Compositors immensely reinforces the arguments of those who advocate the
repeal of the Trade Disputes Act. Messrs. Vaoher maintained that the Society had libelled the firm by
alleging that it treated its employees unfairly, and the Society did not even attempt to justify their allegation. They simply demanded to be struck out of the action on the ground that
a trade union cannot be sued at all for a tortious act, and the House of Lords has unanimously decided that the Act relieves trade unions fium all legal responsibility for any tortious acts they may commit, even if committed at a time when no trade dispute is in progress or contemplated. Messrs. Vacher, in a statement issued on Tuesday, point out that this inter- pretation places a new and intolerable power in the hands of vindictive labour leaders:— "Henceforth labour can, even without cause, black-list any firm in the country, and employers are powerless to defend themselves. Labour can announce broadcast that Messrs. A. and B. do not pay trade-union rates, and gravely injure the firm by proclaiming their output to be tlie work of blacklegs, even if such be not actually the ease. But labour can, and probably will, do much more than that. They oaa announce that Messrs. A. and B. are black-listed, and by threatening other firms that they will call out their workers if they do hastiness with Messrs. A. and B. they can ruin any concern as and when they please, without hindrance or redress."
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