The following are excerpts
from the speech of William
Kashtan, leader of the Canadian
delegation at the Consultative
Meeting of Communist and
Workers’ Parties in Budapest,
March 2, 1968:

This decision of our party
(favoring an international con-
ference) arises from our long-
held view that the consolidation
of the unity of Communist and
Workers’ Parties is essential, not
only to effectively cope with
imperialist aggression but also
to create more favorable condi-
tions to further change the bal-

ance of forces on a world scale

towards peace, democracy, sov-
ereignty and socialism. :

This is why we believe that
the task of this consultative
meeting is not only to affirm the
need for unity; is not only to
consult, but to take very prac-
tical steps which would help
bring about unity.

We see an international con-
ference as an important step in
this direction. We believe that
to delay holding it for whatever
reasons, only gives an advantage
to imperialism. We need to be
quite realistic about the problem.

There are those who do not want.

an international conference un-
der any circumstances, while
there are others who. want it
under conditions which do not
_presently exist. Marx used to
Say that the people make their
own history, but they make it
out of the material at hand. In
our opinion this must be our
position with respect to the con-
vening of an international con-
ference. We cannot wait until
the last button is sewn on the
last uniform. We need to make
history with those who wish to
act and work together for com-
mon aims, while leaving the
door open to other parties who
may wish to participate at a
later date.

This is why we are for con-
vening an international confer-
ence this year. But this is not
the only reason. We are meet-
‘ing at what may be a turning
point in world affairs. All the
signs point to a further and more
dangerous acceleration of United
.States’ aggression in Vietnam
and perhaps elsewhere. Nor can
we ignore the threat, emanating
from the Pentagon to use nuclear
weapons against the Vietnamese
people. This situation: not only
calls for the maximum of. vigi-
lance: it likewise calls for the
maximum of unity.

All of us are well aware that
imperialism and its press specu-
late on the possibility that na-
tional interests will supersede in-
ternationalism in the world Com-
munist movement. It has pur-
sued a skillful tactic in this con-
nection, directed to keeping the
Communist and Workers Parties
divided. It pursues a soft ap-
proach and a hard approach,
bridge building and subversive
activity, coup d’etat and local
-wars, all directed to one pur-
pose, to reverse the revolution-
ary processes at work in the
world and regain its lost posi-
tions. This global strategy can-
not be effectively coped with and
defeated without coordination of
efforts by all Communist and
Workers Parties on an interna-
tional scale. For parties to go it
alone, so to speak, when it af-
fects the world socialist system
and the world-wide struggle for
peace, national
and freedom, hinders the strug-
gle against imperialism and in
the first place United States im-
perialism. We need to reply to

independence’

this global strategy by a united
front of all Communist and
Workers Parties against im-
perialism and in the first place
United States imperialism. We
need to reply to this global stra-
tegy by a united front of all
Communist and Workers Parties
against imperialism. :

It must be stated quite frank-
ly that in the world communist
movement tendencies have
arisen Over the past period of
time to pose national versus in-
ternational tasks. We believe
this is a mechanical and harm-
ful approach to the defence of
the true national interests of each
country and its people. There
must be a unity between national
and international tasks, a merg-
ing of patriotism jand interna-
tionalism. To take any other atti-
tude when imperialist aggres-
sion has been intensified is to
live in a dreamworld. We see no
contradiction between the res-
ponsibility of every party to its
working class; the fate of its
nation, and its international res-
ponsibility, and the responsibi-
lity to pool and coordinate ef-
forts against imperialism and its
global strategy. Indeed, such co-
ordination of efforts on an inter-
national scale against imperial-
ist aggression is the best guar-
antee that each party can safe-
guard the interests of its na-
tion and its people. The sover-
eignty, independence and equa-
lity of a party are not in ques-
tion when agreements are freely
and openly arrived at. They are
in question when any one party
tries to impose its will on other
parties. . :

We see an international con-
ference as marking an important
step forward in achieving such
coordination and in creating a
new and firm basis for consoli-
dating the unity of Communist
and Workers parties.

As we have already stated we
believe the main theme of the
conference should be the strug-
gle against imperialism. We hold
the view that in the prevailing
conditions the most urgent task
for all Communist and Workers
Parties in the development of
united action against imperial-
ism. In the first place U.S. im-
perialism.

It is around this objective that
the best possibilities exist for
beginning the process of restor-
ing the unity of the world Com-
munist movement, and creating
those conditions of mutual con-
fidence necessary for open de-
bate and discussion in the future
about the whole range of strate-
gic and tactical problems con-
fronting the. Communist and
Workers Parties in various parts
of the world.

Bearing this in mind we do

not consider it expedient to re-
examine all the strategy and tac-
tics of the epoch of transition
from capitalism to socialism,
but to focus attention at the in-
ternational conference on the

joint struggle against imperial-.

ism

Thus in our view the principal

document to be presented to the
conference should focus in the
new phenomena; new problems
and new tasks demanding solu-
tion today. We would not con-
sider it to be possible at a con-
ference to be held before the
end of 1968 to again present a
document as basic and wide
ranging as that of the 1960 con-
ference which attempted to go
into considerable detail with
respect to the strategy and tac-
tics of Communist parties in the
socialist countries, the former
colonial and semi-colonial coun-
tries, and the advanced capitalist
countries. Nor do we think it is
appropriate to do so. Each party
must work out its own strategy
and tactics in conformity with
the situation in each country and

the needs of the overall struggle ‘

against imperialism. . .

