Grain strike seen as AFU meet emands price controls, parity By R. B. SWANKEY A grain shin for 1948, restoration of price controls and support for the formation of a national farmers’. union were some of the highlights that featured the Sixth Annual Convention of the Alberta Farmers’ Union held in Edmonton, December Ist to Sth. Ap- proximately 370 delegates representing 16,000 members were in attendance. Throughout the convention there was strong criticism and condemnation of the agricultural policies of the federal government which are bringing ruin to agriculture in the West. The feeling of the convention was ably expressed by a delegate who remarkd: “We have no intention of becoming serfs.” In his annual presidential ad-| dress, Mr. Stimpfie said that two points govern the stability of agriculture, the price the farmer receives for his produce in rela- tion to the things he buys and income tax. He called for an imerease in the initial price of wheat to $2.00 a bushel, the estab- lishment of a grain board to handle al¥ grains, and proposed that if the government does not meet the demands of the farmers a grain strike should be organized. The need for farmer-labor unity was stressed by soores of dele- gates. (This has been one of the principles of the AFU since its inception.) Scoring the coarse grains policy of the federal government which allowed speculators to reap for- tunes at the farmers’ expense” the delegates asked compensation for all farmers who sold their grain just prior to the lifting of| the ceiling by federal order. The convention further proposed the establishment of a Grain Board to handle all grains. _ Total abolition of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange was urged in an- Other resolution that was adopted. Tt said: “We do - economy of the nation that could not be provided at cost by a government working for the welfare of the people.” One of the resolutions adopted: cent of educational costs in Alberta. One delegate described it as a “very conservative request.” The convention reinterated its previous demands that “the pro- government vincial should take omnniiate ct to tah and in- augurate government rural elec- trification, utilizing the waterways of Alberta for power.” One of the highlights of the con- vention was an address by Harold Ridenour, member of the State executive of the Montana Farm- ers’ Union, who traced the history jand activities of his organization. jHe stated his organization had 16,000 voting members and ex- plained the important role co- operation played in educational ‘work in the farm movement. Dealing with current American farm problems, Mr. Risenour said that 18 percent of the U.S. popu- lation is’ made up of farmers but they receive only 10 percent of the nation’s income. He further explained 10 percent of the‘ farm. ers raised half the crops, indicat- ing the inequality of the farms ora. © “A one of five lines or less with NOTICES Oldtime Dancing To Alf Carlson’s Orchestra Every Wednesday and Saturday es Hastings A ‘um TASH BROS. CARTAGE 516 West Seventh Ave. General Cartage | A. 0242 FA. 0469 Meetings— “Swedish-Finnish Workers Club meets last Friday of every month at 7.30 p.m. in Clinton Hall. Room and Board— For expectant mothers or any- ene under medical care. Write Mrs. Fiefensee. 1969 Graveley St. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1947 Conrad Persson— Teacher of violin, studio at 738 E. Hastings. Pupils prepared for exam, ensemble playing and: festivals. Wednesday and Satur- day—9 a.m. to 9 pm. Phone HAstings 1020. Dance, Clinton Hall— 2605 East Pender. Dance every Saturday night. Modern and Old-Time. Viking’s Orchestra. Hall is available for rent, HAstings 3277. 3 | UAU Aid— . Medical Science approves this method; the only way. Hair ‘grows from scalp food, not on bone or wood. No results, no pay. Free scalp diagnosis. Trial Smythe St. WHAT'S DOING A Treat on Sunday— Film and Forum every Sunday, 8 pm. West End Hall, 1332 Davie St. Everybody welcome. Silver collection. Pre-Xmas Social and Dance— December 13th at 8:30 p.m., West End Hall, 1332 Davie. Auspices West End Club. He said that in the last fifteen years 700,000 farmers had lost their farms and that the trend in the U.S. was for the elimination of the small family farm and the establishment of ae factory farms. ‘Ke resolution Be it resolved that we de- mand the federal government to take steps to halt this continual increase on the ne- cessities of life by: @ Reestablishing price con- trols on a wartime basis. e@ Establishing a Fact-Find- ing Board as previously out- lined by AFU and UFC to establish and maintain a parity of prices and incomes. e To adjust all pensions to a level adequate to maintain a decent standard of living. @ To adjust income tax ex- emptions so that purchasing power may be maintained at the highest ae level. “The MFU, ” said na Ridenour, “was organized to protect the in- terests of the small family farm.” Mr. Ridenour pointed out that 46 percent of Montana farms now have rural electrification. ia & ¢ fighting for such things as rural electrification, education and health of the farmers’ is red and radical, then I’m proud to be red and radical,” said Mr. Ridenour. Following an intensive debate the convention by a large majority voted down a resolution whicn called for withdrawal of the AFU from the Alberta Federation of Agriculture. Delegates endorsed the opinion of President Stimpfle who said: “Although we do not agree with everything the AFA is doing, it is imperative that farmers show a united front in Alberta. I want