AIBERTIES GUARANTEED BY BNA ACT VIOLATED’ NITED CHURCH ASKS PA Leading Progressive The People's Advocate Western Canada’s Newspaper ‘Groups Unite «| For Election ‘thd earn . : jegina Forms Labor- on anyj Progressive Associa- = tion; Adopts 5- Point, ni} Program. 20m} ' —_——_— ‘AVERT RUIN’ 51g} By. HENRY GRANT & @REGINA, Sask., April 14.— vo thousand Regina voters, ~ftermined to elect progressive peforesentatives in the forth- ining provincial elections, on tmwursday of last week unani- pusly adopted a joint election uf Stam and established the i gina Labor-Progressive As- ince lation. hE he program adopted was drawn 2 by a joint executive of progres- eee groups and a supporting con- reeence of trade unions. ckEn the preamble siress was ed { ced on the fact that, although Fits brief to the Rowell Com- “ession it had recognized that the —®iple of Saskatchewan faced ruin *-€Ss bold steps were taken, the 7ernment had taken no steps to bisfy the people’s demands. Toe this end we, who now con- cute the Regina xssabor-Progres- e Association, have decided to Hate a united political move- Sfnt which is not and must not “} considered a new political pty. The issues are so great that *y cut across party lines and feel that all progressive people i groups, such as the CCF, So- 1 Credit supporters, Labor As- dation supporters, Communists; -deé unionists, progressive Lib- Js and Conservatives can unite Save the province and city from in and defeat reaction,” the pre- ble stated. she five-point program adopted rored a work and wages pro- @ mm, unemployment insurance, ex- Sion of mothers’ and widows’ Swances and old age pensions, realth insurance scheme, support the demands of veterans’ or- S@iizations for bonuses and pen- “ns, a living wage for all who rk by hand and brain, a real =" Qadian standard of living, labor ies to limit maximum hours and {@ vide better working conditions, ial pay for equal work for men, men and youths, and higher re- S%= schedules pending enactment ‘@ unemployment legislation. ‘sweeping changes in taxation d financial policies, based on dity to pay, lower freight rates, otection ef youth in their homes, @eational training, civil liberties Ga religious freedom are also 'e7yered in the program. NANAIMO, BC, April 14 — The ‘y council this week granted a ‘@rmit for holding the annual May uy parade on April 30, after re- isting a previous application for by ike VANCOUVER, B.C.. FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1938 Leon Blum twice premier of France, whose second People’s Front goyern- ment fell when the reactionary senate refused to endorse his emergency financial program. ~~ < Plan Ontario Federation 750 Union Locals To Attend Toronto Meet TORONTO, Ont, April 14. Seven hundred and fifty trade union locals and 23 trades and labor councils in Ontario have been invited to send delegates to the conference called by Toronto Dis- trict Labor Council for the pur- pose of setting up an Ontario Fed- eration of Labor. The conference will be held this Friday. he conference call, signed by Seexetary J. W. Buckley of Toronto District. Trades Council, points out that the Toronto council has often been called upon to make repre- Sentations in the name of the or- ganized laber movement in On- tario to the provincial government against _contemplated- Jesislation detrimental to the trade unions. Election of an Ontario Federation of Labor executive, the majority of whose members were within rea- sonable distance of the seat of government, would provide an au- thoritative body to speak in the name of organized labor in Ontario between conventions of the Trades and Labor Congress and the fed- eration, the cail states. Police Nuisance © CLOVERDALE, BC, April 14— Provineial policemen stationed at Pattullo bridge to prevent bootles- Sing of potatoes are becoming a nuisanee to Surrey residents, Sur- rey councillors complained at their council meeting last weelx-end. Surrey motorists are continu- ously requested to produce their driver's licenses, and bus drivers are warned of ‘prosecution when they carry the regulation number of passengers, it was claimed. : leeting Broken Up 'rench-Canadians Rout : Fascists In Montreal MONTREAL, Que., April 14.—French-Canadian anti-fascists #-oke up a meeting called by the National Christian Social party the east end of Montreal last week. Nould Hold Up Licenses Aldermen Fail In At- tack On City Japanese Alderman H. DeGraves and H. ‘ilson were over-ridden in city yuncil this week when they at- mapted to have licenses of M. Tamai, cleaner and presser, and Urata, green grocer, held up. hese licenses were granted when Was reported by the inspector -at health regulations were ob- ‘ryved by the applicants. ‘I wish my two colleagues would ize over the license department,” d. John Bennett exclaimed. He uarged that obstacles were being -aced in the way of license de- aArtment officials and threatened , withdraw as chairman. ; Aid. Fred Crone pointed out that ne applications of the Japanese md been referred to the license in- yector with power to act if the ealth act was not violated in the tablishments, and he had ap- foved the applications. The inspector's action was ap- aldermen except > ley wanted was publicity.” Both Adrien Arcand, the fascist leader, and Dr. Lambert were scheduled to speak, but when they failed to appear, Major Scott, former British army officer