Workers Press no. 774

workers press

NATIONAL DOCK

STRIKE IS NEARER

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

DOCKERS at three major port ter and Preston-yesterday joi union appeal to stop the black

SPECIAL

FEATURES

THIS WEEK

TODAY

Centre pages James Reid is the most product of remarkable modern Stalinism. He has received praise from the capitaist entire media who hail him as a new kind of workers' leader. What is the root of this adulation? Stephen Johns examines 'The Gospel According to James Reid' on our centre pages.

TODAY

PAGE 4

'Case history of a Stalinist humbug' The man in question is Monty Johnstone whose distortions about recent the SLL and YS are taken up by

MICHAEL BANDA

TOMORROW

From the Cabinet records, a study of how the Tories planned to smash the Hunger Marches in the 1930s

SATURDAY

Angela Davis: A special correspondent reports from the trial in San José

INCORPORATING THE NEW

DAILY ORGAN OF THE CENTRA

jor ports-Liverpool, Manches- rday joined Huli in rejecting a he blacking of container traffic.

These shouts of defiance from the rank and file mean that a confrontation between the dockers and the govern- is now virtually ment unavoidable. Too much is at stake for the Tory government: • They must make transport of goods to Europe cheaper and more eflicient in preparation for their headlong drive into the Common Market. If this means unemployment on mass docks, the Tories think this is a cheap price to pay. • The Tories have to establish the supremacy of their Industrial Relations and its legal Act Frankenstein, the National In- dustrial Relations Court.

The Court has decreed black- ing is illegal. Those who oppose this will be fined and, if neces- jailed. There is sary, no com- promise possible with a High Sir John Donaldson, Court-as the Court president, has made abundantly clear. As the three ports yesterday ,and rebuffed the Tory Courts union policy, the national docks the Transport and secretary of

LEADERS

of BOAC's 3,000 stewards and stewardesses yester- day called for a strike on July 17.

At the same time 4,500 engineers and maintenance men were cal- led to attend a mass meeting on Friday, which is to expected endorse strike action on May 31.

General Workers' Union, Tim O'Leary, held 'crisis' talks in Lon- don with port employers in an attempt to prevent the national docks strike called for June 4.

Earlier, T&GWU general secre- tary Jack Jones had said: I hope in the interests of the nation we find something to satisfy our membership without having But it looks strike. to very dismal at the moment.'

At Liverpool yesterday, docks district Lew Lloyd, secretary spent more than two hours with the port's shop stewards 'urging them to end the blacking obey the Court's policy'.

He announced afterwards. that while the shop stewards apprecia- ted the position the union was in, they were firm in their resolve to continue the blacking.

Three firmsHeatons Trans- port (St Helens) Limited, Crad- dock Brothers of Wolverhampton and Bishop's Wharf of Warring- ton-are blacked on Merseyside.

The union has already paid £55,000 fines for contempt of the permanent order against it.

In Manchester, 1,100 dockers voted overwhelmingly at a mass meeting to continue the three- week blacking of two firms in THE NEWSLETTER • THURSDAY MAY 25, 1972 • No. 774 • 4p

CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIALIST LABOUR LEAGUE

LONDON dockers Take note. Crossing this workers are County. constant picket line will involve *In the decade have been maintaining past picket on two container this we have had the growth dundant. For company firms in Essex. They are dispute." of containerization, bulk dockers Ice 'Con- carriers, lighter-aboard- highly incensed.' away Horries Another which try to enter the trans of theet si hooli- ship and freight. The being and support far Fleet St, gates SO also This multiple develop- blacked UK Cold

SAND

has the glamour bovs of TV huge Dagenham described ment nas Store anG 'very responsive'. fame, dockers are only economies in the use of Storage Company Chief Leaflets handed seeking to protect that traditional labour. UK Cold executive •Workers the pickets work which housands work- George longe. Say: been OLOre ers-clerks, engineers, who is also leading or une PorE or mac sonaly neirs since London are dispute the Phoenician lorry drivers, boss and member with this traders this workers, of the PLA.

DALS

the area which handle con- is registered dock workers who tainers. put the black and it will the 40-minute who At meeting, Istered

COCK

workers Mahoney, the take it off! Denis ANOTHER London secretary, Next week will be a flashpoint docks recional

COCKS

PTOUD

com- called for the blacking to end.

in the trade announced will union movement: the pany it Has of business. docks strike will out The At Preston 250 dockers listened of

IS G.

Beare who will agenda and so will the result SOn Tommy Irvin, the

T&GWU

the railwaymen's ballot. The cease operations mid-June district read he result is certain to be overwhelm- throwing 55 tally Santact out of irom a prepared statement.

work. ingly for industrial action.

