PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Department of Trade and Industry REPORT For the Year ended December 31st 1949 VICTORIA, B.C.: Printed by Don McDiabmid, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1950. To His Honour C. A. Banks, C.M.G., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia. May it please Your Honour : I beg to submit herewith the Eeport of the Department of Trade and Industry for the year ended December 31st, 1949. LESLIE HAKVEY EYRES, Minister of Trade and Industry. Office of the Minister, Department of Trade and Industry, Victoria, British Columbia. Honourable Leslie Harvey Eyres, Minister of Trade and Industry, Victoria, B.C. Sir,—I have the honour to submit herewith the Report of the Department of Trade and Industry for the year ended December 31st, 1949. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, EDWIN G. ROWEBOTTOM, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry. Report of the Department of Trade and Industry For the Year ended December 31st, 1949. Steady progress in many directions was the highlight for 1949 in the industrial development of the Province. Although indicated expansion possibly was not so spectacular as the previous year, nevertheless the growth was healthy and well in keeping with the trade outlook for the immediate future. New companies incorporated totalled 1,306, with a total authorized capitalization of $60,932,910. Manufacturing production for the year is estimated to have a gross value of $960,000,000. Leaders in this field were sawmilling, pulp and paper, fish curing and packing, slaughtering and meat-packing, ship-building, fruit and vegetable preparations, fertilizers, veneer and plywoods, petroleum products, and butter and cheese. The estimated industrial pay-roll for 1949 is $690,000,000, an increase of $40,000,000 over 1948. The past few years have seen many new items of manufacture produced in British Columbia and the year under review was no exception. There is continued interest in the possibilities for steel production from the iron ore and other essential raw materials to be found in British Columbia. An interesting trend in primary production is the increasing tendency to seek higher values in the finished product. This is illustrated by the great advance made in the pulp and paper industry. A further advantage of this trend is the opening up of alternate markets for the products of forest and sea. The basis of our economy is our primary industries and, while in some cases it is doubtful if production will reach last year's all-time high, the final value should be adequate for domestic and export markets. It is difficult to assess the export market potential in the year ahead but it is certain that some adjustments will be inevitable. The long-term effect of devaluation may be to restore our traditional markets if we can absorb essential imports in quantity and without detriment to our own manufacturers. Power development continues to be an important factor in industrial progress. Both the British Columbia Power Commission and the British Columbia Electric Railway Company, Limited, have made an outstanding contribution in making power available for existing industry as well as for potential new industries. This power supply and the tremendous reserve available is one of the chief reasons why industry is developing in many sections throughout the Province. Another reason is better transportation facilities through improved highways and the extension of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. There is no more optimistic sign of development than that reflected by continued activity in the construction industry. This is evident throughout British Columbia and includes new construction for a wide variety of uses. Contracts granted in 1949 are estimated to total $85,000,000, exceeding the record set in 1948 by $14,500,000. As in past years, the Department carried out an energetic programme of tourist and industrial advertising in the leading publications of Canada and the United States. The value of this advertising is evidenced by the number of inquiries received seeking further information. Full report of the activities of the divisions of this Department is contained in the pages following this introduction. DD 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA. 725 700 675 650 625 600 575 550 525 -__ "o Q 500 475 "o -i c o i 450 425 400 c o yj _> TJ O _. a. 375 350 325 300 275 250 225 200 175 150 123 joo / Graph Showing INDUSTRIES IN TR :NC > C F F >RI/ AA XY BR ITI SH CO LU V\B A / 1 y__ -i My 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 Prepared by British Columbia Bureau of Economics and Statistics. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT. Interdepartmental Industrial Advisory Committee. This Committee meets at the call of the Chair to consider industrial problems which affect various departments of the Government service. The Committee has been extremely helpful in furthering industrial development throughout the Province. The following is the personnel of this Committee:— E. G. Rowebottom, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (Chairman). J. V. Fisher, Deputy Minister of Finance (Vice-Chairman). H. Anderson, Chief Engineer, Public Works Department. Dr. J. F. Walker, Deputy Minister of Mines. J. T. Gawthrop, Director, Regional Development Division, Department of Trade and Industry. C. Hopper, Assistant Deputy Minister of Lands. R. Bowering, Public Health Engineer, Branch of Public Health. James Thomson, Deputy Minister of Labour. DEPARTMENT OP TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 7 J. E. Lane, Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights, Water Rights Branch. Dr. C. D. Orchard, Deputy Minister of Forests. G. Melrose, Deputy Minister of Lands. Dr. J. B. Munro, Deputy Minister of Agriculture. W. H. Robertson, Provincial Horticulturist, Department of Agriculture. E. MacGinnis, Marketing Commissioner, Department of Agriculture. R. S. O'Meara, Trade Commissioner, Department of Trade and Industry. T. L. Sturgess, Administrative Assistant, Department of Trade and Industry. W. A. Carrothers, Chairman, Public Utilities Commission. G. T. Hatcher, Director, Bureau of Economics and Statistics, Department of Trade and Industry. H. Sargent, Chief Mining Engineer, Department of Mines. G. Alexander, Deputy Minister of Fisheries. A. G. Graham, Director, Regional Planning Division. Col. F. T. Fairey, Deputy Minister of Education. BRITISH COLUMBIA RESEARCH COUNCIL. Under the chairmanship of the Minister of Trade and Industry the Research Council held monthly meetings at which were considered many scientific problems of vital interest to the Province. Dr. S. E. Maddigan, honour graduate in physics of the University of British Columbia, is Director of the Research Council. Industrial advancement is contingent upon scientific research, and it is the hope of the Government and the Council that industry will take full advantage of the services which the Council can render. The Council was organized in order to perform the following functions:— (1) To co-ordinate the work of existing and prospective research units within the Province of British Columbia. (2) To initiate and undertake research work in any field of particular interest to the Province; to apply the results of research toward the development of new products, the improvement of industrial processes, and the establishment of new industries based on the resources of the Province. (3) To assist in the development of the technical status of the industries in the Province of British Columbia through a fuller utilization of scientific methods and technical personnel. (4) To provide fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, and rewards and pecuniary and other aids in order to facilitate and encourage original scientific and industrial research. (5) To provide for the publication of the results of the research-work and to enter into such arrangements as may be necessary with regard to patents arising out of the work done by or for the Council. The present board of management consists of the following personnel:— Chairman—Hon. L. H. Eyres, Minister of Railways, Trade and Industry, and Fisheries of the Province of British Columbia. Provincial Government— G. Melrose, Deputy Minister of Lands. Dr. J. F. Walker, Deputy Minister of Mines. Dr. C. D. Orchard, Deputy Minister of Forests. Dominion Government— Dr. W. E. Cockfield, Bureau of Geology and Topography. Dr. R. E. Foerster, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C. National Research Council—Dr. G. M. Shrum, University of British Columbia. DD 8 BRITISH COLUMBIA. University of British Columbia— Dr. W. A. Clemens, professor and head of Department of Zoology. Dr. G. M. Shrum, professor and head of Department of Physics. Prof. F. A. Forward, Department of Metallurgy. Industry— G. A. Barrat, British Columbia Fruit Board. S. H. Hammitt, manager, Morrison Steel & Wire Company, Limited, Vancouver, B.C. Prentice Bloedel, president, Bloedel, Stewart & Welch, Limited, Vancouver, B.C. Labour—Birt Showier, president, Vancouver, New Westminster, and District Trades and Labour Council. Ex officio—R. S. O'Meara, Trade Commissioner, Department of Trade and Industry. INDUSTRIAL ADVERTISING. As in 1948 the Department continued to advertise the opportunities for new industrial enterprise in the Province. This advertising stressed the natural resources of the Province and their relation to secondary production. The advertisements were placed by our advertising counsellors in selected publications in Canada and United States. This advertising was supported by an illustrated industrial brochure. The results of this campaign have been most gratifying, and from the thousands of inquiries received, it is evident that world-wide attention was drawn to the advantages of British Columbia. NEW INDUSTRIES. During 1949 a consistent effort has been made by the Department to encourage and foster new industries in the Province. That this effort has borne fruit is evidenced by the fact that several new industries have been established through the assistance of the Department. Continued effort is being made to increase the range of textile products manufactured in this Province. The manufacture of common glassware is a possibility, in which keen interest is now being shown. There is definite interest in the possibilities for the expansion of the steel industry in British Columbia, and the Department is co-operating with interests who are now exploring the feasibility of producing iron and steel from British Columbia ores. Adequate supplies of steel would make possible many new items of production and assure prosperity of existing industries. While in Eastern Canada on Departmental business the Deputy Minister interviewed the managers and directors of a number of industrial firms and invited them to survey British Columbia with a view to establishing branch plants. The net result of these interviews was the securing of three new industries, two of which are making plans for immediate production, the third company, large in scope, will institute its final surveys early in 1950. Early in 1950 construction will start on the new nylon hosiery factory in Burnaby. This plant, under the direction of W. R. McCurdy, who operates the Lincoln Hosiery, Limited, in St. Catharines, Ont., will be the first nylon ladies' hosiery mill operating west of Central Ontario and will produce the finest kind of hosiery manufactured anywhere in the world. As noted in the foreword of this report, many new and interesting developments took place under the general heading of new industries and new products. In the lumber and wood-working industry new products noted include fire logs made from mill waste. No binder is used in this product since they are made under DEPARTMENT OP TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 9 high compression, and the natural resin and other constituents in the wood waste are sufficient to produce a long-lasting, even-burning fuel in a convenient size. Another development in wood utilization is etch wood. In this process the soft wood between the annual rings is routed out, resulting in a very attractive panelling for interior and exterior use. Other enterprises include curved and flat veneer panels for the furniture industry and box factories in areas previously without these facilities. In metals, new developments include hard steel bits, metal spinning, mechanical scaffolding and ladder lifts, sprayers, electric hammers, couplings and cables. Minerals utilization has not been neglected, as evidenced by the production of clay pigeons, storage batteries (with separators and acid also of British Columbia origin), processing of clay for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes, rock wool for insulation, and high-quality clay products for the building trades. Miscellaneous items of interest are noted in the manufacture of plastic fishing plugs, invalid chairs, soap, record cuttings and duplicates, canned whale-meat with cereals for animal food, and many other products which have contributed to the substantial increase in the value of production of our secondary industries. CO-OPERATIVE CONTACTS. The Department has consistently co-operated with the Boards of Trade, Chambers of Commerce, and the British Columbia Division of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association, and is grateful for the assistance which these organizations have so willingly and cheerfully provided. All branches of the Department have continued their constructive contact with the Agent-General for British Columbia in London, England. INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, LONDON. The Department of Trade and Industry's representative in British Columbia House has interviewed many United Kingdom business-men on the possibility of establishing branch plants in British Columbia during the year. It is to be borne in mind that the difficulty of sterling transfer and the dollar crisis mitigates against many of the branch-plant inquiries being brought to fruition. However, in some cases exploratory parties have made surveys by visits to the Province. The Department in Victoria rendered every assistance possible to further these surveys. There have been many inquiries from the smaller type of business-man, tradesman, craftsman, engineer, research chemist, etc. Many of these cases have proceeded beyond the inquiry stage and are either making arrangements to emigrate or have already arrived in the Province. Many inquiries have been received of a diverse nature, for information on not only trade and industry, but on other aspects of life in British Columbia. To immigrants or visitors, letters of introduction have been supplied, not only to Department of Trade and Industry officials, but to Boards of Trade, business associations, etc. It has been found that these introductions are very much appreciated by the recipients and have had the result of saving them time and assuring them of the best possible contacts. Contact with the commercial counsellors at Canada House, Ontario House, and with other Canadian Government offices in London has been well established. Relations have been well established with British Government ministeries, and the assistance given by the Export Trade Promotion Department of the Board of Trade is most appreciated. The co-operation of the London Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of British Industries, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Trade Commissioners in DD 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA. Liverpool, Glasgow, and Belfast has been a great help in furthering the interests of our Province. Many exhibitions or fairs held in London or in other centres, such as Birmingham, Manchester, Lincoln, were attended by the Industrial and Trade Representative. One of the most pleasant duties falling to the lot of the office has been the assistance rendered to British Columbia business-men. Visits to trade fairs, introductions to Canada House and United Kingdom Government departments, itineraries suggested, and in some cases hotel accommodation and transportation space have been secured. The office is well organized to cater to the requirements of any British Columbia buyers, salesmen, etc., who might visit Great Britain or the adjacent Continent. Since many people in this country wish to emigrate, it will be realized that it is comparatively easy to convince them that they should settle in British Columbia. However, the system adopted, not only by the Industrial and Trade Representative, but by others concerned at British Columbia House, is to tell such applicants that they must make up their own minds, and when they do, assistance in the way of advice and letters of introduction will be given to help them become established in their new environment. It has been established that the majority of business and trade inquiries stem from an individual's desire to emigrate to British Columbia. For this reason the line of demarcation between an emigration inquiry and an industrial or trade inquiry is sometimes hard to define. STATEMENT OF LOANS OUTSTANDING, DECEMBER 31st, 1949, DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. Loans. Interest. B.C. Livestock Producers Co-operative Association $5,000.00 $168.75 Charles Cormack 178.47 14.05 DEPARTMENT OP TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 11 OFFICE OF TRADE COMMISSIONER. The office was created by amendment to the " Department of Trade and Industry Act," effective April 1st, 1945. Accordingly, the present Report covers the fourth full year for operation of the office, which replaced the Bureau of Industrial and Trade Extension. PATTERN OF CONTACTS. The main objective has been co-ordination of interests concerned with, or affected by industrial and trade development, to prevent duplication, and to present to industry clearly defined channels for practical action on their particular problems. The office has continued to act as a clearing-house for industrial application of research results. In over-all export, and tariff and industrial surveys (the concern of Ottawa), the office undertakes to collect and present factual data after intimate study of local situations. The usefulness of this work has been increased during the last two years by close co-operation with the office of the Vancouver representative of the Foreign Trade Service, Ottawa. This position was established April 1st, 1947, and the first incumbent, H. W. Brighton, died in Vancouver on February 16th, 1949. Everett Leslie, Priorities Officer, Vancouver, was temporarily in charge, and Colonel L. Moore Cosgrave, D.S.O., was appointed to the post in October, 1949, following distinguished service with the Trade Commissioner Service since 1922, and the military forces during two wars. He is now styled " Western Representative " of the Foreign Trade Service, with headquarters in Vancouver, and maintains close co-operation with Provincial units through the Trade Commissioner's Office. