The Newsletter, vol. 6 no. 268

OUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT nUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDEN By THE Electrical Trades Union •HE Electrical Trades Conference, contrary to Conference. contrarv to the capitalist press, was not a walk-over for the Right wing. The stubborn struggle waged by left-wing delegates clearly exposed the bureaucratic gang who now dominate the union.

Chapple, Byrne, Cannon and company put down amendments to rule which could not be challenged or amended from the branches. Not one branch was able to bring to the floor of the conference a single amendment to the rules. They were called to vote upon amendments which will transform the ETU into one of the most bureaucratic unions.

But as if that wasn't enough -and the platform under the chairmanship of Chapple evidently thought it was not-they refused in some cases to allow the various clauses in the amendments to be discussed and voted upon separately.

Tellers refused

For example, the amendment proposing that the union's annual policy conference should be abandoned in favour of a biennial conference was taken with the proposal that in future conference would have one delegate from each branch. Chapple refused tellers. In the opinion of a large number of delegates it is doubtful if these proposals were carried. But Chapple declared that they were and that was that.

These are not the actions of confident men. Since the court case in July 1961, the Byrne, Chapple, Cannon clique have Rules Revision stories of the Byrne: not confident the unions politically backward and allow them more freedom to come to agreement with the the employers.

The struggle that took place at the ETU conference and which will continue after the conference is not one related to the ETU alone. It is part of the struggle for internal democracy inside the unions which will become a national issue in a very short time.

The ETU Right wing were • back page, col. 1

known that they lacked a base in the union. They are, therefore, working frantically to try and create one.

Starved of politics By holding the conference every two years instead of annually they are trying to starve the union of the political discussion for which it was noted in the past.

By concentrating on craft issues in the various trade groups, they are trying to drive a wedge between members of a union famous for their solidarity in action.

They are not responsible by themselves for such a policy. There is every reason to believe that the extreme Right wing of the TUC have taken a special interest in the proposed amendments to the ETU rules. These are the type of rules which Woodcock would like to impose on all the unions as part of his 'streamlining' proposals.

The Right wing want rules that will isolate the militants, keep By ERIC W Press drones on about THILE the official Soviet this year's 'wonderful harvest', information is leaking out of the country about food riots in Novocherkassk early last June.

It was on June 1 that increases of up to 30 per cent in meat and butter prices came into force. This naturally provoked resentment amongst the Russian population.

In the town of Novocherkassk (pop. 100,000) in the Rostov area a large crowd apparently assembled in the main square to protest against the increases. When this crowd refused to disperse police fired warning shots.

Reports say that some young children were hit by these shots and that this sparked off serious rioting. There was open fighting with the police on the streets and public buildings were NEILSON broken into. At the moment, however, there is no reliable information about the number of casualties, since the whole area has been closed to foreigners and the official newspapers have made no mention of the incidents.

Despite the usual silence in the Soviet Press and the obvious urge of the American papers to dress up the whole affair, it is very clear that there is deep and seething unrest amongst the Soviet workers.

The increase in food prices have been made largely as a concession to the farming population, together with a lowering of taxes and delivery quotas. This is an attempt by the ruling bureaucracy to buy off the agricultural workers, who are dissatisfied with the amount of consumer goods they are now receiving.

col. demand that their leaders should waste no time in discussing with the Tories and their hatchetmen but should immediately plan a complete national stoppage supported by every union connected in any way with transport.

TORY PLANS

Mr. Cousins' vague promises and Mr. Greene's suggestions for spreading the strike are not concrete enough. Neither will definite guarantees of support from other union leaders be sufficient; the NUR must win the support of rank and file busmen and dockers by showing them that the fight is one which affects them all, a fight to defeat the Tory plans for economy at the expense of the Labour movement.

A TRANSPORT ALLIANCE MUST BE THE BASIS FOR THE NEXT NATIONAL STRIKE. THIS MUST BE NO HALF-HEARTED AFFAIR, FOR SUCH AN ALLIANCE COULD WELL BE THE LEVER WITH WHICH THE TORY GOVERNMENT CAN BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE.

Pago Two show itself in

By ALAN THE fighting spirit of railway workers and their determination to oppose Beeching, Marples and the Tories - with all the strength at their command has forced the executive of the NUR to growl with unusual militancy and plan another national strike, but of longer duration, to follow up last week's one-day stoppage. The general secretary, Sidney Greene, hinted that he might appeal to Mr. Cousins to stand by his promise at the Labour Party Conference and bring out members of the TGWU employed as busmen.

