BRITISH TRADE UNIONISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18656, 11 September 1922, Page 5

BRITISH TRADE UNIONISM

A LABOUR FIGHTING FUND. MOTION F OR GENERAL LEVY DISCUSSED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 8. The Trade Union Congress discussed an amendment to the General Council’s standing orders to enable the Council to assist financially and otherwise any union which could be attacked by the employers by levying on all the members. Mr J. Hodges, who opposed the proposal, said the chief characteristic of the trade union movement was its desire for autonomy. Mr Robert Smillie urged the Congress to pass the resolution, though he admitted that the scheme would be futile. The great key industries, such as the mines and the railways, would determine the future of the trade union movement. The real fight between Capital and Labour roust be a fight with the whole movement ioined. If Labour had not sufficiently learned that lesson during the last few years, the future success of Labour was hopeless. The resolution might be the beginning of organising ail the unions into one solid movement. Mr J. R. dynes said he favoured an improved scheme of centralisation. The leaders of great groups of workmen were disunited on the scheme, but were against any outside influence in a dispute. It would be unwise to create machinery in the face of a crisis until there was ‘ a greater degree of agreement among those responsible for joint action. The motion was shelved. —A. and N.Z. Cable. I - --■ =