Blacking firms indiscriminately 55 government has deliber- sne Clerks top

CORE

is causing the firms no loss ately engineered this of the 175 from Southern Steve- confronta- our relation who to the tion with the dores will be LadE clured to National Industrial Relations central dis- the register wnat tormed Ene unattached cussion at last Monday's secret the company closes on the union. when Recalling Jones's "opposition' summit talks Chequers, June 2. the Act when first Minister's to Prime The Journal Commerce' was of country rest introduced late 1970, the daily newspaper of the port dence Preston men remained silent.

Although no official communi- bosses, said yesterday: When a vote is known "The Southern after was clerks chances only 20 minutes, two hands were the of new emplorment when ane Then Their raised union the introduc- present work ceases has been

SUDDOLL

une advisers discussed tion of a state of looking difficult, but with leadershin emergency to now One shop steward who eat the strikers spoke 55 a turther men added to this to Workers Press after the mcCl ToTal situation must apocal • SEE SPEECHES p. 12. alarming' Ine sade it Is now clear inal it

workers press

NATIONAL DOCK

STRIKE IS NEARER

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

DOCKERS at three major port ter and Preston-yesterday Jo union appeal to stop the blacl

SPECIAL

FEATURES

THIS WEEK

TODAY

Centre pages James Reid is the most remarkable product of modern Stalinism. He has received praise from the capitaist media entire who hail him as a new kind of workers' leader. What is the root of this adulation? Stephen Johns examines 'The Gospel According to James Reid' on our centre pages.

TODAY

PAGE 4

'Case history of a Stalinist humbug The man in question is • Johnstone whose Monty about distortions recent the SLL and YS are taken up by

MICHAEL BANDA

TOMORROW

From the Cabinet records, a study of how the Tories planned smash the to Hunger Marches in the 1930s

SATURDAY

Angela Davis: A special correspondent reports from the trial in San José

INCORPORATING THE NEW

DAILY ORGAN OF THE CENTRA

jor ports—Liverpool, Manches- rday joined Hull in rejecting a he blacking of container traffic.

These shouts of defiance from the rank and file mean that a confrontation between is now virtually ment unavoidable. Too much is at stake for the Tory government: • They must make transport of to Europe cheaper and goods more etticient in preparation tor their headlong drive into the Market. If this means Common the unemployment on mass docks, the Tories think this is a cheap price to pay. • The Tories have to establish the supremacy of their Industrial its legal Relations Act and Frankenstein, the National In- dustrial Relations Court.

The Court has decreed black- ing is illegal. Those who oppose this will be fined and, if neces- sary, jailed. There is no com- promise possible with High a Court-as Sir John Donaldson, the Court president, has made abundantly clear. As the three ports yesterday I the Tory rebuffed Courts and union policy, the national docks secretary of the Transport and

LEADERS

of BOAC's 3,000 stewards and stewardesses yester- day called for a strike on July 17.

At the same time 4,500 engineers and maintenance men were cal- led to attend a mass meeting on is Friday, which to expected endorse strike action on May 31.

General Workers' Union, Tim O'Leary, held 'crisis' talks in Lon- don with port employers in an attempt to prevent the national docks strike called for June 4.

Earlier, T&GWU general secre- tary Jack Jones had said: 'I hope in the interests of the nation we find something to satisfy our membership without strike. But it looks having to very dismal at the moment.'

At Liverpool yesterday, docks district secretary Lew Lloyd, spent more than two hours with the port's shop stewards 'urging the blacking them to end and obey the Court's policy. • He announced afterwards. that while the shop stewards apprecia- ted the position the union was in, they were firm in their resolve to continue the blacking.

Three firms-Heatons Trans- port (St Helens) Limited, Crad- dock Brothers of Wolverhampton and Bishop's Wharf of Warring- ton-are blacked on Merseyside.

The union has already paid £55,000 fines for contempt of the permanent order against it.

In Manchester, 1,100 dockers voted overwhelmingly at a mass meeting to . continue the three- week blacking of two firms in INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER • THURSDAY MAY 25, 1972 • No. 774 • 4p DAILY ORGAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIALIST LABOUR LEAGUE Dockers picket cold store

LONDON

Take note. Crossing this country. auxiliary are workers picket line involve decade have been made maintaining had aste two container your we have dundant. For this company the growth DICKe firms in Essex. They dockers dispute. •1 contamerzalon Dulk reASOI Jee. carriers, lighter-aboard- highly incensed. TorTier enter the trary sheep est, hooli- ship and air gates and suppert firms being also This multiple develop- blacked UK Cold

SALS

the glamour bovs of T huge Dagenham veet cesar verd ameni terl responsive. fame, dockers are only economies in the use Storage Company Chief handed seeking to that traditional labour of Cold protect executive Workers of the fort of which Thousand work- George longe

DICKCU

WURK

DeCI engineers, who is also leading traaruonally theirs since the first Phoenician lorry drivers, port boss and member company. traders came this of the PLA. the which handle con- is registered dock workers ared who Jobs alarm tainers. put black and 11 workers At the 40-minute dock who will meeting, Istered Denis Mahoney, take it off.' the union s ANOTHER London docks regional docks group secretary, Next week will be a flashpoint com- called for the blacking to end. in the trade oh business the will union movement: the pany business of docks strike out the company At Preston 250 dockers listened Will and so result of

IS G.

