Widnes Examiner. — 1905-01-14 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

LABOUR REPRESENTATION.  ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WARRINGTON COMMITTEE. The Question of a Parliamentary  Candidate.  The second annual report of the Warrington Labour Representation Committee has just been issued, and from it we cull the following extracts : Fellow Workers: In presenting to you the second annual report, we must congratulate you on the progress made for Labour Representation in Warrington. During this last year several more socipties have joined the local Committee, and our membephip has increased considerably. We are also pleased to report a respectable financial balance to our credit. Weans yet far from being wholly representative of the trade unionist and reform societies of Warrington, but we trust during the coming year to see a greater influx of new members. The attendance of delegates during the last year leaves great room for improvement, and we would press upon our members the necessity of seeing to the appointment of delegates who will look well to their duty. Darin:: the last year the Committee has seen fit to revise slightly its rules as regards the ordinary working but nothing that will affect or interfere with the objects and constitution ; your Committee has strictly adhered to the principle of independence that was laid down at the formation. We had occasion to clearly demonstrate this fact on the receipt of a  LETTER FROM THE LIBERAL EXECUTIVE asking us to meet them in conference to discuss the bringing out of a joint candidate at the next Parliamentary election. The Committee, after some consideration, passed the following resolution : " Inasmuch that the Rules and Constitution of this Committee strictly forbid any compromise or alliance with either of the two political parties, and recognising that our object is to form the Labour forces in Warrington into one united party; and also considering that our members hitherto have either been allied to or voted for the Conservative or Liberal Parties, we consider it would not be permissable or wise for us to take any steps which would alienate any of our members from our Committee, which Committee is representative of the necessity and rapidly growing intention of Labour to be directly represented in Parliament by a distinct and independent party, whose central policy shall be the rights of labour." This was sent as a , reply to the Liberal Executive and also to the Press. It was not the intention of the Committee to hide themselves behind a rule, but to make it quite clear that our policy is a policy of independence, and to show that we have sound reasons for remaining so, as it is only by an independent action on the part of the workers that we can hope to achieve our objects. We have been much criticised by one of our local organs, and also by some individuals, as to what they choose to term our foolish and suicidal policy. We can only answer to these critics, that they do not understand oar position or our movement; it is not we who are committing suicide, but they who would have us do so. An attempt is being 'made, both locally and nationally, to try and get rid of the toform or Socialist Societies. This will not serve any good purpose, and will only tend to cause disruption in the ranks of Labour, and cannot affect the policy of the Committee. Very early in the year your Committee commenced to consider the municipal elections, but not till later on were any definite steps taken, when the affiliated societies were circularised, asking if they wished the Committee to contest municipal elections, and how many wards should be contested, and would they nominate a candidate for municipal election. A majority voted in favour of one ward being contested, and Mr. Thomas Wright, the nominee of the Independent Labour Party, was the selected candidate by a unanimous vote of the meeting, The bye-election in Bewsey Ward was the chosen contest. This election proved to be a remarkable one. At one period three candidates were in the field, but just prior to the election one candalate withdrew, ' and the other, not .wishing to tight against Labour, retired, but too late to prevent a poll. We were obliged to go to some expense in the election, but having no serious opposition to face, it did not necessitate any great eff.rt on the part of Labour, and we are pleased to record the return of Councillor Wright as a second Labour member on our Town Council. To cover the cost of this election we were obliged to ask the societies to levy themselves, and in a very short space of time every society had paid its proportionate share of the cost. A municipal programme had been drawn up during the year, and during the election in Bewsey Ward this was placed before the electors. This will be amended as required as time goes on, and all candidates, both present and future, will be expected to use their efforts in carrying out this programme. You are aware that at the close of the previous year we had invited Mr. Alexander Wilkie, of the Shipwrights Society to  BECOME THE LABOUR CANDIDATE for this Borough. It was rather disappointing that directly after entering upon our second year we should receive a communication from the Shipwrights Society stating that they were unable to advise Mr. Alexander Wilkie to contest Warrington at the next election. Your committee accepted their disappointment with a good grace, and at once took steps to procure another candidate by applying to the National Labour Representation Committee to recommend us a suitable candidate, and Mr. Macdonald, secretary of that body, recommended to us Councillor A. W. Raynor of Battersea, who was the nominee of the General Union Carpenters and Joiners. We invited Councillor Raynor to visit Warrington and address the local committee. Our invitation wis accepted, and Councillor Raynor addressed us on general labour topics. A vote of con- , fldeitie was passel in his favour, and it was generally I considered that he was a most suitable candidate for our borough. We at once got into bomsnunication with the Executive Committee of the General Union, and negotiations were carried on with that body for some time with a view to Councillor Raynor's adoption as a I Labour candidate for us. Unfortunately we were unable to come to terms, and negotiations were ended. Your local committee is still without a candidate for the next election, though seve-al names have bean subjected. The matter is not entirely anded,and a great number of trade unionists are very anxious that we should contest this borough with a Labour candidate, but whether we shall do so it is diacult to sly. In the meantime, our most important work lies in fortifying our present position and increasing our forces, and to do that we must agitate, educate, and co-operate. With all best wishes for a successful future.—l remain, fraternally yours, 0. BUCKLEY, Secretary.