee

© All are HYPO-. ALLERGENIC and within proper PH range.

PRODUCTS FOR

*Health Core *Weight Control *Skin

Care *Moke-Up *Hair Care. Including a

special line for athletes also house.

hold & animal care products

For More information Please Coll GLORIA FOMENOFF at 365-8367

practical

Kootenay.

TIMES: 7 - 10 p.m. FEE: $120.00 .

AN INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS APPLICATIONS

Hands on Experience in computer applications on the IBM-PC

This program will give you an opportunity to learn through examples microcomputers. Previous computer or computer programming experience is not necessary. The course includes an overview of — Introduction to the operation of a microcomputer

— General Ledger

— Word Processing

Budget Analysis & Projections

— Record Management

Selkirk College offers the only course of this kind in the West

the many business applications of

DATES: Trail — Dec. 4, 6,11, 13 Castlegar — Nov. 13, 15, 20, 22

For further information or to register, contact Michael Phillips 368-6434 or Trail Campus 368-5236 (for Trail courses) Craig Andrews 365-7292 (for Castlegar courses).

Selkirk College

r it

thes

|

Hl i