Lögberg - 09.06.1932, Síða 7

Lögberg - 09.06.1932, Síða 7
LÖGBERG, FIMTUDAGINN 9. JÚNÍ 1932. 7 Kjósið þann 1 6. júní þessi sex INDEPENDENT LABOR PARTY þingmannaefni: V. B. ANiDEiRSON BEATiRICE BRIGDEN S. J. FARMER An Open Letter to MR. P. K. BJARNASON, ARBORG, MAN. My dear friend:— After the Arborg meeting on the 21st of May, one of my friends met me on the street in Arborg and asked me why I had not used the five minutes that I was offer- ed to speak. I told him some of the main points which I intended to brin!g out, and he seemed to be interested in the subject. When we parted I promised him, if I had the opportunity, to state my views in one of the papers and as you were the 'Chairman of the Meeting, I decided to address myself to you. In politics, we want outspoken, courageous leadership. The bulk of us are sick of the ordinary political pussy-footing; we are sick of the selfishness and cow- ardice of our politicians; we are losing faith in our institutions which are forgetting matters of state and diving into the waters f°r personal gain. We do not want any' more glitterinlg bunk from, political bunk-shooters. We are sick of political speeches wjiieh are devoid of real sub- stance and real issue. Under Party system we desire ío be able to distinguish between party plat- forms. As I look at the platforms of the two old political parties, there is not an iota of difference between them. As for the third party, the Progressives, their re- cent actions show plainly that the , leaders of the party do not regard themselves materially advanced from the old parties, otherwise they would not have proposed an amalgamation of all three. Had the Progressives regarded them- selves far advanced, it would have been illogical to introduce a con- servative element into the Pro- gressive program. It would have been a step backwards. So here we have it in a nutshell: the pres- ent government tells us by its actions that it is not and has not been a progressive government. It has done exactly the same thing as a Conservative or Liberal gov- ernment would have done. They all do something; if they did not MARCUS HYMAN WM. IVENS JO'HN QUEEN they would not expect to be re- elected. But most assuredly, they do as little as possible for the common people, but always with the point in view that it is the vote of the common people that counts. On the other hand, they have to be on the right side of the moneyed man, because the moneyed man has always some ways and means of gettting the governments heavily indebted so that they will have to borrow money from them. You will say that a Provincial Government is unable to make any great changes; that may be so, but we want to see a government that is carrying the Progressive standard progressive in thought. We want to see a Progressive Gov- ernment make some progressive resolutions, and we want to see our Progressive members put their shoulders to the wheel of pro- gressive ideans. We fail to get our eyes on any progressive thoughts or actions from our gov- ernments, and we fail to get our eyes on any prolgressive thought or action from any of the Pro- gressive ideas. We fail to get as closely caught in the political net as any member of the old political parties. There is not an iota of difference between them. But, there is a progressive element in the country, and in the Province of Manitoba, as you know. You were present and attended the annual Convention of the U.F.M. las’t winter. You told me about some of the proceedings. You told me about the marked left element, of which you spoke with pride and enthusiasm; and I believe you were sincere in your radical views. I remember you saying that our views on most of the major issues of the day were so elosely related that, indeed, there was no differ- ence between them. You have for the past few years been fairly closely connected with the U.F.M., so it is reasonable to think that the major resolutions and actions of that body do not go past you unnoticed. I, therefore, take it for granted that you must be aware of the Farmer-ÍLabor Co- perative movement in this Pro- vince; that over 200 meetings were held during last winter and local committees appointed; that /poc Býður sig fram á ný í St. George kjördœmi Skúli Sigfússon Við kosningarnar, sem fram fara þann 16. júní 1932, býður hr. Skúli Sigfússon sig fram að nýju. Hann hefir átt sæti á þinginu um lanlgt skeið, og reynst kjördæmi sínu dyggur fulltrúi. — Verið samtaka um að kjósa hann að nýju. Merkið seðilinn þannig: the two groups met in Winnipeg on April 9th, and spent two days in discussing a co-operative act- ion, which resulted in the follow- ing resolutions:— “That this Conference go on record as being in favor of runn- ing candidates in every constitu- ency in Manitoba, where it is possible, who adhere to the prin- cipíe of establishing the Co- Operative Commonwealth to be known as the Independent Farmer Party, and the Independent Labor party.” The following platform was adopted:— “Realizing that the present econ- omic crises are due to the inherent unsoundness of the capitalistic system, which is based on private ownership of resources and capi- talist control of production and distribution bhat involves the pay- ment of rents, interest and profit, we, farmers and industrial work- ers, in joint convention assembled, recognize that social ownership of industry and natural resources, with co-operative production for use instead of for profit, is the only sound economic system. In order to obtain the above objective, we advocate:— 1. Public ownership of trans- portation, telegraphs, telephones, mines, forests, and fisheries, water power sites, abbatoirs, cold stor- age plants, creameries, milk distri- bution systems, grain elevators, and all essential public utilities. 