HOUSE OF LORDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1923, Page 2

HOUSE OF LORDS.

i &CBTHALIAK AMD N.Z. CAW.U ASSOCIATION. ADDKESS OF CONDOLENCE. LONDON, June 13. The House of Lords carried addresses of condolence with the King on the death of Princess Christian. THE DANGER OF SOCIALISM. LONDON, June 13. Lord Birkenhead in drawing attention to the growing strength of socialism asked the Government whether it proposed to take any legislative step to modify Trade Unions' powers in making compulsory levies for political purposes. He said the House ot Lords had never been faced with a situation so critical as at present, and, if once a Socialist Government attained power, it would not he the moderate Labourites who would direct its programme. The danger of Socialism to tho country and the Empire lay in the disparagement and destruction of private abilitv, capacity and initiative. LONDON. June 14. Ford Peel, said that if a large amount of Socialist feeling existed in the country. it should have the fullest representation in the House of Commons. There was already a safeguard preventing the trade unionists from being compelled to finance political views of which they disapproved. It was most important no action should be taken with reference to the trade unions using their funds, that would give rise to the suspicion that the Government was trying to prevent the fullest expression being given to Socialist opinion.

Lord Emmotfc said the suggested change would b-o unjust and impolitic. Without trade union funds, Labour could not run candidates. Lord Haldane said he sympathised with tho Labour Party. He did not regard its programme as revolutionary. ' Lord Salisbury stated he believed in trade unionism, but ho thought the day of swaddling clothes for unions had passed. The subject was then dropped.