ELECTION NEED LPP calls for working agreement TORONTO An effective labor-farmer alternative to the Conservative and Liberal parties of big business and the election of 50 or 60 progressive MPs in the coming federal election could be brought about by “a working agreement” between the trade unions and farm movement, the CCF and others, the LPP national committee declares in Consultation among the 50 national committee members of the Labor - Progressive party acros the country brought approval of a na- tional executive letter to this effect. The LPP’s views on poli- tical “action are that the Die- fenbaker minority govern- ment, making some modest concessions, aims: to secure a majority in parliment before popular opposition is able to defeat it. It is trying to take advantage of Liberal lack of organization and leaderhsip. The statement declares: It is urgent that the LPP steps up its own nominations and puts forward a_ strong unity position on the election, which could take place early in 1958. “A labor-farmer electoral policy based on a- working agreement could develop an effective alternative to the Tories and Liberals and pre- vent either of them gaining a majority in the next parlia- ment. “A substantial group of 50 to 60 progressive candidates could be elected, pledged to fight for full employment, farm parity prices, peace, Canadian independence from U.S. ‘domination, extended social security, higher living standards and world trade. : “Such a group of MPs would constitute not only a balance of power forcing either a Tory or Liberal minority gov- ernment to pay heed to the . demands of the people but it © would be a major. break- ‘through to arousing opinion a statement issued here. , and. uniting political forces for the achievement, soon, of ,2 labor-farmer majority, and a government. “The great trade union movement should take the initiative and immediately begin consultations with all progressive torces to bring this about. “Tt would be a first step to- wards uniting all progressive forces of the country for ef- fective: independent labor-far- mer political action now. “Such a working agree- ment is not directed against the CCF or-those favoring a Labor or Farmer-Labor party. On the contrary it would create the most favorable con- ditions for advancing wide- spread discussion or labor political action and labor-far- mer unity. “The CCF, has so far shown itself unable to unite the labor and farm vote on a scale and at a level to con- stitute a real alternativé to the old-line capitalist parties, and a Labor or Farmer-Labor party has not yet emerged, nor is it likely to before the next federal election. At the same time there is a rising trend towards inde-- pendent labor political action and a growing awareness in labor’s ranks that such action . needs to merge with economic action if the fight for jobs and peace is to be pushed ahead. “Jn nominating its candi- dates the LPP will work might and main for such unity of the labor movement, and of labor with the farmers.” LPP plans to name in six B.C. ridings Plans to contest five or six of the B.C. constituencies in the coming federal e’ection were announced this week by the provincial commit'ee of the Labor .Progressive party. New Westminster became the first riding to call for nom- inations, when the LPP constituency committee there decided to convene a membership nom- inating conference ' Surrey on Sunday, January 26, unanimously recommend-’ ing that the LPP name a can- - didate to oppose Socred MP George Hahn. » The meeting dressed ) will be ad- by Charles Caron, in North. LPP provincial organizer. All constituents have been ‘alerted by LPP national head- quarters .in Toronto to “pre- pare for an election by early summer, -possibly as early as next March,” and additional nominations are expected be- fore the end of January, they Pulp, paper workers determined to carry long strike to victory “After eight weeks on the picket lines — sometimes in cold and snow and blizzards cur 6,000 pulp and paper workers are more determined than ever that they won’t be star into submission,” strike leader Pat O’Neal of Prince Rupert told applauding Vancouver bor Council delegates Tuesday this week. “ We are confident that the wealth of the operat won't triumph over our just ‘demands.” O’Neal appealed for united aid from the trade union movement, and VLC presi- dent Lloyd Whalen urged ' “husky donations” from every affiliated local. “Cost of running the strike is about $75,000 a week,” said O'Neal. “During the holiday season we managed to visit every local on strike, and I am proud to say the reaction was terrific. These men just won’t be beaten — but they need your financial support.” On strike are Pulp, Sul- phite locals 76, 297, 312, 514, 494, 592, 695, 708 and 742, and Papermarkers and Paper- workers locals 142, 360, 630 and 686. The strike began November 14, following six months of bargaining and rejection of a conciliation. board award by an 88 percent vote of the unions’ memberships. “Acceptance of the board award by our unions,” says a strike committee financial ap- peal which will be distributed next week, “would have given the employers: “1The right to insist that employees report for work on Statutory holidays or forfeit their holiday pay. 2—The final decision on: all matters relating to seniority (by failing to correct the con- tract clause). 3—The right to exclude large groups of workers for whom the unions are already certified and now bargain for. “There was absolutely no consideration for any of our demands on fringe benefits or vacations. Had we accept- ed the foregoing we wouid have received a 7% percent increase. “Our unions are demanding a 12 percent increase, three weeks . vacation after if! years, double time after hours, and the deletion of reactionary clauses reque ed by the employers and Pp posed by the majority repo of the board. “Our morale is high. W need more finacial .assistance so that we can feed our mem- bers and keep them on the picket line ot labor’s fight every inch of the way to a victorious conclu- sion.” : “ Over the holiday seasol government Officials bro union and management repre sentatives together for Sev eral talks, but refusal of the employers to budge from thet previous position prevente any agreement being reachee Union spokesmen predic long drawn-out battle and the srike could continue May. Fishermen to hold conference on Japanese threat to salmon _A coastwise conference of fishermen’s organizations will be held this coming Sature January 11, in White Rock to discuss Japanese mothership operations in the North Pa which threaten salmon stocks, and to plan joint action to combat this menace to Canad 1 and U.S. fishermen, A five-point statement drawn up by the general executive board of the United Fisher men. and Allied Workers Union places the union’s views in this manner. @ Canada should demand a complete cessation of such fishing as justified from the standpoint of conservation. Canada has banned its own citizens from going beyond the surf line. @ Japan should be asked to catch her salmon at the mouth of her own spawning _ Streams, or if the Japanese want to catch Russian salmon, should seek a _ treaty with Russia enabling them to catch Russian salmon off the mouth of Russian rivers, not outside the territorial waters of Russia. @ We strongly condemn the do-nothing official policy of the Canadian government, which seems to be afraid to move for fear of antagonising ‘Japan. This weak-kneed ap- ‘proach ,is sacrificing the B.C. salmon fishing industry for the sake of political deals, which deals are highly in- secure in any case. ® We charge the U.S. state department with prime re- sponsibility for the present completely un- — situation. They drove terms of the present treaty down the throats of Canada and Japan despite strong opposi- tion of Canadian fishermen and other groups. At present we are convinced the U.S. is conducting a sham battle, with the US. state department still pre- pared to sacrifice American and Canadian fishing inter- ests because of political deals with Japan. Canada seems to be playing second fiddle to the U.S. state department policy. @ Since Japan is in the position of playing off -the Russians against Americans and Canadians in respect salmon fishing and since Japanese are getting saln from the streams of all t nations, it appears there is point in continuing with farcical treaty. A new tre should be negotiated wh would include ‘all nations the North Pacific, as req ed by the UFAWU five y: ago. OVALTINE “CARE. & 251 EAST HASTINGS ~ Vancouver, B.C. QUALITY SERVICE ~ 752 Granville CLOSING OUT SALE Everything Must Go! | CASTLE JEWELLERS 3 PA. 1014 ¥ January 10, 1958 — PACIFIC TRIBUNE—PAGE