Mr. Greene, it is rumoured, may also include NUR members working on the docks, an action calculated to win the support of TGWU dockers.

But even as the railwaymen pound on his front door and demand action to counteract the Tory plans for mass redundancy, Mr. Greene is holding the back door open for further talks with Dr. Beeching.

INFORMAL

In order not to offend the worthy doctor, the NUR executive on Tuesday, although voting 17-7 for an immediate 'challenge' to the British Transport Commission, did not decide on a specific date for the next strike in view of Beeching's invitation to them to attend informal talks on the problems of redundancy.

It is clear that Beeching, angered by Marples openly arrogant, take - it - or - leave - it attitude on television last week which would have offended even the most right-wing trade union leader, is determined to put on his velvet gloves and try to pacify the NUR leaders into accepting his 'realistic' policies.

There was an important tag to the decision of the NUR executive: there would be another national strike if the BTC did not change its attitude, and they agreed that the decision would be held up until Mr. Greene had heard what Dr. Beeching proposed.

PRECARIOUS

Greene and company are therefore engaged in an extremely precarious balancing act between the militant rank and file of their union and the Tories, who, as their willingness to talk shows, they see as people who can be won to the NUR's point of view.

Railway workers, with the success of last week's strike behind them when possibly two-thirds of the country's city workers stayed at home and big business ground almost to a standstill, must press forward with the campaign and

•AST weekend another Mosley meeting was closed down through the action of left-wing militants. While addressing a crowd at Bethnal Green, East London, on Sunday, October 9, Jeffrey Hamm, second-in-command of the Union Movement, was shouted down by angry members of the crowd, with Young Communists and Young Socialists playing a prominent role. broughout the night, the Yellow Star Organisation had been holding a meeting at Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green, to 'prevent Mosley from getting the pitch'. This policy was proved ineffective when they started their meeting in a street just around the corner.

ADVICE

; soon as it became known that the Hamm meeting had begun, prominent members of the Yellow Star urged their dwindling audience to stay away from it. Fortunately this advice was not heeded by the younger elements present. le trouble at the Mosley meeting began when Hamm called upon the police to take the name and address of a heckler, who, he said, had 'openly admitted being a member of the Communist Party'. At this a roar of protest trom the crowd drowned his voice and numerous policemen emerged from their hiding place in a yard adjoining the street and closed the meeting.

SCUFFLES

; the dispersing crowd milled around the crossroads by Bethnal Green Underground Station, several scuffles broke out. In all, about 30 people were arrested by the police. The people who smashed the shopwindow of the Bethnal Green Labour Party were not among those arrested.

Those members of the Labour Party, who believe in 'anything for a quiet life and who want to leave the job of cleaning out the fascists to the Tories, must realise that it is their party and the trade unions behind it that the fascists are gunning for.

SERIOUS

lilure to check the growth of the fascist movement now will spell disasier for the Labour movement, a disaster with far more serious consequences than the breaking of a few windows.