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT. During the year under review, further co-ordination was effected with the Regional Development Division, who are now charged with responsibilities in surveys and selected phases of industrial development in the outlying areas. The Field Representatives of the Regional Development Division have again rendered very useful service to the Office, in liaison for contacts with industry, market problems, import surveys, itineraries, and public relations endeavours referred to elsewhere in this Report. The distribution and functions of field offices, and of the Regional Development Division at Victoria are covered in a separate section of the Report. DOMINION DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE. This liaison has been maintained, direct and through the clearing-house of the Western Representative, Foreign Trade Service, to accomplish a number of main objectives:— (1) Local planning in production and industry surveys. (2) Surveys of plant capacities. (3) Surveys of overseas markets, in direct co-operation with the firms or industries concerned and the Federal Trade Commissioner Service. (4) Co-ordinated effort with commodity divisions at Ottawa to indicate sources of supply in British Columbia. (5) Co-ordinated planning in two-way trade, in co-operation with Import Division, Foreign Trade Service; United Kingdom Trade Commissioner Service; consulates; banks; transportation companies; and importers in the Province. (6) Intimate assistance for procurement and routing problems of the foreign purchasing missions, direct and through the Canadian Commercial Corporation. DD 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA. (7) Surveys and interpretative assistance to the import control units at Ottawa. Their relation to the Department of Trade and Commerce is referred to elsewhere in this Report. (8) Co-operation with Publicity Division in selection and production of industrial films for overseas distribution. (9) Co-operation with Publicity Division in co-ordinated advertising programmes, and in preparation of special brochures. (10) Effective liaison with Commercial Relations and Foreign Tariffs Division at Ottawa, under two main headings— (a) Special tariff information. (6) Review and presentation for revised tariff structures affecting British Columbia industry. It is gratifying to note the response at Ottawa to the Provincial suggestion of closer liaison by personal visits of departmental officials, commodity officers, and representatives from the Industrial Development and other divisions. The co-ordinated programme worked out for the visiting Trade Commissioners from overseas is dealt with elsewhere in the Report. OTHER OTTAWA CONTACTS. Effective liaison has been maintained with:— (1) Industrial Development Bank, direct and through its regional organization in the Province. (2) Export Credits Insurance Corporation. (3) Canadian Standards Association. (4) Residual timber and steel controls. (5) National Research Council and Federal Departments concerned with industrial research. (6) British Food Mission and purchasing agencies of foreign governments, to which reference is made elsewhere in this Report. (7) International Trade Fair Administration and Exhibition Commission, Toronto and Ottawa. The Trade Commissioner has organized and maintained this liaison by personal contacts in Eastern Canada, and by assistance to officials and representatives who have been encouraged to visit the Province. The Trade Commissioner has been closely associated with special phases of reorganization in the branches and divisions at Ottawa. This applies especially to the Industrial Development Division, the Economics and Research Branch for confidential surveys affecting British Columbia, and the Commodity Officer Branch, with particular reference to reorganization of the agricultural and foods sections. NATIONAL DEFENCE PURCHASES. Mention should be made of contacts maintained with Canadian Commercial Corporation in the matter of National Defence contracts. In one case the Trade Commissioner's office was able to prevent cancellation of a contract and thus maintained a continuing off-season pay-roll of 150 people in a Vancouver plant. In other cases the office has been successful in arranging extension of time on tenders and in facilitating British Columbia participation in defence contracts. The corporation has been helpful in adding British Columbia firms to their tender- list, but price structures, especially in engineering lines, have limited our opportunities. DEPARTMENT OP TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 13 NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMME. The Department, through the Trade Commissioner, subscribed to a resolution at the Lindsay meeting* which set up a committee to study the place of Provincial Trade and Industry organizations in the national preparedness programme. Furtherance of this suggestion would call for close co-operation with the Canadian Industrial Preparedness Association, or others concerned, for plant production and industrial planning which might become immediately necessary in the undesired event of a national emergency. Any arrangements made for British Columbia would be effected in close co-ordination with the Western Representative of the Ottawa Department of Trade and Commerce at Vancouver. IMPORT RESTRICTIONS. The Trade Commissioner's Office has continued to assist local industry in regard to dollar quotas and other phases of the conservation programme. It has given assistance to Ottawa in public relations phases, has helped small firms to secure urgently needed supplies of restricted materials and parts, and has surveyed assembly and new production plans directly related to the controls. Assistance has been given in preparation of data for " project" approval and in the matter of import permits under Schedule III for capital equipment and selected stock items. UNITED KINGDOM SURVEY. The Office of Industrial and Trade Representative was established at British Columbia House in London, February, 1947. The work of the office has fully justified the decision that a liaison would be effective in London to place emphasis on the problems of the Province in its United Kingdom trading structure. In particular, since devaluation, the London office has been a clearing-house for a great number of inquiries from exporters in the United Kingdom. It has served as a liaison point of contact for inspection and survey in the purchase of industrial equipment to a volume which has materially improved our trading balance. The overseas Office has been increasingly useful in planning for itineraries of visitors from British Columbia and in arranging for visits of United Kingdom industrialists and missions. The Industrial and Trade Representative is attached to the executive of the Agent- General. He reports directly to the Trade Commissioner in many phases of his work. The surveys and contacts in London are co-ordinated to the over-all planning at Canada House. The work of the Trade Commissioner at Victoria is welded to the over-all planning at Ottawa. Effective plans of co-operation have also been worked out with the Commercial Relations and Exports Department of the British Board of Trade and the United Kingdom Trade Commissioner Service in Canada. Further outline of London activities is contained in the general section of this Report. Following is a summary of those activities directly related to the Office of Trade Commissioner:— (1) United Kingdom furtherance of production and other surveys initiated in British Columbia under wood products, food-stuffs, metals, and other headings. There is close co-operation with agricultural and timber specialists at Canada House. (2) Licensed manufacture where contacts are initiated in the United Kingdom entailing surveys in the engineering industry there and placement surveys in British Columbia. * Interprovincial meeting, Lindsay, Ont., September, 1949, referred to elsewhere in this Report. DD 14 BRITISH COLUMBIA. (3) Licensed manufacture in the United Kingdom of British Columbia products—patent disposals. (4) Furtherance of exports from British Columbia for world markets through United Kingdom export houses. (5) Itineraries and United Kingdom contacts for business visitors from British Columbia. (6) Itineraries, introductions, and survey plans for industrial visitors or missions from the United Kingdom. This assistance has been an increasingly important feature of the work during the year under review and well co-ordinated plans have been worked out between the Trade Commissioner's Office in Victoria, British Columbia House, United Kingdom Trade Commissioner Service, Department of Trade and Commerce, and others concerned. (7) Inquiries for export from the United Kingdom. As noted elsewhere, these have greatly increased since publication of the last Annual Report. The general directive calls for close association in the related work of transportation companies, Canadian and overseas banks, and trade organizations here and in the United Kingdom. This prevents duplication and has resulted in useful exchange of information. TRADE AND INDUSTRY BULLETIN. The increased tempo of the United Kingdom export drive was reflected in the number of trade inquiries received during the year. Following devaluation of the pound sterling, many firms contacted British Columbia House, London, seeking agency and other representation here for the sale of their products. These inquiries were passed along to the Trade Commissioner's Office in such volume that it was decided to issue a monthly bulletin and circulate it to importers, jobbers, agents, manufacturers, Boards of Trade, and other appropriate organizations throughout British Columbia. This Trade and Industry Bulletin made its first appearance in November. In addition to trade inquiries, it contains information on licensed manufacture opportunities, new products and manufacturing techniques, and other items of general interest to those concerned. The bulletin has had a good reception and much interest has been shown in the information listed as evidenced by many letters received requesting further information. EXPORT SURVEYS. Once again the year has been marked by a series of crises which have had a serious impact effect on the trading structure of the Province. One by one our traditional markets have been closed to us under items that in so-called normal times accounted for a large volume of our export trade. In particular the dollar shortage has been reflected in the loss of United Kingdom foodstuffs contracts, in the curtailment of lumber and other movements to the United Kingdom, and in the serious results from bilateral trade agreements between countries in the sterling area. New exchange restrictions curtailed or closed export movement to many other markets, including Argentina, Colombia, South Africa, Malaya, and Hong Kong. At the close of the year there was indication that the Philippines, a source of dollar earnings for us, would impose severe import control restrictions. Political developments in China may, in the long run, mean a resumption of volume trading with that area, but the whole position in the Oriental structure remains undefined. The Office has maintained close co-operation with the Asia Section at Trade and Commerce headquarters in Ottawa. In particular, for developments in Japan, it has DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 15 been able to assist selected industry in special surveys and to make early reports of changes as a result of special arrangements effected with the Liaison Mission in Tokio. While there is a move toward free exchange, with less control by the military authorities, our exporters and importers have not yet re-established any clear trading channels for any volume movement to Japan or from that country. The rayon pulp export movement in 1949 showed a sharp tonnage drop. At the close of the year there seemed opportunity of specialty foodstuff lines to Japan and arrangements were being made for a small movement of shell eggs, increase of which would assist a serious situation. CHARTING OF EXPORT MOVEMENT. The appended charts show all-time record value for export from the Province in the year under review. Once again the chart does not depict the real effect of the restrictive conditions to which reference is made elsewhere in this Report. There is a healthy pattern of increased export trade to the United States, but the sharp upswing in value movement over the last five years must be partly attributed to other developments. Principal of these, of course, is the increase in commodity values as compared with actual volume or tonnage movement. GRAIN MOVEMENT. Large volume grain and flour movement through British Columbia ports may account for most of the value increase shown in total exports through British Columbia ports in 1949 as compared with the preceding year. A special tabulation compiled for the Office of Trade Commissioner by courtesy of the Vancouver Merchants' Exchange, shows grain shipments (for Vancouver only) for the current year 1949 as 70,700,000 bushels, as compared with 37,400,000 bushels for the calendar year 1948. The corresponding figure for all British Columbia ports was 75,500,000 bushels in 1949, and 40,700,000 bushels in 1948. It is not only gratifying to record this resumed use of our terminal and shipping facilities, but it is interesting to note the geographical breakdown of new grain markets. India, Palestine, South Africa, Japan, South America, Switzerland, China and Ireland, all appearing for shipments in the year under review, received no grain through British Columbia ports during the preceding year. Increases in 1949 were noted for the United Kingdom, India, Egypt and Arabia. ASSISTANCE TO PROCESSED FRUIT INDUSTRY. Special Products Board. The Trade Commissioner has continued as Agent of the Special Products Board, Ottawa, for movement of fruit pulps and S02 fruits to the United Kingdom Ministry of Food, and for local survey and action in regard to market problems of the small fruit industry. This arrangement has been in effect now for nine years, and each season has brought its new and special problems. At the close of the shipping season in 1947, the Office had handled all procurement, contractural, warehousing, shipping, and payment arrangements covering more than 13,000 (net) tons of S02 fruits and fruit pulps for the United Kingdom. The dollar crisis precluded contracts in 1948, and the suppliers and growers were left with a serious surplus inventory problem, in spite of flood loss in the earlier part of the year. The growers had been warned that there might be no United Kingdom contracts in 1948. However, the Office consistently worked with the authorities at Ottawa and DD 16 BRITISH COLUMBIA. I- Q_ o D_ X uj _i >| d ° I O r- ^_ Z ° O -2 S J LU — r- _: < - Z> => U 480 440 400 360 320 280 240 200 160 120 80 40 CUMULATIVE MONTHLY EXPORTS / .. .y . 19^ 5, 19 46, 19 47, 19 48,1< >49 y A 1949 1947 I94S 1946 1945 JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT. OCT NOV. DEC Source: British Columbia Bureau of Economics and Statistics. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 17 elsewhere to find some solution of the surplus problem. It was actively concerned in negotiations which led to the purchase of the surplus inventory by the Canadian Government under Order in Council P.C. 1534 of March 29th, 1949. In June, 1949, at Ottawa, and in co-operation with the authorities there, the Trade Commissioner worked out a formula for overseas disposal. By another Dominion o Q 500 450 400 350 300 250 = 200 ISO IOO 50 / r- / Pas sing Thr E Dugh Bri 1 XPORTS tish Colu P30-194 mbia Cu 9' stoms Pc rfs / 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1946 Source: British Columbia Bureau of Economics and Statistics. 1950 Order in Council the Special Products Board was authorized to act for the Canadian Government, and the Trade Commissioner in turn was authorized to complete all procurement, shipping, delivery, and other arrangements with the British Food Mission. A total of 6,532 barrels moved out of New Westminster for the' United Kingdom in two shipments, June 20th and July 19th, 1949. This represented about 1,300 net tons of fruit and cleared up the inventory position before the new processing season. The suppliers had already been paid by the Canadian Government. DD 18 british columbia. Contract Movement. The following table shows the comparative net fruit tonnage moved to the United Kingdom by the Trade Commissioner's Office during the years 1941-47 inclusive, when the British contracted directly with the suppliers through the Special Products Board:— 1941.