pecpooer amcvmacn ee CIVIL RIGHTS THREATENED The ADVOCATE FOR PEA FORMERLY THE PEOPLE’S ADVOCATE CE, PROGRESS AND DEMOCRACY FULL No. 246. VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1939 SS 5 Cents “No Excuse For Rise © f In Prices Addresses Protest Raliy Called By Housewives League Intent upon registering their protest against rising prices, Vancouver citizens into Moose hall, standing in the doorway and passageway, at a mass meeting called by the Vancouver Housewives’ League Thursday. More than 400 people voiced their demand that “something be done” to stop profiteering and instructed the Housewives’ League to call a delegate convention of representa-— tives from every organization in the city in the near future to plan wheat action will be taken. Mayor J. Lyle Telford, greeted With cheers and applause on his entrance, was one of the principal speakers. Declaring he wasn’t sure that “all our enemies are on the Rhine,’ Telford denounced speculators and Bamblers who, he charged, were causing present high prices. _ 2 “Our goverument must protect the peeple on relief and in the lewer income brackets,” he said. “Tf they 2re good enough to be called upon to fight, then the government should show a little concern for them.” Mrs. Stuart Jamieson, CCF ATLA for Vancouver Center, pointed out that “interest in rising prices Varies according to the pocket” She urged women to Icok further ahead than present emergencies and find out how the country should be run by the people for the people. “All our social services and wel- fare work must be maintained in wartime,” she declared. “We must insist upon that.” HH Mengel, representing the Old Age Pensioners, stated that “peo— ple never get anythins unless they fight for it,’ declared, “Now is the time to do something.” Other speakers included Ald. FH LL. Corey for the civic food profi- teerins committee. Threats Fail To Shake Seamen Threats of immigration officials to force 16 crew members back aboard the Greek freighter Helena Strathatos failed this week to Shake the men’s determination to So back to Greece rather than sail the ship under its present com- mand . The men quit the ship last week and surrende§2d to immigration officigis, who at first declined to intervene unless asked to by the captain. Conditions aboard ship, the fact that Men were unpaid for seven months were reasons for the crew's actions. Mayor crowded ; aps Food Speculators Hits Chamberlain DAVID LLOYD GEORGE Upholds Occupation PHILADELPHTA, Pa—Rt. Hon. David Lloyd George, Britain’s prime minister during the first world war, in an article published by the Philadelphia Record last Sunday, charged Sir John Simon with “hagelinge”’, accused the Chamberlain povernment of taking almost deliberate actions to ensure Poland's defeat. “There is now an almost com- plete reversal of opinion as to the motive and effect of Stalin’s move,’ Lloyd George said. “There are grounds to agree with the conclusions expressed by Bernard Shaw in his characteris- tic letter to the London Times a few days ago—puckish in expres— sion, penetrating in juGgment,” he continued. “His view is that it was ‘thus far and no farther warning to HMerr Hitler. The advance of the Russian army to the border of Ru- mania and Hungary strengthens that conviction.” (Gontinued on Page 6) See GEORGE | People’s Government Demanded Daily Worker Asks Why No Aid Given To Poland LONDON, Eng —(Passed by British Censor) — Despite the fall of Poland, the British peo- ple are determined to continue the strugsle against Nazism. The Daily Worker comments editorially: “Hitler and his gangsters are out to reduce Fiurope to a Nazi colony and to reduce a whole series of in dependent Huropean nations to the level of the most oppressed colon- ial peoples. “Wot only is every Puropean people viewing the fate of the Pol- ish people with sympathy. Mit is also viewing it with apprehension. MOSCOW, USSR. — Announce— ment that a mutual assistance pact and trade agreement has been signed between the USSR and Esthonia was made here Fri- day. The pact, which gives the Soviet Union certain naval priv- ileges, is for 10 years. ie © Where will the next blow fall? Who will be the next victim? That is why it is impossible for the Bri- tish and French people to even con- template surrender to Nazi aggres- sion. “The war to halt fascist aggpres- sion must £0 on with redoubled energy and the British people will insist on a people’s government capable of prosecuting the war.” Placing the blame for the col- lapse of Poland on the British and French governments who refused a Soviet pact and supported Poland in refusing the aid of the Soviet Union against fascist aggression, Harry Pollitt, general secretary of the British Communist party asks: “What direct help has been given to the Polish people by the British and French fovern- - ments? The Poles in their agony may be more than pardoned if they are not sufficiently broad- minded, wmnot sufficiently gifted with a world outicok to appreci- ate that the playing for position on the western front, the block- ade and the dropping of leaflets are not quite the Kind of direct help the Polish people had been led to