The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, NOV. 14th, 1922. BRITISH LABOUR ASPIRATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, NOV. 14th, 1922. BRITISH LABOUR ASPIRATIONS.

With tin* near approach of tho epochmaking geiio-sl elections in the United Kingdom it is interesting to note, according to a 'London financial journal that it would appear from the discussions at the Trade Onion Congress, held at Southport lately, that Labour is recognising more fully its responsibilities in the reconstruction of the economic life of the country. There can he no question as to tho dire necessity for whole-hearted co-operation between Capital and Labour, and it is significant to note that the effect of disputes and unemployment has already been serious for trade unionism, the membership of the unions represented at the Congress having been reduced in twelve months by one million and a quarter to .'5.127,000. The Congress was presided over by Mr R. B. Walker, of the Agricultural Workers’ Union, who, although known as a man of moderate views ranged himself with those who stand for the further pursuit of an aggressive policy. He, how-, ever, took care to noint opt. that they

were '‘warring not against a set of ! people, but against wrong ideas.” One 1 of the resolutions passed by the delegates was in connection with the reparations crisis. Recently an appeal was made to British Labour by the General Federation of German Trade l nions and after consideration bv the ■ Joint International Committee of the Congress and the Labour Party an cm- ! ergency resolution was presented to. | and approved by, the Congress calling for the abandonment of the occupation |of the Rhine territory, urging that time and facilities for payment should i be given to Germany, and appealing to the French people to encourage the new Republican democracy of Germany. A second emergency resolution was also passed dealing with international labour legislation. The grave problem of iinempoyment and its attendant evils was discussed and a resolution was carried outlining Labour’s proposals for tile solution of the problem. This resolution called upon the Government immediately to devise national schemes of work to enable tho unemployed workers to maintain themselves in reasonable comfort, and further instructing the General Council to co-operate with the Labour Party in emphasising the need for revising the Versailles Treaty and opening up trade with Russia, pointing out that only by a general resumption of European trade can the present state of unemployment be remedied. With regard to a rather liberal scale of relief which was suggested, nothing definite seems to have been dcided the Congrss apparently appreciating the fact that increased opportunities for work are of far greater benefit to the unemployed themselves, and to the interests of the community at large, than the repeat'd supply of doles. Vs it means of. utilising the services of many men of all crafts and trades, one of the delegates urged the immediate commencement of the construction of the Channel tunnel. A resolution adopted on the bousing question suggested that gi eater progress would be made if the Government compelled local authorities to carry out immediately adequate housing schemes and made grants, free oC interest, to enable local authorities to erect liaises at a reasonable cost. Another resolution carried called on the General Council to promote an amend ing Rill to the National Unemployment Insurance Acts so as to remove anomalies whereby tile insured persons are deprived of benefits by disputes in which they are riot directly engaged. A proposal to create a Labour G.TT.Q. by extending Hie powers of the GeneCouncil was the subject of an important debate towards the close of the Congress. Opposition cannj from several delegates including Mr C. T. Cramp, of the National Union of Railwaymeii, and. in the olid, no decision was leached. .Among the resolutions passed at the last two sessions were an instruction to the General Council to use every endeavour to get the Rent (Restriction) Act extended after June 1923: a declaration in favour of a foity-four hour week; emphatic disapproval of the recommendations of the Cave Committee on Trade Hoards; a demand for the removal of the rattle embargo; and favouring the inipositicn of a levy on wealth and capital to pay eft' the war debt.