LABOUR CONGRESS LESSONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 26, 25 October 1907, Page 8

LABOUR CONGRESS LESSONS.

AGGRESSIVE ;' SOCIALISTS . CHECKED.. 'The recent Britisli.Trade.'•Union / Congress' was attended, by 518 delegates, which consti-. tuted a. record, while,the presence of thirtyfour Labour :: M.l'.ls and niany workmon magistrates and representatives, of■ public' bo'dics gave it an' impressive and responsible' character far beyond- tliat-of- any of its pre-' decessors. ' y

Although the more aggressive were extremely, careful not to furnish a pretext on which a. directorate between the two soctions - could - be- taken;' the -close observer noted a grim determination and' a studied watchfulness on the j part '-.iof- tho 'trade unionists'.to- check the aggressiveness of the Socialists. .i '-:

. The following replies were made by delegates to all " Express-" -representative, who asked them "Is Militant- '.Socialism'- spreading in your , district - . t '■ :• ■Mr. John Wilson, M.P. (Durham Miners, 80,000 .—Socialism is not ' making much'progress-in our county—not'any more than it has done for many years,

Mr. John Weir (Fifeshire Miners and gem>rallv representative of tho Scottish-Miners). —Socialism is not making any progress with us. Tho Socialists have-been flooding : the county,'with their literature, but it has Had' little effect.: .

Mr. W. Abraham, M.P.. (representing tho Welsh Minors generally).- L rMilitaiit Socialism', is not gaining ground,; but the! ideas'of social democracy are making headway.; Mr. \V. Johnson, .M.P.: (Warwickshire Minors).'—Socialism is noc: making headway witlf'us. v . Mr. Enoch Edwards, M.P.- (president of the Minors' Federation,; 350,000 strong).—Militant Socialism is not growing. ■ ■ ' , v . Mr. W. Gillett; (Saltworkers of Cheshire; 1500 strong) .—Socialism •• >is , - not • • growing among our membors. We have perhaps 'half a dozen Socialists, and: it; will not.grow if I can help it. . ... ■ . • ~ - ....■■■;■' ■ Mr. _ Dyson. (Amalgamated Papermakers)."— Socialism'is making no headway: among-our mombors. There is 'no agitation' in 'that direction. . . - - • ■ llr. Richard . Bell, M.P. i (Amalgamated Society of Railway, : .Servants):—MilitantSocialism is making progress with us,'hut not in,.proportion to the efforts, made.! - Nothing encourages its . progress more than tho • blind attitude of employers. as illustrated- by ithe : railway companies who > positively rofuse todeal, reasonably with reasonable and moderate people. Moderate men following modo-' rate leaders begin ,to think that moderation is 110 good, and they ( aro driven to,join tbo extreme.wing, i ' v: : •