to see the AFU stay in the Federation and work through aad! t R. J. Boutlillier, Secretary- Treasurer, reported that this year’s total membership was 16,043 as compared to 30,000 for 1946. He explained that the drop was due to the fact that this year no momentous issue such as the non- delivery strike of 1946, came up. “We believe,’ said Mr. Buotillier, “that when an issue is placed before the farmers the member- ship will voluntarily increase to keep pace with the action taken on the problems that arise.” Re- ferring to the proposal for a grain strike in 1948, Mr. Boutillier expressed confidence that if such action is taken “the farmers will rally to the cause as they did in 1946, and membership will increase accordingly.” Carl was reelected by acclamation for his third term as president. Also elected to the executive were R. N. Russell of Athabasca, A. Mil- sap of Lamont, Ray Garneau of Wainwright, and Mrs. L. E. Pharis of Magrath. In South Africa, too! JOHANNESBURG — Anti-labor and pro-fascist groups are be- coming more and more outspok- en in South Africa. One of the pamphlets they are now pushing, entitled The Jewish War For | }i Survival, was written by Arnold | % Leese, now serving a 12-month prison term for aiding escaped | German war The edition is dedicated to the| 4 memory of Hitler and Mussolini and tries to prove that the Jews f caused World War IL J. Stimpfie of Egremont VLC will seek inquiry into labor dep’t work Reporting on the labor delegation which interviewed the Public Utilities Commission last week on the BCElectric fare hoist, Vice-President Fraser Wilson told the regular meeting of the Vancouver Labor Coun- cil that -the dglegation “was treated with extreme rudeness” and told by the PUC that ‘you don’t represent anyone but your- selves.” : The delegation consisted of the VLC table officers, Civic Reform Committee members, Housewives’ Consumer Association, the Inter- national Woodworkers of Ameri- ca and the Boilermakers’ Union (CIO). In the opinion of dele- gates members the PUC made it clear that they were only concerned with the profits of the BCHlectric and not with the opinions or interests of the peo- ple. The VLC decided to seek an interview with Labor Minister Wismer to press for an investi- gation into the work of deputy minister James Thompson and chief executive officer Barry Gault of the Labor-Relations ‘unions. Board. The Council charged these officers with ‘stalling tactics’ in adjusting jurisdictional issues and showing preference to AFL The case of the AFL ‘jurisdictional raid’ at the Dom- inion Rustproofing Co., was cited as a case in point. A committee was struck off to go into all the ramifications lof the Geneva tariff pacts and their effect on labor. There are indications that under the pro- visions of these pacts, packing- house workers, cannery makers and the IWA will be adversely affected. The VLC: endorsed the candi- dacy of Harry Ball and Fraser Wilson, candidates for reeve and and aldermen in the Burnaby civic elections on Saturday. It also endorsed the candidacy of Daimon LEiseman for alder- man in North Vancouver. Bazaar announces prize winners, windup sale In extending its warm appreciation to all those who contributed to make the Labor Bazaar a sucess, the com- mittee has submitted a list of the prize winners for publication. Prize winners in the home-cook- ing contest were: first, Mrs. S. J. Durgan, 1661 Alberni St.; second, Mrs. Levy, 252 Ward St.; third, Mrs. Hanwell, 13854 E. 15th. In the bread: baking contest: first, Mrs. O. Wilkinson, 1828 E. 39th; second, Mrs. Tabbert, 3805 Francis St.; and third, Gladys Ferguson, 265 Johnston Rd. In pies the first prize went to Mrs. Durgan, 1661 Alberni St.; second, Mrs. Kremchuk, Lochdale PO; third, Mrs. Hanwell, 1354 E. 15th. Winners of the ten ticket prizes were: first, John McGillivary, ticket No. 6951; second, Wilma Hanson, ticket No. 3898; third, A. Chibanoff, ticket No. 87; fourth, A. Rakko, ticket No. 5897; fifth, G. Bridarelli, ticket No. 6977; sixth, J. Thompson, ticket No. 1831; seventh, E. Krpan, ticket No. 5417; eighth, M. Watalman, ticket No. 12429; ninth, P. Seminaw, ticket No, 1963; and tenth, M. Suie, ticket No. 13731. J. M. Digger Smith of the CSU won a fine cedar chest, while Reg Dixon carried off the stop watch competition with a fine 15-jewel watch. Audrey Brandon of the ‘Sadie Hawkins’ entry won a fine EAST END TAXI UNION DRIVERS HA. 0334 Fully 24-Hour Insured Service 6138 East Hastings, Vancouver dresser, and Rhea Dear won a handsome lace tablecloth made by Nancy Nelson, The costumed doll entered by the women of the Hungarian Workers’ Club was won by Mrs. M.. Pallesen. Fog-bound Vancouverites who could not get out to snap up some of the many bargains at the bazaar will have another oppor- tunity on Friday, December 19 in the Lower Hall of the Pender Auditorium, where a full day and evening sale of bazaar ‘leftovers’ | will take place. Games and en- tertainment is being arranged by the bazaar committee to make this final windup entertaining as well as an opportunity for bar- gains, ; COME TO THE FAIR! CHRISTMAS BOOK FAIR PENDER AUDITORIUM Fri., Dec, 12—8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Sat., Dec. 18—12:00 to 6:00 p.m. FEATURES Bargains, children’s books, films, music, child art exhibit, books on international affairs, ¢ Refreshm ents Sponsored by Co-op _ Bookstore BARGAIN SALE Friday, December 19th LOWER HALL — PENDER AUDITORIUM 339 West Pender All Day and Evening Sale of Goods Left Over | From the Bazaar Games Held in the Evening PACIFIC " TRIBUNE—PAGE 6