Page 4 B.C. LUMBER WORKER Another Win SETTLEMENT of the strike issues in the Interior marks the end of a long weary battle by the Union on behalf of Interior lumber workers. It has proved to be a battle in which the IWA has won more for Interior workers than at any previous time in trade union history in British Columbia. The measure of the success achieved by the IWA is in the difference between wages and conditions as they were and as now established. It is not to be reckoned by any other comparison. Interior lumber workers may well remember with gratitude the fact that their conditions and wages would not have improved, had the IWA not persisted in aggres- sive negotiations with obstinate operators. The great achievement of the IWA is that the Union has brought wage standards in the Interior into close approximation with those secured at the Coast. No longer will it be said that Interior workers are . worth less than Coast workers. We Won't Pay More ECENT unofficial statements released from Victoria are evidently intended to condition the public mind to fur- ther increases in direct contributions to the B. C. Hospital Insurance Scheme. If such are the intentions of the Coali- tion Government, a political hurricane is in the. making. It is an open secret that the probe of the Commission of Enquiry has found an even imore deplorable situation than had been predicted by the most pessimistic. The causes for a well-night calamitous failure, are not to be found in the purposes of the scheme, but in the utter lack of Planning and obvious mal-administration. It would be the rankest injustice to place additional financial burdens on those least able to pay in order to rescue the Coalition Government from the results of its gross errors. If drastic measures must be taken to place the scheme on a sound basis, the required financing should be done from the general revenue of the province, with taxation levied according to ability to pay. __, Liberal and Conservative members of the Commission of Enquiry, it is said on reliable authority, were impressed by their discoveries in Saskatchewan. The evidence taken in that province will form an important part of their re- port. The main points of contrast cannot be evaded. The Saskatchewan scheme was planned, not to be self- sustaining financially, but to meet a public need for ade- quate hospitalization. It was planned by the best available experts before it was launched. The Saskatchewan Govern- ment planned to subsidize the scheme adequately, as a wise investment in the health of the people. Plans were made and executed to reduce the costs of hospitalization by provision for community hospitals for minor ailments and convalescent homes for chronic cases. Financial arrangements were made whereby the hospitals would be, enabled to budget for their estimated-require- ments on the basis of an assured income in ratio to the hospital population. Having decided on the main purpose, the Saskatchewan scheme adopted sound business principles to achieve a long-range program. It is not too late, nor will it be too costly, to apply the same principles in British: Columbia. If it is found that the BCHIS faces a heavy deficit, it should be shouldered by the provincial treasury, while at the same time plans are laid to remedy the chief defects of the scheme. The alternative plan to tax the contributors with higher premiums will most.certainly wreck the scheme for those who need it the most. The government must abandon the idea that hospital insurance can be made self- sustaining. Hospital costs can be reduced by the provision of more suitable accommodation for convalescents and chronic cases, which have passed the acute stage, At the same time this removes the necessity of abrupt cessation of benefits when an ailment is discovered to be chronic. This investment is required to lighten the load on the acute diseases hospitals. The reported abuse of hospital facilities for purposes beyond the scheme can be remedied as in Saskatchewan by a business-like finance plan which will enable the hospitals to budget themselves on a more accurate appraisal of actual requirements. The B. C. contributor is willing to pay for genuine hos- pital service, with an ‘equitable distribution of costs. He is not willing to pay for government stupidity or ineffi- ciency. The cost of cleaning- up the present mess should not be taxed against the workers as individuals, Hey! way pon't YOU PuT SOME MONEY Ly? Bic. RAVE UNIONS Ti The Editor: At the CCL Convention held in Vancouver during September of this year a special caucus of District No. 1 was convened by Murray Cotterill, Political Action Director of the Congress, Those present were. Stan Keys, 1-80, Duncan. Frank Telford, 1-80, Duncan. Jack Moore, 1-85, Port Alberni. Gray Fraser, 1-357, New West. Tony Gargrave, 1-217, Van. W. R. Franklin, 1-367, Mission. E. N. Haw, 1-118, Victoria. W. M. Hayes, 1-367, Mission. Doug Berg, 1-357, New West. Ranjit Singh, 1-118, Victoria. C. McKellor, 1-217, Vancouver. T. Barnett, 1-86, Port Alberni. The political action of the Con- gress was discussed. There was no disagreement or reservations on the principle that the CCF should be the political arm of the CCL. There was criticism, how- ever, of strategy with which the Congress and its representatives had handled the policy. There was also some criticism of the CCF. It was unanimously agreed that the IWA should further the PAG program of the Congress in B.C. Educational Program The caucus agreed that if the classes or seminars’ were con- ducted throughout B.C. on (the rank and file participating) the |! structure and constitutional prac- tices of Canadian government, |} the correctness of Congress pol- icy would never be in doubt. BRUMMITT’S MEN’S WEAR Headlight Overalls Dayton Boots Mail Orders 74 W. CORDOVA Vancouver, B.C. On behalf of the National PA. || PAC Issue For District C Committee, Murray Cotterill of- fered to send to B.C. at the Na- tional Committee’s expense a man of sufficient stature and background to make a success of this worthwhile suggestion, All that would be required would be the necessary planning and co- ordination between Locals at this end. Owing to the somewhat full agenda of the District Quarterly Council this report has never seen the light of day. It is, how- ever, of sufficient interest and importance to warrant publica- tion in this manner. Let us hope that the discussion it will pro- convention yoke will enable a policy to emerge by the next Quarterly Council or District Convention, Tony Gargrave, Local 1-217. Cooperation pays. Every time a banana leaves the bunch it gets skinned. WILBECK’S IN VANCOUVER FOR RADIOS AND LATEST RECORDS 2258 W. 4th BA. 4523 This advertisement is not published or displayed by the Liquor Control Board or by the Government of British Columbia. ae PPG a nto ee Sa Ra Joans On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, FURS AND ALL VALUABLES. Immediate Cash! No Red Tape! Unredeemed Diamonds for Sale 77 EAST HASTINGS, Cor. COLUMBIA. B. C. COLLATERAL LOAN BROKERS LT: