PT contest draws wide response

ae e C) - @.,e@ ©
Readers mix praise, criticism
One of Vancouver’s big daily papers crows on its front page that it is the city’s only “home-owned

By that it means that one Vancouver. family owns it.
only paper in British Columbia that can boast it is a paper which belongs to its readers.

newspaper.”

No one makes one cent of
You help us to sell it.
write it, by sending in news, views
and criticisms.

To strengthen the tie between
our paper and its readers, we are
currently running a contest in
which readers are asked to write
their opinions of the PT and of-
fer suggestions on how we can im-
prove the paper. The contest ends
May 1 and awards will be announc-
ed later that month. ,

Entries in the contest have been
heavy to date,’and we print below
selections from some of the letters
received:

MRS. LILLIE ROGERS, North
Burnaby: I like reading the PT
because it tells the truth about
what’s going on in the world. ’m
68 years of age, but one is never
too old to learn. ;

FRED MOORE, Vancouver: Be-
ing an avid reader I subscribe to
three newspapers, including the
PT. Yours is the only one that

You send us money to keep it going.

dares publish the true facts on
politics, labor and racial discrim-

profits from the Pacific Tribune.

Even more important, you help us to

But the Pacific Tribune is the

It is YOUR paper. You read it.

ination. If true figures are avail-
able, I would suggest you print a
monthly graph showing the unem-
ployment situation in B.C. as com-
pared to an equally populated area
in eastern Canada.

DAVID HARRIS, Glen Lake: I
am 15 years old, read every issue
of the PT and like it because it
gives me a clear perspective
in relation -to the major prob-
lems confronting my _ genera-
tion. It is a guide to peace and a
barrier to war. That’s for me! My
suggestion for improving the paper
is to encourage your readers to
send in authentic news from the
communities in which they live.
The possibility of a monthly prize
for the best news item should be
investigated.

A. F. WOLTHER, Morse, Saskat-
chewan: I like reading the PT be-
cause the editorials of Tom Mc-
Ewen are not “wishy-washy” but
rather pungent and to the point,

F

Write 50 words, or

! | LIKE READING THE

$1,000

IN PRIZES

| TV Set

RADIO-PHONOGRAPH >

enjoy reading the Pacific Tribune, and 50 words, or
less, giving your ideas on how we can improve our
paper. Letters will be judged by the paper’s editorial
board. Writer of the best letter will receive a TV
set, or a radio-phonograph combination, or $500 in
cash. Writers of the next best 50 letters will receive
valuable prizes. Decisions of the judges are final. -

IRST PRIZE

or

$500 CASH
50 Other Prizes

less, telling us why you:

PT BECAUSE:

Name

|More variation in style by admit-

| and above all, truthful. In fact,
|that—the truth element—domin-
ates the whole paper and makes it
easy and pleasant reading. In the
future let those minds which have
given us such a commendable pap-
er in the past carry on their fight
for the “oppressed, suppressed and
dépressed.” God bless ’em!

S?
like reading the PT because it
keeps me posted on labor’s para-
mount problems. Its style is force-
ful, covering its field comprehen-
sively, with clarity and simplicity.
Its policy of championing issues de-
serving strong moral support is the
hallmark of fearless and progres-
sive journalism. Labor’s cause re-
quires the vital stimulus which on-
ly PT coverage can give. It would
be very difficult for me to suggest
Way and means for improving the
paper. Any panacea I might offer,
even though constructive, would
only detract from my conviction
that the paper is a dynamic force
for truth and justice without a
peer. More power to its thorough-
ly efficient staff.

MRS. JOYCE E. SIMPSON, West-
syde:*The PT gives the other side
of the world picture, which for an

reaching any political decision. The
book reviews I enjoy most; they
examine books which one does not
usually encounter, and are there-
fore enlightening. Sportlight speaks
for itself—light, amusing and fac-
tual.
be so “anti-USA?” It does nothing
to elevate the paper, only making
it a verbal battle ground. Could
we have a series of articles depict-
ing the life of the Russian people?
Not a glorified article, but a seri:
ous study of the way they think
and feel, their culture and their
means of livelihood.

ARTHUR E. BROWN, Quesnel:
My heart is with the people in
other countries building a new life,
and my one touch with the reality
of progress in such countries is the
PT. .I like best the articles on
foreign countries. I am hungry
for information on East Germany,
Viet Nam, China. And Sportlight
and the editorials are tops.

Vv. VESTERBACK, Aldergrove:
The PT is a much-needed link be-
tween the international labor move-
ment and B.C. workers. It pleads
labor’s case in the steadily sharp-
ening class struggle and tells us
the true developments from behind
the headlines in the daily news.
Suggestions for improvements:

ting rank and file correspondence;
more regular comments on. the
daily press and radio; more scorn
and satire dealing with capitalist
absurdities; more humor and jokes;
and above all, a farmers’ corner to
be established in the interests of
full farmer-labor unity. ;
DANIEL McLEAN, Vancouver:
The PT reminds me of the best
found in those sailing ships’ that
breezed around the Horn in the
American struggle for markets. Ex-
cept their power was in the wind.
But the power behind the PT must
come from the people. Cargo, full
employment. Destination, social-
ism,

S. HOWELL, Vancouver: I like
the PT because it is an oasis of
truth in a desert of lies. I have
some suggestions for improving it,
but it would mean enlarging the
paper, and I know that is impos-
sible at present. .

