TRADE UNION CONGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1919, Page 4

TRADE UNION CONGRESS.

DIRECT ACTION. A MOTION SHELVED. By Telegraph.—Press AssnCopyrifht. London, Sept. 11. At tlio Trades Union Congress, Mr. Shaw, representative of the textile trades, moved; "This Congress declares against industrial action in purely political matters."

The Congress shelved the matter by voting for the previous question by 2,255,000 votes to 2,#88,000.

Mr. Shaw's motion represented the opinion of the general puijioses committee, hut surprised the Congress. Mr. Thomas, in a remarkable speech, said he did not believe a single trade, union would give a mandate in favor of direct action. lie said the real problem was whether the Labor Party should use the industrial weapon as distinct from the political. The two weapons were irreconcilable, If the new policy was adopted the Parliamentary labor Party should be abolished. Mr. Thomas added that lie believed there would be a general election within a few months, when Labor would have such a chance as never before. He begged the Congress not to give a lever to the opponents of Labor which would 'be ruinous to the chances of every Labor candidate.

Mr. Frank ffodge9, secretary of the Miners' Federation, sairl that those in favor of the direct action movement deaired to establish a Soviet Government. The antagonism between political and direct action would reach a pinnacle when the working classes challenged the existence of the capitalist system.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

Mr. Henderson made an impassioned appeal to the Labor Congress to terminate the Government's life as speedily as possible, declaring it a calamity t<> drop the weapon of political action which should he tried.

REAPEAL OF CONSCRIPTION ACTS PEREMPTORY DEMANDS. Received Sept. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 12. The Trade Union Congress unanimously resolved to demand that the Government repeal the Conscription Acts and immediately withdraw the forces from Russia, failing which a special Trade Union Congress will be called to decida what action be taken.—Reuter.

The Labor Congress, with only two dissentients, adopted the motion moved by Mr. Thomas demanding the repeal (if conscription and the immediate withdrawal of British' troops from Russia, failing which a special Trades Union Congress would he to decide upon future action.

A SIGNIFICANT ACTION. Received Sept. 14, 11.5 p.m. London, Sept. 12. The Trade Union Congress re-elected the Parliamentary Committee, with the exception of Messrs Onions, Havelock Wilson, and Greenall. The fact that Messrs Onions and Greenall were the miners' representatives is regarded in some quarters as a further indication of the congress' nervousness in reference to direct action.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.