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Provincial election program

HE Tory-Liberal Coalition is a gov-

ernment of the wealthy corporations. This has been amply demonstrated by the record of the Johnson-Anscomb Coali- tion. The Tories and Liberals are united for one purpose—to block the progressive aspirations of the people. This they do in an open and flagrant manner.

The Labor-Progressive Party calls up- on you, the people of British Columbia, to defeat the Johnson-Anscomb Coali- tion of Tory-Liberal reaction, to cast your vote for men and women who have proven themselves fighters for peace, security, and democracy.

Under the pretext of “saving” the people and resources of British Columbia from what it calls “Socialism,” the Johnson- Anscomb Coalition seeks a new mandate from the electorate—in order to continue in its service to the big corporations. Using the slogans of “free enterprise” and anti-Communist propaganda, the Co- alition strives to confuse the people, cover up its shameless betrayal of elec- tion promises and bankruptcy of admin- istration in the affairs of the common people. The real issue is “the people’s needs vs. big business interests.” se

Behind the Johnson-Anscomb Coalition boast of “great industrial development,” new pulp mills, celanese, aluminum plants, hydro-electric expansion, ete. lurk the war schemes of. the armament and war profiteers of U.S. cartels. Coalition sup- port of the North Atlantic war pact, presenting it as an integral part of the “defense” of free enterprise, places the Johnson-Anscomb alliance in the war camp of reaction. .

By virtue of Coalition policies a small -handful of powerful monopolists have reaped new millions in. profits, but the great majority of British Columbia’s people, workers, farmer, small business men, professionals, and others, find only greater insecurity, lowered standards of ‘life, fear, and uncertainty. fantastic promises of “industrial. expan- - sion,’ the Coalition is trying to hide the real fact that British Columbia’s basic industries are facing an increasingly acute market crisis, about which the Coalition does and intends to do nothng.

Taxation

HAT has. the Coalition done?

placed the full weight of thé tax burden onto the people, thus safeguard- ing the profits of the rich monopolies.

The Labor-Progressive Party proposes:

Immediate repeal of the sales tax and poll tax. To the tens of thousands of families in the low wage income groups, this iniquitous tax comes closer;to a six spercent tax, added to their already high living costs. :

Restoration of the Excess Profits Tax, a steeply graduated industrial levy on gross profits which would assure that big monopoly concerns like the H. R.

MacMillan Export, Co. Ltd., the CM&S,\ _

CPR, BCER, and similar monopolies, would carry their rightful share of tax- ation. This would assure to the people of British Columbia that degree of social security and economic welfare, which is their right as citizens of a province rich in natural resources. .

Immediate reopening of the Dominion- Provincial taxation ‘‘deal’” consumated by the previous Hart-Anscomb Coalition gov- ernment. The revenue which reverts to

' B.C. from federal taxation on income has been greatly limited by this “deal” depriv- ing the people of millions of dollars, which the Coalition now seeks tO augment by ‘additional burdensome taxation upon the people, rather than upon big business.

kets, industrial Markets, industria development ' has the Coalition done? - Secret concessions to monbpoly—aluminum, BCER—a plea for more MacMillans—an admission that Marshall Plan restrictions

are crippling our basic industries—but little else. ;

_ The Labor-Progressive Party proposes:

Behind its

_ ance, It has

Promotion of markets for B.C. products abroad through introduction of “barter”’ trade agreement with Europe and Asia.

Working out of a trade agreement with

Britain to ensure that a substantial portion of the 1949 fruit and dairy produce can be marketed there on equitable and satis- factory terms to both countris. Organiza- tion of a system of provincial-backed credits, enabling Britain to give priority to B.C. lumber products.

Development of new hydro-electric power installations under provincial ownership and control. Public ownership of BCER and West Kootenay Power & Light Com--

_ pany.

Erection of a basic steel mill in B.C., together with promotion of steel and other metal-processing enterprises.

Cancellation of all export of iron ore, uranium, or other raw materials for war purposes to the U.S.

' Promotion of British Columbia’s ship-

building industry and rapid development .

of new and basic industries. No secret deals with “free enterprise” giving away the resources and rights of the people.

: Development of secondary industries (as recommended in the Committee Re- port on Industrial Reconstruction, 1944)

to promote domestic market requirements, |

and provide steady remunerative employ- ment.

Health and social security |

HAT has the Coalition done? A “hos-.

pitalization insurance” scheme—which fails to provide hospitalization when need- ed. Refusal to reopen the Workmen’s Compensation Act for needed amendments. “Pasing the buck” to “federal responsibil- ity,” for British Columbia’s lack of edu- eational, hospital, and recreational facili- ties.

The Labor-Progressive Party proposes:

A 1949-50 Hospital Insurance Plan de- signed to double the capacity of hospital accommodation in B.C.

Extension of the present Hospital In- surance Act to include full health insur- covering medical, dental, optical, and maternity requirements.

All health insurance premiums to be based upon individual and family income.

