BIG AGENDA FOR BRITISH LABOUR

Chronicle (Levin), 1 May 1947, Page 6

BIG AGENDA FOR BRITISH LABOUR

.(SDecial CorresuondentA

ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE AT MARGATE V .

Received Wednesday, 7 p.m. LONDON, April 30. . There is a 61-page agenda contammg .over 500 resolutions, for .the Labour Party conference which will open at Margate on May 26, _ Whit Monday. These resolutions, with 167 amendments, constitnte the longest agenda ever placed before the party conference. There is also liltely to be .very kee'n competition in the election for the party executive. There are©16 nominations for 12 seats in the trades umon division of the executive, 32 nominations for seven seats in the 'seetion representing constitueneies, and nine nominations for five women 's seats. Six of the .nominees are Ministers including Mr. Herbert Morrison and Mr. Dalton and ten baek bench Commoners. The 500 resolutions and 167 amehd-: ments can be divided into three maih categories — manpower and production, national service and conseription, ancU foreign policy. One of the most interesting resolutions will come from the Uxbridge branch which will move that Air. Ernest Bevin be placed in eharge of the Government 's production drive. Another resolution movejs that imports of films, tobacco and luxury 'goods from dollar areas should be ruthlcssly cut. There is certain to be a big battle about the tobacco tax. One of the most interesting debates is expeeted to centre round the National Union of Mineworkers ' resolution declaring that the only permanent solution of the manpower problem in the mines and other under-manned industries, is by raising the status and living standar.ds of the workers engagod. in them. A number of resolutions urge further reductions in the strength of the armed forces and several are ontspokenly critical of Air. Bevin 's foreign policy. Half a dozen resolutions support the principle of equal pay for equal work and a number call for increased worlcers' representation on the boards controlling the nationalised industries. A motion will be placed before the conference increasing trades union affiliation fees by one penny a member. On the basis of last year's unio'11 affiliation of 2,600,000 this will raise nearly £11,000 which it is mtended to use to wipe out last jmar's delicit of . £15;000. Air. Philip Noel-Baker will proside over the opening of the conference and will be succeeded by Air. Shinwell who is due. for election as next year's parfcv chairman.