Beare _acenoa will the ana son who Tommy Irvin,

T&GWU

the railwaymen's ballot The cease operations mid-Jun district organizer, he read throwing 55 tally clerks out of result is certain to be overwhelm- from a prepared statement: work. ingly tor industrial action.

*Blacking firms indiscriminately The has deliber- Cores who wil clerks are top is causing the firms no engineered this Steve- ately confronta- our members in relation dores with the who to tion National Industrial is what formed the central dis- register nelanons • unattached Court- cussion at last Monday's secret when the company closes on -are lining the union Recalling Jones's 'opposition' summit talks Chequers June : 2. at the to Act when it first The "Journal of Prime Minister's Commerce', was County res- 1970, the daily newspaper introduced late the of the port dence. Preston men remained silent.

A has released it is o boss ourse darks When a vote was taken after released, known chances only 20 minutes, two hands that and of new ministers unel emplovmen Tnel in support of the union the introduc- present work ceases has been raised avisers ciscussed leadership. tion of a state of emergency to looking difficult, but now with Workers Press arder he shop steward who spoke beat the strikers. a turther › men added to thi the situation must appear mCCl TOTa •• SEE SPEECHES p. 12. alarming. Ing sala. Il Is now clear tat ll

PAGE 2 Workers Press, Thursday May 25, 1

BY A FOREIGN

CORRESPONDENT

THE REPORT of the Pearce Commission into the proposed settlement with Rhodesia is a major setback for the Tory Party and Sir Alec Doug- las Home. Despite all the 'sweeten- ers' offered them as part of the deal between Home and Ian Smith, Rhodesia's 5 million-strong black major- ity defied the racialist regime's police and army to unmistakably their register contempt for the settlement.

Support The Tories will now seek a new settlement with the Smith allowing a decent regime, atter interval to elapse in the hopes that Pearce will be forgotten— or rather that Smith's police can Africans into terrorize the silence about the deal. Smith has already called up and mobilized his his reserves entire security forces with this end in view. His government has rejected the Pearce report and made it • clear that the Tory government undertook the 'test of opinion' against Rhodesian government advice. Smith, however, has the last laugh on the liberals who hailed the Pearce report. Whatever the outcome of the report he was always assured of maintaining power and he is also sure of covert but continued support from the Tories in Westminster.

a PROPOSALS for nuclear dis- armament under discussion in Moscow between the Soviet leaders and President Nixon are a cynical fraud.

US and Soviet negotiators at the strategic arms limitation talks in Helsinki are due to fly to Moscow and present the results of their 30-month deliberations for signature by the respective leaders. But while Nixon talks peace with the Soviet leaders, his forces are waging the most bar- barous counter-revolutionary war history has seen. American Yesterday planes again attacked North Vietnamese power stations following an off- cial announcement that there are less restrictions US now on bombing than at any time since the war began. The US is systematically test- ing its most advanced weaponry on the workers and peasants of Indo-China, exposing the com- plete hypocrisy of the Kremlin negotiations. All disarmament talks in this situation can only serve to hood- wink the international working and camouflage the imperi- class alists' real intentions. / May 25, 1972 'FROM THE Papal Bull issued in the eternal city to the all ecclesiastical intrigues of the country priests, was lined up against Fenianism and the power nationalists.' Thus wrote 'The Times' correspondent in 1870 when the reverend fathers in one month spent £3,500 on plying Irish voters with whiskey to make them vote for the clerical candidate.

Judging by recent events in the Longford election in the Creggan and Bogside this ageless and medieval institution has lost none of its capacity for intrigue against the nationalist cause, despite the passage of 100 years. When it suits its purpose, the Catholic Church is never slow to exploit nationalist feelings to protect its ill-gotten property and wealth-but the moment it senses trouble and danger to its temporal power, it moves with incomparable deftness and agility.

Under cover of a crusade against 'violence' and 'brutality', the Catholic hierarchy have now success- fully manoeuvred a good section of Bogside and Creggan opinion against the Republican nationalists in preparation for the isolation and eventual disarm- ing of IRA-Official and Provisional. Ever since direct rule was proclaimed the Church has worked energeti- cally and consistently toward this aim. From Cardinal Conway down to the lowliest parish priest, all eccle- siastical power has been bent to this reactionary task.

In this they have been unwittingly helped by the bankrupt policies of the Republicans who by their equivocal attitude to the church and their acceptance of 'christian morality', as well as by the senseless bombing of factories and other places of employment, have embittered their own supporters and strength- ened the grip of the church.

This is particularly true of the women who are the biggest bread-winners in Derry and who suffer most by the bombings. Being workers they instinctively

THE SCUM

OF

THE EARTH

I BELIEVE?

