"'Citizen Second front page Prince George - Thursday, November 9, 1978 AGRICULTURAL MINISTER 'Farm outlook is good' by DON MORBERG Citizen Staff Reporter Seldom is heard a discouraging word on B.C. ranges these days, according to Agriculture Minister Jim Hewitt. The minister was in the Prince George area Monday and Tuesday to address the McBride and District Farmers Institute and to meet with area farmers. He took the opportunity to say a few kind words about agriculture in B.C. and its rosy future. ‘‘Beef production looks good in the province,” Hewitt said, “Prices are up, well above a year ago and are outstripping production cost increases." Hewitt said the emphasis put on beef production in the Prince George area is paying off. He said 17 per cent of the red meat sold in B.C. is grown, finished, slaughtered and processed in the province. He said the province has the potential to double that percentage. Prince George, he noted, will soon have a slaughterhouse which meets both federal and provincial standards. This would permit animals to be slaughtered and sold locally in retail markets. That would cut transportation costs and possibly lower the retail price, but that was the only hope for consumers who, in the end, pay for higher prices to the farmer. That good-for-farmers, not-so-good-for-consumers situation will continue into 1979, Hewitt said. Prices will be up, Hewittsaid,andbecauseof the position of the Canadian dollar, exports will also be up. That means the price of imports will be up. Good for farmers and, again, not so good for consumers. Importing of food is inevitable, Hewitt said “We can’t hold lettuce until January. We’re developing the facilities to hold and store vegetables longer, but not that long." The minister warnedagainst over-production, which would drive prices down. "Farmers are good business managers now,” Hewitt said. "They do planning, marketing studies, they know yields and costs. They’re involved in some pretty sophisticated accounting.” Hewitt came armed with figures showing that in B.C.. production in most areas of agriculture was surpassing the Canadian average, and in many cases was increasing where the national average was decreasing. Hi Field Equipment For The Proffedonal Quality Lightweight Backpack Gear by • BLACKS .WOODS • SNOWLION Everything For DRAFTING* •SURVEYING BLUEPRINTING- ■XEROX • CAMP/TRAILS • NORSEMAN Snowshoea by CHESTNUT FORESTRY CRUISING EQUIPMENT industrial reproductions ltd. 340 Vancouver St., Prince George, B.C. 562*2186 MARDI GRAS CONTESTS Barbers back beards Citiien photo by D«v* Mlln* Aerial view of the Nechako River shows the new Nechako Nechako Bridge in the foreground and the old bridge to view eas*- ’slan(l >n between will soon be clogged with ice. Gov't attitude is callous' A barber shop sponsoring a beard growing contest seems as unlikely, but that’s Mardi Gras. Chancies Hair, with a little help from the other merchants in the 1500 Block Third Ave., is sponsoring a beard growing contest for Prince George Mardi Gras. The prizes are as wacky as the contest itself. On the prize list are $100 in dimes from Canada Permanent, a year’s free haircuts and a trophy from Chancies, a dozen roses from Princess Flowers and ten pounds of haggis from Ron Carsons. Other, more traditional prizes include dinners for four at the Riviera, Jakes Steaks and Taco Grande, a $50 travel certificate from Downtown Travelways, a packsack from Backwoods Corner and a Cooper sport bag from Fred Walls There is a $1 registration fee and registrations must be made in person at Chancies Hair, 1537 Third. Deadline for registration is Nov. 25 and Judging will be at Chancies on Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. DIAL - A -PRAYER 562-7000 3 Cf. VICTORIA (CP) - Opposition leader Dave Barrett said the British Columbia government’s dismissal of the latest increase in the jobless rate reveals its callous attitude towards “the small businessmen who are going down the tube and the young people and others who can’t find iobs.” Labor Minister Allan Williams said earlier Tuesday he is not concerned about the increase to 8.2 per cent from 8.1 per cent because “on analysis, the same result was experienced in 1977 between the months of September and October." “It would appear therefore to be an increase of a seasonal nature," said Williams. Barrett said there is no initiative by the present government to provide employment. "This is the first time in six years we don’t even have a fall session. The government’s afraid to call. the house together, and is unwilling to deal with these very real problems.” The New Democratic Party leader said the government has spent $2 million on advertising "to tell people how good things are.” OUR PRICES ARE ALWAYS BETTER! SCHULTZ Pontiac Buick Ltd. 1111 Central St. SPECIAL PURCHASE BY SCHULTZ PONTIAC BUICK TO SAVE YOU MONEY! (6) New 1978 Pontiac Laurentian 4 Door Sedans with the following special equipment: —Two tone blue and white —Vinyl trim —305 V8 engine —Auto, trans. — Power steering. — Power brakes. — Rear defroster. —GR78xl5B steel belted radial tires Plus the following heavy duty equipment: Radiator with thermo-modulated 7 blade fan, frame, brakes, battery, suspension, wheels, rubber floor mat and front and rear seat cushions. Also includes special axle ratio (with 5.0 litre V8 f.ngine), two peice speedometer cable, roof wiring harness, door opening warning lamp, dome lamp switches on all doors and rear door pull handle. 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