* 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. Tons 112 1,362 821 985 64 Tons BOO Tons Tons 700 100 Tons 1,345 205 Tons 2,341 374 Tons 2,910 450 403 * Tons net fruit content. E.R.P. Movement to Ireland. Prior to Government purchase of the inventory, the Trade Commissioner's Office had initiated intensive negotiations, which were satisfactorily concluded, to move approximately 600 net tons of fruit pulp to Ireland. European Kecovery Plan funds to a total of $250,000 had been allocated to Ireland for processed fruit purchases, after screening in Paris and Washington. With effective co-operation of the Canadian Commercial Secretary in Dublin, representations were made to persuade the Irish Finance and Agricultural authorities to use these dollars for fruit pulp purchases in British Columbia. After intensive survey the matter was finalized on February 9th. On February 23rd credits to a total of $146,000 (U.S.) were established in Vancouver, and subsequent allocations brought the amount to approximately $190,000 (U.S.). After formalities were completed the business passed to private trading between the suppliers on this side and their distributors or agents in Ireland. Shipment was effected during March. This E.R.P. deal with Ireland was the first favourable turn of events to relieve a serious inventory position. Small in itself, it eased the bank credit structure in preparation for the approaching crop season. This is believed to be the first case where agricultural inventory has moved out of British Columbia directly on E.R.P. fund authorizations. It resulted from successful co-ordinated effort between the Provincial Trade Commissioner's Office, the suppliers concerned, the departments at Ottawa, the Irish Jam Manufacturers Association, and the Canadian Foreign Trade Service. Other Market Outlets. The Trade Commissioner has continued surveys for other market outlets but there was no surplus inventory in 1949. The grower and processor policy for that year set limits to S02 packing, prescribed by local requirements and firm inquiries from Eastern Canada. There was intimation in August that the authorities in Ireland would allow further dollars for fruit pulp from Canada. While no offers could be made on small fruit pulps, the Trade Commissioner's Office conducted an intensive survey in co-operation with processing plants, and with interior and coast growers to determine the possibility of moving tree fruit pulps on this dollar allocation. Unfortunately, the authorities in Ireland were not interested in prune pulp, the main surplus problem. department op trade and industry. DD 19 INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. Channels for Secondary Industry. In direct co-operation with the Engineering and other Divisions of the British Columbia Research Council, and the Director's Office, the Trade Commissioner has assisted in providing clear-cut channels for secondary industry to present their research problems. It is gratifying to note the increased use of Research Council facilities by secondary industry, the wide range of projects and problems, and the beneficial effect on new and improved production. The Trade Commissioner continues to serve (ex officio) as a member of the Board of Management of the Council. He is also chairman of the Industries Advisory Committee, a cross-section of industrial advice with representation from the Canadian Manufacturers' Association, Boards of Trade, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, transportation companies, banks, Regional Development Division, and the National Research Council. Advisory Committee Structure. Before the year closed, a new scheme of advisory structure for the Council had been approved, to become effective not later than June, 1950. Under this proposal, the five primary industry advisory committees, and the Industries Advisory Committee, will be replaced by selected panels of advice available to the Director and his staff under special project headings. At the outset of the Council work four years ago, the Trade Commissioner was general convenor of the Advisory Committee structure, and assisted in setting up the primary industry committees, as well as the Industries Advisory Committee. The Trade Commissioner has now worked closely with the special committee charged with the reorganization. The Office will still be a central point of contact for public relations phases of the work of the Council. It will co-operate directly in securing and maintaining the support of industry for the work of the Council. It will continue to assist in the practical application of research results. INDUSTRIAL DESIGN. The Honourable the Minister of Trade and Industry announced on September 15th, the creation of the British Columbia Industrial Design Committee. It is directly associated with the National Industrial Design Committee, chaired by D. B. Cruikshank of Ottawa. The British Columbia Committee is the first regional committee of its kind. The Trade Commissioner is chairman, and as at December 31st, 1949, the personnel of the Committee was as follows: Chairman, R. S. O'Meara, Trade Commissioner; secretary, Paul B. Wisnicki, Department of Architecture, University of British Columbia; Professor Fred Lasserre, M. M. Frazer, R. V. Robinson, J. Melville, A. C. Foreman, Dr. S. E. Maddigan, H. A. Jones, C. H. Scott, Colonel L. Moore Cosgrave. This listing provides representation from Provincial Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Architecture, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Division Canadian Manufacturers' Association, Vancouver Board of Trade, British Columbia Research Council, Provincial Department of Education, Vancouver Arts School, and the Federal Department of Trade and Commerce. One main objective is the greater use of Canadian talent in the design of all types of consumer goods. The formation of the local committee means that British Columbia now recognizes the growing importance of industrial design as a factor in production and marketing DD 20 BRITISH COLUMBIA. problems. The Provincial Committee will emphasize the place of our secondary industries in the national programme. An exhibition of Industrial Design was held in Vancouver during the first three weeks of December. It was first organized by the Department of Architecture, University of British Columbia, in co-operation with the National Committee, and the National Gallery at Ottawa. At a later stage of organization the new Provincial Committee became co-sponsors, and there was gratifying response in actual exhibit and interest from British Columbia manufacturers. Two members of the British Columbia Committee are members of the National Committee at Ottawa. One appointment, that of Mr. M. M. Frazer, came directly as a result of the local planning. Mr. Frazer is chairman of the Metals Trade Section, British Columbia Division, Canadian Manufacturers' Association. HANDICRAFT PRODUCTION. In order to gauge the interest in handicraft production and to confirm the impression that marketing was a problem to many producers, a questionnaire was prepared and mailed to all known groups and individuals interested in handicrafts. The result of this survey was conclusive in that it brought out a definite interest in increased production if there was some assurance of adequate markets. The survey also brought to light the fact that the majority of producers would like to see a certain standard maintained in respect to quality and in some instances with respect to prices. There is no doubt that many of our tourist visitors are on the lookout for British Columbia handicrafts and it is the intention of the Department of Trade and Industry to promote production and sale as far as possible at the present time. Our growing population and increasing tourist industry warrants investigation of the added potential revenue from the production of handicraft articles. The plans are welded to instructional and other work already undertaken by the Department of Education and the University of British Columbia. At the close of the year the Trade Commissioner's Office was actively in correspondence with the Director of Handicrafts for New Brunswick, who had initiated a meeting in Fredericton to discuss national planning and interprovincial co-operation. These meetings were scheduled for January 18th, 19th, 20th, 1950. INTERPROVINCIAL CO-OPERATION. The Trade Commissioner represented the Department at the first conference of the Provincial Government Trade and Industrial Development Agencies of Canada, which was held at Gil-Mar Lodge, Lindsay, Ont., September 26th, 27th, and 28th, 1949. The outstanding success of this constructive meeting can be attributed in large measure to the initiative and planning of the Trade and Industry Branch of the Province of Ontario. All Provinces, except Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, were represented. In addition, there was active participation from the Canadian Bankers' Association, the Department of Trade and Commerce (Ottawa), the Industrial Development Bank, and the railways. This was a conference of working officials to compare facilities, to establish bases of co-ordinated effort, and to cement and strengthen the Provincial department co-operation with Ottawa for industrial and trade promotion. The conference, at its close, was constituted a " Continuing Conference of Provincial Government Trade and Industrial Development Agencies of Canada," with permanent secretariat in Toronto. Working committees will study continuing problems, and it was decided to hold similar meetings in future years. department of trade and industry. DD 21 CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR. Co-operation in 1949. The second Canadian International Trade Fair was held in Toronto, May 30th to June 10th. Buyers and business visitors from forty-three countries reviewed the products of thirty-five nations. The Trade Commissioner attended the official opening of the fair, and in the preceding months was closely identified with the organization work for exhibitor and visitor participation from British Columbia. The fair becomes in greater percentage each year a meeting place for those concerned in selling their wares in the dollar market. Canadian exhibitor participation has decreased. This has been inevitable in view of the restricted export market position for secondary industries, and the position was reflected in a very small exhibitor interest from British Columbia in 1949. The visitor and buyer participation represented a fair cross-section from the Province. It has been the policy of the fair administration to limit exhibits to those companies actually prepared and able to offer their goods to foreign markets. For the fair in 1950, scheduled for May 29th to June 9th at Toronto, a change of policy may allow so-called " prestige " exhibits. Co-operation in 1950. Arrangements for British Columbia participation in the 1950 fair were already under way at the close of the year. The Trade Commissioner, with the Western Representative of the Foreign Trade Service, Vancouver, is co-convener of a steering committee to discuss participation with interested groups of primary and secondary industry. At a later stage a larger local committee will clear all phases of British Columbia buyer and visitor and exhibitor participation. There has been continued an active co-operation with Boards of Trade, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufacturers' Association, and the Regional Development Division of the Department of Trade and Industry. During December the administrator of the fair made a survey in the different Provinces and was in Vancouver and Victoria for some days, working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry. The place of Provincial organizations in arrangements for the International Trade Fair was a subject of special study and recommendations at the Interprovincial Trade and Industry meeting at Lindsay, Ont., in September. CO-OPERATION WITH VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE. Co-ordinated effort and happy association with the bureaux of the Vancouver Board of Trade has been a feature of the period under review. The Trade Commissioner is a member of the executive of the Foreign Trade Bureau, an active member of the British Columbia Products Bureau, and represents the Department on the executive of the Transportation and Customs Bureau of the Vancouver Board of Trade. While special surveys have centred in Vancouver, sincere tribute is also paid to the active help and co-operation of the New Westminster Board of Trade, Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the smaller Boards of Trade throughout the Province, and the British Columbia representative of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS. The office can report another active year of effective co-operation with transportation companies through their departments concerned with industrial development, freight traffic, and public relations. Continued co-operation with the airlines can also be noted, with special reference to development of air cargo, routing, and special documentation problems. DD 22 BRITISH COLUMBIA. Financial assistance was again extended by grant to the Vancouver Board of Trade through the Transportation Bureau. This made it possible to cover the outlying parts of the Province from Vancouver, through the smaller Boards of Trade, in a number of car loading, routing, and related transportation problems. PUBLIC RELATIONS, ITINERARIES AND INTRODUCTIONS. This field has again proved itself to be one of the important functions of the Office of Trade Commissioner. Assistance has been given under these main headings:— (1) Attendance at annual and special meetings of Provincial and National trade organizations. (2) Itineraries and other arrangements for business visitors from Eastern Canada and overseas. (3) Arrangements for visits of officials from Ottawa and for tours of Federal Trade Commissioners. Sixteen Foreign Trade Service officials from different parts of the world were on tour in British Columbia during the year under review. The Department also helped in survey arrangements for two visiting groups of new assistant trade commissioners, on tour of industries prior to overseas appointments. The Deputy Minister, Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, was in Vancouver for two days in November, following his featured address to the Pacific Northwest Trade Association Conference at Spokane. The administrative assistant, Office of Trade Commissioner, attended the Spokane meeting. (4) Co-operation with United Kingdom and other trade missions. The number of these has increased greatly since devaluation, and in co-operation with the United Kingdom Trade Commissioner Service and the Office in London, the Department has been able to render constructive assistance in surveys and itinerary plans. (5) Arrangements for visits of diplomatic representatives and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries. (6) Co-operation with local consular corps and with offices of Commonwealth and foreign governments. Special reference is again made to the happy and effective basis of co-operation maintained with the Vancouver office of the United Kingdom Trade Commissioner and the Vancouver office of the Australian Government Trade Commissioner. DEPARTMENT OP TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 23 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS. Before proceeding to review the work accomplished by the Bureau of Economics and Statistics during 1949, it may be useful to explain that the Bureau is, as its name implies, a fact-finding and advisory body. It has two primary functions: the first is to provide economic counsel and, when necessary, to conduct investigations into economic questions affecting the Province; the second function is to collect and compile economic statistics of interest to the Province. In order to carry out these objectives, the Bureau is divided into several sections dealing with statistical services and one section dealing with economic research. To ensure technical proficiency, the Bureau has endeavoured to follow the policy of building up a small corps of professionally trained persons who could be relied upon to perform a variety of difficult economic analyses. It has also been the policy to make the services of the technical personnel continuously available to all other departments of the Government. Since other Governmental agencies are also concerned with the collection of statistics, a series of working agreements designed to prevent overlapping or duplication has been arranged in recent years between this Bureau and the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Ottawa, as well as with the Provincial Departments of Mines, Labour, Provincial Secretary, and Health and Welfare. During 1949 the essential statistical services performed for the other Provincial departments, as well as for the Department of Trade and Industry, were maintained. A brief description of the research and statistical services performed during the year has been provided under the appropriate divisions which follow. DD 24 BRITISH COLUMBIA. AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION (in Millions of Dollars) 4U0 300 200 100 -— .——\ n 100 400 FORESTRY . / 300 / / 200 100 — n 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 PRODUCTION MIN!NG (in Millions of Dollars) 400 r FISHERIES 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 1939 1941 1943 '945 1947 1949 PRICES RETAIL PRICES (lndex Nos) 200 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 200'r WHOLESALE PRICES [ IS 35-1939-- IOO 1 1926. OO | 1939 1941 1943 .1945 1947 1949 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED (in Mlllions of Dollars) VALUE 0F BUILDING PERMITS 75 50 25 n 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 YEARS YEARS 1-1939—58 Municipalities reporting m Conoda 1940-1946—2Q4 Mumc.palit.e. reporting ,n Canada 1947-1949—507 Municipalities reporting ,n Canada 1949 Figures Subject to Revision. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 25 240 220 200 _o 180 tt uj 160 ca _> 140 Z 120 X ioo UJ Q 80 ?|60 40 20 0 1000 tt 800 < o Q600 Z'400 o EMPLOYMENT BANK DEBITS I __:' z o / 1926 ■100 t z o 1943 1945 YEARS RETAIL SALES INTERNAL TRADE 400 1943 1945 YEARS 1947 1949 CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICAL POWER ^- ? n s Z 200 100 < 90 O Q O *o z o / ^ ^s 1943 1945 YEARS WHOLESALE SALES / -^~ 1935-193- ■100 . j 1941 1943 1945 1947 YEARS SALES OF LIFE INSURANCE s <* I _ 1939 1943 1945 YEARS 1939 1943 1945 YEARS 1949 Z o z o 2 FREIGHT LOADED 0 / 8 / 0 1941 1943 1945 YEARS 1949 Figures Subject to Revision 1947 DD 26 BRITISH COLUMBIA. EEVIEW OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. While final statistics are not available, preliminary statistics indicate that British Columbia's economy is running at about the same high level established during 1948. Current business conditions can be measured by a variety of indicators, each of which has its special value. There are, of course, many forces operating in our economy which may work in opposite directions at the same time. The general trend will move upward or downward, depending upon which of these forces has the greater strength. The present situation would seem to indicate that the two opposing forces are not far from a balance; and it might be expected that the interaction of these forces within the next few months will suggest which direction business activity will take. Incomplete returns indicate that the net value of production of primary and secondary industries amounted to over $910,000,000* in 1948, as compared with ?769,392,150t in 1947 and $583,012,000f in 1946. * Preliminary estimate. t Dominion Bureau of Statistics. Table 1.—Economic Activity in British Columbia, 19J/-7 and 19A8, with Preliminary Estimates for 19^9. Unit or Base Period. 1949 Preliminary Estimates.1" 1948. 1947. Mining—- Total value of production1 Gold production1 Silver production1 Copper production1 Lead production1 Zinc production1 Coal production1 Forestry— Total value of production2 Timber scaled2 Paper production2 Fisheries— Total value of production6 Pack of canned salmon3 Agriculture— Total value of production*. Apples— Total shipments5 Domestic shipments5 Export shipments5 External Trade— Export of canned salmon6 Export of planks and boards, Douglas fir6 Export of red-cedar shingles6 Internal Trade—■ Index of wholesale sales6 Total retail sales6 Department stores Food-stores Gasoline consumed9 Railway freight loaded in British Columbia6.. Consumption of electric power6 Sales of life insurance6 145,000,000 M.B.M. Ton Cases Boxes Boxes Boxes Cwt. MFt. Sq. 1935-39-=100 000$ 000 $ 000 $ Gallons Tons 000 kwh. 000$ 350,000,000 55,000,000 1,435,000 145,000,000 340.0 780,000 142,000,000 10,400,000 3,640,000 107,000 152,524,752 10,603,250 5,038,592 9,616,174 60,072,542 41,234,603 10,854,108 363,786,000 4,293,465 407,210 58,605,619 1,313,909 142,108,000 6,249,429 3,716,845 2,532,584 275,724 802,306 2,323,933 333.S 731,520 102,378 127,260 131,367,552 10,325,427 3,436,778 103,301 113,221,254 8,715,455 4,109,538 8,519,741 41,884,977 30,147,039 8,587,380 282,288,388 4,187,816 410,994 58,764,950 1,527,135 134,508,400 6,792,906 4,838,249 1,954,657 368,143 877,600 2,024,442 314.6 664,470 87,020 115,160 117,557,727 9,904,060 3,011,763 103,104 1 British Columbia Department of Mines. 