TRADE UNIONS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18927, 16 February 1927, Page 9

TRADE UNIONS.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO LAW.

DEBATE m HOUSE OF COMMONS. (OT CABLE— J>IIE3S ISdOCIiTIOX—C OJ-THIG2T.) (AUST2.'.LIAir LSD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received February 15th, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, February U. The debate- on the Address-in-Reply was resumed, Mr Clyues moving an amendment regretting the reference in the King's Speech to the proposals defining tho amending law industrial disputes us indicating the intention of the Government to continue tiieir partisan policy shown in tho recent industrial cjuilicis, uud to dimmish the- power in organised laoour to resist encroachments on the ulready inadequate standard ot living of the workers. While Mr Clyucs v. us speaking tho i'riuce of Wales and I'linco George entered and took their seats over the clock. Mr Clyucs said the Uovcrumout was attacking trade unionism without having a mandate to do so. In.the seven by-elections since the General Election the votes for the Government totaled 73,000 and the votes against the Government 109,000. It would be letter, therefore, to leuve the question to the judgment of the electorates;. Mr Clynes maintained that tradesunion officials had shown themselves as serviceable and effective as any on behalf of industrial peace. The General Strike was not the result of agitation, but tho minors' lock-out striki' was. Since 1921 trades unionism had been consistently on the dofensivc The Government encoura'ged wage reductions and did not discourago i#gressive action on the part of employers. Thore was no othor country in the world where industrial conditions wern better than in England or disputes fought out with greater corr.monsense. Mr Baldwin said he was particularly anxious to have a discussion in order to ascertain the views of the wholo House. Mr Mao Donald said he considered the Gnvernmment should immedintelv reply in order that the House might b« » w » r e °f >ts intentions. It would be bad Parliamentary practice if the Government said no word of reply till the end of the debate. S, i r ,''j ,hn S'mon said the Labourites would have to make up their minds whether they defended the Genera! Strike as an instrument for use in trade disputes. If they did not, a Rood deal could be said for leaving the whole thing alone. The proposed legislation would not attack the heart °J. the industrial problem. It resemWed the Hague Convention, doflning tne rales of war, when what was wanted was to inculcate a spirit that would P/ 9 J« nt war. It would be far better if the trades union movement were reformed from within Mr Thomas said that the Government, when in difficulties, always looked to Sir John Bimon to come to the rescue. It was absurd to talk about the danger of the Labour Party's finance. Personally, he suggested that all the Parties in the House should not only produce a balance-sheet of Party funds, but state how the money was produced. He advised the Government not to go on with this measure, but if they did, the Labour Party would substitute another at tbe first opportunity.' Sir Douglas Hogg closed the dobate. Referring to mass picketing, he pointed out that there had been 6000 convictions under the emergency regulations. The Government was willing to consult the Labour opinion in regard to trade union legislation, but if the proposal for consultation was refused, the Government would not hesitate to protect trade unionists and the whole nation from injustice, tyranny, and abuse. Mr dynes's amendment was defeated by 313 votes to 135, and the debate closed, the Address from the Throne being agreed to.