The Trade Disputes Bill On Tuesday there were two Liberal
amendments before the Committee. One was in the name of Mr. Hopkin Morris and was spoken of as "unofficial." He desired that the negative definition of illegal strikes in Clause I should be altered so as to make any strike illegal which is "calculated to coerce the Government directly or by endangering services essential to the life of the community." Dr. .Burgin, who. moved the " official " Liberal amendment, resisted the' amendment of Mr. Morris. He seemed to have a combination of purposes which may be described as persistent attach- ment to Mr. Lloyd George—an attachment of which Mr. Hopkin Morris. is innocent—a determination to make such a strike as that of 1926 illegal and (again as a devotee of Mr. Lloyd George) a strong disposition to keep the Government in play by smoothing their ruffled feelings as much as possible. It can be said with certainty, however, that Dr. Burgin did not succeed in appeasing the Labour members of the Committee who are frankly inspired by the General Council of the Trades Union Congress. The General Council demands the Bill, the whole Bill and nothing but the Bill. Mr. Morris's amendment was defeated by thirty-six votes to thirty and Liberals were found on both sides.
