Gold mines’ labour suddenly frozen

July 2, 1942
“All labour in gold mines of B.C. and the Yukon has been ‘frozen’ by order of Elliott M. Little, director of national selective service, until such time as the labour needs of the base metals mines have been met.
The announcement is made by J. H. McVety, regional director and national selective service officer for the territory. The order applies only to B.C. and the Yukon, where most of the base metal mines are located. He sent official notices on Tuesday to the 24 gold mining companies now operating in his territory. Placer operations are included with the lode.
Effect of the order, Mr. McVety explained, is immediate. ‘The base metal mines need 300 more men right now. Gold operations can keep the men they now have on the job but they cannot get any more. If a man leaves a gold operation he cannot be replaced.
‘Metals Controller Bateman has been calling for more production of the essential base metals, especially copper, lead and zinc. He hoped and expected that it would increase. Instead, it has actually been falling off because of labour shortage in the base metal mines.
‘The authorities at Ottawa, faced with a decision as to whether gold was even as essential as the base metals, have decided in favour of the base metals. They rule that gold is less essential.
He observed that this is the first time that wartime requirements in Canada have dictated a move towards shutting off supply of labour to a relatively less essential industry.”
(The Vancouver Sun – Vancouver, B.C.)