su iek @ E B.C. LUMBER WORKER Page Seven nion Bill Of Rights ith the passage of the amendments to the ICA Act in Columbia, the spotlight of labor in Canada is now turned Ontario, where an Ontario Government Committee conducting hearings regarding a similar labor bill for that e. The Ontario Legislature is being stormed by repre- ntatives, both of labor and invested capital, in a similar man- er to which those two interests stormed the Victoria Legis- previous to the passing of the new amendments to the Act. ing for the passage of a® Bill of Rights for Ontario ive delegates representing the AFL, he CCL and CIO unions in the Union Attorney To Represent Labor On Board ut Sullivan, vice-president of the io Trades Council, appearing e the Committee, stated: “The organized workers whom I resent, and I believe the public at large, welcome the manifesta- tion by the government of Ontario of its intention to bring down and enact a collective bargaining bill during the present session of the Jegislature, “We view its enactment as an in- dispensable spur to the strength- ening of our democracy in these stern days of war... “A collective bargaining bill at this time will evoke enthusiasm and lift the hearts of our workers at a very psychological moment, at a time when our military leaders are on the verge of beginning a great push for final victory.” The Trades Congress brief pre- sented to the Ontario legislature emphasized that the bill should outlaw all types of company unions yellow dog contracts, and coercion against workers, The basis of the bill would have to be the straight- f d guarantee of rights of free ' association and collective bargain- TEE ae Re: Reconstitution of the National War Labor Board, government agency responsible for dealing with cost-ofliving bonuses and wage in- creases, was announced by the Federal government last week. J. L. Cohen, K.C., popular labor at- torney of Toronto, who will be par- ticularly remembered for the ag- gressive legal battle he recently waged for the release of interned anti-fascists, is labor's representa- tive. Mr. Justice McTague is chair- man of the three-man board; the third member being an employer representative. _ ‘Thirteen Ontario cities and town- ‘ships have already written the mmittee urging immediate pas- of the bill. “We have received so many let- and wires,” stated Committee J. Clarke on the first day of the hearings, “that it is impossible to read them all to mem- bers of the committee, iners Organizing Now gislation Is Passéed With the arrival of Harvey Murphy, International Repre- of the Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers’ Union, Copper ntain miners, at a mass rally held in the afternoon of-Sun- M 14, in the “community” hall, voted unanimously e to the International Mine, Mill and Smelter Work- th 350 fully initiated members, evening meeting, to which ;charter now applied for. ral public was invited,! Brother Murphy returned to Van- the main speaker, ex-/couver to meet with the Interna- tional Board Member for this Dis- trict, C. J. Powers, and will leave immediately for a mass rally in Trail and an extensive tour of the metal mining industry in the east- ern part of British Columbia. ‘the government and man- u stepping up production MODERN and OLD-TIME DANCING EVERY SATURDAY Hastings Auditorium 828 Hast Hastings The estimated cost of the plan Social Security Scheme Proposed For Canadians One of the more important issues currently before the Federal Legislature is what is becoming commonly known as the “Marsh Plan,” which ealls for national health insurance, revised unemployment insurance, children’s allowances, ex- tended old-age and retirement pensions and funeral grants. would be one billion dollars a year and would be paid for, partly by contributions of the insured and partly by taxes. Highlights of the plan are as follows: (1) Establishment of children’s allowances of approximately eight or nine dollars per month, payable in respect to every. child, regardless of family income. (2) The increase of present bene- fits under unemployment insurance, with an allowance of approximately 50% more for married persons than single. (8) The providing of unemploy- ment assistance to persons unin- sured at rates about 10% below that paid to beneficiaries under unem- ployment insurance, (4) The providing of medical care for all citizens, (6) Provision for sickness benefits on a basis comparable