B.C. LUMBER WORKER Officials Block African Unions By JIM BURY (ICFTU Representative in Kenya) NAIROBI (CPA)—One of the most disturbing trends developing in Kenya to-day is the Government’s program of attempting to revive tribal organizations. This has led to measures which are restricting the growth of trade unionism here. As yet we have information con- cerning only Nairobi. This is the largest centre and certainly the city where there is most mixing of the members of the various tribes. ‘Tribal loyalties were, and still are, strong in the reserves and in the out-of-the-way country places. But with the development of an urban African these former loyalties and associations had be- gun to disappear. Common Loyalty The African in Nairobi is be- ginning to consider himself as an African and not as a Luo, or a Kikuyu or a Mkamba, etc. A common loyalty is developing and the feeling of nationality is on the way. This development was bound to happen once Africans were thrown together with a common interest and with common aspira- tions. The older ties of tribe be- gan to disappear. Members of five or six tribes would be working for one employer. Often they are in the unions, where tribal differences tend to disappear. The football games are attended by members of all tribes and they stand together. The now banned political organization, the Kenya African Union, had leader- ship from all tribes. Social activ- ity is not necessarily segregated. All these factors, and many others, were helpful in welding together Fon the r NEW'55 ~ BM ROCKET the saw with GREATER EARNING POWER | ys: a © Perfect balance under all conditions. @ Reduction drive gives real LUGGING power. © 2025 faster chain speed. © Tillotson diephregm cerburetor with fuel pump sives contolled “CANADA'S * FINEST POWER CHAIN SAW Africans as Africans. Step Forward Out of this common association and with common problems, ir- respective of tribe, is developing a common loyalty of African to African. This is a step forward. A nation can arise from common problems to be tackled, The com- mon good and welfare of all will be considered over the problems of particular sections. Some of us have doubts about the multi-racial society which is being sought here. Officially the Gov- ernment is in support of it. Those strongly in favor must realize that to give it a chance to work, there must be organized opinion from the three main racial groups. These are: African, Asian and European, given in order of population. To achieve any success in this new society, these three groups must have some head, some organ- ized leadership. It appears strange then, that at this time government spokesmen are attempting to. div- ide and weaken the most import- ant segment of the trio. You have a policy of multi-racialism on one hand while on the other there is an attempt to break up and split the African section of the three, District Officer The government has appointed an African district officer in Nai- robi whose sole function is to revive tribal associations. At the same time the District Commis- sioner of Nairobi, Mr. Small, is encouraging tribal groupings and tribal feelings among the Africans in Nairobi. At a meeting held here recently, Mr. Small discussed with the members of the Abaluhya tribe the particular grievances of that group. His advice was that this tribe should build strong tribal organi- zations and get behind their chiefs and support them. © He further stated that, in order to balance the pressure effect of other groups, the Abaluhya themselves must strengthen their organizations. Concessions are being given and others promised at tribal meetings JIM BURY sort. This can only result in jealousies, hard feelings and rivalries developing among the Africans. Mr. Small has also advised that he will give all possible help toahe collections of money. for use by the Tribal associations. He has gone further than this and has suggested that the African should only contribute to his tribal group. The use of Government sound trucks and halls in the locations are being given freely to encourage this program. Difficult Time When a person so influential and powerful as the District Com- missioner makes suggestions of this sort to the African, it makes it well nigh impossible to collect contributions to trade union or- ganizations. Trade union officials are already having a most difficult time in making their monthly col- lections. This action of Mr. Small is making the job even more dif- ficult. There are feelings among the more intelligent Africans