Page 4 B.C. LUMBER WORKER Te All Our Readers A Merry Christmas ada Happy New Year Control: Prices ANNOUNCEMENT by the Prime Minister that no price control program is likely to be introduced in the near future was discouraging news for Canadian workers, awaiting the advent of Christmas. It gave the green light to the hoarding and profiteering Policies of Canadian business and cold-shouldered the one million workers represented by the joint committee of Canadian labor bodies. + Inflationary price trends are seriously jeopardizing the welfare of the Canadian people. The price and material stabilization program, now announced in the United States, is more likely to aggravate the situation in Canada, than help, as claimed by the Prime Minister. The theory advanced by big business interests that any control program must first freeze wages is based on the false premise that wage increases have been responsible for the rise in prices. Official statistics completely debunk the carefully cul- tivated illusion that wages have been the main factor in inflation. While wages have risen approximately five per- cent, productivity has risen 11 percent and profits 43 percent on this continent, The first point to apply a control program is on profits and hoarding for still greater profits. Planned use of production output, together with a drastic excess profits tax would accomplish more effective results in halting runaway inflation than any other measure at this time. The plan of large corporations to influence the Federal Government to freeze wages is a plan for bigger and better profits at the expense of the workers. A wage freeze would prove a glaring injustice to the workers of Canada, until a better distribution of income has been provided. A wage freeze would be a disastrous blow to the Cana- dian economy, as it would depress purchasing power, mainly derived from wage income. A wage freeze is totally unnecessary as wage levels are determined by collective bargaining and stabilized by organized labor’s adherence to signed: annual agreements. Price controls are inevitable. The longer the delay the greater the hardship to the workers. Organized labor must wage a last-ditch fight on three points—immediate price control without wage freeze, im- mediate wage adjustments to price levels, and full partici- pation by organized labor in development of any control program. Congratulations ~ "THE election of a number of well-known IWA officials to positions of civic responsibility in their own communi- ties is cause for congratulations to them, and for satisfac- tion on the part of the Union. It furnishes proof that competency acquired in the administration of trade union affairs can make a useful contribution to the community at large, It also demonstrates that the objectives of the IWA are not narrowed to the sectional interests of lumber workers, but form an integral part of community progress and welfare. i IWA men elected will acquit themselves well in civic affairs. They will serve the community and at the same time advance the status of their Union. They have pioneered where others must soon follow. if WHITE BREAD Hy Sliced BALANCED RATION sliced grad "Listen to Jimmy Allen—CKWX—5:30 p.m. Mon, Thru Fri,’ Welfare First In Sweden OTTAWA (CPA) — The Social Democratic Government of Swe- den spends about one-third of its annual revenue on social security. About $420 million is spent yearly for this purpose, and ac- counts for nearly 10 percent of the national income. ‘The guid- ing principle in Swedish social legislation is to give every citi- zen the assistance and protection to which he is entitled as a mem- ber of society. It is generally accepted that dependents should also be covered, that increased costs of living should be taken into account, and that social security fees should be kept as low as possible, Old Age Pensions All citizens who reach the age of 67 receive a basic annual pen- sion of 1,000 kroner ($200), with- out a means test. Cost of living bonus is granted on top of the basic pension, For a married couple, the basic annual pension is 1,600 kroner, plus cost of liv- ing bonus and, in many cases, with special supplement for housing. ‘The pension law also provides for pensions to invalids, widows, and those suffering pro- longed ‘illness, To invalids a basic pension of 200 kroner is paid annually irrespective of in- come, and to this amount may be added a supplementary pension up to 800 kroner depending on income from other sources, Widows’ pension is basically 600 kroner per year, with possible supplements. To qualify for pen- sion, a widow must have reached the age of 55 at the time of her husband’s death, and must have been married for five years. Health Care About two Swedes out of every three are covered by health in- surance, which is subsidized by the government. The insurance pays all hospital expenses and most of the doctors’ fees. It also includes certain daily sickness allowances, according to the pre- miums paid by the insured per- son, Four years ago an extensive health bill providing for compul- sory insurance was passed by parliament, but because of the strained economic situation it has not yet gone into effect. When it does, everybody will be en- titled to free treatment in public hospitals and vital medicines will be provided free. As it is now, the situation is nevertheless very good. All hos- pitals are tax-supported, so fees are low. Most hospitals have polyclinics where patients, if they wish, can be examined and treat- ed at a very nominal fee. For the first visit the patient pays five kroner, (about $1) and for subsequent ‘visits 3 kroner (60 cents). If hospitalization is neces- sary the patient chooses between ward, semi-private and private room. No means test is required for the wards, which have from two to six beds. The cost per day to an uninsured person is three to four kroner, and this covers all care and treatment, in- cluding operations. There are absolutely free clinies for babies and for pre- natal care. When a child is born, the mother receives 125 kroner without means test. Free and vegular medical check-ups are carried on in the schools, includ- ing dental care. Free school lunches are a part of the child health program, Vacations for Mothers and Children Mothers and children of the lowest income families are en- titled to free rail travel up to 375 miles, or in sparsely populated provinces up to twice that dis- tance, for vacation purposes, Mothers in the same income class who have at least two children under 15 may travel free for any distance for a holiday. They may be away for ten days, as com- pared with four weeks for the children, and if necessary a train- ed home assistant can be sent to take charge of a household while the other enjoys her rest. 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