in charge of the military drilling of Arcand’s storm troopers, and other fascist leaders took the platform. Their tirade against the Jews was greeted with cries of “Down with the fascists,’ from an audi- ence predominantly anti-fascist. One man who shouted: “You murdered our Catholic brothers in Germany and Austria. Down with the fascists! Down with Arcand!” was ordered thrown out. When strong-arm men approached to oust him there was a scuffle and im- mediately the place was in an up- roar. Led by Major Scott and leaving several of their swastika armbands behind them, the fascists beat a hasty retreat on to the street, where they were jeered by the erowd which had gathered. When police arrived not a fascist was in sight and the crowd had dispersed. Union Uniforms All city policemen and firemen will wear union-made suits this year. Gordon Campbell, union tailors, obtained all city contracts, which are lower than last year’s, policemen getting $32.50 suits as against $43 and firemen $28.50 as against $85.00 in 1957. Que. Liberal Party Meets Next Month Progressives Seeking To Build Opposition To Union Nationale Gov’t 1000 DELEGATES By RALPH NCRRIS MONTREAL, Que., April 14. —The convention of the pro- vincial Liberal party, originally slated to be held in June, will take place in Montreal at the end of May, according to re- ports current in local Liberal circles. Hastening of the convention is due to the calling of the Bucharist congress for the original June date. The fact that Duplessis has an- nounced definitely that there will be no election this summer will in no way affect the decision of the Liberals to hold what will be in effect a reorganizational conven- tion this year. Efforts are being made _ to strengthen the ties between fed- eral and provincial parties, Adelard Godbout, Quebec leader, has for the past few weeks been in con- stant communication bers of the federal cabinet. It is said that he is already preparing for the convention, lining up dele- gates and formulating a platform. Delegates representing every sec- tion of the party in the province will number 1,000. Major feaure of the coming econ- vention will be the struggle for power between the reactionary old guard, headed by Godbout and the more progressive younger bloc, led by Bouchard, opposition leader in the legislature. There have been indications of a split in the party ranks, intensified by the conflicting: positions taken by the two groups on the question of Duplessis’ anti- labor legislation- notably bills- 19 and 20. Censure Moved More progressive sections of the party are trying to gain the sup- port of the trade-union movement, as witness the almost unprecedent- ed vote of censure directed by the executive committee of the Young Liberal Association against Liberal members of the legislative council who voted in favor of bills 19 and 20. These render closed shops il- legal and give Duplessis power to tamper with union agreements. Hear has been expressed on the part of some political observers that the Hamel-Gregoire group al- lied with Wilfred Lacroix might try to get control of the Quebec Liberals. On the other hand, Claude Jodoin, president of the Young Liberal Association and an increas- ingly important figure in party ranks, has told this correspondent that he had no intention of allying himself with the fascist-inclined group. : Meanwhile pre-convention meet- ings are being held throughout the entire province to discuss a pro- gram for the party. The more progressive groups are determined to build a more effec- tive opposition against Duplessis at the next election. Gouin Attacks Duplessis Rule MONTREAL, Que., April 14. — In a radio address last week, Paul Gouin, leader of L’Action Liberale, attacked the Duplessis regime in this province and charged that his former ally had not carried out any of the promises contained in their joint platform. He criticized the government’s passage of recent anti-labor legis- lation, especially the refusal of Du- plessis to hear labor opinion on the subject of bills 19 and 20. The pre- mier’s attitude toward national un- employment insurance was also at- tacked. At the same time, however, Gouin expounded his “corporatist”” scheme for the government of the province. The present system of democratic parliamentary elections was eriti- cized as “ineffective” and a gov- ernment of ‘specialists’ was advo- cated in its stead. Housewives To Approach Hepburn TORONTO, Ont., April 14.—Pre- mier Mitchell Hepburn will be ap- proached by the Toronto House- wives’ Association to authorize an investigation into high living costs, it is stated here. The association plans publication of a four-page monthly to publicize its aims. One of the main features of the first issue, which will appear on April 26, will be a price index showing month-to-month fluctua- tions of various foods. ARMS FOR SPAIN with mem-. Marc Eight hundred women of Spanish descent march in a parade to the state department at Washington te demand arms for loyalist Spain. Seek Better Conditions City Auto Mechanies signing In Union Realization of the need for organization is spreading among |. auto mechanics in Vancouver and district. More than 100 garage workers have signified willingness to join the international trade union movement and are awaiting a charter which will give the basis to organize an industry in which exploitation is now a fine art. Quebec Youth Back Congress Announce Intention To Stay In Movement MONTREAL, Que, April 14.