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B.C. LUMBER WORKER

Democracy At Work -

PREPARATIONS for the approaching IWA International

Convention in Denver, Colorado, serve to remind IWA
members in the B.C, District of the truly democratic fea-
tures of their Union.

It can be said without fear of contradiction, that no
trade union on the North American continent adheres
more faithfully to the democratic tradition. Decisions of
vital importance to organized workers will .be made by
delegates, who can and will voice the opinions of the rank
and file membership fearlessly, free from the dominating
influence of any official bureaucracy.

This is the year in which the International officers will
be elected for the ensuing two-year term. It is a matter
of pride that the IWA electoral system demonstrates the
“grass roots” characteristics of IWA democracy. The con-
vention by process of elimination screens all candidates
for office, and nominates. The membership by referendum
vote make the final choice.

The referendum method of election has the value of
closely relating responsibility of office to the will of the
membership. It eliminates the possibility of any self-
perpetuating bureaucracy. Although heavy responsibilities
are delegated to the International Officers, they are at all
times aware they must answer directly to the membership
for their administration of the Union’s affairs.

Critics of the system, cannot gainsay the fact that the
sturdy democratic outlook of the IWA has given the Union
a healthy vitality, not always duplicated in less democratic
organizations. x

The convention call issued by the International Officers
reminds all Local Unions of the grave issues before the
convention, Labor statesmanship of a high order will be
demanded to impress upon governments on both sides of
the International boundary the urgent need for legislative
rere, principally with regard to wage and price con-
rols.

Measures for social security must form an integral
part of the programs for national security. Organized
labor must be given an effective voice in determining
national policies that touch upon the welfare of the
workers.

When these required decisions are considered in con-
nection with the democratic structure of the IWA, the
responsibility of the membership is emphasized. If the
rank and file members demand the right to control policies,
they must also accept the duty of giving policies their
most earnest consideration and study prior to the conven-
tion. Democracy cannot thrive, if neglected by an apathetic
membership.

Every Local Union has the right to express its views
on policy in the form of resolutions for the convention.
This opportunity should be grasped now, that the will of
the majority may be clearly expressed.

Every Local Union in good standing has the right to
send delegates to the convention in ratio to membership
strength. This right should be exercised to the fullest
degree.

. Due consideration will be given to the calibre of the
delegates selected that membership opinion may be empha-
tically registered. British Columbia is the largest district
within the International. The delegates from this province
will be expected to acquit themselves in a manner worthy
of the Union’s achievements in this district. British
Columbian lumber workers are now in a position to give
Jeadership on many significant trade union issues.

Kk

PREPARATIONS for the convention also remind IWA |.

members in this province that the B. C. District is part
of an international union that extends from Alaska to
Georgia, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. At Denver
it will be found that the problems of the lumber workers
throughout this vast expanse have a striking similarity.
This will re-establish the conviction that only by interna-
tional solidarity can these problems be successfuly solved.

Disregard for artificial boundaries between workers
with a common cause, enormously strengthens the combat
strength of the IWA in wresting ground from the employ-
ers’ international combination.

Not only do the lumber workers gain by this interna-
tional unity, but the cause of international amity is served
well by the well-knit fraternity which is the IWA.

I derived by the B.C. Provincial Government from the
foresta ot the province during the fiseal year, 1949-60 totalled
$8,777,129.77. The prineipal sources of revenue were from timber-

sale stumpage and timber royalties.

diture of the Forestry Service was $4,762,837.62 in the
one ee ‘2 million was spent in forest protection and $365,553

in reforestation,

OTTAWA (CPA)—The only
foods you can get at the same
price in 1951 as in 1939 are
onions and carrots, according
to a revealing survey made by
the Health League of Canada
and strikingly presented in the
May-June issue of “Health” in
a sample food budget for a
family of four.

The meals would be pretty dull,
since the nutritional yalue at the
lowest possible cost was the sole
object. The authors admit: “No
high-priced items or luxuries are
included and it is doubtful whe-
ther the average family could
keep their expenses down as low
as this and still get the foods
they need... The sole excep-
tion to this rule is made in the
case of tea and coffee.”

On this rigid basis, the weekly
food bill for parents and two
children in April, 1951, is $25.95.
The same amounts of the same
foods in March, 1939, was $10.80.

Grave Situation

No wonder the authors com-
ment: “This is a. serious situa-
tion from the point of view of
the health of the Canadian peo-
ple, many of whom are obviously
unable to buy the foods they
need for proper nutrition, and is
becoming increasingly more so
as food prices continue to rise.
Even on a minimum basis, more
than $100 a month is needed to
provide food for a family of

four. Since the average wages in
industry at the present time are
less than $45 a week, a man
must now work two and a half
weeks to pay for his own and
his family’s food.”

There may be some local vari-
ation in prices, as for example
whole milk quoted at 20%4 cents
a quart (the Toronto price). On
the other hand Grade A medium
eggs are quoted at 60c a dozen,
while in Ottawa this week Grade
A large have shot up to 90c a
dozen, with no “mediums” of-
fered.

Meat Prices Lead

The biggest percentage -in-
creases are in meat prices. Only
boneless pot roast, pork liver,
pork sausage, stew meat, bone-
less halibut and side bacon are
included. Stew meat tops the
list, having increased 376% in
the 12 years, from 15%4¢ a pound
to 73c a pound. Pork liver has
gone up from 10e a pound to 42c¢
a pound, an increase of 320%.
Pork sausage is up 200%, bone-
less pot roast 220%. Dried beans,
a vegetable substitute for meat,
have increased in price 200%,
from be to 15¢ a pound, while
cheddar cheese is up 186%. The
“luxuries”, tea and coffee, are up
100% and 200% respectively.

The list makes tragic reading.
Bread is up 150%, butter 159%,
shortening 153%, spinach 244%,

Among the major policy reso-
lutions which the ICFTU passed
at its closing sessions were:

1. Praise for the work of the
International Labor Organiza-
tion and urging further ILO
concentration on problems of
underdeveloped countries.

2, Concern over the plight of
refugees and a call upon the
UN to set up financial aid for
refugee settlement.

3. Strong support for the
Schuman Plan and European
economic integration with an
insistence on adequate labor
representation on all boards.

4, Support for “the efforts of
the free nations to strengthen
their military defense, in order
to stave off aggression”, spe-
cial financial and economic as-
sistance to Austria, Greece and

ICFTU Decisions

strengthening the free world;
opposition to admission of
Franco Spain to the UN or
granting him financial aid.

5. Seeking establishment of
effective anti-inflationary poli-
cies on a national and interna-
tional scale through progres-
sive taxation, effective price
control and conclusion of in-
ternational commodity agree-
ments.

6. Emphasis on a program to
develop economically under-
devygloped countries.

One of the most significant
facts of this ICFTU Congress
was _ the close harmony among
the North American delegates on
virtually all matters of policy.
From the first day, the CIO, the
AFL and the TLC worked jointly
on resolutions and other ques-

Turkey as a means of

tions.

CARROTS, ONIONS NOT INFLATED

cabbage 167%, string beans
168%. Only in two places the
words “no change” appear, If
you like onions and carrots, you
are lucky.

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