TRADES CONGERS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 288, 5 September 1928, Page 11

TRADES CONGERS

JUBILEE GATHERING AT SWANSEA THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM LAND NATIONALISATION PROPOSED At the opening of the jubilee gathering of the Trades Union Congress at Swansea, Mr. Ben s Turner, in his presidential address, referred to the need of more unity in unions, unemployment, and other Labour problems. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copy ri gh t.) (Australian Press Assn.—UmteU Service.) London, September 3. The jubilee gathering of the Trades Union Congress opened at Swansea. Mr. Ben Turner, in his presidential address, suggested that it was time they made a move forward in the trade union structure. They might well consider whether one union was a wise possibility. Personally, he was attracted to the ideal if it had industry group decentralisation with it. “We need more trade unionism, more unity in unions,” he said. “The problem is how to get it. We don’t want to jump from the frying-pan into the fire, nor to be carried by dogmatism and crankiness, but to have every .man ami woman in their respective trade unions.” Mr. Turner said lie believed that I he hours of .labour of manual workers should be reduced, and thus overcome part of the unemployment problem. There was also need for a big slice of immediate land nationalisation and the colonisation of Britain. It was better by half to till our own land than to send men as waifs and strays to the outposts of tlie Empire, where they must fight Nature in a more brut.il fashion. He would not hesitate to take two million acres of land, misused or unused, to start colonies of men 'on it. Mr. Turner, concluding, deplored the amount of time and money spent in gambling and drink. at l;.:<t £600,000,000 a year, in addition to the wastage of mind and manhood. Expulsion of Seamen’s Union. Miss Margaret Bondfield, supporting tire proposal for the expulsion of the National Union of Seamen, pointed out that the seamen admitted encouraging and assisting the formation and development of the Miners’ Non-Political Union, which the T.U.C. regarded as a breakaway from the Union Jack. .Mr. Jones, attempting to oppose the resolution, was sh&uted down. Mr. Turner said that a troublous debate was unnecessary. Delegates had virtually decided that some action was necessary. The seamen had already withdrawn from membership. The Congress, carried the proposal with one dissentient. Mr. J. R. ClyneS declared that the Government was never more untrustworthy, untruthful, and callous than regarding unemployment. Mr. Baldwin’s pitiful appeal to employers was contemptible. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TURNING POINT IN TRADE UNION DEVELOPMENT (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, September 3. The sixtieth annual Trade Fn'-'n Congress opened to-day at Swaiwn, when 620 delegates were presided over by the veteran leader, Mr. Ben Turner. The membership represented is ju<t under 4,000,000, a decrease of 280.000 since last year. Later in the week the question of industrial relations will be considered, with special reference to the General Council's share in tire conference with a group of large employers. According to the "Daily Herald’ there is a general feeling that the General Council’s action in co-operating with these employers in the establishment of a scheme for maintaining industrial peace will be approved by a substantial majority and that the "decision of Congress will mark a definite and historic turning-point in trade union development.” POLITICAL PARTY LEADER MR. MACDONALD CHANGING HIS CONSTITUENCY (United Service.) Vancouver, September 3. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, completing his tour of Western Canada, announced that he was relinquishing his seat in South Wales at the next General Election. He had been invited to contest the Seaham Harbour division, County Durham, in place of the sitting member, Mr. Sidney Webb, who was retiring into private life.