TRADE UNIONISM.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18481, 8 September 1925, Page 9

TRADE UNIONISM.

IMPORTANT CONGRESS.

MODERATE AND EXTREME LABOUR.

f B T, CABL3B —?*S3B ABSOCIATIOS—COPTBIOHT.) UUSTBALIAS AJTD H Z. CABLE ASBOCIATIOH.}

.LONDON, September 6. Labour writers agree that the Trade Union Congress, opening at Scarborough on Monday, will bo unusually important, as it might possibly split the Labour Party. An observer says that a clash is expected between moderates like Mr J. H. Thomas, who stand for amelioration of workers' conditions within the structure of tho existing industrial system, and the left-wingers desiring to organsie the movement for the definite purpose of overthrowing the whole industrial structure.

Newspapers therefore display a rebuff to the left-wingers, on the eve of tho congress, in the shape of a> letter from the secretary of the congress, telling Mr Harry" Pollitt, who forwarded the minority movement resolutions, that the Council reiterates, last year's decision to act only in accordance with tho views of properly-accredited representatives of affiliated trade unions. This is in* terpreted as an intimation that the congress will refuse dealings with extreme organisations.

ANARCHISM.

SERMON TO DELEGATES.

IDEALISM AND DESPAIR.

(AUSTRALIAN AKD K.Z: CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received September 7th, 8.5 p.m.)

LONDON, September 7

Thero were numerous trade union speeches on Sunday in connexion with the industrial parliament opening on Monday at Scarborough, whero 700 delegates are already assembled, in*vading the lounges of fashionable hotels hitherto given up to tho well-to-do pleasure-seekers. The possibility of a split between the Trade Union Congress and tho .Labour Party continues to be heatedly discussed.

Since the General Election tho trade union loaders havo eclipsed the politicians, as shown during the negotiations to prevont tho miners' strike. They are anxious not to be hampered bv the special interests of the Labour Party. Oanon Donaldson, who once iled Leicester hunger strikers to London, preached a special Bermon to trade unionists, vigorously combating Communism. He said: "Force is not tho remedy. Anarchism is idealism wedded to despair. Labour, liko Christ, has nob come to abrogate the law, but-to fulfil it. Any attempt at a short-outi to the Kingdom is .inconsistent with this truth. The constitution of Britain supplies ample means to cope with. Labour's difficulties."

SIGNS OF STORM.

LEADER'S FOREBODINGS. , "FIGHT WITH GLOVES OFF." (AUSTBALIAN AKS K. 3. CABUB ASSOCIATIOB.) LONDON, September 6. A preliminary meeting of £ho Trade Union Congress was held at Scarborough. Mr J. Bromley, secretary of the Locomotive Engineers and Firemen's Association, addressing members of his union, said that ho was able to seen the first glimmer of the storm, which inevitably will be serious. So far, trade unionism had been fairly successful, but the capitalists had found many ways of drawing the teeth of the movement. The favourite method was to flatter Labour leaders, giving them fat jobs or rich bribes. Many leaders were very susceptible to flattery. Labour, with a united front, could defeat the coming attempt to reduce wages, but the fight was impossible while some of the loaders had one foot on earth and the other in the clouds.

Mr Bromley complained of tho appalling gluttony, extravagance and luxury, which continued despite the widespread unemployment, privation and distress. He gave an instance of warships being detailed to escort tho King's yacht to the Mediterranean. Sporting guns weijghing an aggregate of 240 tons had been sent to Scotland for the grouse shooting. Bloated millionaires were enending and gambling lavishly at Deauville. Unemployment was irremediable, he Baid, until a capital levy had been introduced.

'lf the railways insist on cutting wages," he said, "we won't fight like smtijmon, but with tho gl(m}s off We will leave locomotives anywhere without notice."