As (CP Parley Urges Alaska AX IMMEDIATE start on con- struction of the United States— 4Jaska highway was urged in one of the main resolutions endorsed at the concluding session of the CSommunist party provincial con- vention held over the weekend. Reaffirmine the party position On the project, under considera- tion for a considerable period, the resolution declared that con- Struction of the highway would Provide employment for thou- Sands of BC jobless, stimulate business and open up new areas tor farmins and industrial devel- epment, besides Providine a land route to the Yukon. Phe resolution demanded that “the federal sovernment con- clude necessary negotiations with the BC and United States goy- ernments and imamediately au- thorize construction.”’ Expressing Support of Prench labor in its fight against Dala- dier’s profascist decree laws, delerates endorsed a resolution &reeting the French Popular Front and its leaders and ex- pressing pride at the role of the Communist party of France and its leader, Maurice Thorez, in welding the people’s unity. “Daladier has failed in his first traitorous éffort,” the resolution Stated. “The general Strike was Successful in defeating Daladier’s attack on the People’s gains de- spite a press censorship and de- liberate falsification of press despatches which conveyed the impression that Daladier had broken the strike. The unity of the French Popular Front has 2egain defeated reaction and we are confident that it will with_ Stand all such attacks, even as the Popular Front of Spain.’ Greetings were extended also to the Spanish People’s Front and the Republican Sovernment in another main resolution, express-— ing pride that the Spanish people have been able to hold back the — armed might of German and italian fascism. for two and one— half years. “We condemn the action of the Canadian government in refusing the Spanish republic the right to buy arms and materials while cynically permitting a steady flow of Canadian munitions to reach the fascists through Por- . tugal and Spanish Morrocco, urge the Canadian government to allow Republican Spain to pur- chase arms and material and use its influence with the British Commonwealth of Nations in se curing the complete withdrawal of German and Italian troops from Spain.” The resolution warned against allowing Chamberlain to betray Spain as he betrayed Czecho- slovakia. Intensification of the boyeott on Japanese goods and streneth- New Officers = FERGUS McKEAN \ Provincial Secretary MALCOLM BRUCE a a= ROBERT KERR Organizational Secretary = =a Ss es" i: See WILLIAM BENNETT Administrator Vith the addition of Charles wart, mney president of the Section, Communist Party of ada, the above have been cho- leaders of the party for the ing year. All of them were ted by acclamation on a idins vote of the delegates at iday’s convention session in Labor Temple, [ PEOPLE’S ADVOCATE VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1938 Return From French yolunteers who fought in the International Brigade with the Spanish republican army are welcomed in Paris on their return to their homeland after being demobilized by the government. WARNS AGAINST AMALGAMATION WINNIPEG, Man.—Any consid- eration of Sir Edward Beatty's Proposals on railway amalgama-~ tion made to Canadian Pacific Rail- way employees in a recent letter “Can serve no other purpose but to weaken” railway labor’s Opposition to the scheme. So declares a resolution adopted by lodge 371, Brotherhood of Rail way Carmen here, which advises Seneral chairmen of the brother- hood on the CNR and the chairmen on the CNR System Federation to reject the CPR president’s bid for a Yrail merger and strengthen the Standard Railroad Labor Organiz— ation’s opposition to the scheme. This action followed reports that the annual meeting of Canadian Srand lodge officers, legislative representatives and general chair— men of the Standard Railroad Or- Ganizations scheduled for January 8 in Ottawa, would discuss Sir Hd_- ward Beatty’s proposals. The resolution further asks that “no consideration be given to the proposed participation of the rail- way workers in the drafting of legislation which Mr. Beatty is so desirous of securing.” The January 9 meeting was set by the Division 4 AFL railway em- ployees department convention held in Vancouver last May. It will determine what course the general chairmen will follow when the special senate committee re- sumes itS enquiry into the joint operation of the nation’s two major railway systems. Compensation Changes Written Into Act VICTORIA, BC, Dec. 8—Efforts of organized labor to gain a better deal from the Workmen’s Com- pensation Board were rewarded this week when an amendment in- ereased the amount of compensa- tion workers will receive for in- juries. Compensation is increased from 6244 percent to 667, percent. Al- lowances for widows was increased from $35 to $40 per month and total allowance for a family increased from $65 to $70 per month. Funeral benefits were increased from $100 to $125. Attempts to force employers to take greater responsibility in pro- widing safety regulations were dropped from the bill by the gov- ernment. No Arms For Japan Demanded One Dime For Fascist Goods Buys a Bullet 4 pees Canadian government was urged to clamp down an em- bargo on the Shipment of “all raw materials convertible jnto War materials to aggressor na- tions,” in a telegram despatched to Premier Mackenzie King by trade union and peace organiza-— tions meeting in Vancouver last weekend. Called by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union to discuss the problem of aiding China and other nations attacked iby fascist States, the