LABOUR AND LIBERALS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 139, 16 June 1930, Page 3

LABOUR AND LIBERALS

IS THEBE AN ALLIMSE %

FRANK CRITICISM

He had no proof of an agreement between the Government and the Liberal Party, but they could not fail to notice the luncheon and tea parties taking place in Downing Street, which made them suspicious, and the Premier had repeated that the Trades Disputes Act would be repealed, said Mr. Robinson, Liverpool delegate to the conference of the British National Union of Distributive and Allied Workers. Mr. J. Jagger, in his presidential address to delegates, had said indications were not wanting that this year might see the development of attacks on their wage standards, while they could count on having to meet guerrilla attacks and possibly something worse, states the "Manchester Guardian." In no circumstances must they agree to any mterference'with cither wages or conditions of employment. Referring to the progress of the union, he said the year had been almost free from trade disputes, but they could not count too much on this state of affairs continuing. Referring to the political situation, Mr. Jagger said: "Notwithstanding the heritage of waste and mismanagement to which our party succeeded at the end of the Tory regime and the difficulties under which a minority Government labours, some remarkably good work has been accomplished." TRADE DISPUTES ACT. During a discussion the question was raised-of the,relationship between the Government and the Liberal Party. Mr. Robinson, the political general secretary, then said it was the intention of the Government to repeal the Trades Disputes Act. Miss Ellen Wilkinson, M.P., challenged this definite statement. She said that unless there was a guarantee of sufficient Liberal support this pledge of the Government could not be carried out. Mr. W. Maekindcr, M.P. denied any knowledge of an agreement having been arrived ot with tho Liberal party. There- was nothingin the rumors, and were they true Labour M.P.'s would resent it. "WHITEHALL LIMPETS." Mr. Hallsworth, industrial general secretary, submitted an .emergency resolution expressing disappointment with the Government's attitude toward the draft convention for the international regulation of hours of non-manual workers, and said the Government had treated the Trade Unions Congress shabbily in this matter, and had badly let down the various trade unions. They had nullified the good work done in ratifying the Washington Hours Convention. If officials were to blame, he added, then the Government should put an end to officialdom in the Civil Service. It was an attempt to fob off the workers for some years to come. Mr. Robinson stated that the Whitehall limpets behind the Cabinet had decided to support.the employers in this policy. The delegates carried a resolution and agreed to an alteration of a rule which- will sanction an increase by 25 per cent, of contributions to the political fund. '' DRAGGED AT COAT-TAILS. '' The- closing session of the conference of the Scottish Trade Unions Congress in Edinburgh also saw a good deal of criticism of Labour Ministers. Mr. J. S. Rateliffe, of the Musicians' Union, Glasgow, moved a resolution in favour of all non-manual worj^rs being brought within the scope of the unemployment and national health insurance schemes, providing their remuneration did not exceed £400 a year. "Every time we go to Miss Bondfield or Arthur Greenwood we get the same old arguments that were trotted out from their Tory and Liberal predecessors," he.said. "Their arguments are put up to them by the officials of the Departments behind them. We believe Labour Ministers ought to have a little more initiative and think things out for themselves, and not always be dragged at the coat-tails of the permanent officials." The Distributive and Allied Workers' Union carried a resolution demanding payment for holidays for all workers and two weeks' annual holiday.