British Col PAGE COMMUNISM From time to time in the past, certain issues have arisen ‘between the Company and the representatives of our employees which have given rise to a misunderstanding of the Company’s position in regard to Communism and communistic influences. ‘Many of these issues have been intentionally beclouded by that minority group within the certified unions, to whom Communism and not trade unionism is the ultimate goal. Other groups out- side the certified unions who have an axe to grind have also distorted these issues. In the interests of the public and of our -employees, the. Company considers that we should again make our position clear. Ina recent decision, the text of which has just been received, ‘Nova’ Scotia Labour’ Relations Board made the following statement: “The Communist Party is a highly disciplined organiza- tion, the actions of whose members are rigidly controlled by its leaders who require the policies and aims laid down by them to be slavishly followed by party members. The Communist party differs essentially from genuine Canadian political parties in that it uses positions of trade union leadership and influence as a means of furthering policies and aims dictated by a foreign gov- ernment.” We are in entire agreement with this statement, and it will always be our aim to oppose Communism as vigorously as we possibly can. However, . ‘asa private company operating in several prov- inces of Canada, there are certain legal limitations on a hae we can or cannot do to combat Communism. — It is not within our legal rights as a company to dis- charge known Communists who are now in the category of “permanent employees”, except for cause under our collective bargaining agreements. It is not within our legal rights to determine the type of leadership which our employees themselves will accept in their trade unions which are'certified under the various provincial Labour Acts. It is our right to refuse to accept for permanent employ- ment Communists or other subversive characters, who while technically avoiding Communist Party member- ship, continue'to use their influence in “furthering poli- cies and aims dictated by a foreign government”. We have exercised this right in the past because we believe the interests of our country, our communities and our Company are at stake. We shall continue to exercise this right in the future and in doing so we are confident that we will continue to have the support of all loyal Canadian citizens. The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada Limited ” Fair, spc RETIRING PRES. W. WALDIE SUGGESTS AMALGAMATION During the past year, this dis- trict, in keeping with the gen- eral trend in British Columbia, has enjoyed a considerable mea- sure of activity and prosperity, Castlegar and the adjacent com- munities have participated in this general growth and improve- ment. Your board, also has enjoyed ap active year, ten regular mon- thly meetings were held, as has been customary, during the past several years, we waived the reg- ular meetings in July and. Aug- ust. The council held 14 meet- ings, At the Castlegar District Fall ed by the C: di: Legion, and Ladies’ Auxiliary, “the cup, which this Chamber do- nated for~ the high aggregate winner was won by J. T. Webster . of Robson, At the annual meeting of the Associated Boards of Trade of Eastern British Columbia, it was decided to recommend to the De- partment of Transport, that the Castlegar air field, be consider- ed the major air field for West Kootenay. Your air port commit- tee had worked diligently for this, and their efforts were at least partially responsible for the association’s decision. The De- partment of Transport in conjunc- tion with the District Air Port , Committee, carried out a_level- ling and surfacing operation at the field, spending on this work approximately thirty-five thou- sand dollars. Our Business and Industry Committee under the chairman- ship of W. H. Reid, and with the f this ber, ad- vertised in several good papers, including papers published in Vancouver and Calgary pointing out the opportunity that existed in Castlegar for a restaurant. This project was succtssful, and in July, as you know, Mr. Seto opened his restaurant, and is successfully filling a very im- portant community require- ment. At one of our early meetings in 1951 we re-stated our pre viously expressed: opinion that the present Rossland to Cascade road was unsatisfactory, and that money should not be spent on surfacing’ of same. We said that we felt that the department should make every effort to find an alternative route between these places. At the same time it was de- cided to correspond with the Grand Forks and Greenwood Boards of Trade, relative to a joint -trip over the ground be- tween Paulson and Blueberry ‘Creek, at some suitable time in the summer. This matter was further pursued by Mr. MacDer- mid and Mr. Watson when they attended the annual meeting of the Grand Forks Board of Trade, at which time tentative plans were made for this joint trek. As Mr| MacDermid found it impossible to take part in the trek, the detailed arrangements were made by Mr. Watson, and I would like at this time to com- pliment him on same. As a complete report of the trek was made to you, I will not now deal further with this, ex- cepting to say that we were, through this trek, instrumental in placing in the hands of a great many interested people, in- formation that would indicate that the logical and proper route for the highway between the Columbia River and_ Christina Lake, is