conference last HE They are certainiy socialist David Todd the witch-hunt The hope coming of forcing him to | jive submittı d to conference dele- Socialists. period lies with the youth and once again Whip since they are gates the current issue of the The not with the fake Lefts of compromised with his paper exposes a state of Tribune who, on the day that anti-Tory The Brighton affairs at the Young Socialists not the Keep Left appeal should feeling of and file of could, however, Conference that remains the have been debated, came in the movement can be ex- end of the retreat answered, the by officials open attack on the paper. ploited for Scarborough. The cerned. The days when Tribune's wing expected that Many proud boast was that it camThe NEC paigned for freedom and Common Market was fraud cracy inside the Labour are over. paper is The fakery. This managed by people who have the reason for this is that the no real principles to fight for, on the : urface giving the im- Before Keep Left Right wing have no answer. people who are and of the struggle. cynical tired was proof a major difference The fight against the scribed they refused to hold an Labour the enquiry although the paper says scription of Keep Left and Tories, that the British mono- nothing they were asked to do so. At the conference they refused number of youth leaders, threatened expulsion should of a movement interested in resurgence of to accept an appeal on behalf of be utilised to spark off a Marxism. Tribune is worried poly capitalists should get national campaign to put teeth the paper, although they are that its circulation will be best possible deal from constitutionally required to do into the struggle against 'guilt seriously affected by such papers 'six' they enter. SO. Now the matter goes t ack by association' and bans and as Keep Left—a fear which may = had nothing the constituencies proscriptions. well be justified. with socialist There are, in fact, indications It is necessary to bare lay The fake Lefts lined up last such a Left wing, although bureaucratic workings of Trans- week with the witch-hunters. not yet Marxist, beginning to port House. We understand At long last those people who show itself in the youth move- It worthwhile noting that there is some concern that posed as militants have shown unemployment the in particular, and in some alliance which exists between the full-time officials are going where they really stand in the increase and several indus tries unions and constituency the Daily Worker and Transport to be weakened as a result of struggle. Much of the conthreatened with closure, all The proscription of the House on this issue. On paper the exposures in th current fusion has been cleared away. talk of nationalisation was youth paper Keep Left, is the Communist Party talks issue of Keep Left. Some of Brighton 1962 could be the dropped. Instead the confer- fiasco for the Right wing and about the fight against bans and these people should not be beginning of a new seriouslyence discussed how best full-tir ne officials. proscriptions but in practice it weakened but expeller if based socialist Left wing in advise the Tory capitalists has been remarkably quiet Mr. Todd is true. the Labour Party. the conduct of their business.

Thus, Mr. Gaitskell succeeded in obtaining a suitable cover for an election campaign for which he has no policy.

He is not worried about of opposition on few strategic supplies to The Cuba. members' interests. extreme Right. He has stepping up definition of 'strategic materials' The aid, both military ceeded, with the assistance efforts to tighten the economic used by Washington is notoriously economic, which the Cubans have the fake Lefts and Tribune, stranglehold on Cuba. Pressure wide. A joint Congressional com- enabled them to defy the attacks received from the USSR, has rallying the Left behind him. on the allies of American im- mittee last week recommended of US big business. But increased It is, atter all, this Lett which 11 ... r. 1• perialism off trade with to cut that all foreign aid be cut off dependence on these supplies will do the donkey work for the the island has ber n intensified. from any country allowing carries with it the danger of election, and Gaitskell is con- An 'informal' gathering of strategic goods to go to Cuba. political pressure from Khrushchev scious that Labour's election South American diplomats met The British government, while for more 'responsible' policies to machine is in bad shape in Washington on October 2 to declaring its sympathy with the be followed.

aims of US policy, is still object- The UN speech consider a memorandum from ing to some of these proposals. President Dorticos is Secretary of State Dean Rusk.

Greek shipowners, however, who of the possibility of such Right wing This demanded new restrictions are responsible for carrying Dr. Dorticos declared his governhave demonstrated they that shipping and trade, as well Cuban trade than any ment had no intention of spreadhold complete sway over the as intensified security pre- Western country (Britain comes ing revolution to the South political fortunes of the Labour cautions against Cuban 'infiltra- second) have now decided to stop American mainland, or of taking Party. The fake Lefts remain tion' in Latin America. chartering ships for this purpose. action against the US naval base at Gaitskell's mercy. The five Washington's fear of other parts These attempts to starve out the at Guantanamo. This cannot be increased until Independent Labour MPs of South America following the Cuban revolution must be fought The Cuban Revc lution must not an incentive is provided for the still without the Whip Cuban example is an important by all sections of the world be allowed to be as a bar- used agricultural workers in the shape likely to remain SO Gaitskell factor in Kennedy's actions. aggressive leaders, like Joseph Curran of the Labour movement. union National Maritime Union, who Those gaining counter between Kennedy and the Soviet bureaucracy. Assistance from the in any deal (things which of tangible goods consumer commonplace tives of NATO countries are being called into State Department talks At the same time, representa- support the imperialists moves, are not only hitting at the Cuban international Labour movement is vital if the revolution is to to workers countries) in for their the capitalist people but are betraying their own saved. work. on this question. They have heard demands that shipping These trends nsense should be stopped from carrying of Khrushchev's promi about goods to and from Cuba. communism by 1980. Soviet All US ships, including those economy is crippled by the need owned by American firms but for arms production to defend sailing under 'flags of convenience' the USSR against the imperialof other countries, are to be pre- Other articles include: Art & Revolution by Trotsky; What Imper- ists. Despite all its tremendous vented from carrying any kind of ialism ; New Trends in Imperialism; book reviews. advances its future is therefore cargo there. The Americans propose to prohibit the use of as dependent on the as ever American ports to the ships of a Price 2/6 (post paid) international country if one of vessels takes

