Page Eight

THE B.C.

é

LUMBER WORKER

November 15, 1943

British Trade Union Congress Calls WorldjLabor Conference

LONDON, Eng—(ALN) — The general council of the British Trades Union Congress, at a special meeting here last week, voted to issue a call for an all- inclusive world labor conference, to be held in London in May or June of next year.”

Invitations will be sent to the central labor organizations of 38 allied nations, including refugee European labor groups now in Britain, to the Confederation of Latin American Workers (CTAL) and the International Federation of Trade Unions, U.S. labor groups to be invited are the AFL, CIO, Railroad Brotherhoods and United Mine Workers.

Representation at the confer- ence will be based on estimated membership, with a minimum of two delegates. It is expected that on this basis Britain will have 14 delegates, the Soviet Union 33, the AFL 14, the CIO 10, the Railroad Brotherhoods 3 and the UMW 4.

In addition to the separate CTAL representation, each Latin American country will send its own delegates. Mexico is expected to send five. Special importance is attached here to the invitation extended to the CTAL, which hitherto has not been recognized by the TUC or the IFTU.

INVITE CANADA. Representatives will be invited

from central labor organizations in Canada and the other British Dominions and from the colonies,

including India, the West Indies,|

West Africa and Rhodesia. An ef- fort will be made also to secure representation of the -workers of neutral countries, particularly “ire and Argentina.

In a special statement to the press, the general council de- clared: “Sir Walter Citrine’s mem- orandum to the council explained the complications of convening such a conference, but expressed the view that these difficulties will not prove insurmountable as the conference will be for the purpose of consultation and discussion of matters of common concern and mandatory decisions will not be taken. On that basis, it is hoped that all sections of the trade union movements in all parts of

the world will be able ‘to par-!

ticipate.

“The suggested agenda for the conference will include: (1) furth- erence of the allied war effort; (2) the attitude of trade unions toward the prospective peace settlement; (3) representation of trade unions at the peace confer- ence and at preparatory commis- sions or conferences for relief, rehabilitation and post-war re- construction; (4) problems of post- war reconstruction, including the reconstruction of the international trade union movement.”

British workers have enthusi- astically welcomed the general council’s decision to call a world conference. —

APPLAUD DECISION. “All those who appreciate the

powerful role that a united trade union movement can play in winning the war and the

will welcome the confer- Jack Tanner, president of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, told Allied Labor News. “The fact that all American trade unions are to be invited is es- pecially important.”

Harry Adams, president of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers, declared: “In com- mon with all workers, I am de- lighted that the general council has decided upon the bold course of calling a world conference. I hope that, among other things, it leads to greater unity among American trade unions and to the clearing. up of their position with regard to international labor.”

‘The London News Chronicle commented editorially: “If Citrine succeeds in getting the Russians and the two sections of the U.S. Jabor movement around the same conference table, it will be the biggest thing in trade union his- tory.” The London Mail declared: “It will be difficult for any labor organization in any country to refuse to attend the conference.”

peace, ence,”

Continued

and cheers of delegates when he declared “there are many in Am- erica who are labor's friends,” add- ing “there is Franklin Delano Roosevelt.” Watlace also lauded the work of CIO’s Political Ac- tion Committee, indicating a growing appreciation by the Roose- velt administration of the need for independent labor action. Mrs. Roosevelt who spoke after appear- ing at a special banquet of the CIO Women’s Auxiliaries, touched off another burst of applause when she told the convention that “My husband asked me to bring you his regards and good wishes.” She stressed the great need for more education throughout the land, and gaye her personal impression derived from her trip to the war fronts of the South Pacific, that while the soldiers understood bet- ter than anyone else the great need for production, they under- stood some of the problems labor was up against at home. Greetings and assurances of cooperation were received from President James Patton of the National Far- mers’ Union,

‘Two excellent and inspiring en- tertainments were provided for del- _ egates during the convention: the first being “Army Night” at which “restricted war films” that are

shortly to be made available for Jocal union showings, were screened and army, navy and air- force war veterans, just back from the fighting fronts told of some of their experiences. Following a banquet, Wednesday night, dele- gates were treated to a preview of the CIO musical show, “March- ing With Johnny,” which is com- mencing a tour of the country shortly under the auspices of the CIO War Relief Committee. If you have an opportunity to attend this show in your community be sure and take advantage of it.

In conclusion, I am pleased to be able to report that this Sixth

Annual Convention, the largest and most representative the Con-

As an example of one kind of financial help afforded the war effort by the Empire, may be in- stanced the leasing to the United Kingdom Government by the Royal Family of Tonga (an is- land in the South Pacific) of a site for an airfield of 546 acres of “royal” land at a rental of one shilling a year, with the five miles of road giving access to it con- Structed free of cost by the Ton- ga Government.

gress of Industrial Organizations has yet held, was the most united and constructive convention I hhave ever attended.

21 EAST HASTINGS

Vancouver, B.C.

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CAUSE, another film on the same program illustrates in a very human manner the basic unity among the ordinary freedom-loving people of the world. This theme of unity in a divided world is further stressed in HIGH. OVER THE BORDERS, the first film ever to .be made on the migrating birds of the Western Hemisphere.

The schedule is as follows: Sunday, Nov. 21 Courtenay, Bickle Theatre -

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