A LONG V

armada As the Hanoi army newspaper from America's aerial Doi Nhan Dan' continues unabated. 'Quan wrote earlier this week: ignoring The most ominous feature of and tolerating the US imperial- Soviet the Nixon visit is that the cannot repel ists' crimes, radio has dropped all press and their aggression. By showing of its implications for mention weakness one cannot punish their Vietnam. aggressiveness.' The Stalinist policy of 'peace- and ful co-existence' defended by the The Vietnamese workers Soviet leaders involves the sub- peasants are being forced to pay Moscow talks. of the Vietnamese blood for the ordination in they entered the revolution to the requirements of Since war US forces the Kremlin bureaucracy. the ago, seven yedls have used at the 584 pounds of explo- Secret diplomacy is sives for every man, woman and of this counter-revolu- tionary policy. What kind of deal child in Indo-China. Brezhner cooked within the While Nixon and is being UD Kremlin behind the backs of the toast one another behind th: Vietnamese fighters? The Viet- Kremlin walls, the rain of death reject the prospect of a sectarian conflict in Ulster Republicans they hate the violence and being British imperialism. But, unfortunately because of the absence of a revolutionary socialist alternative, these very healthy sentiments are being cynically manipulat- ed by the church and turned against both wings of the IRA. The Church's phoney crusade is now being sup- ported-not surprisingly-by the reformist leaders of the Civil Rights Association, who, when not running with the Republican hare are more usually found hunt- ing with Whitelaw's hounds.

Gerry Fitt, Social Democratic Labour Party MP, has also leapt back on the 'peace' bandwagon dutifully offering his services to the Westminster masters: 'We in the SDLP will do everything in our power to ensure that if a truce is arrived at, it would not be just for one week but would be indefinitely.'

Instructively the same meeting which adopted the six-point peace plan also refused to allow John White, This bureaucratic Derry IRA leader, to speak. manoeuvre fits in well with the church's intrigue. Whatever the political mistakes of the Officials, they have every right to speak and be heard.

The six-point plan will solve none of the outstand- ing problems which led to the Ulster crisis. They only allow the Tories a breathing space to effect a political carve-up, the perpetuation of the border and mass Thanks to the Catholic Church, unemployment. direct rule is working.

THE BLOODY

ASSASSIN

OF

THE

WORKERS

PRESUME?

ONG WAY AFTER THE FAMOUS LOW CARTOON

leaders themselves namese are showing signs of serious concern, sharp attack Nixon their on week demonstrates. earlier this week's session This of the THE MENU at Tuesday's six- President Central Committee of the Viet- course banquet for Kremlin Fatherland Front reiterated Nixon at the was as nam the Vietnamese determination to follows: fight finish against the Blinis with fresh black and red to a Americans and their puppet Sai- caviar and salmon. baked fruit and Venison with gon regime. Hoang fresh salted cucumbers. Presidium member Fish soup and borscht with salted Quoc Viet said: 'The Vietnamese people, with a tradition of valiant rusks. (small sturgeon) in struggle foreign Sterlet against aggres- champagne and roast pheasant.

sion, have fought relentlessly for more than three decades now for Strawberry ice-cream. fruit and petit independence and freedom, and Coffee or tea, knuckle down? fours. will never

THE

has

TORY

government broken its promise to limit the transfer of airline routes from and the state-controlled

BEA

BOAC

British Caledonian to Airways, says the TUC. They say they were assured in August 1970 by the Board of Trade that the re-allocation of once-and-for-all routes was a operation, which would cost BOAC tom in hived-oft routes.

Tories' Surprised the at intensity of attack on nationalized concerns, the

TUC

says figure is nearer £7.4m plus a further £2m from BEA. In addition to this, British Caledonian awarded has been some North Atlantic routes which could cost BOAC a further fllm over the next five years.

The White Paper guidelines for the new Civil Aviation Authority explicitly instruct the gıving of preference to British Caledonian over the public air- lines and other private operators when awarding route licences.

Sacked Boeing workers join the queues f

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

THE MERGING of Rolls- Royce's two engine divisions at Bristol and Derby is a sign of the continuing weakness. iz of the British aero industry.

This is clear from the state- ment. by Rolls' chairman Lord Cole, issued to employees on the first anniversary of Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. He said: 'These moves will put us in much better shape to com- pete... with other engine com- panies in world markets.'

Cole went on to say: 'Every- one in the company must be prepared to work together, give their best, and to accept change. (Our emphasis.) In other words for Rolls to stay in capitalist business, the company's 80,000 workers must be prepared to accept changes in wages and conditions. The original concept of two divisions in Rolls-Royce was that the Bristol business would develop and build the engines for the Concorde (Olympus 593) and the Derby division would same for the TriStar do the (RB211). With the commercial prospects for these two aircraft fading, Rolls has decided make to reappraisal of its manufacturing facilities. determination of Rolls- The Royce management to re-estab- lish the profitability of the com- pany after its crash in 1971 was outlined by R. G. Hooker, man- aging director of the then Bristol Engine Division: 'We have to : show a good commercial return on the money used in this operation. Views as to the level this should be will vary but in our class of engineer- ing it should not be less than 20 per cent. To achieve this level in 1972 will require a profit of ,£12m.'

