eaoe B.C. sta 7) ys! Page 6. » April 4, 1979 - North Shore News Fa her k “Father knows best” was ‘clearly the message Finance Minister Evan Wolfe's. h in the Legislature Monday, and for .. once Onne father was in a genial mood—handing out dollars and dimes to the kids all round in return for their good behavior. The kids, in this case, being the Slectorate of British Columbia. The ‘contrast with the’ stern father of 1976—who laid those same kids across his knees and administered a - sound spanking for their insistence on playing with the bad NDP boys—could hardly have been greater. Then, it was doubled ICBC rates, doubled ferry © fares, “give-them-a-shovel” welfare and a 40 per cent hike in the sales tax, with ‘warnings of even more dire punishment to come. if the kids didn’t smarten up. But on Monday all was forgiven and forgotten as our Socred dad’s true, generous nature shone forth. Mr. Wolfe’s 1979 budget had been billed in advance as “dynamite” and, on the surface, it makes beautiful reading for most of us. The sales tax cut to four per cent immediately (ex- cept at the liquor store). The homeowner's grant boosted by $100. The personal in- come tax rate-reduced. A denticare program to help look after our cavities. And that’s just for Starters. ~~ MUCH, MUCH MORE ~The full list of other budget goodies is too long to reproduce here in full, but there’s something for each and every one of the kids. Reduced: farm taxes. Cor- poration tax relief for small firms. A 50 per cent increase in the renter's tax credit. The horse racing betting tax cut. An extra $25 million for hospitals. A $5 million job- creating program for young people. $5 million for new recreation facilities in B.C. communities. $10 million for 2 new Vancouver con- vention centre. No more sales tax on vitamins. And much, much more, as the ads. say. , You name it, Finance Minister Wolfe (possibly with a little help from: Premier Bennett) had thought of it. As I listened, I loved every word he said. It was my friend Gloomer, with his irritating habit. of mental arithmetic, who cast a shadow over the scene after I'd enthused to him about Mr. Wolfe’s budget. “They say they increased provincial spending only five per cent last year,” observed Gloomer. “With inflation running at around nine per cent how did they hold the lid at only five per cent?” _ Noel. Wright “Good management, I guess,” I replied. “Good management my big toe,” retorted Gloomer “They must have been _ dipping into the kitty to beat the inflation rate by four per cent and still hand out ali this candy.” GET RE-ELECTED “What kitty?” I asked. “The surplus they've been building up ever since 1976,” replied Gloomer, "by making us pay twice as much in taxes and other govern- ‘ment charges—like the ferries and auto insurance— as they really needed.” -“But why would they do that? It doesn’t make sense.” “It makes a lot of sense to Mr. Bennett and Mr. Wolfe,”said Gloomer. “They ‘want to be re-elected and handing out money to the voters is the surest way to eet re-elected.” “But what’s wrong with them handing out their money when we all benefit from it? We should, after all, show some gratitude to a government that reduces the sales tax, takes it off my Vitamin C tablets altogether, slashes my property taxes by $100 and helps pay my dentist's bills... “You'd be right,” Gloomer agreed, “if it was their money,- but it isn’t. It’s your and my money. The _ government hasn't a red cent of its own..never has had...never will. “Big Daddy government; he continued, warming to his theme,“isn’t like a real dad, who goes out and earns so that he'll be able to give the kids a little something extra Row and again. Big Daddy ” government takes the money off the kids in the first place and hopes theyll have forgotten by the time it~ hands some of it back.” NO INTEREST Gloomer’s rapid-fire logic - always gets me a little confused. “But at least,” I iget said, a trifle weakly, “they are now handing it back- They're acting honestly.” “Do you have a. savings account?” asked Gloomer. “Yes, of course.” ' “Well then, how honest would you call a bank that forced you to deposit a large fixed amount, every month with stiff penalties if you didn’t...a bank that paid you no interest at all on your deposits...a bank that decided for itself how much of your deposits it would eventually pay you back?” da “Pd never dream of doing oes business with such an in- = °° I exclaimed. “Td call for it to be closed » stitution,” down.” “Not said Gloomer sadly, seized from you over the past three years without Ee really needing it.” There are times when I _almost hate Gloomer. He | ruined my Monday evening completely. If father doesn't ~~ know best, what else is there left to believe in? . THE SP Atteverybodys’ Lap of Luxury NOW IN YOUR HOME TAKE THE PLUNGE! much chance of? °"' closing down. government,” ee “even 2. though they probably owe you at least $1,000 interest. on the extra capital they've — ‘ Me More bus shelters for City The building of more bus shelters “at ne and suitable locations” in North Vancouver City was ap- proved by City council Monday night. A motion was authorizing the Engineer to formally request Seaboard Advertising, which has built 10 shelters for the ty since last summer, to © ‘build the new shelters. In a report from the city engineer to council it was SSS et et Re a enn City pointed out the bus shelters already built appear to have been well received by the public. Seaboard Advertising Company installed the shelters as part of an agreement with the city whereby the majority of the cost of the shelters was borne by the company in return for the right to use the shelters for advertising. The report noted the city engineer has already requested B.C. Hydro to provide a list of stops where the highest number of pick- ups are occurring, as an ‘indication of where to build new shelters. Seaboard Advertising may consider building more shelters in North Van as soon as their agreements with the Municipality of Burnaby and the District of North Vancouver were completed, the report said. Bubble your troubles away...... Save $300.00 on our Spring Special! 100% portable 72 jets for total massage LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR PRODUCT. WHY DELAY CALL TOOAY ANDO TELL YOUR FRIENOS ABOUT US OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK MO0L TO FAL TEL € SAT. & S20. TRL S FREE DEMONSTRATION PLUS ... 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