C4 - Sunday News, December 21, 1980 SW Orne: Searching for conservation in the marketplace And finding littie of it By LILY ROWE I was of the impression that conservation was one of the options of Canada’s energy policy, which was initiated by the Arab oil boycott of 1973. The spiralling increases in oil prices by the OPEC coun- tries put a scare into Cana- dians, who had believed they were blessed with an ever- lasting supply of oil, natural gas, and coal. The booklet 100 Ways to Save Energy and Money in the Home (In- formation Canada, Ottawa, 1975), was circulated widely. We immediately got on the band-wagon. As our home is 25 years. old, we re-insulated and had inside storm windows in- stalled. Although we are guilty of possessing appliances which make frivolous use of energy, I monitor the washing procedures in the automatic washer, turn off the drying cycle in the dishwasher, rarely use the self-clean cycle in the oven, draw less bath water, and don an extra sweater in the evening (even though Il! secretly long to move the thermostat up a notch or two!). We usually turn off unn- cecessary lights, consohdate our car trips, and recycle our newspapers, glass jars and metal cans. Supposedly, if every household cut its domestic consumption by even ten percent, there would be a two percent cut in the total national consumption About 20 percent of Canada’s energy budget is consumed in our homes, and half of the transportation energy in our cars’ This amounts to about one-third of the total The remaining two-thirds are used by the in- dustry and = transportation sectors to produce the goods and services that “we as con. sumers domand” But I question that what we see. particularly at (his ume of the year. in) our department stores and our innumerable boutiques and sbops. is what “we as con sumers demand © but rather Gary Johnstone We cannot thank our customers enough for their business - Merry Christmas one and all. JOHNSTONE'S HOME APPLIANCE SERVICE LTD OO" Marine (river North Vancouver 4 6 985-9541 what we have foisted upon us by the manufacturers, advertisers, and retailers. Is comservation being practised anywhere in the market-place? The only area where I can detect a trace is in the decrease in_ the number of clerks to serve me. In the recent district and Municipal elections, voters in most areas turned down the plebiscite for Sunday shopping. Whether this was done with conservation in mind, I do not know. But I do know that, instead of most department stores re- Maining open in the evening only the week prior to Christmas, most of them are open evenings from _ the beginning of December. One major store is “having a private shopping party for its Account Customers on- ly,” and will remain open from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. one evening to do just that. As early as the beginning of November, even before Remembrance Day. Christmas merchandise and decorations begin to appear in the stores. From then until Christmas Day, we are coax- ed, cajoled, and coerced in- to an annual spending sprec, far removed from con- servation of either energy or money. In spite of the expense and resources involved, “gift books” from four mayor department chains have been delivered to our home, and each day in the mail there are sales folders from smaller stores, lumberyards, local pharmacies, etc. The sad part is that the glossy publications can't even be recycled' Dunng December entire secuons of the even ing paper are devoted to Chnstmas advertising. and invanably we see an cAotic cxpensive gift advertised for the man of woman who has everything Wei oiare told that) the f citer (nvr Ca fy “ALL Sates borat market-place depends on this annual boost in the economy. So it follows that, in our free enterprise system, each store tries to outsell its competitor and THE GLITTERING EXTRAVAGANCE of Christmas the vicious circle continues. But if industry does not prac- tise conversation, there is lit- tle incentive for the home- maker to conserve even his two percent. catches the eye — and kills conservation. (EUsworth Dickson photo) RECEPTIONIST We re loohung tor someone terrific to Nandie our busy Logi 40 board help out with simple copy typing and keep track of us all as we dash in and out and tnendly staff 3 weeks vacation Hours 8 OO am Lovely Surroundings warm to 430pm Salary $900 If you have really exc ellent recep tlonist sthulls prior expenence beautiful Enghst) 6 calm temperament and dont mind nosing at the Crack Of dawn please send your resume to Jane Alsop, Manager Waterfzomnt Place Executive Offices & Secretanal Services 119 255 W ‘st Street on sale Y2 Price ~MILADY’s cor. 15th & LONSDALE North: Vane ouver CHRISTMAS SALE Ladies Borg Fur Fabric | COATS Values to ‘199% VIM ios COLORS Beown & Block SIZES Hto 18 | I find I need to have phenomenal sales resistance at Christmas time, and the only way for me not to buy is to keep out of the stores. Conversely, I don’t want to be Scrooge-like at this time of the year. I love the excite- ment and magic of Christmas, the affection and good-will it engenders, the joy of renewing old friend- ships, the ecstasy of little children, and the hope for the future of mankind. But I pause to think of future Christmases of my children and their children, I get a very empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. (Lily Rowe ts a North Van- couver wife) writer and house- SALES OPPORTUNITY Exctusive High Fashion Imported from Japan. For Career oriented people & those seekin g additional income in FASHION SALES The public can also buy DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR APPOINTMENT CALL 687-2638 CANASTAR TRADING INC. 202-1236 Bidwell St. Van. Wards Plant Place Specializing in-Tropical.s Flowenng Plants POINSETTIAS 4 INCH POT $244 EACH 6 INCH POT $—™7/95 EACH 5S INCH POT $E,95 EACH LARGE PLANT 4s. AZALEAS 8 INCH POTS *1 22.2. MUMSETTIAS 7 INCH POTS *i 95 EACH TROPICAL PLANTS * Good Selection of | Large Plants.and Hanging Plants . 175 EAST 3RD ST. 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