Pro f .F .R. Scott MCGILL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Pam nof ^ ^ n jf . n m cr w PuUL Report FOURTH NATIONAL CONVENTION of the COOPERATIVE COMMONWEALTH FEDERATION held in WINNIPEG, JULY 27 and 28, 1937, National Office 124 Welling;, on Street, Ottawa, Oi-t , The following pages comprise a full report of the proceedings of the Fourth National Convention of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation which was held in Winnipeg on July 27 and 28, 1937. Only those parts of the proceedings and discussions have been omitted which were clearly incidental. The National Office is publishing the report in full in order that members and sympathizers of the Movement may know exactly wh at the C.C.F. policy on various issues of the day is without having to depend for such information on outside sources. Additional copies of this report may be obtained from the National Office (address below) or from the Provincial Offices. The price of single copies is twenty-five (25) cents. Quantity bundles may be ob- tained at a reduced price. David Lewis, National Secretary. C.C.F. National Office, 124 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ont. C.c.g. NATIONAL COUNCIL. 1937-58 President Chairman Vice-Chairman . Natl. Organizer Natl. Secretary . J. S. Woodsworth.M.P. + M. J. Coldwell, M.P. King Gordon *E. J. Garland David Lewis M. Ahearn, Maritimes W. Baird, " ^G. H. Barefoot, Man. Beatrice Brigden, Man. J. B. Brown, Man. Lorna Cotton, Ont. + Mary Crawford, Alta. T. C. Douglas, M.P., Sask. S. J. Farmer, M.L.A. , Man. R. Gardiner, Alta. Win. Irvine, " 0. Latreille, Que. ^Louise Lucas, Sask. Grace Maclnnis, B.C. A. Maclnnis, M.P., B.C. C. G. MacIIeil, M.P., B..C. John Mitchell, Ont. *F. Round, Que. F. R. Scott, Que. Madeline Sheridan, Que. C. Stork, M.L.A. , Sask. H. H. Stuart, Maritimes A. Webster, B.C. G. H. Williams, M.L.A., Sask. NOTE: The members marked with an asterisk were elected by the National Convention. The other members were elected by their respective Provincial Conventions, - three for each province/ For this purpose the three Maritime provinces are considered as one province. There is one vacancy for the Province of Ontario. CONTENTS i PAGE Message from New Zealand Labour Minister of Finance 1 President’s Address 1 Rehabilitation of Droughtand Submarginal Ar-eas 6 Drought Emergency, Government Action 11 Drought Emergency, Voluntary Aid IS Speoial Committee, Drought Action 13 Spain 13 National Council Report 14 Report on Work of Parliamentary Group 18 National Organizer’s Report 20 Trade Unionism 21 Historical Letter on Old Age Pensions 23 Democratic Freedom and Civil Rights 24 C.C.Y.M. 30 Financial Statement 30 The Budget and Organisation 32 Election of Officers, etc, 35 Resolutions Committee 37 Agriculture 38 B.N.A. Act 40 Foreign Policy and World Peace 40 Affiliation of Trade Unions 42 The Budget and Organization (Continued) 43 Monopolies 45 r C. C. F. NATIONAL CONVENTION JULY 27, 28 and 29, 1957 ROYAL ALEXANDRA HOTEL, WINNIPEG. MANITOBA MORNING SESSION, JULY 27 Registration of delegates started at 9 A.M. At 10 o’clock, J. S. Woodsworth, MAP. , President, welcomed the delegates to the city, stating that as a citizen of Winnipeg it afforded him a great deal of satisfaction to have the Convention held in that city. 3. J. Garland, National Organizer, was elected Chairman of the Convention. On motion of S. J. Farmer, Manitoba, it was agreed to give all C. C. F. members of Parliament and of Provincial Legislatures the privileges of the floor, with the exception of voting powers. David Lewis, National Secretary: Honourable Walter Nash, Minister of Finance and Marketing in the New Zealand Labour Government, spent a few days in Ottawa. He has been kind enough to send the following message to the C. C. F. Convention: "The shortness of tine period of my stay in Canada has prevented me from meeting many of the men and women who have like personal ideals to myself. I much regret that this is so, as I would have esteemed the privilege of describing the work of the Labour Movement in New Zealand in its steps towards its objective. Pamphlets describing what has been done have already been published but more important than any matter that can be printed is to maintain the faith in the spirit of freedom for those who do the work of the world. 7/e will endeavour to continue to progress towards the Cooperative Commonwealth and realizing the responsibility of power - not only to our own people - v;e hope that the organization of our Movement in the team spirit with each individual contributing his or her full share to the goal - v/ill give some element of inspiration to the Movement in Canada and other countries." It was decided unanimously that Mr. Nash be thanked for his message and congratulated on his splendid work in New Zealand. The following Convention Committees were elected: Order of Business Committee: John Mitchell, President of the Ontario C. C. F. (Chairman); Miss Mary Crawford, Edmonton, Alberta, and C. Stork, M.L.A. , Saskatchewan. Credentials Committee: S. J. Farmer, Manitoba, (Chairman); M. Nicholson, Saskatchewan, and E. Robinson, British Columbia. Resolutions Committee : J. Grant MaclTeil, M.P. , British Columbia, (Chairman); Miss Beatrice Brigden, Manitoba, and Carl Gockburn, Ontario. The President’s Address Introducing the President, Chairman Garland said: "I could speak for an hour on the amazing amount of work, effort and sacrifice KOHfflNG SESSION CONTINUED; - 2 - B?? 1 ' your President has put in, and continues to put in, on behalf of this movement. I think we have been singularly honoured, as well as enormously advanced, in every field, by having such a man as our irr 6S la sn "C • r M J* 1 /oodswor th . said : "Before starting to prepare my speech tv,f 1 ^ L + ed +° Ver v my ch i' lrmGn,s speech of a year ago. I cannot see that tne situation has materially altered. „ . We still face the pitiable plight of the farmers - especially in the drought areas. We still face unemployment - this especially in its effect upon the youth. We still face the danger G ? 1 ; + X -p a , wr ’ r v * lch iike the last will undoubtedly be put forward s r fight for democracy. ” « „ , . ^ . In the final rally of the B. C. Provincial campaign neld in the auditorium, Vancouver, I could not but recall the •u Bl ^ > ?' 1Gr 4 escape of the Children of Israel from the land °x bondage into the promised land. These slaves who had been forced to make bricks without straw had hardly made their escape from Egypt before they were hankering after the flesh pots of Sgypt. When the if leader. Loses, vas away m Mount Sinai and preparations were being made for the giving of a new code, the former slaves - still slaves in spirit - ?J GC ? Gd £ d to c ? g° lden oc-lf engage in tho licentious rites after the fashion of their former Egyptian masters. :/hen the delegates sent to spy out tne land returned with tho report that it was a goodly land flowing with milk and honey, those slaves, through foar, acted on tho majority report that the inhabitants of the promised land were giants of d thPir t J emSGlTGS * but as grasshoppers. The demoralization of the rr yours of slavery was too great to permit them to seize the n4s r untii y tb- f ni r J d p thC ?‘ T 1 T 5 G ?- h J d tZ wandor forty years in the v/ildor- tho prSmisod h land d pG ° pl ° had dlod off ‘ Then G new generation entered . What of our progress from Capitalism intn no promised, land of the Co-operative Commonwealth? Are the hardships of tne journey to lead us to hanker after tho cushy jobs and seeci-l" old V idePls JIf 1Ch WG haVG left bohind? Aro we going to sot up the same Of PnmS + Gf SUC J GSS and personal aggrandizement , tho same old method of competition and warfare? Arc we to shrink from the conflict - - "they, giants; we, grasshoppers"! to flip ^ -r J . Somo of us are grey-headed don’t want C-ieb "iPt h nq ii d n? n °? 8, LGt * S a11 tGkG the P° siltion o f Joshua and ^.leo, let us go u X 3 at once and possess it: 7/e are well able"! -T 4. . . . But sentiment and enthusiasm are not enoup-b ■Vo must critically analyte tho situation end plan with cr.ro. ^ , _ . ^ There is somewhat of a lift in tho depression -at least sporadically. This is due in part to war pre- parations. There may lio ahead a still deeper crisis. In any case unemployment, debt, insecurity aro still with us. Somo joinc-d the C C t q® 5 + C i? VOni °S t r f' ft . on , 1A ^ ich thc « v might escape from tho sinking shio of ; ^ow knocked about by tho waves, they look up at the towor- lng sido of tho big ship and will probably take the first opportunity to climb aboard again. Opportunist rats; wo are well rid of thorn. „ ,, _ A But fhore is another class for whom I fool g Go. sympathy. They a.ro those who arc clinging dosporatoly to r job or nowc.ro firod with the hope of finding one. It is not for those of ° . kt ' v 1 G °hat givo a measure of socurity and freedom, to criticize harshly those vdio are so afraid of losing or missing one - , ® pGC i al r y - V ’? 1011 WGlfr, - ro of c family may seem, or may bo dependent apon tnct job, But we aro inclined to think that many are unduly fearful. y™?L GraployGGS dG inslst 011 their right to organize and to speak, and to •^; 1 G 7 " and go taway with it! Some professional people defy profess- won'iJ hX b « S o- nd ro ! r ?- n Professional standing. Their position would bo easier if more joined with them. It is true that there -ro MORNING SESSION CONTINUED: -3- certain casualties, but every good soldier must be prepared to take hia chances - otherwise there would be no victories. Let us get away from this mentality of craven fear. Less than 10# of our population, probably less than 5%, are beneficiaries of this system, and yet the majority of the other 90 or S5/o are afraid to lift a finger.” Mr. Woods worth went on to point out that the task of organ- ization in Canada is a formidable one because of the vastness of our land, the provincial divisions, the heterogeneous character of our population, and the diversities of interest. This means a systematic and persistent campaign of education in order that We may develop a socialist and an international point-of— view even vdiile we are fighting election campaigns. "Fortunately, many unrecognized allies ere - if not fighting for us - at least are indirectly assisting our cause. Four of the great agencies through vfaich public opinion is formed are the Universities, the^Churches, the Press, and more recently the Radio. ''Admitted that, on the whole, these institutions stand for the status quo, it must also.be conceded that the men in these institutions - and slowly the institutions themselves - are being greatly influenced by the thoughts that shake mankind. In our Canadian Universities we have our Under- hills, and Scotts, and Forseys: in our Churches, our Blands and King Gordons: even some of our great Dailies still show streaks of Liberal- ism and advocate freedom of speech and of the Radio. Undoubtedly, things are ripening for a change. The question is, are we ready? At Regina, as we adopted the Manifesto, and at Toronto, as We discussed important resolutions, our attention was concentrated largely on setting forth the fundamental principles vfoich we thought underlay our Movement. Personally, I think the foundations have been well and truly laid. Certain modifications and, undoubtedly, appli- cation of these principles to particular conditions may be needed, but in its main lines, our programme has stood the test of five years of criticism and discussion." Mr. Woodsworth went on to show that the policy which was laid down in Toronto with regard to the ’♦united Front*’ has been proven by events to be the correct one. He related to the Convention certain instances in the Provincial electioh campaign in British Columbia in which the Communist Party had selected some C.C.F. candidates for special condemnation and had opposed them. ’’Five years ago," the President continued, "the C.C.F. started to bring about a United Front on the field of radical labour and farmer organizations and socialist groups. . . . Events have shewn that our policy was the correct one* Ho one can tell as to what the future may bring, but for the present our policy should be to ’close our own ranks’ and march steadily for- ward . " The President then outlined the C.C.F. foreign policy as adopted •in Toronto last year. He stated that that policy has met with very" general approval, and is the correct policy. "In view of the Imperial Conference which has been conducted with a large measure of secrecy, it becomes more necessary than ever to outline clearly our policy with regard to the Empire, to the United States and to the world neighbour- hood. ’’ "Two new Movements here at homo are arousing considerable interest and should have the active support of all C.C.F. units. I refer to consumers’ co-operatives and adult education. The successful working of social democracy demands an educated people and further a people who have gained experience in managing their own affairs. Outside of the farms some five-sixths of our people who work for a living are working under the direction of someone else. In public matters, we still pay comparatively little attention to the work of our repi ojjentatives or the skilled technicians whom they may employ. Everywhere it is a case of "let George do it" - till we become incapable either of doing it our- ^Olves or directing others in the doing of it. Voluntary co-operation HORNING SESSION CONTINUED: * ♦) t i - 4 - is a corrective. In this matter, Sweden and the other Scandinavian oountries have given a lead to the world. As previous Conventions have been largely devoted to platforms ond resolutions, perhaps this Convention should give the major part of its attention to organization. Our Movement is made up of provincial mits. How can these retain autonomy and yet function as integral parts of the Movement? There is undoubtedly a tendency to think in provincial terms. Each province is apt to regard its special problems is sharply distinguished from those of other provinces. Undoubtedly, there are real differences that demand specialized immediate programmes. 3ut general principles hold. Further, under our Dominion set-up, united action across provincial boundaries is essential. As the Federal a embers left British Columbia, after assisting in the Provincial cam- paign, a Provincial leader remarked that whatever the immediate results )f the election, one lasting benefit would be that Federal and Provin- cial representatives have come to understand one another better. In erder to secure such better mutual understanding there should fre- luently be an interchange of visitors. ,T Mr. Woodsworth went on to consider carefully some of the organ- . actional problems facing our Movement. He pointed out that v/hile some >rovinces have achieved a unitary form of organization, as, for example, .n British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario, other provinces still •etain the federated form as in Alberta. He dealt with the question •.s to hew the farmers may best be organized and suggested that in most >arts of the country we must build up our own independent farmer units, rorking, where possible, with farmers' technical or vocational organ- .zations. The President then treated with the question of our relations ;o labour. He pointed out that in England the trade unions have been •he basis of the socialist Movement, but that in Canada the trade union Movement has till now been rather weak and, on the whole, opposed to ndependent political action. "But changes are coming," he continued. 'Recent developments in the United States and Canada are very sig- .ificant. Labour is attempting more effective forms of organization nd also is learning what may be accomplished through political means, n Canada, the C.C.F. stands to gain by such developments, as the C.C.F. s recognized as the political champion of labour." Mr. Woodsworth sked the Convention to consider carefully how the C.C.F. can assist in he organization of the workers and how it can consolidate its labour upport. Another group which, according to Mr. Woodsworth, requires pecial consideration is what he termed "The White Collar Brigade." He rew attention to the fact that the depression and tho encroachments of ig business are forcing theso people to question the justice ard do- irability of the present system. "In spite of the reactionary in- luencos under which they work and live, they can be won if wo have the ommon-sense and ability to put our ideas into forms familiar to them.'' "This reminds us of the need for training our future organizers nd propagandists and public representatives. It is true that very ften great leaders are born not made, but there are many who could give xcellent service for our Movement if they had some special training. It s hardly safe to depend upon other agencies to give this training. We ow have our study groups, and these are good as far as they go, but oink what might be accomplished in, say, six months with a group of een indents. The setting up of such a school need not be a very form- iable project. Was it Emerson who said, "That ell that was needed ?.s a log with a student at one end and philosopher at the other." Some xpense is, of course, inevitable but strong locals might give small cholarships that would cover three months or six months board. Is a reorganization of our C.C.F. Press possible? Must each rovirrte have its own weekly? Or might there be a co-operative arrange- ont through which special editions might be issued for each province, r alternately, the major part edited and printed in one shop with space oserved for local items and issues? Are these suggestions technically H! : • HORNING- SES SION CONTINUED: - 5 - possiblo? Aro they desirable? T b T i:i ?; s , cs dn other matters we cannot avoid the problem of finance. Until some fairy godmother endows the C.C.F., we must depend largely upon the xees and contributions of the comparatively poor. But many a mickle makes a muckle. If our people be taught to give regularly - however small the amount - our problem is solved. Our elan for fi- * nancmg will need to be elastic, but we must at least try" to devise a , word ™ ith re S ard to my own work. May I venture to assort that f n th PC ' St sosslon our Parliamentary group has done better work then m any previous year. This was in part duo to the fact that it was To -, a extent we were able by a division of labour to r - n ? certainly we pulled together. As Chairman of the !f o ? L vV°T 1 ha Iv G i so hGd what Paul called the anxious care of oil the churches - the Clubs and branches# Mn , n U wi * !h ? nt Pf-y ln 8 tribute to the clmost unknown .en -nd women Ah o do so much to make our Movemont possible; most of tnem cannot attend Conventions. Their work is not recognized outside a very small circle - and often not even there, yet they, too have caught br'inf - ?? dc ys end each in his own way is doing his best to § bring it a bit nearer. All honour to suchJ" Qncjl +- J had written the foregoing before I loft for an itinerary in Saskatchewan. Since my return there is one problem that seems to fill honaon - drought and relief. In my judgment, the situation in Saskatchewan constitutes a major national calamity. It is not mv purpose even to outline the problem. There aro delegates from Sas- katchewan uho can do that better than I. But I should like to urge . • t our. Convention devote adequate itime to this urgont problom. This is e. ominion responsibility. The needs of the people constitute c. first claim upon the resources of the country. Prom cor tain areas families must be moved. This should not involve undue hardships to the un- fortunate victims of official bungling. Rehabilitation schemes on a vas scale must be carried out at once - a problem for engineering specialists, not for politicians. Then relief must be given on an unprecedented scale. Where is the money to come from? Prom where the money is. In no better way could this Convention carry out the prin- ciples ox the C.C.F. than by arranging that for the next few months the members of our organization should devote their energies to helping , ° ve the Problems involved. Let us show in practice what we mean by Tinman Needs before Property Rights." To arouse the country to the realities of the situation will require careful planning and extensive missionary activity. Speakers from the dried-out areas should tour Canada. This is not a matter of making political capital; it is a ? °I t0 mair \ tain the standards end morale of hundreds oi thousands of our people. -Ari G.llied problem is that presented by the financial crisis which developed in our prairie provinces - particularly in Man- . J a ; ii les > rural municipalities and provincial governments are faced ^ bankruptcy, unable to meet interest charges. They are being sub- jected to ^ pressure to cut down costs. This will almost inevitably mean Sh ^a llm ? n ° f sooiaj - services and especially the reduction of relief schedules. Such a move must be strenuously resisted. As soon as Poss- ible we must have a programme of real vrork at adequate wag a. In the uOr.n ime, we must not permit Canada to become a land "where wealth accumulates and men decay-, TT tvnll J? Q l Q WG are brought right up against the problem of our "uncon- rod i a ? dG ‘ expenditures - our so-called "sacrod obligations" to tho ondnolders. Sooner or later there must be a sSncv/dov.Ti - the sooner the CT 'u. Thc & reator part of our public debts can never bo paid. The interest charges alone now; constitute a tribute levied by tho monied ,?Hxf SG ! upGn ? hG of the people, that cannot much longer be borne without reducing tho majority of tho people of Canada to economic serfdom. I « t ¥ * HOMING SESSION CQNTTNTTTTIV - 6 - .. . Ql should bo borno in mind that much of the now finen- cial prosperity is being secured by tho reckless exploitation of our desert^ g* 33 ^ ° f Saskatchewa/have been mfde a thp wnnri 0 rfni f !5 f f *5® north Gr © rapidly disappearing and even ti “ ber 1 stand f of British Columbia at the present rate of den^tfa ^ ly Gno 1 ;her twenty years. Our fisheries are being 4 -£ eW T, bl ? cannin S companies. In fact, our country is being b7 the S0t-rich- quick" group vdiich so largely controls the g +^iS y D .