Around the Slipways By Charles Saunders O Mr. Harold Winch is annoyed at certain trade union lead- ers who have expressed their intention of supporting the new party of the left wing under the leadership of Tim Buck. Perhaps Mr. Winch does not realize that trade union leaders reserve the right to use their own judgment in these matters as much as they guard the right of their membership to free political expression. Of course, judgment is bound to be in- fluenced by the amount of cooperation labor receives from political parties, and it will be hard for some of us to forget the disruptive and downright splitting role played by the CCF leadership when labor attained absolute unity on the question of amendmenis to the ICA Act. The action of the CCF in this case was obviously guided solely by political expediency, and not in the best interests of the trade union movement. Fortun- ately the united trade union movement was strong enough to override the CCF objections, and labor obtained amend- ments to the ICA Act which have already directly aided in the organization of thousands of workers in BC, besides striking a mortal blow at the home of company unions in Trail. Trade union leaders and trade unions will cooperate with the CCF on any matter for the benefit of the working class, but if the CCF leadership takes the position that they will only lend cooperation to those of their own political beliefs they are certainly narrowing their field and will only succeed in an- tagonizing the whole trade union movement. R. H. M. VERNON, a distinguished British authority on industrial hygiene, in a study published by the British Association for Labor Legislation, brings out clearly the fact that a man is not a machine, that there is a critical relation between working hours, health and efficiency. Based on a study of British war industry the article empha- sizes the rise in absenteeism and a general decline in produc- tion when excessive hours are worked. Vernon claims that half of the absenteeism in British industry is accounted for by sickness, and emphasizes that excessive hours are the direct cause of much of this sickness. The sickness rate doubled, for instance, when the 70-hour week was introduced. The facts brought out in this article are very interesting in view of the opinion held by ‘some that a longer work day should be introduced to take the place of the present continu- ous production plan in the shipyards. The evidence proves conclusively the only result of such a plan would be to lower the rate of production and increase absenteeism. The best results are obtained from the eight-hour day, and in the face of such facts the trade union movement will be well advised to take a definite stand against any suggestions to lengthen the work-day. | pees conducted by the Housewies League have revealed the appalling housing conditions in the Van- couver area. Cases of families living in rat-infested shacks, lacking either water suppfy or toilet facilities are prevalent, whilst many cases of acute overcrowding were brought to light. They have put forward the suggestion that small homes after the style of auto cabins be built in the suburban areas, as a temporary and speedy solution to the need for housing ac- commodation immediately. The suggestion is worthy of every consideration and should be brought to the attention of the city fathers. It is a measure that could well receive the full support of organized labor. This problem of housing the growing population of Van- couver is one that calls for immediate planning for permanent homes. Around the center of this city are whole blocks of resi- dences which, if they are not already, will soon become first- class slum areas. One of the first demands in the post-war period should be for a thorough slum-clearance and home- building program. Labor must begin now to take an interest in these vital civic affairs and demand ‘that plans for decent homes for the people of Vancouver be started now. Shortage of materials and priorities prevent building on a large scale immediately, but it must be admitted our city fathers have shown little initiative in coping with the present emergency. The recommendations of the Housewives League show these problems are capable of solution if they are seri- ously tackled. i 163 FAILES = ———— @ STRAPANI®@ CASTELLAMARE~ From that first morning when air and sea-borne Allied troops landed in Sicily, Canadian, and American troops have now driven northward until only the northeast corner of the § remains in Axis hands. Their drive has created a political critis in Italy, and there are PALERMO; CASTELVETRAN SS TERMINI ie = AGROMOVO — Cc “7 CANCATT ss “a aN > — LICATA, _7r~ X possibilities of an early surrender.