bf AA, Sok, hal EMBER PF LO Oo a Sete Ve ¥ RETRO PRESUME MERE NET in Hi, + ie Anat pliant Western Canada’s Leading Progressive Newspaper < VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1938 TOM Says India Seeks Status Of Domimion Dr. Anup Singh Tells Of Fight Of Indian People For Self - Government Rights. WANT PEACE “The new constitution is an adroit move to placate the de- mands of the Indian people for self-zovernment while actu- ally leaving the power still in the hands of the viceroy. It merely gives a shadow of power to the Indian people.” This is what Dr. Anup Singh, soft spoken, American educated Indian scholar and lecturer told a labor press conference in the Hotel Vancouver this week. Dr. Singh has been addressing Various organizations in the city during his visit here as part of an extensive lecture tour of Can- ada and the US. ‘What the Indian people want is full dominion status, men- tioned in the old constitution as India’s ultimate goal but omitted irom the new one,” he said. The Indian Nationalist party with which, stated Dr. Singh, his sympathies lay although he was not a member, won control of seyen of the eleven provincial as- semblies, but these had no power to keep India out of war. People Want Peace “India can still be committed to war without her people haying a voice in the decision,” Dr. Singh declared. “The Indian people want peace. They remember the last war out of which they got only martial law and massacres.” Dr. Singh said he believed an- other election would place the Wationalist party in a majority in all of the eleven provinces because it had the confidence and support of the people, only 17 percent of whom were enfranchised. Be saw in the electoral sys- tem whereby hindus voted for hindus, mohammedans for mo- hammedans, an effort to keep the people disunited on religious grounds, just as in the dispro- portionate representation given the princes there was a subtle move to consolidate the conser- yative, wealthy elements against the Nationalist party. Despite these things, he stated, the new constitution was opposed by all religious organizations and the political parties. Favors Nehru’s Policy Discussing the Indian INational- ist party, Dr. Singh stated that it was, in a sense, a united front in which both the Sovialist and the Gommunist parties cooperated. Of its two outstanding leaders, Ma- hatma Ghandi and Nehru, the first made his appeal on moral grounds, the second on economic; the one believed in a system of individual small holdings for the peasants who carried a large part of the tax burden and obtained nothing in return, the other in rapid industrialization. “JT believe WNehru’s policy to be eorrect,” said Dr. Singh, “but one cannot underestimate the part Ghandi has played in awakening the Indian people in their struggle for freedom. I believe that Ghandi will shortly retire from politics al- “Defenses must be built, but in the anti-fascist sense. The same people shipping thousands of tons of munitions even now in port of Vancouver, also raise questions of national defence,” he declared. Quoting from a previous speech by Leslie Morris, Ewen reiterated, “Ganadians cannot trust these six- inch puns in the hands of those allowing shipments of metal and munitions to fed the war machine of Japan.” i Exposure of reactionary groups and individuals in BC which are intent on breaking down democratic usuages and smashing of trade unions was made by Ewen, who declared that such forces were determined to continue and guarantee unin- terrupted shipments of war ma- terial to Japan in defiance of everwhelming disapproval evinced by Canadian people. “The Citizens’ League, now the Industrial Association of BC, the Won-Partisan Association, the 4 and XX, divided into companies AB and G, which has placed members in the militia—all have finance and organization to be used against trade unions and progressive move- ments,’ Ewen declared, naming Golonel Edgett and Leo Sweeney as outspoken advocates for reac- tion and company unions, sup- ported by some members of the legisiature. U Must Strengthen Boycott In masterly style, the Communist leader turned the searchlight of legic on the Japanese boycott, pointing out its effectiveness to- wards shortening Japanese aggres- sion, and warning against dangers of chauvinism. ‘We haven’t begun to scratch the surface when it comes to boycotting goods made in Japan, and our party must redouble its efforts to influence British Co- lumbians against buying prod- ucts and manufactured goods, explaining to them that Cana-~ dian dollars go to feed Japan’s war machine,” Ewen asserted. Even more decisive would be the effect of an embargo on all war material to Japan, Ewen told the convention, stating that were the hard-rock miners and longshore- men organized, an embargo could be applied with greater speed and success. Warning against fomenting of “a small-sized war in BC,’ Ewen condemned recent actions against local Japanese, gave