The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954)

COMMUNIST PLANS

MOBILISING THE UNEMPLOYED. "WORKERS' DEFENCE CORPS."

ATTACKS ON POLICE FAMILIES.

Plans for mobilising th© unemployed were made at a conference held at the Temperance Hall, in Melbourne, when many revolutionary proposals were adopted. The conference was (says the "Argus") organised by the Unem- ployed Workers' Movement, which is a creation of the Communist party, and State branches in Sydney and Melbourne have now been established. Although the conference was discountenanced by the Trades Hall Council, a number of trade unions, particularly the waterside organisations, timber workers, carpen- ters, and others, as well as branches of the Labour party, were represented. More than 100 delegates attended, in- cluding representatives of most of the suburban unemployed groups. The proceedings lasted throughout Saturday, and it was significant that leading Com- munists were the most conspicuous in the discussions, while delegates who were opposed to the plan of operation outlined were frequently heckled. Mr. J. Aide presided.

The methods to be adopted in giving effect to the proposed demands led to a long debate. It waa suggested that mass demonstrations be held in all dis- tricts to compel the granting of the de- mands, to resist the eviction of workers from their homes and the seizure of fur-

niture for rent, or attempts to shut oft I supplies of gas or electricity. One clause proposed the "mobilisation of the children and other members of working class families against the families and members of the police forco on account of their participation In attacks upon the working class.'" Both the Preston and Footscray delegates strongly opposed the adoption of this clause, declaring that the unemployed had received great assistance from tho police In those dis- tricts, "It ls absolutely ridiculous, and tho persons who compiled it could not have been responsible for their actions," declared Mr. R. Lyons (Seamen's Union). He said that they might os well Include the Army, Navy, and Air

I Force, as they all had relatives In some

of those institutions.

Mr. Molloy: Tho capitalist class wages

I war on our children, who are dying In

the slums. I would be sorry if the chil- dren suffered,, but we will not stop at killing anyone In tho interests of the working class. If those scoundrels who baton the workers knew that their chil-

dren could not attend school they would, hesitate before they used the baton on'

the workers.

Mr. Lyons: Ninety per cent, of the unemployed will not accept it. It will take a lot of explaining.

A proposal that the clause be deleted was negatived by 38 votes to 21.

STRIKES TO REPLACE ARBITRA-

TION.

When a clause for the abolition of Arbitration Courts was being discussed several delegates asked what was to take tho place of the courts. Mr. Mol- loy declared that "palliatives were thrown to the workers to prevent them from going on strike." Direct action should be substituted. "If we cannot get what we want we should take it," ho

added.

Mr. T. Le Huray (Brioklayers' Union) said that the alternative for the courts was "direct action" under rank

and file leadership.

Mr. C. Monson said that they could only gain their objective by fighting. The right to vote was won only through rivers of blood. "We ,will have to train the workers to fight. That is the only

way."

The clause was adopted.

Another proposal was that a "Work- ers' Defence Corps" be established. Much secrecy, however, was observed respecting the methods to be followed In forming this corps. It was ascertained that lt was to be on the lines of a leaflet Issued recently by the-Communist party. When the clause was submitted for con- sideration Mr. G. W. Bodsworth (Tim- ber Workers' Union) moved that the question be referred to the incoming executive to deal with. This was agreed to, and the details were therefore not disclosed to the conference. Resolutions were also passed containing demands on behalf of unemployed women, and also to "organise the youth along class lines." Mr. C. Monson was elected pre- sident of the new organisation, and Mr. J. Aide secretary.

Among the "demands" adopted by th« conference were the following:

Work or Wages.-That the Govern- ment guarantee every worker, irrespec- tive of race, creed, colour, or sex, a jol at a living wage, or, if unemployed, In- surance compensation equal to ful wages. Workers partially unemployed shall receive from the unemployed in surance sufficient to bring their waga up to the full amount. This fund to b' a charge on Industry and to be non-con t.rlhutory by the workers. This unom ployed insurance shall not be admtnis tered by Government bureaucrats ol charity fakirs, but by committees elect ed directly by the workers In the shops and the unemployed through the unem ployed workers' movomont.

Emergency Unemployment Rellef. Untll the unemployment Insurance 1 operative the Government shall mak 'an emergency appropriation for omer I gency relief work, equal to Insurance o

full wages.

Housing. - All evictions of unemploy ed, and seizures ot furniture to pay ren must bo prohibited. In every city pub Ile buildings must be made available rent free, for shelter of homeless unem ployed. A special fund for the bulldln of workers' homes must be set aside b every municipality, and construction be gun at once. Pfeference to be given t homeless unemployed in the use c such houses, rent free.

Seven-hour Day and Five-day Weel -The seven-hour day and five-day wee must be established in every industr without reduction of wages, and In thos places,, suffering a reduction In wage the higher rate must be restored. In th mining industry and other hozardou occupations the six-hour di.y and flv< day week must prevail.

Free employment agencies, establish ed under the control of workers' com mlttees and unemployed councils. Abol Hon of private employment agencie and employers compelled to apply onl to workers' committees for workers.

Free lunches for all school chlldre in schools, and Government maimer ance on the higher rate for all chlldrei

The right to strike and picket.

Abolition of the use of the polk against strikes, unemployed, and wort

ig class demonstrations, and no arrést» ?f unemployed and other workers tot vagrancy.

Social Insurance against sickness, In-1

validity, accident, and old-age. j

Resistance to attempts to transport troops, munitions, and provisions to British forces in Egypt, or elsewhere, and also against other Imperialist forces In all parts of the world.

Immediate release of all working-class prisoners in gaol for their working-class activities.

Abolition of the system of working]

for rations, and full rates to be paid for

all work performed. j

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