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April 2, 1937

OPES ADV OCA ’T

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Page Three

Communists Appeal to CC

ae

Reactionarie
=5 *K

Essential For Defeat Of

To Join in a Common Cause

Of deep significance in view
ot the impending provincial elec-
tions is the following resolution
adopted unanimousiy by delezates
to the recent provincial conven-
fion of the Communist party:

“Tt is the supreme task and duty
of all progressive people to ensure
that the future of our province
shal] proceed alone democratic lines,
and that the needs of the people
Shall be the first call upon the goy-
emment. If this desirable path is
to be followed, it is above all ne-
eessary to cheek the forces of re-
action which represent the desires
and policies of the ‘50 big shots’

‘who hold our province and its peo-
Pile in thralldom and who. are
anxious to maintain their privileze
by thwarting democracy, destroying
democratic institutions and liberties,
Qnd institutine at some future
period a Wascist dictatorship.

“Phis danger is 2 very real one
and rapidly-moying events bring
it much closer as time goes on. In
& very real sense, the present
political scene in BC represents
2a race between the forces of de-
mocracy and reaction, and the
present political conflicts resolve
themselves into a fight to gain
the masses for progress or for
support to demagogic reaction.

“In 1935 on a federal scale, and
in the past fey years in the proy-
inees, the people of Canada showed
their hatred of reactionary policies
by ousting the Conservative party
from office: Wailing the existence
of a united people's movement, the
Liberal party in British Columbia
Was able to gain office on the basis
of a Work and Wages program.
This prosram has not been imple-
mented in BC or nationally. The
Way is then left open for the re-
tum to power of a Conservative
severnment, or a Liberal-Conserva-
tive coalition. simply because the
Conservatives are posine in a de-
ceithul manner as the main de-
fenders of democracy by untoldine
a wholesale criticism of the failures
of the Liberals to carry out their
programs. They hope to cash in
upon the disillusionment with Lib-
eral promises.

Main Blow

Against Reaction

“It is not immaterial to the peo-
ple of Canada whether the Con-
servatives or Liberals rule. These
two parties represent different sec-
tions of the capitalist class. In gen-
eral, the Liberals represent that
section which still has faith in par-
liamentary democracy and which is
more amenable to the moods of the
masses. Qn the other hand, the
Tories are the spokesmen of the
bigsest trusts, the sreatest mono-
polies and the largest financiers—
the most reactionary and imperial-
ist sections of the capitalist class
irom which Fascism springs.

“It is therefore obvious that for
progressives the defense and exten-
sion of democracy resolves itself in-
to delivering the main blow against
the reactionaries, and in the first
place agcainst the Conservative
party, to do everything possible to
prevent the return to power of that
Barty and consequently preyent the
re-introduction of Bennett’s iron

-shee] policy in a ten-times more
brazen form.

“Should the Conservatives win
office in the Coming elections, a
body blow will have been struck
against all sections of the labor
movement and against the demo-

cratic .movements, rights and
aspirations of the common people
generaly

“Can the people of BC depend on

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“the Liberal party to protect democ-
racy? By no means. The Liberal
party is not a guarantee against
the encroachments of the reaction-
aries, nor for a policy of peace and
progress. To depend on the~iberal
party, or to permit inactivity and
disunity in the labor movement, to
alow the pendulum to sWing ‘“‘nor-
mally’ back to Conservatism, would
be disastrous. While it is the im-
mediate duty of all progressives to
“arouse esreat popular movements to
compel the Liberal government to
fulfill promises to the people, in
the course of which movements ex-
perience and political enlightenment
Will be gained, this would be sheer
opportunism if the main task were

neglected, and that is, to fight for
an independent political mass move
ment-of the-eSmmon people which
would be strone enough to eain
majorities in the elections and to
establish a people's front govern-
ment.

“This is the perspective that our
party must hold constantly before
it, and it is this policy which must
determine fhe daily activity of
every Communist no matter where
he or she is occupied.

“It is on the baekgroeund of this
perspective that our party in Brit-
ish Columbia must formulate its
policy and tactics for the immediate
future.

Next Election
All-Important

“Provincial elections may be held
in British Columbia in the summer
of 19387, or at any rate within the
coming year. These elections will
obtain the political spotlight. Into
the election campaign both eapital-
ist parties and the Pproeressive
sroups will pour their resources
and their programs.

“Phe next provincial election
Will -be decisive for the future of
Our province and will largely
determine whether its develop-
ment will be alone democratic or
reactionary lines.

