FREEDOM FOR WORKERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16871, 28 October 1925, Page 9

FREEDOM FOR WORKERS.

PLEA PY CONSERVATIVES. HINT TO THE GOVERNMENT. LONDON, Out. 9.—“ Mr Baldwin may preach industrial peace, but it will he the peace of the grave, in which lie thu Conservative Party and the British Empire. if the party does not amend the Trade Union Act,” said Mr. P. A. Macquisten, K. C., M.P.. at the Conservative Conference at Brighton. “The Government must give the working man his political freedom, enabling ,a non-Laborite to contribute a levy to bis own party and also restore his'economic and industrial liberty. “Trades unions are now above the law, resulting in the creation, of lawh-Ss bodies, forcing strikes the men ,do not desire. Conservative workmen should be given a chance of asserting themselves.” Mr Roberts, a miner, declared that, although be was a Conservative,, he was forced to join the Miners' Federation. "I have fought four elections against the Labor Party,” ho said, “yet my money has been Used to finance my opponents. Tt. is rank tyranny.”

Another delegate denounced Labor victimisation as the result- of a Conservative asserting his right to subscribe to his own party, and thereby losing his job. Sir William Bull, M.l’., urged the reform of thu local Government Act, which he declared had become 'moss-grown—-or. rathe) - , Moscow-grown.’’ Mr. Raikes, a miner, declared that the miners did not- want nationalisation of coal. They knew too much of racing lo back “a horse which Carl Marx had sired and which lost backers’ money whenever it ran, whether in Australia or in Germany.” “Mr. Baldwin claims that his Cabinet must bo judged by results, hut.” says the Times in a leading article, “the public will only judge by results if file results arc brought to its notice. “Mr Baldwin rightly ,deprecated the notion that the affairs'of the Empire can bo ‘run on headlines.’-but at a time when the Country is being subjected to n, steady drip of ’poisonous, unscrupulous and skilful propaganda it is unwise for the best- Governments to bide their light under a bushel. '

“Mr. Baldwin is not a good stage manager, and: perhaps.despises the art of stage management, but to win and. retain the support of democracy,_ modest publications are indispensable. His speech breaks a silence, unduly prolonged, and it is to he hoped .that his colleagues will follow the - excellent lead he- has given.