19 MAY 1939, Page 3

Trade Unions and Conscription Meanwhile a number of trade unions

have been declaring against conscription, with varying degrees of emphasis. The President of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engin- eering Unions, Mr. J. W. Stephenson, went so far as to describe the Military Training Bill as "one of the most revolting pieces of legislation" that trade unionists had had to face. Whatever may be thought of such a view, dhere is no impropriety in expressing it in relation to a measure still before Parliament. Opponents of the measure are entitled to fight it by all constitutional means. Resistance to it when it had become law would be a very different matter, but there is no reason to believe that any union contemplates that grave step.

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