“We can expect that the Con-
Servative party, perhaps allied with
some right wine
Liberals, will throw every ounce
of enersy-into sSwingine the elec-
torate for reactionary policies
dressed in “‘democratic”’ clothes. The
boss logeers, the shipping federa-
tion, the powerful mining and rail-
Toad interests, want to halt union-
ization and establish BC as an open
shop province. They want to curb
the hard-won liberties of the work.
ers and the common people zener-
ally. They want to make certain
that their profitable investments
shall return rich proceeds to them-
Selves without interference from
the workers. The financial institu-
tions which prey upon the farmers
Want to guarantee that movements
for the reduction of debt and inter-
est payments shall stop. The banks
Want to guarantee that the muni-
cipalities and the provincial govern-
ment shall pay their obligations to
the full:

“Finance capital demands that
the increasingly popular issues of
moratoria on debts, Higher prices
for primary producers, higher wages
in unionized industries, shall be de-
Cisively checked by the returm to
power of a reactionary concentra-
tien which will put up a stiffer re-
sistance to popular demand than
the Liberal party has done.

Sympathy For
Unity Growing

“In the face of this threat, which
exists in all provinces, the two
great sections of the political work-
ing class movement in BC, the CCP
and the Communist party, are with-
out a common program and pur-

pose, due entirely to the anti-unity,
Splitting activities of the leaders of
the CCF. This is so in the face of
STowinge sympathy for unity among
CCF members and supporters, and
in spite of an instinctive reaching
for unity among the non-oreanized
workers, farmers and middle class
people of BG

“The policy of the provincial ex-
ecutive of the CCE, masked in sec-
tarian, evasive demands for Social-
ism or nothing, is totally out of
harmony with the desires and best
interests of the common people
of BC.

“Nevertheless, the CCF is
strongest political working
party in the province, despite
breakaway of Connell] and the
ruptiye activities of Trotskyist
ments in the CCF, who play on dit-
ficultiés and shortecomines and the
waverings of confused but honest
leftward-movine people.

“Our party reiterates its convic-
tion that the CCE’s duty is to come
to an understanding with the Com-
munist party and all other progres-
sive sroups in the coming election,
In order that a common and un-
beatable front can be opposed to
the reactionaries.

the
class
the
dis-
ele-

Common Front

Is Essential

“Our party at this convention
again appeals te the CCF provin-
Cia] executive to break with its
present position and to accede to
the growing demand for a com-
mon program and common candi
dates in the coming elections. We
are more than ever convinced

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sections of the.

Bruce Analyzes BC

For Progress and

Orces
Reaction

Big Industrialists, Financiers Favor Establishment of Fascism in Canada
To Safeguard Privilege as International Fasmism
Strives For World Domination

Following is a condensation of a political report delivered

by Malcolm Bruce, chairman,

provincia] council, CP of C

(BE district), on behalf of the provincial exécutive com-
mittee, to delegates at the recent provincial convention of

the Communist party.
Be

Our province comprises a

*

a
vast area-of great natural

beauty. Nature has provided great resources for our people.
Fertile lands, magnificent forests, great mineral deposits,
and waters teaming with fish are easily accessible and abun-
dant. And yet, despite all these resources, the high produc-
tivity of the workers, the improvements in the organization of

production and improved mach
people are living on or below

Because of capitalist class own-
ership of the means of wealth
production and the exploitation of
the wealth producers, a great pro-
portion cf the three-quarters of a
million people of BC are without
the bare necessities of life in an
area which, with a socialist
economy, could sustain in abun-
dance a population of ten million
or even more.

With all the natural resources
of BC and a productive working
elass, willing to work, some 18,000
workers are unemployed and 60,000
men, women and children are liy-
ing on relief, with many more re-
fused either work or relief, and
driven by hard circumstance to
beggary and crime. Thousands of
children are undernourished, lack
medical and dental care. Hach year

inery, the great masses of the
the borderline of poverty.

‘TROTSKYISTS
NOT PART OF
LABOR’-- BRUCE

Excerpt from Malcolm WBruce’s
speech to the recent provincial con-
vention of the Communist party
here follows. Bruce’s condemnation
of Trotskyism was unanimously
adopted. ;

“In the struggle against reaction
our party must recognize the full
import of the menacing role of
Trotskyism. While not a formidable
force Numerically or even organi-
zationally, it is nevertheless. a
Sreat danger because of its disrip-
tive role.

“Trotskyism does not, at this
Stage of its development and de-

youths of both sexes leave school
without a future, and join the great,
ragged, army of unemployed.
Many schools.are antiquated, un-
sanitary, overcrowded, and without
proper or adequate facilities, and
each year fewer and fewer parents
ean afford to send their children to
high school and university.
Trustification of industry and
commerce is driving thousands of
small business men into bankrupt-
ey, thence to the ranks of relief
seekers. Intellectuals and profes-
sional people are similarly affected.
Slums disgrace our cities. No

would inspire
thousands of hesitant people to
prosressive political activity and
Would be a clarion call to a peo-
ple’s front in British Columbia,
embracing not only the _ trade
unions and political parties of the
workers, but also the farmers, the
middle class, many honest and
progressive supporters of the Lib-
eral party, the Social Credit move-
ment and the Social Construc-
tives. Only by following this path
can the CCF avoid the danger of
disintegration and decline.

that such a step

“Every member of our party will
Work for this understanding. WNo
pre-conditions are placed by our
party. The election platform, the
candidates in each constituency, the

methods of campaigning—all can be
arranged amicably if the CCH jead-
ership departed from its present
stubborn position and proceeds
alone the path which led to the
formation of the CCE in 1933—the
path of united popular effort.

