Lesson To gain. This investment has paid tremendous dividends, In Canada, on the other hand, few with sufficient funds will take such a long chance.” That is the opinion of Ray- mond Arthur Davies, co-author of the recently published “Soviet Asia,” and- secretary of Writer's, Broadcasters and Artists War Council, who will speak here next Sunday on the subject, “What Lies Beyond the Volga?” at the Beacon Theatre Russian Development (Ee can learn a great deal from Soviet develop- ment of the Russian north. The Russians have done a good job. A great deal of their wealth, like the wealth of Canada, lies in the north. The Soviet govern- ment, however, invested a great deal of money in her northern territories without expectation of immediate Canada under auspices of Russian War Relief. “Another lesson we can learn from the Russians is demon- strated by their intelligent ap- proach to the question of racial and national groups,” he said. "In the Soviet Union all na- tionalities have complete equality. This alone does a great deal to destroy the pos- sibility of a Russian fifth col- umn.” = Davies has recently com- pleted a second book, to be published March 1, titled, “Ukrainians Against Hitler.” The book deals with the ac- tivities of anti-fascist Cana- dian Ulcainians. As to the position of the Canadian painter, writer, or other creative artists in the war, Davies felt that there was a general sense of frustration. “Canadians in creative work,” he told The People, “feel that their capabilities are not being utilized by the government to produce a better type of prop- aganda. We writers, artists, and broadcasters belong to the opinion-moulding professions. Our council was formed so that we could work together for greater national unity, and to strengthen the determination of Ganadians that the war must be won.” While in B.C, Davies will speak at other public meetings in connection with Canadian Aid to Russia. Canadian Labor To Vote On Recreation Centers Street Railway Employees at their last meeting discussed pro- posals that Vancouver Trades and Labor Council affiliates accept an assessment of ten cents a member for the establishment and main- tenance of recreational centers for members of the armed forces, and voted to ask the council to take a referendum vote-on the question among all affiliated unions, accord- ing to Charles M. Stewart, presi- dent. Proposed by a committee headed by Fred Alty, Gasworkers’ dele gate to the Council, the centers would be wholiy maintained by labor through contributions by members. Cannery and Reduction Plant Workers have not discussed the question, secretary Bill Gateman stated, but the matter will prob- ably be discussed at their conyen- tion starting March 14. AFL Machinists have endorsed the proposals. —— ¥ Plumbers Elect New Officers Chis Pritchard, secretary of the Vancouver and District Trades and Labor Council, was elected presi- dent of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, Local No. 170, at their recent meet- ing. Frank Carlisle was re-elected as business agent, and J. MacWilliam elected vice-president. New record- ing secretary elected was J, Barton, and Barton and Sam Smylie were elected as executive board repre- sentatives, Finance ‘committee members will be Les Dickson, Sam Smylie and R. Watson. Delegates elected by the union as its representatives at the Trades Council were F. Carlisle and Sam Smylie, and at the Metal Trades Council, Frank Carlisle and Chris Pritchard. HOUSEKEEPING ROOM WANTED Phone: MArine 6962 Foe New Address: —- DOCK and SHIPYARD WORKERS’ UNION — Local No. 2 708 HOLDEN BUILDING, Vancouver, B.C. ~t Robertson Urges Post-wal Alliance With Soviet : = =f ECESSITY of close alliance with Russia as a socialist state in the construction of the post-war world was stressed by Ben Robertson, former PM Russian correspondent, at meetings in the Vogue and Orpheum theaters here last Sunday sponsored by Canadian Aid to Russia. “Phe Russians have not only saved their own country, but they have saved us, too,” said Robert- son. ‘Russia is fighting the war as a socialist state—after the war she will remain a socialist state, and we must cooperate with her as a socialist state if we want a lasting peace. “As for Japan, the Japanese gov- ernment is as much opposed to what the Russians believe as to what America believes, and when the proper time comes, Russia will join with us to beat Japan ..- When a Russian gives yqu his word you can believe in it,” he stated. “And that goes for their govern- ment too. They are our kind of people. There is no reason why we shouldn’t get along. Our ideas of the Russians have been purely theoretical, Robertson maintained. We have believed them to be stupid and innefficient. “But the Russians have the best artillery in the world, and it takes efficiency to make good guns—in- telligent men to handle them.” Robertson, having flown to Rus- sia many times in American planes ferried to the Soviets by American pilots, described the trip from the time the plane left Am- erican assembly lines until it ar- rived, whereupon the white Us: star was washed off, exposing the red star of the Soviet Union. The Russians, he said, were among the world’s finest