TRADES CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 296, 8 September 1920, Page 7

TRADES CONGRESS

PRESIDENT'S VIEWS ON LABOUR

AND CAPITAL

THE IRISH SITUATION

(By Telegraph-Presa Association-Copyright

London, September G.

Tho Trade Union Congress, which it is hoped will avert the threatened coal strike by securing mediation between tho miners and the Government, has opened at Portsmouth, with 950 delegates present. Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., in his presidential address, said that, looking at the Dositoin at Homo and abroad, lie was an optimist indeed who could find occasion for anything but apprehension. Mr. riionias justified the formation of the Council of Action, and declared that the Council was determined to se© that the objects for which it was created—the complete independence of Poland and peace with Russia—wero achieved. Mr. Thomas said he did not believe tho workers were anxious to fight against the consolidation of capitalist interests meroly for the sako of fighting; but tho oilier sido must clearly understand that the years of sacrifice which had placed the worker into tho position he held today must not be lost, and they must bo prepared, not as a section, but as a movement, to accept any challcngo to their industrial freedom or economic emancipation.

Referring to Ireland, ho said the position was dangerous, and sooner or later could not fail to result in open conflict, the effects of which would shake the very foundations of the Empire. "Tlio Irish people can still be mado the friends of England. Let the Government drop the present Bill,- and cement that friendship with a bold and clear recognition of Dominion Homo Rulo. Let tho Government realise that militarism in Ireland has failed, as it was bound, to fail. Ton cannot dragoon a nation by the sword."—Reuter.

BRITISH MINERS' DISPUTE

SITUATION AT DELICATE STAGE,

(Bee. September 7, 7.30 p.m.) London, September G. ' Although the question ol' a coal strike Is the general subject of discussion prifately among- tho trade union delegates, the subject is not mentioned in congress because the situation is at a delicate stage, and public discussion is not likely to do good.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ELECTRICAL WORKERS ANTICIPATE A LOCK-OUT LOSSES FROM COMPOSITORS' STRIKE. London, September G. Anticipating a lock-out, the electrical trade unions havo withdrawn their members in Barrow employed by firms belonging to the Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades Federation. Lancashire and Cheshire news agents aro .losing .£20,000, as the result of the compositors' strike.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. IRONWORKERS'DISPUTE IN SYDNEY • BIG UPHEAVAL HINTED AT (Rec. September 7, 9.45 p.m.) Sydney, September 7. The management of Metter's stoveworks have decided to close the works, (is the men refuse to wcirk forty-eight hours weekly. Five hundred employees Are affected. So far the dispute is conlined to the iron .trades, bub tile loaders of the men refer to an upheaval similar to that of 1917, and hint that the strikers ivill not bo so orderly as they were then, [t is known that the leaders have a. big union move in view, but their intentions liavo not been divulged yet The men are still working at the naval dockyards.

Tho Cabinet: has considered the position and decided to frame legislation to reduce the hours ,of labour where it is found practicable to do so.—Press Assn. TRIMMERS DOfftnOOLS AT 4 PJ. Newcastle, September 7. The trimmers at the port declined to work after i o'clock ,and this compelled tho cranemen at coal-loading appliances to stop work—Press A=sn.