se ‘ > : > BRITISH COLUMBIA’S PROGRESSIVE HOME NEWSPAPER = FOR PEACE, PROGRESS AND DEMOCRACY FULL No. 201 VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1938 REVIEW OF THE WEEK AT THE HOUSE by Nigel Morgan 4 aes Oriental question, a potent = factor in British Columbia poli- tics for the past 30 years, now vest- ed with a new Significance for Bri- tish Columbians by reason of Jap- an‘s ris€é as an aggressor military- fascist state, loomed large in the legislature this week. Members, unfortunately, did not touch the real problem, that of Jap- @anese economic penetration and fascist espionage. Both Liberals and Conservatives know that if they revealed what all of them kmow the repercussions would be heard in Ottawa, London and Tokyo. What is more. they know that some of the proevince’s most wealthy mining magnates and not @ few highiy-placed politicians would be exposed to the full force ef aroused public opinion. So the House instead dealt with Secondary questions of Japanese immigration and the license restric- tions the City of Vancouver pro- poses to impose on Japanese retail merchants. ihed by Capt. Macserezsor Macin- tosh, member for the islands, the Conservatives moved to abrogate the “sentleman’s agreement’ on Japanese immigration now in force between Canada and Japan. A resolution presented by Capt. Macintosh read: “Whereas the people ef British Columbia are perturbed at the continued increase of the Qriental population in the province; “And whereas no requisite action to curb such increase has been taken by the Pederal Government; “Therefore be it resolved that this House urges upon the gov- ernment that it makes further icn- mediate representation to the Federal Government for the abro-— gation of the existing agreement in regard to immigration with Japan.” : Speaker Norman Whittaker ruled the motion out of order, ob- jecting to use cf the word “Orien- tal,’ cwhereupon Macintosh rose en 2 point Of privilege to have the motion placed on the order paper. But Premier Pattullo, mindful of the fact that Prime Minister Mac- kenzie King, fearful of antagon- izing Japan, is conducting a little “appeasement” policy ali his own, saw to it that the motion did not reach debate. . The division saw Dr. J. J. Gillis, member for Yale, break from Lib- eral ranks to join the Conserva- tives, the CCE and Tom Uphill (Labor, Fernie). ; The vote 27-17 was the highest against the government recorded at this session. zg o ANCOUVER City Couneil’s re- V quest for a charter amendment enabling it to refuse trading li- censes to Orientals met with no support anywhere. In stormy hear-— mss before the private bills com-— mittee, H. G T. Perry (Lib, Fort George) said he was informed that he power sought by Vancouver was probably ultra vires of the srevinee, although Corporation Sounsel D. G. McTaggart statea hat the city was prepared to fight he question in the courts if I Ver came to that. “Supposing we uubstitute ‘Jewish’ for ‘Oriental,’ ire we not doing then just what Jitler is doing in Germany?” asked Ferry. “Fundamentally you are eting in precisely the Same way. want to go on record here and Ow.” : With other members terming the reposal “rank discrimination,’’ the ommiuittee decided to hear further epresentations in cemera. e ITH the legislature about half way through the budget ebate, the serious problems con- fronting the people haye not yet sceived an airing. First there will e the estimates. These promise to fir a heated arZzument with sev- ral vital questions already sche- uled to come up, such as Blubber ay police expenses, relief admin- tration, public works contracts, jucation and particularly univer-— ty grants, additional funds for ore adequate prison facilities, in- ‘eased forestry grants. The CCF, which has already ex- ressed its determination in spite * the Cabinet’s “cold-shoulder” to bor, plans to introduce amend-— ents to Industrial Disputes Act. THREATEN PI Labor-Progressives Open MAN IS HELDBY POLICE A charge of attempted as- sault with a dangerous weapon has been laid against W. Gilbert by the Bakery and Confec- tionery Workers’ Union as a result of his attack on pickets ‘outside the Woman’s Bakery in North Burnaby yesterday armed with an axe. After threatening pickets and pursuing one of them down the Street brandishing his axe, Gilbert wes finally disarmed and turned over to North Burnaby police. A charge was later made against him by union officials. Both pickets and spectators drawn to the scene were unable to account for the man’s actions. Gilbert is proprietor of a smali drygeods store directly opposite a branch of the Woman's Bakery, where employees are on strike, and witnesses report he had been usine threatening lansuagpe against pickets early in the afternoon. warnine he would use a gun ou them. After crossing to the bakery fsr a word with the siri attendant, Gilbert returned to his own shop and immediately reappeared carry— ing his axe. Im an attempt to avoid trouble, pickets walked down the street but Gilbert followed and was only sub- dued after a fracas in which spec- tators joined in disarming him. Meanwhile no new developments appeared in the deadlock betweeu the bakery union and management of the Woman’s Bakery. Employees struck work last Friday when Manager J. ©. Brault refused to ac- eept an award handed down on October 17 by an arbitration board ordering him to pay wage rates prevailing in the city’s baking in- dustry. Vancouver District Trades and Labor Council on Tuesday night referred the whole matter to its grievance committee for action. It is believed the committee will recommend