On Friday week Mr. Pennon moved the second reading of
the Trade-Union and Trade Disputes Bill. We have dealt elsewhere with the questions raised- by this measure ; but we may here note • its chief' provisions. It propeseS to legalise " peaceful " picketing; to amend the law of 'conapiracy'by making it legal for two or more persons in agreement to per:: form acts in a trade dispute which are at -present 'legal for one; and it provides that the- cOnduet of Unauthoriaeil members of a Union shall not 'make the genet's.' funds of the Union liable in an action for damages. Mr. Balfour suggested that the provisions of the Bill were of too revolu- tionary a character to be accepted without further inquiry, and proposed to wait for the Report of the Commission- appointed. last year. While defending Trade-Unions, he
the first care of the House must be to protect individual liberty. After speeches by Mr. Cripps, Mr. Robson, and Mr. Churchill, and a very able analysis by the Attorney;.. General of the legal objections to the measure, the Bill was read a second time by 238 votes to 199, the Government having declared their intention of treating it as a non-party measure. A Motion for its reference to .a. Standing Coin, mittee was. however. abandoned,
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