Page 4

B.C.

LUMBER WORKER

“Well Done?

WA members may join with other B.C. trade unionists
in saying “Well done” to the delegates who at the 7th
Annual Convention of the B. C. Federation of Labor, gave
conscientious ‘preparation to a legislative program, de-
signed to advance the welfare of workers in this province.
The unanimity of the affiliated unions, represented at
the convention, on all matters affecting organized labor
should arrest the attention of the governing authorities.
The CCL unions acted with a strength of purpose and
organization which cannot fail to impress and influence
public opinion. A constructive outlook and sense of re-
sponsibility for the public good were the predominating
themes of the deliberations.

A dominant trend of thought in the convention was
that price controls are imperative to protect the living
standards of the people. Plans were made to lend full and
united support to labor’s crusade for price ceiljngs on
essential commodities,

Equally definite was the convention about the injustice
of wage control. The existing processes of collective bar-
gaining, subject to the weight of the employers’ economic
influence, is clearly an ample measure of control.

The convention made a stand in the presence of British
Columbia’s Minister of Labor against any infringement of
the basic rights of trade unions. They said emphatically,
and in almost militant language, that workers must be
free to belong to the Unions of their own choice, and that
Unions must be free from government regulation in re-
spect of their internal affairs.

The convention ranged through the whole gamut of
labor legislation, making clear, as many delegates stated,
that the major problems must find solution incthe politi-
cal field.

The realistic point of view was held that any course
of political action must stem from the political outlook and
desires of the rank and file membership. It was therefore
decided to place the political facts of life before the trade
union members as preparatory to further decisions regard-
ing political action. Confidence was expressed in the politi-
eal action policy of the Canadian Congress of Labor.

The Federation Convention also took a realistic view
of the international situation, and pledged support to the
democratic aims of the United Nations, and collective
security. The delegates rejected proposals which implied

submission to the Communist ideal of world domination |) ~

by force.

The whole tone of the convention gives cause for con- :
fidence in the future of labor’s cause in British Columbia. |:

Control Prices

[Wa Local Unions acted promptly to give support to the
proposal now before the House of Commons to legislate
price controls without wage controls.

A survey of opinion across Canada indicates that only
the powerful business interests are opposed to price con-
trols. These same interests are, on the other hand, offer-
ing every form of opposition to a fair adjustment of wage
levels to price levels, thus imposing wage control now.

Two large and influential labor conventions in this
province, the IWA and the B.C. Federation of Labor have
declared for price controls.

A mass meeting organized by all Vancouver trade
unions will this week demand action by the Federal Gov-
ernment to curb price inflation.

It is inconceivable that the Federal Government should
continue to ignore any longer this unmistakable cry of
distress from those who comprise the bulk of the popula-
tion of the Dominion.

Significance may be attached to the words of Regional
Director C. G. Palmer, Saskatchewan, when in addressing
the Federation Convention recently, he declared that the
callous indifference of the Federal Government could only
lead to more militant action by the Canadian Congress of
Labor Unions.

He reminded his listeners that de-control in 1946 had
been followed by a wave of strikes, which at its peak found
80,000 members of CCL unions on the picket lines.

Unless our economic Bourbons listen to the voice of
the masses, groaning under the oppressive weight of in-
flation, they invite the danger of cracks in-our economic
structure at a time when national unity was never more

important.

How “Free” Is “Enterprise”

Monopolies, trusts and combines have done more than anything
to destroy the people’s belief in “free enterprise”, says the Alberta
farm paper, “Western Farm Leader”.

“Tphese combines have waxed fat and powerful by swallowing
up or trampling underfoot innumerable small businesses,” says the
newspaper. s . A

“Not only did they interfere with, but they destroyed the free-
dom of anybody who dared encroach on the monopolists’ own special

preserve.

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WATCHDOG

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Tribute To
S. R. MacKenzie

whom I regarded as a trusted
comrade in our common en-
deavor.

“On behalf of the IWA, I ex-
press our deep regret at his
passing and extend our sincere
sympathy to the members of
his bereaved family, and the
members of his Union, because

of their grave loss.”
| Delegates attending the 7th
Annual Convention of the B.C. ~
Federation of Labor, marked
the passing of a former Vice-
President of the Federation by:
a_minute’s silence in tribute to
his memory, at the opening of —
the first day’s proceedings.

The recent sudden death of
Brother -Stuart R. MacKenzie,
International Board member
for B.C. of the International
Longshoremen’s and Ware-
housemen’s Union, and former
President of Local 501 of that
Union occasioned a tribute to
his life and work by IWA Dis-
trict Officers.

Speaking on behalf of the
IWA over the Green Gold radio
program, District Secretary-
Treasurer George Mitchell
said:

“Many of us knew him well
because of his activity in the
Greater Vancouver and Lower
Mainland Labor Council and
the B,C. Federation of Labor,
behind which lay 20 years of
devoted service to the cause of
organized labor.

“We knew him as a brother
of staunch integrity and cour-
age, at all times deserving of
our esteem and trust.

“I wish to pay my personal

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tribute to the faithful work and
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