THE LABOUR PLEDGE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 937, 3 October 1910, Page 5

THE LABOUR PLEDGE.

A BRISK DISCUSSION. By Telegraph—Press A6sociation-Oopyri(rht. London, September 30. The "Daily News" states that Cabinet has carefully considered the matter of payment of members and election expenses, and that the plan favoured in' Ministerial circles! is an all-round salary of' £300/ or .'-,£400 per annum, paid monthly. The'"Westminster Gazette" says that the decision of the Labour party simplifies the problem.^The reversal of. the Os-. borne judgment is' desirablo. Trades unions should be represented in Parliament, but legislation must not deprive minorities of the right of. redress if funds are used in an organised manner to supports political parties. ' _■/'-., The,"Law Journal" 6aye that a simple solution of. the problem of payment of. members would be to reaffirm the liability of shires and boroughs .to, pay salaries to their representatives in tho House of ■ ■ Commons, and ,to make the' payments enforceable against the rates. (Reo. October 2, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 1. "The Times" states that the Labour party executive's action was intended to make a, better., impression on trades : unionists' and the Government. If- the recommendation is carried it will ostiusibly have removed the principal' grounds which influence the judgments in the Osborne case, but will leave untouched the real grievance, .namely, the compulsion' to support politicians whom: some of. the • trades • unionists may detest; /; / LABOUR LEADERS' VIEWS. ■ (Reo, Octobei 2, 5.5 p.m.)' , •'/,.. London, October 1.. "•'.Some.'of the Socialist leaders appear to be -willing • to forsake the Labour party's pledge.:.'••■.' '.■./"';.- Mr. -Keir Hardie, doubts whether' the Trades,/.Union Conference .in'.".February will .agree, to abolish the/pledge if sub-' stantial'changes-are involved. ."'.;.-/ '/'■;• .Mr. Bon Tillett, secretary of the Dock; Workers'; Union, strenuously resists the . abolition, of the party, /pledge. ' . ;..,,"',' /,/./.) -MB 'OSBORNE /PROTESTS.:'.;'/, '■~-> ■'/ ii .(Reo. Qofcober 2, 5.5 p.m.) ' : ~ ■////''• ,~ London, October 1. / .-Mr..-,W.. V.. Osborne, of ...Walthamstow, who .brought they action against 1 ' the Amalgamated/Society of Railway.Servants 'in which the House of Lords decided 'that,' a:■ trades : union / could,' not make compulsory■ levies for political.puiposes, • stated toan interviewer, that although the...outward pledge, given;' t.y Labour/ members' might .be .withdrawn they would still be': contractually bound down, because /.the'' Labour party was the paymaster.between ..the constituency and; .the/ member; and any-members failing to. meet' the, Socialist/party's wishes' would' not! be. paid, but /would be. hounded from pnblio life,: ' : 'V-' J '.*■''