— Roman Catholics belonging to sec ular organizations are still affiliat- ed to the Youth Congress move- ment and will participate in the forthcoming third Canadian Youth Congress at Toronto, Mary Harri- son, secretary of Montreal Youth Council, stated this week. “We are still hopeful that Catho- lie youth organizations which have announced their intention of with- drawing from the congress will re- consider their decision,’ she said. Paul Fournier, executive member of Montreal Trades and MLabor Couneil and leading member of the industrial commission of the Youth Congress, also issued a statement this week that French-Canadian trade unionists would continue to support the Youth Congress. Youth Will Hear Weir Education Minister Is Speaker At Congress Guest speaker at the second an- nual Greater Vancouver and New Westminster Youth Congress this Friday is Hon. G M. Weir, pro- vincial secretary and minister ‘of education, who will deliver the keynote address, “Kinks in Democ- racy.’ The congress will sit from Friday until Monday at the Com- munity Centre, 672 Richards street, and an even wider representation than last year is expected. A feature of the congress will be a dance at the Paloma ballroom on Saturday night. On Monday, at 2 pm, a new coun- cil will be elected. Delegates to the Wational Youth Congress, to be held at Toronto next month, will also be elected. The Young Communist League has already begun a2 Campaign to send its provincial secretary, Maurice Rush, to the congress, and a committee headed by Jack Phillips is working to raise the necessary funds. WASHINGTON, DC, April 14. — Secretary of State Cordell] Hull has announced that the US will negoti- ate with Mexico over oil seizures independently of Britain. ® For 30 years, with one exception, automobile mechanics have re- mained aloof from organized labor. But now organization has begun among approximately 3,000 men who work with the tools, and 180 apprentices. The average mechanic, painter, battery man, trimmer and body man works 48 hours a week, if Paid a weekly salary. Under pres- ent conditions, piece workers are} limited to one job a week or 10 hours’ work. During the busy sea- son they may work 60 or 70 hours and get a dozen jobs. Often piece workers are forced to put in 48 hours around the garage, work or no work, despite a minimum wage law stipulating $15 wages. No Stable Wage Because of lack of organization there is no stability in wage scales. During. January and February around $14 would be the average earnings. Spray painters, whose average time at this unhealthy trade averages five years, are paid 45 cents an hour ; Body men get the highest wages, earning $25 to $35 a week of some- times 70 hours to make this amount. They work on commission —o0 per cent of the price of the job—the worker guaranteeing his share and trusting that no extra worl: Is involved. Battery men get low wages, mainly because they haye to com- pete with boys interested in elec- tricity, who are prepared*to work for next to nothing. Tools;for the average auto me- chanic’s kit cost around $100. The example of the Seattle gcar- age workers, who are unionized 100 per cent with consequent de- cent working conditions, has fired Vancouver men to do the same thing. 2 Parkins Meters Will Be Probed Ald: Ered Crone, civie trafic chairman, told the city council last Monday that parking meters would not be installed until full investiga- tion had been made of experiences with them in other cities. He in- formed the council of several or- ganizations he had addressed, in- cluding the Retail Merchants’ As- sociation, claiming that all of them were more or less favorable to the idea. Crone declared that the chief of police of Portland, Oregon, had written to him of the installatio of parking meters in that city, s ing they were a great success. He invited a delegation of two alder- mien to accompany him to Portland to obtain first hand information before any further action was taken. ARMS FOR SPALL EPEAL ity Presbytery Urges Defence | Special Meetings Sen Of Civil Rights | ds Stronsly-Worded Resolution to Premier Mackenzie King The resolution read: liberties of all the people.” Soong Heads Aid Council Edgar Snew Member Of Hankow Branch A. branch of the China Aid Goun- cil of the American League for Peace and Democracy has been formed at Hankow, China, accord- ing to advises received at the pro- vincial office of the Canadian League for Peace and Democracy this week. : Heading “the Hankow commit- tee is T. V. Soong, brother-intaw of Mde. Chiang Kai-shek, chief of the aeronautics commission of the Chinese government and president of the Bank of China. Other members of the commit- tee are: Dr. Robert Lim, chairman of the Hankow branch of the Chi- nese Red Cross; Miss Frances Roots, member of the Nprthwest- ern Partisans Relief Committee; Miss Chi-yi Chen, general secretary of the Hankow YMCA; Miss Ying Chow Tong, of the Chinese Wom- en’s Association at Hankow; Mo- jo Kuo, secretary of the propa- ganda committee of the political department of the national military council; Dr. B. Borcie, representa- tive in China of the League of Na- tions Health Commission; and Md- far Snow, author of “Red Star Over China” ana correspondent of the London Daily Herald. War Has Caused Vast