GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1928, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES

trades union congress. Wnited Press Association By Electric r Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Sept. G. ; Tlie Congress of Tracies Union OounciFdobated the Mond.lndustrial Peace Sclieme. Citrine (Secretary of the Congress) defended the General Council in accepting Mond’s invitation. It was nonsense to say the employers had set a trap to catch the workers. The Council only acted in accordance with the world-wide development of Trades Unionism. Labour demanded a voice ill control of industry, and employers had conceded it. Brownlie, for the engineers, moved an amendment, condemning the Oounoil for acting unconstitutionally, and referring the matter to the executives of, the various unions for consideration ; also directing the General Cou lift eil not to proceed further in the ineanF time. Hicks (last year’s .president), representing the building trade workers, supported the amendment, and denied it was intended to censure the Council, but every union and every mem-

ber thereof should bo consulted first. Mr Clynes favoured the continuance of negotiations. 'lt would be priceless if a joint committee were established in tlio coal industry, in order to see the industry safely through the present crisis with the least" hardship to workers. Cook (Miners’ Secretary) in an impassioned half hour’s speech, said the Labour lenders’ wero doing their best, but were trying to defeat invincible economic laws. There was no change in the Jemployers’ policy pincc the conversations began. Employers werfools and the workers must protect themselves, not through alliances, hut through their own independent structure. At the conclusion of his speech. Cook staggered from the rostrum and fainted, but recovered in a waitingroom, where his first words on regaining consciousness were, “Have I beaten them.”

Herbert Smith (Miners’ President) said briefly he was there to tell them the Federation considered the Council did right in accepting the employers’invitation and hitherto had acted correctly.

The amendment was defeated on a card vote by 2,921,000 to 708,000. Tfie report of the Council was adopted ,hy 3,075,000 to 566,000.

LORD BIRKENHEAD. LONDON, Sept. 6. At Mr Baldwin’s request, Lord Birkenhead will take charge of the Foreign Office during Lord Cushendun’s absence at Geneva. Lord Birkenhead will not retain office in any case after the general election, but ho wishes to retire much earlier. It is rumoured in the City that Lord Birkenhead may bo the Chairman of the Eastern Cable Company Marconi Company merger of wireless and cables.

SIX RACEHORSES BURNT. LONDON, Sept. 6.

Six valuable racehorses were incinerated in a fire in stables at Goldsborough Hall, Lord Lascelles’ Yorkshire home. Lord Lascelles was away, hut Princess Mary watched the employees’ vain efforts at rescue. She was greatly distressed at the fate of the animals. ’