BRITISH T.U CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1928, Page 4

BRITISH T.U CONFERENCE

Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, Sent. S. A hitter attack by Air j. H. Thomas, AI.P.. oil tlie p-iicy of grovelling to Russia, and sneers from a miners’ delegate at Afr Thomas's frock coat and bell topper at the A'cot races were features of an uproarious Trades Union Council debate at Swansea. The Engineering Union out forward a motion that the Trades Union Council should call a AA’c-rld Conference to include the nations affiliated with the Red International, in order to re-es-tiiblisli tho Anglo-Russian joint advisory’, council.

Air Thomas said: “AYe were disrupted by D.ussia in 1927, because it misrepresented and lied about us. The same tactics are in evidence to-day. AVe are not going grovelling to them while they ruin their own country and try to ruin our conference.” Mr Thomas was then shouted down.

Afr Williams, n Forest of Dean miiier, said that there was small difference between AL Tomsky and Afr Thomas. It did not matter whether a proletarian wore a white shirt and a silk lint, but it was essential that the workers of the world should unite. The resolution for a world conference • was defeated by 2,877,00 votes to 437.000. Afr AVill Thorne said that the Communists were trying to work "their way into every trade union branch, just as Lenin had wormed his way into the Russian movement in 1917. Personally, said Air Thorne, he would like ta see. Comrade Sta.lin present, because it would he found that the Soviet was not getting value for their money here. Air Herbert Smith said that Afr AA'illinms was not speaking for the coal miners.

The Congress was unanimously agreed there should be effective public control and'co-ordination of all transport, with a compulsory regulation for insurant*.

The Transport Union’s representative said that his Union was asking for a restriction on the insane road competition. He urged a restriction in driving licenses. Some of tho car hands wore cripples. LONDON, Sept. 8.

Mr A. J. Cook 'Miners’Federation Secretary) has been ordered a complete rest..

CONGRESS DECISION SIGNIFICANCE. > LONDON, Sept. 9. Air ,T. 11. Thomas. in the “Sunday Express’’ says the chief significance of tho Trades Union Conference at Swansea was the overwhelming endorsement of the policy of negotiation with the employers and resort to reason, instead of force. “It means a new era in the relationship between capital and labour.” Walter Citrine in “Reynolds Journal” states the Congress marked the turning point in tho eeonomc life of Britain, that it brought trade unions into profoundly important relationship with industry. It was shown in the clearest manner that the unions wore not pursuing a Will O’ Wisp industrial peace, hut were making practical efforts to demonstrate their ability to contribute siihstanially to the- solution of national ills.