expect The most vicious attack on the Soviet Union comes from the Daily Herald, organ of the Labor party. In an editorial it talks about Wazism and Communism joining in the scramble for plunder. In the same issue, Arthur Greenwood says “Wee shall never be guilty of treach- ery. Loyalty to a cause is in every fibre of our being.” Pollitt answers in Daily Workez:- “Greenwood should choose his (Continued on Page 6) See BRITAIN CCF Calls Meet In Campaign To Defend Liberties Uniting of all progressive p eople in a common cause for retention of civil liberties during wartime is the objective of a public meetings to be held this under CCF auspices. Seek Wage. [mcreases By a vote of 125 to 17, officials of Pioneer Miners’ union in a Strike ballot taken Wednesday were given a mandate to apply for appointment of a concilia- tion commissioner to negotiate on Srievances. issues involved in the dispute, which has been brewing for sev- eral weeks between the union and mine operators, are recognition of the union as the sole collective bargaining agent for the miners and a general wage increase. With living costs rising rapidly -and sold at $38:50 an ounce min- ers feel they should share some benefits of this increase. The ballot was not a decision for strike action but to find the epinion of miners for submittins the dispute to conciliation. Friday at 8 p.m. in Moose Hall Heralded as the first move of its kind here, the meeting will mark launching of a province - wide campaign designed te combat re— actionary moves to abrogate the people’s democratic rights. it is asserted that a rigid censor- Ship of press, public speeches and radio neither helps in making de- mocracy work nor does it inspire confidence. Speakers billed to address the meeting are: Rev. R. N. Matheson, Grant MacNeil, MP, Dorothy Steeves, MILA, Nigel Morgan, Inter- national Woodworkers; John Stan- ten, Vancouver Youth Council; Mrs. James Gray, Vancouver Em- bargo Council president. Other interested organizations are expected to have representa- tives at the meeting. By LILLIAN COOPER VICTORIA, BC—In response to growing indignation-at food -profi- teering and increasing suppression ef fundamental rights, local citi- zens are organizing into a Demo- (Continued on Page 6) See RIGHTS New Ontario Law Threat To Labor By WILLIAM BAKER In his column this week, James Butterfield, Province writer, did a Chamberlain and began “noting with amazement” as vigor- ously as if he were the British prime minister reporting on the latest diplomatic developments. The subject of his amazement, © however, was closer te home. He was astounded at the fact that the CCF was sponsoring a city meeting to consider maintenance of Cana- Germany. We will have none of it. It is in fact already unmistak- ably clear that the sooner labor and all true democrats are united dian civil liberties during the | to vigorously defend civil liberties course of the war. the better for Canada. For already Astonishment registered again | Measures have been applied and in his declaration: “It cannot be | 2re being prepared that can by no too soon or too clearly understood. that in war time there are, tech- nically, no civil liberties.” And lest any of nis readers should fail to be convinced he ended his plaintive comment with some rather re— markable advice—‘on these kind of things my view is that people will get More by not demanding it than they will by Kicking up a row.” and stranger advice. it sounds like the voice of Prime Minister Chamberlain, and look at the posi- tion he has placed us in. Domestic “appeasement” will as Surely help establish fascism at home as appeasement in foreign affairs strengthened fascism in stretch of imagination be consider- €d as helpful in “destroying Hit- lerism.” Rather do these measures Serve the extension of Hitlerism to our own shores. Censorship in regard to safe Suarding military information is necessary and understandable. What justification is there, how- ever, for prohibiting all political discussion, including discussion about the war, on the radio? Yet from the moment the war started CCF and Communist party broadcasts over a city station have (Continued on Page 6) See THREAT CHAMBERLAIN’S POLICIES HIT WORKING, MIDDLE CLASSES British People Demanding Reconstruction Of Government LONDON, Eng. — A ‘‘gathering storm’’ of pepular unrest ‘‘in favor ef the most rapid reconstruction of the govern- ment and of more effective conduct of the war’’ is rising at unprecedented speed in Britain, according to the current issue of The Week, usually well-informed and confidential news letter. The Week claims ‘‘it is no longer a question, as reported last week, of whether or not public any new, open and official attempt at “‘appeasement.”’ “The essential future situ- ation is that it has become an acute immediate practical political question of whether public opinion in Britain will tolerate the maintenance in power of any persons Whose activities are at least Supposed to have produced the situation whose serious Character is a matter of angry and universal comment.” Commenting on the secret diplo- matic activities of the Soviet Un- ion, the newsletter points out five guiding factors in relation to lat- est developments in Soviet policy- “1 —The necessities for the de fense of the Soviet Union. “2-—The determination to re tain the initiative and strengthen the dominating political influence of Russia in Hast European dipio— macy and strategy. This retention of the initiative was the central feature of the Moscow-Berlin pact “3.