B.C. LUMBER WORKER 2nd Issue, February 4 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE - J. E, Ray, 1-71; W. Hawkes, 1-80; 1-207; S. Thompson, E, Del Rio, 1-367; A. Damstrom, 1-217 Secretary; W. J. 1-405; A. G. Olson, Stan Parker, 1-85; A. Carle, 1-118; H. Rojek, 1-206; Arne Christensen, ree, 1-252; A. Si 57 Chairman; W. Cowden, 1-363; 1-417; J. Wilderman, 1-423; W. Rudeloff, 1-424. From Page 1 “Mo a lot of experience into twenty- one years. Even though we may have little time for celebrating this anniversary, I suggest that we may well take a moment to con- sider the past record with justifi- able pride, Your Officers will place this record on display at this Convention. It provides the best possible springboard for the planning we must do here. Confidence Learned “I am sure you will agree with me that in this record we may find another quality of value for the present circumstances. I refer to the quality of confidence. We have built strength into our Union. Without arrogance or irresponsi- bility we must act with confidence in that strength. Twenty-one years of experience have built into our Union the know-how to use our Union’s strength wisely for the much is being said and done to discourage them. Almost every day, on the job, and in their neighborhoods, through the press, over the radio, and T.V. they are being called to witness what may be described as the bogey-man’s parade, They are being constantly bombarded by propaganda de- signed to weaken their desire to fight. These are the time-worn de- vices, which our opponents always use to paralyze working-class action. “Before we start our work here, let us take a good square look at the situation and pinpoint the ele- ments in those aspects which are made to appear so frightening. Unemployment No Bludgeon “The unemployment crisis is one feature of the situation. From the highest peak of employment we have in one year dropped to the point where we have the larg- est army of jobless workers since the depression of the hungry thir- ties. Make no mistake about the fact that the situation is serious e v7 rris, betterment of ows social and eco- nomic objectives, “The past has given us a pattern for the future, as well as the tools to complete the tasks which em- brace our legitimate hopes. What more do we need on which to rest our confidence? Because so many around us are preaching despair, we must not waver in our inten- tion to carve out further progress for ourselves. When we pay our respects to the past, we can the more easily place greater faith in ourselves, the future and the in- disputable justice of our cause. Opponents Discourage “Before this Convention is over, you will readily understand why I speak this way. I'am speaking through you to our brothers and sisters who form the living body of this Union. I speak this way and is daily growing more serious. because at th i “ i Sect ot br cent time ‘so ‘The most serious aspect of DUNCAN Duncan Lake Cowichan Gordon HANEY PORT ALBERNI MacGREGOR’S MEN’S WEAR For Everything A Man > WORK, SPORT or DRESS BUSINESS GUIDE LOUTET AGENCIES LTD. INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE J. Lindsay Loutet HANEY BUSINESS GUIDE “ESQUIRE” MEN'S WEAR (Graham Mowatt) Complete Stock of Work and Dress -Clothing “THE STORE WITH THE POPULAR BRANDS” this emergency is that neither provincial nor federal authorities have viewed the increasing un- employment with sufficient ser- iousness. In their reckoning, ap- parently they think of unemploy- ment as a sad but inevitable and necessary adjustment in our economy for the preservation of their profit-making interests. “Those who govern our econ- omy, and among those I include our own employers, have never taken a moment out from their comfort and convenience to plan feasible remedies. They fail to realize that unemployment can do terrible things to people’s lives. It is intolerable that this neglect, leading to needless unemployment, should once again blight the lives of the young people upon whom the security of our future depends. It may well be said that the big- business apologists for unemploy- ment, have almost succeeded in turning back the hands of the clock. “In the labour movement we re- fuse to look at unemployment as do the employers. Unemployment as we find it today is needless. The causes are known, and the neces~ sary remedies already lie to hand for those who govern our politi- cal and economic affairs. All they need is the will to act. We must cry it from the house tops, that those in political power who are unwilling to introduce full employ- ment policies are quite unworthy of our confidence. Repel Threat! “The next point to make in for the goods we must import in payment for the goods we export. %e “T now ask this convention to approve the policy already enun- ciated at various times and in various ways by your Officers, We hold the view, and I know that you do too, that this unem~ ployment situation has taught la- bour a lesson, We realize, as never before, the great need for re- doubled action in ways we have already explored, “We must redouble our on the political front, exposing government inaction and pressur- ing weak-kneed politicians, for emergency action, which can quickly cure an emergency a= tion. If the issue can only be settled with a battle of ballots, well then, let’s consider how best we may successfully enter the battle of ballots, to get results instead of empty promises. “I must make one point clear. Our determination to get a solu- tion for this problem is yot prompted by the old antagonisms toward employers or _ employer: governments. We are now think- ing of the dreadful and devastat- ing effects of unemployment upon the homes and lives of thousands of our fellow-workers. Since our employers and our government FRATERNAL SPEAKERS SEEK CO-ORDINATION Two guest speakers from IWA Districts in the United States stressed their desire to achieve closer cooperation with the bargaining activities of the Canadian Districts when they mounted the rostrum at the B.C. District Convention. These were, Gordon Johnson, Secretary of District 10, and B. Irwin, Secretary-Treasurer of District 23, Both speakers recounted experiences in their own districts to indicate that employers on both sides of the international boundary are developing an offensive against organized labour. regard to this topic is that we must refuse to allow the em- ployers to batter us into sub- mission with any fear of mass unemployment. In their own in- terests, as well as in ours, they must eventually take steps to end mass unemployment, Any other course would be suicidal for them. We must insist on im- mediate action, for unemploy- ment snowballs with almost frightening rapidity. “The more people out of work, the fewer the cash cus- tomers, and in- turn the fewer who remain at work. The fewer the cash customers the less busi- ness activity for everyone, The less business at home, the less able we are to do business abroad, for then we cannot pay authorities will not think of such great and needless injury to fam- ily welfare, we must become the social conscience of the people. Compelling Reason “The unemployment situation, contrary to the employers’ be- lief, becomes the most compell- ing reason for redoubled effort at the bargaining table. This Union has the responsibility of safeguarding the living stand- ards of over one half of the population of this province. The wage income distributed as a result of our bargaining is the main lubricant for cash business done in British Columbia. With this view of the situation we see See “MORRIS” Page 11 131 Jubilee St. R. Loutet S. Shore Road BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS GUIDE We Can Afford ~ To Sell The BEST For LESS! Wears WOODWARD STORES (PORT ALBERNI) LTD. “YOUR FAMILY SHOPPING CENTRE” Closed Wednesdays All Day Phone 1600 z Hours: 9 - 5:30 J. Groves, 1-71; D. Aitkin, 1-80 Secretary; H. Kenda Il, 1-85; C. Un Chairman; C. Dow, 1-357; J. Mack, 1-363; L, Hamm er, 1-367; A. CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE derwood, 1-118; E, Larabie; 1-405; A. Ni Holnies, 1-217 lygard, 1-424.