THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER NDP LEADERSHIP CONTEST ON CHOOSING A LEADER — By ARTHUR J. TURNER The choosing of a parlia- mentary leader is an event of the utmost importance in the life of any political party. Its importance is threefold. One, its effect on the immediate functioning of the party. Sec- ondly, the wider and long- range results and, thirdly, the interest shown by the public. The status of the CCF-NDP as the Social Democratic Par- ty of Canada and its perman- ence in politics is accepted by all parties and the general public. These facts make our selection all the more signifi- cant. The situation within our party is, indeed, different to the previous occasion when a challenger to the present lead- ership was contesting the posi- tion. Personally, I would be happy to see four or five can- didates in the field. It would be a sign of exciting vitality which we presently lack, would result in a greater membership interest and pro- vide a wider choice. The . varying approaches of several candidates to our immediate and long-range problems would promote healthy dis- cussion and encourage a wider range of membership think- ing. ARTHUR TURNER What do we want and ex- pect of a leader? I suggest that there are, at least, four points by which we should judge a candidate’s qualifica- tions. 1. Knowledge of and dedica- tion to the principles of democratic socialism. 2. Basic concept of the place of the NDP in the national and provincial political scene. 3. Measure of initiative they have shown. 4, Ability to win public ac- ceptance of NDP policy. Taking the above as the basic requirements we are also obligated to meet the LEADING CANDIDATES . — STATE THEIR VIEWS TOM BERGER, MLA I believe that the time has come for the NDP to assume the reins of power in B.C. We in the NDP have been a party of protest. Our role has always been to challenge the power structure, and the economic priorities that domi- nate our lives. And our pro- test has brought some change, because we have wrung con- cessions from reluctant gov- ernments. But I believe we should have the opportunity to gov- ern, because only in that way can we transform our society. So long as we remain in-op- position, the Bennett govern- ment will keep on passing re- strictive labour legislation. It was Bill 33 last year, next year it’ll be some other meas- ure designed to limit labour’s freedoms. So long as we re- main in opposition, the huge corporations that dominate our economy will have it all their own way. These corporations are part of the North American indus- trial system. We have been, throughout the history of this province, and during the Ben- nett years, a storehouse of energy and resources for the North American industrial machine. But the trouble with the system is that it has no place for thousands of people in this province: the old age pensioners, the unemployed, the people on welfare, the people in low wage industries and occupations, the native Indian people, all of these live outside the industrial system. The system doesn’t require them as workers, and it doesn’t require them as con- sumers. The Bennett government believes that private expendi- ture must come before public expenditure, and that private choices must come before public choices. That is why there isn’t enough housing, because governments do not believe that decent accommo- dation is as important as obei- sance to long established pri- orities. We still do not pro- vide adequate health services for those who need them most, the old, the sick and the poor. We have a dropout rate of 50% in our public school sys- tem, and a crisis in post- secondary education. The disparities in income that exist between those who are educated and those who are uneducated, are bound to get worse. That is why prior- ity must be given to public initiative and public expendi- ture in such fields as housing, hospitals and education. But the NDP can’t be just another Big Daddy, playing Santa Claus with the people’s money. Any one who looks around the province knows that more is required than the expenditure of money. The See “TOM BERGER’—P. 7 On Feb. 25th CAMERON PURSE MEN’S WEAR LTD. will be sold to LEONARD FRIESEN Get Acquainted! Free Socks Just bring us this ad between Feb. 25th and April 10th, 1969. One pair per customer. ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL SUIT OFFER Leonard Friesen Ltd. Opposite Orange Julius and the roller rink. Guildford Town Centre North Surrey ‘TOM BERGER DAVE BARRETT DBF ...& NEEDN'T! PARIS is famous for its INDUSTRIAL FOOTWEAR — Logging Boots and Work Boots made in our own workshops. What is less well-known is the fact that PARIS PROFESSIONALLY-TRAINED SHOE-FITTERS are available at no extra cost than finding your way downtown to B.C.’s Unique Family TTS a ae rapidly and constantly chang- ing technological and social environment by adapting our policies and programmes with- out sacrificing our socialist principles. To this a leader must at all times be alert, but which calls for constant re- search within all departments of our organization. Finally, I hope that the leadership campaign will not ape the Liberal and Conserva- tive patterns of a Barnum and Bailey Ballyhoo. Badges, bal- loons, banners and baubles are no substitutes for free and frequent intelligent dis- cussion on the suitability of candidates and the meaning of leadership. BOB WILLIAMS Mr. Williams’ reasons for seeking the leadership of the British Columbia New Demo- cratic Party will be published in the next issue of the Lum- ber Worker. Shoe Store. 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