; QUINHE British Columbia Ap- 1) peal Board of Censors has hrown down a challenge to the tagimtixe progressive movement in « jis province by banning the esgi0tion picture, “China Strikes of} ack.” Three thousand Van- . louver citizens packed the Or- jheum Theatre last Sunday ex- hed ecting to see a film which has ; gon unstinted praise from film oygritics everywhere. But _ two aen and a woman on the Ap- vers eal Board had already decided z hey should not see it. Why? =H I The Appeal Board’s decision yor: Bot based on the ground that usshe film is obscene or false. The easons for imposing the ban jare political Japan is a «> Inspired Censorship —> “friendly” country, the board contends, and since the picture contains “derogatory” refer- ences to Japan — in other words, it tells the truth—they fear it may be harmful to Canada’s neutrality — that same “neutrality” which is now shipping millions of dollars’ worth of war materials to Japan. Had the film been friendly te Japan—and such a picture would of necessity be a deliberate distortation of facts —are we to presume the Ap- peal Board would have allowed it to pass? : And while it is correct to state that the peace - loving workers and peasants of Japan, by whose exploitation Japan is endeavoring to create a new fascist empire in the Far East, are friendly to Canada, by no stretch of the imagination can the military-fascists responsible for Japan's savage invasion of China be regarded as friendly to the people of Canada. Against whom are our coasts being defended, if not against this new fascist threat m the Pacific? As a democracy desir- ing peace, Canada cannot ex- pect security from those powers which have sworn to destroy democracy by force of arms. There is ah even more seri- ous aspect to this ban, although the Appeal Board did not men- tion it. There is every reason to believe the Japanese consul in Vancouver, supported by the German and Italian consuls, protested against the showing of this anti-fascist film. The Ap- peal Board’s decision echoed the objection. P This is not the first occasion on which the rights of British Columbians to express their support for democracy against the menace of fascism have been denied by reactionary au- thorities fulfilling the behests of the representatives of fas- cism here. We recall the arrest of the anti-fascist youth who picketed the Italian consulate to protest Italian intervention in Spain; the arrest of the anti- fascist pickets of the Empress of Canada; the German consul’s objection which led to the cutting of “The Road Back” when it was shown here; the Japanese consul’s delicate hand in the bluepencilling of radio speeches and in urging removal from the streets of the League for Peace and Democracy’s automobile carrying a boycott sign. All these things lead us to ask: Who is running Vancou- ver—the men elected to repre- sent the people or the appoint- ees of fascist dictators? Both Canada and China are members of the League of Na- tions, built on the principle of collective security which is ridi- culed by the non-member fas- cist powers because they realize that in collective security lies the effective answer to their ag- gession. Canada’s surest bul- wark of defense against fascist aggression is in her adherence to an alliance of democratic na- tions — the United States, France, Britain and the Soviet Union—in which the mass of the Canadian people, emphati- cally anti-fascist, can concur. The ban on “China Strikes Back” is not only an insult to a friendly China and a fellow member of the League, not only an infringement of democratic rights. It is a reflection of that fatal policy of capitulation to fascist demands which can lead only in one direction—to war. The progressive movement has already taken up the chal- lenge by demanding an investi- gation. It must be carried further. The showing of “China Strikes Back” in this province has become the point around which the fisht for freedom of expression against film and radio censorship in BC must be fought and won. LISTEN IN TO Labor News Highlights - CKMO Sunday, 9:45 a.m. The People's Advocate Western Canada’s Leading Progressive Newspaper LISTEN IN TO Labor News Highlights - CKMO Sunday, 9:45 a.m. a4 ULL No. 162. «<<—== Published Weekly VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1938 Single Copies: 5 Cents VOL. IV, No. 6 Company Flouting Decision Jacific Lime Co. At 3lubber Bay Refuses Work to Three Union Vien. NEW APPEAL BLUBBER BAY, BC, Feb. 7. — Flouting provincial de- jartment of labor rulings made his week between Pacific Lime | ompany and employees barely wo days after the departure ot Tonciliation Commissioner Me- jy cough from the plant here, ey 2© company backed down on J¢s verbal agreement and re- used te employ three union ‘ committee men along with 4 thers. The men have called on 44ton. G. S. Pearson to again in- cervene under provisions of he Conciliation and Arbitra- ion Act. i With the temper of the men at wreaking point under such provo- sation, the union executive is ex- veriencing difficulty in preventing it Strike, which, it declares, is what whe company desires as an excuse. Cases of rank discrimination for the attention of the department ierepresentative when he arrives. Wnion recognition is demanded oy the men, with 30 days’ notice of lermination of agreements. Victory For IWA Local | Trades unionism registered its first victory in the province since G2nactment of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act when organized employees of Pacific Lime Com- pany here proved by democratic vote to Conciliation Commissioner (McGeough this week that their junion committee took precedence @over the company committee, with the result that the company was ordered by the government repre- sentative to accept the will of the majority. This decision was