The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1906-09-05 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

LAST NIGHT'S MEETINGS.  There were several meetings of interest last orating. Under the auspices of the National Temperance League a meeting was held in the Y.M.C.A., which was wen attended by M.P.'e. The Amalgamated Printers also held a mites meeting, whilst upder the auspices of the Social Democratic Federation a big gathering of Socia:iota was attracted to the Central Hall. Benshaw-street. in the concert trixen of St. George's Hall a dockers' meeting was prresided over by the President of the Conference, Mr. Crimmins, and stirring speeches were delivered, _ _ .  -Vr.--fam—es—Berton, C.C., said that the member* of the Liyerpoo: Dookers' Union were a unit in the magnificent labour movement, contributing to the first political labour party that had ever been formed in the interest.; of the workmen of the country. The speaker went on to refer to the hadele'ps of dookere, to the judicial and loga. murder which lased to be, and Wag to some extent till going on owing to the conditions under whioh their men had to work. He and Ben Tillett had endeavoured to do earnetling to prevent this. They had a big fight with the shipownera al: over the country, who although represented by 30 barristers were boaton. The threepenny snrbeoription of the Dockers' Union knocked the millions of the slipowners into a cooked hat not because of any ertraordinary ability, but because the men who agitated know the life and Deeeqsjies of the docker (applause). They were able to put such a formidable case before the Home Office that the Government was compelled to ianue Dock Been:at-ions to Prevent the lose of life and limb at the docks. However. unti: the staff of inspectors was increased affairs would not be remedied very much, and what the Labour Men Were now trying to do was to add to the number of inspectors. How could they hope to improve the Workmen's Compensation Act as it concerned dockers. if they persisted 'n sending ohipowners to the House of Commons? In place of whipownees, who would legis'Ate only for their claw, they must send dockers' repreeentaN'yee. "Get your men," said the speaker in conclusion, "into the House of Commons, where they make the laws; get them into the City Council, where they administrate them, and then you will get fair p:ey, but not till then" (applause). _ _  Ja.mee O'Crrady, M.P. (East Leeds) urged the necessity of direct labour representation. and pointed out the great benefits which had accrued through the prewnt Laboirr members in the House of Commons. The docker's occupation waa the most dangerous of any in the country (more dangerous even than the mineis) and they were the men s-ho suffered more than any others under the inequalities of the existing Compensation Act. Mr. BP7I Tirett (London) and Mr. A. Wilkie. M.P. (Dundee) also spoke, and a resolution wne adopted expressing a welcome to the members of the Congress, and emphasising the necesity of combination amongst Trade Unionists in order to eectrre and keen gong a strong labour party on strictly independent lines. TO-NIGHT'S SHOP ASSISTANTS' DEMONSTRATION  The Liverpool and District Committee of the Shop Assistants' Union have arranged to hold a demonstration this (Wednesday) evening at the Association Hall, Mount Pleasant, commencing at 8.15. A resolution on "Truck" will be moved by the Rev. Father Day, S.J., seconded by Mr. H. Vivian. M.P.. and supnorted by Miss Margaret Bondfield, Mr. G. W. Kelley, M.P.. and Mr. D. Blythe (president Birkenhead Trades and Labonr C,ouncill. A resolution on "Workmen's Compensation" will also he moved.  ..,„ At the Adelphi Hotel to-day the Women's Trades Union League will hold a conference of delegates from all trade. in which women are employed. and on Thursday night a women's tur.. in will be held in the Association Hall. Mount Pleasant. To-day's gathering was originally fixed for Tuesday.  Apropos of women's meetings, it may be mentioned that this year there are four women delegates as against two last year. The four are Miss Mary MacArthur, of the Women's Trades Union League(Clerks), Miss Margaret Bondfield (Shop Assistants), Miss Glen (Telephone Operators), and Miss Ricketts (Tea Packers).