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Running against NDP?

(The current issue of the Young Worker carries an in- terview with Wm. Kashtan, from which we reprint Mr. Kashtan’s remarks on “running candidates against the NDP and ‘the Waffle.”

We don’t run against NDPers. They are running in every con- stituency as far as we know. Does that mean we shouldn’t run anywhere?

‘Our Party is a political party with its own program—the only party whose program is direct- ed towards uniting the working class and democratic forces for the election of a new majority in parliament and the formation of an anti-monopoly govern- ment. We are a necessary part of the electoral battle to bring about such a majority.

Our participation in elections is aimed at achieving just that. Unity does not involve our step- ping aside for some other poli- tical force. Unity implies agree- ment on a common program, on common immediate aims. With- in that context we can then dis- cuss whether we shall run in this constituency or in that con- stituency and come to some agreement. ae 3

Until such unity is agreed to, or achieved, our not running will not advance the real interests of the working class and demo- cratic movement.

Our aims are fundamentally different from those of the NDP. The aims of the NDP are limit- ed to administering capitalism. Our aims are directed to ending capitalism and achieving social- ism. We are in the field to iso- late and defeat right-wing policy which has done so much harm to the labor and democratic

movement, and to help to ad- vance the fight for genuine new alternatives.

... We are a party for new policies and with the due regard to the Wafflers and their posi- sion, which marks a point of difference from the right-wing NDP, the Waffle position would be basically that of the NDP. They are not a separate party— they are members of the NDP and committed to the NDP pro- gram. Pretending that this is not the case would be a distor- tion of reality.

The Wafflers have not so far come forward and declared that the conditions for a real for- ward advance for the working class and democratic forces is unity of action of socialists and Communists.

Some of them are: quite ad- dicted to anti-communism and anti-Sovietism that sense the positions they have ideologically are not dif- ferent than the right wing in the NDP. They need to rid them- selves of this attitude. Let there be no mistake, there will be no meaningful change of direction for Canada unless there is a unit- ed, genuine independence for Canada and unless the working class leads that fight.

So we are running in this campaign in order to advance these thoughts and ideas.

Of course, where it is possible to work out an amicable agree- ment with Wafflers, it ought to be considered. My proposal would be that Wafflers and Com- munists should sit down and discuss this question and see whether an agreement could be arrived at that would advance the overall struggle. —

Editor — MAURICE RUSH

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PACIFIC TRIBUNE—FRIDAY,.MARCH 24, 1972—PAGE 4

themselves. In.

True fraternal unity

The ‘joint statement of the leading bodies of the Communist Parties of Canada and the United States, which we print in this issue, is a model of genuine working class international- ism. The Communists of the U.S., the country whose rulers are robbing and seeking to completely subjugate our country and people, take their stand forthrightly alongside the Canadian workers against U.S. imperialism and in defense of Canadian independence. And the Canadian Communists proud- ly stand shoulder to shoulder with our

merican brothers in the common

struggle for the freedom of Angela |

Davis, for peace, equality and brother- hood in our countries.

What a contrast this comradeship of the U.S. workers’ party is to the atti- tude personified by President Nixon, who gave Canada “the knee” with the surtax and now is coming to Ottawa evidently to put “the boots” to us on water resources, auto pact, etc.

The true fraternal relationship dem- onstrated by the Communist parties of our two countries can well serve as a model for the closest cooperation be- tween an independent trade union movement in Canada and that of the U.S., and between our peoples at all levels.

The fight for jobs

When the minister of labor declares that the 1970’s will be a decade of high unemployment, this means that the

government is confessing that given .

the present social system and state policies, mass unemployment is a per- manent feature of our “way of life.”

Does it have to be that way?

Is there any reason why our country should not provide jobs and rising liy- ing standards for every Canadian? Do we lack the coal, iron ore, minerals, forests, sources of raw materials? Do we lack oil, natural gas, hydro power? Don’t we have the railroads and high- ways, the shipping lanes and skyways? Don’t we have plants and factories and the means to build as many more as may be required? Don’t we grow the food we need? Don’t we have an indus- trious, educated, skilled work force?

What is lacking? Capital?

But just look at the billions of dol- lars flowing out of the country every year in interest and Canadian workers for foreign corpora- tions. Or the investments made abroad by Canadian rich. And that’s just the capital that flows out of our country

instead of building it up.

Just look at the billion dollars that our government has thrown away in financing piddling projects, the kind that may be all right in themselve¢ to keep some persons occupied for a month or two, but in terms of building the economy make as much sense as the

“task work” (moving a mountain from .

one place to another by spoonfuls of earth, as the jobless used to say) in the 1930’s. + —

And look at what is spent to keep

_ the people out of work.

profit made by - tarians have gotten closer

Then think of the wealth ¥ could be producing if we were chance! 4

The fight for jobs is a matter, pelling a turn on the econom for the government to take 4 manding heights — the natura ces and energy resources —} the new plants that are needee plan and direct the whole of # try’s economy along the line of? expansion,

The immediate fight for JO™ to prevent closures and runalg dustries, such as the U.S.-ownly ” berley Clark in St. Catharine) Carbide in Welland and oli) exerting pressure on governl way the Clydeside workers did) Britain. 4

The jobs of the Canadian W and the fate of Canada are 10. tant to leave to the rapacious lists whose only interest 18 4 profit “and to hell with the yes

Old wrongs and nt

The robbery, cheating and genocide practised against th J Peoples has been going on 10° | les. It is still going on. “a

The media report outrag® day. Thousands of Indians moved out of the James B area to provide power to — tries. B.C. jury frees RCI charged with killing an India dn ing him. Indians organize 4 at Department offices in Edm protest lack of school facili prisons are filled with Nativ® And so on.

That’s just the reported ¢@ of those not reported be “nothing out of the ordina about the pall of unemploy? abysmal poverty, children d

The ancient wrongs canna up. But decent Canadians © while these terrible crimes today.

as

Welcome guest

A parliamentary delegat™ the Soviet Union, headed P¥y Chairman of the Council of ® N. A. Tikhonov,. has beet) Canada at the invitation of ¥ dian Senate. The Soviet Pe

act with the Canadian scene and § the possibilities of greatet | between our countries, across the Arctic. ;

Wherever they went, the warmly greeted by Canadial, remarks Vice-Premier 4 pointed up the need and ably pand relations. Speaking P of trade, he stressed that C the opportunity to buy ™ | from the USSR as well as § to it. The vast highly-develoP” trial and agricultural cou® : yet unopened vistas in this

That’s good neighbor. talk

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