ALLEGED ATTACK ON LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 7 April 1927, Page 9

ALLEGED ATTACK ON LABOUR.

Reception of Government Proposals. LABOUR’S UNITED OPPOSITION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April 5. Labour’s internal differences are pushed into the background and all shadoof opinion from Mr Macdonald to Mr Cook are united in opposition to the Government proposals. The lirst indication of a consolidated opposition was given, when the defence committee of the Trades Union Congress asked Congress to convene a special conference in connection therewith. Meantime industrialists are conferring with parliamentarians fair the purpose of fighting every inch of the way in the Commons.

Mr MacDonald describes the proposals as the most dangerous expression of class war ever known.

Mr Olyncs says: “It is twenty times worse than I ever thought could bo brought down. It will crash all recent efforts to produce a feeling of goodwill in industry. It is a first-class gift of the best material to Communists for stirring up trouble in industry.” Mr Cook regards the proposals as a definite declaration of war on the whole of Labour, political and industrial, and win he says, create a greater conflict than last year. Mr Thomas states that the Government has united Labour.

M. Citrine, secretary of the Trades Union Conference states that the entire working class is united to oppose this dangerous attack, and plans are maturing for a vigorous campaign throughout the country. The leaders of the Civil Servants and Post Office employees are equally hitter, and declare that it may be found that such bitterness has been engendered in the country by the violence of the measure that the Goa*ernment may hesitate to enforce it. Though the official Liberal view has not yet been fully considered there is a tendency among individual Liberals to regard the Bill as not in accord with Mr Baldwin’s plea for peace in industry. They feci' that such a farreaching measure should be referred to a Iloyal Commission representative of tho views of all the parties concerned. (Received April G, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 5. The .Joint Council of the Labon. .Party passed a. resolution expressing determination to oppose the Trades Gnion Bill, a.s a deliberate attack, designed to deprive the workers of resistance when assailed by organised employers.