Job éAESS Cont.

ing offered jobs in mines. Riv-

eters are being offered jobs in|

th woods. Men are being shunt- ed out of their proper classifi-

into employiment for which they ,

have no qualifications nor pre- vious experience.

The general result of the “des- peration policy” of the Employ- ment Service is a growing re- sentment on the part of the un- employed at the inefficiency of the service, and the developing conviction that Unemployment Insurance is working hand-in- glove with anti-laber employers and forcing men into lower-paid jobs. This practice can only lead

to the breaking down of wage |

eonditions. 2

The mood of uncertainty and resentment is also obvious among workers in the shipyards. Men who have built ships for the duration of the war are prepar- ing themselves to be bounced out of their employment and added to the growing number of un- employed. With the prospect of four thousand more shipyard workers joining the ranks of the unemployed within the next three weeks, the unemployment picture is becoming darker. Men in the yards have not. enjoyed the “high wages and soft living” - that such spokesmen as General Hoffmeister would have you be- lieve. The high cost of living during the war, plus heavy tax- ation and voluntary subscription to war savings and war services, made heavy drains on the wages of the average shipyard worker. The overwhelming majority of shipyard workers have little to look forward to for subsistence -but the meager allowance under the unemployment insurance benefit plan. With the Commis- sion following’ its present prac- tice, most workers will not be able to look forward to even these payments for long.

Bill White, President, (Boiler- makers and Iron Shipbuilders’ Union, who has taken up a num- ber of appeals for union mem- bers, gave me some idea of just what the practices of the Un- employment Insurance Commis- sion are in cutting unemployed off of payments.

“The way they work it is this,” Bill White stated. “They offer _ @ man employment at his own trade if it is available. If it isn’t, then the man is referred to employment at the same wage, but in a different line. If this job is not suitable, then the “man is compelled to accept what- ever employment is offered or be cut off his payments.” White has argued a number of appeals against discontinuance of unem- playment insurance benefits to members of his union. It was White who made the charge, re- ported in this paper a few weeks ago, that “Unemployment Insur- ance, officials are using the threat of termination of benefits to assist the bosses in grinding down wage standards.”

The City Council, under insis- tent prodding by organizel la- bor, called a meeting of joint representatives of labor veterans, public organizations, and indus- try on Wednesday this week in an attempt to map out further reconversion plans to meet the new unemployment crisis. The meeting brought together repre- sentatives who heard labor dele- gates to the last reconversion conference predict an unemploy- ment crisis if nothing was done by management and government to plan for the closing down of war industry.

Their banners protesting foreign suppression of Indo- nesian fight for freedom, 177 Indonesian seamen who walk- ed off Dutch ships rather than carry arms to be used against

Pressure exerted by the Labor Progressive Party, in with other organizations of la- bor and progressive people in Canada, this week forced the federal government to back-track and withdraw Clause “G” of the much-disputed National Emer- gency Powers Act, or Bill 15. The disputed clause of the Bill came under sharp fire from labor and progressives, who conducted mass metings and deluged Ot- tawa with protest telegrams urging thatthe Bill be redrafted eliminating the objectionable clause.

The Civil Liberties Union con- ducted a mass protest meeting in Boilermakers Hall last week, urging the government withdraw clause G, and a full roster of

concert

their people, march to surrender to immigration officers.

Dear General Hoffmeister:

On Nov. 27 at a Civic Action Association Rally you spoke on the present -unemploy- ment crisis as it affects veterans. In the newspapers and throughout the City your state- ments-have caused extensive discussions and in labor circles grave concern.

Iho Does Hoffmeister Serve?’ LPP Veterans Demand Reply

(AN OPEN LETTER TO GENERAL HOFFMEISTER)

Veterans in the Labor Progressive Party have considered ask you a very important question, particularly important

stature in the eyes of fellow Ca- nadians. _

Which side are you on, Gener- al Hoffmeister?

Do you speak for big business in Canada? Or do you speak for the vast ‘majority of Canadians, workers and veterans included, now facing a reconversion crisis? Perhaps such a question provokes you, and so to prevent misun- derstanding we should define our terms.

The “side” of big business is most clearly and frankly ex- pressed by Mr. Victor M. Drury while speaking to the share- holders of the Canadian ‘Car and Foundry Company on Sept. 11 of this year. He said:

“The Party is over. Not only will there not be enough jobs, but wages will have to be brought down to former peace- time levels. If the employees will not take a cut in wages the plant will have to close down. We can’t afford to have our profits cut into by pay- ing the high wartime wages.”’

That’s the “side” of big busi- ness in the raw, General. Ruth- lessly honest in -placing their profits above the needs of full employment, decent wages, and veterans rehabilitation. And to- day big business, those who own and control, have launched a na- tionally coordinated campaign to create a reserve army of unem- ployed, to undermine wartime wages, and to smash labor’s war- time gains. side, General Hoffmeister? But the LPP and labor generally are concerned about some of your omissions the other night. -As manager at Canadian White Pine Company and as a high- ranking army officer you must at least be familiar with labor’s side.

@ Labor is firm in its opposi- tion to the predatory drive of big capital in Canada.

PACIFIC ADVOCATE — PAGE 2

@

ef

your statements. We wish to in view of your recognized

@ Labor demands the 40-hour’ week with no reduction of take- home pay. That would create jobs for veterans at decent pay.

