BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN.

TRADE UNION CONGRESS. tgjOOO.OOO WORKERS HEZPBBSHNIED. 60MB IMPORTANT PROBLEMS. •London, Sept. 6. 'At the Trade Union Congress at Bristol 670 delegates, representing three million, workers, t&re present. Mr. Seddon, in his presidential address, said the war had brought the moßt important and complex problems, some of them d«minding that Labor should give a definite and immediate. Answer, These were conscription, food exploitation, the conditions -of war labor, including the | deployment of women, also of Belgians, whom he assured of whole-hearted sympathy, a sincere welcome and hospitality. The workers endorsed the determination not to sheath the sword until their fair land was restored. The prices of bread and coal would not have risen abnormally if the Government had moved when the Workers' War Committee made representations. The difficulties in connection with the employment of women could only be solved by equal pay for eqtial work. Prussian militarism, with its cruelty, rapine and murder, and any form of it in existence in Britain, must be destroyed. Our Bhare in the struggle will be useless unless we are determined to overthrow aggressive militarism. We are engaged in war, not politics; systems are wrestling now, not parties. Ultimate victory will rest with the dogged will and the truest heart. • The workers are prepared to make sacrifices in the common cause, but are not prepared to be .bled by financial vultures. The chief causes of the labor unrest are the food prices and the war . profits. Mr. Seddon emphasised labor's share in increasing the supply of munitions, and added: "We invite Mr. Lloyd George to be equally keen in fulfilling his promise to deal with war profits. We. have a right to demand from the Government a definite guarantee that pre-war conditions styall be restored. That is the only way to re-unite the country. The heart of Britain is still sound. Let the Government ascend to the full height of its responsibility, not iby giving an ear to the hustling press, btlt by meeting confidence with confidence.-' Regarding the combine of various labor bodies, Mr. Seddon said that the variety of interests, different methods or organisation and the spirit of selfpreservation demanded a free exchange of ideas with a view to mobilising the whole forces for a more p.ffective combating of the power of organised capital. A SCENE AT THE CONGRESS. ANTI-CONSCRIPTION RESOLUTION OBJECTED TO. t Received Sept. 7, 0.30 p.m. London, Sept. 7. There was a sensation at the close of the sitting of the Trade Union Congress, when the Parliamentary Committee annouhced an addendum to the official anti-conscription resolution to the effect that the congress resolve that, in the event of the Government bringing forward conscription, a special congress shall be immediately- called to consider ways and means of opiposing the proposal. Instantly the congress was in a ferment, and a number of delegates attempted to protest, llr. Will Thome, M.P., admitted' the authorship of the clause on behalf of the gasworkers. Finally, the feeling oi the congress was so averse that it wis decided to treat the addendum as a separate resolution. HALLMARK OF GERMAN KULTUR. COURT REFUSER INTERNEES' APPLICATION. Received Sept. 7, o.ft p.m. London, Sept. G. The Divisional Court has dwided against those interned Germans who appealed claiming that thev had no nationality, because they possessed a certificate of discharge from the German nationality. The Court remarked that spying had become the hallmark of German "kultur." Inventions, especially wireless, had so far widened the field of possible hostilities that there was scarcely any limit upon the earth, in the air, or under the water, to hostile action. When Britain was honeycombed with enemies obtaining and despatching information, and considering that the acceptance of her hospitality involved no obligation, he thought no "blow could be foul. It would be idle to expect the executive not to intern Germans beforo obtaining proof of evil intent. IMPORTUNATE RAILWAY MEN. Received Sept. 7, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 6. The Swansea railwaymen demand improved wages and hours; otherwise they threaten immediate action.