° f ° U £ S°vernments. What hypocrisy for us to let this kind of for Theo?" nCheCked ^ lle we lustil y sing "0 Canada, We Stand on Guard Such are only a few of the practical problems that demand oromot ThGir attem P' ted solution need not retard our progress nor deflect us from our ultimate objectives. Indeed, probablv npid fnr tbl ? ^ y wi i\ the ma J° rit y of our people come to realize the 7 need for o. fundamental economic change* m-v not^o 0f ths c °-°P QrGtiv e Commonwealth Federation m< " y n9t 1-rgo but if wo are courageous, intelligent md sincere w-itSg e fo? 5.SSJ S 5 i ? rr i id J- y incr G G sing support. Tho country’ is v.i ing for disinterested and wise leadership. The quostion is* Are wa equal to the opportunity - and tho need?" question is. Are we „_ + , Mx ’ ;/ood sworth continued: "There is one other matter which is the foot ?w°T al ma ^ or ! At the lr - st Convention I dro w attention to k® ? m ysolf since tho organization was formed have been in reality occupying two positions. I have boon leader of the Parliament C *w 9 nd clso frora timo to time have been chosen Chairman of the National Council, vfcich, of course, deals more largely with the SS?S 18t J? tl ® n v°? ° Ur affcirs r ’ nd with organization. Nowf it has been • H r * job having these two offices; In some ways, there are ad- ventagos in having them combined. In some of the old Parties there is a inst®nPfi Ce ^ h fl 0 ' re I er ‘ + P 8 P ? GSidGnt of th e Liberal Association, for B?iS?n f l °\ thQ ler - der of the Party in the House. In ^f b0ur Part y hGG c. Chairmen, a distinct office from that of House leadership. I suggested a year ago that possibly the time has come thin Some such P rc - ctic o in our Conventions. Possibly fullv 7 ?T.i 8 <« Ve S*f°f® naCGSaar y for us to consider the matter care- '5 0 in ar S Gnt nood of oxtonding our activities in a groat I?**** ' vr „v. - - y r :‘ • : ■ £rrl£ - .axae\; zed? on: vr _ 7 __ ^ _ *' ?'•'• rj .ae ina o *. aijinao r..t o . .• . .r • .. . - , . *> • .. ■ v-r v:*] c* r ,m\ VifiC t;.:: &. 4 r: 'V '&Ca$*.©i c-; ’ K :;oi r o-fe^- o : ,- ^v‘ !•„ l s> ' : ' :± :pi'irooqiitr tsXtKj . yaierz<:ixovo* i:'o \ " 1 s *’ - ;•" ^fi S ci den.:. -• *iir\v JV;w -io-a -J ‘ r- * J ' 0;;3 f f ; ^ '••• ' ^ i: oxi-o.-'y :: c:’J .■. ■ f. . v ,-. ... , , . A' ° A V" ^Itri oc. bo:k:rae;rc . > A Vo . v »• yii-i zi ■•u\ Oii.i. .:. '•!. C.t O.VKV.O O.U|OC-f TjJO 5 ; 0 '^CTi'Tr.X. ’■ « 03 xr:rf{i •. ■ x ■& f [iri^ 5 ~j rc ' 1 •: ! 'vv ‘i.A VA™ of[o "'^ ^ <•.- w-^orn r : . ;;a - or . ,r :■ : • Jvvvv'-'v:^^ : iiV;; I ^oa ' ■ Vi, V Wo : 3-i . Ti.A'X" : . :r.isn- ' it. I orfX XA .•: nxo ou'X go,--.; • r 3XXV'*~<* :\ 0 * r 9 "i. . . -■• ffjj ov -,ni J X i X '-pv, ptivi . ' . " ‘ Pivvlv-X MORNING SESSION CONTINUED: -7- I Government deal with this problem as a National responsibility and that immediate action be taken along the following lines !• . . The appointment of a carefully selected board of trained technicians having special qualifications for dealing with soil drifting, soil erosion, irrigation and allied problems. 2. A speedy completion of feasible irrigation projects after a comprehensive governmental survey of irrigation and water conservation possibilities. 3* At the same time as the survey is being Undertaken and irrigation projects opened up the farmers now resident ort sub- marginal lands which cannot be irrigated economically should be moved to other parts of the Dominion and placed on good agricult- ural lands under conditions •which will give them a fair chance to become economically secure. 4. pasture. The conversion of these sub-marginal lands into permanent In order to make this rehabilitation programme compre- hensive and effective soilf. surveys should be continued and extended. In those areas where trees still remain, tree conser- vation should be encouraged and assisted. In other areas wherever suitable soil exists afforestation or reforestation should be undertaken on an extensive scale. Attention of the government is particularly drawn to those areas in the northern portions of the three prairie provinces ■which at one time were covered by a fair stand of timber but which have been or are now being rapidly denuded of forest growth. If soil erosion in these and adjacent areas is to be avoided immediate re-afforestation and conservation projects should be undertaken." Mr. Col dwell said: "I regret that opportunities have not been afforded for many of our friends from Eastern Canada and from the Pac- ific Coast to journey through the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta during the past fow weeks. I am convinced that if a disastrous fire swept an aroa comprising 9,000,000 acres, upon which wero living one million people, tho world would stand aghast at the disaster. That disaster to which I have referred is comparable to the condition which now oxists in the Prairie Provinces. Recently I had an opportunity of travelling from the Manitoba border West to the cities of Calgary and Edmonton. Except for an isolated strip of territory running along the C.P.R. , from Calgary to Edmonton, and one or two small areas around Humboldt in North Saskatchewan, the country presents a picture of complete de- vastation. The grain is dead. The land presents a picture of wilted, burned up crops, 9,000,000 of acres. On this land are men, women and children, thousands of them, some of whom for the past nine years have received no returns for their labour. There has never been in the his- tory of Canada, and on few occasions in the history of the world, an area so completely devastated as the area to v/hich I refer. I would say as a member of the House of Commons that I am quite sure of this that if people who live in other parts of Canada could see the conditions, could visit the homes of people who live in that crea, they would withdraw any opposition, publicly or privately expressed, to the taking of steps v/hich are essential for the rehabilitation of this vast area of territory. I have seen people steadily become more and more depressed. I have noted in the past few weeks tho suicide of a woman I knew and who had entertained me. Also the suicide of a man whom I had knowm for a number of years as a friend of this Movement. And today it is surprising that insanity, and perhaps oven suicide, ere not more widespread. Tho condition is absolutely appalling. No words of mine can describe it. We are in the midst of a summer season when ; t : el'tfi&p.e'u. i • v -r •: « I v- v 1 • . :• : . . MORNING SESSION CONTINUED : - 8 - the growth on the land ought to be luxuriant, and at the moment there are vast areas in Western Canada where there is not even feed for cattle at this moment. Recently, a little rain has fallen here and there, giving new hope to some people that some fodder will grow, but it is altogether improbable that on a tremendous area of this kind there will bo any fodder for the winter. As subsequent resolutions will point out, this is not only a menace to the people who remain on the land, but is S threat to the entire economic structure of the Dominion of Canada, and, moreover, endangers the very life of those people wh o live in urban centres like the cities of Regina and Saskatoon, Edmonton and Cal- gary, and in many of the smaller places in Western Canada. I feel that, as our President has said, this is a National calamity. It is also a National responsibility, as the resolution points out. Let us bear in mind that those of us who went to the prairies twenty-five, thirty or more yoars ago saw a great area of grassy plains upon which countless cattle fed. Land companies, with governmentalpermission, at least, if not with government support, promoted settlement on lands vshich ought never to have boon settled, lands that today are classified by university men who have made soil and other surveys as sub-marginal land. Forty-four per cont of the land of the province from which I come, Saskatchewan, today is classified as only fair or poorer than fair; twenty-six per cont of the land is class- ified as poor or vory poor. I don’t wish to go into figures, but we have authoritative advice from university commentators and others who have made a special study of the subject that upon such lands even an existence cannot be expected. So, you sec, the first paragraph of the resolution ought to bo unanimously approved. V/o state that this condition is in enormous measure due to the unplanned policies of former governments of Canada, and that the time has come when we must plan our agricultural life intelligently. No partial or immediate programme will suffice. In the last seven years the government has spent approximately ^100,000,000 on various forms of relief in We stern Canada, and unless a large-scale plan is instituted for the rehabilitation of this area, this expenditure will undoubtedly have to be continued. I know there are political leaders in public life in Eastern Canada who tell the people: "Given one good crop and Western Canada will be rehabilitated." I want to take issue with that statement, and I think tBnc.t you from Eastern Canada and from far Western Canada should do everything in your power to meet that argument and point out that it is a fallacy. '.Then twenty-five or thirty years ago the surface of that land was ploughed, there was beneath the sod the conserved moisture of the ages. The land was we t. Today in my constituency , which is not one of those which have suffered from drought for a prolonged period, a man was digging a well. He went down twenty-six feot, and in th o entire twenty-six feet they took noth- ing out of the well hole but dust. Dry to a depth of twenty-six feet. Now we know what wo should have known and what governments . hould have known twenty-six yoars ago. In one survey which had been made the land had been classified into two districts: North, some three hundred miles of the American border, a fertile, grassy plain; marked on the map below that, an arid treeless plain. Thus today Wo are beginning to understand the reason for the recurring drought, and, therefor o, wc suggest in this resolution the appointment of a carofully selected board of high technicians having special qualifications for doaling with soil drifting, soil erosion, irrigation and allied subjects. To what extent irrigation is possible wc do not authoritatively know. V/o bo- liovc that by vast expenditure some irrigation, may be done. To what extent that may be successful is a matter for technical experts qual- ified to pass an opinion, and not for politicians such as wo have handling the drought situation at the present time. In addition, v/o realize there must bo re- moval of people from such sub -marginal lands. The definition of the word "farmer" in the resolution should be enlarged to include all those dependent on the farmers who are engaged directly in the farming indus- try. All over those areas there are towns in which the people have placed all they have in their little business. They will havo to bo considered. But in the removal of such people, we insist that they be not bordonod down in the now location to wh ich they go with the debts or MORNING SESSION CONT UTUED: -9- obligations they had to incur in the districts they leave. 77e want such a plan to he adopted as will enable them to become economically secure. Thus, those lands should go back to what they were originally intended by nature to be, lands that will give pasture to cattle. 77e ask that in order to make any plans effective ; soil surveys now undertaken shall be continued and extended. That is of fundamental importance. We find that thousands of people who a few years ago moved from Southern regions to the North with governmental assistance, "who were encouraged to locate there and who trekked under all kinds of hardship, have settled on lands that are deficient in essential soil constituents, so that in the course of the next few years, even in the Northern area to which they have gone, we shall have a tremendous problem of soil fertilization, and rehabilitation and of giving relief to the suffering. We consider it as fundamental to the programme that soil surveys should be continued and extended. Then, we ask for tree conservation. In the Northern area trees grow. You will find places with balsam, poplar and willow , and a few have grown trees, which are dotted hero and there with littlo sloughs and lakes. Today these trees are being cut down. Tne sloughs are being dried up and ploughed out. The fibre in the soil will soon be worked out. Not only that but there will be a soil vii ich will easily blow, because it is a soil that is deficient in certain chemical constituents. Wo in 1937, therefore, should see to it that proper procautions aro takon in an area which, under proper conditions, would maintain people in comparative security. Tree conservation and the saving even of pot holes, so that *ator will not evaporate so rapid- ly are necessary. Under adequate tree conservation there would be a helpful transference of moisture from the forest sections. There should bo no development of land which is sub-marginal because when the fibre is worked out it will constitute another groat problem of soil drifting. There are lands whore trees will grow, although they have not grown in living memory. The district of Balcr.rres is one instance that might bo given. 7/hen the original settlers wont there fifty years ago it was a treeless plain. Today it is dotted with innumerable bluffs. Trees will grow in some of these regions. In ray constituency at Conquest wo have a farmer named Peter -ennedy who planted trees across his section. Today Mr. Kennedy’s farm is an oasis in a desert. In that area, the Dominion planted over 1,000,000 trees, nd this year is planting an additional 1,150,000. it is an experimental station in forest growth. But there are other parts whore possibly trees will not grow. Let mo, in order to clear away any mis- apprehension from the minds of friends from the far East and the far -test, try to help you to visualize the prairie as it has been. Not a drop of moisture. The wind sweeping across like a hot flame. Dust arising everywhere. ThO last week in Juno I sot out on a trip through a certain area. Part of the journey we could not see the radiator coo on account of the dust. I thought it use loss to proceed, but wo reached our destination. Thoro, under the willows, sheltering from the swooping wind , I addressed some 200 people. They asked mo questions about what too people in Eastern Canada thought about the situation. As wo dis- persed we all left with our faces as black as those of negroes. The dust and th o heat* in addition to this dust, wo have had this summer temperatures on these plains on an average o f 10 degrees higher than wo havo ever had before. Day after day a torapornture of 104 and 105. Mr. Douglas' home town of Woyburn, a temperature of 114 in the shade was officially registered. Of course, this is duo to some extent to the ariod-out country to thd South. 7/e havo little children who have never wasted fresh fruit. I was speaking to a mother only last week in Mr. Douglas' constituency. That mother wept as she told me her little girl has diabetes. "The doctor orders fresh fruit, "she said, "but we have no fresh fruit, nor can we get it." She wept ps she told me that she relied upon the hens' eggs in order that she might trade them for oranges I MORNING SESSION CONTINUED: _10- and that the hens were dying. They had no feed even for the chickens. rOn+h-ino- 4. v ^ I could tell yo u also about the lack of Sh^S^i ^ Gb ? at homes depleted of every sort of utensil and furniture. is like Ple if n n°^ Qr t P S?' tS ° f °S nada have no idea of what the condition ls +f e l 1 fire swept across the plains and devastated - I use that word ajlvisedly - the land, immediately the world would flock to Sin tte ?e0pl0 ^ffeotod. A groct flood swept through the sympathetic! 