UNION SUBSCRIPTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 8

UNION SUBSCRIPTIONS

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In reference to your correspondent "Another Worker," I should like to supply one or tAvo details in regard to the circular issued by the Clothing Trades Union, which in their omission may lead to some doubt in the minds of your readers. "Another Worker" is probably unaware of the fact that a special meeting of the union Avas called to discuss the increase in subscriptions. There Avas an exceedingly large attendance of both m^ie land female members, Avho Avere made I fully aAvare of the fact that the in-

crease was to be made for the one and only purpose of subscribing to a Labour daily paper. After considerable discussion this motion was carried by a very large majority. Writing as one who seconded the motion, I can state quite definitely that at no time during the meeting was there any suggestion that members were to be compelled to pay this money. The motion could have been quashed by the meeting, quite easily, if it had so wished. Naturally, there were a few dissentients, but in this case they will have to adhere to the fact that the majority rules, and may I add that in most cases the persons who direct the criticisms at the union executives are those who cannot be bothered attending any meetings, but receive their information second-hand from their fellow-workers.—l am, etc., J. W. BLENCOWE.

(To the Editor.) Sir—ln your issue of yesterday's date you publish a letter by "Another Worker," in which your correspondent gives the full text of a circular signed by me and issued to members of the Clothing Trade Employees' Union. The circular in question notifies members that the monthly subscription will be raised as from August 1, for a period of one year, solely to enable the union to assist financially in the establishment of Labour daily newspapers. The decision to increase subscriptions was made by a large majority of members present at a special meeting of the union called to deal with this, as well as other business. Every opportunity was given to members to attend and exercise their vote. If they failed to do so, they have only themselves to blame. The meeting was asked to vote on the question with a clear understanding that, if the increase were agreed to, all extra reve- I nue obtained as a result would be used j to assist in the establishment of Labour dailies. The circular was drafted by me and circulated by me, and expresses exactly what I intended it to express. I am grateful to your correspondent for the publicity it received in your issue of yesterday. In conclusion, Sir, I wish to state that the first principle of the Cloth- | ing Trades Union is to take from its I members, in the form of subscriptions, I only the bare amount necessary to cover the cost of management and give efficient service. The special meeting considered that the establishment of Labour dailies would benefit the members, and that is all there was to it. Even with the increase referred to, no female member will be asked to pay more than 18s per year, and no male member more than 24s per year.—l am, etc., E. B. NEWTON, Secretary. Other letters are published on page 14.