a ; : B.C. LUMBER WORKER Modern Quest [T should be said that the week-end Institutes conducted by the IWA, in cooperation with the Canadian Congress of Labor, across the province, have pioneered a new and important form of adult education in Canada. This was recognized by Dr. John Friesen, head of the University Extension Department, when he opened the Institute recently held at the UBC. Apparently, he found that the CCL program con- formed with the best traditions of adult educa- tion in Europe, where such work is a generation in advance of the Canadian effort. The principles followed should be noted by Local Unions as they proceed to develop the con- tinuing educational program, for which the Insti- tutes furnished the springboard. The quest for knowledge should never cease, when the doors of our earlier educational insti- tutions close behind us. Life is largely a matter of learning, for when learning stops, life grows stale indeed. Adult education, in its varied forms adds zest to life, and gives its seekers a very real sense of adventure, for new and expanding horizons ap- pear in the process. Trade union adult education, as provided by the IWA, has proved that anyone, at any age, and in any circumstances, can readily learn about those matters in which they are vitally interested. The subjects in the TWA curriculum hold the in- terest of the students, because they relate to the techniques required for better daily living and working. It is easy to learn, when giving attention to ideas and methods which provide an outlet for the very natural instincts of self-preservation, and self-improvement. All of us want to protect our living, and to better our living. The IWA educational program is not a system of ready-made opinions for the cramming of unwilling students. Students are not encouraged to attend the classes to sit around like so many empty jugs waiting to be filled. The man who attends, holding out his mind like a little bucket to be filled, is doomed to dis- appointment. He will get the bottom kicked out of his bucket, that it may be converted into a pipe. As he allows the ideas to flow through him, from the Union, to the service of others, he starts to function as a genuine trade unionist. In its educational program, the Union fune- tions like a hydro-electric power plant. It has both intake and outlet. Unless the force of water flows in and out, the turbines do not turn. The Union’s educational turbines develop power, because the flow which comes from the intake to the turbines, also flows out through the outlets of service to the Union, and thus rotating ideas send impulses of power along the Union’s transmission lines. Vote! | ‘THE Vancouver Labor Council has rendered a service to the workers in Vancouver, in the presentation of Labor candidates in the civic elections. : : Organized labor now has the opportunity to ensure that its interests at the City Hall are rep- resented by men of their own selection. This action on the part of the Council points up the vital necessity of more general participa- tion by the workers in civic elections. A very much larger number of workers have gained the right to vote in the Vancouver Civic elections. They should not fail to exercise that right, what- ever may be their selection of candidates. Some of the greatest defeats suffered by the workers have originated with their indifference toward the right to vote. On voting day, every qualified voter among the ranks of the trade unionists, should present himself at the ballot box with a determination to vote for those policies which best express his ideals for a better community, » Rt ee TEAR THEM HAS ALL—THE SPEAK ---- ka NED'S Too Busy CATEHING I 7 uP ON HIS, APART, ANSWERS RIGHT FROMTHE START steer / “a7 OTTAWA (CPA) — Canada established several new health records in 1953, according to the Dominion Bureau of Statis- tics, Death and infant mortal- ity rates reached a new low, while the natural rate of in- crease reached an all-time high. The new death rate, 8.6 per third lowest in the world, with lands (7.3) and Norway (8.3) Marriages Newfoundiand ____. a (eee Pr. Edward Island Nova Sectia New Brunswick Quebec __ Ontario - Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta eos British Columbia - Canada fetal elcclsa} 90 S 90. 1] 09-0. DOoNHwWORROHE In Death Rate fant mortality dropped to a new low of 35 per 1,000 live births, Canada was still well down in the world list. Since the war, Canada has sus- tained a birth rate considerably higher than most other countries of comparable development. In 1953 it rose to 28.2 from 27.9 a year earlier. While this was not 1,000 population, makes Canada | as high as the post-war peak of | 28.9 only two countries, the Nether- | in 1947, the number of babies born was the highest in | the country’s history, 416,825— having better records. While in-|or one every 75 seconds. Rates Per 1000 Population in 1953 Natural Increase Births 9 jaths (Births minus Deaths) 33.4 ‘fail 26.3 25.8 8.7 17.1 27.6 8.8 18.8 30.7 8.7 22.0 380.2 8.1 22.1 26.5 9.2 17.3 26.3 8.7 17.6 27.5 7.8 19.7 31.3 7.6 23.7 25.8 9.9 15.9 28.2 8.6 19.6 Measures to increase protec- tion for Israeli workers and reduce the. possibility of acci- dents in industrial plants will be tightened when a Bill now before the Knesset (parlia- ment) becomes law. The Bill is at present being considered by the parliamentary labor committee. Powers of safety inspectors will be increased and they will now be able to order immediate stoppage of work pending en- quiries, if they suspect any dan- ger. They may also call in expert consultants to investigate conditions. Workers Participate Workers will play a direct role in accident prevention, through joint safety committees to be set up in every plant employing over 50 workers. The Minister of La- bor is also empowered to order. the appointment of a full-time safety officer at the firm’s ex- pense, where special hazards war- rant this. A public body repre- senting the Government, organ- ized labor and employers is established, to advise the Minis- HAZARDS CURBE INSURANCE CASHED WASHINGTON (CPA) — More and more Americans are having to dip into their say- ings. accounts, cash their say- ings bonds and close out their insurance policies, according to the latest issue of CIO News, official paper of the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The paper quotes the Commit- tee on Economic Trends and Poli- cies of the U.S. Savings and Loan League which notes that “the adjustment (in the economy) has not yet run its course.” The - Committee predicted “a sidewise to moderately downward drift in the general level of business ac- tivity during the remainder of the year.” In the first six months of 1954, says the News, withdrawals from savings accounts were 4% higher than in 1953, with one New Yorl# bank reporting 5,000 closed aé- counts by the end of summer— twice as many as in all of 1953. In June, the Treasury redeemed $579 million in savings bonds, 10% more than the year before and 26% more than in May. Life insurance companies in the first six months gave $418.7 million to customers who cashed in their policies, a 22% increase in a year. In addition, they loan- ed policyholders $355 million, or 27% more than in the previous year. MA, 0928 ter and assist in public education. pANS Use, Abuse and Age Inadequate glasses can cause headaches. eyes change with use, abuse and age. A thorough examination by your optometrist will detect any need for a change in your present lens prescrip- tion. Your precious eyes merit the professional care, technical skills and the finest scientific in- struments offered by optometrists. Abramson & Halienaie OPTOMETRISTS 734 GRANVILLE STREET Ground Floor — Vancouver Block Your MA, 2948 On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, FURS AND ALL VALUABLES Immediate Cash? No Red Tape!- Unredeemed Diamonds for Sale B. C. COLLATERAL LOAN BROKERS LT 17 EAST HASTINGS, Cor. COLUMBIA "|