The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-06-20

All AUSTRALIAN Trade Union Congress.
MELBOURNE, May IS (By Mail)
The fourth All-Australian Trade
Union Congress commenced in Mel
bourne on May Bird, and terminated
on May 9th. Credentials were read
from 112 organizations, appointing
1853 delegates.
Reds Make Good Impression.
On the first day of the congress, a
great deal of prejudice was exhibited
by the Victorian delegates against
the reds" from Sydney, but after the
first day this prejudice was liquidated
by the superior debating powers, and
the logical arguments Of the Sydney
delegates. The congress soon got
down to business when the prejudice
and suspicion had been broken down,
and the foundation Of an All-Aratra-
liam Council of Trade Unions was
formed.
Organize Central Body.
1t is remarkable thing, that in
country like Australia, where the
trade union movement is exceptionally
llGIt has UGGH lV tldllOll-MiQC
organization of trade unions, with a
centralized control. Many attempts
have been made in the past to bring
this type Of organization into being,
but every move has been a failure.
However, almost everybody in the
movement with the exception OF the
hureaucrats of the A. w. u have en-
dorsed the new organization, and 1
think, this time, something will bel
achieved. That such an organiza-I
ton is necessary is obvious, because
at present there is no organization
to take control of interstate disputes,
such as seamens' strikes, coal strikes,
railway strikes, ETC.; therefore it has
been the custom in the past for the
unions covering these types of work.
ers to handle their own disputes, and
in some cases to incur the enmity of
workers in other industries, thereby
helping the employers to win.
There is danger, Of course, of the
new organization being controlled by
bureaucrats who will use their powers
to prevent industrial disputes, ire
spective of how this prevention af-
fects the workers wages and condi-
tions. This will have to be guarded
against, as we have to guard against
dangers in every move forward. 1t |
would be foolish to refuse to advance
because of dangers that will inevita-
bly, crop up. A rule has been inserted
in the constitution providing for the
recall Of executive members if they
do not carry out the wishes of the
organizations which elect them.
The foundation of the Australian
Council of Trade Unions was the out
standing work of the congress; other
matters were dealt with but mostly
of a propaganda or educational char
acter. The following resolution, deal
ing with the Industrial Mission now
touring America, was carried:
"This congress condemns the ac-
tion of Messrs. Grayndler, Valen-
tine, McInnes and Munden, in al
lowing themselves to be used by the
federal government as instruments
to defeat the Trades and Labor
Councils stand for the right of
labor to select its own representa-
tives on the. American Industrial
Mission, and declares that their ac-
tion is both reprehensible and
treacherous. Further, that we
recommend the report of the mis-
sion be ignored by labor, and
Messrs. Grayndler, Valentine, Me-
Innes and Munden be excluded from
recognition in any constituted body
of labor representatives.
Resolutions were also carried on
Sacco and Vanzetti; Hands off China;
piece work; British trade union bill;
and various other matters of local
importance.
y
Australian Labor Party.
CANBERRA, May 13 (By MaiD -
r,Io ~ /