UNION AND TRADE COUNCILS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9540, 12 July 1909, Page 4

UNION AND TRADE COUNCILS.

Enquiries made in Christchurch in connection with the becession of unions from the Trades Council show that a serious crisis has arisen. Several important unions have dedided to secede from the council, and to hold aloof from it so long a3 it preaches advanced Socialistic doctrines and follows its present political policy. There have been differences at the council board for a considerable time; the introduction of outside politics seems to have had a very disturbing effect. Recently

young unionists have been appointed delegates to the council, and they, with a few older members, have brought into the discussions ideas that are far too advanced for many older unionists. Political feeling has become so strong that it has dominated nearly everything the council has done lately. Dreadnoughts, surpluses, ' Ministerial changes, and other subects of very general interest have usurped the place formerly given to questions connected intimately with the union's affairs. Some of the delegates apparently have tried to stem the flood of political utterances, and they have failed, and now several, after expressing their utter disapproval of the new order of things, have decided to abjure their allegiance,and to let the council, with its advanced Socialism, its political discussions, and its aspirants for political honours, go its own way. Four large unions have announced their intention to secede, and th;y represent a considerable number of unionists. As far as can be ascertained they are practically of one mind in regard to the council's policy.