Meeting Salutes Soviet Peo Eleven Groups Plan Joint Labor Total War Program By BRUCE MICKLEBURGH PRINCE RUPERT, B.C.—A big step towards war unity of labor was taken in Prince Rupert when delegates from eleven organizations in strategic Skeena Riding met in a conference eonvened for the announced purpose of drawing up a platform and nominating a candidate to labor in the federal elections. The conference was originally convened by the Prince Rupert Central Labor Council (CCL) but has now constituted itself the Skeena Labor Victory Federation, functioning on its own authority as a delegates’ body. The achievement of unity is al- Ways a thorny problem and in this instance the major obstacles was the misdirected efforts of those who falsely represented the move to convene a conference as “an attempt on the part of the Liberal party to put a candidate in the field with the intention of split- ting the CCF vote.’ These individuals succeeded in blocking the conference call in a Mumber of organizations which otherwise would have been repre- sented, and in which the rank-and file are largely desirous of ensur- ing that there is one candidate only speaking for labor and unity in labor's war during the next elec- tion. * At the conference, members of represent the banner of united the Central Labor Council made it perfectly plain that their move Was not directed against the CCF or any other existing labor group, but had been made in all good faith in view of the pressing war problems which labor had to solve and whose solution lay in Ottawa. The course of action adopted by the Skeena Labor Victory Federa- tion vindicated their claims, for the basis has now been Igid on which unity can be built. Obviously if the Federation had as its purpose the nomination of a candidate to split the CCF vote it would have proceeded with the nomination Sunday night. Actually the delegates refused to allow the Federation to be split on the false issue “CCF or labor’ and unanimously agreed to adopt as their course of action: (1) The drawing up of a labor total war program for the Skeena Riding. (2) The setting up of a continu- ations committee which would circulate the platform drawn up to all labor organizations, inter- — view prospective candidates on the basis of the platform drawn up, and convene any future con- ference of the Federation. The CCF delegates made it clear they considered themselves bound to their existing national platform and hence refrained from taking part in the drawing up of the platform, but submitted their own platform to the continuations com- mittee for study. They made it clear, .however, that they were pleased with the course of action adopted, and there are grounds for believing that mutual cooperation can be established. The platform adopted pledged full support for all measures de- Signed to implement the invasion of Europe, asked an all embracing manpower plan, based on the prin- ciple of selective service, asked la- bor partnership in the war effort and the establishment of a nation- al labor code, as well as other pro- fits and social security. The continuations committee elected comprises H. S. Harrison, president; B. Mickleburgh, secre— tary; Dave Crocker, Mrs. J. Blakely, W. H. Lewis, P. S. Tar- anger, Geo. Nelson, George An- derson, committee members; John McCuish, corresponding member. $1000 Hear Robinson Speak At Trail Rally TRAIL.—One of the largest labor parades in the history of Trail took place here last Saturday, under the auspices of Local 480, Trail and District Smelter Workers’ Union, when more than 1,000 union men and women marched through the streets in honor of Reid Robinson, president of the International Union. The psrade was led by Rossland City Band, the only band which would come out, to the esplanade at the river bank, where more than 2,000 people gathered to hear Robinson and International Board Member Chase J. Powers. Robinson was enthusiastically cheered as he stepped up to speak. HOME of UNION MADE CLOTHING FRIENDLY SERVICE Established Over 40 Years 45 East Hastings — Vancouver 4 FOR SALE New Hampshire Pullets and Baby Chicks JOHN BOWLES Phone 51-M Cloverdale, B.C. é He compared his visit to that of three years ago when he was re- fused entry into Canada through the powerful influence exerted by Blaylock and the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company. He stressed the great steps taken by the Trail union in bringing de- mocracy to Trail workers, making it possible for them to openly parti- cipate in a parade and demon- Stration. -He also pointed out the role the union would play in bring- ing into reality the four freedoms of the Atlantic Charter. “John LL, Lewis,” Robinson add- ed, “is not fighting for the legiti- mate grievances of the United Mine Workers, but is in collusion with the mine operaters and the isolationists trying to defeat Roosevelt.” He stated that all benefits re- ceived by workers were the result of their own united efforts, and in conclusion, urged all workers to join the union.to build democracy at home, and with the workers in Britain, United States, the USSR and China, work to bring about the complete destruction of fasc- ism. You'll Enjoy Our HOME COOKING at the Shelly Coffee Shop 121 West Pender Continued Council pare for offensive