2 British Columbia Department of Lands and Forests, Forest Service, s British Columbia Department of Fisheries. 4 British Columbia Department of Agriculture. 5 British Columbia Tree Fruit Board. 6 Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 9 British Columbia Department of Finance. 10 Subject to revision. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 27 Table 1.—Economic Activity in British Columbia, 1947 and 1948, with Preliminary Estimates for 1949—Continued. Unit or Base Period. 1949 Preliminary Estimates.10 1948. 1947. Construction— 000 $ 000 $ 000$ Number $ 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926=100 1926 = 100 $ 85,000 98,000 7,600,000 216,000 35,000,000 200.0 70,584 96,953 7,043,620 191,572 31,292,160 202.6 223.0 285.5 196.3 221.7 240.1 228.7 109.4 207.9 180.1 202.2 154.9 254.5 265.7 650,000,000 39,460 61,228 6,539,916 Tourist trade— 205,216 Estimated expenditure of the United States 33,510,815 Employment—6 193.7 217.0 309.4 172.5 Pulp and paper 202.6 231.3 233.0 106.1 199.1 168.2 180.8 158.9 247.1 238.1 690,000,000 557,075,508 6 Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 7 Bureau of Economics and Statistics, preliminary estimate: 1947 and 1948, Dominion Bureau of Statistics estimates. 8 Bureau of Economics and Statistics, Labour Division. 10 Subject to Revision. THE RESEARCH DIVISION. External Trade of British Columbia. The agreement between this Bureau and the External Trade Branch, Dominion Bureau of Statistics, consummated in the fall of 1938, has continued in force. Under this agreement the Bureau receives monthly a duplicate set of punch-cards showing in detail the importation and exportation of every commodity normally listed in the Federal trade reports which has been recorded at customs ports located in this Province. While these records do not distinguish the exported merchandise originating in British Columbia nor the imports destined for consumption in this Province from the other goods passing through these customs ports the records do provide the basis for a very comprehensive annual report on the foreign trade of British Columbia. Preliminary statements showing the external trade through British Columbia customs ports covering commodities with an aggregate value of $50,000 and over are now published annually. In addition, statements showing the trade through British Columbia customs ports are prepared monthly. These reports cover all exports valued at $25,000 and over and all imports valued at $15,000 and over. A brief insight into the foreign trade of British Columbia for the period 1939 to 1948 can be secured from Tables 2 and 3. Only the main commodity groups have been shown in these tables. From Table 2 it may be seen that exports in 1948 reached an all-time high of $327,144,239, an increase of 192.21 per cent, since 1939. Table 2 is of further interest inasmuch as the exports of three of our primary industries—namely, agriculture, fisheries, and forest products—have diminished, whereas the exports of our more or DD 28 BRITISH COLUMBIA. S "8 o ft. 8 o O -si CO CJ ■2= e; .__ ^ S 8 co -s_ 3 u •5a •<p- 0. 00" *_> -=. «? 1 +_. 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Tf CXI IQ 0 CO 0 rti CM T*l T^l C4 O t- ffl ffl TT ffl CO Tf CO t& __, eo l~- IQ CM m eo rn CO im OJ {*- rn ca iO CO m eo to <-. 0 0 00 in O CO O c- m in co o Tf to co os t-COlQOi-HTfcOfflOCO QC._3TfMHHMtO(0 WCfifflLOTftCt-MHC. to Tf IO N H t- 0 CO Tf to Of) CO CO 00 .-t CO ffl to CO Tf Tf TfooeofflfflfflT-HTfcoco CJOtDOtDt-inCO-Mt- tOtDr-HCOCM^OTft-OOTf \o co nn to on to r- 00 CO nn CM to Oi 0 CM in c- 00 ffl t- id m 0 ffl m i-h c-i 01 otOioinc-fflcoffltotD MCOOJHOfftOt-OO) cotomfflcMCMincMtotN TfcO (0 fflOlQTftDCOOo" _ni-t_r-OtOtOCMMtOm TfCMfc-TfOOr-HCOfflffl© tOTfrHCMCOtOi—IfflOCO Qfflrl_0NHD.CC0._- inTf_rHr-HTfCM_MCMtOt- 00 fflco into t- f" 10" m t- (McoTftr-fflt-tDint-m nOfflOTfcOfflcOffltotr- CO CM CM t- rH CO T-H CO tr- oo(MT-Hmto-n_nooccto O-OOCOi-HC-rHCOt-CMin t-fflt-mcofflTf©cM© in cm in cm cm co ■ 01 CO CO r_H Tf f_. CO CO fN r-i ffl r- CJ 00 L— TT 0 — m U0 1- Tf CO h- r~ .-'-. ■ • fc- CO m Tf US ft 3 3 3 ' Xt ^_ ' S g i—1 TJ rrt __3 ^ O rH 5 HJ T-J *H o o g x o 3 tH *H « CJ O fc & |_ .m - w __i U r- -h DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 29 less secondary industries—fibres and textiles, iron and its products, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, and miscellaneous products—have increased over the previous year. From Table 3 it may be seen that imports also reached a new high of $192,413,112, an increase of 227.27 per cent, since 1939. British Columbia products were exported to 104 different countries during 1948. The markets were: United Kingdom, $67,507,805; total British Empire, $98,665,564; United States, $163,964,425; and total all foreign countries, $228,458,772. In point of value the most important British Columbia products exported during 1948 were: Planks and boards, lead, newsprint, red cedar shingles, woodpulp, salmon (canned), plywood, copper, and railroad ties. Imports were brought into British Columbia from eighty-three different countries during 1948. The sources of supply were: United Kingdom, $23,020, 366; total British Empire, $43,102,389; United States, $124,515,912; total all foreign, $149,310,723. In point of value the leading products imported for consumption in British Columbia during 1948 were: Crude petroleum, gasoline and other petroleum products, sugar, copra, coffee, traction engines and parts, logging machinery, settlers' effects, and automobiles. Preliminary statistics for 1949 indicate a decided increase in the value of exports through British Columbia customs ports. Imports are also somewhat higher. COST OF LIVING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. In August of 1947 the Bureau of Economics and Statistics discontinued the collection of materia] used in, and the compilation of, the cost-of-living index. It was decided at this time that the cost-of-food index, being a useful measurement, should be maintained. There were two major reasons for discontinuing the cost-of-living index. Primarily, the index was no longer fulfilling the function for which it was organized— a basis for relief payments. Also, it was being used as a measure of costs in various labour arbitrations and adjustments in salaries and wages, for which it was not designed. Secondly, the index would not stand up under strong statistical analysis, nor could it be considered to satisfy the standards of economists. The index was based on nutrition standards, which have not a direct relationship to actual expenditures. For its originally designed purpose, the index was adequate. When this purpose no longer existed, it was decided that the measure should be discontinued and the cost-of-living figures published by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Ottawa, be the official reference. The cost-of-food index was continued, and the information is published in the quarterly report on cost of food in British Columbia. Table 4.—Dominion Bureau of Statistics Index Numbers of the Cost of Living in Canada, 1939-49. Month. Adjusted to Base 100.0 lor August, 1939. On Bask of Average Prices 1935-39 as 100. Light and Fuel. Clothing. Home Furnishings and Services. 100.7 101.4 100.2 101.7 100.2 101.7 99.9 101.2 99.9 101.1 99.9 101.1 100.1 101.0 100.1 100.9 100.1 100.9 99.6 100.8 99.6 101.0 Miscellaneous. 1939, yearly average January February.... March April May June July August September October 100.3 99.9 99.8 99.8 99.8 99.7 100.0 100.0 100.0 102.7 101.5 101.1 100.7 100.6 100.6 100.6 100.5 100.8 100.8 100.8 103.5 100.6 103.8 99.9 103.4 98.7 103.4 98.5 103.4 98.3 103.4 98.2 103.8 98.1 103.8 99.0 103.8 99.3 103.8 99.4 103.8 106.3 104.4 101.2 101.0 101.0 100.4 100.4 100.2 99.8 99.3 99.0 98.9 104.4 101.4 101.1 101.1 101.1 101.4 101.4 101.3 101.3 101.3 101.3 101.7 Table 4.—Dominion Bureau of Statistics Index Numbers of the Cost of Living in Canada, 1939-49—Continued. Adjusted to Base 100.0 for August, 1939. On Base of Average Prices 1935-39 as 100. Month. Total. Food. Rent. Light and Fuel. Clothing. Home Furnishings and Services. Miscellaneous. 1939—Continued. 103.0 103.0 103.0 103.0 103.8 103.8 104.1 104.1 104.8 105.1 105.8 106.2 106.9 107.1 107.4 107.3 107.3 107.7 108.5 109.6 111.0 112.8 113.8 114.6 115.4 114.9 114.5 114.8 115.0 115.0 115.2 115.8 117.0 116.8 116.5 116.9 117.7 117.9 116.2 116.0 116.3 116.7 117.2 117.6 117.9 118.3 118.5 118.4 118.5 118.4 118.1 118.0 118.1 118.2 118.3 118.1 118.1 118.0 117.9 117.7 118.0 117.6 103.8 103.8 105.6 103.8 103.8 104.6 104.6 104.9 104.9 105.6 105.9 103.6 107.0 107.8 108.0 111.7 108.3 108.2 108.2 108.6 109.4 110.5 111.9 113.7 114.7 115.5 116.3 115.8 117.0 115.4 115.7 115.9 115.9 116.1 116.7 117.9 117.7 117.4 117.8 118.6 118.8 118.4 117.1 116.9 117.2 117.6 118.1 118.5 118.8 119.2 119.4 119.3 119.4 119.3 118.9 119.0 118.9 119.0 119.1 119.2 119.0 119.0 118.9 118.8 118.6 118.9 118.5 107.1 104.7 105.6 104.5 104.5 104.8 104.8 104.4 103.8 105.3 105.4 105.4 106.1 108.7 109.1 116.1 109.7 108.8 109.0 110.1 109.7 112.5 116.6 121.3 123.3 123.2 125.4 123.8 127.2 122.3 123.1 123.7 123.7 124.3 126.2 130.3 129.6 128.5 129.8 132.4 132.8 130.7 127.3 126.7 127.7 128.7 129.9 130.9 131.8 133.2 133.5 132.9 133.1 132.7 131.3 131.5 130.9 131.1 131.5 131.7 131.1 132.0 131.5 131.2 130.8 131.6 130.3 104.4 104.4 106.3 104.4 104.4 104.4 104.4 106.9 106.9 106.9 106.9 106.9 107.7 107.7 107.7 109.4 107.7 107.7 107.7 107.7 109.7 109.7 109.7 109.7 109.7 111.2 111.2 111.2 111.3 111.2 111.2 111.2 111.2 111.3 111.3 111.3 111.3 111.3 111.3 111.3 111.3 111.5 111.3 111.3 111.3 111.3 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 111.9 112.0 112.0 112.0 105.3 105.4 107.1 105.5 105.8 105.7 105.9 106.1 106.0 107.9 108.4 108.5 108.0 108.5 108.5 110.3 108.6 108.7 108.9 108.9 109.2 110.2 110.5 110.5 110.9 112.1 112.7 112.7 112.8 112.9 112.9 112.9 112.9 112.9 112.6 112.5 112.5 112.5 112.8 112.8 112.8 112.9 112.8 112.7 112.7 112.7 112.7 113.0 113.4 113.4 113.4 113.3 113.3 111.9 110.6 112.7 113.0 113.0 113.0 112.5 112.5 108.9 108.7 108.7 108.7 108.1 108.1 99.6 103.3 109.2 103.3 103.3 107.8 107.8 107.8 109.1 109.1 109.1 113.1 113.5 113.5 113.5 116.1 113.7 114.1 114.2 114.3 114.5 114.9 115.1 115.7 117.4 119.6 120.0 119.9 120.0 119.9 119.8 119.8 119.8 119.9 119.9 120.0 120.1 120.1 120.1 120.1 120.2 120.5 120.2 120.1 120.1 120.2 120.2 120.4 120.5 120.6 120.6 121.1 121.1 121.1 121.5 121.1 121.3 121.3 121.4 121.5 121.5 121.5 121.5 121.5 121.6 121.6 121.6 101.0 104.1 107.2 104.3 104.3 105.9 106.1 106.2 106.5 106.9 106.9 109.4 109.7 110.0 110.7 113.8 110.8 111.5 111.6 111.7 111.8 112.1 113.0 114.3 115.8 117.3 117.9 117.9 117.9 118.0 118.0 118.0 118.1 118.0 117.9 117.9 117.8 117.8 117.8 117.8 117.8 118.0 117.8 117.8 117.8 117.8 117.8 117.8 117.8 117.9 118.2 118.2 118.2 118.8 118.4 118.4 118.4 118.4 118.4 118.5 118.4 118.3 118.5 118.4 118.4 118.4 118.4 101.9 102.0 1940, yearly average. 102.3 101.8 101.9 101.9 101.8 101.8 101 8 July 102.8 102 8 102 8 1941, yearly average. 105.1 103.1 103.1 102.9 102.9 105.1 105.6 July 105.6 106.1 106.4 106.5 November 106.7 103.7 1942, yearly average. 107.1 106.8 108.1 March 107.1 107.1 May 107.1 107.1 July 107.1 107.1 107.1 107.2 1943, yearly average- 108.0 107.5 107.5 March April May June July 107.5 107.7 108.6 108.2 108.2 108.2 108.3 108.3 108.3 108.6 1944, yearly average. 108.9 108.9 February 109.1 109.0 109.0 109.0 109.0 July 109.0 109.0 109.0 108.9 108.9 108.9 DEPARTMENT OP TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 31 Table 1*.—Dominion Bureau of Statistics Index Numbers of the Cost of Living in Canada, 1939-49—Continued. Month. Adjusted to Base 100.0 for August, 1939. On Base of Average Prices 1935-39 as 100. Total. Food. Rent. Light and Fuel. Clothing. Home Furnishings and Services. Miscellaneous. 1945. yearly average. 119.5 133.0 112.1 1 107.0 122.1 119.0 109.4 117.7 118.6 130.2 112.0 109.1 121.8 118.3 109 2 February 117.7 118.6 130.6 112.0 107.4 121.7 118.4 109.2 117.8 118.7 131.0 112.0 107.3 121.7 118.5 109.2 117.8 118.7 131.0 112.0 106.7 121.8 118.5 109.2 May 118.1 119.0 131.7 112.1 106.6 122.0 118.9 109.4 June 118.7 119.6 133.4 112.1 106.6 122.1 118.9 109.4 July 119.3 120.3 135.6 112.1 106.5 122.2 119.5 120.5 136.2 112.1 106 5 122.1 119 3 109 5 118.9 119.9 134.2 112.1 106.7 122.2 119.4 109.5 118.8 119.7 133.3 112 3 106.7 122.4 109 6 118.9 119.9 134.0 112.3 106.6 122.5 119.4 109.6 119.1 120.1 134.3 112 3 107.1 122.5 119 5 109 6 1946, yearly average.. 1 123.6 140.4 112.7 107.4 126.3 124.4 112.6 118.9 119.9 132.8 112 3 107.1 122 fi 119 5 110 9 118.9 • | 119.9 132.5 112.3 107.1 122.7 120 1 110 9 119.1 120 1 133.1 119.8 120.8 135.1 112.3 107.2 123.2 111 0 121.0 122.0 137.7 112.6 107.2 123.7 122 1 111 5 122.6 123 6 142.1 107 2 124 3 July 124.1 125 1 144 2 124.5 125.5 143.2 107.2 129.6 146 5 November 126.1 127.1 146.6 113.4 108.6 131.1 129.2 114.1 December 126.1 127.1 146.4 113.4 109.2 131.2 129.4 114.1 1947, yearly average. 135.5 159.6 116.7 115.9 143.9 141.6 117.0 126.0 127.0 127.9 128.9 145.5 148.7 113.4 113.4 109.0 131.5 109.1 131.9 129.8 130.9 114.7 115.5 February 127.9 129.6 128.9 130.6 148.7 151.6 113.4 113.4 109.1 133.1 109.1 136.9 133.6 137.2 116.0 116.3 April May 132.1 133.1 164.9 115.4 116.2 140.0 138.6 116.8 133.8 134.9 157.7 159.8 117.8 117.8 116.7 117.3 142.4 143.2 139.8 142.5 117.1 117.2 July 134.8 135.9 August 136.5 136.6 160.6 117.8 118.6 145.5 143.7 117.2 138.3 139.4 165.3 117.8 121.1 152.0 147.4 117.5 141.1 142.5 142.2 143.6 171.3 173.6 119.9 119.9 121.9 122.6 154.2 157.0 149.9 151.4 117.6 118.2 144.8 146.0 155.0 178.7 195.5 119.9 120.7 120.3 124.8 159.3 174.4 154.9 162.6 119.8 123.4 1948, yearly average. 147.1 148.3 182.2 119.9 120.4 161.2 158.4 122.6 148.9 i 150.1 186.1 119.9 119.9 119.9 120.1 121.0 165.1 169.9 159.9 161.2 161.9 122.8 122.8 122.9 149.6 150.8 150.4 151.6 185.9 186.8 April 121.3 172.9 May 152.1 153.3 191.2 120.9 122.7 173.6 161.9 122.9 June 153.1 154.3 193.9 120.9 124.3 174.8 162.0 122.7 156.7 156.9 156.3 157.5 201.3 202.6 120.9 120.9 124.5 I 175.4 162.8 161.4 123.1 123.4 August 127.7 175.9 157.6 158.9 203.9 121.0 128.5 179.9 164.2 124.4 158.3 159.6 205.4 121.0 128.8 181.0 165.1 124.4 November 158.3 159.6 204.7 121.0 129.0 181.5 166.0 124.6 December 157.6 1 158.9 202.0 121.7 129.1 181.5 166.2 124.6 1949, yearly average. 158.3 159.6 158.2 159.5 202.2 121.7 130.0 130.8 181.9 181.8 167.0 167.8 126.6 128.1 February 200.4 121.7 March 157.0 | 159.2 199.1 121.7 131.0 182.7 167.9 128.1 158.0 159.3 158.2 159.5 159.2 160.5 198.5 199.5 202.9 122.4 122.4 122.4 131.0 129.1 128.7 183.2 183.3 183.3 168.0 168.1 167.7 128.4 128.4 128.4 June July 160.8 162.1 161.5 162.8 161.0 | 162.3 160.9 162.2 i 207.2 209.2 207.0 205.0 123.4 123.4 123.9 123.9 129.1 183.3 129.5 183.2 130.1 183.5 134.1 1 184.1 1 167.5 167.4 167.4 167.2 128.5 128.9 128.9 130.2 November 1 1 DD 32 BRITISH COLUMBIA. Table 5.—Comparative Food Indexes. The Dominion Bureau of Statistics food index is given below, adjusted to the base 1936 = 100, with comparative figures for British Columbia prepared by the Bureau of Economics and Statistics. Month. Canada.* British Columbia. Month. Canada.* British Columbia. 1939— August First of Month. 101.53 101.64 108.69 111.15 111.55 106.85 106.85 107.16 107.16 106.75 106.13 107.67 107.78 107.77 Fifteenth of Month. 94.48 103.90 104.38 104.74 101.51 100.43 100.97 101.22 102.53 101.77 101.51 103.47 103.84 1 03.33 1944— January First of Month. 134.46 133.84 134.05 134.46 134.66 134.05 134.97 134.46 134.15 133.74 134.56 133.23 133.13 133.54 133.95 133.95 134.66 136.40 138.65 139.26 137.22 136.30 137.01 137.32 135.79 135.48 136.09 138.14 140.80 145.30 147.44 147.96 146.42 149.80 149.90 144.69 148.77 150.31 152.04 155.01 158.38 161.25 163.39 164.21 169.02 175.15 177.51 182.72 186.30 190.29 190.08 191.00 195.50 Fifteenth of Month. 128.28 1940— 128.42 July 128.06 July 127.95 1945— September 128.82 108.49 104.92 111.15 106.30 129.33 1941— January 112.17 111.25 111.45 112.58 112.17 107.03 108.93 109.02 111.42 111.81 130.96 October November 130.17 115.03 116.09 119.22 117.07 124.03 120.55 126.07 121.10 125.97 121.24 December July 1946— 127.87 October 128.22 126.58 125.05 125.87 123.93 121.57 120.99 122.55 134.98 1942— July.. . February 138.43 126.48 123.71 126.48 127.10 129.04 133.23 132.52 131.39 132.72 135.38 135.79 130.16 129.55 130.57 131.60 132.82 133.84 134.76 136.20 136.50 135.90 136.09 135.69 125.12 144.64 July 1947— 128.39 152.43 134.63 159.38 1943— January 166.07 134.19 September 182.36 June 135.46 July 19 4S— September October 132.45 February 189.10 132.05 198.97 * Adjusted to base 1936= = 100. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 33 Table 5.—Comparative Food Indexes—Continued. Month. Canada.* British Columbia. Month. Canada.' British Columbia. 1948—Continued, June July August September October November December. 1949— January. First of Month. 198.26 205.83 207.16 208.49 210.02 209.30 206.54f 206.75 Fifteenth of Month. 207.38t 209.12 1949—Continued. February March April May June July August September October First of Month. 204.91 203.58 202.97 203.99 207.46 211.86 213.91 211.66 209.61 Fifteenth of Month. 205.57 209.77 * Adjusted to base 1936 = 100. f Revised since publication of last report. Table 6.—Comparisons of a Minimum Food Budget* based on the Respective Average Prices collected in Seattle, Wash., and Vancouver, B.C., November, 1947; May, 1948; November, 1948; and May, 1949. Date. Total Monthly Budget* Cost in Dollars. Seattle. Vancou- ver. Index of Average Prices f Nov., 1947=100. Seattle. Vancouver. Comparison of Budget Costs in Dollars. Seattle. Vancouver. Comparison of Budget Costs in Percentages. Seattle. Vancouver. November, 1947.. May, 1948 November, 1948t May, 1949f November, 1949J. 67.42 67.67 68.56 65.10 50.62 51.94 60.49 59.94 100.00 100.37 101.69 96.56 100.00 102.37 119.50 118.41 I -16.80 -15.73 + 8.07 +5.16 + 33.19 + 30.28 + 13.34 +8.61 * Budget based on monthly " basket-of-food " used in the British Columbia Cost-of-food Report. t Dollar information is strictly comparable between May, 1949, and November, 1948. but the index numbers (November, 1947=100) relative to these two dates are less satisfactory. This slight discrepancy is due to the fact that price information in May, 1949, was less comprehensive than in November, 1947, and average prices in May, 1949, and November, 1948, used in the above table, were based on information from four stores, rather than five, as was the case in November, 1947. t Series discontinued. Source: Bureau of Economics and Statistics, Victoria. Table 7.