Page Six
THE FISHERMAN
February 13, 1945
THE
FISHERMAN
Published Every Tuesday except the last Tuesday of each month by The Fisherman Publishing Society at 138 East Cordova St., Vancouver, B.C.
Telephone: MArine 1829 Editor: GEORGE NORTH Managing Editor: WILLIAM RIGBY
Advertising Rates on Application Subscription Rates: One Year, $1.50; Six Months, 80c Make All Payments to: THE FISHERMAN PUBLISHING SOCIETY
Labor Must Be United To Win Legislative Gains
An excellent legislative program has been prepared by the B.C. executive of the Trades and Labor Congress and presented to the provincial cabinet at Victoria covering all the main points desired by the labor movement which come within the scope of the provincial legislature.
It includes raising wages under the Female Minimum Wage Act to $18 per week or 45 cents hourly, compensation amendments, lowering the voting age to eighteen years, $50 per month old age pension, increase in teachers'' salaries, two weeks annual holidays with pay, and most important, union shop and check-off where a majority of workers demand that they be instituted.
In addition, the provincial government is urged to consider the Tennessee Valley Authority power development scheme as a method of providing cheap power in B.C., to exert all pressure possible to have an adequate health insurance plan put into effect on a dominion-wide basis and to outlaw company unions.
Unfortunately, there has been no campaign developed on the basis of this program amongst rank and file unionists, even though many of the major points have arisen in the individual unions.
Labor should have learned its lesson two years ago when several important and necessary amendments to the ICA Act were secured. How was this done?
First, by joint action on the part of both Trades and Labor Council and the Vancouver Labor Council which together represent the overwhelming majority of B.C. trade unionists.
Second, by making the membership of all locals fully aware of the nature and importance of the desired legislative amendments.
Third, by sending a powerful lobby comprising delegates from all major unions to discuss with and put pressure on the MLA's for support to the program. Despite strong employer delegations who also lobbied in opposition to the legislation, it went through.
Trade unions across the line in the State of Washington have set up a permanent labor lobby in Olympia which represents all affiliations. Chairman is from the Railroad Brotherhoods, vice-chairman from the CIO, secretary from the Building Service Employees, and secretary7treasurer from, the Machinists Union (AFL).
When the lobby speaks, it will do so with the full support of all trade unionists in the state and it is already recognized that its influence will result in important gains for labor.
There is no reason why B.C. labor cannot cast aside petty differences and carry out the same policy.
Rupert Reader Asks
Why Gear Stolen In Port Comes Off Gross Stock
A Prince Rupert correspondent has requested us to explain why the recent agreement between the United Fishermn's Union and the Vancouver Fishing Vessel Owners' Association provides that gear stolen in port be deducted from the gross stock in the same way as gear lost on the fishing grounds or stolen at bait stations.
This clause has been fully discussed at the meeting of fishermen and vessel owners held in Vancouver during the course of negotiations for the current agreement. As finally adopted there is no change in this regard from the practice laid down in all previous agreements.
After the first draft of the agreement had been drawn up in Vancouver discussions were held in Prince Rupert and Rupert fishermen suggested under this clause the inclusion of a point reading, "The crew shall not be responsible for gear stolen in port, in the period between discharge of fish until stores and ice are taken aboard for the next trip."
The Rupert proposal was placed before the Vancouver meeting prior to the adoption of the final agreement   and   was thoroughly
the feeling of the meeting was that on this point there should be no change from the previous practice.
In the course of the discussion it was brought out that if the new clause were included, vessel owners would be entitled to ask the crew either to take all gear ashore or else to provide a watchman on board; thus the change would be either more troublesome or costly to the men than the present practice. Past experience showed very little gear lost in port and, for example, Oisten Hansen emphasized that in all the years of his experience he had only lost one skate in this fashion. For these reasons the Vancouver meeting voted to retain the past practice. There would, of course, be no objection if Prince Ruper fishermen in concluding an agreement for boats fishing from that   port,  were   to   prefer the
discussed. On a vote being taken I change suggested by them.
Shore Union Secretary Issues Convention Call
Call to the Fourth Annual Convention of the Fish Cannery,
Reduction Plant and Allied Workers' Union was issued last
Wednesday by general secretary Alex Gordon.
