POSTWAR PROJECTS CANADIANS THINK MOST IMPORTANT IN IMPROVING THE COUNTRY AND PROVIDING JOBS. SLUM CLEARANCE AND LOW-RENT HOUSING RURAL ELECTRIFICATION “fp = ESSER 37% ROA ipsa DS II _ REFORESTATION AAAI _ SOIL IMPROVEMENT my RESULTS OF A RECENT SURVEY. PERCENTAGES ADD TO MORE THAN 100% BECAUSE PEOPLE GAVE MORE THAN ONEANSWER . PARKS, PLAYGRGUNDS, COMMUNITY CENTRES W. |. B. CANADA S Real Estate Holdups Scored At TLC Meet Most Vancouver people are bitterly indignant over the existing speculation in homes by the real estate interests. Representatives of 25,000 AFL trade unionists gave expres- sion to that opinion at this week’s regular meeting of the Trades and Labor Council when delegates condemned in the sharpest of terms the “outrag- eous” prices charged for old and new houses in the present hous-> ing emergency. The condemnation of real es- tate “holdups” arose out of a motion by Delegate Sam Shearer of the Railway Carmen demand- ing that the Wartime Prices and Trades Board “immediately place ceiling prices on. both old and new homes for sale.” “Speculation in housing has assumed frightful proportions in this city,’ Shearer charged in speaking to the motion. “Ordinary holdup men are be- ing sentenced to penitentiary terms every week. But there is another type of holdup, no less vicious, being practised every day yet nothing is being done about it. I refer to the out- rageous prices being charged by the rea} estate sharks for houses. “We are literally being held up at the point of a gun by these gentry, and labor has to consider this question as closely related to the whole housing emergency and demanding our full attention and action.”’ Shearer backed his arguments by citing the case of a four-room house without basement which sold this week for $4,000. Another delegate cited the case of a house built in 1934 for $2,400 which sold a few days ago for $5,500. It was pointed out that the speculation in old houses was even worse than with newly-built dwellings, Unlike the situation in the United States, where the housing authorities placed ceil- ings on homes according to type and age, no such restriction pre- vailed in Canada where homes built 25 and even 40 years ago were selling now at higher than the original cost. “The plain fact facing us now is that a man with a second-hand car cannot sell it over the ceiling price without being summoned and fined,’ President. Birt Show- ler stated. “But no such condi- tions prevail in the much more important field of homes for the people, and this is what we want to see dealt with.” The endorsed unanimously with the provision that a copy be sent to the Van- couver City ‘Council asking that it be endorsed by the mayor and aldermen. RECONSTRUCTION PLANS Council forwarded a letter to R. O. Campney, K.C., chairman of the Regional Council on Recon- struction established by C. D. Howe’s Department of Recon- struction, asking the regional or- ganization’s plans for British Co- iumbia. Decision to request the information arose out’ of a mo- resolution was tion by T. Parkin, Aeronautical Mechanies Union, which pointed out that while Mr. Campney had been made chairman of the re- construction council as early as last March, no plans have as yet been announced and no activity ferthcoming. : Delegate W.O. Clarkson of the Sign and Pictorial Painters Un- ganization had recently won a wage increase -of 20 cents per hour: for “journeymen sign paint- ers, “bringing the basic rate up- wards ‘from: 90 cents an hour to $1.10 an hour. This was the first Wage increase in this trade since 1929, the delegate stated, point- ing out that it had resulted from a big increase in membership covering seven city shops. The increases are retroactive from May 21. Delegates approved a recom- mendation from the executive to donate $50 to the Victoria Trades and Labor Council to. offset that organization’s “extensive loss” suffered in a recent fire which gutted the Victoria council’s headquarters. Affiliated unions were also asked to forward small donations as quickly as possible. Council Secretary Gervin: re- ported that the Vancouver “TLC would recess for the balance. of the summer, to meet again the last week in August. PAGE 2 — PACIFIC ADVOCATE Board. ion, Local 726, reported his or-" Dock and Ship U Removal Of W nion Reques Official — A strongly worded lettér of protest has been forwarded to the, Minister of L Humphrey Mitchell, and to’ Prime Minister Mackenzie King from the Dock and Shr Workers Union, askitig the:removal of the special advisor of the National War’. Board, W. H. Ley. ee The letter points out that: dur- ing’ discussion of the dispute be- tween the West Coast .Shipbuild- ing Company Limited and’ ‘the Shipyard: Workers’ Union “over the question of time and ‘one- half wage rates for work in con- fined spaces, Ley was in com- munication with C. R. Brench- ley of the Shipbuilders’ Federa- tion, during