—The suspicion is continuing in Moscow that the Western gov- ernments are still not ‘seriously en- The Week, confidential British newsletter, edited by Claud Cock- burn, is now being cabled to its American office, 20 Vesey Street, New Work, and released simul- taneously with the London edi- tien. The Week scooped the world press on the Italian annexation oi Albandia, and the betrayal of Czechoslovakia. It also exposed the Cliveden Set. This political newsletter has an international reputation for its excellent analysis of events. Easing in war. Such suspicion is redoubled by the failure to assist Poland effectively by direct or in- direct action. “4 "The belief that the ultimate aim of the British government pol icy is—by one means or another— to recreate between Germany and Great Britain the relationship that existed under the Weimar repub- lic, that is, a semi-vassalized Ger- many supported by British loans (of the Wohltat-Hudson plan) di- rected ultimately against the Sov- iet Union. “3.—Hence the anxzety in Mos- cow to avoid trouble with the Ger- mans so long as this possibility — opinion would tolerate in their view — remains that the whole war might be swung around with the British and French sit- ting gently back and the Russians ‘pulling their chestnuts out of the fire for them’.” The Week declared that Moscow Tealizes the possibility of a clash with the Germans will do precisely what is wished for in certain circles, hence the Soviets are util- izing their initiative to the fullest and doing everything to strengthen their influence in East Europe. Public opinion, The Week pbe- (Continued on Page 6) See THE WEEK 52 KEEP IT UP! “Enclosed find a money order for $15. This is for subscrip- tions, the result of our first efforts in the drive. We hope te do as well this week. Keep it up!”’ writes the Advocate press drive committee at Enderby. Throughout British Columbia press drive committees are meet- ings a sympathetic re- sponse te their ap- Peals for our $4000 sustaining fund. Peo- ple everywhere, eager to Know what’s hap- pening behind the scenes, are turning to the Advocate te learn the truth. Enderby committee is showing what can be achieved. What’s your committee doing? (Story on page Six ) War Gets Congress’ Support Delegates Protest True Pesition Of Labor Unstated LONDON, Ont. — Despite a strong fight waged to reinstate ousted CIO unions and thus pre- serve trade union unity im Canada, 2 resolution urging con- tinuance of the suspension order promulgated last fall by. Congress executive was adopted at Thurs- day’s session of the Trades and Labor Congress convention by 2 vote of 163 te 133. By BERT WHYTE LONDON, Ont. — (Special). — Support of Canadian and British governments in prose- cution of the war against ag- gressor nations was voted by the 55th annual Trades and Labor Congress convention here Monday after a lengthy and heated debate which found many delegates opposing the measure because it did not ade_ quately state labor’s position for a real war against fascism. “In order that the full resources of the country may be utilized for the achievement of wictory, it is essential that profiteering and greed must be eliminated in the production of the sinews of war and the supply, distribution of home requirements,” the resolution stated. “We urge that the machinery of production and the wealth of the nation be mobilized to serve the country’s interests instead of those individuals and corporations, soa that there will be an equitable contribution on the part of capital comparable to the sacrifice of hu- man lfe” During: discussion it became clear that many believed the resolution did not sufficiently stress the trade unions’ role in fighting fascism at Home as well as abroad; the neces-— Sity of fighting for the ri=fht to or Sanize and the right of collective bargaining; maintenance of free dom of speech and assembly and the necessity of placing the war's Cost upon those woo reaped mil- lions of dollars from the sale of War supplies to aggressor nations. “If the government expects our loyalty, then that government must be loyal to us. The right te organize must be protected,” declared Grant Mcleod, presi- dent of Winnipeg Trades and Labor Council. Fred Collins, Toronto, stated the war must not be for grafting, in which vested interests would ag grandize themselves at the peopie’s expense. “The surest guarantee to defeat Hitlerism abroad is to see that fascism does not flourish at home,” he said- Similar sentiments were ex— pressed by fk Peters, Montreal, who desired to see the resolution urge the government to guarantee the right to organize and fuaran- tee that the people’s standard of living would not suffer while small Broups profited exhorbitantly, as in the last war. (Continued on Page 6) See CONGRESS