A future for the children HE majority in British Columbia want a new government. They are fed-up with the arrogant, reactionary _ policies of the Johnson-Anscomb old-line politi- cians. They want peace and people's welfare. They have had more than enough of the threat of war and the selfish dictation of big business over hospital in- surance, labor legislation, price increases and taXation inequalities. Johnson and Anscomb have demon- strated a contemptuous disregard for the people’s needs. On every vital issue the welfare of the people has been betrayed. Little more than two years ago Johnson and Anscomb asked British Columbia for a mandate to form another’ government. The electors were tricked by false promises into giving them that mandate. Ever since ‘the people have looked in vain to the Coali- tion, and the Liberal and Tory politicians who set its policies, for even a meagre fulfilment of their election promises. “The Coalition has refused to heed the wishes of the electors from whom it holds office at Victoria. Johnson and Anscomb have tried to hide the giving-away of rich natural re- sources of this province, and the criminal war scheme of the Yankee monopolists, behind the false facade of “industrial ex- pansion”—aluminum plants, celanese and pulp mills, forest licenses, and hydro de- velopment. Johnson and Anscomb have helped a handful of greedy profiteers to reap mew millions in profits. But for the great majority of the people—workers, farmers, pensioners and small business- men—they have brought nothing but in- creasing insecurity, lower living stand- ards, fear ahd uncertainty. The profiteer and the warmaker are one and the same. The anti-labor bosses, for whom the Johnson-Anscomb govern- ment has “Taft-Hartleyized” the unions, undermined living conditions, blocked wage increases, and arrogantly refused needed hospital and social legislation, are the little Hitlers who hate democracy at home and are driving for war and world domination abroad. They are the ones who gain out of profiteering prices, union- busting and the murderous armaments racket. That is why peace is the decisive issue in the struggle for higher wages, a fair return for the farmer, social securi- ty, adequate hospitalization and labor legislation, reasonable and fair taxation. That:is why action in defense of family and home, jobs and living standards, is action for peace. Seldom before in British Columbia’s his-. tory have government policies faced such widespread opposition as the Liberal-Tory hospital insurance racket. Exorbitant price boosts ordered by the Coalition’s Milk Board and Public Utilities Commis- sion, vicious anti-labor legislation and the Salmon Arm school scandal have added to the crisis. If the people’s anger could find form in united action, the Liberal- Tory combination would be out. The people are fed-up with the- Coali- tion’s. Warfare - before - Welfare policies. The four-to-one vote against, the govern- ment in Esquimalt, coming as it does on top of the hospital crisis of last summer, United political action for peace opens road for a new deal in By NIGEL MORGAN se ME UE Te Ce tae ee Ue Ease ee Ge Hee er EY ST UL een eee ee Te Ga ie tee Pa De TT TE TE TE TE Tae Te | I. A Decent Hospital Insurance Scheme A Progressive Milk Policy . Taxation Reform A New Labor Act A New Deal in Power and Transit Mtb LULL ELLE ME Tet MEL TM at ie Tat at EE TOT Tt Tee Tad Tee Te Pee TAPE PT TT TT shows clearly that Johnson and Anscomb have lost the confidence of the electorate. Johnson and Anscomb faced the peo- ple in Esquimalt. They got their answer. Support should be rallied and the widest publicity given to the popular demand that the people be given an opportunity to speak their mind on a provincial basis, and without delay. The time is ripe for the people of Bri- tish Columbia to bring about a.change. There are powerful forces in this province which, if united against the old-line poli- ticians, can elect a genuine people’s gov- ernment to Victoria—a government which will speak out for peace and the people’s needs. That goal will only be realized when the labor movement unitedly and vigorously joins with the farm and rural taxpayers’ movements, together with ‘the supporters of the CCF, the LPP and all those who stand for peace and im- mediate correction of the damage done to this province by the big business clique for which Johnson and Anscomb speak. ~It is obvious that the absence of an effective, united opposition to the big business policies of the Liberal-Tory Coali- tion contributed greatly to reaction’s suc-° cess in foisting its