TRADE UNION CONGRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1926, Page 3

TRADE UNION CONGRESS

AN ASTONISHING CABLE. DOES NOT MEET W ITH FA VO UK. SOME LIVELY SCENES. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association ] (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 9. Tomsky’s astonishing cable was the first thrill at the Trade Union Congress, which had a session of unprecedented excitement. The cable was » ' written in pidgeon English and opened by sending greetings to the couracous btittalion of mine workers who continue to defend their standard of living, and past historic gains, despite betrayals by certain leaders during the general , strike, and the capitulating mentality of others. It added that Soviet workers lay the blame of failure of t lie British genera/ strike upon the bend of the lcnco attitude towards the Government of the Trade Union lenders, like Thomas, who was flic main instigation of the defeat of the strike, which otherwise would have resulted in a glorious victory whereby 'British ' labour would already be freed of the present Government aristocrats. Had the miners been loft alone they would long since have smashed the obstinacy of the clique of mine owners. Tomsky ended—Long live the international working class solidarity, and we will fight against the capitalist offensive.

In circulating the cable, the general council described it as the most regrettable abuse of ordinary courtesies expected from fraternal delegates, adding that the Council had no intention oF replying to this ill-instructed presumptuous criticism. Bitter feeling was aroused in Con- - * gross on the subject and was the chief s cause of an angry scene during the discussion on the failure of the general strike. Jack Tanner of the engineers accused the general council of selling Unions. A motion to refer back the section report dealing with the general strike was finally rejected by 755,000 (?) to 3098,000 amidst frenzied cheers from supporters oi the Council. The dissatisfaction of the extremists. however, was renewed when Mr Smillie moved pledging the Congress to support the miners. V hen All Bromley rose to second the motion, pandemonium commenced. / Mr McGirk (vice-chairman of the V'*"" Minors Federation) objected to the choice of Mr Bromley as seconder os a deliberate insult on the miners part to the general! council. Mr Pugh refused a suggestion to appoint another seconder, and when Mr Bromley was again on his feet he was greeted with a volley of “boos,” McGirk shouting-—“ You are a lot of coivfai'ds and traitors. ■ Other delegates cried “judas.” Air Bromley's supporters joined in with cries of “stand to your guns; let ’em have it.” , Mr Pugh meanwhile was beating the rJ bell frantically, or naming obstructive delegates, none of whom took the slightest notice. FinaK’y Air Pugh adjourned the meeting in the utmost disorder, the Council going into another room and the delegates shouting at <»ch other. , , , An hour later on, Mr Pugh retook bis seat amid ironical laughter. Air Bromley was allowed to speak and the resolution was carried.