BERYL M. WHEELDON, Nan-
aimo: The PT is the only news-

“ MAIL ENTRIES TO

Contest Editor, Pacific Tribune,
Room 6, 426 Main Street, Vancouver 4, B.C.

paper showing a beacon of hope to

planning their emancipation. I
would like to see you run a serial
story of labor interest to keep

H. HARTNELL, Youbou: I!

intelligent society is essential in|

But does the paper have to|°

the workers, fighting their battles, >)

can go a long way to solving the pro

unemployment in the industry and
sharp struggles with employers,
set the tone for the convention.

It warned that “during the com-
ing year, our shop stewards, com-
mittee men, local union officers
and membership will have to be
{constantly on their guard against
a continuation by the employers of
(their) program of organized oppo-
sition.”

Unlike the international conven-
tion held last October, the dele-
gates’ time was not wasted in red-
baiting or_“cold-war” resolutions.
On the contrary, many good reso:
lutions were adopted.

@ A resolution from . Local’. 1-85
called upon “the government of
Canada to take immediate steps
to expand trade relations with
any country of the world...
and in particular the countries
of the British Commonwealth
by accepting sterling. . . .” Simi-
lar resolutions were put forth
by Loeals 1-80, 1-217 and 1-363.

A resolution from Local 1-217
resolved that “the B.C. govern-
ment send official trade repre-
sentatives to all countries likely
to purchase our lumber.” /

Another resolution from: 1-217
called on the federal’ govern-
ment to establish “one million
housing units .. . and to solicit
the support’ of all major local
- unions, farmers’ organizations
and interested parties... .”

A resolution from Local 1-363
urged “all B.C. members of par-
liament to oppose the passing
of such vicious legislation” (Bill
7) and a similar one from Local
1-85 demanded that “the federal
government enact a Labor Code,
to protect the rights of trade:
unions and a Declaration of
Human Rights to protect the
rights of individuals.”

These resolutions passed unani-
mously. In addition, delegates’
passed resolutions calling for in-
creased unemployment insurance
benefits, for negotiations for peace,
for an immediate public works
program, and against the intended
release of Kurt Meyer.

This was in sharp contrast to the
international convention, There,
even a mildly worded resolution
calling for a public works program
was unanimously defeated because
the chairman of the resolutions
committee termed it “communis-
tic.” The absence of machine con-

shown most strikingly on the reso-
lution condemning the federal gov-
ernment for its intended release
of Kurt Meyer. The resolutions
committee recommended non-con-
currence, but delegates were vir-
tually unanimous in over-ruling the
recommendation. usage

The convention saw the begin-
nings of a debate on political ac-
tion. It agreed to set-up a district
political action committee. How-

the debate “that any attempt to
of the workers would fail.”

imply the Possibilities of indepen-
dent political action by urging
woodworkers to “support candi-

on0o————=0 m0}

REO CAFE.

~ °° 1224 Granville St.
PA. 0559

Roast Duck, Goose and Capon

casual buyers coming back for the
next issue.

o=20S——=s 10m

{6 a a |

ever, it was made quite clear in|.
cram the CCF down the throats |.

The officers’ report seemed to!

IWA forecasts
sharp struggle

The recently concluded 17th annual B.C. district convention of the
International Woodworkers of Amerita was a positive one in many
respects. Vigorous action on the policies adopted by this convention

blems confronting B.C. woodworkers.

The officers’ report, given against a background of widespread

dates who are sympathetic to the
aims and objectives of our move-
ment.”” However, the conception
of political action was extremely
limited. The report merely called
upon the membership “to keep a
watchful eye during the present
sitting of the legislature.”

This points up the major weak-
hess of the convention. It failed
to take any concrete action on
the program adopted. “No plans
were made to bring pressure to
bear on members of parliament
through delegations and lobbies.
The convention even failed fo in-
struct the four IWA members of
the provincial legislature to raise
its program in the House. This
type of mass action will have to |

be undertaken if the program is
to be realized.

' The convention defeated an at-
tempt by Local 1-118 to make wage
demands a secondary issue in the
forthcoming negotiations. Instead
it adopted a resolution from Local
1-71 calling for an unspecified wage
increase. Contract demands will
be drawn up at the Wages and

‘' Contract Conference to be held

this weekend, March 13-14.

A long step towards uniting all

taken when delegates recommend-
ed to the international the read-

lund and H. Johnson, former lead-
ers of the Woodworkers Industrial
Union of Canada who have been
barred as a result of the 1948 ‘split.
‘Such action, along with a program
of organizing the unorganized; will
help to swell the ranks of the [WA
(average dues paying membership
in 1953 was 29,000). °

_ Unfortunately the convention al-
so took some steps which will tend
to weaken the IWA. .

It agreed to set up a committee
to investigate long-run contracts.
It agreed to seat district officers
automatically as delegates to the
convention and to reduce the basis
of representation. It abolished the
holding of regular quarterly coun-
cil meetings and substituted con-
ferences, which » would require

written requests from three local
unions. - ‘ :

All of these decisions have the
effect g restricting the participa-
tion of rank-and-file woodworkers

in the Proceedings of the union.  .
trol at the B.C. convention was!—

S. H. BROWN
PLUMBING & HEATING |

371 Johnson Road
R.R.1_ White Rock - Phone 5661

the
LEGISLATURE

g

a | DAAAR
EVERY SAT. B
7.20 P.M.

LABOR-PROGRESSIVE
POINT of VIEW by

Our Specialty

NIGEL MORGAN

woodworkers under the IWA was -

mittance of J. Rocchio, T. Nord- -

‘