for parliament October 13, WS Thi

S his determination to resolve the problem of the INCE the end of the Algerian war de Gaulle La determination stimulated by the attempt on Petit-Clamart. This is not a personal question. It is he asserted in his recent broadcast, "to assure the of the State and the functioning of its powers. Wha him to the old-line politicians is a different concepti form the bourgeois state should take. Behind that lies a deep fissure within the French bourgeoisie.

For the political parties, the line of defence of capitalist property relations lies through the parliamentary benches. For de Gaulle and his backers, essentially the big monopoly groupings thinking of the bitter struggles which lie ahead in the Common Market, a strong state is indispensable. Any slide back into Fourth Republic instability would be a disaster.

This is the issue posed by the referendum on whether the President should be elected, that is, retain the absolute powers within his grasp under the present constitution, or whether the gate should be left open for the supremacy of parliament. Big business identifies the latter with the palsy of the Fourth Republic, opening the way to civil war.

HIERARCHY

Dedicated to building a strong state with a first-class army, a massive police reserve and a hierarchy of loyal functionaries, de Gaulle's aim conforms with the needs of the most advanced sectors of French capitalism. It wins support from the main modernising forces in the bourgeoisie which wish to by-pass the old parties, as well as from the direct beneficiaries of bonapartism. If the OAS can be considered a serious contender for power, a further strengthening of the state apparatus not only makes it easier to deal with such opposition, but also draws away from it sections of the ruling class attracted mainly by its authoritarian promise.

has shown succession, his life at necessary, continuity at opposes ion of the difference In the meantime the more backward, and often shortsighted, sections of the bourgeoisie clamour their opposition. Their vote against de Gaulle in the Assembly expresses their weakness, not their strength. As long as de Gaulle commands the state power and can appeal directly to the people through the radio and TV, their opposition is no more than a helpless gesture. In the last analysis they are dependent upon de Gaulle anyway. And he, and they, know it!

Meanwhile because the working class lacks leadership and a programme to win backing from the peasant and lower middle class mass, the main base for bonapartist dictatorship remains intact. The restoration of parliamentary powers means less than nothing to these classes. Contempt for parliament is even deeper than it was in 1958 at the time of the downfall of the Fourth Republic. This the leaders of the parties hardly dare to admit.

If they could see clearly, they would realise, as de Gaulle surely does, that French capitalism must have a strong state power, independent of parliamentary control, or see itself go under before the onslaught of the real democratic forces of a resurgent working class. 'The Union's magnificent se nificent swim 'there is still problem, but tackling this' object of the was to deal Sports Park is a t up'... 'a magming pool... a terrific housing the Unions are •.. The main Labour University with the question oj social Jusuce ... a very fine hospital'... 'A residential Holiday Camp for Trade Union workers in a magnificent setting on the Northern Coast' ... 'A Youth School... 'a National Institute of Welfare:

Not his is not spictur Utopia. It is-incredibly —a selection of the marvels which a delegation from the Lancashire NUM managed to see—in Franco Spain! They went as the guests of Franco's tame fascist - led company union and their glowing report is now the cause of a blistering row in the Lancashire coalfield.

This jaunt took place last April - the same month that the great strike of 100,000 Spanish workers broke out. But no trace of that searing discontent is to be found in this report.

Messrs. Crossley, Gibson, Turner and Gormley were persuaded that all the leaders and committees of this fake union were elected by ballot vote (though there appears to have been no investigation of the conditions under which these "ballots' took place nor any question as to who counted the votes) and that each pit had its NO ONE could dodge this issue, says Mr. Jim Callaghan on the subject of an 'incomes' policy! Britain has always had wage restraint, so there was nothing new in that. What we have to do is to secure the assent of the whole nation to an incomes policy which is fair and equally applied.

Maudling is too timid, according to Callaghan. His new measures are cautious because he fears another balance of payments crisis.

But, hints Mr. Callaghan at the Brighton conference, with a Labour government the cooperation of workers can be assured. In other words, wage control can be instituted to make profits safe for British capitalists.