handed down 4 which resulted in an 87 to 30 vote in favor of the union committee. In preparations leading up to the Sitting of the commissioner, the men “were determined that, should the decision be unfavorable, strike action would be immediately taken to force the company to honor the apreement. Various attempts have been made by the company to break the agree- ment and set up a company union. In an agreement reached with ‘the Pacific Lime last year, shortly after the union was formed, it was provided that no new men would 'be employed until all former em- | ployees were reinstated when oper- vations started. It was the militant © committee Members, some of whom {ave been unemployed during the § partial shutdown, the company * sought to get rid of. In a final | effort to force the company to live }up to its agreement and avoid a istrike, employees made application | under the new act for a commis- ! sioner. j Elected tc the committee were: )J- Hole, ¥. Leigh, A. Akre, Re - Gardner, G. Liebich Jr., J. D. Stehr, , J. - MacKay, Lim Yim, Ne Park. . Appreciation of McGeough’s and | Moriarity’s clean and impartial in- j vestigation was expressed by the membership. following a vote taken at the plant, | Vets SSS SN SS people in their fight against Japanese invasion. Emery Addresses Paperworkers Gillnetters Rap Dep’t Declare Fisheries Dept. Broke Own Regulations In Granting License To Company Charging the fisheries depart- ment with breaking its own regu- lations, and permitting Deep Bay Fishing and Packing Company to ruin the livelihood of thirty gill- metters by unfair practices, the Herring Fishermen’s branch, Paci- fic Goast Fishermen’s Union, this week sought the aid of Ald. H. D. Wilson, city harbor board chair- man, and appealed to the Nanaimo public for support. Until February vg, the Herring Gillnetters were supplying the local fresh bait market at the rate of $25 per ton. Agreeing that the price was fair, J. FE. Tait, local fisheries inspector, promised gillnetters to do all in his power to see that no permit was granted for bait seining. Deep Bay Fishing and Packing Company refused to buy bait from gillnetters, claiming the price was too high and succeeded in obtain- ing a permit from the fisheries de- partment, employing its cannery help to do the seme fishing. Ald. Wilson has protested to Ot- tawa on behalf of the gillnetters and Mayor Harrison, of Nanaimo has promised to take the matter up in city council. Miners Revolt HANEKOW, China.—Seven thou- sand miners led a recent uprising against the Japanese at Formosa, retreating to the mountains to conduct guerrilla warfare against heavily-armed troops. © Stresses Advantage Of Political Action POWELL RIVER, BC, Feb. 17.—Active participation in pro- vincial politics of Local 76, Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Work- ers, was urged by lvyan Emery, prominent Vancouver labor leader, on Sunday, when he addressed 500 union members at Dwight Hall, receiving an ovation at the close of his speech. Vice-president Lambton of the local also gave a short address. A review of the 1935 longshore L : - ) strike and its lessons was made by Emery, who pointed out the need for industrial unions in the big in- dustries and how they were made more effective by an entrance into the political life of the country. He pointed to the favorable posi- tion in Mackenzie riding where any suitable candidate would be secure for election through the coopera- tion of the union at Powell River and Ocean Falls. While crediting Mel Bryan, the present member for Mackenzie, for his work towarG amending the un- satisfactory Conciliation and Arbi- tration Act, Emery declared that Bryan could still take a more pro- fressive stand. On Monday, Emery attended a meeting of the local Carpenters’ union, supporting their proposal for a Central] Labor Council in Powell River and urging that un- employed organizations be given representation on such a body. NION WINS FIRST AR Members of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, veterans of the war for democracy in Spain, collect funds to purchase and equip ambulances for the Chinese Project Workers Convene 36 Delegates Meet In Victoria Despite Govy= ernment Threat Of Dismissal. PRESENT CASE VICTORIA, BC, Feb. 17. — Twenty-five forestry project eamps, represented by 36 elect- ed delegates who ignored a pro- vincial government warning that they would be dismissed if they attended, met here in a two-day convention last week- end to draw up demands for presentation to the ment. First act of the convention, call- ed for by Chairman G. Henderson, was to stand for two minutes in honor of dead comrades in Spain, the chairman stating that 200 mem- bers of the BC Relief Project Work- ers’ Union were fighting for democ- racy in that country. Main issues discussed included union recognition and present prac- tice of discrimination, particularly against those refused relief in Van- couver. In a strong speech, John Maits, provincial secretary of the union, attacked the policy of the govern- ment toward trade unions and its method of conducting the project camps, stating: Union Support. “The government of BC set the employers of this province an ex- ample by being itself the first to violate the new trade union act. The Hon. G. S. Pearson says we are not a union, that the employer- employee relations do not obtain in the operation of these camps. “We are here to tell him differ- ently and we are confident the trade union movement of BC will support us. We are no fonder of the relief project camps than is Pearson, but we demand their con- tinuance in preference to ‘“tin- canning” and Oakalla jail for a liv- lihood. The scheme is the shame of the BC and federal governments —not ours. “We are proud of our union and its achievements. We have brought thousands of young