2. The socialization and control of currency and credit. 3. A planned economy of pro- duction, distribution and ex- change of all essential commodi- ties including exports and imports 4. Nationalization of land, se- curity of tenure to be obtained by the issuance of permanent “use lease.” 5. To meet the immediate debt situation a Debt Adjustment Board bc empowered to review all debts and to make such adjustments and reductions as are necessary to enable farmers to stay on their farms that no evictions or fore- closures be carried out without consent of the Board; that the Chairman be constituted a trustee in bankruptcy and that provisi- ons be made for the compounding of all debts and of arriving at a final settlement of the same which would first provide for the living of the debtor before the payment of debts. 6. Proportional representation with group constituencies. 7. Free and equal educational opportunity from the kindergarten to the University. 8. Assistance to bona-fide co- operatives by: Provincial legal safeguards. Enacting enablinlg legislation for the creation of commodity marketing, distributing and consumers’ co-operative organ- izations.” You must also be aware of the fact that the farmers brought to this conference a declaration of organized purpose adopted as a basis of membership by the U.F.M. at this last annual convention. Now, considering all this, it would be reasonable to think that, since you are taking an active part in the election campaign now pend- ing, you would be an enthusiastic supporter of this new Farmers’ Labor Party, and use your ability to get a man in the field and sup- port him under the new standard. But, instead, you are takin’g an active part in the old political bunk, supporting the glittering bunk party, a party that is not worth its name and certainly not worth the support of a radical. I am sorry that I have been mis- led as to our relations on political issues and, undoubtedly, on other issues as well. I am sorry that you, as chairman of the Arborg Meeting, did not see fit to allow me more than five minutes to ex- press my thoughts, with a defin- ite understanding that I would not be “outrageous” in my speech. You know that I am not such a flu- ent speaker as to be able to ex- issue but speak as glainly as I am now writing. I am sorry that you term my political views “outrage- ous” now, while only a few weeks ago you regarded the two of us as being of the same school. I have not chanlged my mind. I am sorry you have so completely turned around in so short, a time. You have made the statement to me on more than one occasion that you regard me as beirig one of the most level heads in this commun- ity. I accepted this as a friendly compliment but not as an actual fact. I am sorry for you, as chair- man of the Arborg meeting, re- fused to listen to your friend, who a few weeks ago had the same political views as you had. and who had such a good head, as you had previously stated. If the bright minds are unable to contribute anything towards an idea, what is to be expected from the plain minds and the simple ones? This communication gives you a fairly close idea of what I would have said at the meeting had you been fair enou'gh to give me fifteen or twenty minutes in which to speak. It would not have been in this form, of course, and I would not have addressed my- self to you personally as I do now. But, since this is a personal letter to a friend, I might extend it a little and have a chat with you on Iess important matters. You acted as the leader at the Arborg meeting, so I take it for granted that you were also the leading man at the Gimli Convention. Now why did you not raise your voice in protest at what you called an unfair game at the Gimli Con- vention? You announced at the Arborg meeting that you and your men would stand for justice and justice only. Why did you and your men not stand for justice at Gimli? Your pretext that it was from regard and respect for Mrs. Bracken, who was present, seems to me to be a very poor and illog- ical excuse indeed. Why not ad- mit that this was fabricated after the convention as some kind of a camouflage to hide your inalert- ness? How cou'ld it be from re- gard for Mrs. Bracken that you did not stand for justice at the Gimli Convention? Does not Mrs. Bracken want justice done? Does she not belong to a political party that stands for justice? was it not rather out of regard for your opponents that you did not want to throw your flashlight on them and show their nakedness to Mrs. Bracken? Wlould it not have been more respectful and shown high- er regard for Mrs. Bracken by showing her that the leading Pro- gressives in this constituency were