4 WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER EDITORIAL The Record Speaks RITICISM now levelled at the B.C. Federation of Labour Con- vention is revealing. It betrays disappointment that the Federa- tion was not converted into a protective organization for opportun- istic elements that feed upon trade union disruption. Only the most naive could remain unaware that plans were afoot by which a minority group might capture control to subvert majority opinion. Because the delegates were tolerant, the conspirators under- estimated their intelligence. Trade unionists have grown familiar with attempts to win seeming approval of policies that are actually repugnant to them. The Convention listened patiently to a succession of speakers who sought to create the impression that the delegates were about to abandon their own trade union principles for ideas alien to their interests. The ill-tempered criticism of the conspirators ignores the fact that the delegates asserted their independence. The majority will prevailed on all issues. The delegates refused to be dominated by outside influences, either from the right or the left. They were motivated only by the desire to serve the best interests of the workers represented at the convention. In the light of the record, the critics stand exposed as individuals who never intended to give loyalty to the majority will as expressed through the democratic processes. Because they persist in violating this fundamental of trade union solidarity, they become as termites which labour fo honeycomb and weaken the rank and file under- pinning of trade union united action. Alert trade unionists know that such men are not to be trusted. The facts, known to all who attended the convention, provide the most convincing answer to such designing criticism. Every issue was dealt with on its merits by free vote of the delegates. Nothing could be more insulting to the intelligence of the delegates than to suggest that they were susceptible~to any influence except their desire to act for the common good with complete self-reliance. Attempts to smear the past year’s administration of the Federa- tion’s affairs failed through lack of evidence. When under attack, the former Executive Council simply pointed to the record. The convention delegates approved that record. It is a laudable custom of the Federation Conventions to elect to office those who have been actively associated with policies approved by the majority. It is hardly to be expected that the delegates would elect an Executive Council known to include openly disruptive elements. It is quite as sensible for the delegates to plan to elect an Execu- tive Council which is as representative as possible of the affiliates and the majority opinion of the affiliated membership. The con- vention delegates acted sensibly. Each delegate secretly marked his own ballot. Who dares to say that anyone was pressured into voting contrary to his best judg- ment? He knew that some candidates were bound to be defeated and he expected that defeated candidates would accept a democratic decision with some sportsmanship. The delegates regarded the exaggerated newspaper reports as a joke. They are now interested in the results of the convention’s deliberations, for the results tell the story. The Federation now has a policy which commands the respect and confidence of the workers in British Columbia because it is their policy, democratically shaped, for democratic purposes. The Federation’s affairs have been entrusted to men who are regarded as trustworthy because of their record of service. They were selected as men who can work together, without artificial division, for the purposes declared by the convention. Criticism of these results affronts the good judgment of the con- vention delegates. Publication date of the next issue of the WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER is November 16. Deadline for ad copy is November 2, and for news copy November 3. Y NY PUBLISHED TWICE MONTHLY ON THE FIRST AN THIRD THURSDAYS BY International Woodworkers of America 3049 (AFL-CIO-CLC) Regional Council No. 1 bs REGIONAL OFFICERS: President Joe Morris in Wine-President Jack Moore 2nd Vice-President Bob Ros d Vice-President Jack MacKenzie Secretary-Treasurer Fred Fieb: International Board Members Joe Madden Jack Holst Address all communications to FRED FIEBER, Secretary-Treasurer 2859 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, B.C. R 4-5261 -2 Subscription Rates...._.--.---$2.00 per annum Advertising Representative.......-G. A. Spencer Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept., Ottawa, and for Payment of Postage in Cash, 27.500 COPIES PRINTED IN THIS ISSUE a qe? <) “Ie ought to “I’m not sharing have three a cabin with rudders. anybody.” “The last one ** Sheer idealism !” is “They expect you ‘i | : didn’t work.” + ‘Dammit, there ’s to obey rules.” , only one That we request the C.L.C. to inform all nations that we sup- port worldwide disarmament by the U.N. with the required assur- ance that all nations will comply with rules laid down for disarm- ament; Federation Delegates Protest Bomb Tests Direct action was requested 2 That the C.L.C. be requested to AThat we. request: tirougie Sis by delegates at the Annual approach all nations within the C.L.C. that an effective means of Convention of the B.C. Federa- Pree me oa uh dealing with all disputes threat- tion of Labour to register their = dena Gena ace aa ie ening world peace and security protest against the resumption Nations, ICFTU, etc), to im- be developed through the United of mocicat Domb tests: Giigte mediately cease nuclear testing; Nations. was requested to approach all nuclear powers to cease nuclear testing. It was further requested that a telegram be despatched to the trade union movement of the Soviet Union requesting that they demand of their government an immediate cessation of the tests by that country. The explosion of a 50-megaton bomb has shocked the world, the resolution stated, and had already moved it one step toward complete disaster. The following statement of prin- ciples was adopted: 1 That all possible effort be made through the C.L.C. to impress upon all nations the need to develop a programme that will ensure peace and security for all the world; Now... 3 Topflight Saw Chain Tools from NYGRAN! 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