BY STEPHEN JOHNS

THE SIT-IN strikes in the dwindled to 13 as more worker claim without the key concessi Employers are pressing their advantage and in three plants talks on redundancies have begun. At the British Steel Corpora- tion's special steels division in Openshaw, have 400 men accepted a £2-a-week increase, plus one day's extra holiday this year after a nine-week sit in.

This follows the return of 280 BSC workers at Trafford Park (Redpath Pearson) on a cash and holidays basis only. Management e queues for food tickets.

So profitability is in the fore- front of the Rolls-Royce board's thinking. But the shop stewards' organ- ess • ization is living in the past.

At the last full combine meet- ing in Bristol, the change of the in Rolls-Royce to wage system Measured-Day Work-type struc- tures was more or less accepted.

The Communist Party Stalinists from the Scottish factories blamed AUEW right winger John Boyd for the deals being accepted there and the Coventry Stalinists justified their acceptance on the basis that it provided higher wages than were earned anywhere else in the Rolls-Royce combine.

But it is through the introduc- tion of these deals that Rolls expect to achieve their profit- ability. Hooker's statement makes this clear when he says • ... attention is being turned to reducing costs.

All current trends indicate that our prices are becoming uncom- petitive. The reasons are twofold escalation in wages and salaries ... 2) overheads too high.

We can reduce our costs by a) reducing stocks, b) by higher utilization of capacity and plant.

"The business must generate enough cash to pay all the expenses and provide an attrac- tive enough return on the money invested to ensure that our inyestors, be they government or private sources, do not divert their money elsewhere.' An insight into how this might be done may be gained from a recent 'Flight International' inter- view with Boeing's vice-chairman and general manager, John Steiner. He explained how, due to a sudden cut in production of 747s and 727s from ten aircraft a month to two, Boeing. went into action to maintain its profits.

'Factories in the Seattle area in the Manchester area have workers settle their three-point oncession on shorter hours.

there have warned that 50 or 60 men will have to go because of a slump in orders. Similar settlements have been made at BSC Warrington and T. C. Thompson's Ardwick. At AEI Scientific Apparatus, Barton, 200 men have returned to work pending negotiations. At GKN's steel works in Bred- bury, Stockport, talks over redun- dancies going after are on workers ended their ten-week were closed, employees trans- ferred from and modern new offices to old and dismal ones.

Salaries cut. Stocks of were tools and equipment were sold. Factory maintenance was stopped.

'Flower beds were not weeded and factory lawns were not cut.

jammed was not until a hanger door held up the move- ment assemblies that we decided we had found rock bottom.' According to the financial pundits, the finding of rock bottom in this way shows how a determined management can maintain profitability on reduced production. But what did the finding of rock bottom mean for Boeing's employees? "The Bulletin', weekly organ of the Workers League United States, says: 'Within months over 50,000 workers at Boeing's were laid off [leaving] ... only 40,000 working, about 6,000 [of whom were] working on commercial planes.

"They are thinking of over to a 20-day cycle which wing mean that over half of those men Will be laid off. In 1968 Seattle had lowest one un- employment figures in the nation with less than 3 per cent of the workforce unemployed. "Today over 16 per cent of Seattle's 1 million population are unemployed. Unemployment in Seattle is so widespread that food lines reminiscent of the soup lines of the 1930s have been set up!' Seattle is an expression of the end the post-war boom. Boeing is the expression of capitalist firm with its back to the wall. economic As the crisis develops, what is the future of the TriStar and the Concorde?

Will the ghost of Boeing_ walk the streets of Bristol and Derby and their satellites Coventry and Glasgow? Workers Press, Th strike and accepted sit-in a £3.50 wage increase and one day's extra holiday. Maurice Burdon, secretary of has declared number settlements 'extremely pleasing'.

This collapse of the claim— which was originally for a f4-a- week increase, a 35-hour week and an extra week's holiday a year—began two weeks ago and was initiated by the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers' executive. AUEW president Hugh Scanlon and secretary Jim Conway signed a circular which made it clear the demand on hours was not a top priority. This played right into the hands of the employers who were offering money but holding firm on the hours demand.

Scanlon is going round the country now advising meetings of engineers on how to fight their claim. of his The abysmal record executive-who were the first to abandon national the claim at level for fear of a major union- confrontation government should be grave warning to his union members. 14-DAY strike notice been lodged with the various plants in the Bentley Engineering Group in the Leicester area.

