SHARE IN CONTROL

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 251, 22 October 1919, Page 7

SHARE IN CONTROL

DEMANDS OF LABOUR. ORGANISING FOR STRIKES. GREATEST BARGAINING POWER. Ey Cable.—Tress Association.— Copyright.) LONDON, October 21. Mr. R. Smillie, President of the Miners' Federation, speaking at Bristol, aid that the miners claimed and intended, -o have a fair share of the executive •ontrol of the mines. I Mr. Harry Gosling, president of the I l'ransport Workers' Federation, said that ( ie was not prepared again to confer with -he employers unless the latter realised .hat the employee was no longer a slave, jut a partner." Mr. Gosling added that UTiuigemcnts were being perfected to jive workmen a better chance of fighting n the future, including the supply of food lo themselves and their families by the •o-opcrative societies. Mr. Robert Williams, gcnral secretary if the 'l'ransport Workers' Federation, -peaking at Newport, said that the Oov'lniin nt and the employers could make up their minds that the workers would not accept any reduction in earnings. Mr. .T. 11. Thomas. M.l*., general secretary of the National Union of Hailwaytnen. speaking at Derby, emphasised that the right to strike was labour's greatest bargaining potter, which could not bo relinquished. The riulunymcn requested a share in the management of the railways, and he invited the Government to consider the propositi. The railwnymcn's request was made on the ground that they could eintribute experience, brain.-, and capacity to the management of tlr. 1 railways, which would be of value to the whole 'country.— ( A. and N.Z. Cable, i Mr. Ron. Wiliams, secretary of the Tran-purt Worker*' Federation. Mr. Iloii'.. Smillie, president of the .Miners' Federation, and Mr. .). 11. Thomas, three of the labour leaders quotetl in the cable, are leaders of Lie great nrganisu Com forming the Triple Alliance of Labour. Mr. Williams is described .iti a man of gre.it strength of character, and it is expected that he will soon .:ind hio way lo the llotinc of Commons and play a notab'. l part in its nrocee. lings. The Transport Workers' Federation has a membership of 300,000, and it- leader is very popilar within the ranks. drc'.'.-'n wee pu IoCM xz-Tllll'lli emfwypp lly many Mr. Smillie is regarded athe Napoleon of the Labour movement He is admired in Labour chyles because of his truculence toward Capitalism because of his undisguised ambition foi powier, and Ih-cnuse he makes no pre I ence of seeing any side of the Argument but bis own. lie is popular witi the ex'tremktd because he is nn extre mv-t himself. an.l he is followed b_\ the moderates in the Labour rankbecause, thougli they may disapprove o his ultimate revolutionary aims, thei arc always ready to aeocpt the p.vsen l instalment of pecuniary gains, an 3hhas undeniably gained them many sucl instalments. The Federation embrace. SOO.OOO men. Mr. Thomas, who won a persona triumph at the general election, hat achieved a great position in Parlia ment. and has the ear of the House no only as the spokesman of a great trad. union, and as an official leader of til. Labour party, but a- a man of unusua force of expression and of judgment am readiness in debate. His union lias i j membership of 450,000.