2 The Inquiring The appearance of a book, published in Vancouver, dealing with the life of a B.C. labour leader during early trade union struggles is an event to he noted in labour circles. Little has yet been recorded of the dramatic role played by labour groups in British Columbia at the turn of the century. THE COMPASSIONATE REBEL, Ernest E. Winch and His Times, by Dorothy G. Steeves, Publishers, Boag Foundation, Vancouver, B.C., 227 p.p. illustrated, hard board edition $3.95, paper cover $1.95. Some of us may have forgotten that the late Ernest] here. Winch, M.L.A., once organized a 23,000-member Loggers’ Union, later known as the Lumber-Workers’ Industrial Unit. His work as Secretary, and dominating figure in the loggers’ organization, led to his election as President of the Van- couver Labour Council. His stand on issues raised by the IWW and the OBU had important consequences for the labour movement in B.C. A wealth of interesting infor- mation about early trade union history in British Columbia is brought to light in Mrs. Steeve's revealing portrayal of the life and times of “The Compassionate Rebel.” It’s a book to be prized by trade unionists. The conditions which made Ernest Winch a “rebel”, or a crusader against social evils, were the same con- ditions that gave birth’ to trade unionism as known in the Coast province. For this reason alone, it is satisfying and _ profitable reading, for a trade union mem- ber. It’s not surprising that the re- viewer for a daily newspaper was critical of this biography. Mrs. Steeves takes the reader in hand and leads him into a world quite outside the experience of those who admire only the past deeds of the financially or socially prominent. She does this with skill and the same rare sympathy that Ernest Winch had for the dispossessed. This biography is timely. It provides food for thought, at a time when a new Canadian work- ing-class political party is in the making. We read of the mistakes as well as the triumphs of work- ing-class political action, the par- ticipation of trade unions, and the foundation of a political party, the CCF. Ernest Winch was part of this struggle. The biographer explains the philosophy of Ernest Winch: “In * ee WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER Bad Workers Result of Reader |Low Wages Ann Arbor, Mich. — The hospital that pays low wages will not get employees “slightly worse” than other firms but will end up with “the dregs of the labour market,” Dir. George Ordione of the Uni- versity of Michigan Bureau of Industrial Relations told a hos- pital management workshop “The difference between get- ting the worst employee and the best is a matter of 15 per- cent in actual pay,” he said. “Yet the difference is that the best employees will produce twice as much (or cost half as much) as the worst. By OPEN LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER DIEFENBAKER The Rt. Hon. JOHN DIEFENBAKER, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada, -Ottawa. Dear Mr. Diefenbaker: ; The spread of nuclear hang ay from nation to nation is causing ‘act world-wide apprehension. This ives icular im to the deliberations now going on ‘within cat Boncomain about Canada’s possible adoption of t these weapons. We urge that the Government de- cide that Canada’s forces will not adopt these weapons and that they will not be permitted within Canada’s territorial limits. It is said that Canada needs nuclear weapons for their deterrent value. We believe Canada’s adoption of them would have disadvan- tages which far outweigh any such consideration. “The greatest danger of nuclear war is not that the Russians will attack. The greatest danger arises out of the likelihood of an accident. And, if measures are not taken soon fo pre- vent nuclear weapons from coming into the possession of additional nations, the risks of accident will multiply in geometric proportion. Not only will it lie within the power of an unpredictable number of political and military leaders to trigger a holocaust, but a single rebellious military com- mander will be able to set the world in flames. “There can be no deterrent to war by accident. all his work for socialism, Ernest Winch was the practical, rather than the theoretical or bookish socialist. He was a bit like Keir Hardie who is said to have re- marked that he didn’t need to read Karl Marx to learn that the paying 30 to 40 percent below “Top priority in the formulation of new foreign policies the market you buy ironclad “insurance of obtaining the worst available. “Pay policy, whether in hos- pitals or elsewhere, indicates must be a determined approach to prevent the further dis- semination of nuclear weapons...” \ We think these words, spoken by Adlai Stevenson on June 23, 1960, have a direct application to Canada. Acceptance of nuclear weapons by Canada, whether under her worker is robbed at the point of that it’s foolish to pay the worst rates in town. It costs ova oe under joint control with the United States, or within NATO, would: production. Ernest loved the tra- ditional revolutionary expressions of socialism, and he insisted on using them until the day he died, even though during many of his later years all his thoughts were concentrated on the humane measures he sought for the relief of pain: and poverty. In fact he had a foot in both camps — the camp of uncompromising so- Jubilee Camp more.” Communist China; these weapons; 1. Increase the probability of accidental war; ‘ 2. Pave the way for the allocation of these