as instances the dismissal of Japanese help from a Vancouver hotel and a de mand by Conservatives in the province that these nationals be deported. “Remember,” he said, “this ag- gression was decided in Japan, and those living in Canada can be quickly turned against the policies of Japanese imperialism if proper- ly approached and not antagon- ized.” Ewen decried short-sightedness of well meaning people and de- mounced ‘Trotskyist propaganda that the boycott was hurting the together.” ““Natalka “HARVEST: 7 and PRICES: 35c¢ and 40c - _..3 Imported Soviet Ukrainian Films... Ukrainian Operetta Acclaimed by world critics as greatest musica] film. ... Vivid landscape of the Ukraine. Greatest Soviet Artists. “INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL” 8 Ukrainian Dialogpue — English Titles a Will be shown at UKRAINIAN LABOR TEMPLE 805 East Pender Street JANUARY 24th to 29th Japanese masses, Maintaining that Poltavka’”’ FESTIVAL” 9 p.m. - CHILDREN 15c EWEN STRESSES NEED Vital For Preservation, Extension Of Democracy, Safeguarding Of Peace Declaring that war and peace was the main question before Canadians today, British Columbia’s position in the present war ing the political and economic set-up of this province, outlined the path of pr tion of the party at the Labor Temple here last weekend. situation, Tom Ewen, provincial secretary of the Communist party, ogress to the ninth annual provincial conven- Clearly and concisely, Ewen stated the Communist party’s position on the question of coastal defences and the estab- lishment of two six-inch gun batteries, one at Ferguson’s Point in Stanley Park and the other at Point Grey. “National defence cannot be ignored,” said Ewen. ‘We must state our position on this question.” and that Communists had to define FOR UNITY analyz- Bic Public Attendance at Communist Convention i Throughout the public sessions of the ninth provincial convention of the Communist party held in the day’s sessions. Labor Temple in Vancouver visitors filled the hall. ‘The above picture shows delegates and visitors at Satur- to cut off finances, the sinews of war, and an application-of an ef- fective embargo would the more quickly end war miseries and as- Sist the anti-war movement in Japan. “Furthermore we Communists look upon Japan’s murderous ag- gression as a challenge in the light of recent declarations by imperial- ist spokesmen that Japan is not only fighting but is out to smash ‘Communism’,”’ Enwen declared. In convincing argument, Ewen pointed the way to a genuine na- tional defense policy which would also make Canada a force for peace against fascist aggression- Urges Organization Quoting from Financial Post to show super profits obtained from basic BC industries, profits nearly as great as 1929, and in metal an all-time record, he showed how finance capital welcomed war under such conditions, and would attempt to suppress any serious movements to curtail such profits. He cited the strike of miners at Wells, BC, as an example where mine owners joined hands and finances to smash the union of hard rock miners. Delegates, he said, should direct their energies to organiz- ing the unorganized, both to in- crease real wages and break the grip of reactionary groups now strangling democratic or- ganization throughout the prov- ince. Re-stating the position of the Communist party that the Cana- dian trade union centre is the Communists Honor Fighters Fallen In Spain Two minutes’ silence for fallen anti-fascist fighters in Spain opened Saturday’s sessions of the CP provincial convention, Chair- man Pete Munro, well known trade unionist, declaring that 150 of the 200 Canadians from BC are party members. Extending a wel- come in the name of the BC pro- vincial committee, Munro said: “Communists are among the best builders of the trade unions, or- ganization of which would hasten the formation of a united front of Canadian peopie against fascism and war.’ Trades and Labor Congress, the speaker scored the theory held by some that “if only the CIO could be brought into the province all would be well,’ declaring union organization depended upon efforts Trades and Labor Congress, the of Communists and union leaders here. Fulfilment of the proposal to form a BC Federation of Labor would give impetus to the union- ization drive in the province, Ewen believed, and would be a strong factor in bringing unity among progressive forces. Such unity would have prevented pas- sage of the reactionary Pattullo Conciliation and Arbitration Act, Phone: HIGH. 5700 RADIO SERVICE 1714-16 Commercial Dr. _ | which was slipped through because of division in’ ranks of political and economic progressive forces. “Tt is the immediate duty of the trade union movement to mobilize for the exclusion of the bad clauses in this bill.” Unity Essential Terming the loss of the Victoria by-election by the CCF “tragic,” Ewen opined that King Gordon could have won the seat had an appeal for unity of