“The Communist party empha-
sizes that at this moment the
larger question of the farmer-labor
party is not the paramount issue.
The plain and simple issue is: elec-
toral unity, the creation of a united
program, united election machinery
and united candidates in the com-
ing elections.

“The people of Gritish Columbia
can invite only disaster should they
enter the election divided. HBvery

generation, represent a wine of the
labor moyement. It has passed over

to direct counter-revolutionary ac-
tivity in collaberation with inter-
national Fascism, with Hitler's
Gestapo and Japanese imperialism.

“It has been completely exposed
as the advance agent of Fascism,
and the more deadly because it as-
sumes the false face of a section of
the revolutionary labor movement.
Many of our party's difficulties in
achievine the united working class
front and ultimately a people’s front
against encroaching Wascism, are
attributable to the mAchinations of
the Trotskyists.

“Jt is one of our most important
and immediate tasks, therefore, to
combat, expose and root out Trot-
Skyism from the entire labor move-
ment.

“In doing we must guard
against an indiscriminate and loase
use of the characterization of Trot-
skyism. While all Trotskyists are
Opposed to our party and to its
line, it does not follow that all who

SO,

are opposed to our party and its
program are Trotskvists.

“There are’ many honest people
who, without knowing it, have
been influenced by the high sound-
ing, left-sectarian, ultra-revolution-
ary phrase-mongerine of the Trot-

Skyists and are opposed to the pro-

Sram and the tactics of our party.
These honest GlementS must not
have stamped upon their brows the
horriole brand of Trotskyvism. To
Qu sv Would result, in many ca
of their being Jost to the c
entirely.”
housing program has been insti-

tuted. Increases in appropriations
for improving scnoois and recrea-
tien grounds are denied, while a
million dollars is spent on a palatial
city hall, millions more on an un-
necessary bridge and seven millions
is to be spent in this province on

tien for another war.
The obverse of the social and eco-
nomic picture is a relatively small

division will mean further victory
for the reactionaries,”’

group of the rich, many of whom

i

military establishments in prepara- |

are absentees, who own the means
of wealth production, have access
to the natural resources of the
province, exploit the workers, loot
the natural resources, waste mil-
lions of tons of coal, denude and
destroy the forests, and in every
Way despoil the province and fur-
ther impoverish the people.

It is the historie mission of our
Party to save the province from
its capitalist ravishers, to rescue its
people from poverty, to retain what
is worth while in the cultural her-
itage handed down to us; and to
organize, unite and lead great
masses of people in the struggle
against capitalist rapacity and op-
pression and for socislism and a
more abundant and happier life for
the people, the material conditions
for which are all here.

Whilst our BC Party as the leader
of the masses for a better living
and in the fight against reaction
must deal especially and in detail
with problems confronting the
people of the province, we do not
live in a vacuum. Qur Party in BC
is a part of a national party, and
the forces at work on the national
and international stage, partic-
ularly the struggle between fascism
and democracy, the struggle of the
imperialist states against the Soviet
Union and the vital question of
peace and war affect us acutely
and directly.

Outstanding and or great his-
torical significance internationally
are the achievements of the Soviet
Union, its victory over capitalist
remnants, its building of socialism,
its continuous improvement of the
cultural and material well-being of
its people, its recognition on a uni-
versal scale as the greatest force
for peace and democracy in a
world menaced by war and fascist
reaction, and its new constitution,
which provides an assurance of
wor, social protection and de-
mocracy such as mankind has
never before known.

Im the imperialist world, fascism,
with Germany and Italy in the lead-
ership, is fighting to expand in the
direction or the acquisition of
colones, and to extend its influence
and sway over Europe, as evidenced
in the attack against the Spanish
people and its government.

International fascism is not con-
tent with having established its
rule in countries already under the
Wazi-Pascist terror, but is trying
to establish itself behind the lines
in democratic countries.

Instead of open and direct mili-
tary conquest of democratic coun-
tries, international fascism has
adopted the tactic of working sec-
retly in collusion with the most re-
actionary Section of the ruling class

in the democratic countries. These
reactionary and traitorous ele
ments, such aS franco and the

Clerico-militaristic cliques of Spain,
openly embrace foreign fascists as
colleagues and allies in subjecting
.the people to fascist rule.

