A ROYAL PEACEMAKER.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XII, Issue 1886, 5 November 1904, Page 5

A ROYAL PEACEMAKER.

THE KING’S EFFORTS APPLAUDED BY TRADE UNIONISTS.

The King’s peace efforts were loudly applauded at the Trades Union Congress at Leeds. “ I am glad to observe,” said Mr John Ward, representing the London navvies, “ the progress that has been made in the principles of abitration since the King came to the throne. In faot, his Majesty is about the only statesman in England.

“Hehas shown his Ministers the way they ought to go, and while they have been dabbling with conscription bis Majesty has been trying to heal the wounds caused by war. 1 hope he will be successful in proving to the autocrats of Russia and Japan that the time has passed for the settling of international disputes by the sword.”

The congress then adopted a’resolution rejoicing at tbe permanent treaties of arbitration between Great Britain and other States, and protesting against the introduction of conscription or any form of compulsory military service into this ooontry. By » long series of resolutions tbs congress also expressed the following views:

1. The naturalisation fee should be reduced so that alien workmen could obtain the rights of citizenship. 2. Provision should be made by the State for tbe dependent blind. 2. The railway privileged cab system should be abolished. Stations should be open to all drivers. 4. Co operators should employ trade unionists in preference to nonunionists.

5. Booking - office clerks should have extra pay for Sunday work. 6. A system of preference or retaliation by creating cause for dispute with other countries would be a hindrance to international progress and peace. 7. There should be a pension of 5s per week for every man and woman attaining the ag3 of sixty, to be provided by Imperial taxation. 8. A legal eight hours’ day should be enforced in all trades and occupations in the United Kingdom.