You must have forgotten that point, GeneraL ;

@ Labor demands the mainten- ance not the reduction of ex- cess profit taxes to finance pub- lic works.

You must have forgotten that, General.

@ Labor stresses the need for full unity of veterans and work- ers in the fight for full employ- ment.

You must have forgotten that point, General.

@ Labor demands union se eurity and seniorty rights to vet- erans based on length of serv-

©O©O9 OG 909099 OOO 909 OOO COO OOOOH OOOO OOS SOOO OOOO8f

CLASSIFIED

©OODODOO OO 08 © 00909 0O00SO88

A charge of 50 cents for each insertion

of five lines or less with 10 cents for each additional line is made for notices appearing in this column. No notices will be accepted

later than Tuesday noon of the week ‘of publication.

NOTICES

Oldtime Dancing To Alf. Carlson’s Orchestra Every Wednesday and Saturday Hastings Auditorium 828 East Hastings Screet

Phone: HA 3248 Moderate rental rates for socials. weddings, meetings, etc.

Dance—Clinton HBall—

2605 East Pender. Dance every Saturday

night. Modern and Old-Time; Viking’s Orchestra. Hall is available for Rent; HA. 3277. Croatian Hall— Available for Dances, Socfals, Weddings, Banquets, Meetings. Reasonable rates. 600 . Campbell Avenue. HAst. 0087. OK Hair Restored!— By scientific method. Free advice. Get results with the first free treatment. U. Antonuck, 671 Smythe.

ice. Strange, General, you’ve forgotten labor’s side alost com- pletely, haven’t you?

Still and all I-agree with two of your specific proposals: (1) the right of veterans to city jobs; and (2) preference to veterans.

But I differ sharply with your proposal to give war workers ditch digging jobs. I don’t know about your family, but most of mine were war workers, and I am sure this applies to most vet- erans. And just by the way, do you include veterans of World War 1 who were war workers in your statement?

As a general, You will be a

(Continued on Page 7) See HOFFMEISTER

©©OOOOO OOH O9OO OO OOOD OOO O4

Meetings— Swedish Finnish Workers’ Club meets last Friday every month, 7.30 p.m.; Clinton Hall.

Situation Wanted—

Young woman with tion, experienced. General housework. Honest and reliable... Good home _ essen- tial. Address, 1828 East 39th. Phone AL. 1470-L.

child wants posi-

WHAT'S DOING?

Whist Drive—

Every Wednesday at 8p.m. Hastings Audirorium, 828 Hastings. Auspices Scandinavian Workers*’ Club and _ the Swedish-Finnish Workers’ Club. Cash

prizes. Refreshments. Admission 25c.

Dance and Refreshment Social— 24th at 8 2303 East Hastings. Whist Drive—

Every Friday might. 1332 Davie St.

8:00 p.m. Prizes. Refreshments. West End Club. ;

Saturday, November

p-m., Olympia Hall,

North Burnaby Branch, LPP—

Will hold their Bazaar, Friday, Dec 14, at Norburn Hall, 3884 E. Hastings, from

speakers,

including Ausi

against the bill, the City” ence of the LPP passed lution demanding the del Clause G. Section 3.

The disputed section

Bill -was recognized by | an anti-democratic piece lation, designed to intim

leave the way open for

tion of labor -and’ pro leaders. : “Withdrawal oF Clause tion, 38, ‘gives leear i that the forces in Otta support the placing of 1

books can be made to r the face of mass pi. aklic- The vigilance of labor geressives in immcdiatel: img the Bill and expos the piubsic ed by all who d2fend cemoeracy and civil —

decision to delete the o able portion of the Bill. |

erties Union told P.A. “T Liberties Union expresse -

forced the government if

Fresident of the Mine, 7 Smelter-Workers Union, rive in Vancouver Frida} dress the 8rd Annual Convention of the It Robinson, a labor figut. ternational standing, ¥ speak to a mass rally, } the union, to be held in-:

day December 9.

Considerable inter created in Robinson's | coming visit. He has returned from the Wak labor-management 3 at which a complete bi~ veloped between the € ; of Industrial ‘Orga and President Harry *

turned from the Par ference of the World tion of Trade Unions, extensive tour ofS the

tunity which -Vancour - has had to hear Robins and will mark the fi meeting at which a * | ident of the CIO has *+ the public in Vancouve! HAstings 40d; Night Phones: MA. 7067 - Fy Active Trading Importers - Exporters ~~ SCRAP STEEL CAS. Metals -of all Kind FOUNDRY SCRAP SUI

1 p.m., including whist and social -

8 p.m. Variety of .Christmas gifts find toys. Games and fun. Afternoon tea will be served with fortune telling.

935 East Cordov:

Vancouver, B.C.

FRIDAY, DECEMB

cist legislation on Canadi

Stated Austin De'’any, eo ing on news of the gove-

A spokesman of the Gi

i

fication that public press!

Robinson also has rece- i

| Union. a This will be the fiz! |

is warmly con

; “B

4

sider the pasage of Ck Section 8, of Bill 15”.

Public Meetit To Hear Robii:

Reid Robinson, Inter’!

| i | :

room, Hotel Vancouver, |