1928-01-21 — Page 6

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1928.

POLITIC LEVY.

LEADERS GREET MEASURE WITHOUT LEVITY..

EXEMPTION 'CLAIMS,

It is a patont fact that promin-i

CHINESE OATH IN COURT.

(Continued From Page 5.) `"

"Frightened by a Threat."

Defendant, giving evidence, said ent leaders are very much per-that as manager of the club he turbed about the collecting of the had the first draw for his services. political levy, from the rank andThe plaintiff had actually paid in Ale of the Unions.

£92, 28. 4d. Every month witness paid out to the highest bidder the money which the members had paid in He never agreed to be responsible for the money. It was left to the members to pay their shares in, The reason why tho club was not continued was be- cause some of the members did not keep up their payments and some were deported.

This is not altogether surprising when one remembers that the Labour party draws the greater part of its sustenance from the big Unions.

"When the plaintiff came to see him in November, 1922, ho threatened that if witness did not sign the agreement that he owed the money, he would kill him.

Witness was frightened at this threat and went to a solicitor's office with the plaintiff and signed the agreement,

It cross-examination, witness said it was not the case that after he had started the club he found himself able to start a business. The business he had was 'started in March, 1922.

Since the passing of the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions B the lenders have repeatedly aald that it would make little differ enco; the rank and file would pay up just the same as previously, Apparently they did not believe what they said, for surprising in ducements are being offered to Trade Union officials to obtain ga many members, as possible fo "contract-in" to the political fund Most Unions are paying branch secretaries, two-pence per signa ture to remunerate them for their extra work, and it is said that one Union offers fourpance to the in dividual obtaining a signature, and twopence. Id the secretary to whom it is sent. Should the seere tary himself obtain a "contract- in" he gets the whole sixpence.

Despite these inducements, how The oath which was administer- eye. the rank and file are nol falling over each other to pay theed to. Mr. Wong was somewhat dif- levy. As a mantler of fact, Trade ferent from that administered to Unionists in general have never the other witness, who was sworn . Before he Taken kindly to politics in the Chinese fashion.

that blew out the lighted candle, the Unions. It is quite true before the passing of the Act, the witness Wong held up his hand. political levy was imposed by den said-I do not speak the mocratic consent of the members, truth and nothing but the truth, as in that it was embodied in the this candle is blown out, so may rules of the several organisations my soul lie blown out hereafter." by constitutional ballot, and any ane joining the Union was expect ed to abide by these rules!'

Exemption Claims.

It is also true that any member could claim exemplión; but it does not necessarily failow that those who did not claim exemption were

The Decision.

The Judge said that the position of the defendant in regard to the scheme was something like that of a trusted... His Lordship was of opinion that the agreement was a perfectly good one, and that there was ample consideration for it. As to the allegation of duress, he did not believe that there were

in favour of paying the levy, any "mennees of péril or death. Many knew nothing about the The plaintiff had made out his levy, because they had neither the ease, and there would be judgment time or the inelination to read the in his favour for $171, 10s. and rules. Others knew of the 'levy, Fenris? hut were unaware.of the fact that they could claim exemption; while some did not claim exemption

"As a body the police forces of either because it was too much trouble, or because "they did not this country deserve and have earn- ed the admiration of the world,' like to" Quite a minority paid states Sir William Joynson-Hick, the levy consciously and willingly. the House Secretary, in a New And it is only that small minori-Year greeting to the police force ty which is taking steps to "con-of England and Wales, "As Home tract in the rank and file are as apathetic and opposed as ever towards politics in the Unions. Branch secretaries are making strenuous efforts to secure signa tures, but are meeting with poor success; they are only able to. reach the regular branch atten- dants.

The branch to which I belong is 200 strong. baruly fifty of whom attend. Those who do not attend will no doubt be circularised, but few will take the trouble to sign the form and send it to the secre

ary.

The altitude of Trade Unionists towards politics in the branches is- carily understandable. During the past decade the Unions have spent thousands upon thousands of pounds on politics. Over £40,000 a year are paid to the Labour party by the Unions, which does not include allowances to oficials who are M.P.8, grants to candidates, und. fees to local Labour parties."

Political Organisations.

And what have the Trade Unionists gained by all this politi- cal expenditure? As far as one can see, general secretaries, resi- dents, and organisers have become prosperous.. members of Parlia- ment, and, in most instances, their Union duties have been neglected as a result.. But the industrial advantages secured by politics are practically nil. Regular atten- daats at the branches have noticed the repeated complaints that the Unions are becoming political organisations.

With all its vaunted strength, the Labour party has not solved the miners" problem, neither did it prevent the strike of last year.. Engineers are admittedly poor- ly paid, and are asking for an in- crease in wages. The thousands of pounds paid by my Trade Union to the Labour party have not en- hanced one iota their chances of getting that increase, and the Union has six or seven M.P.a! Small wonder that the rank and. file are not "contracting in" as the leaders would like them to.

When the next Labour report is Issued, it will show a decided de- crease in contributions from the Unions, and the local parties will equally suffer, for it has been legally decided that no part of the brunch funds (even, though a levy be voluntarily imposed for that specific purpose) may be paid in allation" feos to any local politi- cal party.

No wonder the leaders are per- turbed. They will have to apply their minds to other ways and means of getting funds; they will have to seek pastures new. Per- haps that is why the leavers org se anxious to secure wealthy re cruits to the party!

Secretary," he continues, “I am re- sponsible to Parliament for the efficient administration of the police. forces of Great Britain, and it h one of my responsibilities of which I am most proud.”

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