THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2561, 8 September 1915, Page 5

THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS

GREAT GATHERING AT BRISTOL THE WAR AND THE WORKERS ByTelegrapl-PreEs ;/Association-Oopjrrlelit ~ „ London, September 6. Aj the Trade Union Congress at Bristol there are 670 delegate?, representing three million men. Mr. James beddon, in bis presidential 'nidi-ess. said that the war ihad brought most important and complex problems fiefore tliem. Some were demanding that Labour be given a definite and immediate answer on such questions as conscription, food l exploitation, conditions of war labour, including tho employment of women and Belgians, who were assured of Labour's whole-hearted sympathy, sincere welcome, and hospitality. The workers endorsed the determination not to sheath the sword? until that fair land had been restored. Tho price of bread and coal would not have risen abnormally if the Government iad moved when the workers', war committee made- its representations. The difficulties of employment of women could only bo solved by equal pay for equal work. Prussian militarism, with its cruelty, rapine", murder, and in any form existing in Britain must bo destroyed. "Our share in the struggle," lie said, "will be useless unless we determine on tbo overthrow of aggressive militarism. We aro in war, not politics. . Systems are wrestling now, not parties. Ultimate victory will "rest with the dogged will, the truest heart. The workers are prepared for sacrifices in the common cause, but are not prepared to be bled by financial vultures. ' Unrest Amongst the. Workers. • Tho chief causes of Labour unrest .were food prices and war profits. Mr. Seddon emphasised Labour's share in increasing munitions, and added: "We invite _Mr. Llo.vd George to be equally keon in fulfilling his promise to deal with war profits. We have, the right to demand from tho Government definite guarantees that pre-war conditions shall be restored. That is the only way to reunite tlio country. Tho lieart of Britain is still sound. Let the Government ris o to the full height of its responsibility, not by giving an ear to . a hustling Press, but meeting' confi-.-dence with confidence." Regardine tl;e Unions' Combine—the Transport AVorkers' Federation, the National Union of llailwaymen, and tho Miners' Federation are negotiating jvith a view to combined action in national matters, retaining separate control of their interests in their respective industries—Mr._ Seddon said tliat there were now a variety of interests with different methods of organisation. The spirit of self-preservation demanded the free excliance of ideas withia view to mobilising the whole forces for the more effective combating of the power of organised capital.

A LIVELY SCENE.

OVER. A CONSCRIPTION MOTION. (Rec. September 7, 9.30 p.m.) London, September 7. A sensation was causcd at the close of the sitting of the Trades Union Congress, when the Parliamentary Committee announced _ an addendum to tho official anti-conscription resolution . to the effect that tho Congress resolve, in tho event of the Government bringing forward conscription, that a special Congress be immediately called to consider ways and means of opposing the proposal. Instantly the Congress was in a ferment, and a number of delegates attempted to protest. , Mr. Will Thome admitted the authorship of the addendum on behalf of the Gasworkers' Union. Finally the feeling in the Congess be-, came so averse that it was decided to treat the addendum as a separate resolution. The official resolution-was as. follows:, —"That the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress recommends the Bristol Congress to record its hearty appreciation of tho magnificent response to the call for volunteers to fight militarism, and protesting against the sinister'efforts of a section of the reactionary Press to foist conscription upon the country, which would burden the workers and divide the nation at a time when absolute unanimity was essential." RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS ULTIMATUM FROM SWANSEA. By Telegraph—Pre6s Association—Copyright (Rec. September 7, 3.30 p.m.) London, September 7. Tho Swansea railwaymeu demand improved wages and hours. Otherwise they threaten immediate action.