To sum up: our party believes
the international conference
should take place this year. All
Communist and Workers Parties
should be invited to participate

Rev. Hord
dies at 49

REV. J. RAYMOND HORD

Canadians were deeply sad-
dened by the sudden death of
Reverend J. R. Hord, executive:
secretary of the United Church
of Canada’s Board of Evangel-
ism and Social Service. Rev. Hord
was an outstanding man of con-
science and a social activist. His
voice will be missed among
those who seek peace and social
Progress in the world.

relegated to
~ arbitrary dei

us.

_ only the rich private
_. paid doctors. :

ie status of second class citizens b

ision. The people of Manitoba will be com-—
pelled by your decision to pay additional taxes witho

_ teceiving any of the benefits of the federal medicare

_ Instead of safeguarding and providing for the health
needs of the people of Manitoba your decision benefits

insurance companies and the

_. We demand you rorene. your decision ani id
_ the forth-coming session of th

provincial legi
thedienva

Canadian position at Budapest

in it. Its theme, in our view,
Should be unity of Communist
and Workers parties in the strug-
gle against imperialism and in
the first place U.S. imperialism.

In our opinion the successful
outcome of an international con-
ference would lay the basis for
uniting all the anti-imperialist
and democratic forces of the
world. It would constitute the
beginning of a process, a new
stage in the life of Communist
and Workers Parties enabling

them to more effectively shift
the balance of forces on.a world
scale. A great responsibility
rests upon all of us here. Im-
perialism and its press believes
that unity of the world Com-
munist movement cannot be re-
stored, consolidated and extend-
ed. We say it can and it will
be. Much depends upon our éf-
forts, our work and _ proposals
here. If we build well, we shall

create the conditions for a great, ©

new advance in the period ahead.

THE SASKATCHEWAN
LEGISLATURE ;

More blood —

‘and sweat

By WILLIAM BEECHING
Saskatchewan leader, Communist Party

The Saskatchewan budget, which spells out what the gov-
ernment plans to do for its friends, has been brought down.
The full impact of Thatcherism hit Saskatchewan citizens
right in the pocketbook.

Deputy Opposition Leader Alan Blakeney (NDP) quickly
labelled it Black Friday, which would mean more “blood and
sweat” for the people.

It is a big businessman’s budget which not only continues
- to place the main burden of. taxation on those least able to
pay, but also increasés the size of that burden.

In its broad outlines: tax increases all down the line for
the workers and farmers. No effort to.bring the level of living
up closer to the better off provinces. No effort to overcome

’ the shortages of social and recreational services. No overcom-
ing the losses of farmers, the drastic shortage of housing—
and little or no help for the Indians and Metis. |

And this at a session where the Legislature—both govern-
ment and opposition—seem to have agreed to raise their own-
wages up from $6,000 a year for ordinary members, for an
average 40 days of sittings each year.

The total income of the province will be $338.4 million,
out of which the staggering figure of $210.6 million will, be
contributed directly through taxes—income, motor licenses, .
liquor, tobacco, gas, hosptalization, etc.—for 66.9 percent of
the income. Another 9 percent will come from‘taxes already
levied in-the form of federal grant of $37.6 million.

Among the least of the contributions to income will be
the 13.7 percent paid by the petroleum, mining and other con-.
cerns operating in the province, mostly U.S.-owned, for an
amount of $60 million. Actually ‘potash contributed only $2
million as compared to $21 million from liquor taxes.

Finance Minister Steuart, in commenting on the budget,
said the government has a simple approach to taxes. It is to
let those who get the services pay. For instance, he said, if
you are getting medical treatment, then you must pay. If you -
are a motorist, then you must pay for the right to use the
highway, and so on.

Modern society is much more complicated than that. It
is so mutually interdependent that it is obvious such a reac-
tionary yardstick is used to give those who already have the
most an even bigger cut of the pie.

For example, the doctors now have their fees underwrit-
ten, and lose no money on patients. When medicare first came
in, their reported earnings jumped by about $3,000 a year.
Hospitals no longer lose as much money. It is safe to con-

_ Clude that the new deterrent fees are both a way to give a pay
increase to the doctors, and to invite in the private insurance
companies to underwrite the deterrent fees.

Highways and roads give tremendous profits to the con-
struction companies, and are a form of subsidy to the auto-
mobile companies who have their main offices in the East or
in the USA.

Highways, roads, public transportation—all make it pos- -
sible to sell and deliver goods, for workers to get to and from -
work, and help realize the market for sporting goods—all of
which is most lucrative for the businessman. And the educa-
tional system helps provide the labor material at all levels for
the business concerns.

'. So the $68 million dollar bite for highways and assistance
to municipalities will directly benefit the highway construc-
tion companies and sellers of highway construction equip-
ments, and so on, all down the line.

There are those who say if any one individual benefits
the most by imposing no new taxes on liquor, it is Premier
Thatcher.

ener