PAYMENT OF LABOR MEMBERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2692, 23 December 1909, Page 5

PAYMENT OF LABOR MEMBERS.

POSITION IN ENGLAND

United Pause Association— rrop-Yuiaii* LONDON, Dec. 21.

In the case of the Amalgamated Society of Railwaymen versus Osburne, regarding the legality of trade unionists levies for payment of Labor members of the House of Commons, l£>rd Halsbury delivered the Lords’ unanimous judgment, which affirmed the decision of the Appeal Court against the payment. v, -*■ Lord Mcnaughten, concurring with Lord Halsbury’s remarks, held that there wag nothing in the Trades Union Act to give the power of collecting and adminstering funds for political purposes. -• Lord James of Hereford declared that the : application of money for the maintenance of a member whose acts were regulated by a - rule .requiring membership of the Labor party was ..ultra vires. _ . Lord Atkinson, held that such application was oppressive. Lord Shaw considered that imposing - conditions on a member of the House of Commons was contrary to public P °Mi\ Keir Hardie, sqeaking at' Glasgow, said the Labor party had everything in order for carrying on finanwork for at least two years.

OF LABOR LEADERS. (Received December 22, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. Mr. Richard Bell, general secretary of the Railway men’s Society, says that the judgment affects trade union repre- , sentation for the better, because Labor M P.’s will escape from the tyranny -to which they have been subjected for four years. It also .makes, the position ■ of men like Messrs Burt and Fenwick easier. „,, _ Mr;- Stedman, secretary of the Barge Builders’ Union, states that if trades unionists have any manhood they will find the money by voluntary subscriptions. , n Mr. P Curran, chairman or the L*en- . oral Labor Federation, says that most societies will willingly subscribe to a voluntary levy, -and next - Parliament will amend the Act of 1871. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald*. Labor M.P., says that the judgment cannot stand. * . > , • The “Chronicle,” in a leader,- m view of Lord- Shaw’s judgment, depre- , cates an alteration of the law m order to reverse! the’ Lords’ judgment and suggests payment; of, members The Society .of " Railway Servants has circularised its members, asking whether £4186 had' been refunded or transferred to 'therßailwaymen’s Par- ; liamentary K<*r««>tation AssocmtKm.