men under the steadying influence of the trade union and labor movement, who, govern- (Continued on’ page 5) See PROJECTS Nazis Dr. Walther Funk, new economic minister who will become director of the four-year plan, and General Wilhelm Keitel (right) who succeeds Marshal Werner von Blomberg, following Hitler's purge. ITRATION CASE Vancouver Audience Of 3,000 Protests Censors’ Ban On Chinese Picture Ushers . Left to right: Miss Lee, Miss Grace Kwan, Mrs. Lai, who were among the many ushers of various nationalities assisting at Sun- day’s Orpheum Theatre meeting in aid of China. Illegal Deductions Charged Fishermen Payment of nearly $1500 to 62 fishermen in the last few weeks for past illegal deductions, has been made by this company, with the prospect of many others presenting claims on the same grounds. This week, legal advisors for the Cana- dian Fishing company declared claims would not be paid past the year 1933, contending it was within the company’s legal rights to pay claims only from 1930. George Miller, business agent for the Purse Seiners’ union, stated that the company would be forced to produce its books as far back as was decided, that those men who had been paid off had only re- ceived 50 percent of what was com- ing to them. “There are 200 more union claim- ants with more coming into the of- fice every day,’ Miller told the PA. Believes Mooney Is Near Freedom SAN FRANCISCO, Gal., Feb. 17. —(FP)—"“Mooney is nearer free- dom today than at any time in 21 years,” said Rep. Jerry O’Connell (Dem., Mont.), after a visit to the famous prisoner in San Quentin. O'Connell had just addressed a crowded mass meeting on behalf of bringing Tom Mooney to Waskh- ington to testify on his case, and had pledged for AFI and CIO unity. “Mooney stands as a symbol,” he said, “about whom the AFL and labor to unite in this country, To Take Claims In to Court Civil action will be taken immediately against the Canadian Fishing company of Vancouver by the union of Salmon Purse Seiners of the Pacific for alleged withholding of records which, the union declares, will verify claims of many fishermen over a number of years for illegal deductions of compensation levies. Insurance Rally Here Many City Organizations Participate In Campaign For Federal Jobless Insurance “TJ have contacted many impor- tant city organizations and prom- inent people in the past month, and have yet to find any opposed to federal unemploymert insurance.’ Miss Mildred Dougan, who made this remark to the PA this week, has not spared herself as organ- izer to ensure the success of the conference on unemployment in- scheduled for Monday, February 21, 8 p.m., at the Victory Hall, 585 Homer street. E. E. Winch, MLA, has pledged his support, as also has the Social Workers’ Club, which will send a delegate to the conference. Speakers at the conference will be Aubrey Peck, provincial secre- tary, Liberal party; Jack Stanton, barrister, president, Vancouver Youth Council; F. McKean, provin- cial secretary, Communist party; the CCH and Conservative parties will have spokesmen on the plat- surance, CIO can unite. It is necessary for | form. Mrs. Stuart Jamieson will be chairman. Ask Investigation Of Influence Exerted By Japanese, Italian, Ger- man Consuls. $1,023 COLLECTED Demand For Embargo On Canadian War Ma-. terials to Japan Unani- mously Endorsed. “The censor desired to make numerous eliminations. he chief offenses running through the wording of the dialogue ‘were being assailed and con- were: Japan’ and the ‘Japanese’ demned, and as the censor felt that serious objections could and might be taken against de- nuneciations of this kind of a foreign power friendly to Gan- ada, and as objections have been made on numerous occasions to releasing of films with these ten- dencies by representatives of for- eign governments, we therefore feel that this film would not be in the best interests of our neutrality. These are the arguments ad- vanced by the BC Appeal Board of Censors (Robert McKee, Allan Ross, Mrs. Thomas Bingham) in banning the showing of “China Strikes Back” in this province. They failed, however, to convince an audience of nearly 3000 people at a widely-publicized meeting held under auspices of the Medical Aid to China committee of the Provin- cial League for Peace and Democ- racy at the Orpheum Theatre Sunday. Prolonged booing greeted the an- nouncement that the film, first showing of which was to have been given .at this meeting, had been banned. A resolution; demanding government investigation of film censorship in BC and particularly of the influence exerted by Japa- nese, German and Italian consuls here, was passed with only three members of the audience dissent- ing. Embargo Demanded. ‘Other resolutions adopted includ- ed one urging disallowance of the Quebee padlock law, another de- manding invocation of the Customs Act against shipment of Canadian war materials to Japan, and a third pledging Support to the boycott of Japanese goods. Ganadian manufacturers were also urged to provide fine lisle and other substitutes for silk stockings which would be more acceptable than coarse lisle stockings now on the market. In introducing Joseph Hope, of Victoria the principal speaker, president of the Chinese Canadian Club and member of the Chinese National Salvation Bureau, Dr. G. BE. Sedgewick, chairman, stated Ais sympathy with the cause of China, “Tt is a cause which has my pas- sionate support,” he declared. Joseph Hope dealt principally with the political significance of Japan’s invasion of his country- Warns of Japan’s Aims. “Japan and the other members of the anti-Communist pact have as their aim the destruction of de- mocracy. They use Communism as oT eal this, a whipping-board to cone their real aim,” he said. “If the democracies permit this aim to be (Continued on page 5) See :