—Index Numbers of the Cost of Living at Vancouver, B.C., at the beginning of the Months from August, 1939-49. (Base: August, 1939=10.) Year. Total. Food. Rent. Fuel. Clothing. Home Furnishings and Services. Miscellaneous. 1939— August. September. October November. December.. 1940— January February- March April May June July August September. October November. December.. 1941— January February... March April May June July August. September. October November. December.. 1942— January February- March April May June July August September. October November. December.. 1943— January February... March April May June July August- September. October November.. December.. 1944— January February... March April May June. July August September. October 100.0 100.0 106.3 106.0 106.1 106.0 104.5 105.8 105.6 109.0 110.9 112.0 112.7 120.4 124.0 112.4 112.1 112.2 113.3 115.3 115.8 117.2 115.1 117.1 117.3 118.2 118.3 118.1 117.4 117.8 118.1 117.7 118.1 99.1 99.1 99.1 99.1 99.2 99.2 99.4 99.4 99.4 99.4 99.4 99.4 99.4 124.1 122.8 123.3 126.0 131.9 133.1 137.5 129.4 135.8 134.7 137.2 135.9 135.5 131.9 133.7 134.2 132.7 133.2 100.0 103.5 103.5 108.8 108.8 108.8 108.8 108.8 108.8 108.8 108.8 108.! 108.8 111.5 99.4 9.4 99.4 100.7 100.7 101.4 101.4 101.4 101.4 102.1 102.1 102.8 102.8 102.8 102.8 100.0 100.6 104.6 104.6 108.1 109.3 109.3 111.2 111.4 112.8 112.9 113.2 114.7 118.3 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 111.5 108.6 103.5 103.5 104.2 113.9 113.9 113.9 113.9 113.9 100.0 100.0 102.0 102.1 103.9 104.0 103.6 105.3 106.9 107.4 107.6 107.9 110.7 112.3 118.8 118.8 118.6 118.6 119.8 119.8 119.8 117.9 120.1 122.1 122.8 123.2 123.3 123.4 123.4 123.3 123.6 124.0 100.0 100.3 100.3 100.2 100.2 99.6 101.0 101.0 101.0 101.3 101.1 104.2 104.7 104.9 113.1 113.1 112.8 113.1 113.0 112.9 113.0 113.0 113.0 113.8 113.8 115.7 115.7 115.5 115.5 115.8 115.8 115.8 100.0 102.1 102.6 102.9 103.4 103.0 103.7 104.0 105.3 106.1 106.5 107.5 110.4 112.3 104.9 105.2 105.2 105.2 105.3 105.3 105.3 107.2 107.2 107.7 107.8 108.5 108.7 109.0 108.6 108.6 108.6 108.7 Table 7.—Index Numbers of the Cost of Living at Vancouver, B.C., at the beginning of the Months from August, 1939-49—Continued. Year. Total. Food. Rent. Fuel. Clothing. Home Furnishings and Services. Miscellaneous. 1944—Continued. 1 117.9 132.6 104.2 111.3 114.2 [ 124.1 | 115.7 1 108.7 1 . | 1945— 118.4 134.1 104.2 | 124.1 | 115.7 108.8 1 118.6 | 134.8 104.2 114.2 114.2 ) 124.4 115.7 108.8 1 May 120.0 [ 138.2 104.9 | 126.1 J 115.8 108.8 1 120.4 119.0 124.7 139.4 104.9 114.2 126.1 | 115.7 I 134.6 105.6 114.2 126.1 | 115.6 108.8 | 136.8 105.6 114.2 | 126.4 115.7 1946— February 119.2 134.1 105.6 114.2 | 126.5 117.1 109.6 120.4 137.6 105.6 114.5 | 126.5 117.4 123.7 145.3 106.3 114.5 | 127.9 122.3 August 124.7 145.6 106.3 114.5 | 129.8 124.9 112.3 October 125.9 126.3 126.6 126.1 127.7 129.0 130.1 132.6 134.3 135.1 135.6 138.2 141.3 143.4 146.0 147.8 148,'7 149.7 151.0 153.5 164.3 159.2 159.5 160.6 161.3 161.1 160.8 160.8 160.8 160.7 160.5 161.1 162.0 163.6 164.2 163.5 148.0 147.7 147.8 146.0 149.6 151.5 152.8 156.9 159.7 161.1 160.5 167.3 175.0 180.1 182.1 184.4 185.1 185.5 187.4 193.7 195.5 207.1 207.1 209.3 210.9 210.0 208.8 207.4 206.7 206.4 205.2 206.8 209.7 214.2 214.4 211.6 107.0 107.0 107.0 107.0 107.0 107.0 107.0 107.9 110.1 110.1 110.1 110.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 112.1 113.2 113.2 113.2 114.8 114.8 115.3 114.5 123.3 126.0 126.0 126.0 126.0 126.0 130.0 130.0 130.0 130.0 130.0 130.9 130.9 127.3 127.3 127.3 129.8 129.8 137.5 137.5 137.9 138.9 138.9 138.9 138.9 138.9 138.9 138.9 138.9 139.7 139.7 139.7 139.7 139.7 139.7 131.8 132.0 132.4 132.7 133.1 134.7 138.7 143.6 145.6 146.6 150.7 154.1 155.7 159.2 164.5 165.9 168.8 174.9 178.5 178.8 180.9 186.8 187.6 190.7 192.3 192.3 192.3 192.9 193.3 193.3 192.3 192.9 193.2 192.9 192.3 192.4 I 125.6 126.1 126.5 126.4 127.4 131.0 134.1 135.4 135.8 138.9 140.6 141.0 141.5 142.8 148.6 150.5 152.0 153.3 154.8 155.3 155.9 159.9 160.6 161.0 161.0 162.1 162.6 162.6 162.5 162.4 161.8 161.8 161.1 161.2 160.4 160.4 1 112.4 112 4 1947— 1948— 126.7 127.3 128.9 129.8 129.8 130.3 1949— 130.3 July 1 1 [ ' Source: The Labour Gazette, Department of Labour, Ottawa, Ont. DD 36 BRITISH COLUMBIA. THE TOURIST TRADE. It is generally recognized that the ever-increasing annual revenue from the source of American tourist travel in British Columbia is of major importance, in so far as it commercializes the never-decreasing assets of scenic beauty and an equable climate. The apparent steady growth of this industry in Canada is clearly outlined in the following estimates of tourist expenditures which have been released periodically by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in its publication " Canada's International Tourist Trade " and which are self-explanatory. Year. Expenditures in Canada. 1941 : $107,000,000 1942 79,000,000 1943 87,000,000 1944 116,600,000 1945 163,300,000 1946 216,100,000 1947 241,086,000 1948 (subject to revision) 269,760,000 In 1941, this Bureau, after careful investigation, estimated that United States travellers had expended $12,769,000 in British Columbia, and assuming the all-Canada trend—as shown by the Dominion bureau figures above—to be also true of British Columbia, purely tentative estimates have been found for 1942, 1943, and 1944, as follows: 1942, $9,430,000; 1943, $10,400,000; 1944, $13,026,000. The International Payments Branch of the Dominion Bureau of Statistics has estimated that United States travellers expended $22,000,000 in British Columbia during 1945, $34,576,000 in 1946, $33,510,815 in 1947, and $31,292,160 in 1948. A comparable 1949 figure could be estimated conservatively at $35,000,000. In so far as specific figures pertaining to tourist travel to British Columbia are only available at certain ports of entry where customs offices are established and no record is kept of interprovincial travel, it is planned in 1950 that this Bureau, in co-operation with the British Columbia Travel Bureau and the Department of Trade and Industry, Government of the Province of Alberta, will resume the study of this additional tourist traffic through the British Columbia-Alberta border, which was unavoidably interrupted by war-time exigencies. Preliminary statistics for 1949 indicate that the number of tourists entering British Columbia from the United States well exceeded the 1948 totals (see Table 8). Following the practice established in earlier years, American tourists visiting the Province by automobile in 1948 have been listed in Chart 1 according to their State origin in the United States. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 37 s •.» S3) is ■a 01 o -Q CO fl -J S-. Cl B fc V) 0 _fl Cs m 03 t_i a s n! u bd fl OS s. U c_> si ft. 0J a 00 bd s3 ~ OJ at u o o F-. «H Si c. 1 O H a. so S. *•>> T) I/) ':> S ■ri Cl fl * a rt fc SO u CQ rH "W 03 rt "~-> o 8 t_) _w fl «_ Ti rt crt s cfl Cl ,a H-, Fl W i •T. ri o s U B -fl c_ es 4i s pq >4) bo s fl <_> 00 su __ 'c- > rCl c. o_ o ej s fl ^ bt S OJ C3J o •*a «H 1. «H C) O k f. OJ _o *H s so fl ^r CJ DD 38 BRITISH COLUMBIA. m u C1J CU > a Sh o fH u 0J O ,__> a ca Si o * "-3 *e fl til -l-l 00 rh 00 BI B Sh o +JJ <H oo r> til 03 rt 0) Co •w HH fH » -fl 1-3 o C£> i—j ►S? CS ■w g >. p fl •*-. o 00 _3 O) hJ a O o fl' o fen o ca •.5 O s fH (_> _o o B fl -c. fl cc _£ 8 •+J 1*1 CO 1 C) 1 Eta "0 ea Sh HH ►Q 0) M fc- hO 0 s 0 HH 3 «! els tH o ira ran CD CO .0 (IT? fM CO on -<t eo CD ec us US on r— ft. 00 CM io ^# ■"* N ■** t— on ID r- on or) in © eo US cn o eo eo © rn «H r— Tt fM F- ou © "* CO co w ?r CD -O rts ,-| on CM ID r- CD cn eg CO Cg us r- CD O- nn tr o eg ■* ■*« CO tM et. in CD ea eo o CO t— rn CO CO u_> us us Ci CO ifl a CM © CD 9 US on en CM t- 00 e» © t> © CO T-< Ir US © © i-« eg O co r (Q n ra io t-h (M © 00 CO its © H h m" h CO M C-* us © eg eg eo t> 00 eg CO r- © - rS IO eg ^T r- eo CS. ■*p eg c; eo o 00 00 us ,-1 cp © l^ us © © Of) eg © ■*r t> © L— CO on IO r- nn © CD us © CM w us 0. © oo W H t-H CO © fc O ■h is 1 s ft $ 3 cj £ 5 M •a fi +3 h 1 > o o % a CJ J_3 ' ;*ss| SB ° "§ SB EjcSS- * s * £ a HH H O a cs » s_ 03 o B 01 P. fl M < 3 .a "■. £ ■a 5 0) Q DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 39 RAILWAY FREIGHT RATE INVESTIGATION. Under the leadership of the Attorney-General and his counsel, the British Columbia Government, aided by trade organizations and individuals, succeeded in obtaining complete relief from the freight rate discrimination known as the mountain differential. British Columbia was supported in its application by Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Maritimes. The removal of the mountain differential culminates a struggle that has been carried on since before the turn of the century. By 1914 rates were reduced from 2 miles Prairie scale equalling the charges on 1 mile Pacific scale down to 1% to 1. By 1922, this adverse ratio was again reduced to 1% to 1, and finally, on July 1st, 1949, equality with the Prairie scale was granted. There still remains, however, the differential between the Prairie and Eastern scales. This discrimination is currently being pointed out along with other matters before the Royal Commission on Transportation. In both the mountain differential case and the Royal Commission on Transportation, members of the Bureau's research and stenographic staff have actively participated in the preparation and presentation of the briefs. For example, the Assistant Director, presenting the Provincial brief, was the main witness at the Victoria hearings of the Royal Commission, and has been requested to accompany the legal counsel to Ottawa, where he will advise and assist in the final hearings and debate. The study of freight rates is a large and complicated subject. It has taken up, over the past three years, a considerable portion of the Bureau's time and has required from some members of the staff, efforts far greater than the normal call of duty. Not only have rates cases been prepared but traffic advice has been given frequently to industrialists investigating possibilities of locating in British Columbia. In this regard it should be mentioned that the Bureau's library, of over 100 freight rate tariffs, has proven adequate in dealing with most of the rate problems arising in Western Canada and is available to any interested party. PUBLICATIONS. Business Activity in British Columbia. In order that business-men would have a comprehensive current report of British Columbia business activity under one cover, the Bureau now issues a monthly publication entitled " Business Activity in British Columbia." The first issue was released in July of 1947. British Columbia Trade Index. A revised edition of the British Columbia Trade Index has been in preparation during the last few months and it is expected that the new edition will be published early in 1950. British Columbia Facts and Statistics. This publication was issued for the first time in 1948 and the third edition will be released early in 1950. It provides statistics and facts relating to British Columbia under the following headings: Population, education, government, banking, transportation, communication, retail sales, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining, manufacturing, tourist, and economic activity. Monthly Statement of External Trade through British Columbia Customs Ports. This publication is released monthly and contains summaries of all exports and imports through British Columbia customs ports and also detailed statements of all exports valued at $25,000 and over, and all imports valued at $15,000 and over. dd 40 british columbia. Annual Report of External Trade through British Columbia Customs Ports. This publication is released annually and contains detailed statements of the exports and imports through British Columbia customs ports by commodities, by countries, and by main commodity groups. Co-operative Statistical Agreements. The two co-operative statistical agreements negotiated in 1945 are now in operation. The Bureau has received most of the 1948 Census of Industry Schedules from the Dominion Bureau of Statistics. The monthly reports covering sawmills statistics for the Province are received regularly. The pay-roll statistics co-operative project is under way and monthly statements are forwarded to Ottawa. Advisory Services. In addition to the projects previously outlined, the Bureau has prepared numerous reports and memoranda for officials of other Provincial Government Departments. Members of the research staff were again loaned to many other branches of the government, namely: Department of the Attorney-General, Regional Development Division, and Hospital Insurance Service. In addition, numerous tabulations and reports have been prepared for corporations, Boards of Trade, and private individuals, covering a wide range of topics. LABOUR STATISTICS DIVISION. One of the chief functions of the Labour Division of the Bureau of Economics and Statistics has been the annual collection and compilation of labour statistics for the Department of Labour. Under the terms of a co-operative inter-departmental agreement which has been in effect for some years, this survey was again conducted by the division during 1949, the results of the survey, a summarization of 1948 statistical data covering workers employed in British Columbia trades and industries, being published in the Annual Report of the Department of Labour for that year. In addition to the work of preparing the statistical sections of the above Report, the Labour Division is currently engaged in the preparation of special compilations, reports and statistical tables for private industry, Boards of Trade, banking institutions, and various Provincial Government Departments, and continues to prove of assistance to the Bureau as a source of information and material required in handling the increasing number of inquiries dealing with labour and its problems, and in the work of maintaining the British Columbia Trade Index. The importance of data dealing with wage-rates currently in effect in selected occupations in the various industries has necessitated the continuance of the occupational wage-rate surveys mentioned as a new project in the previous year's report. With increasing demand for this type of information, the scope of the surveys has been enlarged, and with the co-operation of the inspection staff of the Department of Labour, much valuable data has been obtained and made available to Provincial Departments requiring this material. In order to show from year to year the changes in the distribution of the Provincial industrial pay-roll throughout the Province a regional breakdown has again been presented in the attached Table 9, which sets out the totals attributed to each of the ten census divisions (see Chart 2) for the years 1944 to 1948. As mentioned in the Department of Labour Report, the industrial totals do not represent the total of all salaries and wages paid in British Columbia, inasmuch as the industrial survey is not inclusive of such pay-roll sections as Governmental workers, railways, wholesale and retail firms, department of trade and industry. DD 41 financial houses, professional and service trades. The totals shown in the table, however, serve to indicate the changes occurring periodically in the different parts of the Province. Table 9.—British Columbia Industrial Pay-rolls by Statistical Areas for the Comparative Years 1944 to 1948. Regional Area. Total Pay-bolls (Salaries _ND Wages). 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. 1948. No. 1 83,374,558 14,346,342 7.463,090 182,191,571 50,899,508 2,611,208 S,645,994 3,297,207 10,439,557 1,070,361 460,300 $8,234,954 13,664,192 8,729,129 169,595,070 52,450,178 2,711,859 9,351,432 3,128,665 7,148,057 551,210 772,126 $8,792,650 15,409,997 11,047,243 158,098,206 52,609,451 4,477,339 10,680,963 4,132,464 5,592,647 1,279,858 835,686 $13,089,910 20,065,572 15,407,310 196,814,172 73,305,625 7,068,034 14,091,695 7,287,683 8,260,298 8,385,552 2,421,303 $13,731,856 No. 2 23,578,250 No. 3 16,857,531 No. 4 245,729,208 No. 5 85,360,435 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 6,070,725 15,593,568 8,009,315 No. 9 No. 10 7,170,882 1,557,047 2,731,389 Totals ,289,799.678 $276,336,872 $272,956,504 $366,197,154 $426,390,206 MINING AND METALLURGICAL DIVISION. In accordance with the agreement concluded in 1938 between the Provincial Department of Mines, the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, and the Bureau of Economics and Statistics, all mining production statistics, with the exception of coal, are collected and compiled by this Division. Under this agreement, uniform statistics are compiled from the one set of returns prepared by operators, and thereby avoids overlapping or duplication of effort involved on the part of the above-mentioned agencies, which co-operate in the collection and use of mining statistics. The information, when collected, is made available for general use in a form which preserves the confidential aspects of individual company's or operator's returns. Mining statistics in detail will be found in the Annual Report of the Minister of Mines. Numerous special compilations, covering data not readily available in other departmental reports, were compiled during the period under review by this Division for Governmental Departments, banking and other institutions. Continued close contact with the Department of Mines has been maintained, and special statistical reports prepared for the internal use of that Department. Because of the continued interest in regional questions, the Division has prepared a tabulation of the value of mine production by census divisions (see Chart 2) covering the calendar years 1946, 1947, and 1948 (see Table 10). In addition, Table 1 of the Annual Report of the Minister of Mines for 1948 is also included in this report (see Table 11). This gives the Provincial quantities and value of the various classes of commodities produced by the industry. The value of British Columbia mineral production in 1948 was $152,524,752. This record value may be compared with $113,221,254, the 1947 value, and with $60,525,000, the average value for the preceding twenty-five years. There were moderate increases in the quantities of all the principal metals and of structural materials in 1948, but the great increase in value can be traced in a great measure to substantially increased unit prices for copper, lead, zinc, and coal, and to a moderate increase in the price of silver. DD 42 BRITISH COLUMBIA. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 43 CO S w «> o o 3 o .a e Eh rH US O t- -<©©©co_M©T-HT#i_sc-cg©©co©ooococo <_Jci.oTti_-iomMo.