LUMBER WORKER if March 20, 1952 Preparedness | WHATEVER the decisions of the approaching IWA Wages and Contract Conference may be, it is reason- able to expect that the Union will face a heavy and difficult responsibility in negotiations with the operators this year for the demands formulated. All the present indications point to a wide gulf between the views held by the District Convention delegates and those tentatively echoed through the employers’ press. Even more than on former occasions, the full strength of the Local unions as combined through the District organization will be required to back up the bargaining strategy against formidable opposition. __Zhis makes it clear that the District Convention acted ‘with commendable foresight in recommending that the financial position of the District Council be strengthened. The referendum, soon to seek the approval of the membership, will provide an opportunity to back the con- sidered judgment of the convention. Financial Stability The District Convention endorsed the proposal made by the Trustees and Officers’ Report Committee that the portion of the per capita tax alloted to the District orga- nization should be-increased by 15 cents per dues month. The approaching referendum of the membership for the approval of the necessary amendment of the by-laws was then authorized. The sole intention behind. the recommendation was that this re-allocation of per capita tax would ensure greater financial stability in the activities for which re- sponsibility is placed upon the District Council. A remarkable feature of this convention decision was the virtual unanimity based on an awareness of the im- portance of the work promoted by, and co-ordinated through the District Council. The delegates purposed that the financial resources of the Union should be employed in proper balance with relation to the division of responsi- bility as between Local Unions and the District. Between now and June 15, all IWA members will be anxiously following the trend of negotiations for an improved master contract in the Coast area. They will be constantly demanding the utmost effort in support of their terms, not only in negotiating skill and unity, but in suit- able publicity and organization. District Hampered This underlines the fact that bargaining for the IWA is conducted on an industry-wide scale, and must there- fore be undertaken on a District basis, through the facili- ties of the District organization. In view of the importance of these negotiations, and the evidence that the District organization has been ham- pered with the financial limitations of a 13-cent per capita, allotment for general administration, it would be folly to permit this continued weakness. For every dues dollar invested by IWA members in their Union since 1948, they have received in return rich dividends in the form of increased wages and improved working conditions. Approval of action by which the District organization will be brought to the highest possible state of efficiency provides a genuine protection of their existing investment. It offers the best possible assurance that the Union will function as it should to gain still further benefits. Support of the District per capita increase will furnish the most convincing proof to friend and foe alike that the IWA is in deadly earnest about this year’s contract demands. z Make Sure You Can Vote tention to all IWA members is directed to the necessity of eviteation on the Provincial Voters’ List, in order to be able to yote in the next Provincial Election, ss Anyone not registered will not be able to vote. Registration on the Dominion or Municipal Lists does not poemittaes a person’s name is on the Provincial Lat. incial Voters’ List is now being revised by can- vases ont the ridings, Any voter who has not been called upon, should make enquiry of the nearest Deputy Registrar, or Government Agent. loggers whose occupations require them to be Sree ape Peo arainany places of residence on polling day will be enabled to vote on an “absentee” ballot. bsentee voter’s name appears on the yoters’ list Ee the Hing for which he may cast a ballot, the ballot is rejected. KGES WD [ff COSSN VAN EX COMETRENCE TP WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, WEECAN MAKE A NICE ABDITION TO _IT~= PUBLICITY OTTAWA (CPA)—Most Ca- nadians know that government officials and Members of Par- liament are regularly pressured by lobbies of one kind and another. Just how they work isn’t so well known. Finance Minister Abbott threw some light into the lobbyists back room when he condemned one professional pressure~- group he didn’t like: the auto dealers who were fighting his credit restric- tions. The publicity and other induce- ments offered normally unimport- ant backbench M.P.s by the men the auto dealers hired to state their case indicate techniques used by lobbyists in general. Here’s a portion of lobbying instructions read into Hansard by Mr. Abbott, They had been sign- ed by Howard B, Moore, General Manager of the Federation of Automobile Dealer Associations of Canada. Instructions “Members of parliament under- stand, appreciate and value good publicity. We want you to enlist your member as a spokesman for our cause, and, when you do, we through Editorial Services, will provide a great deal of national publicity for him — publicity he will like and that will do you a lot of good. This is how we will create that publicity: 1, Induce your M.P. to author- ize statement which can be used by Editorial Services for pub- lieity on a national basis. 2, We likely will be able to ar- range (through an established speakers’ bureau) for the mem- ber to address an important club or other public body on the sub- ject. There will be similar nation- wide publicity on his speech. __ 8. It may be possible for Edi- torial Services to get your mem- ber on the air, for a talk, forum, or interview. The same coast to coast publicity will follow. 4, When he speaks about our troubles in the House, a report of his speech will go to all wire services, every newspaper and every radio station in Canada, through Editorial Services’ plan, Your job will be to advise us of the member’s intentions. Editorial Services will get in PEDDLING IN OTTAWA eal of the professional effective. ness with which special interest groups work on politicians and others who can influence official policy in their favor, touch with him immediately in order to publicize his statement in every possible way.” Publicity peddling is only one lobbying technique. But it’s typi- Cop Big So Wherever Yd Ha... There are 18 Branches of The Bank of Toronto to serve you in British Columbia . . . ready to look after all your banking needs. And if you can’t bank in person, take advantage of our con- venient “Bank by Mail” service. FOR FULL INFORMATION MAIL THIS COUPON TODA, | Sond me full information about The Bank of Toronto | | Services and the "Bank by Mail” plan. | ADDRESS....--s.-sesesesceeeererevesteeeeeres KZ ~=sBANK*-TORON Vancouver Branch, Dep Lik Vancouver, B. 18 Branches to serve Britsh Columbia “YOUR MANAGER" — On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, FURS AND ALL VALUABLES immediate Cash! Ne Red Tape! 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