the course of which conversation Ley was asked to re- present the company before the Ley advised the com- pany, at that time that their case, as presented, was not strong and there was a possibility that the decision would be handed down which would prove favorable to the union. He promised to fur- nish assistance and memoranda to strengthen the company’s case, although he declined to repre- sent the company in the dispute. The protest of the Union states: “‘We the organized work- Communists - In France Hold Congress PARIS—Last week the Com- munist Party of France held its first convention since the liber- ation of France. Two thousand delegates attended the conven- tion and heard Maurice Thorez, party secretary-gentral, give a review of conditions. The party policy calls for na- tionalization of banks and in surance companies, confiscation of all traitor’s possessions, and capital taxation of large fortunes on a sliding scale. “The greatness of France has yet to be rebuilt,” declared Mau- rice Thorez. He criticized sharp- ly the De Gaulle government for its prolonged stay in office, fts many diplomatic errors, 2nd its “not very democratic” character, and scored the secret police. Thorez urged a change in the French position toward the Arabs, stating that the people of Syria and Lebanon, where Brit- ish intervened to halt Franco- Syrian clashes, did not want to come under the authority of an- other power. Dealing with internal condi- tions of France, he attacked the concerted plan to sabotage pro- duction by the same people who led France to defeat. Communists expect fuller representation in future coalition government of national unity hitting those who “would main- tain the provisional government and the no less provisional con- sultative assembly even after elections.” He urged modesty and prudence in foreign policy as’ distinct from the unwise “‘pres- tige’”’ course now pursued. i ers of the Dock and Shipyard Workers Union are deeply con- cerned over this very frank rev- elation of the fact that the: ship- yard operators have the inside track with the board, and are given expert adyice and ‘assist- ance in drawing up their submis- sions to the board by Mr. Ley, who is supposed to be concerned that Mr. Ley furnished th ering letter which providec Goast with an avenue-sof f¥om ,conforming with wh: been the established praet. the major yards in thi Furthermore, we firmly in the interests of attain highest degree of national in order for any: governm with the impartial administra-| cope with present and p tion of PC 9384.” ' problems, that you are “In support of our contention,” bound to restore confide the letter continued, “we are of ' your department by ‘ren the opinion it was. no accident' Mr. Ley.’ 4 Unemployment Ac Amendments Ask« The Canadian Seamen's Union has recently cone a series cf suggested amendments to the Unémployme: surance Act, which arose out of a joint meeting of M and Mates, Engineers and Radio Officers, and Canadiar men’s Union, and the Seamen’s International Union. The proposals are designed to correct failings at present exist- ing in the Unemployment Insur- ance Act, which does not at pres- ent apply to seamen. There are seven salient features covered in | the proposals as compiled by 2 | special committee struck off from the CSU, and chaired -by Raymond Jones. The seven points include: @ Higher contribution rates to the unemployment insurance scheme than at present ‘existing, and including ‘an increase to 10 cents per day for the seamen, 8 cents per day for the company, and 4 cents a day from the gov- ernment. At these increased rates seamen will receive benefits of approximately $22 per week. ® Strong protest to the anti- union implications of Section a, Article 48; of the Act, and the suggestion that it was stated that the progr sued by the German Com. party “may serve as a ba the formation of a bloe a fascist, democratic patties . Such a bloc, the ma stated, “would -be a 1. stronghold in the strug¢: the final liquidation of ai nants of the Hitlerite regi for the creation of a dem. regime in Germany.” The program: projected 3 Communists ‘under prese: ditions in Germany,” s complete liquidation of th nants of the Hitler regin Nazi Party, and Nazism i. lic institutions. This wo clude schools, legalizati free trade unions and dem parties, democratic courts) rights for all citizens and punishment for acts of rai red, defence of the peopli arbitrary and excessive ex’ tion by employers, public i all victims of fascist terro The document points ot the German Communists with the millions of othe man people, the respon for the long rule of fasci “We Conmimunists,” it | ed, “declare that we als” curselves guilty, imasmut” despite all sacrifices cos# | best fighters, we were n0 as a consequence of a sé mistakes, to force an anti unity of workers for the, throw of Hitler.” ey SATURDAY, JULY 7