The 4,000 workers in the group have put forward an 11-point pay and conditions claim. It includes a £3 across-the- board pay increase, three weeks' annual holiday, plus four more statutory days, average pay for holidays, equal pay for women, lay off pay, double time for all

ALL TRADES

ALLIANCE N

Fight the Torles' 'fair rents' Bill ABERDEEN: Thursday, May 25, 8 p.m. Trades Hall, 21 Adelphi, 'The General Strike and Coun- cils of Action.' DONCASTER: Thursday May 25, 7.30 p.m. 'Spread Eagle' (by the Co-op). 'The Industrial Relations Act and the Tory government.' LIVERPOOL: Thursday, May 25, 8 p.m. YMCA, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool 1. MANCHESTER: Thursday, May 25, 8 p.m. Wheat Sheaf, High Street. SOUTHALL: Thuraday May 25, 8 p.m. Parkway Rooms (Rent office). •Estato, Racecourse Northolt (next to swimming pool). 3 Press, Thursday May 25, 1972 PAGE 3 A BRANCH of Leicester trade unionists has passed a resolu- tion calling for the organiza- tion of Councils of Action to defeat the Tory government.

The decision was reached by the Leicester No. 17 branch of Amalgamated Union of the Engineering Workers. Copies of the resolution have been sent to the local trades council and also to the AUEW national executive. It reads: "This branch demands the recall of the TUC to prepare the General Strike to force the Tories to resign. Those leaders who collaborate with the Tory government in any way must consisting of all political ten- move- ment to draw millions of trade nionists, tenants and the un moloved into overtime, a 35-hour week and improved night shift premiums.

The strike notice has been presented simultaneously at William Cottons and John Jones of Loughborough; Grieves of Coalville; Wildt, Mellor Bromiey, Bentley Engineering, Samuel Pegg, Economic Stampings and Parmeko, all of Leicester; Bentley Engineering, Nottingham; and Wildt, Mellor Bromley of Buckham in Surrey. Moscow Trials Anthology Paperback, 62}р

MAX SHACHTMAN:

Behind The Moscow Trial Paperback 75p

ROBERT BLACK:

Stalinism In Britain Paperback £1.12}—cloth £2

LEON TROTSKY :

Death Agony of Capitalism (The Transitional Programme) Pamphlet 5p Class Nature of the Soviet State Pamphlet 20p In Defence of the October Revolution Pamphlet 15p The Theory and Practice of Revisionism Pamphlet 15p Postage 10p per book, 3p per pamphlet. Order from :

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186a Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UG.

ADES UNIONS

CE MEETINGS

NORTH LONDON: Thureday May 25, 8 p.m. 'Bricklayer's Arms', Tottenham High Rd (nr White Hart Lane) CROYDON: Thuraday May 25, 8 p.m. 'The Anchor' (corner of Southbridge Rd and South End). LUTON: Thursday May 25, 8 p.m. St John Ambulance Hall, Lea Rd. SOUTH EAST LONDON: Thure- day May 25, 8 p.m. Deptford Engineers' Club (opposite New Cross Station). EAST LONDON: Tuesday May 8 p.m. 'Aberfeldy', Aber- 30, feldy St, E.14. COALVILLE, Thursday, June 1, Welfare. 8 p.m. Miners' 'Organize Councils of Action —Force the Tories to Resign'.

AYLESHAM: Thursday June 1, 8 p.m. The Legion (Old Work- ing Men's Club), Burgess Rd.

ACTON: Monday June : 8 p.m. Co-op Hall, High Rd.

PAGE & Wartare Prasa, Thereday May 28 Michael Banda replies to Johnstone in the 'Morning S

PART 3

Trotskyism has regis- tered some of its most important gains in the thrcugh trade unions conflict with Stalinism. It is just as essential for Johnstone to falsify the history of the All Trades Unions Alliance and mis- represent its policies in order to preserve the fast- vanishing credibility of the Liaison Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions. The audacity of this man's distortions must surely offend the conscience of every mili- tant trade unionist. DISTORTION ONE: The All Trades Unions Alliance, alleges formed in Johnstone, was opposition to the Liaison Com- for the Defence of mittee Trade Unions 'of which it was unable to capture control'.

This is too ridiculous to need substantial comment. It is equivalent to the accusation that the Socialist Labour League was formed because the Trotskyists could not take over control of the Fabian Society! DISTORTION TWO: The Liaison Committee, according to this virtuoso of Stalinism, 'brought hundreds of thous- ands of workers into militant class action against the Tory Industrial Relations Bill'.

This is patent nonsense. What the Liaison Committee did do-and subsequent events corroborate this judgement— was to persuade thousands of workers that the Bill would be defeated by the pressure of one-day protest actions which would supplement the opposi- •the parliamentary tion of reformists. If the Liaison Committee- controlled by the Communist Party-is ever remembered by posterity it will be for its opposition to the undying demand of the SLL and the ру klay 28,1872 Monty es to an article by rning Star' of April 18, 1972.

ATUA for the TUC to call a General Strike to force the Tories to resign. The Liaison Committee all along refused to translate the enormous hatred of the work- ing class for the Tories into a political struggle to expose the right-wing traitors and force the l'ories to resign. This was its hallmark. It followed logically and cynically Communist Party's from the policy which, at that time, was to force the Tories to im- plement their election promises to bring down the cost of living and reflate the economy.

