B.C. LUMBER WORKER

2nd Issue, May —

Items of Interest To
Labor In Capsule Form .

Check-off Bill Defeated

OTTAWA—A Bill to introduce the voluntary revocable check-
: off of union dues was voted down in the House of Commons. The
Bill was defeated by 107-51. Further time should be given for mak-
ing studies of the matter and introducing any amendment, said
Labor Minister Gregg.

CCF Housing Program
TORONTO—The housing section of the new provincial pro-
gram, adopted by the Ontario CCF at its annual convention, calls
for a $400,000,000 program to build at least 40,000 low-cost homes,
oyer and above those erected by private builders, daring, the next
few years.

PAC Interest Increases
TORONTO—Strong evidence of increased interest and activity
in political action work among CCL unionists throughout the Mari-
times was reported by Henry Weisbach, National Political Action
Director for the Canadian Congress of Labor, on his return from
a tour of the Atlantic provinces.

pril Unemployment 549,000
OTTAWA—The April figure of 549,000 for unemployment was

the second highest for the post-war years and constituted well over
one-tenth of Canada’s total labor force.

Canadian Sickness Survey
OTTAWA—Three out of every five Canadians are prevented
-by illness from following their normal activities during the course
of a year, according to figures contained in the fifth report of the
1950-51 Canadian Sickness Survey. Average length of disability
is reported as 11.9 days per person.

Agnes Macphail Scholarships
TORONTO—Scholarships are to be established at the School
of Social Work, University of Toronto, in tribute to Agnes ‘Mac-
phail, first woman member of the House of Commons. The scholar-
ships are fo be granted to students in probation or rehabilitation
or in penology should a chair be set up for such a department.

June Strike Vote

MONTREAL—Officials of 14 Canadian railway unions, inyolved
since the end of last year in negotiations with the Canadian Pacific
and Canadian National Railways on the question of fringe benefits
for their non-operating railway employees, have decided to call for
a strike yote in mid-June, according to Frank Hall, chairman.of the
negotiating committee. Voté results will he announced, ins late
August.

OTTAWA—For the fiscal year ending March 31, 1954, Mc-
Intyre Porcupine Mines’ net profit was $2,068,456 ($2.59 per share),
down slightly from the 1953 figure of $2,298,184 ($2.88 per share),
but the taxpayer helped the company along to a greater extent
with the $582,192 (against $573,547 in 1953) paid to the company
under the Emergency Gold Mining Assistance Act.

Unemployed Picket Commons
OTTAWA — One hundred umemployed persons picketed the
House of Commons carrying banners. They-read: “Save the Textile
Industry of Canada”; “Build a Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway”
and some others. They presented an 8-point brief.

Longer Benefits Asked

OTTAWA — Claire Gillis (CCF Cape Breton) called on the
government to resume expired payments to people who still are
unable to find jobs and were cut off unemployment insurance on
April 21. Gillis advisd the Minister of Labor to ignore complaints
that Canadian firms can’t compete because wages are too high.
Why should someone who gets $3.68 an hour for a forty-hour week
tell someone else who only gets $1.60 an hour that he should work
for less?

No-raiding Agreement Signed
TORONTO—The United Automobile Workers (CIO-CCL) and
the International Association of Machinists (AFL-TLC) reached a
ne-raiding agreement. They represent 10% of the trade union

membership in Canada. They will co-operate on collective bar-
gaining.

Publication date of the next issue of the B.C. LUMBER WORKER
is June 4th. Deedline for ad copy is Moy Bey ond fay mews copy
Mey 28th.

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.

or favorite dealer.

Notice the four large pockets in front, and the large
pack pocket in back, which opens at both sides... a
feature of both mackinaw and kersey garments.

These are two of the many designs of “Pioneer
Brand” clothing obtainable from your commissary

Made in Vancouver, B.C.,
Ltd., they are designed through careful study of the
needs and desires of B.C.

LOOK
FOR THE ONEER,
NAME 27BRAND
FOR WORK CLOTHING
OF
UNSTINTED MATERIALS +

. DESIGN and %
WORKMANSHIP

by Jones-Tent & Awning

workmen,

BCLuncentWornen

Representing the Organized Loggers and Mill Workers of B.C.

PUBLISHED TWICE MONTHLY ON THE FJRST
AND THIRD THURSDAYS BY.
International Woodworkers of America (CIO-CCL) gr,
B.C. District Council No, 1

DISTRICT OFFICERS
wpresident
Presid

. Joe Morris

Si “Wiliam iN. Gray
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mart fired. Bieber

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a George A. ree atitenel
‘Wait.

‘Board iember ‘alter F, Allen

Address all communications to
‘H, MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer
‘ ~ Phone FAirmont 8807-8

“Not

at the boners the west pulled
In the first place, the French
xefused to grant the Chingse |

Guns Alone”

By MARTIN LEVINSON

The recent communist victories in Indo-China point
out clearly some of the reasons western foreign policy has
failed in many areas of the world. Let’s have a brief look
in Indo-China.

terested in their empty stomachs
than in arms. If we don’t pro-
vide them with plenty of econo-
mic help in the form of goods
and food, in addition to the guns,
we might as well give up. Need
I repeat that Canada’s record in
the field of economic assistance
is woefully inadequate. We’re
spending about 33 times more
yearly on liquor and tobacco than
on economic assistance. In the
meanwhile, the world burns and

the Canadian Government fiddles.

So bic “Communists became the

He Warns...

MARTIN LEVINSON, Director
of the CCL Department for In-
ternational Affairs.

champions of self-government
and the French lost the loyalty
of the people who refused to
fight the advance of totalitarian-
ism in order to preserve colonial-
ism. Finally the French realized
this, and made offers of inde-
pendence, but not soon enough.
Monarchy Unpopular

Secondly, the French threw
their support to Bao Dai, the Em-
peror of Viet Nam. Now Bao Dai
might be a nice fellow, but he
likes to spend most of his time
on the Riviera in France, and is
regarded by some Indo Chinese
asa French puppet What’s more,
he isn’t exactly the most progres-
sive leader in existence.

‘Not unsurprisingly, Bao wasn’t
able to gain the support of the
mass of the people. I know it
may be difficult to find strong
and liberal people in many coun-
tries that are worthy of our help.
But we should be actively
strengthening the development of
progressive, non-communist lead-
ers—not coddling the reaction-
aries.

Not Guns Alone

‘Thirdly, and this should be ob-

Money Orders!

When you want to send money by mail,
use Canadian Bank of Commerce money
orders. You can buy them at any Com-
merce branch in British Columbia. They
can be mailed safely — can be cashed
readily. Be safe when mailing money.
Use Canadian Bank of Commerce Money
Orders. .

BANKING BY MAIL is convenient, easy tr do.
See for yourself—today.

THE cal a BANK
OF COMMERCE

80 Branches in British Columbia