weapons to other countries; in so doing, it would also provide a strong motive for Russia to share her nuclear weapons with her satellites and with 8. Considerably damage Canada’s reputation as a: constructive force in international affairs. On the other hand, a Canadian “No” to these weapons, would: 1. Avoid:the above dangers; 2. Set an example for other nations to preyent the spread of 3. Enhance our opportunities for positive initiative in the United | fe) cialism, and the camp of gradu- IM t on alism and reform.” F ee Ing Among other reforms for which Ernest sponsible, labour is indebted to him for important features of the Workmen’s His fight on this issue dates back to his Presidency of the Vancou- Winch was largely re- Annual Meeting of the Chil- dren’s Jubilee Summer Camp Association will be held in the Stry Hall, 125 East Ave., Van- couver, Sunday, November 20. Business will include Reports Compensation Act. Nations and in NATO, aimed at negotiated disarmament and pre- vention of nuclear war. We are proud that our Government pressed France last autumn not to test her atomic bomb, and that Canada spo Ireland and others in the last United Nations General Assembly in urging a halt to the distribution of nuclear weapons to.countries not already having them. We believe this positive policy should be extended. For all these reasons, Mr. Prime Minister, we urge upon the Canadian Government in the strongest possible terms, that Canada say “No” to nuclear weapons; that she say it clearly; and that she say ver Labour Council in 1919. His persistent battle to secure justice for injured workmen and _ their dependents is told in this volume. “Workmen’s compensation was like all his other reforms. He knew all the stages. First people would say ‘its ridiculous, we can’t pay for it.’ Then they would get patronizing. ‘Good old Ernie, he tries. so hard for all his causes, but of course the man is ahead of his time.’ Suddenly they would discover that a lot of voters agrced with old Ernie, so they would start giving a little. ‘This is what for the year, election of -Offi- cers and Good and Welfare, discussion and future planning. Cost of Registration is $1.25 per delegate and lunch. Visitors are welcome. we were advocating all the time, but it had to be done in an orderly manner,’ they nodded virtuously.” “The Compassionate Rebel” is invaluable as a work of reference for trade unionists. The biogra- pher delved deeply into the exist- ing records of B.C. labour history. It is also a colorful story of the men and women who fought for right which a.aewer generation is too prone to take for granted. includes | it now. Respectfully yours, M. FRANCOIS-ALBERT ANGERS, Professor of Economics REV. DR. J. A. BOORMAN, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology DR. PIERRE DANSEREAU, Professor of Botany MME. THERESE GOUIN DECARIE, Professor of Psychology DR. VIANNEY DECARIE, Professor of Philosophy DR. O. F. DENSTEDT, Associate Professor of Biochemistry DR. H. G. DION, Professor of Soil Chemistry DR. K. A. C. ELLIOTT, Professor of Biochemistry ‘: MR, C. G. GIFFORD, Associate Professor of Social Work DR. JULES GILBERT, Director, Hospital Insurance Service, Ministry of Health, Quebec M. JACQUES HEBERT, Journalist and Publisher M. CLAUDE JODOIN, President, Canadian Labour Congress M. ANDRE LAURENDEAU, Editor-in-Chief, Le Devoir M. ROGER MATHIEU, Pres., Canadian and Catholic Confed. of Labour. DR. FRANCIS McNAUGHTON, Professor of Neurology DR. M. K. QLIVER, Assistant Professor of Political Science M. GERARD PELLETIER, Journalist and Commentator M. ROGER PROVOST, President. Quebec Federation of Labour RABBI DR. HARRY J. STERN, Temple Emanu-El DR. KARL STERN, Professor of Psychiatry VERY REV. DR. J. S. THOMSON, Former Moderator, United Church of Canada MME, CLAUDINE S. VALLERAND, Broadcaster REV. DR. H. H. WALSH, Professor of Church History DUNCAN BUSINESS — LOUTET AGENCIES LTD. INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE J. Lindsay Loutet Gordon R, Loutet Publication of the book was made possible by the Boag Foundation, through which revenue from the estate of the this o late Allan Boag is applied to “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR CANADA” APPEAL, purposes of working-class educa- P.O. Box 68, Victoria Station, Montreal 6 tion. ACT NOW Eagles Back Labour The 1,000,000-member Frater- nal Order of Eagles has joined the trade movement in calling for legislation against age dis- ss! it to the Prime Minister and to thelr own Momber of Parliament. 7h, 131 Jubilee St. Duncan S. Shore Road. Lake Cowichan HANEY BUSINESS GUIDE ESQUIRE MEN’S WEAR (Graham Mowatt) Complete Stock of Work and Dress Clothing “THE STORE WITH THE POPULAR BRANDS” BRITISH COLUMBIA Travelling to Europe for Christmas? See UNIVERSAL TRAVEL SERVICE 918 West Pender Street Phone MU 4-8577 Vancouver, B.C. HANEY PORT ALBERNI BUSINESS GUIDE CREDIT UNION DIRECTORY IWA Credit Unions and other Credit Unions For Everyt' * WORK. 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A delegation from the order, led by Toronto area recording secre- tary Frank Stokes, submitted a brief to Ontario Premier Leslie Frost. The Eagles told the premier 10 states in the U.S. including New York State have already en- acted such legislation. Urging an amendment to the Fair Employment Practices Act making it unlawful to discriminate on grounds of age, the delegation also called on the government take the lead in giving priority Persons over 40 when it hires for boards and commi: