LABOUR AND POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17730, 15 September 1919, Page 5

LABOUR AND POLITICS

DISCUSSION IN TRADE UNION CONGRESS. VARYING OPINIONS BY LEADERS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 11. At the Trade Union Congress Mr Shaw (representative of the Textile Trades) moved— ITiat this congress declares against industrial action in purely political matters." The congress shelved the matter by voting the "previous question" by 2,255,000 votes to 2,083,000. Shaw's motion represented the opinion of the ieneral Purposes of the Parliamentary Committee and it took the congress by surprise. ' Mr J. H. Thomas (Rallwaymen's secretary) m a remarkable speech, said that he u" 0 ' believe a single trade union womd give a mandate in favour of direct action. He said: " The real problem is •whether the Labour Party shonld use the industrial weapon as distinct from the political The two weapons are irreconcilable. If the new policy is adopted, the Parliamentary Labour Party should ba abolished. Mr Thomas added that he belie\, there would be a general election within a few months, when Labour would have such a chance as never before. , be SS c « the congress not to give a lever to the opponents of Labour, which •would bs ruinous to every Labour candidate s chances. Mr Frank Hodges (Miners' Federation secretary) denied that those in favour of i ; - ction movement desired to establish a Soviet Government. He said that the antagonism between political action and direct action would reach, a pinnacle when the working classes challenge the existence of the capitalist system. • Mr Arthur Henderson, M.P., made on impassioned appeal to the congress to terminate the Government's life as speedilv as possible. He declared that it would be a calamity to drop the -weapon of paiitical action, which should be tried—A. and N.Z. Cable. MR HENDERSON'S TRIUMPH. THE GOVERNMENT CHALLENGED. LONDON, September 12. (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) The Labour Congress, with only two dissentients, adopted the motion moved by Mr Thomas demanding the repeal of conscription and the immediate withdrawal of British troops from Russia, failing which a special Trades. Union Congress would be convened to decide upon future action. Mr Henderson's victory caused a sensation in the congress, which immediately adjourned, delegates singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."—A. and N.Z. Cable. PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE REELECTED. NERVOUSNESS REGARDING DIRECT ACTION. LONDON, September 12. (Received Sept. 14, at 11.5 p.m.) j The Trade Union Congress re-elected I the Parliamentary Committee, -with the exception of .Messrs Onions, Havelock \\ilson. and Greenall. The fact that Messrs Onions and Greenall "were miners* representatives is regarded in some quarters as further indication of the congress'a nervousness in reference to direct . —A. and N.Z. Cable.