Page 12 — P. A. Features. March 17 \ By NIGEL MORGAN ENDING | its 12-day sessions on a high note of unity and enthusiasm, the World Trade Union Conference dispersed its delegates from 35 nations to all corners of the world, unanimously committed ‘to work together for the creation of a powerful, democratic, all- inclusive World Trade Union Federation at the earliest practicable date.” issues before the London Conference, stripped of associated problems, were: @ Trade union unity. the war. Put in that simple way, the importance of this historic con- ference will be realized at once. Delegates reached decisions which will go right to the heart of the common man in every country ; decisions which clearly proved that a united’ interna- tional labor organization; with — the full backing of its constitu- ent organizations, is capable of achieving the aspirations of the common man for a full life for himself and his children. The conference demonstrated that workers in the free coun- tries are united by a common bond—the struggle for victory over fascism. The story is the Same no matter where you go; whether it be Britain, the Se viet Union, the United States, or the once-occupied countries of France, Belgium, Holland, Greece or Yugoslavia. Just as the organized workers in the Allied countries, not rayaged by Nazi military occupation, have made possible the gigantic efforts for victory, trade union- ists in the occupied countries formed the backbone of the Re sistance Movements. Workers who have staked so highly in this war, whose willingness to work and die has made yictory possible, have the biggest stake in securing a lasting peace. And, if for this reason only, the delegates to the World Con- ference truly expressed in their decisions the hopes of the Briton, the Russian, the French- man, the American, the Yugo- slavian, the Canadian and workers in the other countries. “History, that harsh teacher, has taught us a costly lesson in the last tragic and bloody de- eade; the lesson that unity among all democratic forces of the world is the one condition without which peace and pro- gress are impossible.” With this ringing declaration, Sidney Hillman of the ClO introduced, in the sixth day of the confer- ence, his organization’s pro- posals for the creation of a new trade union international which had one of the most pro- found effects and in fact, mark- ed the turning point, for a more definite policy in the confer- ence proceedings. Sidney Hill- man, leader of CIO’s powerful PAC movement, which is cre- dited with having assured a Roosevelt victory in the recent United States elections, re- ceived a tremendous ovation. Delegates rose to their feet and cheered for a full minute. “We must also face the fact,” he continued, “in all frankness, that labor is not exerting the influence of which it is capable in shaping the policies which are now heing made, or in the work of the agencies now being established for their adminis- tration. This is not because la- bor in many of our countries is not well organized and infiuen- tial in its own right. It is be- eause it has lacked a powerful international organ which could speak with authority in sup- @ Shaping of the peace. port of our common objectives. Any further delay in the es- tablishment of such a body de- lays labor’s full participation in shaping the peace settlements which are now being made and which may determine the course of history for generations to come. “It is clear,” he con- cluded, “that the leaders of the IETU themselves agree that that organization—as now con- stituted—does not meet the de- mands made upon international labor in’ these eritical days.” QNE of the major tasks of the delegates, that of creating and authoritative body to con- tinue the work of the confer- ence, was achieved, and Mr. Géorge Isaacs, M.P., chairman The pivotal hoped that the present. IFTU, which has its headquarters in the British TUC’s Transport House'in London, and has for its chairman, Sir Walter’ Cit- rine, could have been adapted to*form the nucleus of the new international. But apart from the opposition which this pro- posal’ would have met with in many countries; it is absolutely impractical, for the IPTU has not,agreed to assume this role. However, as Sidney Hillman so correctly pointed out: “History — that harsh teacher — has taught us a costly lesson—in the last tragic and bloody de- cade” with the result that a high degree of tolerance and compromise was shown throughout the procedings and @ Winning | ference to ensure trade union representation at the coming Peace Conference and aid all preparatory commissions and conferences. (¢) Prepare a draft constitution for the World Trade Union Federation and to circulate it to constituent bodies. (d) Reconvene the World Conference not later than the end of 1945 for the adoption of the final consitu- tion and the completion of such other “business as may arise. (e) Convene an emergéncty Wor!d Conference, if necéssary- (£) Issue invitations to the next conference and. accept affilia- tion of such additional union bodies as it or the conference may determine. This last point leaves the door open for affiliation of the American Federation of Labor, which has so far refused to participate. Addressing the conference on behalf of the CIO, Sidney Hillman stated: “We regret the AFL is not here and when they decide to come in we will make a place for them on the execu- tive committee.’ Pictured above are some of the 35 Soviet delegates to the World Labor Conference. of the conference and a leader of the British TUC, said: “The conference marks a turning point in workingclass history.” The delegates to the confer- enee claimed the right to pre- sent their views on the peace settlement to the governments of the United Nations. They expressed the desire for trade union representation on the new international bodies which will be set up in connection with the peace. And that is why most of the major delegations, particularly the CIO, the French, Soviet, Latin-Amer- ican, Indian and many others, proposed the creation by the conference of an authoritative body which would get to grips with the drafting of the con- stitution for a new trade union international. The British dele- gation was hesitant. They had an agreement reached out of which a new body, uniting world labor, will speedily emerge. Delegates unanimously agreed to the establishment of a World Trade Union Confer- ence Committee, fully repre- sentative of the composition of the London meeting. This con- tinuation committee, which elected a small administrative committee, shall: @ establish its headquarters in Paris and start work immediately the conference ended. @ Act as the authority until the Wor!d Trade Union Conference is reconven- ed, with power to (a) collate the recommendations of the con- ference, t0 submit them to the constituent bodies for ratifica- tion and to prepare and submit a report to the reconvened World Trade Union Federation. (b) Act as agent of the con- van, (CANADIAN labor will be rep- resented on the continua- tions committee by Pat Sulli- secretary of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada (AFL). The administrative committee includes Philip Mur- ray and Sidney Hillman of the United States; Sir Walter Cit- rine and Ebby Edwards of Great Britain; I. Saillant and B. Franchon of France: V. Kuz- netsov and N. Tarasov of the USSR; Lombardo Toledano and A. Casillo of Latin-America; H. T. Liu of China; W. Scheveles of the IFTU and J. Oldenbroek of the International Trade Secretariats. 2 One of the first big jobs of the committee will be to ask the United Nations govern- ments to give the World Trade Union Federation a place at the San Francisco Conference, A New Hope For The Future which opens on April 2: six leading figures at th: don Conference —Hillma rine, Kuznetsov, Te. Siallant and Ernie Thor Australia, are expected — to the San Francisco ence in any event and it ticipated they will be | to attend the sittings 7 conference in an ESE, consultative capacity. EQ eenmized labor,” th ference stated, “with sc 2 part in winning the we not leave to others—h: well-intended they may | sole responsibility of 1 the™ peace. “Phe peace wi, good" ‘peace, only if it 7 the deep resolve of th peoples, their “interests, and needs.” : “A postwar world m created which will be 4 of all those who have and built to save den and civilization from d- tion’ was the basic dem the declaration of the ci tee on postwar reconsti The governments of the | Nations must do all in’ power to provide relief increasing scale to the 1° ed countries. -Effective — ures to secure the planr patriation of the peop” ported by the enemy; ¢ | ments must insure suitab for all at adeauate rates i | the speedy introduction 4-hour week, a fortnich cation with pay and a state system of social ance; legislation to cont | prevent the formation of poly; and agreements, wi manded by the confere: regulate prices of stapl modities entering into 0 tional trade. Long-term: for the economic and ind development of colonial tories and backward co were also -urged to as continuing and expandins | perity. PASSIONATE des: completely destroy th vestiges of fascism - 4: achieve trade union un policy and organization, — ed throughout the cont This was first expressed | decision of the confere admit the unions from / enemy countries of Italy. garia and Rumania ani land. The decision of tl paratory committee whic ed the conference was + should be confined to uni the United Nations ant) trals, but the conference | have none of this. It 1% that the trade unions 1} ‘enemy countries come an ticipate in the building: sof unity. There was also unat | support for the propositi | vanced by the fLatin-Am # unions that fascism wou 7 be completely overthrow 7 less the present gover! | of Spain, Portugal and i/ tina were destroyed ar ® people of those countries 9 an opportunity to returt | democratic way of life. ~ step to this, the conferer ? eided to ask the governm| | == Continued: on Py :