LABOUR MENACE TO LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 300, 13 September 1920, Page 5

LABOUR MENACE TO LABOUR

COMBINATIONS BECOME PREDATORY BODIES WHY PRODUCTION FALLS OFF By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. September 12, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, September 11. The Labour newspaper "Democrat," edited by Mr. W. Appleton, secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions, states: "It is not fair for Mr. ,T. H. Thomas to say that trusts and combinations of capital formed in self-defence should not exist to the prejudice of the public when vast combinations of Labour, originally formed for self-defence, arc rapidly becoming predatory bodies, making life impossible for tho rest of us. It is only necessary to notice tho number of strikes and the number of would-be producers, who are unnblo to produce because those iiunodiatelv in front of or behind them have ceased work, in order to realise that Labour itself has become a very serious menace to those sections of the workers -who would work if Riven a chance. It is only necessary to listen to the wild talk going on, the threats of revolution and socialisation, the threats of anything and everything except settling 'down to work and letting other people work, to realise who has really stood in the way of production at this critical time." Messrs. Bromlev and Williams, and other delegates at tho Trades Union Congress, attacked Mr. Appleton, accusing him of "scurrilous abuse of--the wage movement, persistent attacks on tho Triple Alliance, and vilification of Mr. Smillie."-Aus.-N Z. Cable Assn.

TRADE UNION CONGRESS OVER NEED FOR UNITY 'EMPHASISED. (Rec. September 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 11. The Trade Union Congress has closed. Mr. J. H. Thomas was at -tho lead of the list in the election of tho Parliamentary Committee, while it is significant tliat Mr. R Smillie. who was not a member of tho old committee, was elected V a big vote. , Mr. Thomas, in his closing speech, emphasised Hie need for trade union unity in view of the difficulties of the next few weeks. They must not allow prejudice and bias to influence tbeir decisions. Thev were not enemies of their country; tiiey loved their country, but the country could not be made great and happy by bloodshed on the battleHeld. That could best bo Attained by Kiving comfort to the cottage homes. Wing the next few weeks every word and action should be , thought out. Whilst they were determined to do justicc to their own class, they were, equally, determined to keep in mind tho interests of tiro whole community.—Keuter.

CHARGES OF VOTE BARTERING. (Rec. September 12,11-5 p.m.) London, September 11. The Trade Union Congress.appointed a committee to investigate a charge by Mr. Smillie regarding the bartering of votes between unions for candidates tor the Trade Unions Parliamentary Committee, which is looked upon <is Labours Cabinet. The miners' candidates failed to get elected to last year's committee, because a strong opposition to their agitation in favour of direct action for political ends.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.