LABOUR ARMY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 77

LABOUR ARMY.

TRADE COUNCIL’S IDEA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 22. The latest and most extraordinary development in Labour circles in Sydney is the proposed formation of a volunteer Labour ‘‘army,’’ complete with units, divisions, divisional leaders, and a general staff. An announcement that such an organisation was now under way was made to-day by the secretary of the Trades and Labour Council (Air Jock Garden). According to the promoters, the objects of this remarkable “army” are to maintain the right of free speech, the right of assemblage, and the freedom of the press. It is suggested that this organisation should operate under a committee apointed by the Trades and Labour Council of New South Wales, and organisations associated with that body to protect the working class “in the event of international developments.” The council is issuing the following declaration, the signing of which entitles the person prepared to assist in carrying out the objects outlined in it to membership in the organisation ; —“I , being in agreement with the purpose of the Volunteer Labour Army to maintain the right of free speech, right of assemblage, and freedom of the press, pledge myself ti assist in maintaining these rights under the direction of the combined committee appointed for the purpose by the direction the purpose by the New South Wales Labour Council and associated organisations.”

The suggested method of financing the organisation is that members should pay one shilling for membership, and that any further funds should be made up of donations from labour organisations, individual members, and sympathisers- Any funds collected in this manner, it is proposed, should be formed into a trust fund of the Trades and Labour Council of New South Wales. The nucleus of units of the “army,’’ which may be formed in any city, suburb, or town, it is provided, shall consist of not fewer than seven members. These units will he enttiled to elect a leader, a deputy leader, and a correspondent, who shall constitute the management committee of each unit, and shall keep in contact with headquarters. For purposes of collective action units may croup themselves into divisions. Such divisions may be formed in districts north of Maitland, Newcastle, and suburbs, Lithgow, Wollongong, Broken Hill, and other industrial centres. From the combined leaders, deputy-leaders, and correspondents of the units divisional officers may be selected. Right is reserved by the Trades and Labour Council committee of organisation to appoint the general staff Up to the present, as far as can be ascertained, there has been no general staff appointed.