Dismissing the possibility of conflict with Germany as unthinkable—a view
which he declared to be shared by the workers of the two countries—Mr. Shackleton expressed satisfaction at the passage of the Old-Age Pensions Act, and emphasised the necessity of removing the " Poor Law relief" bar from the statute-book. The Trade Boards Bill embodied the methods which the Congress had often advocated, and they had confidence that the regula- tions of the Labour Exchanges Bill would be fair and equitable to all the interests concerned. The Government proposals for insurance against unemployment, again, were another instance of their readines to take a leaf out of the Trade-Union book. In conclusion, Mr. Shackleton spoke with enthusiasm of his experience on the Joint Committee of Oxford and Working Men, and of the result of the " tutorial classes," which he commended to the generous consideration of all local education authorities, Trade-Unions, Friendly and Co-operative Societies.
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