placing the Woman's Bakery on their “we do not patron- ize” list. OAKALLA STRIKE SUCCESSFUL Tincanners serving four and six month terms at Oakalla called off their protest strike against poor food and overcrowding this week after a series of meetings with the warden had brought them all de- mands except release from cus- tody. Results of the prison strike were communicated to the Advocate by John Matts, Relief Project Work- ers’ Union secretary. Tnuder terms of the settlement, the warden of Oakalla has agreed to recognize a prievance commit— tee representing some 120 single jobless still serving time and will negotiate all further pemevances | through this committee, Matts re- ported. In addition, prison officials re- stored to the men all former privileges and granted new rights which brings their status close to that of political prisoners. Breakfasts have been improved and overcrowding greatly relieved, it was stated. The strike was originally called a week ago last Monday and con- tinued throughout the rest of the week. frrcrease Benefits VICTORIA, BC, Nov. 17.—British Columbia will be brought into line with other provinces by the govern— ment’s intention to bring down leg- islation this session increasing benefits under the Workmen’s Com- pensation Act, including widows’ allowances, Hon. G. S. Pearson said Thusday. Wessel Escapes Capture ae SSS order to halt, escaped safely. Captain Henry Johnson, Swedish-born slipper of the Erica Reed, carrying a $300,000 carzso of food, clothing and medicine donated by Canadians and Americans to the Spanish people, who this week was reported to have made good his promise to crash the fascist blockade. Hailed by a fascist armed trawler off Gibraltar, Johnson ignored the Resolutions “Eivery person is shocked at the terrible treatment Jewish people are receiving in Germany,” sald Charles Stewart, chairman of the organizing committee, as he moved adoption of the resolutions. “The council should couch its resolutions in the strongest possible terms of protest.” As first presented the resolution asked that all “trade relations be broken off.” = Remarking that “we don’t want any relations with Germany at all,” Delegate Scribbens from the Civic Employees Union, asked to have the word “trade’’ deleted. Synagogues last prayers for the In both city Sunday special City Labor, A\ssail Nazi Demand King Government Break Trade Relations With Germany Resolutions to German Consul Mahler protesting Nazi ter- rorism against Jews, to the Canadian sovernment demanding that a protest be lodged with the German government and that all relations with Germany be broken off immediately, were passed by delegates to Vancouver Trades and Labor Council Tuesday without a dissenting vote. Churches Terror thousands of victims of Nazi perse- cution were said, while in churches of all denominations throughout Vancouver ministers voiced their protest. “Germany's actions during the Past week have placed her beyond the pale of Civilization,’ Rabbi Samuel Cass declared. “You can well imagine my feel- ings on receivine this sad news. It is very comforting in these un- happy crcumstances to know that many Christian ministers are also voicing their indignation.” Rev. Andrew Roddan of First United Chureb condemned WNazi persecution of Jews as “a horror unbelievable in this century, paling the terrors of the Middle Ages.” Al Parkin New Editor duties next weels from Hal Griffin, appointed assistant editor in Janu- ary, 1936, and editor since October, 1937, who will shortly leave for the east on extended leave of absence. Parkin comes to his new appoint- ment with several years’ experi- ence on the labor press. He was the first editor of the BC Lumber Worker, organ of the BC Coast Dis- trict Council of the International Woodworkers or America, from 1934 to 1936, when he left for To- ronto to become reporter and for a time city editor on the Daily Clarion. Returning to BC last year, he was appointed to the editorship of The Fisherman when that jour- nal was launched by the Salmon Purse Seiners’ Union and the Paci- fice Coast Fishermen’s Union. Born 27 years ago in Vancouver, Parkin comes of an old pioneer British Columbia family. His grand- mother, Elizabeth Malpass, later Mrs. William Parkin, was bord aboard the Princess Royal during the hazardous voyage around the Horn in 1853, her parents being among the first group of white settlers in Nanaimo. Appointment ot Al Parkin to the editorship of the People’s Advocate was announced this week by the editorial board. Parkin will take over his news MLike Griffin, Parkin is a member of the provincial executive commit- tee of the Communist Party. —>-« Cam y Explain Fordyce Ouster ‘V ote-Splitting Action,’ State Communists Alex Fordyce, vice-president of Vancouver and New Westminster Trades and Labor Council, an- mnouncement of whose expulsion from the Communist party was made public last weekend, was expelled for his action in an- nouncing his intention to enter the civic election campaign as _ an independent candidate for alderman in opposition to candi- dates nominated by the Civic Conference Gommittee. This statement was made to to the Advocate Thursday by Fergus McKean, provincial sec- retary of the Communist party, when he was informed that ro:- dyce had protested a statement on his expulsion published in the Advocate. The statement to which For- dyce took exception read: “Pordyce’s expulsion was made public as a result of his action in filing nomination papers as an independent candidate for alder— man.” “JUST TECHNICALITY.’: Fordyce aeclared this week that he had not filed, but only takén out nomination papers. “It's correct that Fordyce has not yet filed nomination papers,” MeKean told the Advocate, ‘‘but it is a technicality and does not affect the reason for his expul- Sion from our party. “Fordyce was expelled for his action in announcing his inten— tion to enter the elections as an independent. He took this step without consulting our provincial executive committee, although he must have realized the poli- tical consequences of his action. Our provincial executive commit- tee took the position that if he ran it would split the progressive vote and impede the efforts of our party to attain unity of all progressive groups in the civic élections. WNevertheless) Fordyce persisted in his defiance of party discipline and refused to with- draw.”’ The Ccmmunist party, McKean explained, was convinced that cooperation of all progressive Sroups could secure election of a joint progressive slate. “And certainly,’ he added, “we could not countenance a mem- ber of our party running as a so-called trade union independent and splitting the progressive vote. Because Fordyce’s action in taking out nomination papers was given publicity in the daily press and aroused considerable comment and speculation, our announcement of his expulsion was likewise made public. SUPPORTED LAST YEAR. “Last year,” McKean stated, “the Communist party supported Pordyce as a trade union candi- date for alderman. We did so on the ground that he then had the support of onganized labor and was the nominee of a large number of trade union locals, and because we advocate political action by trade unions in coopera- tion with other progressive or- ganizations. “This year however, these trade unions, combining their forces wath ratepayers, veterans and other progressive organizations. have nominated their own candi- dates and are now striving for am agreement with the CCR whereby only a single slate will go before voters. “Fordyce was tentatively nom- inated by a conference of these Sroups, but was not included in the final choice. Wis prepared- ness to run as an independent against candidates named by this conference is a vote-splittins tactic which, in effect. can only. Strengthen the Non-Partisan As- sociation. “This,” concluded McKean, “we pointed out to Forayce, but when he persisted in his intention to run we had no alternative but to expel him and make the ex- pulsion public, so that voters will know the Communist party cannot and will not condone such opportunistic actions.” —=>_s4 paign Monday —_——_ UNITY IS. REFUSED BY CCF Civic history will be made in Vancouver next month and, if the enthusiasm displayed by William Stewart, campaign manager for Civic Conference nominees, is any eriterion, labor-prosressive candidates will make it. The Civic Conference Committee wall swing into its campaign next Monday at 8 pm with a big rally in ‘Moose Hall, at which Dr. A Barton, mayoralty candidate; Charles Stewart, executive member of Vancouver Trades and Labor Council, aldermanic candidate: Sam Shearer, president of the Bro- therhood of Railway Carmen, can- didate for park board; and Mrs Ethie Jones, school board candidate wall expound the labor-progressive platform. 4 series of radio addresses. suburban meetings, a house-to— house canvass throughout the city and wide distribution of elec- tion folders will ensure that the -Civiec Conference Committee's. proposais for progressive civic Severnment reach every voter. “We intend to go places and de things,” Stewart told the Advocate. “And because the coming elections afford Vancouver a real opportun- ity to place in office honest repre- sentatives of the people rather than representatives of big business, we regret that the CCE Regional Gom- Mittee has so far rejected every overture we have made for joint discussion of our suggestion that the CCF and the Civic Conference Committee cooperate in placing a Singie slate and a common program before voters.” Stewart showed the Advocate a brief communication the Civic Con- ference Committee received this week from the CGF Regional Gom-= moittee in response to its latest appeal for cooperation. (Continued on Page Six) See LABOR-PROGRESSIVES SAYS FOREMAN STARTED FIGHT “Tiett singled me out, Stuck oué his chin and challenged me to hit him. He said, “Why don’t you start something ?’’ This statement was made in As- size Court Thursday by Edward Stewart, logger first witness called by the defense to sive evidence in the trial of Ronald McDonald, Blubber Bay picket, charged with rioting and wuniawful a sembly. &. C. Ball, counsel for Bc Donald, told the jury he intended to bring evidence to show that the riot on Blubber Bay wharf on Sept. 17, was deliberately pro- voked, that trouble commencea from Mloti’s challenzes to pickets to “start something,” and that pickets trying to get away from the wharf where gas bombs had been thrown, were ambushed by strikebreakers throwing rocks. Questioned by Hall, Stewart Stated Constable Ellis swung at him with a club. “I told him to put it down be- fore he hurt anybody,” Stewart said. ‘I didn’t kick him and Mec- Donald certainly did not kick him I saw Constable Williamson hit a striker on the head with a clup and a woman called me later on to give first-aid as he had been So badly hurt’ When cross-examined by: Aj am: Branea, crown counsel, who asked if the strikers had not intended to intimidate all passengers on the incomins boat, Stewart Said, “No, we weren’t there to intimidate them, we were there to demon- Strate the solidarity of the strikers and to remind people there was (Continued on Page Six) See TRIAL +r