Page Two THE ADVOCATE September 29, 1939 Victoria Citizens Pr ES Want Prices Fixed At August 20 Level By LILLIAN COOPER VICTORIA, BC.—Resolutions demanding that the govern- ment fix the price of foodstuffs and other vital commodities at Azisust 20 level and that consumers be given representation on the Wartime Trade and Prices Control Board were unanimously passed by a mass citizens’ meeting held in the Chamber of Com- merce here last Monday under auspices of the CCF. Expressions of opinion voiced by Speakers and members of the suat| ence revealed that the people are eCrmad ni unanimous in their condemnation of food profiteering and determined to fight for their denrocratic lib- erties in war time. Various examples of obvious profiteering were given by speak- ers. Dave Pierce, manager of the local cooperative store, cited the rise in prices of flour, sugar, butter, tea and coffee before the sales tax “was actually levied by the govern- ment. Investigation of profiteering undertaken by the committee set up by the Local Council of Women was drawn to the meeting’s atten- tion by Vice-President Mrs. J. Ww. Gibson. The committee had been invited, she said, to submit specific cases to the government for in- vestigation and members of the “sudience were asked to turn in any information which might be of as- sistance to the committee. Dr. W. G Gibson, representing the Democratic Book Club, told the people that conditions of profiteer-— ing now existing in Canada remind- ed him of conditions in Germany, where 1,255 new millionaires were ereated in the first six years of the Hitler regime. “Tt js a scandal that anyone is allowed to grow wealthy when Ganada is in such a state,” he said. “I am not going to fight for private profiteers here in Victoria, Ganada or elsewhere throughout the world.” Replies To Accusers Charges Thai Reaction Has Other Than Anti- Fascist War Aims TORONTO, Ont. — “Apparent- ly powerful reactionary forces in Canada as well as England have ether than anti-fascist aims in this war,” declared Alderman Stewart Smith, replying to a res- olution requesting His wresigna- tion as alderman, introduced by labor-baiting, pro-fascist Alder- man David Balfour in city coun- cil last week. “The proposal of my resigna— tion is a mean political trick of members of this council with 4 background of friendship to fasc- ism. Their object is to exploit the war for their own political advantage to the detriment of the progressive, municipal gains of the people of Toronto,” Smith said. E Three hours of heated attack on the popular Ward 5 alderman Kelowna Police Imterfere With Paper Salesmen KELOWNA, BC. — Ait- tempts by police to prevent street sales of the labor press by intimidation and interfer- ence has~aroused protest in the Okanagan. Advocate salesmen were questioned last week as to theiz political ideas and at- tachments by police, who took copies of the paper and interfered whenever cus- tomers approached. One salesman was followed home by a plain clothes man. A public meeting to pro- test such interference with civil rights is being or- ganized. Issue 1939 Year Book Of special interest to all progres- Sive groups in this period of rising prices is a new subsection in the 1939 edition of the Canada Year Book, dealing with the latest re- ports of a special study on family living expenditures now being un- dertaken by the Dominion bureau of statistics as a phase of the Nu- trition Survey. Other extra items included in this new edition, publication of which was announced this week by the bureau, include articles on the historical background of Canadian agriculture, on the origin, develop- ment and operations of the Cana- dian wheat board, and on the de- velopment of the press in Canada with statistics for all daily and principal weekly newspapers and magazines. The bureau of statistics, announ- otest Profiteering, Rising L AROUND THE PROVINCE Cumberland Miners Assail Profiteering CUMBERLAND, BC. — Increase in food prices here since the outbreak of war with Nazi Germany has soared in some cases as much as 22 percent, a report to the United Mine Workers of America meeting Sunday night revealed. Using prices of staple foods as¢ listed in the Labor Gazette, th= elected committee of the union guaged pre-war prices and their sudden rise with the declaration of war and found that shortage was not the reason for sharp in- creases, but speculation of profi- teers. Copies of the commiittee’s report will be sent to the labor depart ments at Victoria and Ottawa and one to the UMWA district office with a request that action be taken against those taking advantage ct the national emergency to amass wealth. ‘Must Preserve Civil Rights’ TRAIL, BC—Officers of Trail and District Miners’ Union, local 480, affiliated with International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, were elected following in- stallation of the charter by John MecPeake, International organizer for the district, last Friday. In presenting the charter and installing the nine officers com- posing this new local union execu- tive, McPeake painted a vivid pic- ture of the responsibiilties of the union to the active members. “In this present situation of war,” he declared, “unions general- ly and in particular the union here in ‘Trail and district have voiced their willingness to cooperate with the government in every way to defeat the beast of fascism in Hur- ope.” ~ Warning the membership and Chinese Refuse To Unload Ship UNION BAY, BC.