--n,_-c._-T.a)Kio_-aiOcc - i-h co <~r © C_ © Tf CO rH US CO eg oo m o cs cv _d +-> O us © us cg i. OS Tf O 01 © © © © i cgcotr-Tfot-Tfosco Tf t-H CM C ■<t th i-h oo a t> Tf ^ co eg co us © © «*3- Tf cx © US T © IT eg us co Tf oc eg oo © co i- © rH t- © rH © eg eg us co t-h oc t-H CD CO O US US © 00 co eo th oo c< CO US © rH CO US eg eg "x Tf tr- r- us «r» rH 1-1 ■5. N rf oo us o eo oo o US US Tf © 00 cs co © oo © eg tr- 00 tr- us oo Tf CO © tr- cg us trio O © o © CS © rH CD OS f— tr- © © % ae- © © eg co © o t- cc •tf © eg OO ^ OO lO CO H C cc ra o m ra c: o © o cc © US 00 CO 00 CO 00 C~* o ■"* eg co ec © cg eg © © eg eg © fc r"1 " 1-1 1-1 ^c c_ eg oo u: US t! h- tr- 10 Tt CO © t- © 00 CN Cv c er oo eg tr- 00 ct tH tr- eg us ih o oo us tr- Tf f CC © CD tr- 0 00 © CO i-H us US t-h C t- f © US 00 © 00 CD eo o © 00 00 © % OS- tH © US 00 c» tr- Tf tr- Tf © tr- © cg © CQ up eo © eg © CO US CO 0 © "tf in © Tf us % rH CO &3- W CM t-H O eg © © rH __, t- US ■tf T er -rf u: Cr- t-h c_ nr r>r I- eg a- cc © Tf fZ © tr- 00 t> 00 © IC © t-H ou 00 © rH OS © 00 o tr Tf I-H Tf o fc cr oc us .rv «■ r- ee Tf eg &S- Ir- c: cr US © CO c_ cg eg ie CO H eg rH CO Tf \r CO o IC © us r- c Ir eo IO © c c- © rH CO tr- © eo oo ec tr- co c< ir US t- f- fT « r; O CO © o eo tj © us © us C ■tf cc tr- cr US CD US ** 00* o Cv tH US lO >r ,_i rs cc <T c CO rH ^ US OS eg US Tf 0C © ce eg © 00 % Tf irv © tr- eg CO eg co Tf 6* Tf _v © us (~ cm t-h __, © cc es cd Tf © fM fc- © © © rH CO m CO t-H Tf tr- cr © CO C C~ Tf c CO nc cg c- ic OC' © CO CO ■■■ s fH Tj CA © 00 us tP ■tf © © CO eo r CO eg tr- o Tf US OS eg d w © r- eg x ■># © © tr- tr- os Ti h- eg © !H -tf rs © eg CO c- ic c eg t_ Tj f- CO US CO CO t-h eo CO Tf Tf Tf tr- us © © Cv eg CD US © cr CO rH eg eg eg © 69- *" © © 00 © ~ or ■ell on © rH H UJ o Tf CO Tf us oc 10 Tt O CO __, rH Tf Tf eg © 00 © i- UI US 00 © o rH IC eg t- 00 US © US US eg eg oo © CO OS rH CN t-i fH CO CD us CO CM US CO Tf rH ,-H CC us © © <■"> © CO tJ to CO o Tf © © Tf US c © Tf CO (-> US US © co lOs CC © >o CO rH Tf tH CO CD C. irt CO % o 00 ^ •«: US © CO cc © eg eg rH uo rH (N rH CO us T-H I-H TH Tj US CO fc- CD rH m eg t- CO l> 00 CC Tf Tf T- © -d eg © cg CX © 00 IO 00 us Tf ir: cm US t-H co eg © © r-i eg t-h © © © CO r-l tr- us © © © CO tr- © r-H 6 M -_, t- © to © 00 © -tf © © © eg t- © on 00 US rH fH rH ct & CO CO Er CO t- rH CO us eg eg" eg eg © © eg CO oo eg Tf © us t- h- © i> iH M tr- tr- eo o -tf r-H CO © o © us •tf © © Tf eo co H US CD r- © Ir- t- C tr- US © O CS CD CC Tf CO ,_l - 1- CO CO in tr- CM rH © fM in tr- tr- © (10 © eg r-l a tr rH CD C. nf. fc t- CN 00 ee tH rH US Tf rH cc 00 t- Tf rH C- Tf co us eg CO ■tf CO CO CO i-H © O 00 CO CO ■o 1— rH eg eo Tf tH rH eo &S- I-H no © r— on © _> oo © ir 00 CD f 00 © r- on © t- 00 © t- no © tr- 00 t. CT TO © OS Ol es © as ... © © © © a CT -CS CS O. rn © t* " " +3 e. s ■0 c Ii i tS £ e a *« [/_ CD 0 %■ OJ H-S a) s 03 1 O & - C £ a! fH a. Pi 0 EH tT T? a > ft T_ P _ CJ t-, O s C c _/ <_ H S L Xt DD 44 BRITISH COLUMBIA. Table 11.—British Columbia Mine Production, 1947 and 1948. Unit. Quantity, 1947. Quantity, 1948. Value, 1947. Value, 1948. Metallics. $ $ $ Lb. Fine, oz. Crude, oz. $ Lb. $ Oz. Lb. S Lb. $ 384,255 560,183 941,266 8,519,741 8,514,870 200,585 $ 113,173 444,000 1,126,437 41,783,921 243,282 6,969 43,025,388 286,230 20,332 9,616,174 10,018,050 585,200 3,735 306,400,709 332,996,351 41,884,977 59 4,109,538 517,794 680,792 30,147,039 60,072,542 21,175 5,707,691 6,718,122 5,038,592 Tin 688,567 1,409,297 Zinc 268,450,926 .296,012,941 41,234,603 Totals $ 96,461,099 130,371,545 Fuel. Coal (2,000 lb.) Tons $ Tons Tons $ s Tons Tons 1,923,573 1,809,018 8,587,380 52,362 174,655 19,686 523,298 464 1,793 1,503,714 10,854,108 25,734 NON-METALLICS. 102,918 1,156 83,389 4,958 248,977 68,937 546,707 30,472 Gypsum and gypsum products .. 163 157,161 144,448 1,409,156 Totals $ 2,275,972 2,330,877 Clay Products and other Structural Materials. Clay Products. Brick— Number Number $ Tons $ Number $ $ 4,318,000 1,232,812 ■ 3,810,000 2,584,752 122,660 64,849 389,899 9,675 158,276 361,975 3,476 9,332 111,300 129,268 392,458 32,922 116,513 597,541 5,138 9,611 Fire-bricks, blocks Structural tile—hollow blocks 1,962,583 2,385,470 Pottery—glazed or unglazed . Other clay products Totals . 1,120,142 1,394,751 Other Structural Materials. $ Tons $ Tons Tons 1 1 1,896,772 714,126 1,828,919 119,971 216,873 2,441,304 1.177,632 3,060,535 54,220 839,780 151,671 209,453 Stone 19,835 222,044 3,579 896,780 Totals $ 4,776,661 7,573,471 . Total value . 113,221,254 152,524,752 * Sulphur content of pyrites shipped and estimated sulphur contained in sulphuric acid made from waste smelter-gases. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 45 MECHANICAL TABULATION DIVISION. The year 1949 can be recorded as one of hard work for the Mechanical Tabulation Division. The main cause of this heavy schedule has been the work required for the British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service where changes in policy with resulting changes in procedure have presented a major problem in maintaining their punched card files and meeting " dead-lines " on tabulations. A summary of the work completed for this Department will be covered in a later section of this Report. We have also been greatly handicapped by poor deliveries of equipment and inability to obtain experienced staff. The latter has necessitated the running of a training programme concurrently with the heavy work schedule. The moving of our office with all the heavy equipment in the midst of a peak load presented another serious setback in our production programme. During the year work was completed for the following Departments:— (a) British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service. (b) Surveyor of Taxes. (c) British Columbia Forest Service. (d) Civil Service Commission. (e) Department of Labour. (/) Department of Education. (g) Motor-vehicle Branch. (/_) Purchasing Commission. The biggest of these jobs was of course Hospital Insurance and most of the others have had to suffer to a certain extent because of the urgency of this work. However, we still have been able to maintain a fairly reasonable schedule for the other Departments. Summary of the work done for each Department follows:— Hospital Insurance. A brief resume of the work done for each section of this Department follows. Registrations. (a) Completion of 1949 certificates. (b) Preparation of an alphabetical index of beneficiaries under the plan. This in itself was a tremendous job, requiring the reproduction of 1,000,000 cards which had to be sorted alphabetically and required the passing of approximately 20,000,000 cards through the sorters before the final listing of the names on continuous forms for binding into book form. This job was completed in about three months which is an outstanding accomplishment from a technical point of view. (c) Correcting punch card files to cover the 120,000 " Change Notices " that have been received. (d) The running of the 1950 combined billing and Certificate for District Offices involving 700,000 cards which was completed by September 15th. (e) The printing of ledger cards for the District Offices with a volume of some 700,000 cards. Hospital Claims. During the year some 900,000 cards have been punched covering approximately 130,000 claims. These cards have been balanced and the following prepared from them:— (a) Hospital remittance listings. (_>) Municipal billings. (c) Income tax statements. DD 46 BRITISH COLUMBIA. Payroll Deduction. In the early part of the year payroll deduction listings were being balanced and remittance listings prepared on our equipment. Following the change of policy to the dual purpose type of card we were required to reproduce and interpret some 150,000 cards for hand-posting. Since that time billings have only been prepared for a few specific companies. Surveyor of Taxes. The work for the Surveyor of Taxes has been one of consolidating our position after the advances made last year, and we are glad to report that this job is now in excellent shape. Early in the year the Land, School, and Improvement District Taxes were automatically calculated from the assessment cards and approximately 150,000 tax bills prepared to meet the April dead-line. The running of 1950 assessment notices, which involved 1,500,000 cards, was run most satisfactorily in November. A system of controls has been effected to give a balance between the running of assessment notices and the tax bill run, which is working out most satisfactorily. Preliminary steps have also been taken to prepare a " guide " or index file for the Tax Rolls. B.C. Forest Service. No outstanding changes have been implemented in the work for the B.C. Forest Service, but as we have gained experience we have been able to make a few minor changes which speed up the routine flow of work. Plans are being progressed to increase the coding on these records so that they can be utilized for Forest Inventory purposes in the future. Other Commitments. The Civil Service Records, the Annual Report for the Department of Labour, and the monthly and annual reports for the Motor-vehicle Branch have been continued in much the same way as previous years. The procedure in preparing the Annual Report for the Department of Education has been revised so that data will be supplied monthly rather than annually—this will of course make certain valuable statistics available monthly and at the same time speed up the production of the Annual Report at the end of the year. At the time of writing this report, no actual tabulations have been made for the Purchasing Commission, but a valuable file is now available for figures on Purchase Order Control and Furniture Inventory, and it is anticipated that these files will be used in the very near future. New Work. The most outstanding new work developed during the year has been for the B.C. Liquor Control Board, where a most satisfactory mechanical pay-roll system has been developed to cover all employees of the Board. The automatic preparation of cheques with a stub showing the details of earning and deduction is welcomed by the employees, not to mention the savings established by this type of pay-roll. Counter slips for beer sales to licensees are now being punched. From these cards monthly statements as to quantity and value of sales by vendor and licensees with automatic value checking are being satisfactorily prepared. Early in the new year it is proposed to establish a system using punched card counter checks for all sales in Liquor Vendors. By utilizing these cards it is possible to have an automatic inventory control in both stores and warehouses, not to mention their value for sales analysis and audit purposes. This job will require additional equipment and an order has been placed by the Liquor Control Board to meet their needs. We have been approached by the Health and Welfare Department with a request to survey the possibilities of preparing old-age pension cheques on our equipment. DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 47 This is a job that is being carried out most satisfactorily on punched cards by the Alberta Government. The work of our own Department suffered most from the heavy demands on our equipment. The trade index was abandoned for one year, but is now well under way for the current year. Tabulations on trade statistics were allowed to lag, but are now being brought up to a current basis. For the greater part of the year two shifts have been operated, keeping the mechanical equipment running continuously for fifteen hours a day and on many occasions special shifts were organized to maintain production for the full twenty-four hours to meet specified dead-lines. Despite these shifts, the amazing total of 14,561 hours of overtime was accumulated by the staff. In closing we should pay tribute to our staff, the members of which have accepted greater responsibility, sacrificed a great deal of their own time, and worked assiduously as a team in an effort to overcome what at times appeared to be an insurmountable task. It is only through their unselfish spirit that we have reached the more enviable position we are in to-day. DD 48 BRITISH COLUMBIA. REPORT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION. The Division, established by Order in Council October, 1947, has now been in operation two years. This period of time has permitted a pattern of activity to take definite shape under the Division's general directive of undertaking regional surveys aimed toward aiding industrial development of the Province. In reporting the current year's operations it is now possible to break down the activities of the Division under certain main headings—namely, Area Surveys, Industrial Inquiries and Specific Assistance to Industry, Special Projects, New Industries, and Activities of Regional Advisory Committees. LOCATION OF FIELD OFFICES. Nelson: Region 1—East Kootenay; Region 2—West Kootenay. Kelowna: Region 3—Okanagan; Region 6—Kamloops and South Central British Columbia. Prince George: Region 8—Central British Columbia; Region 9—North Coastal Area (Prince Rupert and Queen Charlottes) ; Region 10—Peace River. Victoria: Region 4—Lower Mainland; Region 5—Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands. Frequent coverage of the regional areas under the four field offices of the Division has enabled our field representatives to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the industrial requirements of their respective territory, also to maintain close liaison with Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce, municipal officers, and all other agencies in each district. Reports from our field offices during the year under review indicate continued and steady growth of new enterprises in all sections of British Columbia. SURVEYS UNDERTAKEN BY FIELD REPRESENTATIVES. There follows a summarization, in brief, of special surveys undertaken by the field offices of the Division during the current year:— Region One (East Kootenay) and Region Two (West Kootenay) . Investigations are continuing concerning the establishment of a pulp mill in the West Kootenay District. Continuing survey in connection with the establishment of an iron and steel operation in the East Kootenay District. Assistance provided in arranging for the supply of kiln dried lumber for a wood stave-pipe operation. Assistance provided concerning the location of a road and obtaining specialized machinery for a prospective dry ice plant operation at Kaslo. Arranging agency and market connections in the United States for a boat-building industry in the West Kootenay. Market survey through various Federal Departments for its products arranged for a gypsum operation (East Kootenay). Plant to commence shipping this year. Assistance given to a sporting goods manufacturer in obtaining essential raw materials. Survey of possibilities of establishing a propane gas plant at Nelson by United Kingdom interests. Continued investigation for the establishment of secondary industries manufacturing tourist souvenirs, utilizing local raw materials. department of trade and industry. dd 49 Special Projects. Our field office at Nelson has also undertaken during the current year the following special projects:— (a) Industrial survey of the Kootenay River area from Wardner south to the United States border for the International-Columbia River Engineering Survey Committee. (b) Under direction of the Regional Advisory Committee a survey of parks, recreational sites and public beaches has been carried out looking towards the accommodation of the anticipated greatly increased tourist business of the Kootenay regions. (c) Close liaison with West Kootenay Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition in regard to the reorganization of the Exhibition. (d) Tourist survey of U.S. entry points, East and West Kootenay, for the information of a Public Works Conference at Nelson. Region Three (Okanagan). Reference was made in last year's report to a special area survey of the Okanagan District, being undertaken by the Regional Advisory Committee and the completion of chapter one of the regional brief under the heading of " Population." The second stage of this survey was concluded during the current year with the publication of chapter two of the regional brief entitled " Utilization of Land Resources." The conclusions reached by the regional advisory committee are briefly summarized as follows:— (1) Selective broadening of the agricultural base is necessary in order to establish the increased population. This includes irrigation projects adjacent to urban centres that have become over-populated. (2) Region Three is divisible into four climatic zones, each of which has its own agriculture. Marketing conditions determine in which zones most of the development should be undertaken. (3) Owing to possible saturation of the tree fruits markets, new irrigation developments should be undertaken in localities that are not favourable for production of tree fruits. New irrigation developments may be defined as proposals in addition to those for which plans have been prepared. (4) A new irrigation policy, tailored for the purpose, is required for the encouragement of dairying and mixed farming. (5) Before pumping is undertaken on a project basis, a lower scale of rates should be negotiated with the power companies. (6) Owing to its increase, the population has outrun the fluid milk supply in Region Three. Development of the Armstrong to Pritchard area for dairying and mixed farming- would satisfy local requirements and supplement the supply of fluid milk for the Coast. (7) The subdivision of economic farm units into small holdings is viewed with concern. It is suggested that small holdings should be confined to arable areas unsuitable for economic farm units. New irrigation projects should be zoned against the uncontrolled spread of small holdings. The third stage of this special area survey in Region Three was commenced during the latter part of the year under review. In this chapter the Advisory Committee will deal with the subject of parks, recreational sites and tourist facilities of the region. Continuing surveys supplementing the inquiries already launched under chapters one (Population) and two (Land Utilization), were further extended in the tree fruit area in regard to irrigated acreage, additional irrigable acreage, water storage, water DD 50 BRITISH COLUMBIA. losses, water taxes and tolls, adequacy of water supply, types of systems, power costs, cost of replacements and expansions, and size of average farms. Periodical surveys have been made in conjunction with the railways and other transportation companies for the purpose of checking the inward and outward movement of population in the region. Assistance to the Department of Transport has been furnished in the matter of providing information for setting up weather recording stations in the Kettle Valley and North Thompson areas. Regional information has been supplied by our field office to several Federal departments. Direct liaison is maintained with the Okanagan Agricultural Club, organized to discuss and resolve problems of the region, associated with the agricultural industry, and exchanges of information made with the British Columbia Power Commission, Veterans' Land Act Authority and P.F.R.A. Some of the questions dealt with being: Lack of water power and storage, possibilities of the development in the Kettle Valley-Grand Forks areas, and many other matters. Specific Assistance to Industry. Our field office at Kelowna has rendered a wide diversity of assistance to industry and has handled a large volume of inquiries during the current year, a few of which are listed hereunder:— Brick and Tile Plant.