The most interesting discussion at the subsequent proceed- ings was
concerned with the proposal to create a Minister of Industry with Cabinet rank. Mr. Ben Tillett, who moved the resolution, declared that such a Minister should have "an advisory Board to undertake investigation, conciliation, and arbitration in industrial disputes." The compulsory arbitra- tion proposal was, however, strongly opposed, and the resolu- tion was defeated by 869,000 votes to 383,000. Mr. Tillett's proposal to invite international representatives to their Congresses was also defeated; and, indeed, no feature in the discussions was more remarkable than the way in which the members kept themselves to points of immediate practical importance, and rejected anything which savoured of abstract dogma. Among other motions, we may notice unanimous protests against conscription and against the admission of unskilled foreign labour to British mines, and a number of admirable proposals for small reforms in Labour legislation. The proceedings, as a whole, have been characterised by remarkable moderation and good sense.
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