The political struggle against the Tories was subordinated to and the fatuously Utopian reformist aim of a 'high-wage economy' How the CP tries to hood- wink militant workers with its anti-Tory double talk is seen pretty clearly from the follow- ing extract from a Party leafiet outlining the policy decisions of the EC meeting of Septem- ber 12 and 13, 1970: 'Com- munist Call for United Anti- Tory drive... must now give 'The left clear leadership for a united mass struggle by the widest sections of the Labour and progressive movement defeat the youth and students, to the Tory offensive and create conditions for bringing down this government.' From all this it would seem that the CP leaders want to force the Tories to resign by mass struggle. Nothing , could be further from the truth. Read on and you will find that the CP wants its Tory cake and to eat it too: "The Communist Party sug- gests the following immediate proposals as a basis for rally- ing the widest movement against the Tories: '• Higher wages at the expense of profits; a price, rent and fares freeze; expansion of the economy; take over the mono- polies and strengthen the nationalized industries. '• Higher pensions and social expand, payments; not cut, social services and . the housing programme; a wealth tax and Workers watch the December 8, 1970 p cuts in military spending.

'• End US aggression in Indo- China; begin negotiations for an All-European security con- ference. '• Keep out of the Common Market. '• No arms for South Africa.

"The forces capable of realizing these proposals exist: the task of the left and mili- tant forces is to rally and to fight.' (Our unite them emphasis.) Nowhere does the leaflet mention an alternative gov- ernment to the Tories to realize even these reformist tasks. On the contrary it is obvious from this rigmarole • that they can be realized in and through a Tory govern- ment-'the forces capable of realizing these proposals exist.

Incredible as it may seem to those not acquainted with the tortuous twists and turns of CP leaders, the forces' the refer they to are not the working class but in fact a combination of Tory 'goodwill' and 'mass pressure'. The un- stated assumption of this line be made is that Tk in cae work in the interests of the workers.

is where the British This Road to Socialism leads. This, incidentally, explains John- stone's pathological hostility to any expression of Marxism and the political independence of the working class. It was for this reason that ATUA members were denied representation and even pre- vented from speaking at the November 14, 1970 conference organized by the Liaison Com- mittee. As a member of the illus- trious jury of the Isaar Deutscher Memorial Prize Johnstone would no doubt like some concrete evidence. Well 0

SOCIEL

LET

8, 1970 protest march against the Industrial Rel here are a few facts he could add to the ever-mounting pile of evidence: This, for example, is what the 'Star' Costello of Mick wrote under the blazing head- line 'Everybody out for action day' ('Star', November 16, 1970) when he reported the November 14 conference of the Liaison Committee: 'All out on December 8— that's the call from the largest, comprehensive, most most militant rank and file trade union conference in British history. was made by the con- It ference, organized by the Liaison Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions, as the first big step in building up industrial action to defeat Employment Secretary Robert Carr's anti-union Bill...

"The delegates adopted a programme of action to win the trade union movement for a militant line to beat the Industrial Relations Bill. Only a few "super militants" voted against. 'A conference declaration called on the Labour and trade union movement to make December 8 "the first day of industrial action and protest •..The delegates called on all unions to campaign against the legislation and for the Trades Union Congress General Council to recall Congress not later than January to make militant plans against the Tory laws. (Our emphasis.) The statement is notable for three things: a complete eva- sion of the political respon- sibility to make the govern- ment resign and to call on the TUC to organize a General Strike; a calculated attempt to convince workers that protest action could make the Tories retreat, and lastly a venomous ustrial Relations BIll. hatred of the Trotskyist opposition — i.e. the 'super militants' who fought for a revolutionary and principled opposition to the government and the Bill. By separating the struggle against the government from the struggle against the Bill and the struggle against the Bill from the struggle to expose the compromisist leaders of the TUC, the Liaison Committee paved the way for the present dangerous situation. One of the most prominent representatives of the Liaison Committee in the provinces and one of its main speakers at the November 14 confer- ence was Terry Devey, secre- tary of the Liaison Committee in Sheffield — Devey, only a few weeks after the conference, anticipated an important prin- ciple of the Industrial Rela- tions Act by accepting £3,000 from his firm, Batchelor's Ltd, in the course of an important reinstatement strike. The Liaison Committee has remained silent on this sordid episode in its history and so, of course, has Johnstone. But then how could Halpin and the Stalinist leaders of Hiles, the Liaison Committee, fight Devey when their policies and tactics are determined by the professional leaders of peace- ful co-existence' like CP indus- trial organizer Bert Ramelson and AUEW Sheffield district secretary George Caborn in the Communist Party? If Devey could compromise with the Industrial Relations Act before it became law, what is there to prevent other Liaison Committee members acquiescing to the Act now that it is the law of the land?