all progressive forces been made on issues that affect people in that so-called re- actionary city; cost of living, real wages, organization, democracy and other immediate live issues. “Socialism is not acceptable yet to the people of Victoria and ap- peals on that basis alone do not unite the people against reaction,” Ewen declared further. “While we realize the CCF has declined organizationally, yet as a movement it attracts masses of people, more so in BC than any other province.” “We must win them to the idea and program of taking up economic and political struggles, thus assisting them to build the movement and in the meantime bending every effort to build our own party.” Communist effort in organiza- tion and leadership will be the biggest factor in forming “a rough foundation of a people’s front,” which, declared Ewen, will force changes in the BNA act, make possible national unemployment in- surance, initiate adequate housing schemes, improve living conditions and help preserve peace. , Deploring and ceriticismg the weakness of party organization in the BG countryside, the district secretary declared this question would be of paramount importance to the incoming executive—to as- sist farmers in their fight for a decent living and unite them with industrial workers against growing reaction. Concluding his report with a rallying call to the party for in- ereased efforts in every branch and section, and urging members to study anew Marxian-Leninism, to recruit and coach new members, Ewen was given an ovation by delegates and visitors alike. *+LORI E THE QUALITY.... THEN NOTE THE PRICE British Columbia. DISTILLED AND BOTTLED IN BOND - Under Canadian Government S on | This advertisement Is not published or disprayed by the Liquor Control Board or by the Government of on- > 401 Strachey Believes Roosevelt Will Right Or Equally Far To Examines Recession Either Be Driven Far To Left. ‘TITANIC STRUGGLE’ By JOHN STRACHEY Federated Press LONDON, Eng., Jan. 20.— (FP).— The severity of the slump in America is still not widely realized in this coun- try, I think. This, it must be remem- bered, is Rooasevelt’s second slump. It is true that he did not come into office until March, 1933, three and a half years after the outbreak of the first one. But as the preceding Re- publican government of Hoover Unanimous Choice For Secretary Twenty Towns In BC Represented Among 97 Delegates Attend= ing Convention. 45 UNIONISTS Remarkable for its enthusi- asm and animated discussion, the BC provincial convention of the Communist party com- mencing last Friday in Victory Hall closed on a high note Sun- day evening when delegates acclaimed Fergus McKean by a standing vote as the party’s new district secretary, gave resounding cheers for Tim Buck, concluded with The Internationale. Subordination of all else to maintenance and extension of hard won democratic rights and goy- ernment was the message carried back to all BC branches of the party, to be put into life immedi- ately. Resolutions worded clearly, adopted unanimously, called on every member to study local conditions, strive for the election of progressives in all municipal elections, build unions and farm organizations and work tirelessly to unite all peace-loving demo- cratic forces throughout the province. Fergus McKean, new provincial had done nothing whatever to meet the situation, which had got to the point of every bank in the | country being shut, Roosevelt was | left with the whole task of dealing | with that slump. | At the time it seemed that he adopted a welter of expedients, many of them self-contradictory. But looking back now it is pos- sible to see that in essence he only did one thing which affected the situation materially. He borrowed hundreds of mil- lions of pounds worth of money from the rich and distributed it in various ways, as by means of re- lief work, direct relief, veterans’ bonuses, and (biggest sums of all) payments to’ the farmers, to the mass of the population. Naturally, so long as he went on doing that demand was revived and things went fairly well. But it involved steadily piling up a bigger and bigger national debt to the rich from whom Roosevelt was borrowing. ; Roosevelt hoped and believed that when about six months ago he began to stop his vast borrow- ings and distributions, and so to balance his budget, the capitalists would step into the breach and keep things going with big ex- penditure on capital deyvelopment- Well, they haven’t. “Titanic Struggle” They haven’t partly because of their hatred for Roosevelt and even the mild social reforms which he has supported, and partly, I person- ally believe, because there really is no scope in America for profitable capita] development on a sufficient scale to keep the system going. So what will happen? Can Roose- velt meet this second slump as he met the first one by vast borrowings and distributions of purchasing power? Theoretically I think he eould, for the American