hospital rate boosts, anti-labor legislation. sales tax, utility rate and milk price increases on an un- willing majority. It is equally obvious that nothing short of vigorous, effective and united action is going to turn the tide and right these wrongs. Labor’s “Hospital Petition,” which cut across all party lines and which was sign- ed by more than half the number of -peo- ple that voted in the last election, demon- strated the possibilities that exist for a change, provided united action is achiev- ed. A little broader unity, and a little more action at that time would have com- pelled the government to back down No single group by itself is in a position to ensure victory for the peonle’s cause, and that is why the Labor-Progressive party appeals to all those Jee to ae Johnson-Anscomb policies to join in -unit- ed action to compel a change and achieve a solution of these immediate problems. The big immediate need is action—greater action than ever before — around five popular key issues: 1. Hospital Insurance a) Reduction of BCHIS premium, rates, with provision for any deficit to be made through a surtax on the profits of industries using up the natural _re- sources of the province. b) Elimination of the “co-insurance” pen- alty charges. f c) Provision of adequate facilities and efficient administration. 2. Solve the Milk Crisis a) Provide a government subsidy to guarantee the primary producer a tale return. b) Roll back milk prices and return milk consumption to the necessary level to maintain health standards. * c) Give encouragement for ownership of unified, efficient distri- bution ‘system for milk. 3. Taxation Reform a) Eliminate the provincial sale tax. b) Adopt legislation providing for uni- form and equitable assessment and taxation methods. Y c) Introduce a surtax on the profits of industries using up the wealth-produc- - ing natural resources of the province. Provide for all school tax requirements in excess of five mills to be taken out of consolidated revenue of the: provin- cial treasury: Give a new deal to d ~~ municipal administrations. ‘Introduce a surtax on the profits of industries’ ; 4 municipal . resolution, Security in old age 4. Protect Labor's Rights * a) Make certification voluntary to give the trade’ unions protection against the’ anti-union uses for which certification is now being put. b) Make conciliation procedure available to a union whether certified or not, and make it' optional upon request bY the union. c) Eliminate all government interference in union affairs and strike votes by providing for unions to conduct their own votes within the terms of their own constitutions. Restore the non-corporate ‘status of unions, and remove all penalities pro- vided in the ICA Act against unions, officers and members. 5. A New Deal in Power and Transit a) Put an end to BCE#lectrie dictation to the people through the Public Utilities Commission, ' b) Reduce light and gas rates and trans- portation fares,’ ; c) Establish public “aGhureiin of nubile utilities. ‘ United action can win these demands now. We appeal to the people of British Columbia, and to all the organizations of the people, to speak out against the Johnson-Anscomb betrayal. Speak out by t ‘letter, telegram, and delega- tion insisting that the government either obey the people’s: wishes or resign. Or- ganize unitedly in ‘each constituency around the above issues. Call the people and where possible representatives of all — people’s organizations together, to discuss these or even some of these questions. d Y _ Press your local MLA to get action, or at least his support on these vital issues, an where satisfaction cannot be obtained, take steps to get a candidate nominated around whom the people can be united S° that all those in the legislature who are against the interests of their constituents will be replaced. } The people of British Coldnibia want) change. The Johnson-Anscomb govern- ment can be compelled ‘by united action to call an election. And through a unite@ appeal to the electorate, which can ‘be achieved from below in the struggle for a program of vital, immediate needs, the spokesmen of war and the selfish. big business interests can be silenced. That is the way a majority of fighters for the people’s. needs can be elected and the people’s wishes fulfilled. ; Don't let your vital interests be. be- irayed fo war and greed. Oust the Liberal cnd Tory repre sentatives of big business. Elect a real champion of peace and ‘progress in every constituency. Open the road to a new deal for British Columbia. 4 PACIFIC TRIBUNE — NOVEMBER 9, 1951 — PAGE 4