This column, in the past, has described so-called dividend limitation, called for by Callaghan, as a sham. More investment by big business and tax incentives for them says Mr. Callaghan. But not even Mr. Maudling can encourage big business to invest if the rate of profit is not maintained.

His Mansion House speech in which he announced an increase in public investment and an end of restraint on bank lending was calculated to bring • about an By JACK GALE own elected trade union committee.

Yet during the strike it was these leaders-like Senor Solis —whom Franco drafted in to break the strike. What were these 'democratic committees' doing when miners were being forced down the pits at gunpoint and their wives and children beaten in the streets by Franco's police thugs?

This remains unexplained in the report, published four months after these events. Instead, it comments approvingly on the Union Arbitration procedure: 'It would seem that 70 per cent of the cases submitted for settlement had been agreed to the benefit of the workers. There is not one mention of the fact that strikes are illegal!

And, unbelievable as it seems, this happy picture of peace and harmony was gained from a visit to the Asturias region, where in that very same month City Slants increase in business activity generally.

But the economic climate is such that it is unlikely that these measures will lead to more buoyant trading conditions. Easier lending to local authorities by the Public Loans Board, also announced, was forecast in this column (Newsletter July 21) but the building industry is already Dodging the issue fully extended, and this concession is not likely to have much impact.

Now that the banks and insurance companies are free of controls, they will tend to lend money for projects where there is little risk. Property development, competing for building labour with housing, was on the black list whilst controls were in force. This, however, is the sort of field that appeals to the moneylenders. Franco sent in armed police and troops!

Labour Universities? Welfare schemes? What about the stinking gaols where hundreds of socialists and trade unionists lie rotting their lives away?

What about men like Fernando Macarro Castillo, Antonio Zapata Borrego, Jose Luis Fernadez Albert, Felix Rodriguez Bello and dozens of others all serving sentences of 30 years imprisonment in Burgos Central prison?

Of course, one should not expect a respectable delegation, comfortably quartered in the Plaza Hotel, Madrid, to notice such unsavoury details. No doubt that would be 'outside the terms of reference' - besides being so impolite to one's hosts.

Much better to drool over the symbol of a cathedral and cross erected by Franco after he had butchered the Spanish working class. This building, the delegation reports, 'represented the wish of the Unions to whitewash the scars of a long and cruel Civil War, so that the bodies of the Spanish Youth who fought on both sides of this war could rest together, as each one of them fought, from his own point of view, for a better Spain'.

However, militant Lancashire miners do not go for such whitewash. There are demands for the complete withdrawal of this report, and a censure on the delegation. The men feel that British workers stand foursquare with the fighting miners of Spain, and that hob-nobbing with Franco's fakers is a disgrace to the name of trade unionism.

by colin chance It is precisely this money outlet that is highly inflationary, contributing nothing at all to exports so highly prized by the Tories. Not that export of goods is the cornerstone of their policy. Maudling was well aware of Lord Cromer, Governor of the Bank of England, breathing down his neck and calling for the abolition of controls on capital movements from the UK.

Trading in money can be much more remunerative for capitalists than trading in goods. Investment abroad can yield fatter profits than investment at home.

The political pygmies in the leadership of the Labour Party implore big business to increase their investment. But nationalisation of the basic industries can alone enable sustained investment to take place, because those industries will determine it.

If the next Labour Chancellor is dependent on the beneficence of British capitalists, he will have to take note of Lord Cromer's views, too, for expediency makes Labour 'statesmen' prisoners of the ruling class.

THE report that Russia is going to sell air-to-air missiles to the Indian government is a striking illustration of the nature of Stalinist policy. Together with the MIG fighters, these weapons will be used on the Indian-Chinese border.

The Soviet workers have to shoulder the burden of an enormous armaments programme in order to protect their nationalised economy against imperialist attack. But the bureaucratic Soviet leaders are prepared to use the results of this sacrifice not for defending the conquests of the Russian working class but to attack the Chinese Republic.

Nehru's capitalist government is fighting to maintain the boundaries laid down under the British Raj. It receives material support from the Russians because they hink they will get some diplomatic advantage in return.

The imperialists want to encourage the Indian capitalists in dispute with the Chinese. Nehru, as a capitalist politician, is tied to imperialism. His disagreements with the big powers have only episodic significance.