5,1010 was on instantaneous response on the part of the in -t-vio Wacs+ w , . ., People a.f e getting used to what is occurring in . t e read 111 tho daily papers about heat and drought with- out realizing tho extent of the devastation, hardship and suffering thov n:or.n. I want you delegates from tho far Bast and tho far West to carry J to°pcStN y ° U somothing of th0 Picture I have tried, however inadequately, fp d 2? r * * ilod and lon gthy discussion followed Mr. Cold well's speech. Some of tho remarks are summarized below: 1 , Johas ^ ono ’ Sa ska teh owen . said the only hope was that public U , b G so arouSGd us to for co the government to act. Ho wa.s . .raid the only way to do tBiat was to make them fear defeat at tho j? o x, s • IIich Q lson > . Saskatchewan, thought that before land is settled bo m?do for°hnV^inS 11ir * b i- e for , agriculture, and that arrangements should ho nu.do for building roads, scnools and hospitals. Until governments were prepared to do that, land should not be made availablf fo^etilo- ment. People should be given a fair chance to become economically s ocuro • i- ^ - ^chmson, British Columbia, illustrated tho effect of drought conditions in the West on urban centres. Since coming to Winnipeg he nad been told about 600 C. P. R. mo n being laid off because there w-s n^L g0ine J 0 ^®, * ucb ^ ort for hauli n 6 aa had boon expected. A mail * old him thr - t 111 previous years Saskatchewan had boon a shin- dig light in the mail carder busings. Today thoro aro no mail orders coming from Saskatchewan, comparatively specking. The oeople have no money. Tremendous el orators had boon built at the port of Vc.nooi?e? for taking grain from Saskatchewan for shipmont. Ho had road that one of room was to bo closed bocauso thoro would not bo enough wh oat from cushat chowan. This was a Dominion problem affecting pooplo in all oarts 01 t ; 1G country. Many others wero suffering tho effects bosidos the" people m drought-stricken grain areas. B. J. G arland, Chairman, drew attention to tho fact that fifty per cent of the grain in Alberta had been wiped out and that South- western Manitoba had also been affected. Mr. Phelps moved an amendment to cla.use( 2) reading as follows: "And a. plan to enable tho so who do not wish to continue farming operations to be assisted in becoming gainfully established in vocations of their own choosing.” After some discussion, the amendment was dropped as not dealing directly with the problem covered in tho resolution. The Convention wa.s adjourned to 2 P.M. AFTERNOON SESSION, JULY 27 After S. J. Farmer , Manitoba, Chairman of Credentials Committee, presented the Committee’s interim report, discussion was continued on the land rehabilitation resolution. In answer to a question David Lewis , National Secretary , pointed out that all policy resolutions adopted by any National Convention immediately formed part of the party's platform. John Queen. M.L.A .. Manitoba, said that since the resolution will become part of our general programme it is of very great value, . and that there is a lot of satisfaction in belonging to an organization that does not hesitate to say that the needs of the people should be the first claim on the resources of the country. He thought that the resolution should place the responsibility squarely on the Dominion Government and suggested an amendment accordingly. The suggestion was accepted by Convention and the drafting of the necessary sentence was left to the National Council. Another delegate moved that the words, "and adjacent" be insert- ed before the word"areas" in the last sentence of the resolution. The amendment was accepted by the mover. T. C. Douglas . M.P ., moved the following resolution: WHEREAS, drought and soil drifting have persisted in Western Canada for many years and. Whereas the area subject to these conditions has steadily extended until a national emergency involving hundreds of thousands of persons and millions of acres of land now exist, and. Whereas this emergency is far beyond the financial capacityof the provinces affected. Therefore this Convention calls upon the Dominion Government to make immediate provision for the health, food, clothing and shelt- er for persons within the stricken territory and ample feed and fodder for their stock. To this end we urge that if necessary parliament be convened immediately to appropriate the monies re- quired. The unprecedented extent of the drought has given rise to a spec- ial problem in relation to the livestock industry. The C.C.F. be- lieves that in view of the large public expenditures for the pur- pose of improving the quality of the livestock, care should be taken that in any reduction attendant upon the disaster, only the jjQf ox* ior stock should be marketed, and animals of high quality re- tained in order to avoid expensive replacement subsequently, as well as to ensure - in so far as milch cattle arc concerned - ade- The resolution as amended wasadopted unanimously. DROUGHT EMERGENCY . Gove rnment Action . annnUrtH of milk end dairy products for urban and village : . .. /a ;:o • iv. Jr; • V : i AFTERNOON SESSION CONTINUED; shipping pure bred stock. Under individual marketing this was inevitable and should have been within the knowledge of the government as the result of experience in the "cent a pound" policy for processed cattle, of last year. 1 e .therefore , insist upon controlled marketing on a graded basis ^ e to g0Ve J ninen T)l : r sl ^P ervision * with fixed adequate prices accord- lig to grade. We further urge that the government take active . G -P s ° prevent injury to our overseas market by unwise pract- ices on the part of the packers. Douglas said: "There is pressing need that people in the h ^ r ?^ Shall . b0 S^vantGQd food, clothing and shelter and the noc- ?!f a £ y .5 eabth services during the rehabilitation programme. I don't think it wise to go into too many details as to what should bo done, and am convinced the matter should be entirely put up to the government as a national problem. It is necessary to take steps now. If the Dominion can spend y 41, 000, 000 to let the generals play soldiers, it can afford to save nearly a million people from slowly starving." "As to the' second part of this resolution I don't wish to get into a mass of details. Two things are being asked, that in the area m question foundation stock shall be preserved, because forming policy depends on foundation stock, and that surplus stock shipped out should begraded. We should guard against peckers and abattoirs simply taking advantage of the situation, knowing that hundreds and thousands of farmers must dispose of their surplus stock and compelling them to sell at fire-sale prices." Saying he approved of the principle, Mr. Johnston moved an addition to the effect that the government undertake the replacement of poor cattle by good typo stock, so far as possible. The amendment was adopted in principle and the drafting of it was loft to the National Council. The resolution as amended was carried unanimously. VOLUNTARY AID . Mr. T. C. Douglas also moved the following resolution: "That in view of the wide-spread distress in Western Canada re- sulting in a condition which constitutes both a national calam- ity and a national emergency this National Convention of the C.C.F. offers and pledges its whole-hearted co-operation to other humanitarian organizations (such as those which in the past came to the aid of victims of similar ca.tastrophies) , in all voluntary efforts which may be undertaken to alleviate the sufferings of men, women and children in the stricken area dur- ing the ensuing months. It is obvious that large supplies of fruit, vegetables, cloth- ing and other necessities will be urgently required to supple- ment the inadequate provision which has hitherto been made by public authorities. The C.C.P. in all parts of Canada will co-operate in the organ- ization of public meetings and appeals, and in the work of committees established for the collection and distribution of supplies for the relief of the victims of what must bo gener- ally recognized as a national disaster of the first magnitude. The resolution was carried unanimously without discussion. ;| M: 1 . AFTERNOON SESSION CONTINUED: -13 SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON DROUGHT ACTION . Miss Beatrice Brigden . Manitoba: "In accordance with tho spirit of tho resolution which wo have just passed, I bog to move on behalf of the National Council tho following resolution:" Bo it resolved that this Convention appoint a committee charged with the responsibility of bringing to the attention, both of the Canadian Government and the Canadian people the actual situation in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Southwest Manito- ba, that speakors familiar with the agricultural situation in general, and the drought situation in particular, be sent to eastern Canada and to British Columbia; that organizations such as the Y.M.C.A., the Fellowship for a Christian Social Order, and others be asked for their co-operation; and that donations of foodstuffs, clothing and the like be solicited from the var- ious communities which may desire to assist. The resolution was carried enthusiastically. At tho suggestion of the National Secretary, tho Convention instructed the National Council to proparo a recommendation as to the members of tho Committee, and that the recommendation be submitted to the Convention for ratification. SPAIN. Miss Mary Crawford, Alberta: "We have devoted considerable time to conditions in our own country. The C.C.F. is international in its outlook, and where there is distress, irrespective of race or creed that is the business of the C.C.F. I am, therefore, presenting this resolution regarding distress in Spain:" "For the past year the democratically elected government of Spain has been fighting against fearful odds to protect tho newly won freedom of its people from the vicious assaults of Spanish fascists inspired and assisted by tho fascists govern- ments of Italy and Germany. "The brutal attack by German and Italian fascism on not only the armed forces of Spain, but also on her defenceless women and children, outrages the feelings of froodom loving people all over tho world. "Therefore, bo it resolved, that tho Co-operative Common- wealth Federation, in Convention assembled, extend to the Spanish poople and their legitimate government our sympathy in their heroic struggle for freedom and our hope for a speedy victory. "Bo it further resolved, that we believe the non-interven- tion pact, which is now nothing more than a farce, should be ended and that the legitimate government of Spain be allowed, according to tho practice of international law, to purchase in the markets of the world whatever military and othor supplies it requires, and that the rebel forces be denied that privilege. "Bo it also rosolvod, that the Leaguo of Nations should take immediate action to name Italy and Germany aggressors against the government of Spain." Miss Crawf 01 s said: "Spain has been fighting a battlu like th^t in Franco in 1789, in Russia in 1918 and in Great Britain ^ c“tSl“ aflJoet Wore that; a tattle for tho freedom of the people and the right to determine their own destiny inst control by the privileged few. In 1931 a Republican govornmontwns elected in Spain. It proceeded to do something. -14- A F TERN 0 ON SESSION .CONTINU ED : r.nd for two yoars took c'-re of tho welfare of tho pooplo. In 1933 can reaction. Throe yoa.rs of reaction. In 1936, Spain again elected a Re- publican government • Up to that time without violence or bloodshed. It j/.s oroporly constituted election, and it was a oropcrly constituted Ropuba-iCc-.a. government that was elected. It contended to continue the policy of the previous Republican government which for three years he been suspended because of the party of reaction, a policy releasing th>. pooplo from the strangleholds of the privileged classes and interests. Under the direction of Franco, force was used to prevent the na.tur- , 1 » peaceful^ development of the democratic movement of tho Spanish peo- ple, From July,. 1936, to July, 1937, t. c people of Spain have been fighting against those forces and fighti. g for their freedom. Some little thing has been done in this country in the way of extending assistance, but I think it most important tent wo express our sympathy publicly and place ourselves absolutely on rocord on tho side of freedom. It is a struggle for democracy, a political democracy we have had so long that we take it for granted and are almost callous regarding it while the Spanish people are struggling for tho right to use that thing. Also wo should recognize we ha.ve a responsibility as a people to toll j our governments, w’ thor they listen to us or not, what wo think the position of this Dominion should be in tho matter of it. foreign policy. During the discussion two amendments were moved and accepted: (1) That the vords "and that the rebel forces bo denied that privilege” be added at the end of the fourth clause. (2) That the words, ”and other" be inserted between "military" and "supplies" in the same clause. Tho resolution as amended was passed unanimously by a standing vote. In answer to a question asked during the discussion on tho resolu- tion regarding Spain, David Lewis , National Secretary, informed Conven- tion that the National convention held in Toronto in August, 1935, very soon after the civil war had. broken out, passed a resolution of sympa- thy with and support for the loyalist erovornment in Spain. Subsequent- ly the Canadian Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy was formed and- from its inception to this day members and units of tho C.C.F. throughout the country ha.ve given their full support and assistance. The National Council officially endorsed this support by tho following resolution passed at its meeting in Ottawa on January 30th. and 31st, 1937:- "This National Council of tho C.C.F. , meeting in Ottawa Jan. 30 and 31, 1937, extends its congratulations and greetings to the members of the Canadian Medical Unit, headed by Dr. Norman Bcthunc and serving tho pooplo of the boscigod city of Madrid. The Nation- al Council, through this Canadian Medical Mission, declares its solidarity with tho democratic and constitutional forcos in Spain and will continue to support tho work of the Canadian Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy which has boon raising funds for financ- ing the Medical Unit in Madrid. It is particularly pleased with tho extent to which C.C.F. members and units have participated in this work." NATIONAL COUNCIL REPORT ( 1936-37 ) David Lewis , National Secretary, presented tho following report :- "A review of the work and activities of the past year shows considerable progress in all directions, v/hethor tho progress has measured up to the opportunities, whether it has been adequate in view of political developments in our country as well as interna- tionally, it will bo for this convention to determine. It will also bo for this convention to outline stops whereby our movement may make more rapid and moro effective progress in tho future. To this task above all others delegates shoulc. dedicate their energy and their time. ~1C~ afternoon sessio n _c on til;' ~^d *. "Even c rapid survey of the internationally . m-j.il sliow groator opporonnitj.ee than try. Never have conditions socialist movement such as national and international groat a need tor a politics, and worker into on a oooplo* on co- operative effort town such lar go groups of our pc pressed their support sc rc political scene, both nationally and 1 uat our movement if now prose ■'tel with ever before in tbo history of our coun- sc oj. early shown that a domooraric v,’irs :.£ tho only hope out of tho present diD ficultios; never has thoro boon so 1 party liko tho C-C.P. uniting farmer s movement aiming at a now society based rds co-operative justice; never have epic soon this need so clearly or ox- '’dily and with such determination. m n " S ° mu ° n£ 1 a crc ? 1 on f P 1pg0 <- tremendous responsibility on our XT Sht!!; present political situation clearly indicates two ^n : -- important tasks whicn are so related one to the other as to bo eally one. fe muse without any loss of time organize the thousands of men ana women who have lost their faith in all the other politi- c i P^rtios and are ready, whether or not they are quite conscious of it , not only to support us from tho outside but also to join our ranks in order to take an active part in the building of tho move- mont . VnO must f ?.lso, and at tho sa.mo time, convince tho people that we are in policv and in spirit, in our organization and in activity ■ “ movement on which they can reply with hope and confidence not only because of our determination and unfailing effectiveness. Un- less we succeed by cur actions in awaking this confidence wo shall not win the people; at all event, wo shall not win that loyalty and devotion without which .success is impossible. "It is against this background that our past year’s activities and accomplishments must bo placed. Measured in this way it will be soon that our progress during tho past year has been very con- siderable, but it will also be our duty to admit that it has not boon adequate; that on:.' efforts in tho future must bo multiplied many tinoe. v 7o have' every right, to bo proud of what our movement has accomplished in the short five years of its existonco, but it is also our duty to recognize that our work has only begun, and that in tho future our activities must cover a much wider field and must achieve a greater measure of careful planning and co-ordina- tion. "very scon after tho [Toronto Convention of last year, tho Notional Office was opened in Ottawa. This was, in tho first place made possible through the generosity of Mr. Russel S. Smart, a friend of tho movement vosiding in Ottawa, who presented us with office space free of rone and of other smaller charges. Tho National Council takes this opportunity of publicly expressing its appreciation of Mr, Smart (s intcros'c. Although the present National Secretary was appointed by the National Council on August 6, 1936. ho was so appointed on tho understanding that ho would not be able to undertake his duties officially until after tho New Year. Between August and the end of last year*, Mr, M. J. Coldwoll. M.P. continued to act as secretary. Tho appointment of Treasurer had been left in abeyance, and the National Council mooting in Ottawa on Jan. 50 and 31 instructed tho National Secretary to act as Treasurer pro tern. The National Secretary has had. as had Mr. Coldwoll before h\i, the devoted assistance of Mr, H. 'V , Dalton. Mr. Dalton has worJ of oagcrly at any time of the day or evening . as best suited the cir- cumstances, 'His devotion deserves tho appreciation of the entire movement and has certainly won tho gratitude of tho Secretary. Tho National Council met twice- during tho yoar and tho National Executive four times. As soon as it could, tho National Council carefully considered the government proposal to incroasc tho ex- penditure on armaments , which has since boon put into effect. n statomont was issued to tho press condemning tho increases, and oar members of Parliament planned to opposo thorn in tho House of Commons. It was decided to issue a short pamphlet sotting forth tho reasons fev tho C.C.F, opposition to .increased armaments, to AFTERNOON SESSION CONTINUED: -16- cncourage a nation-wide campaign against them, and also to widoi. the campaign around the petition to take profits out of war which was initiated in .Alberta. The work of the Parliamentary group in this matter will be re- ferred to lator in the section of this report dealing with the act- ivities of the group. 