The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1890-10-23 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

BRITISH LABOUR LEAGUE.  A preliminary -Conference of labour representatives of this city, aud a public meeting, were held on Saturday in the Viaduct Lecture Hall. The Conference took place 'during the afternoon, when a number of Secretaries and other delegate's of trades unions in the district met Mr W. H. Hughes, the General Secretary of the League, and discussed its object and aims. At the public meeting in the evening, Mr Hughes was supported on the platform by Mr J. C. Kennedy, who presided, and Mr Andrew Sharp, County Councillor. There was a small but very representative gathering of all grades of workers present. The subject of Mr Hughes's address was "Working Class Politics." After briefly reviewing the various political and social problems which demand the immediate attention of workers throughout the world, Mr Hughes proceeded to show the necessity for the direct representation of labour on all public bodies, Parliamentary, Municipal, and Local. He pointed out that if such problems as the Poverty question, the Land question and the Monopoly question, which affected the welfare of every working man, were to be solved satisfactorily, they would have to send other people to represent them on public bodies than landlords and capitalists. So long as the management of the nation's affairs was committed to men such as these, true reform would be impossible, because they would go on legislating in their own selfish interests. But to talk of labour representation without arranging for the funds to pay for it was simply a mockery; and. therefore, the British Labour League had bren established in order to promote the election of working class representatives on public bodies, and by means of a National Labour Fund, to provide for their support and maintenance. There had been some talk about payment of members being authorised by Act of Parliament, but it was not likely the representatives of the classes would commit political suicide of that sort for a long time yet. They were not likely to put into the hands of the workers a weapon which would have the effect of returning bees to the Parliamentary hive instead of drones. This fact proved the necessity for some such organisation as that which they represented. The aim of the British Labour League was to make labour representatives possible, They had been organising for the last three months, and to-day they had a paid membership of over 18,000. They had besides branches in formation which would bring the membership up to 40,000; and the pipers and tinworkers of South Wales were also giving the League their hearty support. In conclusion, Mr Hughes described the methods and means usually vnploy.ed.in commencing branches of the League, and in affiliating trades councils and other federated bodies of workers. A discussion of considerable length ensued, and it was unanimously resolved "That this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived when the workers should organise for the purpose of returning Labour Members to Parliament and to Local Public Bodies ; and expresses its approval, and resolves to consider the constitution and objects of the British Labour League, as a means of achieving those objects." A committee for tbe latter purpose was appointed, with Mr T. C. Davidson as Convener. The proceedings terminated with the usual votes of thanks.  To DARKEN GREY HAlR.—Lockyer's Sulphur Hair Restorer is the quickest, best, safest, and cheapest: Large Bottkee, is 6d. Everywhere@