TRADES UNION HUMOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 13

TRADES UNION HUMOUR.

CHURCHILL AS BRICKLAYER. JOINING THE ORGANISATION. (Received October 11, 6.55 p.m.) British Wireless, RUGBY. Oct. 10. Mr. Winston Churchill, Chancellor of tho Exchequer, is to become a trades unionist. In the summer vacation ho helped to build a house on his estate at Westerham by laying the bricks. As a bricklayer he has since been the subject of many political cartoons. Now Mr. Lane, Mayor of Batteisea, has invited Mr. Churchill to join the Amalgamated Union of Building 'lrade Workers, and Mr Churchill, who incidentally took a leading part in suppressing the general strike of two years ago, has appreciated the humour of the idea and consented to become a member of the union. In Mr Lane's letter he said ho was mvaro that Mr. Churchill would not bo sufficiently competent to carry on tho work of a fully qualified bricklayer, but ho thought, as time passed, he would improve his craftsmanship in a similar manner to those who had entered the trade under the Government's adult apprenticeship scheme. He did not expect him to spend very much time at his training, particularly in view of the position he held in tho Government.

FEES AND CONTRIBUTIONS.

PAY IF CALLED OUT ON STRIKE

Australian Press Association—United Service (Received October It, 6.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11.

Tn asking Mr. Churchill to join the Building Trades Union, Mr. Lane, who is the local secretary, said all good workmen became members ot' the organisations with a view to keeping up tho traditions of honorable occupations, such as bricklaying. He recalled tho fact that Mr. McKinley, a former President of tho United States, became a trades unionist before he could lay a foundation stone. Mr. Churchill will pay an entrance fee of 5s and his contribution will bo 9d a week. He would receive 20s a week if ho were called out on strike and benefits if ho wore unemployed.