Provincial legislation providing diag- nosis, treatment, and accommodation for arthrite and rheumatic patients. =

An annual provincial subsidy for pro- motion and maintenance of a system of dy nurseries, with provision for trained supervisory and medical personnel.

Workmen’s Compensation Act benefits to be computed on the basis of 100 percent wage compensation from time of accident or other industrial disability.

The provincial government to fight for more adequate unemployment insurance benefits.

Labor code

T has the Coalition done? At the bidding of the Chamber of Commerce and the like it has attempted to Taft- Hartleyize” British Columbia labor by a series of amendments to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act (ICA) through introduction of Bills 39-87, de- signed to cripple labor’s bargaining po-

tential and outlaw strike action. The Labor-Progressive Party proposes:

Repeal of Bill 87 and enactment of a

Labor Code consistent with the demands of organized labor.

“Labor representatives” on Labor Boards to be elected upon the democratic: basis of referendum and recall.

Civil rights

HAT has the Coalition done? To cover up its monopoly-dominated policies, it has given approval and encouragment to the abrogation of civil and democratic liberties in‘ B.C., in. the fields of law, trade unionism, education, and culture. The Labor-Progressive Party proposes: The enactment of a provincial Bill of Rights which will guarantee to the citizen

of the Labor-Progressive party as adopted at the fifth annual convention

freedom of speech and-assembly, freedom of conscience, and the right to choose a vocation without discrimination because of race, color, sex, political or religious affiliations. :

Such a bill to include penalties against individuals, corporations, or those in charge of public institutions, who discrim- inate against citizens or others because of color,. race, or ideals; to make anti- Semitism in B.C. a statutory offense, ap- plicable to all who practise it, whether openly or by “secret agreement.” The right of all citizens to vote at eighteen years of age. ‘

Public works

HAT has the Coalition done? Scores of municipalities are suffering be- causé of lack of school facilities—build- ings, transportation, trained personnel. B.C. roads, mile for mile, are the worst

in Canada. The ravages of the 1948 floods ;

are still felt by thousands of B.C. citizens,

menaced by the danger of new fioods. New hospitals, schools, parks, and other badly needed public utilities are countered with threats of new taxation upon the people, rather than upon corporate finance and industry. ; *

The Labor-Progressive Party proposes: Setting up of a provincial Public Works Authority to direct all provincial under- takings in the sphere of building schools, hospitals, roads, parks, flood contro] facil-

Three cents, and more often four, ‘five and six cents of every dollar you spend go on the Sales Tax— the impost devis- ed by the Coali- tion to protect the fat profits of big business. The Sales Tax is the final straw on the burden of high prices and _ the LPP has consis- tently fought for its repeal. “Here Nigel Morgan, LPP candidate for Alberni, leads a protest demon- stration.

ities, bridges, ete, and to establish 4 central provincial pool of supplies and equipment for construction of all the. above public utilities. ” ic

Agriculture

AT has the Coalition done for the | farmers? It increased rural schoo] taxes, in some cases by 300 percent, with- j

‘out providing for needed school facilitie> _

It kept rural road maintenance on partisan basis—which means impassable roads in outlying communities, It h@* twiddled its thumbs while markets 1% B.C. praduce have contracted or dis@P— peared entirely.

The Labor-Progressive Party proposes’

Establishment of a fioor-price for ; agricultural products, by a provincial gov" ernment subsidy which would guarantee an equitable price to the primary PFO ducer.

Préparation of a 5-year plan of fi008 control which would include: (a) water diversion for hydro development and ru electrification; (b) adequate dyking 1% all waterways where flood threats obtaiD’ (ce) extended irrigation reservoirs to facil 3 itate water run-off, : oa

Full responsibility for the preservatio? — of B.C. fisheries to be equally shared "y federal and provincial government. |

An extensive program of reforestatio? and soil conservation. ;

Ballad for

ia beak Y¥ call us the mass, the great un-

washed. But ours was the dirt of their profit They found us hard to look upon For their sins were tattooed on our faces ’ ‘ We, who made the wheels go round ._ Became the comic section of a club man’s mind : They could only smell our sweat They could never understand oa Hands wanted, hearts get in the way, But there is a story told in Birming- ham ; : ‘ Of how God himself came down to open wide ‘ f The hospitals of heaven When the girls who worked | In the great new mill Died that night _ They had an extra contract to fulfill.

May all the tears of all the kids That ever went short of candy :

‘The sick, the deaf, the broke, the plind | The People,

. Diagnosing the disease

May Day

Roll ‘in waves across the world

And take their breakfast with thé moon. 3 :

People crawling from beneath

The heavy wheel of greed

'Unfed dirty men and hungry W0 filled with anger,

All who suffer and our poor

eee...

men f°

You and your child, my wife and I ait Hungry, unemployed, oppressed Huma® a

ity; : E ; t But this mighty hungry mob

Come’ to consume, nat to destroy: of |

We're little spittle from the mouth truth © re

We are not great objective brains

But listen For somewhere also t We contain the cure. ; ay —From Paul Potts’ ‘A ra Day Ballad for g