by way of Sheep Lake and Paulson. Further to this I submitted to an executive meeting of the As- sociated Boards of Trade of East- ern British Columbia, at their meeting in Rossland on Decem- ber 5th, a resolution asking the Department of Public Works to discontinue their efforts to ar- range for the Victory Highway, and instead to survey all possible routes in British Columbia. This resolution was seconded by the Grand Forks delegate, Mr. Jack Acres, and was passed by the meeting. We now have the governments assurance that they will make a complete survey in 1954 of pos- sible routes, and I think. this board can take credit in at least hastening this very important matter. This Chamber of Commerce waS- represented at the annual meeting of the Associated Boards ef Trade of Eastern British .Co- lumbia, by Messrs. Anderson, Elliott and Watson, and we have had representation at every ex- ecutive meeting of this body. Your council. in response to an ova sent. to. us by the Ci of C ce, approved the idea of the single transferable. voting _procedure. I‘have, had-the honor to repre- sent’you at. two meetings.of the Government's - Consultative Com- mittee on: Doukhobor affairs. One. held in\Vancouver in May, and one heldin’ Grand. Forks: in. De- cember.. A. report'on the May KERR PHOTO meeting haS been made, and I will report on the December meeting at some convenient time in the near future. A delegation of your members attended the banquet in Trail, given” py tat” iraii~Cbhamber of Commerce, in honor of the 7i~>™ bers of the ‘Vancouver Board of Trade, Transportation and Cus- toms Bureau, visiting in the Kootenays. Delegates from Sal- mo, and Rossland, as well as Castlegar attended, and it was the’ largest gathering that the Vancouver visitors attended in their extensive trip through the East and West Kootenay. In August we had the honor to act as breakfast hosts to a group of thirty. members of the Inland Empire Committee of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. The occasion was a happy one, and I think Castlegar can be proud that we were included on the itinery of this group. We had the’ privilege of enter- taining the Honorable A. D. Turn- bull to lunch in this hall. Mr. Turnbull spoke briefly on govern- mental problems and policy. The meeting was well attended, and I think an enjoyable and success- ful occasion. Your Chamber of Commerce were instrumental in setting up the District Bridge Committee, which has just been organized, and I am pleased that Mr. Ross MacDermid has been elected as chairman of this committee. We willfollow.-the activities. of.-this committee: with great interest. In conjunction with the Trail Chamber of Commerce, we made a presentation, at our November meeting, to Jimmy Davidson, on the eve-of his retirement, after serving 33-years as ferryman in this community. Mr. E. Mason, and Sam Stewart represented the Trail Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Miard and Mr. Jamieson of the Department of Public Works attended and spoke briefly. I can recall that one of the first projects of the Castlegar Board of Trade, when they were first organized in 1945, was to get a bank located in this com- munity. Little did the members of this organization think then, that by 1952, we would have two banks. I take this as a sign of continued and substantial growth here. A little over two weeks ago, this community was thrilled by the announcement made by Mr. Blancke, President of the Cel- anese Corporation of America, that his company, through Cel- gar Development Company, Lim- ited would proceed with the erec- tion of a pulp and paper mill in this community. I understand that this will be the largest single forest industry in British Columbia. I think I speak for the com- munity in general, as well as this Chamber of Commerce, when I say, we welcome the Celgar Development Company. We will co-operate with them in every way possible, and be good neigh- bors to the’ thousands of new citizens who will come to live among us in the years | imme-~ _diately ahcad. We know’ that this tremendous industrial enterprise is going to create great opportunities for us all. We aiso know that it will create many great problems and we.must be prepared to face these problems as and when they arise, fearlessly, keeping foremost in our minds that what is best for the community, it at the same best for us individu- ally. I would like to -recommend for the coming year, that study be given to the idea of amalga- mating Castlegar and Kinnaird, and the possibility of including Robson in this amalgamation. [ consider that, with the growth in population, that now .appears assured, the administration of this. area could be improved. by this. I an glad to note that the Village Commission is about to set up a town planning commis- sion, and that this cuataber will be invited to appoint one mem- ber. I hope that this project will be pursued vigorously; and this chamber fill take an active part in town planning, which is a subject in which we have been concerned in the past several years. I take this opportunity to thank the council and all the committees who worked so faith- fully with me throughout the year. I realize that no adequate recognition has been made of their efforts. I trust that they will take pride and satisfaction in a job well done, and accept my expression of sincere appre- ciation. : ROBSON SOCIAL Mr. and Mrs. D. Adshead have as their guests the latter's fath- er and mother, Mr. and Mrs. La- Roque of Winnipeg. An enjoyable afternoon was spent at the home of Mrs. R.