national debt is still small per head, com- pared to ours, for instance. But in practice I doubt whether a return to the New Deal in its old form is politically possible. The class struggle has become so uni- versally more acute in America dur- ing the past two years that the middle path is likely to prove impos- sible to tread. In that case Roosevelt will be driven either far to the right or far to the left. He will have either to break the newly-organized strength of labor and slash wages and conditions in a desperate at- tempt to make private enterprise in America profitable once more, or he will have to move equally far to the left, depending upon Farmer-Labor support to put through a real People’s Front program, which would probably change the whole face of America. What he does will, of course, de- pend predominantly upon the pres- sure which the organized workers and other progressive forces of the eountry can exert at the critical moment. Nor do the prospects look by any means unhopeful But the struggle will be titanic. Panel Discussion Harold Griffin, acting editor of the People’s Advocate, will repre- sent the Communist viewpoint ata panel discussion on “Social Re- form’’ to be held under auspices of the adult education committee, Van- couver public library, next Sunday, January 23, 3 pm, at First Uni- tarian Church, 1550 West 10th ave- nue. Speakers representing other viewpoints will be: Mrs. Rex Maton, Status Quo; Miss Mildred Oster- hout, Socialism; William Rose, Mon- etary Reform. Dr. G. M. Shrum, UBC extension director, will he chairman. Boycott Japanese Goods. secretary, who called for recruit- ing of 1,000 new members by May 1, 1938, stated to the PA: “The fact that 56 of the 97 dele- gates present took the floor, spoke | to the main report, telling of tasks performed, is ample testimony of the democracy practiced in our party which is so consistently de- nounced by class enemies but is becoming increasingly known and respected by thousands of Cana- dians.” Before crowded meetings of delegates and visitors, Leslie Mor- ris, member of the Dominion com- mittee of the party, said he felt confident the party in BC was rid- ding itself of sectarianism after listening to the reports, that unanimous acceptance of resolu- tions from the recent Dominion convention was proof of iron unity. Municipal politics and a bold en- trance into the rising economic and social movements of the peo- ple was the key to the people of British Columbia and their prob- lems, he said. 45 Unionists Attended Presence of 45. delegates who were also trade unionists, indicated the influence and prestige of the party in the most important sec- tions of the workers, Charles Stewart declared. Of this number 31 contributed to the discussion, meeting with round after round of applause from the convention as reports of union building and new wage agreements were given. Said one young union business agent: “Respect for our party is grow- ing steadily among trade union- ists who previously were heavily prejudiced against Communism. “The red bogey so sedulously fostered by some employers is rapidly disappearing, depending on the ability of communists who still boldly display their colors and be- come union builders.” Twenty BC towns were rep- resented at the convention, from Salmon Arm to Prince Rupert. All reported efforts in organiz- ing and unifying the people un- der a progressive program, many describing poverty and suffermeg of Canadians throughout the province. Stories of self-sacrifice given in matter-of-fact tone told of weary miles traversed to distribute litera- ture, patient work among farmers dulled by long hours and endless chores, all painted a picture of BC rich in resources but with a popu- lation largely impoverished. Bill Ravenor, Clarion district press manager, who drove home the need for every delegate to or- ganize press sales and distribution, entrusted Paddy Ross of Prince Rupert with the duty of present- ing the joint press drive banner to the miners of Atlin who, aiter winning it three drives in succes- sion, now haye it in perpetuity. Enthusiastic applause greeted this presentation and announcement. Telesrams and letters of greet- ing were read, coming from the party in Alberta, the central com- mittee, Toronto, Glarion Manager Annie Buller, Winnipeg, and from two sick party members in Van- couver General Hospital. Warned by their party leaders that reaction was setting the pace in BC, determination to speed the process of forging a progressive front from the potentially strong but disorganized forces available, was expressed by all delegates who spoke to the convention. NEW YORK.— @FP)—Heywood Broun, president, American News- paper Guild, joined in the round of comment caused by breakdown of AFL-CIO peace parieys by mak- ing public a telegram he sent to CIO Ghairman John JL. Lewis, pledging continued support to hi leadership. E unists Elect Fergus McKean — he Peoples Advocate aE ays