LABOR AND POLITICS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10541, 24 August 1910, Page 4

LABOR AND POLITICS.

PAYMENT OF LABOR M.P.'s. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] (Per Press Association.) Received August 24, at 0.40 a.m.

London, August 23. To enable arbitration to proceed, the Joint Labor Board resolved to i'urtliev discuss the Osborne judgment at the forthcoming Trade Union Congress. Mr Jtamsay Maedonald, interviewed, said a big demonstration was being prepared against the judgment. He would address 29 gatherings before Christmas.

The Times described yesterday's resolution as a decision to exercise pressure upon the Government bv stumping the country and making the Osborne judgment the leading political issue. The injunctions secured by various unions against the use of union funds in support of the Labor party will affect 16 Labor Members. The loss of payment of Members will not satisfy the Labor, wire-pullers. They want to control the unions. Public opinion revolts at the idea of compelling the trades unionist to pay for the maintenance of a party whose politics lie detests. The Chronicle, in recommending the payment of members, deprecates the agitation for immediate legislation reversing the whole judgment. Such legislation was neither feasible nor desirable, but some legislation regarding the political status of trade unions was possibly necessary, whereas any attempt to coerce every member of a union would be a restriction and a denial of free electoral rights.