action against the enemy.” Recognition of that debt, he said, had led to the organization in Can- ada of the Aid to Russia campaign. The new Council of Canadian-Rus- underlying purpose had the warm support of the government. Fedor Gusey, Soviet Minister to sian Friendship, like the campaign, had no official character but its Canada, spoke briefly after being introduced by the Prime Minister. Gusev declared that without the help of Canada, the United States and Great Britain, the Red Army ‘could not have held off the Ger-}- man army so successfully. Early in the meeting a parade of detachments of the Canadian armed forces took place in the Salute Russia ceremony, and led by army bands, filed through the stadium to the speakers stand where they took their places for the meeting. Mili- tary bands gave color to the cere- monies, and the invocation was given by Rev. J. R. P. Sclater, mod- erator of the United Church of Canada. Songs of the Russian people were given by a massed choir of 400 voices. Greet Wavell Following wire was sent by BC Sikhs to Viceroy Wavell of India this week: E “Sikhs of British Columbia heartily approve the conciliatory nature of your statement concern- ing your intended vice-regal pol- icy and sympathy for India’s poli- tical aspirations stop Friendly and Sensible settlement of deadlock with release of imprisoned national leaders would demonstrate Bri- tain’s sincereity as to future In- dian self-government and thus in- spire the whole free world to great- er war effort. to increase their support in the joint war effort so that “freedom and security shall be firmly es- tablished for all people.” Key speech of the meeting was delivered by CCF Legislator Grant GRANT MacNEIL MacNeil, who stressed the common aims and objectives of the Cana- dian and Russian people. “Two years ago the allies were in dire peril, but the Soviet Union came to our aid magnificently,” MacNeil declared. “We were grate- ful then, but if our gratitude is wholehearted now we will lessen the chances of peace and under- standing in a post-war world. “Already there are elements in Canada who are making foul propaganda statements about the Soviets and their aims,” he con- tinued. “But we must strengthen our bonds with the Soviet people, and our military union in war- time must be a moral union in time of peace. “We in Canada should study what we have in common with the Soviet people. We share with them the belief in human dignity, the belief in the universal oppor- tunity for xercise of human facul- ties. We each want to banish poy- erty, disease and ignorance, we want to enjoy our common fund of art, science and culture which is now open to us. We both want to organize human affairs to protect each individual's rights. “In saluting the Soviet dead, our Bratitude can best be shown by welding the bonds between our people even more firmly,” he con- cluded. “During these last few days the Canadian people together with all the peoples of the Allied Nations, mark this second anniversary of Russian participation as a tribute to a great and heroic people,” stat- ed Tom McEwen, of the Commun- ist-Labor Total War Committee. “The news of the Nazi invasion reached me in a prison cell. I was in prison for being a communist, and as such I was deeply con- cerned with the destiny of the first Socialist state and its people. “A few hours later I heard a well-known, crisp decisive voice crackling over the air—the voice “Canada and Rus The bonds of friendship between Canada and her — Soviet ally were forged stronger in Vancouver on S in Canadian-Soviet alliance in the ’ post-war years, andl 7 of the millions of Soviet di the will of the common friends, those who m Hitler against us, man had triumphed over 7 and suspicion. “In paying tribue to the n- us re-dedicate ourselves task of total war, by achievements in producti” forging a better Canada” A resolution, to be Sent to Gusev, Soviet Minister to € declared that: “We pledge our united support in this war; to build and strength bonds of unity between the - and Canadian people, upon freedom and security shall b ly established for all people Alfred C. Campbell, chair the meeting, pointed out th | bravery and courage of thy Sian people did not suddenly - to life on that historic a June 22, 1941. “The roots of their brave | in the way of life they, 7. after Nov. 7, 1917,” said Ga “The tide of all human has its ebb and flow. In dark days of 1940-41, despa feat and demoralization, tt acy bequeathed to us as a of the Munich plot, was SDI throughout the democratic It was the Soviet Union turned the flow of the-tide. Soviet Union had gone doy would all have gone down. ness, barbarism, a return Middle Ages, the blotting Civilization would have bet: lot.” Nigel Morgan, internations member of the International workers of America, stress: A. C. CAMPBELL extreme importance of firm between all the United ? in the war against Hitler t ism. ; “There -are people who destroy that unity, who atte ereate artificial barriers b the Allies, directing their fi ticularly against the Sovie said. “Organized labor ee jects all such atempts. people who have the ee, from an Axis victory, we 5 ways maintained the ne Canadian-Soviet unity, an continue to direct all our of Winston Churchill, expressing to that end.”