10,000 copies of a pamphlet entitled "Why Armaments?" were published under the auspices of the National Coun- cil, and wore distributed to the movement through the co-operation of the provincial councils. The anti-armament campaign resulted in a number of protest meetings throughout the country which were org- anized not only by sections of our own movement but also often with the co-operation of church groups, wornon* s organizations, youth and other anti-war groups. The widening of the campaign to tako profits out of war resulted in the circulation of petitions throughout the country from the Merit imes to British Columbia and tons of thousands of signatures wore collected from citizens representing all classes in the com- munity. The petition was officially prosentod to parliament on April 10th., by J. S. Woodsworth, lvl.P. , our national chairman. It may with complete justice be said that in this all-important issue which arose during the past year the C.C.F. took the load in opposing, both in parliament and in tho country, the increased arm- aments and tho anti-poaco policy which they implied. This campaign was the first activity of this sort undertaken on a national scale by our party. Many faults can bo indicated in the way in which it was conducted, but it demonstrated the immense _ value to our cause and to our movement of initiating and coordina - ing nation-wide activity on immediate issues as they arise. Through the National Office close contact has been established between the National Council and the Provincial sections of the movement. This contact has already proven °* g^oat vaiuo in bri g ine the vaious sections of tho party closer together. It is hoped that this contact will be widened to include not only tho provinc- ial headquarters but also local units and organizations. Contact has also been established with the socialist and labor movements of the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Eng lane , as well as with the Labour and Socialist International. Periodic. . ore received from all these sources as well as from tho aiding Loyalist Spain. A WGOklv bulletin was sent by tho National Office to all C.C.F. * WGGkl * 0 f the activities of our National Organizer, papers , comprising nows of tho cctiv Qf ovonts 0utsld , 0 Canada our members of parliament os w i t movoaonts in other ooun- gained through our contacts with ^ Hat ico 8 f an perform to the party . The Secretary expresses^ £? rSt^fL^/^cSe 0 ^ 1 ^ne^c t oS; 1 ?J?arioa.s sections of the movement. .. . t + submitted that the National Office has es- On the whole, it is nnx f , o G rvice. It must bo romom- tablished itself on a groat handicaps. The posi- bered that the work is Gc - rri . +.i, G secretary does his work tion of secretory in honorary of £os!u?cos limits us to after his ordinary occupati . „i S o % ligos us to work with in- a full-time staff of only one and also ^ en tail n lower fS.sr.'ffSSSS^nJiSS to L .oW AFTERNOON SESSION CONTINUED: -17- The past year has seen a constant unification of the forces inside the C.C.jj'. The various Provincial Conventions which have been held in recent months have disclosed an increasing unity in our ranks; a strong, faithful and re?.iaole membership; and steady growth in every part of the country,. The growth, however, continues to be uneven. Beoause of specific local problems, the progress in Quebec and in the Maritimes is" still very slow. It is important for comrades to realize more clearly the pressing and indispensable need for strong and effective sections in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Socialism cannot be achieved in Canada unless our party becomes an effective and challenging force in the central and eastern provinces. Organization in those provinces must in the future be aided and in some cases initiated much more exten- sively by the national movement. This is another task to which the convention must give careful attention. The past year has seen the beginnings of a wave of trade union organization which, it is hoped, will continue to gather force until it sweeps the entire country. A large number of strikes, almost all successful, took place in all provinces, but principally in Ontario and Quebec. The National Council is pleased to note that, true to the principles of our movement, the various sections of the C.C.F. have lent their support and aid to the trade unions and to striking workers. Nationally too, whatever assistance possible was given. Our members of Parliament addressed meetings of striking workers in .Oshawa, Toronto, and Montreal. This support and assistance must be continued and in- creased. The new industrial unions, as well as many of the older ones, are rapidly coming to the realization that political labour action is the necessary next step after organization on the industrial front. It is our task to convince the workers in these unions that the C.C.F. is tho political party of the workers as it is of the farmers and ell other classes r. ?:+ ’ n'g under- the;' insecurity of tho prosont syotom, and that tho 0 , 0 , 1 '-. i,_ or no:" to cc-oporc.to in ovory possible way with ftho trade unions. The most recent happe ning of importance was the provincial eloction in British Columbia. The results of the election as regards our party wore very gratifying. In spite of a perceptible capitalist recovery in that province and in^sp.ite of internal difficulties in the B. C. party, we polled almost 30 $ of the popular vote and elected seven members to tho legislature. In the circumstances in which the election was fought it is clear that the vote which the C.C.F. received was a straight, conscious vote for our principles and our party. This showed what is truo of most parts of the country, that the C.C.F. has by now won a following vhose support ia- grounded on conviction and confidence. The past year has witnessed the most serious drought situation in Western Canada. The C.C.F. in Saskatchewan, the province most urgently affected, has been and is leading the people of that province in their demands for assistance and for a solution of the intolerable situation. Our National Chairman, other members of Parliament and the National Organizer have toured through parts of the effected areas, assisting the Saskatchewan C.C.F t in their work. This short survey shows that the economic and political situation in the country presents us, as was claimed in the early part of this report, with tremendous opportunities. The seriousness of tho inter- national situation, the obvious drift of tho present Liberal Govern- ment towards involving us in tho threatening European war, the un- masking of the objectives cf international fascism in Spain, and the inspiration of other countrf- s where tho Labour and Socialis t move- ments have advanced tho causo of progress and of justice in concroto benefits to tho people of those countries, all add urgency to our Principles and vigour to our work. In this situation, our al 1- important noed is organization. Wo bavo now passed the first stage of our movement,- tho stage during which tho foundation has been slowly laid through patient oducation. AFTERNOON SESSION CONTINUED; - 18 - Wo have cntorod the second stage during which on effective political party must be built on this foundation. This requires important changes in the temper of our work, it requires oven wider activity, a unifica- tion of our ranks, the establishment of an adequate staff of full-time workers, a largo increase in party litorature, preparations for a more effective party press, and a loyal adherence on the part of all sections and all members to the principles and constitution of our movement. For these reasons more time has been sot aside this year 1 for serious consideration of organizational problems by this Convention, Resolutions will be moved on behalf of the Rational Council on a number of pressing issues which have come to the fore during the past year. It is hoped that most of the remaining timo will be devoted to out- lining effective plans for rapid and determined^ progress of the C.C.F. throughout the country towards political power." REPORT ON WORK OF PARh I AMENT ARY GROUP Mr. Lewis then continued: "It is now my duty to present the second part of my report which deals with the activities of the par- liamentary group. I had that task last year at the Convention in Toronto. I said in the course of my remarks then that it is generally recognized through the country, and it is a fact of which we in the C.C.F. should be proud, that the only effective opposition to the muddled administration of the present Liberal Government is the small C.C.F. group. That was true for the session which preceded last year's convention and equally true for the past session. The President this morning Said during his address that the past session was the most successful the C.C.F. members have had. I suggest the reason to be that the group has become far more effective through its devotion to C.C.F. objectives. In following the policy and programme adopted by Conventions, the members speak with one unit- ed voice for the people of Canada. If you remember the reports in the newspapers, you will recall that the most important debate during the last session of Parliament took place on the proposed increases in armament expenditure. You will find that our comrades - it is a fact which we should bring to the attention of the people - provided the only opposition that came to that proposal, a proposal which is a direct betrayal of peace policy. I was present in tho House at t he time and heard the masterly speeches of Grant MacNeil and Mr. Coldwell when they attacked the political shilly-shallying of the Minister of National Defence and the meaningless utterances of the Prime Minister, who said just enough, in that way of his, to muddle the people. It was significant that our so-called great Conservative Party sat abso- lutely mute through that entire debate.- We did not miss their oratory, but it is significant that they did not speak. They knew perfectly well that it will take all the astuteness - end if he has nothing else he has astuteness- of the Prime Minister to put that programme across to the people of Can- ada who are opposed to a policy of war. So, in their usual fearless way in which they play the game of legislating for our welfare, the great Conservative Party, which will, if our people are stupid enough to permit them, govern our country again, remained absolutely mute throughout the debate. If you go from that to othor important quostions, such as tho increases made in the R.C.M.P. rosorvo forces, significant of the Government’s desire to frighten the working class, tho farmers and the unemployed from obtaining their rights - you will find that the only people vtino prot osted wore Mr. 7/oodsworth and the other C.C.F. members. In the province of Quoboc, the Duplessis Government passed the infamous "Padlock law ” curtailing the civil liberties of the people. It wa. s our National loader alone who raised afternoon suss ion continued: -19- th^ issue m tho House of Commons, ’r.n d d omr.ndod an explanation of the extraordinary^ action. In Ontario, Promior Hepburn, oponly showing his close connection with the financial and industrial interests, refused to recognize union workers in the strike at Oshawr. , and raised a spec- ial army of reserves to fight tho strike, although the workers main- tained exemplary order throughout. The o again that issuo was raised on tho flocr of tho House of Commons by your National loader, ant ho alone. If you go to Hansard, you will find page after page of questions put by C.C.F. members! questions relating to the treatment of unemployed, to the wages of workers, to the conditions of the farmers, the plight of youth, to the conditions under which fishermen work and, generally, questions relating to the daily life of the mass of our people. Such questions are sometimes even more im- portant than speeches made on the floor of the House, because of facts vhich the answers bring to light. During my remarks on this subject last year, I pointed out that during the session that preceded our last annual Convention, the only debate that took place on foreign policy was initiated by our group. And the same is true again. The important debate on far eign policy in the House only took place as the result of pressure by our group. A resolution on foreign policy v/as introduced by Mr. Woodsworth, and a resolution on the need for a World Peace con- ference v/as introduced by Mr. Heaps, while a resolution for the con- scription of wealth during war was introduc-od by Mr. Douglas. Finally there was introduced by our National leader the now famous Bill No. 62, which was to amend the Criminal Code so as to make it absolutely legal for workers to organize and illegal for an employer to intimidate them for joining a union of their own choice. What happened? Some arrangement was made that be- cause our great "shebangs” had to bo in England for tho Coronation, discussion of tho Bill should be dolayod because it failed to receive tho approval of the Government. It was not debated. If I know our Parliamentary group, and if I know Mr. Woodsworth, that Bill will como up again at the next session. I v/ould like to impress upon those present who r.ro connected with trade unions that Mr, Woodsworth ,» in moving that Bill in the House, will bo strengthened a million times if you make demands that it be passed. It is your duty to sec that resolutions flood government offices demanding that this Bill be passed by Parliament. I have not exhausted all tho infor- mation as to what tho C.C.F. Parliamentary group has done, but I think I have succeeded in pointing out tho high lights. It is important to realize that everyone of our members of Parliament is automatically an organizer for our movement and that each is an organizer who costs us nothing. For that reason if for no other, is it to our advantage to increase our number in tho House of Commons: Y/hat I have said does not indicate the amount of work our members are constantly doing outside their strictly Parliamentary \rork. They printed 15,000 pamphlets containing their speeches made on the armaments debate. The pamphlets were distributed throughout the country, many at the expense of the members themselves. An election took place in British Columbia during the vacation. Almost everyone of the members campaigned. Meetings from one end of the country to the other, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, were attended by them, in spite of the heavy responsibilities that Parliamentary work means for a little group. I think I have said enough to indicate that representation of the people in Parliament by the C.C.F. is not only desirable for this movement, but is of importance and urgency to the entire country. The civil liberties and the interests, of the. people must be defended on the floor of toe Houso of Commons, and will - 80 . v3 not be defended unless you have 0 r n mendous credit is due our members there. I believe tre- accomplis^od and what they havo Parliament for what they have done their work with credit tn -n! lla ? tly striVQ n to do. They havo movement. We extend to them our ° lv 2 s and v;jLth crodit to this alty. I move to this effect." oS P° ct ’ our appreciation art our loy- The motion was carried by acclamation, and with sustained applause, Council. flrst port ion of the report was referred to the National on the minutes. lded ’ on motlon of a delegate*... that the report bo spread was tag5h J by°f! 1 r d |!ioldwM°y a \, 0 y an . 1 n 7 'y- ’ relinquished the chair which stirring speeahi'"ii'ollowinsr fh- ^presented his report in a tour through I&htoSa Convention last year. I made a It wcs a year ago that no eloqSenoa 2n? “ “ attlt °ba is so much better than change. There is no doubt th^ mriT r e ^ e ^ uired to do justice to the Manitoba, and from this time Jnw°rd m n ^ h J S become consolidated in the progress depending e ntir el v Sn t? a k8 f ?f°^ess can be looked for, organizers. g ntlrely °n the extent of the activity by local in favor of the cfc.lf^stronM sq 6 ? V !, ffcaring sentiment than in any other province. S S f the followin g is concerned U.F.A., which re t a ined^i t s ^af f il !*■> +?L Convention of the Convention at Calgary I left to tr*™i w ^ th . tbe 9* 0 * 1 ’* Following the the Hamilton West campaign, it w --"ono of conn cction with series of meetings ever hSld th~nv Q ? of the best organized tours and Orliffe, Seer e tar v o??he mo^meSf in nT ^ t0 the Care of Mr * Herbert country I moved to north-west^Ont-r i? °^a ^° m t 5 at part of ^ c umbia in order to take part in the Co1 ' Alberta, where I had^fofno'^nn }* ioB * D B ff tish Columbia I went to that has been done by'Mr? Irvi^ ^nd°^rfi« Zi ^ the valuable r.nd others. They have organized about 140 ?J 1S - “? ry Crawford If delegates knew anvthinS n-f C ;C.F. Clubs in 18 months, elite the brtmrnt natu?f of +b?o situation in Ubertn, they would re- »r eno development that “^ot^egulM^t^.f la H ? ear ' 3 work - A loss full of hooe Tho infnc*ti*i i 1S true, but one that is neverthe- of S exca^ioS S although^l ^° re arer ^ adyVb ° C ^ d ^taL te Lw h me^ to encouraged. 6 1 1 ^tremely necessary that they SS- pioi n During tho yoar I attended 207 meetings throp P*mTr-?n dial Conventions , participated in a Federal by-slactlon and ta tb? Ihe task® 0l8 ° tion in British Columbia - 210 mootings altogether 1 J-ne task is not an easy one, but I like the life Thp^p mI«S» of na '3°np d acroa ? thQ coun try had been attended at a total average cost to 3 raoe t in S* A movemnnt of this character cannot bo expected to grow °n such a basis. This does not do Justice to our oblJctivo r+ tio^ora 8 ^-, 8 dO0 l of voluntary help on tho part of a largo number of too people who support our movement, lovely homos and s ome tim£rhMblf AFTERNOON SESSION CONTINUED- - 21 - cxtonsS! 0 &J°it SoWn^^sSo^V, 108 ? 1 " 8 io8 ?« a “* was coat of my tour would haro boon mSh groftor. aa313tenc 0 tho voluntary co-o^m f!l!S aj ? oant of co-operation by the rank and file, IJJfrMJ 0 °P° r ^ion, is remark able . The people concerned are c°rryin?the n io?f ^ roGS . of t} ? is movement. Tho rank and file are this oSfoJtunitv^ J^x %'■ W 1 i hout cny h °P° of recognition. I take of their sacrifices, tendm§ t0 th<3m ° ur reco S nition ?.nd approciati ion r + . . „ These from Saskatchewan v&o wore at the Saskatoon °1 V f j ^ f ° r S^e me if I repeat some of the things I said there. delegates to go home with a full consciousness of the miracle the marvellous accomplishment which has alr eady taken place. A few ^oars ago, this movement, which is now having its fourth National Con "nd o?hers GX ;ho°td 0 nl t? in - th0 ° f R l^e ^/ioodsivor?^" c.na others who had tho vision to anticipate its coming. tn°hJ h ° National Con ^ontion wa s held. The movement t bo just four years old. It was started at Regina with bUt idG V ls and a burning desire to achieve a Four years can bo said courage, with magnificent A-h -ino-hT-rr^ T+ 1 • T >XUOXXe ^ ri S temporarily taken by a great co-operative movement, an adult educational movement, activity on the trade union front. There are co-operative and credit unions and so on, all of which makes it certain that tne people will 3oon see in the C.C.F. movement the medium for tho political expression of their views. The same holds true for the provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island." land painted a graphic picture of the harrassing conditions of work in modern mass-production plants. He painted an equally vivid Picture of the intolerable conditions of the farmers, and concluded - to redress those injustices, to end these conditions for all time that the C.C.F. was formed. Socialism must and will triumph.- no* true Socialist can doubt it." ’ xtr. Garland s report was received with a motion of tribute to and appreciation of his devoted and successful work as National Oreanizor TRADE UNIONISM 8 er * George H, Barefoot. Manitoba, moved the following resolution: "The C.C.F. greets with enthusiasm the great strides in Trade Union organization vh ich have been made throughout the country and AFTERNOON SESSION CONTINUE- - 22 - TT^i nn2 ly -p t +^ ? x :? r essod dotorminat i on of the workers to organize • niona of thoir own choice. In tho fiold of industrial oignn- Jf'-’ 1S ? rr ^ > ® hind ra °st other countries and tho present pro- fofo “ i h ?T or S r - m Jzation of the workers must he hailed by p;ll social - i^ts, as well as other progressive citizens, as a necessary and de- . in 3 ° ci -l progress of our country, for trade union or|,.niz<.tion is not only the means of winning better living conditions and greater security for the workers concerned, but also introduces wider and deeper democracy in the life of our people. m i QCT i+?mo+« , ^ P v + . th °^ e £ ore « cond ? mns na ^warranted interference with the rights of the Canadian workers the acts of the gar- ernmonts of Ontario and Quebec in actively opposing C.I.O. trade union organ- Tne C.C. F. as a political party does not undertake to advise the workers which form of trade unionism they should adopt ard support, ino workers in every industry must be given tho right to decide for themselves what particular form of organization ia best suited to their no o u. s • Me call upon all members of tho C.C.F., viho are eligible, to join Trade Union, and wo pledge every possible assistanc e by the C.C.F. to all bona fide organizations of the workers whatever their form. " Lit. Barefoo t said : "I have great pleasure in moving this re- solution, for ever since I was an apprentice I have belonged to an in- dustrial union. All my life I havo been striving for the betterment of the conditions of the working classes. This question concerns the urban worker, but is of importance also to tho farmer. Thoro are three wa.ys in vhich the urban worker can organize for the betterment of his conditions: (1) He can organize in the industrial fiold; (2) Ho can organize in tho political field; and, (3) ho can organize through the co-operatives. To my mind, if the workers do not embrnoe any one of those throe phases they are not adequately using the powors they have." The floor- was thrown open to- discussion.