ALLIANCE OF LABOUR

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 109, 9 May 1923, Page 6

ALLIANCE OF LABOUR

DISTRICT COUNCILS FORMED

CONTROL AND REGULATION OF

INDUSTRY.

As a result of the visit of Mr. James Roberts to the West Coast recently, district councils of the Alliance of Labour have been formed at Westport and Greymouth. Another council is in process of foundation in Canterbury.

Commenting on the matter, the " Maoriland Worker " says that the formation of district councils is an activity that will tend to keep the alliance in touch with the rank and file, and for this reason it is to be commended. "Itis to he hoped," remarks the "Worker," "that these councils will be encouraged to' deliberate and act vitally, .because in the degree that their work is done efficiently working-clasn knowledge and solidarity will be increased, and the alliance be enabled to fill the role it has determined lor itself. . . . Much of the criticism aimed at the alliance by its individual members has arisen from "a lack of information as to the policy the organisation is pursuing, and in our experience, whenever this has been explained an infinitely better spirit has been induced. Men who pay to maintain an organisation not only like to be consulted and informed about its decisions and the reasons for them, but they have a right to be so, and to act on this right is the only way to make their organisation live. Propaganda is essential to enliven interest and allay misunderstanding, and not the' least of its effects will be to strengthen confidence in the leadership and to empower it to speak with greater definiteness and authority. We are glad the actions of the alliance bespeak a realisation of this, and we are certain that if they are followed energetically, so that district councils will be established wherever possible, and given duties to properly perform, the alliance will play a much more effective part in the control and regulation of industry than has been the case up to now. Fifteen years ago the trades councils were very considerable bodies, | not only from the point of view of numbers and the vitality of their discussions, but of their influence on legislation and j trade-union development. The loca< need such as they used to fill should! now be met by the alliance district councils. But their success depends on work and enthusiasm."