Wot only in Spain, where such an
open alliance exists, but in Great
Britain, France, the US, Canada,
and almost every other country,
Hitler and Mussolini, in league
with and supported by Trotskyism
as the advance agent of fascism

| throughout the world are recelving
active and direct support from
Promoters of fascist reaction. The
| emiussaries of Hitler and Mussolini
| work openly or covertly according
| as it suits their purpose, in large
|) Urban centres of Canada. notably
| Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg
| and Vancouver, with the knowledge,
co-operation and protection of the

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Government of British Columbia

Big Business
Plots For

Strife

MONTREAT, Que. . April 1—
Close collusion between Wall street
and St. James street in a plot to
xeep wages at depression levels
while profits soar to new heights
is revealed in the confidential “Spe-
cial Bulletin No. 92,” In the Matter
of the Labor Situation,” issued by.
Canadian Association of Garment
Manufacturers, under signature of

Executive Secretary Thomas W-.
Learie.

“I am informed ... that the
United States government will.

Within the next two weeks, pass
legislation establishing a 40-hour
week and set the machinery in mo-
tion to establish minimum wages

- in all industries,” Learie states,

The writer then proceeds to re-
veal “through authoritative chan-
nels plans of US coal mine owners
to refuse to accede to CIO demands,
to close the mines and challenge
the government. Slowing down of
all heavy industry is foreseen “with
the result that the United States
may find itself in the throes of a
Seneral strike before July 1.”

Hear is expressed that CIO or-
Sanizational work in Inining: dis-
tricts in Northern Ontario, Nova
Scotia, British Columbia may lead
to substantial demands “and the
railway workers situation is full of
potential trouble,” while “clothing
workers in the Toronto market are
restless.”

reactionary elements.

Yet while international reaction
is seeking to extend its influence
in democratic countries and to
bring them into the international
fascist bloc and against democracy
and the Soviet Union, it must be
recognized that in the bourgeois
democratic countries, independent
of outside fascist influence, the
disintegration of capitalism, owing
to its inherent antagonisms, to-
gether with the growing class-
consciousness of the workers ex-
pressing itself in their increasing
militancy, impels the most reaction=
ary imperialists to see the de-
struction of existing democracy, as
an obstacle to the complete sup-
pression and regimentation of the
workers and the maintenance of
high profits.

The big capitalists of Canada are
favorable to a fascist dictatorship
in this country for their own im-
Perialist ends. This, combined with
the desire of international fascism
to dominate the world, makes the
danger all the greater and more
formidable.

Since our last provincial conven-
tion there has been a marked ac-
celeration in preparation for war.
The reactionary British National
government has launched and un-
precedented armaments program.
The US, Japan and other imperi-
alist states are engaged in the
Same feverish race. The govern-
ment of Canada has also increased
its appropriation for militaristic
purposes under hypocritical and
deceptive slogan of “‘National De-
fence.’

(Continued next issue.)

Our Heartiest Greetings to

“The People’s Advocate”

The Camp Section
¢€. P. of C.

Hiastings East Branch
Communist Party
Extends Greetings to

“The Pesple’s Advocate”

BEST WASHES ... to the New
People’s Advocate

J. ANDERSON

Hardwocd Floor Specialists
Old Floors Made New
649 Graham Ave. - Phone 1112-¥1
New Westminster, B.C.

Greetings to a

“The People’s Advocate’
from :

Bert Hart’s. Grecery

2602 East Hastings St.
High. 308

SUCCESS ... to the New
PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE

Purity Meat Market

2431 Bast Hastings St.
High. 140

: Greetings to *
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from
Ex-Service Men’s League
of Canada
Post No. 1 = Vancouver
For Full Federal Responsibility

Towards All Needy Ex-Service
Men and Women!

Best Wishes to the Advent of a
Progressive Move .. THE
PEOGPLE’S ADVOCATE
from the

Relief Project Workers’

Union
Room 8 — 163 West Hastings St.

Wishing Success to

“The Pesple’s Advocate”
Bungalow Market

2005 East Hastings St.
High. 2907

Greetings to
“The People’s Advocate”

J. RacCue Shoe Repairs

2626 Bast Hastings St.

Congratulations on Your Choice
of Name. Wishing You
Every Success!

D. EB. GC.

Canadian

Labor Defence League

Dr. R. Dougias
Phone Sey. 5577

Richards and Hastings

aos SEE

Greetings to
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and
Forvard to the People’s: Front
from the
Commercial Drive Branch,

Grandview Sec., C.P.of C.

Greetings to
“The People’s Advocate’
from the
Georgia St. Branch
of the C. P. of C.

GREETINGS to the New

PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE
from the

Collingwood Branch

S. Vancouver Communist Party

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