that the Government program will not suc- ceed. I hope that they are correct. I hope that the influence of these more enlightened Africans will be able to offset the harm that is be- ing done by the backward move of the Government. The future of Kenya and the development of the African as a citizen of his country should not be jeopardised by ac- tions of this sort. The Government has an obligation to promote its ‘own policy of multi-racialism. MANUFACTURING: The pro- portion of the gross value of Canada’s manufacturing output accounted for by the 25 leading manufacturing cities declined from 68.8% in 1946 to 55.3% in 1951. Providing B.C. 96 EAST BROADWAY residents with... - HEALTH © INSURANCE at cost, the co-operative way | 0.0. & C. HEALTH SERVICES SOCIETY Telephone EMerald 5521 Enquire about our Group Coverage Contracts VANCOUVER, B.C. INCOME. UP BUT FOR MORE WORKERS OTTAWA (CPA) — Al though Canadian labor income reached an all-time high in 1954 and showed a 2% in- crease over the total for the previous year, the increase was not as great as the in- crease in the total Canadian labor force. The Dominion Bureau of Statistics reports that 1954 labor income totalled $11,- 910,000,000, up 2% from 1953’s total of $11,661,000,000. Between December 1953 and December 1954 the total labor force increased from 5,275,000 to 5,414,000—a jump of 2.6%. CO-OP FIRE COMPANY REPORTS At the third Annual Meeting of Co-operative Fire & Casualty Company held in Regina, Sask- atchewan, Thursday, March 3rd, 1955, the Directors’ Report show- ed operations resulted in a sur- plus of $25,963 for 1954, and the Company has investments amounting to $559,740. Retiring’ Directors S. Stanley and G. Viereck representing the Provinces of Alberta and British Columbia respectively and R. L. Stutt, J. F. Midmore and J. A. Fox, representing the Province of Saskatchewan, were all re- elected to serve for a term of two years, The Board of Ditectors are: R. H. Milliken, Q.C., President, Regina Sask. R. Stanley, Vice-President, Ed- monton, Alta. T. G. Bobier, Moose Jaw, Sask. L. C. A. Geernaert, Regina, Sask. A. E. Grigg, Moose Jaw, Sask. J. A. Fox, Landis, Sask. J. F. Midmore, Regina, Sask. W. H. McEwen, Moncton, N.B. D. W. Richmond, Winnipeg, Manitoba. R. L, Sutt, Regina, Sask. G. Viereck, Prince Rupert, B.C: FISHERIES — In quantity terms herring and sardines were the major items in New Bruns- wick’s 1952 commercial fish catch, accounting for 34% and 21% of the total landings. In value terms the most important items were lobsters and sardines, which ac- counted for 32% and 22% of the total marketed value. More From The MAIL BAG WORKER WINS BACK PAY The Editor: S Dear Sir and Brother: An incident arose in our Local Union lately which I, feel is of great importance to all lumber- workers. One of our Brothers in the Pen- ticton Sawmills (John Shaw) by name took his holidays over the New Year Season. He went to Toronto and when he wanted to return, found he couldn’t get a reservation on the plane. When he finally returned he was three days late and found he had been fired for reporting back late for work, The Local Union took up the grievance and finally had him re- instated ongthe job with full sen- iority and eleven days back pay. He had lost thirteen and one half days pay. This tends to show that our or- ganization is making a lot of pro- gress and it also tends to show that the Penticton Sawmills are now making an attempt to be fair to their employees. J. W. Strong, President 1-423, LW.A. PRINTERS — THANK IWA MEMBERS The Editor: I have been instructed" to write you on behalf of the members of Nanaimo Typographical Union No. 337, and the British Columbia ‘pographical Conference to thank you and express our appreciation for the help and assistance given by you through your publication during the time of trouble between Nanaimo Union and the publisher of the West Coast Advocate. Kindest regards and best wishes. Fraternally yours, C. T. Crompton, Secretary. » Something New ‘OTTAWA (CPA) — Pas. sengers on trans - Pacific flights of the Canadian Pacific Airlines will be able to pay for their trips in instalments after June 1, this year. Pay- ments for tickets will be ar- ranged on a monthly instal- ment basis. % BN iS WHITE BREAD ‘SANDWICH WHITE BREAD BALANCED RATION riched Fiour, As an ald to better nutrition all G.B. White is now made with Vitamin Enriched Whi The white flour content of such loaves as Balanced Ration, Brown, Rye and Special Meal Ia also En- “Listen to G.B., CKWX — 5:15 p.m. Monday thru Friday” Bread Flour.