x “ «] { NDP OPTIMISM GROWING THAT PARTY WILL WIN : NEXT B.C. PROVINCIAL ELECTION By GRANT MacNEIL The provincial convention of the New Democratic Party held in the Vancouver Hotel, April 11-12-13 surpassed pre- vious provincial conventions of the party in a number of important features. It was the largest B.C. pro- vincial convention of the party on record. The attend- ance of voting delegates was 793. The attendance of delegates from affiliated trade unions in the province, 103, was the highest known. Many of these, of course, were active NDP members. This did not in- clude the large but undeter- mined number of trade union activists included in the con- stituency delegations. GRANT MacNEIL Cash and post - dated cheques for party support to- talled $23,989 in response to an appeal by David Stupich, M.L.A.—the best achievement yet under similar circum- stances. The conduct of convention business was the most effici- ent yet experienced taking in- to consideration the size of the convention, and the almost feverish interest in the leader- ship contest. This was due to the careful preparations made by Provincial Secretary Wal- ly Ross and his aides. The hard-fought battle for the party’s leadership was conducted with decorum and little display of antagonism. The balloting was supervised by IWA Regional 2nd Vice- President Wyman Trineer, Chairman of the Balloting Committee, with scrupulous impartiality, and with every precaution to eliminate errors. Two ballots were required to select the provincial leader. The results were: 1st Ballot 2nd Ballot (787 voted (786 voted) 249 375 364 411 44 Withdrew 130 Withdrew ‘On the second ballot Con- ay, upon withdrawal, re- i his voting support. Wil- ns declared for Barrett. The election of Tom Berger _the occasion for a re- display of party for the ensuing year were as follows: President—John Laxton (re- elected) Ist Vice-President — David Stupich, M.L.A. (re-elected) 2nd Vice-President — James Mackenzie. 3rd Vice-President — John Conway. 4th Vice-President — Ray Haynes (re-elected) — B.C. Federation of Labour. Treasurer—Bob Douglas (ac- clamation). Federal Council Members: Alex Macdonald, M.L.A. Clayton Perry (I.W.A.) Disciplinary Committee: Wm. McLean Sara McKinnon Harry Mathias Executive Committee (31 nominations) Dawn Carrell — Burnaby- Willingdon. Gerry Girard—Surrey. Don Johannessen — Esqui- malt. : Jack Jonsson—Coquitlam. Betty McClurg—Surrey. Jack MacKenzie—(I.W.A.). Dennis Mulroney—Vancou- ver-Little Mountain. Joyce Nash — Cowichan- Malahat. Jack Radford—(CLC) Fort George. John Young — Rossland- Trail. Alternate: Chris D’Arcy — Rossland- Trail. Wayne Clark — MacKenzie. An unusual feature of the convention was the live tele- vision coverage. Never before has a NDP convention gained lgreater television exposure. This included closed-circuit television for interested ob- servers unable to secure seats in the convention hall. The active participation of trade union delegates explod- ed the myth that the trade unions attempted domination of the party. Trade union delegates were divided on the selection of a leader in about the same ratio as constitu- ency delegates. On all vital is- sues they were in accord with majority opinion. No special emphasis was placed by them on trade union legislative aims beyond the Party’s pledge to repeal anti-union legislation. An uncomfortable “first” was the large debt, frankly admitted, and resulting main- ly from the frequency of election and by-election con- tests. The consensus support- ed the claim that the results in five victorious Federal and Provincial by-elections justi- fied this deficit financing and that the financial future was brighter than ever before ex- pansion of NDP activities was planned. wat A most gratifying and prominent feature was the participation of young people with a healthy representation from _ university students. Their contribution to the con- vention proceedings was in- vigorating. 5; The convention gave a sym- pathetic hearing to the moo of dissent which permeates youth activities. As a result a THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER new mood of militancy will be evident in the execution of party policy. This re-energized militancy was mainly concerned with the problems of education, our native Indian population, housing, pollution, agricul- ture, urban re-development and the war on poverty and a campaign for equality of ‘op- portunity without discrimina- tion, IWA delegates were most interested in a strong demand for a membership referendum in future elections of a provin- cial leader as they are famil- iar with this procedure. The resolution failed to carry mainly because -of the desire to have prior consideration of the safeguards necessary to protect membership inter- ests. Resolutions adopted of di- rect interest to organized labour were, in summary:- * An increased and univer- sal minimum wage. * Increased aid for work- ers undergoing re-train- ing to upgrade their skills. * Improved facilities for re- training and placement. TOM BERGER * A continued boycott on California grapes for the duration of the strike. * Participation in support of legitimate strikes and demonstrations to demon- strate solidarity with the workers. A pledge to remove from the statute books all leg- islation now crippling legitimate trade union ac- tivity. * A reduction in the hours of work to enable all workers to share in the benefits of automation through increased income leisure, rest and health. The convention adjourned with a rousing ovation for the newly elected leader and with pronounced optimism about the prospects for victory in the forthcoming provincial election. : LABOUR AD. IN ONTARIO 95% of all union-management agreements are settled peacefully Some people seem to have the idea that union members spend their time on strike — instead of attending to their jobs, doing their share to keep the wheels of the economy running smooth- ly, and to have the national in- come distributed fairly. since 95 out of 100 agreements are settled peacefully, how come only disputes are played up so big? Published i the put Labour representing GOGH ttade union members THE FACT IS — STRIKES ARE THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE. About 95 per cent of all union agreements are negotiated with- out strikes. In the public service over two years’ time, one union alone settled 250 agreements covering 40,000 employees WITH ONLY FIVE STRIKES. nivtest by the Ontarto Federation of in Onfatte Not one caused any serious hardship. Not one caused any personal harm. Not one! Trade unionists are responsible citizens. The PUBLIC INTEREST is their interest too. unions protect you too!