BRITISH LABOUR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2143, 28 December 1920, Page 20 (Supplement)

BRITISH LABOUR.

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. SOME BIG AMALGAMATIONS. By Gable. — Press AuocUition. — Copyright. ■The Time,'" Service. (Rec. Dec. 28, 12.40) LONDON, Dee. 2T. A special correspondent of the Times." declaring that communism Is raising its head weekly amongst the unemployed in Great Britain, savs the communist societies have followed up Moscow's dictum that th* faithful must earn their fitness for affiliation bv undertaking revo-

lutionary propaganda in the army. Ete savs' the British Army has lately een fully recruited from a magnificent stream of sturdy ex T soldiers, and the communist societies, whose membership is now 6000, draw attention to the fact that demobilised men are making a great effort to capture their organisations. The principal association, the National Union of ex-Soldiers, popularly called "Nux," seems at present largely in communists 'hands. It teaches the principles of Marxism, and has drawn up a long programme demanding the national ownership of land and capital, and popular control of industry. Many agitators, and eren conscientious objec- * tors, have secured affiliation with the union as associates, and are leading such movements as the seizure of houses. The correspondent does not comment, but points out that the union has 480 branches, and an estimated membership of 100,000. The Labour correspondent of "The Times" says the New Year will be marked by important developments and amalgamations in the Labour world. First will be the establishment of a general council, replacing the Parliamentary Labour Committee of the Trades Union Congress. The council will consist Of 30 members, representing 17 trades. There will be five Sub-committees, representing the groups of allied industries, with a Strong full-time secretariat. The administration expenses will be £25,000 a year. The duties of the council are to watch- industrial inovements, co-ordinate, where possible, any industrial action, promote common action, settle disputes, and promote, propaganda and the international relations of unions. The membership is now 6,000,000. Secondly, a ballot is proceeding for the amalgamation or the four great general workers' and municiiial employees' unions, the memberhip of which is 3,000,000. It will e the largest single union in the . vorld. Thirdly,' 19 unions connected with the docks, and the waterside and road transport workers are amalga- . mating, with a membership of SO,OOO. • Fourthly, the engineering and Ship-building lades unions are amalgamating, with ft membership of j60,000. Fifthy, the warehouse unions and Jo-operative employees are amalgalatfng, with a membership of 00,000. • Sixthly, U : printing, bookbinding, machine rui r\ and paper "workers Sfe amalgam; bng, with-a membership of IOO.Oo X