TRADE UNION CONGRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6624, 14 September 1908, Page 5

TRADE UNION CONGRESS

FEES EDUCATION SECULAR AND UNDER POPULAR CONTROL. CARE OF DEFECTIVE GHILDRLIN. Dv Tolosraph—Press Association—Copyrisht. (Received September 13, 4.30 p.Jli.) LONDON, September 12. The Trade Union Congress at Nottingham, by a vote representing 1,433,0fXJ members to 131,000, adopted | a recommendation, despite Catholic protests, in favour of a system of national free secular education, under popular control from the primary school to tho university. The recommendation included provision for secondary and technical education for all children, and scientifically organised opon-air recovery schools for children who aro physically defective. Tho congress carried a resolution demanding that age-limit to quality lor old ago pensions should be reduced to sixty. THE “LIVING- WAGE” AND UNEMPLOYMENT. STATE INSURANCE. LONDON, September 11. At the congress, Messrs Wilson and Harvey (Labour M.P.’s) opposed Mr Tillctt’s motion in favour of arbitration and conciliation in trade disputes, defeated yesterday by 1,099,000 votes to MS,OOO. Trade unions, they argued, should never arbitrate unless they had a living wage standard. The congress demanded drastic legislation on tho question of unemployed, and discussed the discharge of old workmen as tho result of the Workmen’s Compensation Acts. Tho congress passed a resolution demanding that larger grants should' be piado for public works, so that cmployment would bo provided for tho unemployed.

Several speakers warned tlio Government of tho danger of violence in tho coming winter. It was resolved to promote legislation establishing, compulsory State insurance. Mr D, J. Shaoldoton, Labour M.P., announced that Mr Horhort Gladstone, Some Secretary, in tho autumn session purposed setting up a Royal Commission to inquire regarding this subject.