- T. Johnston. Saskatchewan, said he was sure that agricultural delegates would support tho resolution. Ho hoped the day would come when the agriculturists of the country would form a union. It had always been a mystery to him why tho farmers in his province had not co-ordinated their efforts and approached tho powers that be with demands for the terms on vh ich they would work and produce- C. L. Coburn. Ontario, favored aggressive action by tlB C.C.F. in getting behind the trade union movement and supporting it at times of strike and difficulty of any kind. It was necessary for the C.C.F. to become even more aggressive and more active as regards the trade union movement. If it wanted the support of the labour unions, it must help labour in every way and at every opportunity. John Queen. M.L.A. . Manitoba, said that while it was necessary that the Convention should pass the resolution, it should be remembered that it did not institute new policies on tho part of the C.C.F. In Manitoba, tho C.C.F. had been helping the workers in their struggles for hotter conditions, as it had boon doing in Ontario. One of tho measures introduced in the Manitoba logislaturo condemned employers for refusing to grant the workers tho right of collective bargaining. George H. Williams, M.L.A. , Saskatchewan, said the labour dologatos could rely upon tho farmer delegates to support the resolution. It is recognized that labour and farmers face the same problem, have the some foe to fight and that they should fight that foe unitedly and with determination. Labour and farmers wore arriving at a close understand- ing with each other. The Frrmer sections of the C.C.F. were, he folt sure, wh ole-heartedly behind tho workers in their trado union activity. Dr. Stanley Allen. Quoboc . emphasized the importance of tho resolution in view of what had happened in Quebec, whoro an attempt had AFTBRHOON SESSION- (Cont'd) _23_ union^from^or ganiz ing. ?ower *» Internationa! and other trade What fn™ ex F asSed th © opinion that the C.C.F. should declare an amendment th ® workers should choose, and suggested c. o effect. The amendment was defeated overwhe lmingly. The resolution was adopted. historical letter on old age pension s •rj , ^ pleasant interlude was provided at this stage when Mr. A. A. S^Vfoo dqw e rth d K h ? Na ^ i ? nal Gouncil with a framed letter vfcich thflt+iml W g 0d J^ th ’ h ad received from the Prime Minister at Pft !Qpa f Honourable W. L. Mackenzie King, and dated January <30, 19*26, dealing with proposed legislation regarding Old Age Pensions. Mr^Heaps recalled that about 12 years ago Mr. Woodsworth and himself, the two only socialists then in the House of Commons, were ®$1® J° ? ?' es ? successfully for Old Age Pensions. As a result of their orts, legislation dealing with Old Age Pensions was passed, and today 140,000 old people are in receipt of such pensions. This is an accomplishment for which the C.C.F. can rightly take credit as having been attained through the efforts of its forerunners. S._ J. Garland, Convention Chairman, accepted the interesting souvenir on behalf of the movement and thanked Mr. Heaps for the presentation. The session was adjourned till 8.15 P.M. . . ' • • " ■ - , ' - . ; • • m- -24- • EV^'ING SESSION. JULY £7 h f^H M * P * ; Chairman, Resolutions Committoo, was given the 0 I7_ q 'i ^ r ?? gh J forward the following two resolutions with recommend- ations from the Resolutions Committee: (..) Resolved that the National Platform he so amended as to guarantee unat a C.C.F. Government, will lower Olu Age Pensions to sixty years. " * 0 Resolutions Committee recommended concurrence in y^inciple, end tnat when tne National Platform is brought under revision, the neeessary section be inserted therein. The recommendation was adopted. (2) "Resolved that the words 'and not the making of profits' be deleted from the Preamble to the Manifesto." The Committee recommended non— concurrence. After some discussion, during which a great deal of opposition was voiced against the resolution, it was tabled for consideration by the National Council when revision of ohe Manifesto is undertaken. DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM AND CIVIL RIGHTS Moving the resolution, J. Zing Gordon said; "I think that next to the resolution on drought conditions in Western Canada, the resolution I am about to read is perhaps the most imp or tent one to be brought to the .attention of this Convention. I esteem it an honour to introduce it. The resolution, which was seconded by David Lewis , follows: "The last few years have seen a growing threat to democratic liberties all over the world. International Fascism, while concentrating its efforts in the Spanish struggle, is finding friends and allies in Pixtish and American democracies as well as in Europe. In Canada, we are faced bjr the same tendencies to the forcible assertion of autocratic authority, the suppression of free speech and the withholding from labour of the right tc organize and bargain collectively in unions of its own choice. "These anti-uemocratic activities are defended by reactionaries as being for our preservation against "foreign agitators" and "communists. " In reality, they are directed against the working class ca it trios to organize for the defence of its interests. Tho attack upon freedom is primarily an attack upon tho Canadian worker. "It is significant that for some years tho Dominion Government has been strengthening the R.C.M.P. Enormously increased expen- ditures on National Defence have been justified in part by the Minister of National Defence as being necessary to suppress "subversive agitation.” In the two chief industrial provinces the governments have shown themselves to be even more anti-labour than the Dominion Government. In Quebec, the Duplessis adminis- tration is engaged in building up a faseist "corporatism" of which the real meaning to the workers is shown in the infamous "Padlock Law" and the persistent opposition of. the Premier and his legal and police officials to legitimate trade union activities. In Ontario, the hysterical behaviour of Premier Hepburn in tine Oshawa General Motors Strike, his refusal to recognize a trade union of the workers' choice as a party to negotiations, his recruiting of a special strike-breaking force, his endorsation of Premier Duplessis* anti-labour policies show the extent to which he and his advisers are prepared to go. In both the federal and the provincial fields, it appears that the State is more anxious to suppress manifestations of discontent than to remove their causes. "The C.C.F. believes that those reactionary tendencies are in direct opposition to the spirit of the Canadian people. That their faith in democratic principles is unshaken has been shown aTENINGr S7.SSI0H GOKJiru% • -25- "by the public pros uvr >. which brought about tho ropoal of Soction 98, and tho pur?3r,.',o of a..?h legislation as bio Jlova Scotia Trade Union Act. and the fact H at every attack upon civil rights has occasioned < idespread rosei Ament. The 0.0.5*. calls upon the Canadian people once again to rally to the dofonce of their democratic heritage, it pledges itse.. 45 tc oppeste every attempt to cur tool our fundament:;! liberties and co-operato with all democratic forces to tMs end. " J. King Gordon sr.id: "In tho very able presentation this afternoon of the^ resolution on Spain. Hiss Crawford called ntr.^tion to the fact that tho C.C.E. is essentially international in its outlook, and is part of a great international Movement thro^gho^i the world. All oppressed people 5 whether they be in Spain. Gerr^y or Canada, aro tho concern of the C.C.F. The significant tiling a: out th- .^solution I introduce is that it links togeth r hau^" g. in tho larger worl' 3 ,± international affairs with 1 ripenings m our own country. nT1 - . Atlantic Ocean does _ -..-3 Canada from the kind of op 1 --" .cion, the kind of tyranny, shown, in so .-may parts of Europe. . ley have been successful in curb- ing the rights urd liberties . formerly free peoples. Me in Canaia are Hoed '■'day with the same ' of torch I; to democratic liberties. Challenges kino been 5 **'•*;. >.d o our basic democratic tradition, and it is against this concrete menace that this resolution protests. It is to an actual battle for freedom that we send out our call to arms. About the same time as the organizing meeting of the C.C.F. was held in Calgary, I had the opportunity of being in Germany. That was in the mid-summer of 1932. At that time I was in- terested in the progress made by the Social Democratic Party, trade unions and the government in Germany. Wo sometimes forget what achiev- ments were made in that, country, A great Movement bringing all support- ers together had governed Germany fer years. I saw what had bear done in the way of bringing benefits mo the working class in the matter of housing, co-operative movements and a free Press, I talked to some of their loaders. At tUnat time tho name of Hitler was coming to be an important name in Germany. He was not bhen in power, I talked to some of the best informed students of German society, and they told me with tremendous conviction that the Socialist Movement in Germany was so strong that it could not possibly be crushed by the rising of the Hitler Movement, They argued that it was Impossible in a democracy like Ger- many with so strong end widespread a Socialist Movomont. Theif reason was based on the premise that democracy would survive. But you know what happened. The change was brought about by ruthless undemocratic means. There was a friend with me. Professor Eugene Forsey, and one night we went out into the streets of Berlin for a walk. We noticed a good many bands of young Social Democrats. We followed somo of them. They led us to a big central hall fairly close to the centre of Berlin. We wanted to got in. We said we were Socialists from Canada. The door-keopor was so delighted that Canada had sent fraternal delegates that he arranged for us being seated in their midst. Here was group of young people; In Germany, youth wore becoming the epoar- pv. i.nt of the Socialist Movement. I realized that even if the fathers were beginning- go get disappointed about: achieving socialism in their life-hime. their sons and daughters were filled with hope chat the goal of Soci lists would be achieved, especially as so much had already been done. The r eeting vans addressed by a young Social Democrat from Austria. Tho Austrian Socialists always seemed to bo greater rdaiiats than their Gorman cousins. Certainly this young comrade had no illusion? ue to what Hitler would do if he succeeded in coming to power. He vpi<; - "You think your mighty Socialise Movement is of tremend- ous strength. You may ht.* r e had control for a whilo, but it is necessary to achieve still greater success. If Hitler comes tc power, "he warned," everything you have achieved in Germany will bo destroyed. Your unions will be smashed; your co-operative s destroyed* and your Press wiped out. Your Party will be destroyed, t.nd yc- will bo subjected to an oppression and tpranry far worse than were oxperie.. ~ed before the war." The young people in tho audience sat with mouths opy , as he told thorn what was 1 i’coly co happen if they aid not take steps guard their democracy. The VENING SESSION CONTINUED: ~ 26 “ oicL-^tho^ontw? speaker lacked was imagination. Ho could not quite w 3 ?? h °?* ho ruth less oppression which was to bo forced on ^ q A ^ the Hitler regime. You could see the blasting of the great 5jf?nn°?«. t *^n n0 I C ‘Jj'?? £? Goriaan youth, you could SCO the doom of a great nation as you studied the faces of the young Socialists at that m .oting. , . , 1 somotimos think that wo in Canada are taking our democracy far too much for granted. I sometimes fool that we think wo are so very safe bocauso the Atlantic separates us from what is tok- mf Place in Europe. I sometimes think that we are almost romantic, nd that wo choer^ ourselves by saying: "nothing can defeat us. Nothing Cc.n hold back Socialism; it will come so inevitably to its goal." I agree that in the long run Socialism is sure to jui, teat a Socialist must never permit himself to doubt the ultimate triumph of his cause. But most of us live not in long runs but in short runs, lo one can look at the world today without being overwte lmed by a 1 ® j^ 10 ^6bt that it is possible for a Socialist Llosement to be destroyed, t or A om £? rao ?’ Jo bo destroyed, if steps are not taken to protect those xtic rights and liberties that belong to us. # threats can a nr 1 which At that , , ^ First we must see clearly wherein lie the . , ^Q^ocracy. Democracy. is menaced when democracy shows that it intends to aim an effective blow at the strongholds of privilege icr years and centuries have been exploiting the common people. J emocr -cy is in danger. As long as democracy consists in the right to mark ballots and the onjoymont of cortaln liberties vh ich do not interfere with anyone's privileges and powers, it does not mean very much, and democracy will be allowed to continue. Just as soon, however as democracy becomes a danger, just as soon as democracy threatens to destroy power and take away privileges enjoyed at the expense of others, ^e strongholds of vested interests begin to devise ways and means whereby democracy can be curtailed, aid, if necessary, destroyed. Let me illustrate by several things vh ich have happened in Canada. I am not sure if it was at the last C.C.F. Con- vention or ^on another occasion when wo heard our Vice-President, M. J. Cold well, IvI.P. , speck of the so-called Regina riot. He described in most vivid fashion vdiat happened there. What was the Regina riot? It represented an effort on the part of the authorities to crush down a legitimate protSst by sono hundreds or thousands of young Canadians to conditions in relief camps that were intolorablo. These young un- employed wore exercising their freedom and right as Canadian citizens to protest. That is what the Regina riot Was. As long as the unemploy- ed remained quiat, as long as they submitted to conditions forced upon them, they were quite safe* Nobody would hurt thorn. Tho R.C.M.P. would not be raised against them* But immediately protest against in- tolerable conditions was organized, the authorities acted with brut-1 •romptness. Thus the first efforts at curtailment of civil rights arc wxuod pt the suppress ion of discontent and unrest amonp* t\ ; mass os of a awakening people. Democracy is also threatened whon it begins to velop an efficient politic 1 -cochniquo vh ich maybe used to tako from certain groups powers which those groups oxcrciso in tho interests of the master classes. That is what happened in Spain. After centuries of oppression, the Spanish people gradually discovered that technique, and used it to destroy the strongholds of tho powers which had oppressed thorn for so long. At that point forces of reaction began organizing against them. Other reactionary forces, such as tho fascist governments of Italy and Gormany, have aided in tho attempt to crush the Spanish democracy because it was becoming a real menace to tho sys toms" for which they stand. Tako our own country, in tho province of Quebec, whore I have lived most in tho last fow years. A groat province and a groat people, but a people vh o have boon more or less content to remain under the domination of the industrial loaders in the province. The people submitted because they did not have the education that enlightens, end bocauso, coming from farms largely, they did not know the technique of industrial organization. Industries woro established in which cheap 3V5NING SESSION C OUT DIUHD ? -27- ln b this elaloit°tion n “P? fortunes for c. few hundred wealthy familios. l^lsl®tlon 2^1 in S4Dte h f s fluently boon a partner. Social U !ni w ^ most cr.sos nullified by non-enforcomenti and ofton by ..ctivo collusion between manufacturers and government officials* 7 , ' * • •’ * * •• - . • . . degression for m „„. o„„. ) -„? ia !v 00nd ltion 18 hanging, tebed has felt the i°?, ~f„!S? r ® aootely than any other industrial section of Canada. standards of living w& h Ib ® r# 5? s £®«“ * steady pressing down 'of the te?Sa of nolitlla? 8 ^^?! happened? The people have been thinking in terms of political organisation as never before* Quebec today is in t . Th9 ri ® 0 of political discussion and the emergence of radical political Movements have badly shaken the solf-donf idence of the reactionary forces in state and induatfy. t 1 +Vin m „ v . . . Cne reSult of the changing condition was that 5?° Ji?..? aSC 5°n ea ^ ^administration was destroyed completely* tfhat gave vo !r 9 P Tt l ? ° l, Son ? e ° f democratic power they had not had for inoofo ma ? 5 e lp t5 em to come to understand that if Premier Duo- loss is does not do what they want, they can throw him out, too. They have a sense of power they never had befar e. _p th o other hand, the privileged grouos which **%*** hcve been expl o it ing Quebec had come to the conclusion" that - am ? Cracy mUs ? curtailed. So that with Taschoreau gono and x^ewer, legislation has been placed on the Statute Books S S b8 m? steQ d 1 ly decreasing the democratic rights of Frenoh o^n^dians. The most infamous has been the "Padlock law." I shall read to you several sections of it, for it must be heard to be believed: Section 3 - "It shall be illegal for any person, who possesses or occupies a house within the Province, to use it or allow any person to make use of it to propagate communism or bolshevism bv any means whatsoever. " ^ ( Tao penalty provided is tho closing of the house against usg for any purpose ’whatever for one year)* Section 12 - "It shall he unlawful to print, to publish in any manner whatsoever to distribute in the Province any nowsoaper periodical, pamphlet, circular, documont or writing whatsoever * propagating or tending to propagate communism or bolshovism. " (Tho penalty provided in this case is from throe to twelvemonths 1 imprisonment). Section 2 - (l) - "The word 'house 1 shall moan any building, shelter, penthouse, shed or othor construction, under whatever name known or designated, attached to the ground or portable, oroctod or placed above or below ground, permanently or temporarily; and in th o' case of a house within the meaning of this paragraph situated partly in tho territory of the Province and partly outside of such territory the word ’house 1 shall moan the portion situated within the territory’ of the Province of Quebec." (The last section was greeted with much laughter). You will have noticed that nowhere is "communism" or "bolshovism" defined. According to the Premier, it would appear tfc-t a definition was deliberately omit tec because it "would dofoat^he pur- poses of the law. 1 " Clearly the intent of tho law is to intimidate or actually prosocuto any citizen whose opinions are apt to be contrary to those held by the authorities. Nowhere in the British Commonwealth can such a law be found which so flagrantly contravenes the essential ptinciples of democracy. That is just one example, and it is significant of a definite trend in that province. Tho ruling classes are building up the philosophy of Fascism and are disseminating ideas about the cor- porate state. All the Fascist appeals are being made: the appeals to nationalism, race, autonomy, corporatism, anti-sem .tism. But the or- dinary people of Quebec are by no means won over to this reactionary drive. A number a* recent strikes in which our French -Canadian brothers and sisters have played ^ loading part show that the workers are I EVE:: TNG SES S ION GOUT TIICTM) : — — 28 " determined to use their democratic right to fight ior bett.