On Wednesday, by a small majority, secular education was eliminated
from the subjects of discussion. This result was due to the votes of the miners, who have been convinced by experience of the dangers to unionism of pressing the secularist solution. The question of compulsory arbitration in labour disputes was also debated, Mr. Havelock Wilson supporting its introduction on the strength of its satisfactory working in Australia. The debate was adjourned on a clumsily worded resolution of Mr. Ben Tillett's asking the Parliamentary Committee to inquire into the question of com- pulsory arbitration and conciliation. Mr. Tillett declared that the proposal did not commit them to the principle, and that the very last thing he would give up was the strike weapon ; but, with the exception of Mr. Havelock Wilson, the speakers interpreted the motion as advocating compulsory arbitration, and the motion was ultimately rejected by a card vote of 1,481,000 to 350,000.
Previous page