meetings was addressed by a number of leading peace ad- vocates, all of whom urged a boy- cott on Japanese goods and ar- ticles manufactured in Germany and Italy. “It is significant that Canada's sale of nickel, lead, copper, serap iron and sulphite to Japan in- creased more than 100 percent in the first year of the war in China,’ declared Mrs. J. Stuart Jamieson of the Women’s Inter- national League for Peace and Freedom. “In 1936 their trade was $8,500,000. A year later it had reached $17,500,000.” Representing the Trades and Labor Council, Sam Shearer stat ed emphatically that the unem- ployment resulting from loss of the Japanese market would be negligible, backing his state— ments with figures in the way of proof. “When you buy a ten-cent ar- ticle made in Japan at any of our local stores, you pay for the cost of a bullet that may claim ano- ther Chinese life,” the meeting was told by Rev. Villett of CGa= nadian Memorial Church. Other speakers included Eric Martin of the Vancouver Youth Council, Dr. W. G Black of the League of Nations Society. Mrs. James Gray presided. Plans were also Jlaid for a broad convention of all orgsaniza-— tions interested in developing a wide campaign around the boy- eott of fascist goods. REPEAL BILL 389 REFUSE TAG DAY FOR MAC-PAPS Vancouver city council will not authorize a tas day for Canadian returned veterans of the Spanish war, Robert Kerr was told by civic finance committee this weelk when he appeared to ask permission for Such a project to aid the rehabili_ tation fund of the Friends of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion. Taking refuge behind a Pledge Biven the Vancouver Welfare Fed- eration to allow no more than three tag days each year, aldermen turned down the proposal, neces— sary to give aid to some 200 Mac- Pap veterans expected to arrive in Vancouver within the next few weeks. fn presenting his request, Kerr argued that the returned men were citizens of the province who had volunteered to fight in defense of Spanish and world democracy, and that they deserved special treat ment on their return home after beings demobilized. Spokesman for the Mac-Paps was himself a fighter for the Spanish government, having been political commissioner of the Cana-_ dian battalion. Only result gained from the in- terview was a decision made by committee members to ask Relief Administrator Bone for a report on the status of the men involved and whether they would be entitled to relief on arrival. Some 50 of them are wounded or disabled as a result of front line fighting. Many of those scheduled to re- turn have beén away from the prov- ince for over a year, which, under relief administration rules, disqual- ifies them from obtaining domicile. While agreeing with other com- maittee members that a tag day could not be held, Ald. Cormett suggested a committee of promi- nent citizens be set up to provide needed funds. Gmomigration authorities have pre- viously stated that all men who fought in Spain and were lezally resident in Canada before they left were entitled to return at any time. Union Organizers Brewery Drivers — Delegate from Local 31, Interna- tional Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs and Melpers, reported that progress was being made in organisation of drivers distributins beer and urged delezates to the Trades Council Tuesday to insist that their beer be delivered by union men. Most of these drivers were in- eluded in tthe Pacific Brewery Dis- bittruors, he Said, and not the Taquoer Control Board or the brew eries. ening of the campaign to place an embargo on Canadian ship- ments of war materials to Japan Was expressed in a fourth key resolution. Assuring the Chinese people greater support in their fight against invasion, and warn- ing British Columbians of their Gwn danger from a Japanese in- vasion, the resolution declared: “It is to our shame that traitor ous Mining magnates in BC are supplying Japan’s war machine with essential materials. . . . Wanaimo citizens have fiven the lead to the entire province by picketing scrap iron destined for Japan. . .- We demand the Canadian government impose an embargo on all shipments of Road! nickel ,copper, lead and zine and that Canada fulfil its obligations under the Kellogs-Briand pact and the covenant of the League of Nations.’ Canada is urged to sever trade relations with Germany as a re— sult of MHitler’s persecution of Jews and Catholics in a fifth main resolution, which asks BCG to join with other provinces in Canada and with United States in offering asylum to refugees and imposing a strict boycott of German goods. A total of 36 resolutions, includ-— ing many on organizational prob- lems, were endorsed by delegates during the concluding session. Jobs, Recovery, Peace, Democracy Convention Keynote Delegates to the tenth provincial convention of the Com- munist party were meeting in a period when the issue of peace or war overshadowed all other questions, Fergus McKean, party provneial secretary, stated, in presenting the main political re- port, a clear, concisely-worded document, at the opening con- vention session of the Communist Party last Saturday. Fointing to the recognized fact that war would be the great est conceivable catastrophe to befall the Canadian people, rend- ering economic recovery impossible, McKean showed that of all Canadian provinces, BC would likely be the hardest hit, “since we are most dependent on our foreign trade, which in 1937 totalled $92,000,000.” “The products of all four basic industries are produced largely for export and the loss of trade through war would almost immedi-— ately result in economic chaos and mass unemployment on