TRADES UNION BILL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 29 April 1927, Page 9

TRADES UNION BILL.

Labour’s Organised Opposition. REDS SUGGEST GENERAL STRIKE. By Cable — Press Association — Copyright. Australian anil N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 28, 8.16 p.m.) LONDON, April 28. Although the Communists have been expelled from the Labour Party, many still belong to Trades’ Unions. The Communist Party has sent them an urgent secret circular, instructing them to attend the Conference of Trade Union Executives, which will plan n campaign against the Trade Union Bill in order to advocate another general strike, on a larger scale than last year, if the Bill is not withdrawn within a given period. Another suggestion is a melodramatic walk-out of the House, of Commons by the Labour members, and the transfer of Trade Union funds abroad, but all Labour writ ere agree that there is not the least likelihood of the Conference accepting an-’ Communist recommendation. The Trades Union Congress, in conjunction with the Labour Party, lias issued a manifesto against the Bill, which will be road at three thousand May Day meetings throughout the country. The “Daily Telegraph’s” lobbyist reveals that one or two members of the-Cabinet have received threatening letters in connection with the Trade Union Bill.

“ AT VARIANCE WITH TRADITION AND EXPERIENCE.” AMERICAN CONDEMNATION OF MEASURE. By Cabla—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 28, 9.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 27. Mr William Green, of the American Federation of Labour, has issued a statement condemning the British .trade Union Bill. He says the character of the proposal, as well as the method of giving it effect, are completely at variance with English tradition and experience. He is confident public opinion will not support the policy of retaliation or vengeance. Air Green points out that the American Labour movement has such fraternal relations with British Labour that the welfare of British workers comes very close to their hearts, and it i>s with genuine concern, therefore, they regard the ' Con mrvntivc Bill, which virtually repeals the Trades Disputes Act, 1906. -- Tiie statement adds the experience of facts certainly brought British Trades Unions to realise the unwisdom of a general strike,, but Ihe recurrence of the general strike procedure could not more surely be guaranteed than by the enactment of -the proposed measure, which will the wage ear nor methods and agencies necessary to work out economic problems throughout economic means.