Bra eT ee EE r Boas? a c +e . Tr ne Va wewe’, z¢ ‘THE HAGGIS BASH was held Saturday night at the North Van Rec Centre. The square dance with the emphasis on Robbie Burns day fs a popular annual event. (Ellsworth Dickson photo) By JIM SMITH The amazing aspect of “Canada’s dismal economic performance isn’t so much the fact that we have high unemployment (other countries are also short of jobs) or that we have high .—inflation (other countries are finding the value of the local currency dropping). The amazing aspect is that ‘Canada is widely believed to have a “planned” economy. No, it’s not like the Soviet Union or China where workers are instructed to report to specific plants and perform specific jobs. We don't follow the communist wor|d's philosophy of state ownership (if you can ignore operations like Air Canada, the CNR and - sigh - the Post Office). But we do operate under strong government influence when it comes to determining the structure of our.industry. oe The names of the folks who plan the Canadian economy are not widely known (most of our planners prefer anonymity - for reasons obvious to anyone who has studied the nation’s economic performanhéce). However, these shadowy figures do exist and they do ‘ exert enormous influence over our economic operation. oe Unfortunately, these national planners all suffer from a common affliction known as “facilititis”. In Canada’s case, facilititis threatens to prove fatal. Facilititis develops gradually. At first, there's nothing more involved than a vague belief that big business does things more efficiently than smaller business. Gradually, this insidious disease takes hold. Before long, the victim is convinced that production proceeds most efficiently if all the little plants can be merged into just a handful of very big plants. Sooner or later, the patient reaches the tragic conclusion that Canada -can survive only if. the various companies in each manufacturing industry combine into one monstrous firm. “World scale efficiency” is the term that victims in advanced stages of facilititis (literally, the belief in the value of very large facilities) ultimately begin to babble hystcrically. Time and again, 1e dreaded Facilititis the patient will state categorically that Cariada can’t compete with other nations ‘because, our manufacturing plants are too small Facilititis, in effect, causes the victim to wear blinders when surveying the economy. Matters like unrealistically high wage rates, the shortage of high technology industries, foreign control over Canada’s production decisions and restrictions on imports of Canadian-made goods by other nations escape the attention of those afflicted with facilititis. One doctor summed up the tragic condition of a facilititis patient under his care as follows: “The poor chap is convinced that the cure for the Canadian economy is to build plants large enough to produce all the refrigerators and automobile tires demanded by the entire world. He refuses to understand that there must be demand for those refrigerators and tires, too; otherwise all thase goods will end up in warchousces. It’s a truly sad case. There is almost no hope of Canada acquiring larger foreign markets.” Accommodation for residents 55 years and over offerin wail to wall, drapes, stove and fridge. Rent Includes cabi for your enjoyment are residents’ tearoom wi within walking distance of SeaBus Co. formation call 988-0611 between 10 a. ee 7 . Ta EL a a . ers . coach started youn Great coaches, like great 1973: B.C. Provincial Swim Club, began coaching ‘at the age of 19 in his. . ‘hometown of San _ Jose, California. : Between 1969 and 1971,.as -. . head coach of a local high school team, Perez worked . with several nationally- ranked young’ American — swimmers.. oat . sone: _In September, 1975 Between 1971 and 1974, oved back to Vancoui - Perez studied at British Columbia’s .Simon Fraser: University while carrying on his coaching activities. The o1 Burnaby: Tyees (later. the — Hyack Swim Club) were the © chief beneficiary of Perez's . -. assistance. He also coached’ - . a Vancouver team that successfully competed - against Seattle in an inter- |. city meet and coached the 1978." _ ANNUAL SALE on imported Scandinavian furniture all accessories all lamps all items from our bathroom boutique Sale In Progress both upstairs & downstairs Stores 20% off Dan INTerlors 3rd Street at St. Georges North Vancouver Q Studio and one-bedroom units, including ° evision, power, heat and tight. In addition. th large terrace, social rooms, library. Ideal location me and visit our furnished display suites. For further in- m.&5pm dally. Office located at 172E 2ndSt , Suite 206 Commercial space also available from 260 8q ft. Call John Atkinson 321-1241