TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19530, 13 July 1925, Page 7

TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

CONSOLIDATION OF FORCES URGED. VIEWS OF EAILWAYMEN. Press Asaocistioa —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, July 10. The Congress of the National Union of Railwayman, at Southport, passed a resolution deploring the present weakness in the trade union movement, owing to the numerous sectional overlapping unions, and declaring that tho time had arrived for a consolidation of forces to ensure the workers a united front.—Reuter. A STORMY CONGRESS. OUTBURST BY COMMUNIST. A VIGOROUS REPLY. LONDON, July 11. (Received July 12, at 5.5 p.m.) Clashes between the Extremists and tho Moderates are marking the Trades Union Congress at Blackpool. Pollitt, the Communist, was greeted with cries of “Bah,” when ho asserted that the overthrow of capitalism involved war, not peace. Pollitt* taunted the congress with running away from Socialism. Ho urged diplomatic recognition of Russia and tho granting to her of trade credits. Colonel Ward, in a vigorous reply, said that Russia had such resources that she would become the richest country in tho world if she had a good government, but not with a Czarist autocracy or the present hellish Moscow dictatorship. Russia was suffering from anarchy and Sovietism. Ho added“ Let us develop tho Empire and not send money to a country whose government puts every obstacle to our trade and diplomacy. Colonel Ward had a sudden heart attack after his dramatic speech, and had to be conveyed to London. —A. and N.Z. Cable. In April Inst Pollitt charged members of tho British Fascist! with kidnapping him while he was on his way to a Communist gathering. In cross-examination during the hearing of the case he said that lie was a Communist who addressed trade unions. He admitted that he had been convicted for seditious speeches in 1921, and since then had made similar speeches throughout the country. He admitted that he “shook hands with his captors preparatory to putting them on trial in order to soo how justice works.” A man named Rowlandson gave evidence that neither the Fascist! headquarters nor tho branch authorised the kidnapping of Pollitt, who left them good friends. Witness gave Pollitt £5. Pollitt: You’re a liar. • The accused were found not guilty and discharged. N.S. WALES STATE EMPLOYEES. MINISTER INSISTS ON UNIONISM. SYDNEY, July 11. Mr IV. E. Dunn, Minister of Agriculture, has issued instructions that the employees at the various institutions and branches of his department must be members of unions appropriate to their callings.