Saturday, September 27, 2008

SAYINGS OF THE SAGES - KNOWLES

Stanley Knowles, 1908 - 1997, Parliamentarian, Socialist Politician, and better known as The Man From Winnipeg, North Centre. His mantra was:
"Life is successful to the extent it contributes to a better world." His father encouraged and influenced his high ideals. He married Vida Cruikshank, a deaconess at one of the missions. She was able to help him write articles while preparing his run for a federal seat with the CCF party (later renamed NDP) and was first elected in 1942. He served with the Canadian Labour Congress from 1958 to 1962 and turned down the office of Speakership, including the salary, in order to work for the people of North Winnipeg.

Stanley Knowles was a close ally of Tommy Douglas, who was premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961. Both graduated from Brandon College, receiving their MA degrees at the same time and became good friends. Stanley Knowles was born in the US and although his parents lived in California, he chose the rugged prairies of Manitoba for his life's work. His father, at the age of 55, working as a machinist for a railroad company in California, included the use of precision instruments. He was let go during the depression, without pension, vacation time or any type of payout. The company had decided to hire only those employees under age 55. This resulted in his father's early death since the only other work available at that time included heavy lifting that his health would not permit. Stanley Knowles was again more determined to get a fair deal for all workers. He put himself through college by filling in as a summer replacement for various churches. As a member of the Opposition he badgered the government for five years until they consented to establish a women's bureau in the Department of Labor in 1954. While carrying such a load in the election of 1963 he suffered internal bleeding and was forced to campaign from his hospital bed but won with help from his faithful workers and under the watchful eyes of his sister-in-law Dr. Donna Cruikshank Patton. One of his last acts in parliament before his stroke in 1981 was an attempt to arouse the interest of the House for pensions for women over the age of 55 who were not in the labor market. He promoted the equality of women in the workplace as well.

Of him, Madam Speaker Jeanne Sauve in 1981 said, "I do want to thank the honourable member from Winnipeg North Centre and to tell him how much we love him." Charles Lynch, Chief of Southam News said ". . . he was the most respected man in the House of Commons, and then the most loved."

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