^ Irving con- ditions. ° .Democracy is also regarded by reactionary in- terests as a menace when it begins to develop efficient forms of techniq- ue m industrial organization. Wb have seen tremendous development e + ‘ tne trade union Movement in recent months. There has been nothing more spectacular than Iho rise of the C.I.C. That Movement recently came to Canada^ and it focussed onl&ose industries on vh ich the C.I.G. had con-. centra ^ed and won victory in the United States. General Motors h*»-I come to agreement with the C.I.O. in the United States, it is cp ite probable tr.at a similar agreement would have been reached in ou^ada had there not been outside interf erence. But there v/as that interference. Right xrom the beginning you had the incredible spectacle of the Premier of the province of Ontario, a man vh o had boasted aboat being the friend of the working people of Ontario, flagrantly coming-out on one side of that struggle, on the side of tue owners in the strike, and refusing to recognize the right of the workers in the General Motors’ plant at Osh awn to organize a union of their own choosing. More than -that, hr worte d in Close contact with somo of tho greatest financial interests in Ontario, and. used every moans of propaganda against tho C.I.O. , rocruitin a private army for tho purpose cf possible strike-breaking. The pattern of reaction into which Premier Heohurn fits is perfectly clear. Identifying himsolf closoly with the great Toronto mining and financial interests, iopburn was ditormined to smash tho C, T .0. in its first battle for recognition. It mattered not that Oshawa workers enjoyed the right to organize. It mattered not that the most important trade unions in Canada had for many years been ’international.’ it mattered not that tie whole British tradition of trade union recognition was against him. Fopbrrn was determined to break the C.I.C, at Oshawa in tho hope the br ikon, at Oshawa, industrial unionism would not bo able to penetrate minirg, stool and textiles. Altogether he created a con- dition of unrest in that province such as I have never seen before. And the Premier was put into office to maintain tho democratic rights of tho people of Onto ioj Y/hat I have said makes it pretty clear that every^care has to be taken. We are facing today, and are likely to face to a greater extent, the same kind of threat to democratic prin- ciples as has been faced in European countries. Unless we take*meas- ures to defend our democracy, there is great danger of that democracy slipping away from us. Let me paint briefly the other side, the brighter side, of the picture. I firmly believe that there is in Canada a defin- ite belief in democracy. I firmly believe that there is in Canada a determination, and a growing determination, that democracy will not be destroyed in spite of the R.C.M.P-, , in spite of Hepburn or Luplessis. and in spite of Hepburn and Duplessis together. We have seen tho wiping out of’Section 98" from the Statutes. We have seen passed in Nova Scotia enlist end trade union legislation. I think there is every possibility that such an act will be extended to all parts of Canada. We have seen the organization of the Civil Liberties Union, prepared to fight every single instance of infringement of liberties. We have seen the steady advance of the trade union movement. There are definite signs that Canadians are not going to tolerate this kind of challei. ge to our democratic fights. As Socialists, wo boliovo in democracy. Wo stand firm for the democratic heritage. We believe in democracy for itself, but we also believe in democracy because we see that ty de- mocracy the ends of socialism can be achieved. We are not at all per- suaded that the ends of socialism can be achieved without democracy except at the cost of intolerable suffering. Therefore, it behoves us to do everything in our power as a great socialist movement of farmers and workers throughout Canada to defend democracy, to protect the rights of the people and to extend democratic principles in those communities where democracy is not now operative. havo j, ?hat is the kind of programme and policy we will v f On bill* .issue of the defence of democracy there is a grea., body ox Canadian .pinion. The C.C.F. depends upon the Canadian peop..e ana cn. m 3 upon tiem once again to rally to the defence of the dcnocrovic. aoriV.se, ard, . tae v;c:.-4d 41 the resolution, - itSeU tO , 0 : - ' ’ to oo- pledges to p ti.-'y o u, r cur- fundamenfal liberties and p era ,c si In ill demo s: .h-io- forces to this end". 11 k.n Coro on-'s speech -'/as received with enthusiasm by the Convention, and was followed by much keen, discussion. ^.n ijner.dmani was moved tc the effect that in the event of the election ox a o. . u _«c government that government' would prepare the people to pro- tect it from reactionary opposition. — — A* Convention Chairman, pointed out that that would necessarily r.e the first job of a C.C.F. government vfaich meant business,! and did not put the amendment to vote. * ' John. Queen , II. L. A. . Manitoba, expressed great appreciation of Mr. Gordon* e spe och and o - the resolution. Ho thought that tho speech ought to be printed and circulated throughout tho cour ry. SL‘- j jy £’&}}•:}* x. Ontario, said that there was continual infringement of civil . r ighes , and that the C.C.F. ought to tako ovory opportunity a£ exposing anything that savored of such infringement. P. Ho Engl and, Ontario, drew tho attention cf Convention to the fact that professors in our universities were often subjected to censure and threats if they dared tc align themso3.ves openly with radical political parties. E. Robin scr , British Columbia, emphasized that the resolution was most imp o rr -an t . They had been uncustomed to look to Germany, Italy and Spain ior fascist activities and saying the same thing could not happen in thir country. But we see that there are fascist tendencies in our own country-, It is possible to stop fascism in this country, but it can only be done by a really militant organization s ch as the C.C.F. should be. Pa vi d Levis, national Secretary, said that although the situation is so sei'iOU3 as to demand constant watchfulness and preparedness, other events in Europe than those so fir mentioned show that fascism can be and has been shopped by effective action on the part of democratic movements. In Sweden. Korway, Denmark. Belgium, Franae, Chechoslovakia and similar countries , there had been incipient and, in sore cases, threatening fascist movements. But in all those countries fascism has been stopped by the dote '.’mined action of socialist, labour and farmer parties. Democracy in those countri^ has not only survived, but has shown strength;, courage, and resourcefulness. In Italy, Germany, Austria and now in Spa -In Fascism has shown its true colours of brutality against the common people, its policy of oppression and war. The Can< dian people, because of their deep democratic convict, ons , can and will be rallied to the defence of the democracy which wo already have, and for ac ion to extend and make real that democracy in the economic life of our country. This is what the G.C.F. stands for, J. S. ml term Quebec, moved that a clause be added to the resolution as follows: ,f 3Sat the C; C. . welcomes the formation of a Civil Liberties Union in Canaan . vid urges all members end aifiliates to support ind work on behalf of such a Union. ,r After ao r o i> iwcass ion tie amendment was withdrawn on the grout d that it was difiict Vt .re Convention * o endorse an organization tha.t was still in the prcocss of foueatir; „.uid on the und or st on ding that the policy .laid devil / ids Toro.no national Convention gave provincial sections full liberty to co-operate with any Civil Liberties Union formed in that province , if it saw fit to do so. The naan resolution .res put t ■ t ion end wr.s passed enthusias- tically. Convent re was taen d: our nod till nino-thirty next morning. -30- MOPJ ' ING CESSI ON, JULY 28, 1937 (CLOSED SESSION) The National oecr itarj read a telegram received from the Montreal Nev;spaper Guild drawing the Convention's attention to the dism ssal of R. A. C. Ballaiityn j , President of Montreal Guild, from the staff of the Montreal Gazotne for Gui?d Activity, and requesting thj t Con- vention protest th'. Gazette’s illegal, anti-union action. The Convention ii."tructed the National Council to seek fuither information and to act in accordance with the request in the ibove telegram if the information therein contained is verified. (At its meeting on Thursday, July 29th, the National Council wired a strong protest on behalf of the C.C.P. to the Montreal Gazette, sent a copy of it ■’"o the Montreal Guild, an<* also released the protest to the Press. The protest poxiAed out par J xcularly that freedom of organisation is as important as freedom c a. the Press; that newspapers are right in demanding the latter °reedcm and that they must in accord- ance with Canadian democratic traditions extend to their staff, - reporters and editors, - the right to organize into guilds or unions.) C. C. Y. M. Convention ratified an arrangement arrived at between the National Council and representatives of the C.C.Y.M. whereby thirty minutes were to be given to a discussion of the problems of the Youth Movement during which representatives of the- youth sections were to be admitted and given the right of the floor. * With the assistance of the C.C.Y.M. delegates, the Convention had a full discussion of the problems of the Youth Movement and more particularly of those relating to the jurisdiction of Provincial Counci- ls over the provincial sections of the C.C.Y.M. Convention agreed o . t. ^ general principle that the C.C.Y.M. should be brought more ci"' r * iy under the direct jurisdiction of the Provincial Councils, and that, in accordance with some suitable plan, the C.C.Y.M. be given representation on such Councils. Convention did not arrive at any definite formula, but gave the National Council full power to act in the matter. FINANCIAL STATEMENT David Lewis, National Secretary, and Acting-Treasurer, presented the financial statement for the year ending June 30, 1937. The statement follows: (Next page). MORNING SESSION. JULY 23 T CONT^t-Sl ■ E C E I P P S. AFFILIATION FEES _ Alberta $100.00 British Columbia ... 75.00 Manitoba 25.00 Maritimes 51.35 Ontario 135.70 Quebec 68.30 Saskatchewan 231.60 POTATIONS - British Columbia ... 90.00 Mar it imes 1.00 Ontario 247.00 Quebec 8.00 Saskatchewan 72.55 Federal M.P. f s 577.00 NAT ION AL . ORGANIZER - Collections and Donations received direct and disbursed by National Organizer - British Columbia.... 152.45 Alberta 10.00 Manitoba 145.97 Ontario 97.00 Saskatchewan 30.00 $ 686.95 $ 995.55 $ 435.42 ANNUAL CONVENTION - 19 3 ■ Received from Toronto 108.70 Less payments. 102. 28 $ 6.42 LITERATURE ACCOUNT - Receipts 105.34 Billed on Consignment.. 220.00 325.34 Cost of Printing, Freight etc....... 232.30 93.04 $2,217.38 DISBURSEMENTS, ADMINISTRATION EXPENSE - Bank Exchange 5.43 Office Supplies 19.08 Repairs and Incidentals 55.79 Salary office assistant 400.00 Telephones 68.23 Telegrams, Express, Postage etc. 156.71 Equipment for National Office ......... NATIONAL ORGANIZE R - Salary 1,200.00 Travelling Expenses . .$> 274.65 do do received direct by Nat. Organizer and disbursed by him 435. 42 7 10. 07 TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS Less TOTAL RECEIPTS as above Excess of Disbursements over Receipts for^year Cash on hand and in Eank July l/36 .... 587.56 Accounts Payable( included ir. expenses). 174.73 Accounts, Recoi Cash on hand I Cash in Bank J oivabl une u une 3 $-762 :P9- 705.24 79.25 1.910.07 $ 2,6^4.56 2,217.38 $ ' Iwrre 216.15 68.96 1 762. '2T T7 tIORjj_II'IG SESSIO N, JULY 28. 193700^^:3 2 THE B, UD (JET ^ rt ^mf+l 1 S WiELS ^ a . period of questions and answers relating to the in- formation contained in the financial statement - — f- v j- d , Le y is t. National Secretary, presented the minimum budget proposed, by the National Council for the coming year. Mr. lewis said: *'/hat the National Council is anxious for the Convention to do is o forget wnat we have failed to do in the past, because it won't do us much good to remember it, and realize two simple things: (1) That it is absolutely inconceivable that we can build an effective organization which will make a real attempt at winning power in the way in which we have up until now been financing, and (2) Y/ith regard as to how the necessary money can be raised, that the affiliate fees and the membership dues laid down cannot be sufficient to bring the money necessary to make the organ- ization effeotive. We all agree with what our Chairman said yesterday in his report as National Organizer, that it is a veritable miracle what the C.C.F. has accomplished in the few years of its existence. No one in the National Movement d sires to dispute that statement. It is very true. But that has been just the initial phase, the phase of slow educational work. We have now entered the second phase of the movement, that of consolidating, extending our movement and becoming more effective as a political force in the country, in preparation for the third phase - the time when we prepare for taking power. What we have done so far has been laying the foundation. In some provinces th°y have done more than simply lay the foundation. They have a structure on that foundation. But that is not the case in all provinces. The overwhelming consideration is the axiom that you cannot remain in the first phase of development too long. If you do, you die. A political organization either makes progress or it sinks. In the case of a political movement standing still, making no progress, is simply the beginning of the end. I appeal to the comrades to approach our problems with this axiom as their starting point. Deleg- ates must also bear in mind the tempo of present-day political develop- ments. In the report which I presented yesterday I drew attention to some of the forces at home and abroad which present the C.C.F. with tremendous opportunities. What this Convention must do is to lay plans; for finance and organization which will equip our movement to take full advantage of these opportunities. It should be borne in mind that in the Mnritimes, in apite of the hard work by local people, our organization is still very small. In Quebec, too, in spite of all the hard work done by a few people like Dr. Stanley Allen and Mr. Elliott, who aro with us today, Professor Forsey and others, our organization is very small, and we have made too little impression on the ranks of our French -Canadian citizens. There is most important work to be done there if Facism is to be faced in Canada. In Ontario, with all the sacrifices made by people like John Mitchell, Graham Spry, end many others the organization has not become the force that it must become, and without loss of time. I submit to this Convention that something must be done immediately, now, froiw this moment, in order that the organization may receive the impetus that will give it life throughout the country, in every province. For that the following minimum will be required: (1) We require at least one woman organizer. ( 2 ) We require at least one Youth organizer. (3) We require at least two French-speaking organizers. (4) We require several organizers for general organizing pur- poses. ■HI MORNI_NG SBSS ION , JULY 3 f X9 37 C ONT 1 D ; -33- fir Mr. Garland will bo one man to organizo right across organizing work as efficiently longer time in one place instjpd An organizer should be in a p rsi bo organized and where c?.u*os and should bo aolo to map cuo s.ctivi not the time to do these thi.jja ced to make. so one to tell you it i? impossible for the country. He himself cannot do o he could if he were able to spend a of jumping from one place to another, tion to map out which cor muni " ios can other units can bo formed, and he 6i?n for the units. Mr. Garlani has in the hurried visits whi.h he is for- . Qtlonr- '- Council suggests thoro should be lail down a minimum ox sj>l^,OJO a year to cover the salaries of organizers. Mr. Garland has informed you that by far the larger part of hi 3 tren oiling expenses was covered by collections and so on. That is a good thing for the past, but it is not a good thing for the future. The or v^nizers should havo cars at their disposal in >rdor to move about the c,untr u tore quickly, and ho should feel ; liberty to call upon th' Nationa*. f 7 ice lor money when funis are re era. red to make trips to pDaces where a crisis or emergency in wh’ch the 0.0. F. should play i part, may V arising. It is, tnorefore, nee® „.iary to allow $3,0t0 a year or veiling expenses over and above wiat may be collected. With x ore c’-an one general organiser engaged in tie work, it would be necessary to place that amount in the budget. Then, it is impossible for ouc man to do all the wo :k in the Central office and do it efficiently, especially with the entirely in- adequate equipment there is. It is suggested that *.2,000 bo placed in tho budget bo moot the expenses of the National office. It is tr ' o that tho C.C.F. does not produce sufficient liter- ature in the form of pamphlets and leaflets. It is, therefo.'e, suggested there should be a minimum subsidy of $500.00 per year for this purpose.,.. AH.owcaca.ia also made for the sum of $500. for general and sundry expenses. Finally, there should be allowed $1,000 as subsidy for National Council meetings. This is extremely important, and is a very small amount for the purpose. The National Council meets just once a year, at the Convention and not again. It is important for the effective carrying on of the work of the organization that the National Council meet more than once. The National Council meeting held at Ottawa, although legal and correct, was not representative enough because the only members west of Ontario present were members of Parliament, and there should be more than members of Parliament at the proceedings of the National Council. The Budget may. for convenience, be summarized as follows: Salaries of Organizers $12,000.00 Subsidy for travelling expenses for Organizers 3,000.00 Expenses of National Office 2,000.00 Sundries 500.00 Subsidy to publication of literature 500.00 Subsidy for meetings of National Council 1,000.00 $19,000.00 The budget I have submitted, therefore, provides for a total of $19,000, in comparison with some $2,000 last year. By comparison, nineteen thousand dollars looks like a large amount, but really it is almost a joke for a National Political Movement. Any political party covering s country suob s - <.*«?