Migration NEW YORK, April 14—(FP)— A vast migration, probably un- precedented in modern history, is taking place in China as a result of the Sino-Japanese war, accord- ing to the Far Eastern Survey, published by the American Coun- cil, Institute of Pacific Relations. At least 16,000,000 people have fled westward from the Shanghai-Nan- king-Mangechow area. WNanking, capital of China, has seen its popu- lation shrink from over 1,000,000 to 300,000. Congestion and disrup- to create a stupendous problem. In a resolution presented by Dr. G. B. Switzer, chairman of the social service committee, and adopted at its special meeting Tuesday, Vancouver Presbytery of the United Church of Canada strongly urged upon the federal government repeal or amend- ment of the Quebee padlock law. “Resolved that we heartily commend the efforts being made to obtain the repeal of the padlock law, in force since March, 1937, in the province of Quebec. i ; “We would particularly deplor visions the civil liberties guaranteed by the America Act appear to be seriously violated. “We would commend the action of the in seeking a conference with the Quebec government to procure either repeal, or amendment, and would urge upon our federal government the necessity of such action as shall conserve the British North minister of justice é The resolution was ordered sent to Prime Minister Mackenzie King; Justice Minister B. Lapointe, Hon. R. B. Bennett and United Ghurch headquarters in Toronto, : When Dr. A. M. Sanford said he thought that British Golumbia should not protest against any- thing done by Quebec in the in- terests of national unity, Rev. H. P. Davidson reviewed the padlocx Jaw: and pointed out that its application had menaced liberties which he emphasized, f 5 guarded. Confer On Toronto Labor Council Blasts Duplessis Act TORONTO, Ont, April 14 Called by Toronto District Labor Council, a conference on the Que- bee padlock law and civil liberties was held here last Sunday. In its conference call, the coun- cil stated: : “In contravention of all Cana- dian law and our heritage of Brit- ish law, Mr. Duplessis has, under the padlock law, violated the demo- cratic traditions of free speech, freedom of assembly and the right of its own choice. ; iss “Mr. Duplessis has, in short, in- violation of all precedents set through the centuries since Magna Charta, introduced into Quebec execution without judgment, pun- ishment without trial and dispos- session of property without due eourse of law, and, in effect, sus- ~ pended all democracy in the prov- ince of Quebec.” : Backs Embargo CUMBERLAND, BC, April 14— The Industrial and Hconomic Coun- cil here has written to all local ehurches, fraternal organizations and unions, requesting that reso- lutions be sent to the King govern- ment calling for an embargo on war shipments to Japan, and de- tion of agriculture are combining | manding disallowance of the pad- loelk law. Beaten By ‘Red Squad’ chairman of the Quebec provincial committee of the Communist party, Romeo Duval, Ernest Gervais, Ss. LL. Pomeroy and Roland Dinelle, were defended by J. EK. Mergler, counsel for the Montreal Civil Liberties Union. Both Dube and Pomeroy pro- duced evidence to show that they were not active participants in the demonstration, Dube charging that police had for a long time been seeking some pretext for his ar- rest. In a statement to the Daily Ciarion following their arrest, Du- val and Gervais said that they had been severely beaten by police con- stables of Montreal’s notorious ‘Red Squad’ after they had peace- fully submitted to arrest. Duval told how one constable held his arms whijle Lieut. John MInnes struck him in the face and called him foul names. Raps Padlock Law CUMBERLAND, BC, April 14.— A demand that stern action be taken against the Quebec padlocl: law as being against all traditions of British democracy, was em- bodied in a resolution sent to Pre- mier Mackenzie Kine by the Board of Trade at its last meeting. Anti-Fascists On Trial After Police Charge Crowd — MONTREAL, Que., April 14—Arrested after a savage police attack on a demonstration outside the Italian consulate on April 1, five Montreal anti-fascists faced trial here today charged with disturbing the peace and creating a disturbance by shouting out loud. All five pleaded not guilty. : The arrested men, Evariste Dube, ‘City Sets Cycle Fee Licensed By June 30 Registration of bicycles in Van- couver will be compulsory after June 30 through passing of a by= law to this effect in city council this week. Fifty-cent license plates will be issued from the city hall, schools and old municipal halls, and 25 cents will be the charge for all license transfers. Ald. H. DeGraves believed that many thefts would be halted by this bylaw and stated that, far from the tax bringing in added revenue to the city, the fee would barely cover cost of license plates. Ald. Fred Crone, mover of the bylaw, intimated that the plan, when it gets under way, will make it necessary for all bicycles used on city streets to be registered, in- eluding outside municipalities. — “The advantages and protection afforded by this bylaw will soon be appreciated by all,’ Ald. Crone de- on we will be clared, “and later in a position to improve the by- law.” e the fact that under its pro-— must be -carefully - PadlockLaw | of labor to organize into unions - All Bicycles Must Be me |