TRADES UN'ON CONGRESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1918, Page 2

TRADES UN'ON CONGRESS.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.J LONDON, September 2. The. Trade Union Congress at Derby has opened with 779 delegates, representing over -U million members. Mr Ogden in the Presidential address, defended the action of the Parliamentary Committee 'in striving to make itself a central bureau for the British Section of the International Trade Union Congress. The International Trade Union movement was full of immense possibilities of close co-operation, political and industrial elements. The British Labour movement, as represented by the Parliamentary Committee, was a matter of lfe and death for the realisation of Labour ideals. Congress must uphold the Labour Party. We ought, after four years of war, to try to discover a way to peace. He denied that this meant a dishonourable peace, or peace at any price, but just peace, on lasting foundations. This war will not be the last unless the Democracies took the sceptre from the bands of those, who in the past had the power to unsheath the sword.

Mr Ogden advocated internationalism among the workers, in order that those doing the bulk of the fighting might decide the question of “peace or war” He intended that the full significance of that statement should be appreciated in enemy countries. He unhesitatingly welcomed the plea for a peace atmosphere, and if the workers remained solid, and kept their vision clear they would soon see that an industrian Can nan and that it was impossible to express anything but horror and detestation'at Germany's crimes but our aim should be to get together and settle the disputes