<j>-
Delegates will convene on Sun-
Fraiser Council Endorses Amalgamation Proposal
Meeting on February 3, the Fraser River Council of the United Fishermen's Union voted to endorse the resolution on amalgamation contained in the call to the seventh annual convention issued by UFFU Acting Secretary George Miller two weeks ago. *
not to exceed restrictions on size
The resolution calls for acceptance of proposals and procedure outlined by the Trades Congress, return of the charter and seal and reconvening as the first annual convention of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers of B.C., Federal Union 44.
day, March 11, for the purpose of concluding general questions relative to the organization and to officially return the seal and charter to the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada.
The first annual convention of United Fishermen and Allied Workers of America will open on Tuesday, March 13, with delegates from both UFFU and Local 89 attending.
Representation is on the basis of one for every five members in good standing and in cases where there are less than ten members and more than five, two delegates may be elected. Any member in good standing but not elected is entitled to attend with voice but without vote.
All credentials are to be in the union offices by March 7.
Meeting on February 5, Vancouver members of the Shore Union were informed by general secretary Alex Gordon that certification had been granted for Western Fish Company. Negotiations will likely commence shortly.
Members received with regret the resignation of George Coppin, general organizer, to become effective on March 1, when he will take over as fresh fish foreman of the United Fishermen's Co-op. Coppin has been organizer since August of last year.
A resolution was passed endorsing the franchise for East Indians. The meeting also went on record supporting any action short of a slowdown which might be carried on by the Street Railwaymen's Union and registered complete opposition to any contemplated slowdown.
Lydia Rankin, Christine Laird, Freda Selbie, Jean Sommerville, George Barker, Cecil Howden, and George Coppin were elected to the joint social committee for the convention dance and banquet.
Manhattan 1 Sold By George HUlier
Sale of the Manhattan I to Olav and Chris Moan is announced by George Hillier of Ucluelet.
Skippered by Bert Hillier since George became ill two years ago, the Manhattan I has fished halibut, salmon, and anchovie for several years. She has always carried union crews, with most of the men being hired through the United Fishermen's Union.
The new owners intend to fish, her in the Queen Charlotte area.
The Manhattan 4 and the Manhattan 2 are still operated by George Hillier, the latter being skippered by Pete Hillier.
Plans are underway to build a larger boat to replace the number one.
A letter has been sent to the public works department on the recommendation of the meeting, urging that a float with an approach which could be used by a truck be constructed at Brunette Creek. The department had previously suggested construction of floats costing $25,000 at Sapperton as one of its postwar work projects.
A request from the New Westminster local for an organizer to work in the Fraser River district was referred to the coming convention.
All Fraser River locals are being asked to submit what they consider to be their geographical boundaries so they can be drawn up on a map as a permanent guide.
A resolution from the Albion local calling for drift nets for Natives used above Mission Bridge
set by the Brotherhood with no man allowed to hold both a set net and a drift net, has been sent to all locals for discussion.
Locals are also asked to discuss a resolution endorsed by the sixtji annual convention in time to forward their opinions to the council meeting of February 24.
The resolution points that whereas licenses are issued separately above and below Patullo Bridge and this system is long out of date, that the fisheries department be urged to take "immediate action to have uniform gillnet fishing licenses for the Fraser River and district and weekly starting time be made uniform at eight o'clock, Monday morning throughout the fishing season."
Continued
POLICY ON JAPANESE
porary limitation would be undesirable in principle, but as a practical question of policy it may well be inescapable.
There is little doubt that with cooperation on the part of the provinces it can be made possible to settle the Japanese more or less evenly throughout Canada. They will have to settle in such a way that they must be able to pursue the settled lives to which they are entitled, and that they do not present themselves as an unassimilable bloc or colony which might again give rise to distrust, fear and dislike. It is the fact of concentration that has given rise to the problem.
The sound policy and the best policy for the Japanese Canadians themselves is to distribute their numbers as widely as possible throughout the country where they |
will not create feelings of racial hostility.
It is not my intention at this time to enlarge further on this matter. There are questions of detail still to be considered. There may also be modifications of policy   which   further investigation will show to be necessary. However, the lines of development to which the government will endeavor to adhere will be in general those which I have outlined. We must not permit in Canada the hateful doctrine of racialism which is the basis of the nazi system everywhere. Our aim is to resolve a difficult problem in a manner which will protect the people of British Columbia and the interests of the country as a whole, and at the»«ame time preserve in what-eve ■*le do, principles of fairness anc i^tice.
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