On Monday, Mr. Tom Mann addressed a meeting of the
Paddington Liberal Club on the subject of the Independent Labour party, in which he endeavoured to prove and promote the solidarity of Socialism and Trade-Unionism with the Inde- pendent Labour party. The party had only been in existence two years, and daring that time many of the members had been specially engaged "in throwing trade organisations on to Socialist lines." If Trade-Unionism was materially to assist in the regeneration of society they would have to reverse the proportion of those who were in as compared with those who were out of the organisations. Great Britain might be the best organised Trade-Union country in the world, but yet they only had two millions out of seven millions of adult male workers. Ten years ago be would hardly have been allowed to raise the question of Collectivism in any branch of his society, the Amalgamated Engineers. Now, the five hundred branches of this society were regularly dis- cussing the principles of Socialism, and many of the members were sturdy Socialist workers. They were trying to get a grip of the Trade-Union Congress, as they had done of many of the Trades Councils. Unfortunately, they had not been able to capture the Parliamentary Committee for Socialism, though they had got five members on it. Next year, how- ever, they would certainly be successful. We doubt it. No doubt the workmen show a culpable levity in the way they take up and put off opinions. But when it comes to the point, they are not, and never will be, true Socialists.
Previous page