an unpre- cedented scale,” the Communist leader said. “It is clear then that Preservation of peace is vital to our economic security and the de- mocracy and future wellbeing of Canadians generally and British Columbians in particular,” he add— ed. Turning to the question of de- fending Canada against war, Mc- ean sharply eriticized Mackenzie Eanes policy during the Czech cri- Sis as leading directly to further ageression, declaring that Canada can avoid war by following a posi- tive policy for peace—‘‘as Roose- velt put it, ‘quarantine the agsres— Sor” “The theory that Canada is a British colony and must accept the foreign policy of Chamberlain is a reactionary policy that can only aid fascist ageression,”” he empha-— Sized. “Canada, as the senior Domi- mnion of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and bordering on the United States, can and must be come a powerful factor in bringing Great Britain and United States closer together in the interests of peace. These two ereat western democracies acting in unison with other British Dominions could form an anti-fascist front that would draw into its orbit other de mocratie states desirous of peace,” he said. Democracy Is Being Attacked From. Within Unity of the Canadian people with other nations for democracy and peace would not be Successful, however, as long as pro-fascist in- terests and their spokesmen are al- towed to continue knifins peace in the back, the party secretary as- Serted, referring to those indivi- duals and companies Within Can- ada profiting by shipment of war materials to agsressor countries. “Chief among the Canadian fin- anciers Participating in the alli- ance with Japanese fascism is Gol. Welson Spencer of Vancouver, who is a director in several of these Japanese-owned properties in BC,’ McKean said. ‘‘Yet this Sentleman has the audacity to ask Vancouver voters to elevate him to the mayor- alty. Our party appeals to the people to administer 4 rousing de feat to Col. Spencer in the comings election.”’ Reference was also made to the fact that many of the Japanese log- Sing and minine claim concessions possessed strategic military value. “The people of BC must be made Boycott Fascist Goods to realize that Japanese economic penetration and espionage in our Province is calculated to ereate a fifth column which can demoralize our defenses and assist in trans— ferring BC by military means into a colony of Japan,» the Party lead- €r declared, urgins that Japanese language schools imposed on Jap- anese children in BC be changed so that their obligatory character is removed, fascist control taken away, and Canadian-born Japanese children allowed to develop as de— mocratic citizens and not as prote- gees of Japanese fascism. Referring further to fascist pene tration of Canada, McKean’s report Showed that German and Ttalian fascist organizations were also making headway in the country, pointine out that an Ttalian fascist School was beings operated in Van- couver led by a teacher sent out by Maissolini with the permission of the Canadian Seovernment, and directed by Angelo Branca, promin- ent Italian leader. Demand Embarzo AS a means of crippling agseres- sor nations, an embargo on ship- ment of war materials to fascist na- tions and a complete boycott of German, Ttalian and Japanese Soods was urged. Turning to the issue of national unity, McKean scored those higher circles of reaction in Canada and their spokesmen, Duplessis of Que- bee and Hepburn of Ontario, who were worling overtime to destroy unity between the provinces by blocking introduction of needed social legislation and other mea- sures. “The alliance between the rene- Bade Liberal Hiepburn and the fas— cist Duplessis is the center of re— action in Canada,” McKean said_ “Controlling as they do almost two- thirds of Canada’s Population and wealth, they hope to set the Fast against the West, deepen certain provincial divisions and place 4a Sovernment of reaction in the seat of power at Ottawa as a first step toward a fascist dictatorship,” he added. Jobs and Recovery Central Issue for Canada The provincial party leader paid considerable attention to the cen_ tral issue of jobs and recovery. “Peace, democracy and economic Security are not abstract political concepts, divorced from each other,” he asserted. “On the con- trary, they are very real material conditions directly related to e2ch other. Just as the maintenance of peace depends on ithe defeat of fascism and the preservation of democracy, so the preservation of democracy depends on its ability to Satisfy the economic needs of the people. “Canadians require national min- imum ware laws, laws protecting working conditions and laws Suar anteeing the right to trade union organization, similar to the Wagener Act in the United States,” he con- tinued. “The welfare of the people demands a complete reorganization of the system of taxation to relieve municipalities and homeowners from the present erushing burdens and to compel Monopoly corpora- tions to pay their share of national taxation. . “Finally,” he declared, “in-order to prevent 4a further increase in un-— employment and economic distress, Canada requires a national jobs ang recovery program, embracing a Dominion-wide housing plan and works projects. These are the cen- tral issues facings the Canadian peo- ple today.” McKean warned, however that it was not sufficient merely te state the need for such measures. “The people of BC,” he empha- Sized, “must male their voice heard in Wictoria and insist that Our provincial government bring pressure on Ottawa to have these measures implemented as soon as Possible.” (Continued on page 5) See JOBS, RECOVERY