—Unity of the Ghinese people in the war against Japanese aggression in their home land was brought home to Canada at this shipping point this week when Chinese dumpers and trim- mers refused to load a Japanese ship here. United Mine Workers of Am- erica officials supported the Chinese by deciding that no mem- ber of tue union would do the work, but keep strictly to their own job. The vessel wsa loaded by com- pany officials with the ship’s crew doing the trimming. Go 24 Miles, Get 2 Pounds Of Sugar CHERRYVILLE, BC. — During the past week local residents have had to travel 24 miles to Lumby to obtain their supplies of sugar as mone was available in local stores. Imagine their indignation on ar- rival at being told they could only buy two pounds of sugar at one time! Rap Withholding Of Information VICTORIA, BC.—Resolution pro- iving Cost > Convention Delegates Selected Many CIiIOQ Leaders Will Attend Klamath Falls Meet Oct. 18 British Columbia locals of the International Woodworkers of America expect to seat their full quota of delegates when the third annual convention opens in Klamath Falls, Ore., on or about October 18. Heading the delegation will be Wigel Morgan, international repre- sentative, who will first attend the CIO convention in San Francisco early next month. Woungest organization affiliated with the TWA intending to send two delegates is the Plywood and Veneer Workers’ Union, chartered following actions of British Colum- bia Plywoods company officials in firing 50 seasoned employees last July. Vancouver and Lake Cowichan locals are each intending to send. two delegates, while Victoria local will send one. Other locals have not yet elected delegates. Colin Cameron and Grant Mac- Weil, CCF MiI.A’s, have accepted in- vitations to attend and address the four-day sessions. International CIO leaders sched- uled to attend the convention, as announced by Bertel J. McCarty, IWA secretary treasurer, include CIO Vice-President Philip Murray, James B. Carey, CIO secretary and president of United Electric Radio and Machine Workers, Harry Bridges, west coast CIO director, Bridges, west coast CIO director; Reid Robinson, Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers’ president. Delegates, friends 2 and guests ae E : - _|ithe newly-elected officers against testing against the practice of] will be welcomed to Kl th Falls “ ¢ ents of other = : (cing publication, states that a lim : 3 : ee z ‘ z E e . +lam2: ees areaaliscac “CCE Bee De Connon wotes oe 524 ited number of copies are available | possible attempts of big business withholding information, other| by Mayor Clifton Richmond. at $1.50 per copy. By special con- cession ,however, a few paper- bound copies are being set aside for ministers of religion, bona fide students and school teachers, ob- tainable at the nominal price of who would use the war situation to crush the labor movement he concluded by stating, “If we are te be serious patriots then we must fight to preserve democracy 35s strenuously here at home as on the federal candidate for Victoria, pointed out that cost of food for a family of five had risen i0 percent since commencement of the war. “The people of Canado must ex- press themselves in 10 uncertain than that which might be of value to the enemy, was unanimously en- dorsed at the regular meeting of the Democratic Book Club iasit Wednesday. on the resolution requesting Smith’s resignation. Admittance to the council chamber was refused anyone who seemed likely to Support Alder- man Smith. The alderman’s “Spying On Consensus of opinion expressed would not be slow to remember, the Communist alderman, thrice elected for Ward 5, reminded his accusers of his consistent stand against Hitlerism and fascism. “T am confident,” he challeng- ed, “that I can go before the electors and convince them that I have a clean bill of health in opposing Hitlerism. The Wazis have been drilling around Toron- to without any action on the part of the police. Highly placed gentlemen have been keeping midnight rendezyous with the agents of Naziism.” Alderman Smith told the coun- eil that he was in 20 way con- nected with the Soviet Union nor with any other foreign govern- ment, “Then why are you so disloyal to Great Britain?” asked Control- ler Hamilton. should be presented in as true and rights. This is the only way by unbiased a manner as possible. which we will-be able to retain our hbardwon liberties,” McAllister said. On behalf of the Britannia Branch of the Canadian Legion, Leslie G. Scott pledged the support of returned soldiers to any cause that would promote the welfare of the people, especially in time of war, and said that his organization intended to press for action from the government to squash profiteer— ing. During the discussion period, members of the audience pointed out the tragic effect of rising prices on people with small incomes such as pensioners and relief recipients, and the waste of fruit due to limit— ing of sugar supplies despite as— surance from refineries that there were adequate stocks. 