In the event of a conflict between between the Chinese workers' state and the Indian capitalist state, every socialist should fight for a Chinese victory. The patriotic attitude of the Communist Party is a capitulation to the Indian ruling class. Instead of backing Nehru they should be supporting the Chinese and leading a struggle against Indian capital.

The opportunist politics of Khrushchev and his Indian supporters, sacrifice to diplomatic manoeuvres the true interests of the workers and peasants ol Russia, India and Chila.

ends. for carrying whom will lower deck. are huge 72The LTE an increase ROR Monday rejected the piao of he motion Transpor EPRESENTATIVES of 37,000 busmen meeting in London port. The package deal offered to busmen's leaders by the LTE was rejected by 100 votes to three. This would have conceded small increases in wages to some bus staffs in return for the acceptance of one-man operated (OMO) buses, ' Standee' buses, and the large Routemasters, together with cuts in schedules particularly at weekDelegates were particularly incensed by the offer, extended by the LTE, to divide the savings from these reorganisations of the industry on a 60 to 40 per cent basis (busmen to get 40 per cent).

Delegates from Edgware, Harrow Weald and Hornchurch, where decisions for strike action had previously been taken, made it quite clear that they were not opposed to scientific and technical progress, but that these new vehicles would place an intolerable burden on the operating staff.

The LTE proposes to introduce the OMO buses in suburban districts where passenger flow is light. The standee bus is a new vehicle with a capacity 70 passengers, 35 of be standing on the The Routemasters ¡eaters. proposals were for oi 2s. a day for Koutemaster stan and a red - 1- AC tion in hours equivalent to 6d. a day. Standee crews were to get 1s. 6d. a day.

Delegates spoke strongly in favour of a substantial reduction in hours in preference to wage increases. Already, intensified schedules introduced last year have increased fatigue enormously.

ETU: eft

altogether successful; they had to retreat on the proposal for a fulltime executive elected for five years. This allows the rank and file an opportunity to change the executive at the elections which will be held next autumn.

The new system of voting will make this more difficult, but the Left wing must establish the widest possible unity inside the union and understand that their fight is a fight of militant trade unionism as a whole against the growing dominance of right-wing bureaucracy.

The rules revision conference proved beyond doubt that the issue in the ETU was not one of i lemocrats versus vote-fiddlers, but one of a By a London Busman Busmen should be quite clear that these proposals are part of the drive for efficiency and speed-up which the Tories are carrying through in all transport industries.

That is why the activities of Frank Cousins, who stopped busmen striking in support of the railwaymen last week, is under much criticism from his members.

All attempts should be made to strengthen the alliance of transport workers in a combined fight against the economy plans. If the opposition to these plans leads to strike action by some garages they must be given the full support of all busworkers. • Wednesday: Busmen at Edgware and Dalston garages decided to strike on Saturday against the new schedules.

Right wing, enjoying the full support of the capitalist press and influential trade union circles, seeking to change a union against the interests of the rank and file.

The Communist Party, despite many serious mistakes made by its members, never put forward the type of rules proposed by Byrne and company. That is why The Newsletter always opposed the witch-hunt against the Communist Party and will continue to oppose it. We were the first political weekly to denounce the Byrne clique as right-wingers, industrially and politically. The rules revision conference has proved this description to the hilt.

The rank and file will have their The fight must go on. Redundancy threats From Our Midlands Correspondent V ahead the motor factories as the employers go ahead with their plans to reduce costs. Without opposition from trade union leaders, they have been able to establish a low rate of pay in the new car centres on Merseyside, in Scotland and in South Wales. This rate is approximately half that paid the motor workers of Coventry, Birmingham and Oxford-a standard rate of f10 18s. compared with f20 to £25.

The motor bosses have already decided in favour of entry into the Common Market. They are quite clear on just what entry will entail. While Labour leaders have been churning out millions of words, useless the employers carried have out detailed survey of the motor industry's prospects.

This concludes that it is quite likely that by 1970 there will only be five leading manufacturers in Europe: the two American companies Ford and General Motors (Vauxhall and Opel), Fiat, who are the bi gest producers in Europe, V Ikswagen and Renault.

One wonders what place will be left for the British manufacturers. This will depend on the ability of the British motor bosses to drive their European counterparts from already established markets. To do this they must reduce costs, for an assault of any significance on the European market will inevitably lead to a price war.

