TRADES UNIONS AND POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1019, 7 January 1911, Page 5

TRADES UNIONS AND POLITICS.

$ THE OSBORNE JUDCMENT.

LIGHT ON LIBERAL POLICY. By. Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, January 5. A statement lias been published from an authoritative source which throws some light on tho precise intentions of tho Government with regard to tho removal of tho disabilities of trades unions under tho Osborne judgment, which prohibits tho uso of trade union funds for political purposes. On November 21 Mr. Asquith, in answering a question in tho Houso of Commons, said:—... "I have already indicated tho intentions of tho Government in re- . gard to the payment of members and of official election expenses. AVe shall further propose by legislation that trade unions may include in their objects and organisation the provision of a fund for Parlia- ■ mentary and municipal action and representation and kindred objects, and may combine for such purpose, provided that the opinion of fho uniou is effectively ascertained, and that there- shall .bo no compulsion on any members to contribute to the fund." It is now stated that the words, "provided that the opinion of the union is effectively ascertained" meant that the Government intends that the view, of trade union members concerning affiliation to the political Labour patty sliall be ascertained by a ballot in which at least SO per centum of the members shall participate. THE LABOUR PLEDCE. ONLY PARTIAL ABOLITION. London, January 5. Referring to the proposal of the Labour party to replace the old third clause of its constitution,' which contains the_ party .pledge by one which will require candidates for election to Parliament to.abstain strictly from promoting interests other than those of tho Labour party, the "Westminster Gazetto" regrets that the party has made concessions to extremists by modifying • instead of abandoning the pledge. "So long as tho pledge is retained in any form," says the paper, "it will he a stumbling block to those who aro anxious for Labour representation."

A LABOUR PROTEST. MAJORITIES V. MINORITIES, (Rec. January 6, 11,5 p.m.)

London, January 6. Tlio Management Committee of the Federation of Trade Unions in connection with tho Osborne judgment, condemns any amendment of tho Trade Union Act enabling' minorities to avoid tho effect'of a decision by majorities.

' It argues that such ail amendment would be calculated to introduce disintegration, and would also complicate accounts relating to contributions'and benefits.

Tho point is emphasised. that trade unions are voluntary organisations and that tho Legislature is not justified in interfering with the decisions of a. majority .-relating to finance.

After the statement by Mr. Astiui-th recorded above the Joint Board of the. Labour organisations, consisting of the Labour Party, tho Parliamentary Committeoof the Trade Union Congress, and the General Federation of . Trade Unions, met to consider the matter.- The following resolution. was carried by the unanimous decision of the meeting:— . ''That this meeting of the. Joint Board and the Parliamentary Labour party approves of tho statement of the Prime Minister in'so far as it pledges the Government to introduce legislation empowering trade, unions to include in their objects and organisation the provision of a fiuid for Parliamentary and municipal action and representation and kindred objects, and to combine for such purposes. We find, however, that the latter part of the statement is' so ambiguous that we resolve to appoint a committee to obtain further information as to what the Government has in mind. Further, wo agree that, failing a satisfactory explanation, the Labour party in tho new Parliament will ballot for and reintroduce its Trade Union Act Amendment Bill, and move such amendments to the Government Bill as will in reality restore to the trado unions the rights of which the Usborne' judgment has deprived them."