oi Paddy Neale reports on trials in Spain “If a person is sentenced to more than six years in prison, in the terrible prisons of Spain — it is virtually a sentence of death.” The words were ominous as NDP MP Paddy Neale spoke of the trial without justice that last December had imposed sentences of 12 to 20 years on the Carabanchel 10, the 10 Spanish trade unionists whose only crime was to seek to organize a trade union. Neale, accompanied by Quebec trade unionist Michel Chartrand, joined people from several other countries at the three-day trial in Madrid where the 10, already having spent 18 months in prison, were brought before the judges euphemistical- ly called the Tribunal of Public Order, which had determined to find them guilty long before the trial took place. “It was a trial without democracy — without justice,”’ Neale told delegates to the Van- couver and District Labor coun- cil Tuesday night, ‘‘the prosecu- tion did not produce one single witness. Only the defendants were questioned. And although there were 6000 people — sup- porters of the Carabanchel 10 — lined up at the courthouse to at- tend the trial, the Tribunal had arranged for the smallest room in the courthouse which held only 139 people.”’ Neale paid tribute to the courage of the defence lawyers — all of whom could have faced prison sentences themselves for defending the 10 — and their repeated attempts’ to demonstrate that the trial was a political trial, since the 10 were not arrested for having attended a meeting but only for being on their way to a meeting. ‘Each time the president (of the Tribunal) ordered them to silence,’ Neale said. “Yet not one of the 10 wavered, not one begged the court for mercy — even though each of them knew he was going to be found guilty, each one knew he was going to face a savage sentence. And each one knew of the provocations of the fascist ‘Killers for Christ’ who’ twice stormed the courtroom, attemp- ting to assassinate the 10.” Neale emphasized particularly’ the American economic domination of the country which bolsters up Franco’s fascist regime and gives it military aid in repressing all op- position./ “But the workers in Spain are undaunted,” he affirmed, ‘‘even though they are going to jail by the thousands. And the solidarity of working people around the world must be with them.”’ Fee Norman Bethune Marxist Classroom Series presents “The Communist Party and the Achievement Of Working Class Power Lecturer NIGEL MORGAN This seminar is a public extension of the pre-convention discussion + which will prepare for the 22nd convention of the Communist Party. Come and join in the discussion . Tues., March 26 at 8 PM in the Boardroom of the Fishermens Hall, 138 E. Cordova — PACIFIC TRIBUNE—FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1974—PAGE 12 Labor calls for civic unity, =| seeks joint action on housing | With the prospect of a further mandate for the big-business oriented TEAM council if the NDP continues to reject unity with other civic reform groups, delegates to the Vancouver and District Labor council Tuesday night went on record expressing “the sincere hope that COPE and the NDP will find common ground in the interests of work- ing people in Vancouver.’’ For several years, COPE has appealed to the NDP to run a joint slate on a common program and again reiterated its appeal BREAD. Cont'd from pg. 1 These latest increases come on top of the figures released last week by Statistics Canada for February which showed a one percent rise in the cost of living . and 2.6 percent in food costs. February’s rise was double that of January and was the steepest - inflationary rise in 25 years. If the 2.6 percent rise in food costs in February is repeated throughout the year it will mean a 30 percent boost in food prices this year. With the announce- ment by federal agriculture minister Eugene Whalen last week that beef prices will go up by more than 40 percent this year, and the price boosts an- nounced this week, it’s clear the consumers face a major attack on living standards in 1974. The Coordinating Committee to Roll Back Prices is sending an appeal to the B.C. government to submit a motion to the Legislature petitioning the Federal government on behalf of the people of B.C. to adopt stronger and more decisive ac- tion to curb galloping inflation by adopting measures to roll back prices and stop profiteering. TENANTS Cont'd from pg. 1 ported the Residential Premises Interim Rent Stabilization Act. Several other speakers in- cluding alderman Harry Rankin, Richmond municipal councillor Dave Williams, North Van- couver district councillor Ann Fall, Federated Legislative Council of Elderly Citizens chair- man Frank Way and Vancouver NDP housing spokesman Peter Davies also addressed - the meeting to voice their support for the tenants’ demands and for further government action.. Although attorney-general Alex MacDonald and Vancouver Centre MLA Emery Barnes were invited to attend the meeting, they did not appear. Richmond MLA Harold Steves was also scheduled to address the rally but was unable to attend and sent a telegram of support. Burnaby mayor Tom Constable also wired his support to the tenants. CLEAR THE DECKS FOR PT ANNUAL APRIL-MAY DRIVE | for the 1974 civic elections. The labor council motion was in response to that appeal. Letter carriers delegate Chuck Willis was jeered by the delegates when he spoke against the motion and insisted that “the ranks of the NDP are open to anyone and Harry Rankin can run for the NDP anytime he wants.’’ His was the only dissen- ting vote. : Delegates also voted for united action on the housing crisis in the city of Vancouver and instructed the council’s officers to ‘‘initiate discussions with other interested parties with a view to getting ac- tion on the critical housing shor- tage.” Speaking for the motion, longshore delegate Frank Kennedy emphasized that the vacancy rate in the city was at its lowest point-in history and enables landlords to force rents up without relief. He pointed to the need for an action program and told delegates that ‘‘there have been enough studies done on housing to fill this whole room but they’re not doing anyone any good without an action program to ensure their implementation.” On an immediate program, council secretary Jack Lawrence was sent to Victoria for the tenants lobby, Wednesday, to. add the council’s voice to the campaign on tenants’ rights. Elsewhere in the council meeting, delegates voted to sup | port the mining legislation pas* ed by the provincial governmell aimed at getting a mote equitable return for the provineé from mineral resources. The motion urged the govell ment to resist all pressures from the mining and other Dib) business interests which af seeking to emasculate tHe legislation. | UFAWU president Home. - Stevens reported the settlemell | of the herring dispute following# ) coastwise union vote last Wet™ | If ended a strike inflamed Pacific Trollers Associa” scabs and ex parte injunction | and left the contentious issue hil jurisdiction for fishermen | unresolved. : ie Although the union was unab) | to achieve full clearance catch division programs, Stev 1 told delegates that ‘‘that doest” mean there isn’t a clearane program.” He pointed out 7 union members out on grounds are enforcing their 0 clearances, refusing to dé herring to packers which not cleared with the union measure of the unity tha prevailed in the U throughout the strike. DON’T MISS HEARING WILLIAM [2 KASHTAN ie NATIONAL LEADER, COMMUNIST PARTY OF CANADA WEBSTERS CORNERS MON., MAR. 25, 8 PM” FINNISH HALL CAMPBELL RIVER TUES., MAR. 26, 8PM | CARPENTER’S HALL — PORT ALBERNI WED., MAR. 27, 8 PM ECHO HALL, 10th AVE. q FR S i M 0 N OMIVERSHYY THURS., MAR. 28, NOON | ROOM 9002 AQ. pM | WESTMINSTER “ww carr 8th AVE., NEAR COL VANCOUVER FRI, MAR. 29, 8PM | UKRAINIAN HALE.