2 50 cents. battle fields of Europe.” at the meeting was that people had manner that they will not tolerate| father, Rey. A. E. Smith, and 2 a right to know Sig erat sone 1 food profiteering and the curtail-| Mrs. Smith were firmly rejected : : = 1 = going on and all such information G or ment of fundamental democratic| by Mayor Day, as also was Fred Nazi espionage, which electors |] abor Protests I i : b Bf Collins, prominent trade union- ist, on the grounds that the coun- cil wanted “no disturbance-”’ Charging that the Communist alderman’s speech of August 25, criticizing the Chamberlain gov- ernment’s foreign policy, was ‘“on-British,’ Alderman Balfour said he did not feel “a man like Smith should be allowed to sit on the council, especially at times like these.” Alderman Smith firmly refused to resign, observing tht he would ‘leave it to the electors.” “J am a Canadian and my loy- alties are to Canada and the Ca- nadian people,” Ald. Smith re- torted. “If Canada is to suffer be- cause of the foreign policy of the British government, then I say that every Canadian has the right and duty to eriticize that Bonus Payments VICTORIA, BC—Strong protest {6 was voiced by Victoria Trades and D | IC E Labor council this week against payment of bonuses by city council Bayview Hall, Sunbury on and provincial government to em- Saturday, Sept. 30th ployees who had enlisted. Declaring that it considered the Music by Doe’s Wranglers Good Music Refreshments plan “tantamount to misuse of “Come and Have a Good Time!” \FRED ROSE 7} (Author of “Fascism Over Canada”) 46 pgs., Price 5c Postage, Ic NEW AGE BOOK SHOP 50a E. Hastings St. Vancouver, B.C. — Mail Orders — Room 25, 163 West Hastings St public funds,’ the trades council said in a unanimous resolution that such action was discriminatory and would create much dissatisfaction in the military units. Seniority should be preserved, superannuation maintained and po- sitions kept open, E. Fex, trades council president, said, but he did not think the people’s money should make up wage differences. Further inequality was pointed out by HM. Wouhill, deseribing men, Auspices of Women’s Auxiliary, P.C.E.U. (ee 25c GENTS cal f , i] f 4 f f 4 p # ly f f \/ f f 4 f f s f f ) f = Make It Home! aie Y Sees t a aaon tao aT | pulley, "F Bave the facts on my |r am tar more loyal tg Britain ("ho had given up $620.2 day fobs | 4 YOUR Ss PORT es f side and all you have is preju- than you are,” retorted Smith. Lene Cae Za nee ee = geupportion ts macau possible: secs “I am loyal to Canada, but ests “If the government pays the dif- Specialists 4 Replying to the charge of un- not agree with the See: Peveibe Tiawares or ous it should in Waving 6 Gordon Hardware ¢| British statements, Alderman government. ao ge no aoe jeve pay ion oll nel declared. ane 5 A 3322 Dunbar St. BAy. 6570 4 Smith declared: that the Canadian ~ Serre Branches of the Ganadian Legion | sud Grey 4 ee TA “Speakers and thinkers of will carry out ee acae ae = and British Empire Service League | Hair ‘weESVSESVeSesEVSEss=Eess= Great Britain have expressed Seaees people wan ie here also approved SN Raa esiisea | O imila iticism. It is not anti- out Se by the Trades Council. = he ee eee Seaeen ae criticize the actions Concluding his spirited defense ¥ Downing of a government, but it is anti- against united attack from coun- Beau British to say such criticism eil members, Alderman Smith JOHN STANTON Sho ty MI oN f should be suppressed. The declared: Pp sc “Apparently powerful reaction- ary forces in Canada as well as England have other than anti- fascist aims in this war. Appar- ently their aims are imperialist aims at home and abroad. They are friends of fascism, not anti- fascists, and desire to exploit the war for profiteering, to srow rich on the war and make the people pay just as in peace they grew rich at the expense of na- tional stagnation.” “The Canadian people who de- sire the defeat of Hitlerism and fascism oppose the imperialism in this war and will continue to do so. They do not want a pre- datory war for jmperialist hege- mony.” 445 GORE AVE. SEymour 0303 Hotel East charge of being anti-British thus fits the mover better than myself.” Asserting that speeches of Lloyd George and Premier Molo- toy had been suppressed by the Canadian press, Alderman Smith, who is the Ontario Communist party leader, pointed out that Lloyd George had made similar eriticism of the Chamberlain government and that any Cana- dian citizen should also be able to do so. He reminded council members that in his pamphlet written during the Munich crisis e Better Materials he had predicted the inevitable result of continuation of such an 2 appeasement policy would be e@ war. Barrister, Solicitor, Notary 503 Holden Building 16 EK. Hastings St. Trin. 4464 180 West Hastings St. PHONE - = SEymour 0241 Dress Up This Fall in a REGENT Suit or Overcoat SR UVESBUMEEVESEEVESBSESETBSBSesv=s Novice Boxing Every Tuesday Night at Orange Hall, Gore & Hastnigs Ringside, 25c Gen. Adm., 10c 8:30 p.m. International Sports Club mex eee Sex SEE BE Tes ev=se=eEVTv=E Quality Eats! Steaks, Oysters, Chops, Htc. “One friend tells another.” REX CAFE 6 EAST HASTINGS e@ Better Styles e@ Better Tailoring ABABA REESD fanaa san ae Only Shoe Repair Store in Vancouver with a Signed Agreement with the Union NEW METHOD SHOE - - 337 Carrall St. (S CELEBRATION To Mark Opening of YOUTH CENTRE 130 W. Hastings St. ‘While members of this coun- cil may have certain prejudices,” Smith continued, “they should mot be led astray by hysteria. And, above all, they should not support the cries of local news- papers, which would apparently like to see Great Britain and France entangled in a war with bd the Soviet Union.” Warning council members that Our low rental location en- ables us to sell for less and give greater values. ..- Buy from the old established firm known for quality! “