••■* -v? -.ivsn caj.ks in terms of $19,000 is talking in t ©r«o uia'c are almost too moderate ix -the movement ia to become waat it ought to be. 1 , July p,0 , coif? 1 r- -04- •; r v i ' p‘ -, ; i° r ’ey to be raised? The fees from ifrov incial affiliates, tVx ?!<-;' f hlp , du3S on the basis of 30,000 members would only yield h ,,i r J'., L V ’ ' ° n fC' 1 A^ 3 * rom our 5 ’ ederci1 members of Parliament would £~p^ *? *V V01 ^ >00 °- Here “ is duty to pay tribute to the ■ !, a -\°u . 1? *=>f nG " ■ )aa an d devoued way in vdiich they have assisted our national Movement, *r + . are things I would say here. The first is that the _ " t0lll - cl1 \ s convinced that we cannot raise the membership dues macn n..gner uhan they are. Ten cents per member is all that we can ask ar ohe present time. second is that the national Council should avoid as far as possible drawing rey'-nua from sources which new supply revonre for pro- vincial and local purposes. 'The National Council's plan for obtaining the money may be put in one soritonce; 4 i KMifT 700 PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PAY FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF SUPPOR TIN G THE O .C.E. ‘ - WE WANT 100 PEOPLE VEO ARE IN RECEIPT OE SUFFICIENT INCOME TO PAY U8_ REC-bR- ARLY~pl . CU~~TWM 7 WE WANT 200 PEOPLE TO R AY REGULARL Y 5 0 CENTS A WEEK. ^1. WANT 400 PEOPLE TO PAY REGULARLY APPROXIMATELY 25 G ENTS A WEEK. Seven hundred socialists who are willing to sacrifice a little in crier to make the coming of socialism possible will raise the amount re- quired for uho Budget. Tiro principle, on which this is based is that it is time the Nation- al organization went for its money to where the money is. We cannot go to the unemployed . the °*rmera in drought -stricken areas in Saskatchewan, or the workers who make just a poor wage. There are many people who , like myself, get salaries or regular wages. If they are socialists, they should be glad go make some contribution to their political Move- ment. I sin confident that the money can be obtained and will be pro- vided. The matter is urgent. The Movement must be extended; our thous- ands of supporters in every province must be organized; the C.C.F. must be in the forefront of every activity which is concerned with the wel- fare of the Canadian people. For these purposes the money must be found. I am confident it will be, M. «7. Coldwell, M.P. , speaking in support of the Budget proposals, paid tribute to Mr. Lewis for his able work under difficult conditions and said; ’We Lave always refused con J :r lout ions from sources that we considered to be tainted, and we shall continue to follow that policy. But there are sources indicated by Mr, Lewis that are not tainted and have never been tapped or approached. Wo must have finances for the organization, and I regard the $19,000 outlined as the minimum amount.” The hour for adjournment having arrived it was decided to resume public bu. inoss in open session in the afternoon, and to continue the private business in closed session in the evening. The session was adjourned until 3,15 P.M. -35- aFTBRNOON SESSION, JULY 28. 1957 (OPEN SESSION) The N a t:Lon a l Secretary read a telegram received by J. S. Woods worth on oehalj. on the C.C.F. from the Executive Secretary of the Socialist Party oi the U. S.A. , extending fraternal greetings to the Convention and expressing the hope of closer co-operation between all socialist Parties in the Western Hemisphere. REPORT OP CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE J^Earmer^ Manitoba , Chairman, Credentials Committee, reported as follows on behalf of his Committee: * The final report shows the' number of delegates to be - British Columbia 6 Alberta 3 Saskatchewan 21 Manitoba 8 Ontario 10 Quebec 3 National Council represent- atives not otherwise include d 12 Total ' 63 accredited The report was adopted. dele- gates. COMMITTEE ON DROUGHT David Lewis reported that the National Council recommended the following Committee to deal with the work to be carried on in connection with the emergency resolutions regarding the drought: J. King Gordon; Dr. J. S. Allen, Quebec; Dr. Lorna Cotton, Ontario; Miss Beatrice Brigden, Manitoba; George Williams, M.L.A. , Saskatchewan; William Irvine, Alberta; Reg. Bulock, British Columbia, and E. J. Garland, National Organizer. The recommendation of the National Council was adopted, and the above Committee duly appointed. (At a meeting of the National Council J. King Gordon was appointed Chairman of the Committee). ELECTION ON OFFICERS Chairman Garland: "This movement has done a remarkable job. It has been done almost entirely on a basis that was idealistic and emotional rather than on the perhaps more solid rock of concrete organ- ization and -finance. Your National Council has presented to you and will again present for completion a.t the evening session a complete plan for very much wider activity in the organization and administrat- ion field. We." are determined to recognize that this movement has now entered the second stage, and that a comprehensive, well organized, and clearly directed plan of further development is utterly essential if the movement is to continue to be an expression of socialist thought in this country and is to succeed. To that end the Council has devoted its attention, amongst other matters, to the tremendous amount of work that would devolve on the head of the organization unless some change were made. That work would bo far beyond the capacity of any single individuc.1 no master how re- markable he may be. It is far beyond the capacity of a man even as splendid as our President. The Council will, therefore, recommend an amendment which will involve a slight change in the officers of urn organization. Your National Council is unanimous in saying that ..ar . Woodsworth 3 hould remain President of this movement. But we are not prepared to kill him prematurely, as we would undoubtedly ao if we were to give him gigantic additional responsibilities to those he now has. The Council proposes to make this slight alteration, which will provido for an administration or Executive Chairman. Mr. Woodsworta remains head of this movement if on nomination he is re-elected as AFT ERNOON SESSION. JULY 28. C0NT’D~ 3 6 " President, and the new man will take charge of organization and ad- ministrative work.” Mr. Lewis then read the National Council’s amendment to the Con- stitution wh ich provided that "The National Council shall consist of a President, a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman, etc., etc.” This was carried unanimously. PRESIDENT: s * Woodsworth, M.P. , and Angus Mac Inn is, M.P. were nominated, ihe latter declined and Mr. Woodsworth was declared elected, and re- ceived a long and enthusiastic ovation from delegates and visitors. Mr. Woodsworth; "Mir. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen - I am sure no one could hut be moved by the continued confidence you have shown, in me. I have been very proud indeed to belong to a movement that contains such a splendid group of people as we have in the C.C.F. I shall endeavour to concentrate on my special line of the work. I am thankful that I shall not have so much responsibility regarding the actual administration of affairs. I am of opinion it is wise to dis- tribute responsibility in some such way as that. I am sure whoever you select as Chairman for the administrative work, that he and I will be able to get along nicely together. Thanks very much for this expression of confidence." CHAIRMAN : George Williams, M.L.A., Saskatchewan, proposed Mr. Coldwell for the office of National Chairman, saying he was sure Mr. Woodsworth and he would make one of the finest teams. No other was nominated, and Mr. Coldwell was declared elected. Mr. Coldwell: "I don’t think there is much that I can say in accepting office except that I shall try to serve this movement to the best of my ability. I am glad to be associated with J. S. Woodsworth, whose long and distinguished services to this movement are being retained. I know we. can work together, and I feel that in the very heavy task that lies ahead of the movement division of labour such as has been made is warranted. With his co-operation I hooe to be able to build up in future on the foundations which he and others have laid a strong movement, a movement based on the determination that production and distribution shall be organized and used, not for the profit of a few but for the common good. That is a great task and a great privilege, and I hope I may be given the strength and the courage to carry it through." VICE-CHAIRMAN: J. King Gordon, William Irvine, Miss Beatrice Brigden, and Grace Maclnnis were nominated. Mr. Irvine, Miss Brigden and Mrs. Maclnnis declined, and Mr. King Gordon was declared elected. Mr. Gordon: "I am almost overwhelmed by this sudden honour that has been thrust upon me. I shall do all in my power to meet the arduous responsibilities. " The six members of the National Council elected by the Con- vention are: Miss Beatrice Brigden, Manitoba; Rev. T. C. Douglas , M.P. , Saskatchewan; E. J. Garland, National Organizer; David Lewis, National Secretary; Grace Maclnnis. British Columbia; and F. R. Scott, Quebec. Wwwswf -^~ mm (CJ^ * ■ . . . . . . A?TSM OON S5SS ION , JULY 28 . CONT ' D -37- RBSOLUTIONS COMMITTEE nr PqP n R?L ! + L j h e 1 1 h- Che - irmp * n » Resolutions Committee, continued the tion° * Tt S i?? J eS 0 l ri^ ons from units with his Committee's recommends- lon * 11 Wl11 13(3 sufficient to summarize each resolution briefly: o. Referendum in time of war. (Oshawa, Ontario) :- Committee's recommendation of non-concurrence carried. 4. Vocational Training of Youth. (Hudson Club, New Liskeard, Ont.) ; - Coramittee's substitute motion to the effect that M.P. 's and M.L.A.'s be requested to advocate a more comprehensive system of vocational training of youth carried. 5. Old Age Pensions at Sixty. (Hudson Club, New Liskeard, Ont. ) : _ After discussion and amendment , the resolution was carried to the effect that the C.C.F. favours pensions at sixty and requests the M.P. 's to reintroduce the "Heaps" resolution and, if possible, force a vote in the Housed During the discussion, A. A. Heaps, M.P. , pointed out the limits which govern the introduction of a resolution by a private member and the need for so phrasing the resolution that it would not be ruled out of order. Hence it might not be possible to force a vote, although they might try. T. C. Douglas, M.P. , and Angus Maclnnis, M.P. , pointed out the desirability of leaving the age to the discretion of the parliamentary group, since it might well bo possible to obtain a. lowering of the age to somewhere between sixty and seventy, say sixty-five. In this case, it would be to the interest of the Canadian people to obtain whatever concession possible. 6. Change of name tc Co-operative Commonwealth Farmer-Labour Party. (Woodbine Club, Toronto, Ont.):- Non-concurronce carried. 7. That units be kept directly informed on affairs of National movement. (Garland Club, Toronto, Ont.):- Reforred to National Council. 8. That special effort be made to organize womon. (Fort William, ont. \ - Tabled pending consideration of organization plans. 9. That platform for next Federal Election be prepared. (Fort Garry, Man. ) : - Referred to National Council. 10. That movement concentrate on organizing Ontario. ( Tr inity Riding, Toronto , Ont. ) : - Non-concurrence carried on ground that it will be the duty of the National Council to assist every province in accordance with its needs. 11. Method of taking over farm land. ( Craigio-Millwood, Man. ):- Referred to National Council. 12. Demand for a Central Bank and a mothod of issuing credit. (Fort Garry, Man. ):- Non-concurrence and recommendation that additional literature be issued on this matter. 02 CT ) iUL _TERN00N SESSION , JULY 28.C0NT'D: -58- A Parra Loan Board. (Port Garry, Man . ) : - 14. 15. 16. 17. Non-concurrence and recommendation that additional literature be issued on this matter. finance the educational and promotion work of co- operatives. (Port Garry, Man. ):- Non-concurrence and recommendation that additional literature be issued on this matter. Debt adjustment legislation. (Port Garry, Man. ):- Non-concurrence on ground that this matter is dealt with in Policy Resolution on Agriculture. A Government Wheat Board. (Port Garry, Man.):- Non-concurrence on ground that this matter is dealt with in Policy Resolution on Agriculture. A Peace Programmes - Non-concurrence. Dealt with in Policy Resolution. AGRICULTURE Geo. H. Williams, M.L.A. , Saskatchewan . resolution: - ’ moved the following IT In spite of its importance, Agriculture remains the most depressed industry in Canada. With painful regularity the farmer finds himself farced to throw his produce upon the market, with the result that others possessing greater financial strength and better organization, by taking advantage of his action are able to secure control of his produce at a low figure, use it for speculation and eventually market it for a higher figure. Thus because of his position the farmer finds that year after year his returns are not sufficient to take care of his costs, and hi3 debts steadily increase. The C.C.P. regards the recovery and stabilization of Agriculture as essential to the prosperity of Canada, and to this end will - 1. Set up an effective Grower’s National Marketing Bo rd, the duty of which shall be to market agricultural produce and fix a price which will return to the producer the average cost of production plus a decent standard of living. 8. Negotiate trade agreements on a reciprocal basis to ensure larger markets for our primary products, and - 3. Introduce such legislation as may be necessary to assist in removing the burden of debt, and give security of tenure to the farmer on his land." Mr. Williams said: "Agriculture in spite of being regarded as our most important industry is always in the position of being the one industry in which there is no security whatsoever. Evory year the average farmer has to go right to the elevator to sell his crop. He cannot do otherwise. He cannot hold his wheat, .and must sell at the oing price. He must have money with which to meet his liabilities, o he must haul his grain immediately to the market. The result is that there is a heavy delivery immediately after threshing. That forces the market down. Speculative interests buy the wheat at a low figure for future speculation. They force down prices temporarily and are able eventually to sell at a much higher figure. v_ OQN S5S S ION . JULY 28 . C OUT 1 D • - 39 _ gets „ T S° mcn Produces the vvhor.t is the man who r’nivt’Q ^ it e Bocauso ho gots so little out of it his dustri-l cont?AQ GCr ^ aSe \ Whct advant age is that to tho p ople ’ in in- s )ond^ If tho W ° Uld Spend raon<3y fr0Gl y if hG had it to wouM h^vf J!! average farmer got a decent price for his wheat, ho so desperate ia J^ anci ^ d . stability and greater purchasing power. But failure for the f i raf 0 ?^ 10n +v hc ' t ^ any district where there is a crop districts £? rst 1 tlrae » ’there is a crisis as serious as th-t frein^ districts where there have been crop failures for many years. •* Hctionai H-?fcetin°’ Roafrt th o . o^tablishmont of on effective Shower's fir « aiw Bo ?l d ' l ,hl0h would market r.gricultura.1 produoo ond oi-Sd^otion return to the producer the cvera.go cost of Sss tw il decent stonda.rd of living. One of the greatest c imes tiic.t ever occurred was committed last year* Tho evor-^o f-rrrv the g?“iSM e s sold Gl t at thG £ 0West possible prices, and subsequently - tiSa wh™ comparatively higher prices. That was done at proved JanarM it J 1 * S. WG J e serious and when ^cy would have been im- n e nJ>? Gr " lly 5 D £ thG farmGrs received proper prices for their pro- duce. Other countries, such as New Zealand, protect agriculture, and tnero is no reason why Canada should not do so." ^‘Shopman, Manitoba, said: "Farmers suffer severely when they £ uVG to , SGl1 a ^ el ev ‘a'tor price as soon as they tako their crop off.’ ■'° h °P Gd the Convention would give tho resolution its unanimous support. v-n^f 3 °S° 0x ^ orGmos 't things in connection with the future sta- bility of the organization in rural aroas. Liss Mary Crawford, Alborta, said she remomborod reading an editorial in tho Winnipeg Free Press stating that under the marketing system, the farmers could sell their wheat as they pleased. She rather thought the writer had his tongue in his check when ho wrote that editorial, or else ho did not know that tho farmers wore not froo to soil their wheat as th4y pleased. Farmers wore compelled to sell their wheat at low prices last Fall. They had t@ so n it in order to buy winter supplies and pay their taxes. A large percentage of tho wheat passed out of the farmers' hands before it reached one dollar. M. J. Coldwell, M.P. , said tho condition that faces Canada, and particularly Western Canada, today Is not due entirely to the drought situation. In 1928 there was a largo crop, and in 1931 and 1932 there were large crops, particularly in northern sections. In these years the price of wheat at the country elevator in the constituency he represented was 21 cents a bushel. To meet that situation, marketing boards are essential. The present government at Ottawa was to be condemned most vigorously on account of its betrayal of the Western farmer. In spite of what Mr. King had said at Brandon, and again at Saskatoon, the Wheat Board was set aside within six weeks of his return to power, and they had the appointment of James R. Murrey. When William Irvine went into Assiniboia in 1935 and challenged the right of Mr. Gardiner to that seat, ho performed c. groat public service" to the farmers of Western Canada. That should be noted. Everything that Wr. Irvine said during that campaign had come true, - unfortunately. He said the farmers would be delivered into the hands of the Philist- ines, the Grain Exchange. Who would deny that today? At the ond of June last year it was obvious that groat areas would be subject to drought, and yet on July 6th whon conditions wore threatening, James R. Murray marketed 63,000,000 bushels of whoet on a fire-sale basis, immediately before the new crop came into existence. The undirected, blind system of marketing today is bringing tragedy into 'Western Canada. It was absolutely necessary for the C.C.F. to have a plank of this kind in its platform. Action of the kind was absolutely necessary in tho interests of agriculture. There would never bo prosperity in Eastern Canada until there had been rehabilitation of the Western granary, and there would never bo rehabilitation of the Wes tern granary until tho Western producer was guaranteed a decent, adequate price for tho product ho produces. The government should determine what the price should bo. The resolution wr.s carried unanimously. AFTERNOON SESSION. JULY 28 . COIJT 1 D; -40- THB BRITISH NORTH AMERICA ACT — — — — ^oodsw orth, M.P. . moved the following resolution: 1 "?' ne British North America Act, the constitution under which Canada is governed, was formulated 70 years ago when economic and consequently social conditions were very different from those of today. Scientific and technical developments completely changed the relationship of the great majority of tne people to the means by which they get their livelihood' The scope of government, as defined by the Canadian constitut- ion, has undergone no corresponding ohange. The B.N.A. Act be- comes increasingly out-of-date. Today the growing insecurity of farmer and industrial worker demands nation-wide measures of social protection. Such social legislation in Canada has been frustrated by the con- flict of .jurisdiction between the provinces and the Dominion. Tho recent decisions of the