Page 4 — Saturday, March 17, 1945 P.A. PEOPLE’S:VOICE FOR PROGRESS PROREULANECSERERIEGSUNTSTAALLSSTARECTSENEREDSCTESECRSHUTEERECSSELLSALETDETaSCESE PACIFIC ADVOCATE COQPQESEUUVIOCCSCUCCCELECTSESEESORASUETSICEEUUSTSNCERSDECERSIESCNESEVESEASERS DEES Published every Saturday by The People Publishing Com- pany, Room 104, Shelly Building, 119 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia and printed at East End Printers, 2303 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. Subscription Rates: One year $2, six months $1. Editer ¢. A. SAUNDERS Associate Editor MYER SHARZER Political Trickery fF ANYTHING were needed to emphasize the extreme danger of current CCF policy, the cynical remark of Arthur Turner, MLA, in the Vancouver Labor Council to the effect that the opposition, 1.e. the CCF, introduce bills into the legislature merely as a means of gaining publicity, will give food for thought to the whole trade union movement, including the bulk of CCF followers. For they along with the majority of the people of this province are concerned with bettering their conditions, and not with playing politics. Turner's remark (he is becoming famous for revealing to the naked eye the real aims of the CCF leadership) fully ex- posed the purpose behind the arguments of the CCF dominated Steel delegation. When it was exposed that the action of the Victoria Labor Council was prompted by a visit from CCE trade unionist James Robertson, who advised wiring the CCR MLA’s to bring a bill in for legislative changes in this session, they at- tempted to justify the action on the grounds that this was in the interest of the trade union movement. Spill-the-Beans- Turner betrayed the whole plot as a cheap political maneuver to prevent implementation of the government promise and gain partisan “‘publicity’’ for the CCF at the expense of the organ- ized workers of British Columbia. Perhaps the East Indians of B.C. are to be made the vic- tims of similar cynical use of their just demand for the fran- chise. CCF MLA Walter Lefeaux has introduced a bill into the legislature along these lines. In the light of present events it would appear that this, too, is another attempt to grab off credit, irrespective of whether the East Indians gain their ob- jective or not. Purther evidence of CCF cynicism is evident in the en- deavor of CCF Leader Harold Winch to sidetrack the Electric Power act by referring it to a committee of the house. This move can only result in delay in implementation of the pro- visions of the act. The act itself although not going as far as it might, nevertheless is a progressive step. It provides for the development of provincially owned power and rural electrification, and the setting up of a utilities commission charged with this responsibility. The general demand of the people of British Columbia that the power monopoly of the BCER be taken over by the province has met with studious silence on the part of the CCR MLA’s. Pre- sumably this is on the theory, evident in the deliberate op- positionist blocking moves on all progressive legislation, that it would be an impertinence for any one else but the CCF to introduce progressive measures. However, there is evidence that organized labor is becom- ing wise to the disruptive moves of the CCF, and is preparing to move independently. At the invitation of Labor Minister Pearson, whom even the CCF rather resentfully admit is a good one, the three labor centers, CCL, AFL and the Railroad Brotherhoods are electing their delegates to the Government Labor committee. As soon as this committee can swing into action it will become evident that more concrete results for organized labor will acrue than from fifty oppositionist bills introduced by the CCF. The minister has already intimated that many of the demanded changes to the compensation act can be ob- tained without recourse to legislative changes. The major demands of labor, including union security and wage adjust- ments, are federal matters, necessitating changes to wartime orders in council P.C. 1003 and P.C. 9384. Pearson has as- sured labor that the provincial government Labor committee will make representations to the federal government on these matters, whilst Federal Labor Minister Humphrey Mitchell has expressed his willingness to give consideration to Labor’s demands. ® That is the situation. One which demands that Labor / unify its ranks to concentrate on the immediate and major’ task of enforcing reform of existing labor laws and not dis- sipate its energy in fruitless oppositionist moves for the glori- fication of a political party. | In Passing By C. A. Saunders But on the solid foundation of the concord of Teheran the Crimea conference appears as another step in the forward march of humanity to a better world. Born in the'suffering and bitter experience of millions of people, based on the solid foundation of hard indisputable fact s, these conferences mark a depar- ture in history; the begin- ning of a new era built on a ‘spirit of cooperation and goodwill. They ‘ensure a fu- ture free from war and ty= tranny, a future in which world economic planning will appear for the first time in history. ._ As President Roosevelt put it in his report to Gon- gress: “There can be no : taiddle ground here. We Gaeta: ees shall have to take the responsibility for world - collaboration, or we shall have to bear the re- sponsibility for another world conflict. ' “The Grimean conference was a SUCCESS- FUL effort by the three leading nations to find a common ground for peace. It spelled the end of unilateral action and exclusive alliances and spheres of influence and. balances of power and all other expedients which have been tried for centuries and failed. We propose to substitute for a'l these, a universal organization in which all. peace-loving nations will finally have a chance to join.” : If only some of the little men with big radi- cal ideas could show the same grasp and concept of the postwar world. \ (fats brings us to the next step in the struc- ture of a peaceful, enduring and /prosperous future. The San Francisco conference to be held April 25. The vast double barrelled Allied of- fensive promises it will take place, if not after the final defeat of Germany, at least in the clos- ing days of their desperate resistance. Ar ound Town By Cynthia Carter N case you think that new government restric- tions re building of houses have kicked. all our housing campaigns into a cocked hat, it might be a good idea to re- : view the facts here and now. Ottawa says thumbs down on house construction. That’s what the new regulations amount to, since c¢onstruc- tion of homes costing even $1,500 is now curtailed. This restriction, say government officials, was made necessary by shortages of men and ma- © terials. But the housing shortage still exists and something has to be done. Here are = some suggestions. How about a campaign to raise materials priori- ties for construction of accommodation? How about an investigation into the manpower prob- lem? Are there idle men registered with selec- tive service who could be put to work on a gov- ernment sponsored housing project? And, most important of all, how about making use of houses now standing empty? In some parts of Canada owners of empty houses are required by law to rent them until a buyer can be found. Vancouver is an “emergency area,’ so how about a similar regulation here? Early in the recent fight for better housing in Vancouver I went to see C. H. Thorn, of the Building Contractors Association—at his invita- tion, after one of my housing stories had got under his skin. We talked about housing for close to an hour, and at the end of that time we were not very close to agreement. (it the gentle- man happens to read this column, incidentally, -may I point out that a prediction I made at that time has been borne out. He was very proud of a much-publicized “plan?” for “1,000 homes for servicemen,” which, I said then, was basically unsound, and would never amount to more than a chunk of newspaper publicity. Well, Mr. Thorn, we’re still waiting. And so are the ser- vicemen!) However, Thorn did make one suggestion that I think was sound then and is even sounder in face of present difficulties. “We need a price ceilmg on second-hand houses,” he said. “Second-hand cars are price- pegged, and so is almost everything else. Yet Canada will be represented at sions and nobody will have any dou role she should play. However their hg. been suggestions and intimations {h, tion parties should be represented on dian delegation. : : Certainly no one will deny that sy gation should be representative of he people and non-partisan, and there 3 edly good arguments for delega major opposition parties. But ‘it mitted that such a delegation wo be representative of Canadian public aoe : oe a, Does anybody seriously contend tha: conception of power blocs based o alliance has any resemblance to the envisaged by the three great powe any intimation or statement emana: CGF that would give confidence 7 to lend constructve and effective 4 conference ? ; 5s - oe So far none, only an editorial in: dian Forum, semi-official organ Of the titled the Three Wise Men, written jn of the condemnatory attack of Mrs MLA, on the “Dhree Old Men” of Ta reminiscent of the Angus MacInnis — “Teheran and all that bunk.” i Consequently. if it is a question ;— the broadest representation of Canadi: at the San Francisco conference, and, the: best and most positive results, 7; probable that a delegation represéntat government and including representa organized labor might be more fm course there is still time for Goldwel make their position clear; certainly he on such an important national MiISSig? lic should know whether the word: Steeves and Angus MacInnis still fp. the mouth of Mr. Coldwell. : owners of old houses are making a kil publie’s expense.” : It would be a big job to fix prices — We would, need a staff of government | in each district, I suppose. But prote: | racketeers, whether they deal in boc or ramshackle houses, is the kind of expect to get in return for our taxes. MET Mrs. Dorise Nielsen this w her all too brief visit to Wanec - Nielsen is a remarkable person. As figure she is forceful, sincere, inte hardworking. As a woman she is © tive, and utterly charming. And as her new book proves, she is econvint and has the priceless gift of simple’ | I visited Mrs. Nielsen in her hot tween engagements and as she chan soft green wool tea dress to the s silk she had chosen for her evening i | told me how her book, “New Worl - men,” came to be written. : “I wrote my book because I feel end of the war women will be trying # place in a new world. I tried to pr vision of what might be accomplishe what we know to the basic, everyday - Politics, believes Mrs. Nielson, pin men a feeling of inferiority. “As I always tell women,” she sa a bright red rose on her shoulder, jump imto public life with both laughed. ‘Women. didn’t wait until | skilled technicians when they were war productions. They learned the assembly lines. They can learn abi | by getting out and getting in.” In municipal and community work women can be particularly useful, an volunteer service organizations ¥ } worked so magnificently throughou- must be extended into the peace tc lead in a thousand and one social act as setting up health clinics, ereches, s rooms.” Just a passing thought. Ald. Ge: combe and Ald. John Bennett, com resignation of several city officials, ré “disappearance of many wellknown f the city hall.” Just wait till next e lows! Or maybe you won’t be arour eh George?