BRITISH LABOUR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 April 1927, Page 5

BRITISH LABOUR

ALL SHADES UNITED. RESIST NEW MEASURE, STRIKE CONTROL. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received 10.30 a.m. to-day. LONDON, April 5. Labour’s international diiferences have been pushed into the background, and all shades oi : opinion, from Mr. Ramsay MacDonald to Mr. Joseph Cook, are united in opposition to the Government proposals. The lirst indication of a consolidating proposal was given when the defence committee ot the Trades Union Congress asked the congress to convene a special conference in connection therewith. In the meantime industrialists are conferring with parliamentarians for the purpose of lighting every inch of 'the way in the House of Commons. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald describes the proposals as the most dangerous expression of class war ever known. Mr. Clynes said : ‘ ‘lt is twenty times worse than I ever thought could be brought down. It will crush all recent eliorts to produce a feeling of goodwill in industry. It is the first clash; a gift of the best material to Communists for stirring up trouble in industry.” ALARMED AT NEW BILL. BITTER. FIGHT EXPECTED. ILLEGALITY OF STRIKES.

LONDON, April 4. In the House of Commons the. Trade Dispute and the Trade Unions Bill was. read the first time.

The Bill stipulates that any strike having any object besides the furtherance of a trade dispute within the industry in which strikes are engaged, is illegal, if designed or calculated to coerce the Government, or intimidate a substantial portion cf the community. The Bill lays, down a penalty of two years’ imprisonment for instiga tors and participators. It forbids intimidatory picketing, and prohibits the picketing cf non-strilcers’ residences, under a penalty of £2O and three months’ imprisonment. Henceforth it will be illegal to require a trade unionist to contribute to a political fund unless he specifically agrees to do so in writing, and .the political funds of a trade union must be kept separate from the ordinary funds. Cicil servants are forbidden to belong to trade unions which cater for non-civil servants, or affiiliated to organisations, the federation of whose membership is not eonfinea to persons employed under the Crown, or having political objects. , Finally local and other public authorities are forbidden to make employment conditional upon membership of a trade union, or in any way to favour trade union, employees. The Bill lays down a penalty of £lO, or three months ’ imprisonment for breach of contract of service with a local or public authority. The Act does not apply to Northern Ireland. Before the Labour members saw the Trade Union Bill, they decided to fight it line by line. Since seeing its text, their determination has been intensified. The Bill has proved far more comprehensive than -was anticipated, even by the Conservative Press. “There is but one opinion among Labour members of the House of Commons,’’ says the “Daily Telegraph.’’ “This opens a battle royal.’’ The second reading is not expected before Easter, but Labour members are already preparing a joint national campaign,"by political and industrial sections of the party. Conservative opinion cordially approves of the Bill, while the Liberal papers, the “Daily News’’ and “Daily Chronicle.” do net comment. The “Daily Herald’s” political correspondent regards the clause headed “Prevention of intimidation,’ as probably the most contentious, expressing the opinion that this imposes such restrictions on picketing as leaves the courts at liberty to declare almost any sort illegal. In this connection, it may be statea that the Bill defines “intimidation’ as meaning “to cause in a person 1 s mind, reasonable apprehension to him or anv member of his family, or damage to his property;” “injury” includes physical injury; and “boycott loss cf any kind, or exposure to hatred, ridicule or contempt.. Editorially, the “Daily Herald says: “This amazing measure has been introduced -without mandate. The Government dare not submit it to a genoral election. It is not even the fruit of consideration by a Royal Commission. It- is a purely irresponsible measure, fomented by a Tory organisation, supplemented by kindred organisations and employers, ai } (l plotted in Cabinet, -while Mr. Baldwin was making hypocritical speeches about ‘.goodwill’ and ‘peace’ in industry. . “The Government has made its own doom doubly sure. The Bill will lead i 0 such a revival of working class activitv that Mr. Baldwin and his associates w-ill have cause to' regret thenstupidity.” ... M r . Arthur Henderson says the Bill its a direct attack upon the trades unions. It is a challenge to the workers.