alert, courageous, and out- spoken men? Or, what about Mr. Bracken hirnself? Do you not think Mrs. Bracken will hear about the Arborg meeting? Will it not be just as shocking to her to know that you stood for justice in Ar- borg as that you had stood for injustice in Gimli? How are you going to break the news to her? The fact of the matter is that there was no more injustice done at the Gimli Convention than is common at any similar meeting; one candidate was the winner and the others the losers. The Con- vention accepted Mr. Jonasson’s nomination. The defeated nominee accepted it and pled'ged his sup- port to him. Mr. Bracken also ac- cepted it and welcomed Mr. Jonas- son to his political bosom. The fact of the matter is also that you Progressive delegates went to the convention with the idea that it was yours and no one else’s; and you did not have enough sport- manship to take your defeat. Hence this makeup of injustice followed by an organized effort to bully through a new nominat- ing convention. Then, what do we meet with at the Arborg conven- tion? Do we meet with fair play KAUPIÐ ÁVALT LUMBER THE EMPIRE hjá SASH & DOOR CO. LTD. HENRY AVE. EAST. - - WINNIPEG, MAN. Yard Office: 6th Floor, Bank of Hamilton Chamhers. you attempt to give any under- standing to us on political issues? No, indeed, NO. You announced that thih was your meeting and vour meeting only. You did not per- mit free discussion. You stated that you stood for justice and justice only. But what about a free speech? Is suppression of speech justice? You announced that you were not opposed to the Bracken Government, but, still you are putting a man in the field to oppose an a'lready nominated candidate whom Mr. Bracken him- self has accepted and welcomed to the ranks. You stated that you were not opposed to the Liberal Progressive amalgamation outside of this constituency. But why op- pose it in this constituency? If it is right and just in one part of the Province, why is it unjust and wrong in any other part? Al) your actions so far in this nomin- ating campaign are as unjust as they are illogical, and from any angle looked at have nothing to do with real issues. They are all based on personal gain and they are all based on this idea eman- ating from both sides, that “if I get my man in I stand a better chance of getting a few dollars in the road leading into my yard.” But, my dear friend, this is not politic and there is no hope of political advancement while this selfishness is prevailing; and. when the campailgn heat has evap- orated out of your system, you will regret this unsound and illog ical game you are playing. Then, a last few words about my vote. What is a vote anyway? I regarded it as an expression of opinion on some issues; but not now. When there is no issue at stake I do not utilize my vote. I am sorry that circumstances should so arrange matters that I am uable to express my opinion by my vote in this coming elec- tion. Yours very truly, Valdi Jóhannesson. SPURNING: Við hvern ó eg að ráðfæra mig viðvíkj- andi augunum? SVAR: Pér skuluð leita ráða hjá reglulegum augnlækni. Strax þegar þér finnið eitthvað að aug- unum, og þér settuð einnig að láta augnlæknir skoða augu yðar reglulega, með hæfilegu miliibili, hvort sem þér finnið að nokkuð gangi að þeim eða ekki. Gætið þess, að veikindi I aug- unum er ekkert hégðmamál, því jafnvel smáveiklun, ef hún er vanrækt, getur orðið þrálát og hættuleg. Augnlæknirinn er fær um að finna það, sem að er og fara með það eins og við á. Hann, sem getur sagt hvaða meðul skal nota, ef þeirra þarf við, er líka áreiðanlega færastur um að velja yður gleraugu, sem skýra sjðn- ina og gera áreynsluna mirtni. Sem gleraugnasalar er fara eft- ir forskriftum lækna, förum vér nákvæmlega eftir fyrirsögn lækn- is yðar og efnið og verkið er hið bezta og verðið mjög sanngjarnt. Ritið “Your Eyes and Your Health” gefið hverjum sem æskir. Robert S. Ramsay Prescription Optician 333 DONALD STREET WINNIPEG SMÆLKI. Lítil stúlka, sem í fyrsta sinn kom til kirkju, sá alla falla á kné. “Hvað ætla þeir að gera?” hvísl- aði hún að mömmu sinni. “Vertu skykkanleg, elskan mín,” sagði móðir hennar. “Þeir eru að biðjast fyrir.” “Hvað, í öllum fötunum!” Gift kona: “Því sagðir þú mér ekki fyrri um líferni þitt?” Maðurinn: “Eg vildi geyma það þar til við værum gift, svo við gæt- um stytt okkur stundir með því að tala um það í hjónabandinu.” .....—~i oo<—~r>o<--->oc oo<zn>ocrz>oc Til íslenzkra kjósenda í Winnipeg Hon.W. J. Major dómsmálaráðgj afi Við kosningar þær til fylkisþingsins í Manitoba, sem fram fara þann 16. júní 1932, verð eg í endurkjöri olg. vænti þess, að íslendingar, nú, eins og að undanförnu, veiti mér fylgi sitt. Kjósið einnig D. CAMERON W. J. FULTON R. MAYBANK HON. J. W. McDIARMID HON. DR. E. W. MONTGOMERY | Sigfusson, Skuli No. 1 j press what I now write to you in five minutes. You know my pol- itical views, and you also know and justice? Do we meet with any new progressive element worth the name to be called “Indepen- i MAJOK, W. J. No. 1 o <ZZZ>OCZIZ>0<==Z>OCZZZ>0<ZZZ>Oc£) that I would not side-track the dent-Progressive Element”? Did (V ——>f)<" >r><" 1 ■'\ru 11 vrw %rw- snt ~ >»< >o<~—>or Merkið atkvæðaseðilinn þannig:

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