pilots. When planes arrived a thorough inspection was conducted by Rus- sian mechanics. It was to such examinations. that the USA was informed of the use of inferior copper by American firms hold- ing government contracts. Speaking of the Soviet people's gigantic battle against fascism, Roberston said: “The whole na- tion’s energies are devoted to the war. Everyone, young or old, is engaged in some sort of war work. Wo-one bas been able to buy clothes since the war started; mal- nutrition is apparent in every face, but no-one complains.” Of Canadian troops in England, with whom he-had visited, he re- ported that although morale gen- erally was high, most men agreed that waiting for action was a lot harder to stand than actual fight- ing. Elmore Phillpott, News-Herald editorial director, told the audi- ence that “last year we sent 50 million dollars worth of tanks to Russia, and every one was paid for spot cash. We are simply re- turning in this drive about one- fiftieth of what the Russians spent with us in tanks alone.” Phillpott expressed the import- ance of reviewing the past to avoid making similar mistakes in the fu- ture. “One of the greatest wrongs of the last twenty years was that when this struggling Russian peo- ple, after centuries of tyranny, did what we would have done in the - FOR SALE New Hampshire Pullets and Baby Chicks JOHN BOWLES Phone 51-M Cloverdale, B.C. ‘ —~ \ $2.15 per Gallon PAINT Kalso, 4 Ibs. 25¢ Matis’ 156 West Cordova St. Buy now while buying is good ! UNIVERSAL NEWS STAND 138 EAST HASTINGS STREET Mail your Order for all PROGRESSIVE LITERATURE MOSCOW NEWS WEEELY “THE SOVIETS EXPECTED IT” by Anna Louise Strong same position, staged a revolt, in- stead of holding out the hand of friendship to them, we extended the mailed fist. “At that time we sent 14 armies of intervention into Russia, and the mistakes of that era over- shadowed the thought and progress of a generation, and was one of the main causes of this war.” A total collection of $15,950 was taken up at the Yogue, Orpheum and Beacon theatres. Bill Burgess, on behalf of the United Fisher- men’s Union, presented to the chairman at the Vogue theater the largest donation received as yet by Canadian Aid to Russia, a cheque for $5,751.86. An additional $4,000 was raised at the Aid to Russia Ball held at Hotel Vancouver last Monday with an attendance of 1,100. Other donations which have helped to raise the present total were: Housewives League, Salisbury Drive Branch, $15.00; Street Rail- waymen’s Union, Div. 101, $291.75; Pungarian Democratic Club, $400; Richmond High School Students’ Council, $30; Engineers and Mould- ers, No. 1, $19.55; Vancouver Gen- eral Hospital Employees Charities Fund, $125; Staff of Vancouver Public Library, $106.55; City Fire Fighters Union, No. 1, $200; School Union, King Edward High School, $223.26. Prince Rupert Reaches Objective PRINCE RUPERT. Passing their objective of $3500 in the Aid to Russia drive last Saturday, organ- izations here are now driving steadily towards the $5,000 mark. Plans for the campaign were formulated by a committee of rep- resentatives from local trade unions, church groups, service clubs, women’s organizations and business men’s clubs at a meeting ealled by the Prinee Rupert branch of Canadian Ukrainian Associa- tion. A shop stewards’ committee will handle contributions of drydock workers, and J. S. Black, business agent of the Garpenters’ Brother- hood, is arranging collections at construction camps in the Terrace area, Drydock employees, through their welfare committee, sponsored a dance last Saturday, and the drive will be climaxed by a grand concert Jan. 31 at the Capitol theater here. rs You'll Enjoy Our HOME. COOKING at the Shelly Coffee Shop | 121 West Pender Merchant i Navy. Club To Open | Official opening this Friday | the new Navy League Seam Club, 111 Dunsmuir Street, es | lished on the initiative of Burt Dry Dock employees, will fea Frank Laskier, of the British Ji | chant Navy. : Invitations have been sent trade union representatives, Charles Band, of Montreal, exc tive of the Navy League of € ada, will travel to Vancouver plane for the occasion. Art Randalls of Ottawa, director merchant seamen in Canada, also fly here for the opening. Mayor J. W. Cornett will - be present, with heads of var. service clubs and navy, air ft and army representatives. Royal City Aids Russian Fund ~— NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C City Council here last week dec: to make a grant of $250 to C: j dian Aid to Russia. At the same session the cou § voted a similar amount to Navy League of Canada, and to Old Age Pensioners’ Assc tion. Russian “Aid Quota Passed B.C-Yukon division of Cana ¥ Aid to Russia has passed its | jective of $100,000, and from tional headquarters of the in Toronto comes word that national quota of $1,000,000 passed over the weekend, it been announced by the provi committee. ' So fine has been the respo to the appeal from all secti of the country, that the objec’ has been raised to $1,500,00, cording to Harvey F. Skey, tional treasurer. 100% Union House Meet Me at KING’S CAFE for a Square Meal! i THE BEST OF FOOD Your Host .. 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