LABOUR MOVEMENTS OF TO-DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1754, 20 May 1913, Page 10

LABOUR MOVEMENTS OF TO-DAY.

TRADE UNIONISM, SOCIALISM AND SYNDICALISM.

(By a Special Correspondent to "The Times.") ' Tho Labour movement, by which I mean the yum of conscious efforts to improve the condition of wagcrcarners, runs ut present in three distinct lines, differing both in aim and in method. These are Trade-unionism, Socialism, and Syndicalism. Socialism is all tor political action; Trade-unionism and Syndicalism arc for industrial action, but with a difference. Syndicalists would have nothing but industrial action, and would coniino it to lighting; they do not believe in bargaiuing. Trade-unionism, on tho contrary, relies chiefly on bargaining in its industrial action, and is ready to combine a certain amount of politics with it. Thus Trade-unionism stands in the middle; it has sonic aliinity to Socialism on tho political side, and to Syndicalism on tho industrial.' But tlio relation is not equally close, because it is far more occupied with industrial than with political action, and is consequently more nearly allied to Syndicalism. The latter is, in fact, Trade-unionism with a revolutionary aim aud tho preferential use of violent means.

The Young Intellectuals. Young men of intellectual capacity and aspirations are king turned out in increasing numbers. They iind congenial occupation to their liand in the work of organiisng their fellows, in writing and speaking, in carrying on political and educational propaganda, in. agitating, in local government work, with the prospect of Parliament behind it. These are modern developments, and they offer an attractive alternative to tho older and more laborious process of riisng in. the industrial scale,, especially to those who'havo no bent for business. So we see this class expanding in activity and numbers with the new generation, and natural y newer and more ambitious ideas appeal to them more than older and nioi'o moderate ones Young, ardent, ambitious, and self-confident, they iind the ideal of an economic revolution more satisfying than the sober aims of trades-unionism. Hitherto they have been ready recruits to Socialism, which appeals to them on ouo side with its air of .scientific certainty, and on tho other with its exalted promises of human progres.s But nioro recently a rival has entered the field in the shape of Syndicalism. It offers a still more complete revolution to bo attained by speedier, and, apparently, moro practicable means; and it is backed by the very latest philosophic cult. These are formidable attractions: and though I see no reason to belicvo that it has yet ousted Socialism in- the favour of the young idealists, there is evidence that it is nialwing way among them.

What the Workman Wants. Tlio real question of the moment, however, lies with the ordinary workmen, who form the great majority, they think and what do they wanti J.hey want what most people want, and that is. a bit more tluui they luivo got. A littlo nioro monev, a little more comfort and leisure, a little liiore amusement, a,little more freedom, and a Little more secunlj. When they get a little they are more inclined to )» content than most peoplo until they grow used to it; and then tiny hem to want a bit more again, just like everybody else. When, c.n the other hand, they are asked to give up something and to lower a standard once enjoyed, they object intensely, juit like everybody else, ami resist (o tha utmost. Why anybody should he surprised at tins, or how any rational person can expect anything else, passes my comprehension. The lueii ol this class arc not keen about any movement except when the shoo pinchcs. They do not believe in revolution or ltieh-llown ideas, and do not care much for labour politics. Theories bore tliem. They do not buy tho Labour papers to any extent; the papers they do buy ore tlie half-penny local evening ones, with the day's results of lootball and horse-racing. When the shoe pinches hard enough, and they can get no relief, their idea is to get together and refuse to work. TWs brings them to trades-unionism, and fo far as tliev take part in any movement it is this. Trades-unionism lias succeeded, and is in the ascendant ; it has somo tangiblo results to its credit. Tho political and the revolutionary are for the time being set back.

Storm Centres. Bradford is the greatest strougliold of Socialism in tho country, and tlie centre of a stormy / region. Tho people have always been .given to strong views and eucrgctic deeds in this latitude, and the air is full of revolt. It has found an. outlet rather in the political than the industrial sphere since tho establishment of the Independent Labour party, which had Bradford for its birthplace; but I gather, from various signs and sources of information, that some changc is taking place. Some of the young mc-n are lending an ear to Syndicalism. This doctrine has been Very actively .preached among tho railwaymen, and the events of 1911 showed that it was not without effect. Leeds is an example. It is a railway storm centre; and an informant ' .intimately in touch with all sections of labour in tho town, but not in sympathy with Syndicalism, told mo that it was malting way there. But tho same spirit prevails more or less right across tho cuontry here. Manchester is the provincial headquarters of Syndicalism. Both it and Liverpool were great storm centres in the _ transport strikes. Tho north-east coast .is another storm region. But everywhere 0110 finds local differences and discrepancies. Newcastle, for instance, is a storm centre, but Darlington is not; tho Northumberland miners are discontented and restless, the Durham miners are quicl. In Lancashire similar differences are to be found. I believe it to be broadly true that trade-unionism holds tho field to-day, though' extreme views may prevail hero and there. ' Even in Bradford a trade dispute is conducted on regular lines. The dvers have for several years had a conciliation board with a standing agreement and penalties for breaches. A dispute lias been going on for months, and about 6000 men camo out on strike early in January, but it has all been quite orderly, ami a settlement by agreement is now in prospect. Is Tratio Unionism Changed? There is something extraordinarily massive and solid about trade-unionism in this country. It i s very hard to move, and though it takes'on surfaco changes they do not last. Its pre-eminently practical character brings it back. Leaders may bo, and arc, captured by political ami revolutionary ideas, but tho mass are not; they are only driven ip them by (lie pinching slice. Considering the intensely active propaganda constantly carried on, it always surprises me that so little impression is made. Men go to meetings, listen to, and applaud, fiery exhortations, but lot it all out at tilie other ear. A leading trado unionist in Newcastle, whom, asked about Syndicalism there, said that if Tom Mann came lie would get a good hearing, but would leave no impression. That, experience Is coinmoil. Meetings, lectures, and addresses arc a f-.irm of entertainment and arc not taken much more seriously by most of the audience than most oilier entertainments. As for propagandist literature, it is about as popular as tracts, and no wonder: it says the same thing over and over again like a hurdy-gurdy that never stop--. Socialism is the champion hurdygurdy of our time. It grinds out olio simple tune, which any average oar can pie!; up at the first hearing. It is a eafeiiy tune and pleases children, but i"..'.'--:i!if repetition causes a buzzing in l'r> head which drives a man to go and -c! a drink. I am sure that Syndicalism I is welcomed largely as a relief to this intolerable bore; it is a new tune. 1 do not say that these doctrines have let! trade unionism untouched, and stiil that they will have no influence ill the future. They have left their mark, ami will. I have no doubt, have their turn again when the slio" pinches and other means fail. At present Mi«r» seems t« be a rather widespread impression 'hit they are not of much use for getting Hi-f. and trade unionism can do better without (hem.