SPECIAL LABOR CONGRESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1920, Page 4

SPECIAL LABOR CONGRESS.

Uy Electric Telegraph—C*«iv -giii.i LONDON, July 13. Light hundred delegates, representing live million members, attended tJm special Trades Union Congress lield to discuss military rule in Ireland. There was an animated debate. There was a proposal made immediately for the workers to down tools to enforce withdrawal of the troops from Ireland This motion was decisively defeated. Various Unions thou offered panaceas for the trouble. The debate centred round the National Union of Hail waymen’s proposals. They moved resolutions proposing a truce in Ireland, Sinn Fein to be ask ed to use its influence in stopping any murders ancT outrages and the Government to withdraw the British Army of Occupation from Ireland; and then when the truce had been secured that an Irish Parliament be created, with full Dominion powers. Mr Thomas M.P. (Railway Secrotary) supported the resolutions. He said there are powerful influences at work at Westminster, whose only de sire is to encourage a fight to a finish Mr Bromley on behalf of the Locomotive Engineers, sail the most humane thing would be to say to Ireland “If you won’t listen to reason, we wash our hands of your country.” The Rail way men’s resolution was carried by 1953 to 1759 votes. Mr Robert Srnillie (Minors’ Lender) addressed tfee Congress. He pointed out that there was nothing in the Radwaymen’s resolution to meet the existing situation of military rule if the Government decline to agree to a truce. “I don’t recommend direct action,” ho said, “for fun • but I recommend it in order to save our brothers in Ireland.” The delegate from the Cotton Operatives Union said he would oppose the “down tools” policy, because he felt it wohld be exceedingly dangerous, and no one knew where it would end. The miners submitted a resolution in favour of a strike ballot to enforce the demands of Labour relating to Ireland. The miners’ strike ballot, was carried By 2,760,000 votes to 1,736,000 votes, a majority of over one million votes. Loud cheers greeted the announcement of the figures. In response to questions as to what the votings implied, Mr Thomas (who was chairman), explained that if the Government now refused to agree to the railwaymen’s resolutions, then the resolution of the miners would come into operation.