The Cotton Factory Times. — 1905-12-08 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

TRADE UNIONS AND LABOUR REPRESENTATION.  The fifth annual supper at which the Murder Spinners and Cardroom Trade Union officials meet together was held on Saturday at the George Hotel, Mealsley, when 35 persons eat down to an excellent supper. At the after proceedings a number of members joined tf.e party. 'srman M. B. Farr (secretary of the Cardroom tiation) was voted to the chair, and in an into*, g address dealt with the present position and proepects of trade unioniem. Ho rejoiced at the unanimity of feeling between the Cardroom and Spinner? Associations, as shosrn by their annual gatherings. After referring to the cotton growing movement and the recent wagei, question conference, he spoke upon Labour representation, and regretted that locally they were not progressing like other boroughs. The recent municipal elections had shown that the Labour forces were growing, and that workers in increasing numbers were throwing off their allegiance to the old parties, who had done to little to improve the lot of the worker. While the workers in other boroughs were increasing their Labour representatives, they in Mossley were allowing themselves to be compromised for three years, and half a dozen people were deciding who should be their representatives. Be considered they were seriously neglecting their duties to-themeelves, to their wives, children, and home& It lay entirely in the hands of the Municipal Councils to make their homes healthful and pleasant, but such representatives as they had would not carry out reforms that would cost money. He appealed to them to join together as workers and bring out men whom they could trust. They could all agree to work on the common ground of trade unionism, and could base their political and municipal action on the same ground as they based their trade intereste.—(Ap.  s Mr. W. Mosley (spinners' secretary) proposed the toast of "Success to the Spinners' and Catclrooni Associations." He rejoiced that locally they couli hold such gatherings, which tended to cement their feelings of common agreement on trade union lires. Their chairman had pressed upon their attention the need for Mossley trade unionists to show that they meant to keep in the forefront To do so they would reqsiire to act up to the changed circumstances under which present day trade unionists found themselves. The law was being used for more than it was really worth against the trade combinations, and unless the trade unionists were prepared to carry their trade unionism into the ballot box they would find themselves crippled in every effort they made for better conditions of living or wages. Their trade unions had been a power for progression, and they should now step forward and join the Labour forces that were required if they mum bold their position. The trade union law as to-day laid down was totally unfair in its relation to employer and workman, and no trade unionist should support any candidate at the now not distant general election who would not definitely pledge his support to the Trades Disputes BilL —(Cheers.) A better Workmen's Accident Compensation Bill ought also to be demanded from any candidate whom they supported, and if they failed to use the power that the ballot box _gave them they ought not to complain when the Government failed to remedy their grievances. Trade unionists had it in their power to return Labour candidates in all the large industrial constituencies whenever they were preq3ared to be true to their own interests, and in other parts their vote, if rightly used, would enable them to return members who would not fail them when their trade interest needed a vote in the House of Commons.—(Applause.) The toast was well received, and Mr. J. P. Sykes, in responding, spoke on the position which the two textile trade unions held in the town . Songs and recitals were 'given by the company, and a very pleasant evening was spent.