L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C.
Editor:

Many solutions for the relief present “depression” are being brought forward by prominent writers. Some of these articles are so voluminous that the original cause of their being written is lost in a mass of verbiage. In pleasant contrast to these is a short, able editorial which appeared in the November issue of the “Organizer,” which is published by the “Amalgamated Civil Servants of Canada,” in Vancouver BC. This in part appears as follows:

The quest for Industries

“Some complaint has been heard of late respecting the advantages which large cities have over smaller centres in the matter of industrial development, and particularly attracting new industries. A suggestion that the anti-bonus law in effect for some years in this province be revoked has not met with approval, however, and Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, after discussing the situation, decided that a provincial industrial commission might do some good. Accordingly it sent on to the Associated Boards of Trade convention in Windsor a resolution urging the government to set up such a body. There is a strong feeling, however, against creation of numerous commissions, and the convention, without condemning the idea, refused on this ground to sponsor a recommendation to the government. Inasmuch as Woodstock board of trade is a member, it is appropriate to quote the proposed resolution:

“Whereas revised tariffs have given American and British industrial companies renewed impetus toward the establishment of branch plants in Canada; and whereas the province of Quebec is becoming an increasingly successful competitor for this new business, particularly by virtue of lower wage rates; and whereas local industrial commissions and chambers of commerce must of necessity study this problem from the angle of their own communities rather than of the province as a whole, be it therefore resolved: That the Hon. George S. Henry be petitioned to create a provincial industrial commission for the purpose of analyzing the industrial advantages for the establishment of branch plants in Ontario in reference to the natural resources, complementary industries, power and labor rates, and all other factors governing industrial production in this province; and to act as a clearing house for local chambers of commerce and industrial commissions, and to give these local organizations certain assistance, fair one to the other, as determined by the commission thus created.”

The per capita wealth production of Canada has increased enormously during recent years. Figures show the annual output per head of the population range from $3,000 to $6,000, so that today an advance of $300 to $500 and even more appears insignificant side by side with what the potential purchasing power of our people could and should be.

The actual wealth of any country does not lie in its gold reserves, bank deposits or bonds, but rather in those things which are included broadly in the term “food, clothing and shelter,” as well as in the many modern essentials that contribute to the well being and happiness of a people. There is not only no scarcity of these things, but such an abundance that one cannot but be impressed with the evidence on all sides that never was Canada so wealthy as she is at this moment.

Our people however, are denied access to these things which their labors have brought forth, because their power to purchase has fallen far behind proportionately to their ability to produce, and hence we see the channels of trade choked with the good things of life so sorely needed by a very large proportion of the population.

The remedy, one would imagine, under such conditions, would be to increase remuneration in proportion to increasing production. How this can be accomplished we will leave to those who ought to know, but so far, the leaders of public opinion have very carefully avoided the obvious, and would try to make people believe that wealth and happiness can be brought about by a further increase in poverty.

Similarly, the $100 minimum would appear as altogether inadequate, and the eight-hour day and the 44-hour week no longer can serve as a suitable yardstick with which to measure labor. A sane industrial plan would very quickly reduce the hours of toil to the next logical step, now so generally advocated, the five-day week and the six-hour day. The conclusion must be evident that only by lessening the hours of labor side by side with increasing remuneration can the nation’s purchasing power ever hope to keep pace with the flood of wealth made possible through mechanized mass production.

The problem is one that calls for intelligence and understanding. It is a problem that civilization, as we know it, must either solve or perish.

This Mr. Editor, appears to state the case in a nutshell.

In striking contrast to the foregoing is a proposed resolution put before the Associated Boards of Trade convention, at Windsor, as follows: “Whereas revised tariffs have given British and American companies renewed impetus towards the establishment of branch plants in Canada; and whereas the province of Quebec is becoming an increased successful competitor for this new business, particularly by virtue of lower wage rates, etc. * * *.” It is not necessary to quote further. Can you beat that for a cold-blooded scheme? In other words, this prosperity would be brought about by exploiting labor on the old, sweat-shop lines and the movers of this resolution fondly hope to build up the prosperity of the country and ignore the fact that it is only through higher wages and shorter hours for the workers that this depression can be overcome. With a happy and contented people with the wherewithal to buy the necessities they are entitled to there could be no depression and the blot upon our present, so-called civilization would be wiped out.

Brother Jimmie Brown has returned from a flying trip around the continent which took him through all the big cities and places of interest. His picture post cards mailed to us en route were fine, especially one of a large black bear doing line work up a tree in Jasper Park in the Canadian Rockies. Not having his spurs with him Jim did not climb the tree to see if bruin had a card. Our civic elections are at hand and nominations for alderman are numerous. Brother Casey has been nominated by the Trades and Labor Council as one of their representatives. The only labor alderman we have on the board is dropping out this year, so now is our chance to fill the vacancy.

Brothers “Sweetie” Duncan and “Smiler” Bradshaw went out one weekend hunting and each got a deer. This is not to be wondered at as they took Brother “Shorty” Haines along as a mascot. The following weekend Brothers Quest, Mat Ball and Dinnie Lalonde were successful in bagging a deer each – at least they claim they did, but I have only their word for it, as up to date I have had no visible or edible evidence presented to me. It is quite likely they are telling the truth though for when a bunch of bow-legged, wild-eyed wood butchers go galloping through the woods and shower the trees with buckshot so that it sounds like a hail storm, the poor, timid deer are so frightened that they can’t run and so fall an easy prey to the said butchers. I have a little hunting story of my own to tell at a later date which will fill these hunters so full of green-eyed jealousy that they will probably swell up and bust.

Shappy.