to unemploy- ment insurance. (6) Provision of maternity bene- fits, to apply only to employed ‘women, (7) The continuation of the pres- ent non-contributory old age pen- sions, with changes in the ages from 70 to 65 for men and 60 for women, and with an increase in the maxi- mum pension from 20 to 30 dollars per month, (8) The establishment of pension funds for all persons young enough to make contributions before retire- ment, at the same rate as old age pensions, with $15 extra for a mar- ried man, (9) Providing permanent disabil- ity pensions at the same rate as retirement pensions, (10) Providing widows’ pensions on the same scale as old age pen- sions. (1 The payment of funeral bene- fits at $100 for adults, $65 for juve- niles and $75 for children. (12) The plan would make no immediate changes i nthe various workmen’s compensation plans op- erating in the Dominion, The plan if adopted would pro- vide free doctors, dentists, hospitals and medicine for everybody, with the patient given the right to his own choice of each. It would cost the public $26 a year for adults, nothing for children under 16 years | of age. In no case, however, would contributions by the beneficiary be more than 3% of his income. ‘Commenting on the proposed plan, Harold Pritchett, president pe JOHN STANTON Barrister, Solicitor, Notary 503 Holden Bldg. 16 East Hastings Mar. 5746 Hastings Steam Baths 764 EAST HASTINGS ST. Government Registered Masseurs in Attendance J. WEPSALA, Prop. Also Agent for ... Norwegian and Swedish American Steamship Lines High, 6240 “ALWAYS OPEN MODERATE RENTAL RATES =e of IWA, District One, said: “The proposals set forth by the special committee require careful consld- eration prior to any blanket en- dorsement. However, the broad principles outlined for improved social legislation, affecting old age pensioners, health insurance, un- employment, children’s allowances, maternity, retirement and funeral benefits will no doubt meet with labor's wholehearted support. “One fact is sure; that a democ- racy that underwrites a social mini- mum for its citizens is stronger in doing so, provided the responsibility rest with government and industry on equal terms with the individual beneficiary.” Birt Showler, president of the Vancouver and New Westminster Trades and Labor Council (AFL), felt that several clauses were open to criticism. In commenting on the plan, he stated that the age at which old age pensions are available is still too high and further, that the undertaking business should be op- erated by the state. On the question of workmen's compensation, Mr. Showler felt that it would be a mistake to substitute the present British Columbia Work- men’s Compensation Act with one which would be controlled from Ottawa. Dr. G. F. Strong, member of a special.committee appointed by the Canadian Medical’ Council to deal with the question, stated: “I feel that we are starting off in the right Meet Your Friends at MANITOBA HOTEL 44 West Cordova St. e | | | | | | outside Rooms — Elevator Serv- | ice — Steam Heat — Reasonable | | Rates — Centrally Located | | PA. 0267 N. J. Thompson, Mgr.] li WOMEN’S CORNER Ladies’ Ausiliary in Ladysmith has been very busy lately. Five new members have been added to their ranks, They hold successful whist drives every two weeks. Pro- ceeds from the last three amounted to $28.60. Prize winners last time were Mrs. S. Guthrié, Mrs. Fris- berg, Mr. A, Pollack and Mr. Fris- berg. The members of this auxili- ary visit the local hospital every week. They recently donated $6 to Russian Aid, $10 to the Red Cross and $15 to the local hospital linen shower for the purchase of pillows. Compensation Changes Passed . VICTORIA, B.C. — Rejecting an effort of the CCF opposition to have domestic employees included in the scope of Workmen’s Com- pensation Act, amendments to the bilf as recommended in the Sloan report were passed this week. Provincial Secretary G. S. Pear- son’s refusal to recommend an amendment sponsored by E. E. Winch (CCF, Burnaby), asking for inclusion of domestic workers, drew criticism from Winch. direction. If health insurance is to be adopted, it must be on a com- prehensive scale. This would in- clude allowance for care by a gen- eral practitioner, specialists if -re- quired, necessary drugs, glasses and dental work. Payment should cover work done in home, office and in hospital. 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