In their preparation for this coming competition, the British motor bosses have been ably assisted by the Tory government. Together they have successfully diverted large sections of the industry from its present high cost areas in the Midlands to new, low cost areas.

The employers fully recognise that high unemployment has been the main factor in getting these low rates accepted in the new centres. Now they hope it will help them to reduce the wage rates in the Midlands.

As the Financial Times said on August 8: 'For most of the post-war period Coventry has been famous as the town where labour has been the hardest to come by, where the black market for manpower has reached its dizziest proportion.

But now the situation has changed. One of Coventry's leading employers, WhitworthGloster Aircraft, will be laying off some 3,000 employees?

The grim facts are that unless WGA get an order for the RAF contract known as the OR 351, the present estimated redundancy of around 4,000 will be turned into one of 11,000 workers. WGA are, in fact, in a poor position to match the competition of the international aviation infor engineers dustry. Not only are they incapable of producing large jet transport aircraft, due to hangar size, lay-out and location of factories, but they also pay the highest wage rates in the British aircraft industry.

In Birmingham, the unemployment prospect is very similar. The AEU District Committee has established that over the next 12 months, 14 firms will be closing down.

Some 14,000 workers will be thrown on to the labour market.

A fight against the policies of the present Labour Party leadership must be waged by Midland engineering workers, for their present policies only seek to aid the employing class. Ray Gunter's recent speech on the need for a wages policy must be seen for what it is—a plan to put the economy (the capitalist economy) back on its feet at the expense of the working class.

The only wages policy that Midland car workers can accept is the establishment of their rate throughout the car industry.

The growing army of unemployed must demand to be transferred to jobs which carry the same rates of pay as their existing jobs. Trade unions with employed and unemployed workers on their books must instruct their members not to work overtime until all the unemployed are given jobs.

The trades councils, district committees and Labour Parties should organise meetings calling for the nationalisation of the industry. Factory gate meetings should be held calling for a ban on all overtime. The fight for the 40-hour week must be renewed with all the vigour of the Labour movement. Leaders who do not lead must be removed from office.

The so-called 'palmy' days for Midland car workers are over. They must take their place with all sections of the Labour movement struggling against Tory policies—a struggle that must ultimately lead to power and workers' control of all the mighty industries. strik

Industrial Saturday October 13, 1962 THE strike 300 bricklayers THE strike of 300 bricklayers employed in the steel industry, which ended on Tuesday, was blown up by the press as a demarcation dispute between the AUBTW and BISATKA. The strike affected more than 12 steel plants in England, Scotland and Wales and the management at Richard Thomas and Baldwins in Ebbw Vale worked up a scare story about the strike threatening the future of the works.

GLIB

Beneath the glib reports of an inter-union struggle lies the major threat of redundancy for the bricklayers in the industry. Their struggle first came into prominence last year with the big shutdown at Port Talbot. Members of the AUBTW have faced for some time the prospect of reduced wages and ultimately the sack.

At Ebbw Vale and throughout the steel industry this week, they were fighting for their jobs; unless they were allowed the sole right to fix dolomite blocks in the steel converters they faced the grim prospect of redundancy, with their job done by members of other unions at lower rates.

With the whoie weight of the press, the employers and the TUC bureaucracy against them, the AUBTW finally agreed to take the matter to arbitration. In the meantime, the AUBTW memters will be allowed temporarily to fix the dolomite blocks.

TUC INTERVENE

Mr. Michael Foot was quick to heed the employers' heart-cries about ruining the industry' and appealed to the TUC to intervene. Perhaps Mr. Foot believes that the steel employers have the welfare of the people of Ebbw Vale at heart; on the contrary they are ruthlessly out to remove the bricklayers and engage cheaper labour for one of the most strengthsapping jobs in the whole of British industry.

Failing this, they are quite prepared to close down the least profitable 'nationalised' section and bring mass unemployment to South Wales, regardless of the pleas of tame parlour pinks.

PUBLIC MEETINGS Glasgow FIGHT TO GET TORIES OUT Speaker: Bob Shaw Sunday, Oct. 21, 7.30 p.

Rd., 336 Paisles Wednesday, Oct. 7.30 Rutherglen Town Hall Registered at the G.P.O. as a newspaper Published by The Newsletter, 186A Clapham High Street, London, S.w.4 180 Claphara High Strees, London, s. Wo. Printed by Plough Press Ltd. (TU),