B.

Cc. LUMBER WORKER

June 5, 1952

DON’T BE FOOLED!

RECENT announcement that
has dropped by two points,
workers into believing that all

the official cost of living index
while welcome, should not fool
danger of inflation is at an end.

Main cause for the recent drop originated in conditions of a
temporary nature. All the main inflationary tendencies are still

operating.

Experience .has
shown that the
basis for the in-
dex by which we
measure changes
in costs of living
has become whol-
ly unreliable.

This is official-
ly admitted, as
commencing next
summer, a new
consumer price index will be is-
sued.

Index Unreliable -

The present index was based
on inaccurate calculations at the
outset in 1939. The average de-
termined as being that of fainily
spending on household necessities
was then set above the actual
earnings. This error has been
perpetuated throughout the
years,

It is now found that after 14
years, people spend - their
money in different ways. Many
items which were considered lux-
uries in 1939, are now regarded
as essential for healthful ea)
today. Lack of storage space ant
refrigeration compels many fa-
milies to buy in small quantities
at higher prices.

Especially in children’s cloth-
ing no allowance has been made
for deterioration of quality in the
lower price ranges. The manner
in which parents have been
forced into the higher, price
range is a common complaint.

Looking to the future it is
logical to expect that defence
spending, calculated to reach new
heights during the last six
months of this year, will again
force prices up.

Investment a Factor

Added to this is the fact that
big business is planning 2 mam-
‘moth program of investment in

machines and factories. This,
combined with armament expen-
diture, means that workers en-
gaged in capital and armament
expansion will not be producing
goods which can be bought back.
We may expect an increase in
steel prices, which is always used
as a pretext to boost general
price levels in Canada. When the
American Government starts
stock-piling again for ‘defence
purposes, another pressure will
be exerted to boost prices. ~

American Index Rising

Almost invariably when the
American price index starts ris-
ing as it is at present, the Cana-
dian index follows the same trend
somewhat later.

Another bad omen is the fact
that not all wholesale prices have
dropped. The drops in animal,
textile, and vegetable products
have not been matched by the
drops in wood, chemical and
metal products.

These latter wholesale prices
have continued to rise. Such
trends are usually the forerunner
of continued increases in the gen-
eral level of prices.

These facts lead to the inescap-
able conclusion that no wage set-
tlement should be based at the
present time on the expectation
that inflation is at an end or that
prices are due for an appreciable
slump.

“When I was a young man,”
said the father to his indolent
gon, “I worked twelve hours
every day.”

“J admire your youthful energy
Dad,” answered the modern lad.
“But I admire still more the ma-
ture wisdom that led you to stop
it,”

The Long and

AND EXTENDED

the Short of it is...

THE HUB HAS SOLD

‘UNION-MADE
MEN’S WEAR

FRIENDLY SERVICE

FOR OVER 50 YEARS

45 E. Hastings St.

Vancouver, B.C.

Publication date of the next issue of the B.C. LUMBER
WORKER is June 19. Deadline for ad Copy is June 12 and for

news copy June 13,

BCLuxcentWorxen

Repeetenting the Orgenized Loggers and Mill Werkers of B.C.
PUBLISHED TWICE MONTHLY BY
INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF ‘AMERICA (CIO-CCL)
B.C. DISTRICT COUNCIL No. 1.

ad DISTRICT OFFICERS:
President J, Stewart Alsbu
Ast Vice-1 NGM coenecrooshinonnennnsenenrernereeerennreereeernnere JOC Morris
and {nen BUUEE M. Hodgson,
Sra it Fred Fleber

Member

| QEORGE H, MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer
45 Kingsway - Phone FAirmont 8807-8
‘Vancouver, B.C.

‘Bubscription Rates..........$1.50 per annum

SS

Ge H, Mitchell
‘Wiitiam N, Gray

Address all communications to

Advertising Representative... A. Spencer
as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept. Ottawa
‘COPIES PRINTED IN THIS ISSUE

LOOK
FOR THE
NAME

Illustrated is the Cruiser’s
Stag of pure virgin wool
in mackinaw or kersey.
Mackinaw plaids are
either red and black;
green and black, or blue
and black.

Notice the four large pockets in front, and the large

pack pocket in back, which opens at both sides... 2

feature of both mackinaw and kersey garments.
These are two of the many designs of “Pioneer
Brand” clothing obtainable from your commissary
or favorite dealer.
Made in Vancouver, B.C., by Jones Tent & Awning
Ltd., they are designed through careful study of the
needs and desires of B.C. workmen.

FOR WORK CLOTHING
OF
UNSTINTED MATERIALS
‘DESIGN and
WORKMANSHIP

=
JONEER
ZPRAND

REGISTERED

CLAUDE BALLARD
“Put

C. On Par With U.S.”

No justification exists for the difference in wages paid |

ment could be reached in B. G., if

B.C. lumber workers and those in the Pacific Northwest |the membership presented a

States, claimed International 2nd Vice-president Claude
Ballard, addressing the quarterly meeting of the B.C.

District Council IWA.

|solidly united front to the em-
ployers, and held in mind the
resolution—on’ June 18, no con-
tract, no work.

The speaker expressed the
opinion that the B.C, lumber
operators could easily make up
the difference between the Ca-
nadian and American rates
without being “hurt too much”.
He pointed to the fact that
their profit position is as favor-
able as the operators in the Pa-
cific Northwest, who recently
granted. an advance on rates
which were previously above
the B.C. wage scale.

International Support

The International Vice-presi-
dent informed the Council dele-
gates that the whole Interna-
tional Union regarded the present
negotiations in British Columbia

eing of prime importance to
the security of lumber workers
on the continent, He emphasized
the importance of a successful
conclusion.

He said; “After going through
our recent negotiations in’ the
United States, we realize the
tough nature.of the job in B.C.
The problems faced here are
similar to those we faced in the
States. The Manufacturers’ As-
sociation and affiliates indicated
this year that their program is
to tighten up, and put greater
pressure on the bargaining pro-
cedures.

Same Attitude

“When negotiations opened in
the States, we found that the em-
ployers were determined to main-
tain the ‘status quo’. The one
difference was that they did not
demand a wage cut as in this
province,

As in B.C., they brought up
the question of survival of the
industry in the face of changing
market conditions. They said
that they didn’t want to “rock
the boat” or upset the economy.

Actually 4t is the employers
who have been “rocking the boat”
by depriving the workers of the
goods and services required.

The basic living standard of
our people has been reduced by
one means_or another, The. cost
of living fas continued to rise,
in addition to which taxation has
accelerated the lowering of liv-
ing standards.

B.C. Settlement

The International officer pre-
dicted that a satisfactory settle-

See for yourself—today.

BANKING BY MAIL

The safe way to save your
money Is to put it in a
bank. You. can do this
best through any of the
branches of the Canadian
Bank of Commerce in
British Columbia. Get
some Banking by Mail
forms before you leave
town, or write for a sup-
ply to your nearest branch
of the Commerce.

BANKING BY MAIL is convenient, easy to do.

“THE om a BANK
OF COMMERCE

80 Branches in British Columbi