Page 14 — May 26, 1945 im Buck Answers ome Questions — In answering this series of questions, Tim Buck, National Leader of the Labor-Progressive party, deals with the issue of the political structure needed for Canada, and explains why a Liberal-Labor coalition is the only positive answer, QUESTION The LPP is not running to capture the majority of seats but to “put labor in govern- ment.” What lind of goyern- ment do you visualize after June i1 and how would the LPP stand in relation to such a government? ANSWER The sort of government that I visualize after the election is a coalition government. I am doing my best to make certain - that it will be a government based upon all the reform for- ces in the new House of Com- mons. It is true that the lead- ers of Liberal, Progressive Con- servative and CCF parties are all trying hard to make it ap- pear that they do not believe we shall have a coalition gov- ernment. They are whistling in the dark. The fact is that it would require almost a miracle for either the Liberals or Tories to win an overall majority of the seats, and the leadership of the CCF have quit even pre- tending that they hope to win a majority. On the basis of the actual political situation the question is no longer ‘Will the next government be a coali- tion??? Tt is: “What sort of a coalition will it be?” My position is that we must make certain that it is a coali- tion which includes labor as a full partner. Labor is now one of the Jargest groups of the population. Organized labor alone, along with the families of its members, embraces about 20 percent of Labor our population. has a vital interest in maintaining prosperity at home and peace throughout the world. which has contributed . Labor, € so greatly to yietory in the war can make a tremendous contri- bution to national unity, full employment and social progress only if it secures a direct voice in the councils of government. QUESTION You mean that labor should join in a coalition government with Liberals and other reform elements? ANSWER Yes, that is precisely what I mean. Some people, particularly spokesmen of the CCF pretend that such a eoalition would compromise the rights of. la- bor. They declare “you carvt trust the Liberals.” What they ignore is the following fact. A new House of Commons will be elected on June 11 and if labor does not send enough members ready to cooperate with the Liberals in a government for jobs and prosperity, the pros- pect will be for a Tory Liberal coalition. The question is not whether or not the Liberals are trustworthy and it is not a question of agreement on all points with the Liberals. I dis- agree sharply with Mackenzie King on many questions. If I did not I would not urge the labor movement to win a dis- tinetive place for itself in the next government. I would urge the people to return a straight Liberal government. I fight to make Labor a Partner in Gov- ernment precisely bécause I do not believe that a straight Lib- eral government, such- as the present King government, would maintain full employ- ment after the war. But which do you want? That we should have a worse government after the war or a better one? Do you prefer that labor should stand aside and allow the Tories to dominate the next government or that labor should seize this opportunity to -cooperate with all forward. looking members in the next House of GCommons-in leading Canada forward during the postwar years. — This is another question upon which there is a sharp differ- ence between the Labor-Pro- gressive Party, for which I speak, and the CCF. In prac- tice the election tactics of the CCF is to help the Tories to se- eure a share of power. The clas- sic example of this was in North Grey. For the Tories to get in- to power would be disastrous. Tory policies are the opposite of everything the Canadian people want. Instead of planning for postwar: prosperity the Tories would turn Canada back to the days of cut-throat competition, bread lines and the destruction of all the gains that labor has made. Canada’s future cannot and must not be entrusted to the forces of corporate greed represented by the Progressive Conservative Party. QUESTION How does the LPP intend: in the course of the election te earry out the slogan “Keep the Teries out” and what are its prospects, beth in the election and in the fight fer labor unity ? ANSWER. If we want prosperity and progress after the war we must keep the Tories out of govern- ment. In my opinion that is an indispensable minimum at which progressive voters must aim. You ask how it is to be done? The best way to keep the Tories out is to put labor in. Elect enough labor candidates pledged to support a coalition of democratic forces. That will Make Labor a Partner in the Government and’ keep the Tories | out. I would say that the es- sence of the fight for postwar prosperity is to be found pre- cisely in that fight to keep the Tories out and put direct re- presentatives of labor and pro- gressive farmers in. The pros- pects for victory in this respect are good. The question “What sort of coalition government?” is becoming one of the central issues in the election campaign. In a certain sense it is taking on more meaning than party names. Progressive minded Ca- adians of different parties, of different faiths and different points of view united Im support of the war policies personified by President Roosevelt. Millions of them are recognizing now that the policies upon which Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin agreed during their conference at Yalta are the ones which promise lasting prosperity in Canada and peace in the world. The only sort of government that will make Canada a part- ner in the carrying through of such policies is a coalition of progressive forces. The wide circles of Canadians who are recognizing this fact now are going to vote to make Labor a Partner in Government after the next election. cee ee oat NANI ES ITS A TRAP! THE JAPS WANT US TO TRY TO RESCUE JOE - f/ YOURE GOOCHED BABE! TIGER f JOES ONLY A BABY! I'M GOING’ “PULLING LEATHER” There are already examyp — of electoral unity in this dir tion of a high order, such as: | coalition lLabor-liberal car dates in the three proyini ridings in Windsor on the UL- initiative. The LPP has ¥ ‘|| comed this development {. withdrawn its own candid: to support the candidates “|| the union which have also £ | nominated by the Liberal Pa; Perhaps there will be Gt such examples before the e | tion. There certainly would | more if the CCF were not = mantly pursuing its nar partisan policy which has: | it to oppose the union nomi | in Windsor_and to model } its provincial and federal {~ tion stratezy-on complete position to labor unity or . gressive cooperation in the / tion and im the next gov ment. The LPP, which has g7 } greatly in strength and fluence, is entering the elec? With a large number of ce dates. Our task is to-bring © issues squarely before the / torate and to elect a large i « ber of LPP members to | the Ontario Legislature anc )) Dominion Parliament, The look for this is very good 3 SO WE WILL EXPOSE OUR- PSELVES/ TIGER JOE UNDER- STANDS---HE'S. PREPARED TO*DIE FOR FREEDOM! 2 SAVE HIM IF IT CAN! ae | only because in many part: | “ll We ; the country the LPP has w | ; large following for its — 4) program and policies but 4g because the people who =| progress in Canada after war and are critical of the § opposition to labor and nat unity and these who are illusioned by .the shortsig ff Liberal policies and repre § atives in their ridings as as those who usually voted jf Servative but are awakenm @ the reactionary role of the ‘leaders, can be united ar § the LPP program and ¢ @ dates in the election campa The LPP enters the cami as already a big factor in @ adian affairs. We will ex @ as a major political party, @ ing to guide the future of # ada alone progressive lines @ election campaign will d @ how many of our candi will be elected and consequ # how great an impact our | will make on national po: With a powerful campaiz outlook is bright indeed: JOE! TLL GET HIM AWAY FROM THERE! OUT OF MY WAY, < y I'M SORRY--- But YOURE CONFINED TO YOUR QUARTERS! YOU'RE NOT t THEY'RE NOT GONNA KEEP ME HERE! LOOK OUT, NIPPO! HERE COMES GOING ANY PLACE, |/ PEDRO! 1 DON'T WANNA HAVE “TROUBLE WITH YOU! JOHUNNIE!