TRADE UNION CONGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2604, 11 September 1909, Page 5

TRADE UNION CONGRESS.

MR KEIR HARDIE ADDRESSES CONGRESS.

United Puicss Association —Copyright LONDON, Sept. 9.

Mr Keir Hardie, addressing the Trade'Union Congress, said the Labor party had put the . right to work. or maintenance in the": forefront of* their demands. Now there was promise that both claims - would be admitted. State insurance against unemployment would be equivalent to maintenance, the development of which would be the most revolutionary measure ever introduced into Parliament. Not only would they provide work, but the Government had also promised insurance against sickness. Altogether they were on the eve of great developments.

THE RESOLUTIONS PASSED.

(Received September 10, 9.35 p.m.)

LONDON; Sept. 10.

The Trade Union Congress, by 715,000 votes against 712,000, rejected its Parliamentary Committee’s i proposal that the State should make a grant to trade unions for the benefit of unemployed members. A similar resolution was passed at the last Congress, hut the miners’ delegates, representing half-a-million votes, now opposed it, on the grounds that it would aggravate unemployment. Resolutions were carried in favor of a reduction of pension age to 60, and of Labor Day celebrations in Britain. It was resolved that labor exchanges should not be used to assist farmers having disputes with their work people.