On Tuesday the Conference declared unanimously in favour of nationalization
and of an eight-hour day on the railways. In this context we are glad to note the timely warning of the Westminster Gazette, which reminds us of the ready tool which nationalization places in the hands of a Protectionist Administration. On Wednesday the National Insurance Bill was severely criticised, and a resolution declaring that unless the Labour Party's amendments were accepted the Bill would not be acceptable to railwaymen was passed. A resolu- tion was also passed unanimously declaring that the A.S.R.S. would have seriously to consider the advisability of declaring a general strike on the railways unless the Government ceased to take sides in the Irish railway dispute by employing Royal Engineers to defeat the strikers. During the course of the discussion Mr. Gore, the Kentish Town delegate, said that the Government were taking a leaf from theRussian book. Subsequently Mr. Gore disclaimed the intention of implying that the Prime Minister should be shot, and withdrew the expression, observing, " Yon all know me as a man of peace. I don't know how to shoot anybody." It is evident that the A.S.R.S. were quite unaware that the Irish railwaymen were at that very moment agreeing to end the strike on the terms proposed by the companies.
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