—Co-ordination of local effort and market news and information obtained on specialized personnel for the industry. Several clay samples were submitted to the field office and referred to the appropriate channels for testing. Ceramics.—Continuing survey on clay samples in connection with the establishment of a ceramic industry for the region on inquiries from large European interests. Fortified Apple Juice.—Negotiations have been carried on with fruit processors regarding this product. Creosoting.—Investigations carried out resulted in a recommendation against a project of this nature for this area. Manufacture of Plaster of Paris Ornaments.—Information supplied on certain raw materials developed in the Okanagan. Soft Drink Process Utilizing Local Agricultural Product. — Investigations still continuing which may result in substantial sale of concentrate to Eastern manufacturers. Manufacture of Specialized Racing Shells. — Source found for large dimension edge-grain cedar when this firm's supply had dried up, resulting in enabling this firm to continue successful operation. Dissemination throughout the region of information on the special bulletin published by the Industrial Development Division, Department of Trade and Commerce, has resulted in several firm inquiries from commercial operators to European manufacturers. Information re Princeton coal deposits supplied to railway departments. The above listing affords a cross-section of the numerous inquiries given attention during the year by our Kelowna office. Our field representative has maintained close contact with the Boards of Trade, secretary-managers of irrigation districts, municipal officials, and officials of the Fruit Growers Association and fruit and vegetable marketing boards for all centres throughout the region. Our field office, through this constant and continuous liaison effort, has become a nerve centre in the region for industrial inquiries, and the Division, in two years' operation, has rapidly built up an efficient service office for this important regional area of the Province. department of trade and industry. DD 51 Region Four (Lower Mainland) and Region Five (Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands). Our field office has been very active during the current year in obtaining statistical data for the Regional Industrial Index, and surveys were carried out in thirty-four separate district areas in the region. The metropolitan centres of Vancouver, New Westminster, and Victoria have also been included in the current issue of the Index and to which the following additional areas have been added: Agassiz-Harrison, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Richmond, Surrey, Parksville-Qualicum, Saanich- Sidney, Sooke-Port Renfrew, and Lake Cowichan. Regions Four and Five are the most densely populated and thickly settled areas of the Province, containing upwards of 75 per cent, of the total population of British Columbia, and the comprehensive surveys undertaken to gather adequate statistical data necessary for the current issue of the Index has engaged a large proportion of the time of our field office. Supplementing this activity, the field office covering these regions has handled an increasing number of business inquiries of wide variety, ranging from information required by certain European engineers on the possibilities of establishing a ski lift in the Forbidden Plateau area of Vancouver Island to the utilization of the red skins removed from peanuts during the manufacturing process for peanut butter. Many of these inquiries have been referred to the British Columbia Research Council and Technical Information Service of the National Research Council, and valuable information has been made available. Close liaison has been maintained throughout the year with the Boards of Trade of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, and an increasing number of business inquiries have been handled by the field office of the Division as a result of these contacts. Region Six (Kamloops and South Central British Columbia). (Under Kelowna office.) The executive of the Regional Advisory Committee in Region Six has held frequent meetings during the year under review for the purpose of co-ordinating effort in the development of industrial areas in various centres of the region and particularly the Kamloops district. Plans are currently under way in the Division for the preparation of an industrial map of the Kamloops district and other centres. An inquiry regarding the establishment of a cold-storage plant for the Lillooet district has been referred to the Dominion Department of Agriculture for technical data on refrigeration. Discussions have been held with the Industries Committee in the region concerning power and increased dairy production' in the North Thompson Valley. Our field office has been working with the Industries Committee on the development of the South Thompson Valley, and preliminary data on a new irrigation district is expected to be completed in the spring of 1950. Information has been supplied to a large industrial organization in Eastern Canada for the setting-up of an agency of the firm in the Kamloops area. Our field office has been actively engaged in negotiations resulting in the removal to Kamloops of the headquarters of a large Seed Growers Association, and building plans for the Kamloops area are completed. Surveys have been made on direct inquiries from representatives of a large hop- growing company in the United States to make available suitable land for a hop- growing industry which will employ upwards of 200 persons. dd 52 british columbia. Region Eight (Central British Columbia). Industrial development in the Prince George area has generally speaking showed a slight decline over the previous year, mainly due to unfavourable weather conditions for lumbering operations, this industry forming the basis of the economy of the region. Nevertheless, large-scale civic improvements have been reported from this centre, including a substantial school-building programme. Our field office has continued its investigation into the utilization of mill waste, and a great deal of data has been submitted to Vancouver interests, who are contemplating the establishment of a plant to be located in the region for the construction of a factory to manufacture many types of materials, utilizing this surplus raw-material supply. Investigations have been conducted at the request of the Prince George Board of Trade and information obtained regarding the operation of a creosoting plant. Information has been supplied to the New Westminster Board of Trade concerning opportunities for cabinet-making in the Prince George area. Assistance given to a local plant interested in manufacturing insulation material and data obtained on supplies of raw material available in other sections of the Province. Information obtained for and at the request of the Pacific Northwest Trade Association relating to North Central British Columbia. Continuing surveys have been made on the coal deposits of the region, and considerable work has been accomplished on improvement of access to the Bowron River deposit to facilitate transportation of this coal to the domestic market. Our field office at Prince George has made extensive surveys of lumber shipments in the territory—Prince Rupert, east to Red Pass Junction—and has supplied substantial data regarding potential freight shipments from the area concerning the new Pacific Great Eastern development. Our field office in the region has co-operated with Pacific Great Eastern officials and engineers in connection with their rail surveys and construction. A review of occupational opportunities for the district has been completed during the current year, and revised lists have been sent forward to Victoria. During the period under review, contacts were made by our field representative with prominent geologists employed by American steel interests and with particular reference to the securing of an adequate deposit of coking coal. Introductions arranged with the principals of local coal interests. In anticipation of a large increase in the tourist business for the region, following the completion of the Hart Highway, a number of inquiries under this heading have been dealt with and interdepartmental contacts arranged. In addition to the many industrial inquiries received by our field representative, some of which are above noted, our field office has dealt with a very large number of land inquiries from industrialists, commercial interests, settlers, and others, which have been followed through and completed with the appropriate departments, and is ah indication of the growing interest in the North Central Interior of the Province. Region Nine (North Coastal Area (Prince Rupert, Queen Charlottes)). As noted in last year's report, the establishment of a large rayon-pulp industry in the Prince Rupert district has been one of the major developments in this region. Construction of this plant has progressed rapidly during the year under review and should be brought into full operation next year. A further major development is now contemplated for this region since the last annual report in the project contemplated by the Aluminum Company of Canada, on which large-scale surveys have been carried out during the course of the year. Two department of trade and industry. DD 53 major operations of this scope have tended to focus tremendous interest on this north coastal region of the Province, which may be expected to prove of greater significance as developments progress. The regional office of the Division is accordingly keeping in close contact with these developments and their impact on the over-all industrial expansion of this region. The Terrace district, which is headquarters for logging operations for the celanese plant at Port Edward, has shown considerable activity during the year under review, and many inquiries concerning this district have been handled by our field office. Information concerning the Lakelse Hot Spring area has been obtained and forwarded to American inquirers, who are contemplating a large-scale development. In the Prince Rupert district, erection of the celanese plant has developed a lively increase in industrial inquiries and contemplated development, most important being the prospect of a new modern hotel for this centre and the acquisition of a building site for this project. Building construction and new housing accommodation will undoubtedly experience increased activity, and substantial new apartment construction can be anticipated. Considerable activity in the Queen Charlottes section of the region has been reported during the year, and several centres will be covered by our field office during the coming year for the purpose of bringing our surveys of this section of the north coastal region up to date. Region Ten (Peace River Block). Anticipating the early completion of direct road communication to this region, a new impetus will be given to the development of the vast and fertile area lying in the north-eastern section of the Province. The Division is making plans for the current year for an initial survey of the region in order to adequately take care of the large number of inquiries that may be expected to develop in the future as soon as direct communication is established with the rest of the Province. NEW INDUSTRIES. A partial list of industries and commercial enterprises which have commenced operations during the year under review will indicate the continued growth and expansion of industry throughout the Province. Region One (East Kootenay). (a) Propane gas plant, Cranbrook, employing 3; (b) manufacturing of oxygen, plant under construction; (c) motor-car supply-house, Cranbrook, employing 5; (e.) hotels, Windermere and Radium Hot Springs, both under construction; (e) garage, Kimberley, employing 5; (/) auto court, Radium Hot Springs, employing 3. Region Two (West Kootenay). (a) Propane gas plant, Nelson, plant under construction; (b) production of cherry olives utilizing local fruit, Kaslo, employing 2; (c) two new bus lines, Nelson-Spokane and local stage, Nelson, employing 12; (d) two new dry-kilns, Passmore and Castlegar, employing 14; (e) sash and door works, Castlegar, employing 8; (/) Building-supply house, Castlegar, employing 7; (g) soya sauce factory, Revelstoke, employing 6; (h) boat-building, Revelstoke, employing 3; (i) concrete-block factory, Trail, employing 5; (j) new commercial store construction, Nelson, Rossland, Nakusp; (k) upholstery and furniture manufacturing, Nelson. Region Three (Okanagan) and Region Six (South Central British Columbia). Armstrong: (a) Cement-block factory, Armstrong, employing 2. Grand Forks: (6) Box factory, employing 35. Hedley: (c) Saw-mill, employing 7. DD 54 BRITISH COLUMBIA. Kelowna: (d) Candy manufacturing, investment $12,000, specializing in use of local fruit products, employing 7; (e) Venetian blind factory, investment $4,000, employing 1; (/) propane sales agency, investment $50,000, employing 2; (g) chocolate factory, investment $2,500, employing 3; (/.) sales office and warehouse of large eastern manufacturer of electric goods, investment $50,000, employing 7; (_) branch chocolate factory, investment $4,000, employing 2. Keremeos: (;) Cement-block factory, employing 5; (fc) box shook factory, investment $20,000, employing 6. Oliver: (.) A total investment of $87,000 in new industries covering orchard- equipment machinery, house, cabinet shop, propane sales agency, aluminium sprinkler, joiner's factory, and canning factory manufacturing glace fruit. Osoyoos: (m) Cement and pumice block works and cold-storage lockers, total investment, $21,500. Penticton: (ri) New industry investment totalling $57,500, including three automatic orchard-spraying plants, soft-drink plant and a radiator repair shop. Princeton: (o) Laundry and vegetable and flower plant and seedlings nursery with a total investment of $20,000. Region Four (Lower Mainland) and Region Five (Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands). (a) Shingle-mill at Port Moody, employing 40; (b) veneer plant in Richmond Municipality, employing 40; (c) bakery in Richmond Municipality, employing 14; (d) three lumber mills in Richmond Municipality, employing 60; (e) fish-reduction plant in Richmond Municipality, employing 5; (/) modern theatre at Chilliwack; (g) theatre in Sidney, Vancouver Island; (/.) bakery near Nanaimo; (.) soap-manufacturing plant at Port Alberni, authorized capital $100,000; (j) shell-fish processing plant at Sidney (proposed); (fc) substantial addition to a large cold-storage plant at Vancouver with a total freezing capacity of 400,000 pounds of fish and farm products every twenty-four hours, storage 24,000,000 pounds, ice-making capacity 20 tons daily; (.) nylon hosiery factory at Burnaby, under construction; (rn) artificial insemination barn at Milner, employing 15; (ri) cold-storage locker at Agassiz, employing 3; (o) sawmill near Langley Prairie, employing 10. Region Six (South Central British Columbia). Ashcroft: (a) Three new building and construction firms with a total of 12 employees. Clinton: (b) Lime-production plant, investment $80,000, employing 5. Kamloops: (c) New industries with a total investment of $412,000 were established during 1949, including two building-supply houses, dairy, frozen-food locker, cement plant, hop-picking plant and warehouse, and large seed-cleaning establishment. Salmon Arm: (d) New machine shop with an investment of $25,000 and expansion of another machine shop. Region Eight (North Central British Columbia). (a) Wool insulation plant, utilizing waste paper raw material, Prince George, employing 4; (b) machinery depot, employing 2; (c) substantial enlargement to existing automotive-supply house; (d) shoe factory, making hand-made shoes, employing 3; (e) ply-wood plant at Quesnel, building contemplated in near future, site obtained; (/) box factory, shipping box shooks to Okanagan, Williams Lake; (g) wallboard plant, Kidd; (h) tourist lodge, now under construction and should be ready for completion for current season, Summit Lake. department of trade and industry. DD 55 Region Nine (North Coastal Area). Prince Rupert: (a) Rayon pulp plant nearing completion ready for operation in spring, 1951; (b) new modern hotel, construction contemplated spring of 1950. REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL INDEX. The large number of requests received by the Department since the release of the first annual edition of this publication indicates the information contained in the Regional Industrial Index has been considerably in demand by industrial organizations and commercial enterprises. So great was this demand that the whole issue has been distributed. Due to limitation of staff and time, important centres of industrial British Columbia were necessarily omitted in the initial issue of this publication, but during the current year data on these centres has been compiled by the Division and will be included in the current issue covering the metropolitan centres of Vancouver, New Westminster, and Victoria, as well as seventy-nine districts in the ten regional areas of the Province. As previously reported it is the intention to provide broader and more comprehensive coverage in subsequent issues of the Index, also to maintain the standard of reference material at the highest possible level as a guide to assist local development organizations, Boards of Trade, Chambers of Commerce, municipal authorities and industry generally in appraising the resources, industrial facilities, economic advantages, and social amenities of each community in the Province. INDUSTRIAL MAPPING OF REGIONAL CENTRES. Following conferences held during the year with transportation companies, municipal officials, and other organizations, the Division has commenced work on a composite map of the metropolitan areas embracing Greater Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and other adjoining municipalities. It is proposed to enlist the assistance of the various interests mentioned in the preparation of this industrial map and to provide the most complete and up-to-date information on both existing and potential industrial sites, rail and water connections, traffic arteries, terminals, and other essential information of main importance to industry. During the ensuing year plans are being made to map industrial areas in some of the other main centres. DD 56 BRITISH COLUMBIA. 