Supremo Court and the Privy Council have added to tho confusion. Even our much -vaunted Dominion status has been drastically curtailed by denying to the Domin- ion Parliament the right to enact lavra that would give effect to international conventions designed to raise tho standard of living of the workers. The deadlock between the provinces and the Dominion must be ended by necessary amendments to tho B.N.A. Act, which will give adequate power to the Federal Parliament, while preserving intact minority rights now enjoyed. The responsibility of initiating such amendments rests with the Dominion Government. There is immediate need for amendments to permit Federal legisla- tion covering the marketing of natural produots, regulating wages and hours of labour, safeguarding the rights of workers to organize, and providing for social insurance and relief. Tho C.C.F. urges upon the present Government tho absolute necessity of securing such amendments at as early a date as possible. The C.C.F. further insists that immediate steps be taken to make real the Dominion status of Canada, legally affirmed by the Statute of Westminster but apparently set aside by the recent Privy Council decisions. At this time it is of prime importance that the jurisdiction of the Dominion Parliament in domestic affairs be clearly defined and that its supremacy in the field of foreign affairs be established beyond question.” Mr, Woodsworth said that this resolution did not require any lengthy speech from him. The pressing need for the amendments spe cified in the resolution was clear. We ©an no longer allow tho Canadian people to suffer because of an obsolete and unworkable division of powers between the Dominion and Provincial Governments. The resolution was carried. FOREIGN POLICY AND WORLD PEACE Georj National ( ;e H. Williams , ouncil M.L.A. , Saskatchewan, moved on behalf of the ■cTarifying amendment to the C.C.F. Foreign Policy adopted at tho 1936 Toronto Convention. The amendment whose_ effect was the insertion of the word "imperialist” before the word "War” in the last clause of that resolution, was carried without opposition. It is useful to reproduce here the C.C.F. Foreign Policy in view of the importance of the subject. The resolution passed by 1936 Toronto Convention as amended by the 1937 Winnipeg Convention, therefore follows: "The imperialist powers have betrayed the principles of the League of Nations and are feverishly preparing for another War. The situation is so serious that it is no longer possible to content ourselves with vague declarations about our devotion to AFTERNOON SE SSION^ JULY 28, CONT 1 D: -41- peace. A paramount clear and conscious foreign policy has become of importance, . tle 9 3^fppv^°jl'n y and the People The C.C.F. strongly condemns Titlf! V, th which foreign policy has been conducted by and Conservatives alike. Under Mr. King as under^Mr. 1 £* as b ? en the practice to delay and avoid discussion of wh.t our Department of External Affairs has been doing and Qk^Sk C °^ traents xt raay ll£Ve undertaken. Yet upon these tnnn! t o deC ^ ions may de ^ end the lives of tens of thousands of young _ Oanadians. Such conduct is a denial of all the democratic HI* l£ 1& n of responsible government. A. C.C.F. government will tcke the Canadian people into its confidence on this as on other Canada and the Empire; At present, Canada has not legally achieved, complete control over her foreign policy because" she is technically at war when Great Britain is at war. The C.C.F. therefore favours legislation similar to that recently passed ^ Africa, which will remove the legal and constitutional obstacles to independent action by the Canadian parliament and government . on all questions of peace and war. Such legislation will make it clear to the world that Canada is free to he neutral in any war, even in one in which the other members of the British Commonwealth are engaged. Canada and the League of IJat ions : The C.C.F. reaffirms its belief that the principal causes of v/ar in the modern world are economic competition, the struggle for raw materials and markets, and the class conflicts, which are an essential part of the capitalist system. It is evident that the most social- ist countries today are the strongest influence for peace, whilst militarism, aggressive nationalism and war propaganda are flourishing amongst the capitalist and fascist^ powers . The change from capitalism to a socialist economy planned in the interest of the people will be the best protection against war. It is, however, clear that a properly organized League of Nations can be of great help in organizing world opinion against war and in establishing a system of collective security to pre- vent aggression. The present League has failed because imper- ialist governments have used it as a screen behind which to play the old game of power politics. To be effective the League must provide machinery for the peaceful change of treaties; it must deal fearlessly with economic conflicts arising from trade rivalries and from the struggle for raw materials; it must work out in advance a clear policy for collective action against an aggressor; and its members must disarm. The C.C.F. will active- ly support any policy which aims at such developments in the League. Neutrality: The C.C.F. believes that Canada should remain strictly neutral in case of imperialist wars regardless of who the belligerents may be. The Canadian government shoujd avoid all commitments in any schemes of imperial defence and should confine its defence policy to local Canadian needs. " RE: DROUGHT ACTION J. King Gordon announced that he had received a telegram from Pro- fessor R. B. Y. Scott, of Montreal, with respect to th e' r esolut ion regarding drought emergency action introduced at the opening session of the Convention. Professor Scott, who is President of the Fellowship far a Christian Order, stated; "Expect Fellowship Executive meeting next week will give full co-operation in drought campaign." The Chairman expressed the appreciation of the convention, and it was decided to acknowledge by telegram the message. . oor SESSION. JULY 28 .CONT'D: -4 2 - affiliation of trade unions, etc. C . Or r.nt Mr. cN e i 1 , M. P . , Chairman, Resolutions Committee, moved the following National Council Resolution as a substitute for tho Resolution forwarded by the Ontario Provincial Convention: 18. "WHEREAS the C.C.F. has, from its inception, looked forward to the closest co-operation with economic groups which express the urgent needs of farmers and workers, and WHEREAS the present temper of the trade union movement indicates a growing realization by the organized workers of the need for political action on their behalf: Be it resolved that overy effort bo made by the National Cbuncil to facilitate the affiliation of economic groups, such as Co-operatives farm organizations and trado unions, as pro- vided for by tho programme and constitution of tho C.C.F.” The resolution was carried unanimously. 19. Four resolutions advocating tho Popular Front were taken to- gether. The Resolutions Committee recommended non-concurrenco on the ground that the policy defined at tho last convention has been shown to adequately meet the present situation. The recommendation of non- concurrence was carried without opposition. 20. A large commercial air force capable of being adapted to military purposes of National Defence. Non-concurrence as not being in harmony with the declared policy of the C.C.F. , although full support is given to tho development of civil aviation. 21. Two resolutions that National Conventions be hold every socond year instead of every year. Non-concurrence carried. The session was adjourned till 8.30 P.M. EVENING SESSION, JULY 28, 1957 (CLOSED SESSION) Tho resolution on finr.nce and administration was taken from the table, and the discussion resumed. Angus Ivlaclnnis, M.P. , said that compared with last year, when the revenue was something like $1,700, the amount being budgeted for now seemed a big amount. Howovor, if they we re to have a National Organization worthy of a major political party, they must during the coming year raise at least the $19,000 budgeted. 7/ays and means he* already been canvassed as to how that money could be found. We don’c expect to take it out of the people who have not got it. We beiievo we will have to get it from where the money is. It is necessary for us to adopt an attitude of that kind if we are going to be a political force in the country. People will not follow leaders who are not sure themselves that they are going to reach the goal they are aiming at. C. L. Cobum, Ontario , expressed belief that the C.C.F. ©ould raise $19,000 for the National Organization. He was quite sure of that because of the encouragement they had received in Ontario when a cam- paign for the Provincial office was started recently. Mr. Coburn said: "I appreciate very much the honour of boing the first to pledge twenty- five cents a week to the National Fund." (The last statement was greeted v/ith applause, and the Chairman expressed appreciation af the Convention) . R. N. Elliott, Quebec, said he was sure the C.C.P. would get the $19,000. Some six weeks ago they organized a campaign in Quebec. Elio time had arrived when they thought they needed a French organizer in that province. Very few people had been canvassed, and when he left there wore pledges amounting to $90.00 a month. Our objective is to put one French organizer and one English organizer into the field. In answer to a question, the National Secretary (Pavia Lewis) said there is a conviction that organizing work should bo done by people on the spot. That is very true, but there are times and sit- uations when the local organizers can be r.ssisted very materially by National organizers. He suggested that exchanges of the National organizers appointed would be beneficial to the movement everywhere, for in that way the various sections of the movement would be broug.it closer together. Then there was a tremendous amount of work to be done by the National organizers without interfering with the work of the local organizers. Thus, he pointed out, it is in those sections of the country where the movement is weakest that organization work is most needed. Yet because the movement is weak, no local organizer is available. In such a case the National Council would send an organizer into the area who, in co-operation v/ith the local people, would lay the foundation for further organization. The value of a National organizer has been amply proven by the splendid v/ork of the Chairman (E. J. Garland). But, as he pointed out in his report, his work is not nearly as effective as he would like it to be,— and as he could make it,— because he is only one. So far as women and youth organizations are concerned, the value of a National organizer is obvious. R. W. Bullock, British Columbia, spoke in favor of adopting^ quota arrangement for the provinces, one that had close relation to the ability of the people to meet the obligations imposed. M iss Mary Crawford, Alberta, moved that the National Council be requested to set up a committee of ways and means to take charge of tno collection of tho money. (Seconded by H. Prevost, Ontario). Miss Crawford gave details of "the Alberta experiment in to G way of obtaining funds voluntarily from people interested in supporting the organization work of the C.C.F. Amid loud applause, she said it had boon a quietly conducted experiment that has . been ominently success- ful. The support is there if we will only organize it and make it active -44- i^auLI I NC SBSS ION. JULY 28 ROUT’D; pr lac Y °lo J th c t ^ ^ f SSltat ° h eWa ? ’ ^ xsoi th0 convention to adopt tho tho remuneration Sn r f an are G l Q oted to remunerative of ficos , part of nora.tion should he used for furtherance of tho movement. it ha ! ' * no t ^nt V n ar ~ ? 1 Sai 1 d bbe weakness the movement is that ways and nelns b? Where “ Can finance Properly. [There are o rson to S K M tbe mone y can be raised, but it takes a capable for six or niL mnnJSo Sahemes * He suggested that someone be appointed ind meJn? o? 2 • • th f^ Wh0 WOald be given the Sole 3 °* of devising ways Council f S tne raone y and would be responsible to the National -idPr g Tfon h h i p r f an \ l 3, J :, gflr1pnfl ' ,T ^at point has been under con- oldeiuLiUI1 Lhe council. I suggest such a man will be obtained." ) r o gr ^mp 1 gQrdon . aald the y had been setting out a tremendous the S rpa?onJ?bi ??+ y i?® , forward the movement, and they should now place x « b ^ ty f ^ rml y on tae new Council. With that responsibility placed, there is no doubt the objective will be attained. — H. v/illiams, M.L.A. r Saskatchewan committee every support the Saskatchewan , pledged the financial organization could give. The Budget was carried unanimously. The motion instructing the National Council to appoint xinancG committee was carried unanimously. a special j-t was agreed that the National Secretary be instructed to obtain tne assistance of all the delegates for the purpose of raising an initial fund with which to finance the main financial campaign. The Secretary announced that two further donations towards the campaign had already been received. The following three resolutions regarding organization were then moved and carried: ( 1 ) Lists of paid-up members: That each province be required to submit to tho National Office a list showing the paid-up membership as at December 31st in each year. (8) Resolutions to National Conventions: That units desiring to present resolutions to tho National Convention must first submit such resolutions to their re- spective Provincial Conventions for adoption before they will be accepted for presentation to the National Convention. ( 3 ) a National C.C.F. Paper; This resolution, in effect, requested the National Council to appoint a committee consisting of the National Organizer and representatives of the various C.C.F. papers to explore the possibilities of establishing a C.C.F. Nationalppaper to replace or supplement the present local weeklies; this committee to present a report and, if possible, detailed recommendations to the National Council at the earliest possible time. Private Business having ended, tho session was at this stage opened to visitors. David Lewis, National Secretary, road a message of greeting from the b/oodbino C.C.F. Club, Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Lewis also road a letter from the Trades and Labour Council of Fort William, Ontario. Tho letter greeted the Convention and invited the C.C.F. to hold its next National Convention in Fort William. E VEN ING SESSION , JULY 28 , CONT'D: -45- T^hmiv°n reta ^f W S S ins tructod by Convention to thank tho Trades 0 ™ no1 ]- °J William for thoir greetings and their kind mviDution, Tao letter was referred to the National Council. md MONOPOLIES Angus Maclnn i s, M.P., moved the following resolution: . financial Institutions, largo scale industries and dis- triimt>atro agencies in Canada are, as has been rooeatedly proved, monopolistic m character. They are controlled by a small group of men woo use their power for private profit, not for the public good. By various forms of direct and indirect control tho power of those men extends far boyond thoir own concerns. They sot tho rate ox interest at which money is borrowed, farmers and small business men must buy materials and equipment at tho price set by tnc monopolies and at their price must sell the product of thoir" labour. Monopoly has tho consumer at its mercy and , except where there are strong trade unions, fixes the rate of wages. It is, moreover, usually the most ruthless opponent of trade union organ- ization. Bjr contributions to campaign funds and by financial pressure it wields great influence over the old political parties. Tno farmer, tho worker, the 'small business man and the consumer, in fact, every class in tho community, come directly and indirect- ly under tho domination of this small group of men, tho real masters of the country. Such economic power, in private hands and used for private gain, is contrary to political democracy and must ultimately destrpy it. Mere 'government regulation' of private monopolies has proved ineffective in Canada, the United States, and wherever it has been tried* The great corporations are too strong; they own the government unless the government takes steps to own them. The financial and industrial powers of monopoly must be transferred to the people and used for the good of all. Socialism,- public ownership, co-operative institutions, and democratic control,- is the only solution for this problem." Mr. Maclnnis said: "Before we can get anything worth while for the pe ople of this country we must get control of the monop- olies and see that they are not used in the interests of a few"but in the interests of the many. He enumerated many of the out- standing monopolies and showed how they dominate every class in the community. " The resolution was carried. With this the business of the Convention was ended. The minutes would, however, not be complete without a reference to the splendid work of Dr. J. S. Allen, Quebec, in distributing and selling" literature throughout the sessions. The Convention expressed its appreciation of his work, and delegates learned a great deal about effective methods of selling socialist literature. The National Secretary moved votes of thanks to the Newspapers for thoir generous and fair publicity; to the hotel and the employees for their services; to the TTinnipeg Arrangements Committee for their hos- pitality and their successful efforts to make tho delegates comfortable and happy. Finally, Mr. Lewis moved a vote of thanks to E. J. Garland for the able, fair and impressive way in which he had conducted the chair throughout. That the Convention appreciated Mr. Garland's ser- vices was evidenced by the applause. Mr. Garland and Mr. Angus Maclnnis expressed appreciation of the work of the National Secretary, and Mr. Garland declared the Convention closed at 10.15 P.M. In a spirit of useful work well done, tbs delegates parted to carry on in their respective provinces. -46- INDEX Agriculture Allen, J. S, Ballantyne, R.A.C. dismissal of, Barefoot, G. H. Brigden, Beatrice B. N.A. Act Budget Bullock, R. W. Coburn, C. L. Coldwell, M. J. C. C.Y.M. Crawford, Mary Credentials Committee, Report Democracy Douglas, T. C. Drought Emergency, Government Action " " , Voluntary Aid Drought, - Rehabilitation Drought Emergency, Special Committee Election, President " , Chairman ” , Vice-Chairman " , Members National Council Elliott, R. N. England, P. E. Parmer , S . J . Financial Statement F.C.S.O. , telegram re drought action Foreign Policy Fort William Trades & Labour Council Garland, E. J. Gordon, J. King Heaps, A. A. Johnston, T. Lewis, David Mac Inn is, Angus MaoNeil , C. G. Monopolies Montreal Newspaper Guild Nash, W. , N.Z. Minister of Finance New Zealand Nicholson, A. M. Old Age Pensions, Historical Letter " " " at Sixty Phelps, J. L. Popular Front President's Address Prevost, H. Queen, J. L. Report, National Council »» t ,T Organizer " ’, Parliamentary Group Robinson, E. Shopman, R. F. . Socialist Party, U. S. A. .greetings iccm Spain , . „ ‘ " .National Council Resolution Trade Unionism »» Unions, affiliation of Williams, G. H. Woodbine Club, message from Woodsworth, J. S. PAGE 38ff. 22, 29 30 21, 22 13 40 32ff . , 43ff . 43 22, 29, 43 6ff . , 34, 36, 39 30 13, 39, 43 35 24 ff. 11 , 12 11 12 6ff. 13, 35 36 36 36 36 43 29 11 30 41 40 44 I, 10, 20ff. ,23,29,35,44 24ff . , 36, 41, 44 23 10,22,44 II, 14ff . , 18ff . ,29,32ff. ,43 43, 45 24 45 30 1 1 10 23 24, 36 10 42 Iff. 44 11, 22, 29 14ff. 20ff . 18ff . 10, 29 39 35 13 14 21 42 22, 38ff. , 40, 44 44 2ff . , 36, 40