Americans And Canadians Fall Out Over Trust For Seamen’s Unions

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30264, 17 October 1963, Page 17

Americans And Canadians Fall Out Over Trust For Seamen’s Unions

IN.ZPA Special Correspondent, MELVIN SVFRINI

TORONTO, October 15. Relations between Canada and the United States have plunged to the lowest point since Mr •Lester Pearson became Prime Minister last April. It is ironic, because the election of a Liberal Government was supposed to remove the severe strains that had marked the deahmfls between the two countries when Mr John Diefenbaker’s Conservative adminetretson was in office. The cause of disagreement earlier thia year was Mr Diefenbaker's refusal to accept nuclear warbeads for the Canadian forces. Agreement was reached soon after Mr Pearson took office and this is no longer an issue between Washington and Ottawa There are several new issues, however Americans are strongly critical of Canada's decision i to place the Canadian manure unions under trusteeship:

in an effort to restore labour peace on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Legislation for heavy fines and gaol sentences tor interference with the trustees has been passed by the House of Commons. The Canadian Government and labour officials are an'noyed with Mr W. Wirtz, the | American Labour Secretary, [and the A.F.L.-C.1.0. president. Mr C. Meany, for makIrng public details of private discussions on the Geat Lakes controversy The two countries are also at odds over President Kennedy’s proposal to restrict the flow of investment money to Canada and over the Canadian Government’s plan to curb imports of cars arid parts from the United States In addition, Canada is unhappy with the decision by Congress to chop defence funds intended for the purchase of Canada’s Caribou aircraft. Washington is also annoyed at Ottawa's new agreement to sell 800.000 bushels of wheat to Japan over the next eight months at a fix I price, which is several cents

below the present figure on the international wheat market. The Americans are accusing Canada of undercutting them. The Canadian Trade Minister, Mr Mitchell Sharp, has replied that the policy of fixing the price at tlie level on the day of sale for future delivery is normal practice

He went on to accuse the Americans of leaking confidential information by revealing details of Canada's with Japan. The Canadian view is that the Americans are taking a “sour grapes” attitude because they feel Canada has stolen a march on them by signing big agreements for wheat and flour sales to the Soviet Union and other Communist nations. Washington is just getting to the point of agreeing to sell wheat to the Communists and it wants to get the best possible price at a time when it has a big surplus and there is a general world shortage. The most serious difference between the two nations involves a shipping dispute. Blacklisting, beatings and

boycotts by Mr Hal Banks and his Canadian section of the Seafarers' International Union have been under investigation in Canada for many months. The refusal of the parent union in the United States and of American longshoremen to handle Canadian lake ships manned by members of other unions led to discussions between the government and labour officials of the two countries. When the discussions were fruitless the Pearson Government decided to go ahead with a Royal Commission recommendation that the Canadian maritime unions be placed under trusteeship for up to five years in an effort to end the strife.

However, when the Canadian labour leaders suggested the trusteeship council be made up of two Canadians and one American there were objections from Mr Wirtz He and the American union leaders wanted Americans in the majority. Mr Meany stepped in to urge all American unions to support the Seafarers’ International Union in its fight

against the Canadian Government.

If they do this, it will mean no Canadian ship would be able to load or unload in an American port.

The Canadian Labour Minister, Mr Allan MacEachen, accused Mr Wirtz of disclosing details of private discussions in talking about the trusteeship makeup. Mr MacEachen added he was “absolutely shocked” at Mr Meany's statement. The Americans have objected to the Canadian trusteeship plan on the grounds it would be a blow to free tirade unionism.

The Canadian reply is that there is a greater threat to freedom in the lawlessness employed by the Canadian Seafarers’ International Union in its efforts to destroy competing unions. Canada recognises the danger that the reaction to trusteeship could tie up all the lakes shipping and hinder the delivery of wheat to the Soviet Union but it feels the situation has been allowed to drift long enough and is determined to take firm action to establish order.