6*61 ___ 8*61 co UMt 5 9*61 O S**i cd 09 cr 1 6*61 _£ !ev6i ffl jjU * :9*6i § u- S*6i 2 6*(>i cr 2 ate I S It 2*61 <__ 9*61 O S*6I U gJ _J _. 6*61 £ X 8*6! J __*61 g ^ 9*61 a "rc: s*6i cn aJ _J w*i p _J 8*61 « __*6l 5 ? *X1 3 S*6l ^ -1 6*61 <fl z o 6*61 y z < _> CD S*61 S UJ _-■ -J K O 8*61 uj £*6l % CJ 5 1- 9*61 *" "3 !L V> SVCI '_2 O \r- O ai 6*61 CU 3*61 . C-> i*6i <f 7 9*6) ^ 55 6*61 LJ-' 8*61 =! _.*.» £ 9*61 <£ 5*61 <1 > 6*61 g <i __** cC c_> S*6I ^ 6*61 >; 6*61 § Z*61 1 9*61 £ S*6l U- re o z o rr- 6*61 y. < 8*6. g __*6I 3 9*61 £ 5 o o Si\VS«_d»»M_BNrHvl DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 57 REPORT OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT TRAVEL BUREAU. GENERAL. The accompanying graph illustrates the steady improvement in British Columbia's tourist economy. Over the 12 months of 1949 the traffic gain over 1948 was 12.1 per cent., compared with a Dominion-wide gain of 9 per cent. The standing of the Province in the tourist field, however, is actually stronger than the figures indicate, as in 1949 there was much less " free spending " money available than in years immediately preceding and the gains were made in face of much greater and wider competition for the tourist dollar. Altogether it is estimated that 1,250,000 visitors to British Columbia spent fifty- three million dollars in 1949 and, in addition, the Bureau has good reason to believe that its domestic radio and general advertising campaign encouraged a large number of British Columbians to " See British Columbia First," which would add considerably to the tourist economy. No one factor can be credited with the establishment of the Province as a prime vacation-land but contributing factors are:— (1) The cumulative effect of a continuity of advertising by the Province. (2) The regional and national promotions by the Dominion Government Travel Bureau. (3) The general improvement in accommodations. (4) The spectacular highway development programme. (5) The inspection and grading of accommodations under the " Tourist Camp Act " which has been widely publicized. (6) The comparative abundance of game fish and big game through the Province. (7) Development of local attractions coupled with promotion from a community level. PUBLICITY. ADVERTISING. The general advertising campaign embraced space in 24 national magazines for over-all coverage and 47 newspapers in the eleven Western States for emphasis in the major travel market. Some 62,000,000 impressions brought a deluge of inquiries which, at the height of the season, averaged 800 per day. These were answered by direct letter or by a specially prepared form which covered selected folder enclosures. A large number of appreciative letters has testified the efficiency of the reply system. In addition to the newspaper and magazine space, the department continued with the strategically placed highway bulletin boards in Washington, Oregon, and California, which boards are designed to give suggestion and direction to vacationists already on the road and serve as a repetitive influence on those planning vacations. Advertising through the United States was both general and regional in its appeal but its timing and some of the copy was designed with a view to lengthening the season. The slight improvement in traffic during May, June, and September may be a partial reflection of this policy. Meanwhile discussions with other tourist bodies in the Pacific Northwest and with large employers of labour have been and are being held with a view to encouraging those without children of school age to take vacations in the offseason. The Bureau is again able to report a very successful colour-campaign featuring the Pacific Northwest in Holiday Magazine, in co-operation with the States of Oregon and Washington. Some successes were also achieved through the continued use of a specially prepared direct-mail piece. DD 58 BRITISH COLUMBIA. A winter advertising campaign was conducted in the Prairie Provinces and Eastern Canada as in previous years. In addition to the foregoing the Bureau also acted as clearing house for all Government advertising, checking for all departments. With the exception of the San Francisco " Sports and Travel Show," in which British Columbia was represented by a well patronized booth, no exhibits were made abroad by the Bureau in 1949. Advantage was taken, however, of Dominion Government displays at sport and travel shows in Los Angeles, Seattle, and other centres in the United States, adequate supplies of literature being furnished and, in the case of the Seattle Sports Show, an attendant. The Bureau proposes to continue to co-operate with the Dominion Government at these exhibits wherever practical. Radio. The British Columbia Government Travel Bureau, beginning early in May, broadcast a series of thirty-two spot announcements, the general tenor of which was " Know British Columbia Better." The broadcasts were confined to British Columbia stations and directed to the people of British Columbia, with the idea of inducing them to spend their vacations to a greater extent within the Province. It was felt that this action was timely as an amazing number of our own citizens are only vaguely familiar with the Province as a whole. The following stations were used: CHWK, CJDC, CKOV, CKLN, CJAV, CKOK CFJC, CKNW, CKPG, CFPR, CJAT, CJOR, CKMO, CKWX, CJIB, CJVI, and CHUB. Literature. Some 35 tons of literature was distributed by the bureau in 1949. This literature, which is constantly in revision has been designed to meet specific requests and requirements. It is prepared and distributed with a view to giving full information without wastage. Several pieces, such as the public-carrier map folder, which made its first appearance last year, are designed for distribution to and through the travel-agents, oil-company and other directional bureaus, automobile clubs, rail, and air line offices. Others may be used for more general distribution. A distributing system has been organized in the Western States through which the bureau is assured of adequate coverage of all inquiry points and travel-promotion organizations with a minimum of waste. To the list of available publications were added, in 1949, a small folder covering the winter sports activities of the Province, " Ski-ing in British Columbia " and a regional folder on the Columbia-Kootenay area which was designed for a particular promotional objective. The requests for literature increased with the interest in the Province and were considerably in excess of anticipated demand. The Bureau has now entered negotiations with the Customs branch for the placement of protected racks at several ports of entry with a view to placing in the hands of the foreign visitor such literature as will encourage him to spend extra days or cover extra mileage within the Province. Field Work. Contact work through the eleven Western States and Texas was carried out by the Assistant Commissioner in the early part of the year when he called on practically every travel agent and directional bureau. The assistance given the travel directors on the contact trip is appreciatively reflected in their repeated calls for advice through the year and the amount of traffic they direct to British Columbia as a result of their DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. DD 59 better knowledge of the Province, its accommodations, roads, and means of access. Every opportunity was also taken to secure newspaper publicity and address service and other clubs and gatherings. ACCOMMODATIONS. In British Columbia over eight hundred thousand bed-nights are available to the tourist and traveller each month and, in June, July, August, and September, this monthly total is increased by over one million. In 1948 the maximum number of beds occupied by out-of-Province visitors in any one month was 858,992 (August), and the estimated maximum in 1949 (August), was 987,836. This means that at the peak of the season over thirty thousand beds were available in hotels, resorts and stopping places throughout the Province each night in excess of the demand made by visitors. The concern of the Bureau was in attempting to improve this situation by relating it to changing traffic trends. It was noted that in the first 10 months of the year, more than twice the number of British Columbians visited the United States for longer than 24-hour periods than in 1948. Some 72,795 crossed the border on long or short vacation and this undoubtedly affected the tourist economy of the country to some extent. The effect was most noticeable in those districts adjacent to the metropolitan areas which had catered chiefly to domestic trade in the past. While a solution to the problem may not lie altogether within the scope of the bureau, its representatives are in close touch with affected areas and are co-operating with a view to offsetting any traffic losses in 1950. Motion Pictures. The Bureau's photographic branch was very active during the year, several new 16-mm. colour pictures being taken for addition to the film library: The City of Vancouver; Strawberry Festival; Qualicum and Area; and the Peace River Block and Alaska Highway. Further shooting was also done on the Hope-Princeton Highway progress film. With the exception of the latter, on which there is further work to be done, all subjects are now in process of production with a view to completion and release by the end of May, 1950. A film covering Highway No. 16 was released during the year. Distribution and use of the film library attests the quality of films produced by the Bureau, total audience at 2,132 film showings and television broadcasts in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom in 1949 approximating 687,183. In addition to over 100 travelogues and other films on hand in the home library, the British Columbia films are also circulated by the National Film Board; National Film Society; Bell Telephone Company in Montreal; the Canadian Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles; and the Agent-General in London. Fourteen of the department's films were used by TV-WBRC at Birmingham, Alabama, which station reached over 25,000 persons through television sets. Considerable use of the Bureau's film was also made aboard Canadian Pacific and Union Steamships. More than 7,500 still photograph enlargements, furnished newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals on request, contributed to the very large amount of helpful publicity which the Province received during the year. " Tourist Camp Act." In 1949, through the co-operation of the Division of Public Health Engineering, district sanitarians took over the responsibility of inspecting auto courts and resorts in their respective districts. No tourist camp inspector was appointed as such but all applications for licences were passed through the area health units and during the year rjD 60 BRITISH COLUMBIA. all premises coming under the provisions of the Act were inspected, reports made to the Bureau and any necessary action was taken. Grading of tourist camps was conducted by trained personnel on the Bureau staff with temporary assistance over a two-month period. Of the 1,112 establishments licensed or registered, 73.3 per cent, have been graded, the balance being under repair or construction, occupied by non-transients or for other reasons not available for inspection or reinspection. Star ratings were raised in 192 tourist camps, reflecting a definite improvement. In 29 cases the rating was lowered. Twenty-eight premises earned an improved rate of two or more stars in 1949. Individually and through the Auto Courts and Resorts Association the operators have expressed appreciation of the grading system, and the posting of grading certificates has also been appreciated by the visitor who now travels through the Province with assurance of clean accommodation of the type he desires. Through their association with the trade over a number of years, travel bureau personnel have placed themselves in position to render considerable assistance to those planning establishment or improvement, and in this way render service which has contributed considerably to the development of the physical properties engaged in the tourist industry. All new applications were reviewed by the licensing authority, any refusals being in the interests of sport fish and game conservation only. During the year the Bureau enjoyed the full co-operation of the Auto Courts and Resorts Association and noted a growth and strengthening of local associations which it has encouraged in every possible way. Co-operative Activities. The productive work of the Bureau has been greatly assisted by the advice of the Tourist Council and by the full co-operation of the Vancouver Tourist Association, Victoria and Island Publicity Bureau, the Evergreen Playground Association and chambers of commerce and boards of trade throughout the Province. In San Francisco the staff of the Canadian Consul-General has worked with the Bureau to great and mutual advantage and in Los Angeles the office of the Canadian Government Trade Commissioner has been extremely helpful. The Bureau has also been able to effectively co-operate with many regional groups who undertook more and wider promotional efforts in local interest or provided local or regional events or attractions. These were publicized through a " Calendar of Events " which was given wide circulation. Through the co-operation of the Department of Public Works, informative and accurate road reports were issued as highway conditions warranted and these resulted in a greater appreciation of work in progress as well as establishing the fact that the roads in the Province were all safe and negotiable. Settlement. By reason of its facilities for the collection and collation of information on every phase of activity within the Province, the services rendered by the Travel Bureau also embrace those of a bureau of information. Correspondence with groups and individuals all over the world has indicated a wider appreciation of the Province and a fast-growing interest in its affairs. By many in less-privileged parts of the world, British Columbia is looked upon as a " Land of Opportunity " and a substantial portion of the Bureau correspondence is forwarded on letterhead of the Settlers' Information Branch. The restrictions on currency export from sterling countries reduced the volume of inquiries from these BRITISH COLUMBIA. DD 61 areas during the year but this has been largely compensated by requests for information from expatriates in other parts of the world who wish to return to Canada and from comparatively new arrivals to Eastern Canada who have heard the call of the west. While many prospective settlers are tradesmen and artisans a substantial proportion are desirous of following agricultural pursuits and acquiring and developing land. The Bureau spares no pains in dealing with these inquiries and the utmost care is taken to present the facts accurately and completely. In the settlement phase of its work the Bureau receives the full co-operation of the Agent-General in London and all branches of the Government in Victoria. It also acknowledges a great deal of assistance from the colonization branches of the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways, and also the invaluable co-operation of the immigration and customs branches of the Canadian Department of Mines and Resources. Tourist Council. This advisory body held its annual meeting in March when the current situation was reviewed and plans for the ensuing season discussed both on regional and Provincial levels. The recommendations of the council were largely implemented, and the members individually rendered considerable service and counsel as called upon during the year. The personnel of the 1949 council was as follows: Mr. Sydney J. Smith, Kamloops Board of Trade; Mr. George I. Warren, Victoria and Island Publicity Bureau; Mr. Howard Faulkner, Kelowna Board of Trade; Mr. G. C. Lanskail (deceased), Nelson Board of Trade; Mr. C. D. Orchard, Deputy Minister of Forests; Mr. Elmer Johnston (deceased), Vancouver Tourist Association; Mr. F. R. Butler, Game Commissioner; Mr. J. V. Fisher, Deputy Minister of Finance; Mr. E. G. Rowebottom, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry; Commissioner J. Shirras, B.C. Provincial Police; Mr. E. Evans, Commissioner, Government Travel Bureau; Mr. Neil McCallum, Assistant Chief Engineer, Public Works Department; Mr. P. E. Robertson, Prince George Board of Trade. Associate members are: Earle Dickey, Revelstoke Board of Trade; W. F. Cahoun, Auto Courts and Resorts Association, Vancouver; J. S. Brown, Burns Lake Board of Trade; E. Ely, B.C. Hotels Association, Vancouver; Eric Atkins, Chilliwack; Les Young, manager, Odeon Theatres, New Westminster; Ralph Williamson, Dawson Creek Terminal Company; E. T. Applewhaite, Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce. VICTORIA, B.C. : Printed by Dox McDiarmid, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1950. 1,495-150-6321
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PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Department of Trade and Industry REPORT For the Year ended December 31st… British Columbia. Legislative Assembly [1950]
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Title | PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Department of Trade and Industry REPORT For the Year ended December 31st 1949 |
Alternate Title | DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. |
Creator |
British Columbia. Legislative Assembly |
Publisher | Victoria, BC : Government Printer |
Date Issued | [1950] |
Genre |
Legislative proceedings |
Type |
Text |
FileFormat | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Identifier | J110.L5 S7 1950_V03_14_DD1_DD61 |
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Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Source | Original Format: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Library. Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Date Available | 2017 |
Provider | Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library |
Rights | Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy or otherwise distribute these images please contact the Legislative Library of British Columbia |
CatalogueRecord | http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1198198 |
DOI | 10.14288/1.0340936 |
AggregatedSourceRepository | CONTENTdm |
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https://iiif.library.ubc.ca/presentation/cdm.bcsessional.1-0340936/manifest