LABOUR AS A COMMODITY.

Taihape Daily Times, 3 October 1919, Page 3

LABOUR AS A COMMODITY.

_; AN AMERICAN PROTEST. \ ........._. I The Labour section of ithe League of ; Nations covenant is meeting with some ‘opposition in Labour circles in the lUnited States. The section set-'ti‘.; i out the general principles upon which I the covenant is framed deals witht the f difiiculties in the way of securing imEmediate uniformity in labour condi!tions in all countries, and proceeds: “‘But holding as they (the High Con- , tracting Parties) do that labour should inot be regarded merely as_ an article of commerce they think that there are methods and" principles for regulating labour conditions which all in ‘ dusirial communities should endeavour ’to apply.” Objection is being taken :to the word “merely.” Mrl Samue iGonlpel's is understood to be Very angry over it. He says. he wrote the a other words into ithe charter, but after , he left Paris and while he was on his éway to America the word “merely” [was inserted. The Phil.adelphia.Publie Ledger says that while there will ‘be a bitter fight, it is diflicult to believe that the really powerful leaders of the federation will permit repudiation of President VVilson. While l\lr Gompers is sorely disappointed in ‘the amendment to the Labour charter, he is the stanchest supporter‘ the President has, and it islnot unlikely that he will sacrifice expression of his disappointment in order to save the convention for the league. If he does, American Labour will ultimately approve the league and the charter in all likelihood‘.