Ramelson, on behalf of King Street, tried to dissociate the from Devey— also a party ous , Communist Party member at

Mick Costello: an time but ThA resigned - by Devey knew he c member of Partv and sell out. tell our trade to What down the principle Press, January 13, Neither johnstone can exy ›ody' satisfaction members Devey what ame to convince subsequently stating that lew he couldn't be the Communist sell out... We don't union members party lays (Workers principles'. uary 13, 1971.) Ramelson nor can explain to any- how atisfaction Communist Party Sheffield knew was doing and e Communist Party say too much about uld be inexpedient— oo little Ramenson's would used by his pre- Kerrigan, ballot- the scandal of the Electrical Trades der Stalinist domina- edifying example id of leadership pro- he Liaison Committee onduct of Sid Harra- Liaison Com- kesman—in the Ford ay — following the line and the refused to incipled stand on the lot (another provision ustrial Relations Act) and Scan- by Jones rminate the ten-week equivocal stand was replaced as the of the Ford's 'onvenors' committee. 4 speaker at the Nov- Conference was MP, who Atkinson, is audience by saying workers Inal pror Decembe that 'not was a strike government that has to come la For this fundity Atkinson off the stage, but tl made Star' lo ana incluaing co tortion, to credibility. 'Star' reported Atk would show that they hadn't for controllin way The campaign directed against t ment, was 'Star' by conscious v of

TUC

executive: I can't see platform, on your ›ehalf come out on Dece are going officially have not given strike officially. demand it from The method and Devey and his ersty the Liaison Con aptly «immed on the morning 14 ember conferen produce the relevar 'There is only strength. it can force the go retreat. throughout trade union movem It was war, when in 1935 that protest action could mal December 8 strike against the it at this stage.. • come later'. matchless pro. booed was ge, but the Morning up every altemol, luaing conscious dis. preserve nis 1S now the rted Atkinson ction on December 8 the eno over hadn't found an easy could make the Torles retre massive scale Baldwin governme proposed cuts ment benefit. It was shown la: the movement Place of Strife". It this year when workers achieved I by going on strike. why 1S industrial action o made... was phasis.) Nothing could orles retreat compelled the overnment to cancel unemploy- shown last year when defeated "In Strife". It was shown council the chieved big advances on strike. the call for why action on December nade ...' (Our em- could be plainer twaddle the completely crisis and the of the Tories' accident that those ut to show that the could be retreat by protest headlong retreat no accident either ainent Stalinists like Union of the Workers' executive, ared on Liaison Com platforms, ompromise by is of Tom Jackson| before the National Relations Court. the dialectic of pro- ics and peaceful co- was carried con- and unashamedly by Committee, witn a lew variations, critical more December 8 the 'ommittee issued the statement which was disarming its critics: scale can be effective the Tory government call on all workers to uary 12 an even more d and powerful Day of National Industri than today. "2) We call on union organizations t that the General Cou Congress immediately "To be effective anusu neer as soon inaustrlal acılon nationwide action Strike dimensions [si 'On the day of tt Congress: '3) We call for a n of industrial ai 'We also delegations from country to lobb the Congress. •4) We call for branch, district and committee to take all action _to intensil. paign to defeat the B statement lowed a few another call policy at all on hov the Bill. Ignoring the eupho leaflet we come to th part: 'The tremendous r more than unionists to the call gineering, bolermak metal sheet a 24-hour strike for 1971) against Industrial Relations 1 will and determi the Britain's workers 'At demonstrations of others, the General Coun TUC "Mobilize the industrial national defeat the Bill" "The next major s campaign will be o1 March 18 when the Trades Union Cor be held have again called for to be made, as 8 and January 12 a fi industrial and demonstration The leaflet InTeC safeguard! And our is the day. 'Strike against the Bill'amm (No cicicuce eneral Strike at a The same refrain n by Kevin Halpin, ch the Liaison statement to Star' before Decemt said: agree woud welcome doing something bigg The same reporters on Deceml committee

THA

threat mere industrial action 'enough to push back'. So in order scope and of millions nerl who instinctively re threat of democra contained in Liaison Committee the most contemptib demagogic chicaners mined working-class sive industrial actio of General Strike and something one-day strike'. However much changed, the the same: don't fight don't expose ITne TUC and don't fight pledged ernment policies through Strike When the after the Special Con March 18 the Liaisor tee remained predict They remained when Jones Workers Press Industrial Action all trade izations to demand eral Council recall is soon as possibl npaign of all form including action of General isions [sic]. lay of the Special Il for a nationwide ustrial action and call for a mass ling representative all of parts to lobby Special every job, executive o take all forms of the cam- eat the Bill fol- was later by months which no gave I on how fight he euphoria of this me to the relevant endous response of million trade the call of the en oilermakers' and workers' unions ir strike (March 1 the infamous elations Bill shows determination of given magnificent Athoreo call rings out ral Council of the lize the unions for lustrial action the recall of Jnion Congress will on Committee fo Unions f Trade called for this day was December ry 12 a further day action,, protest concluded ona rmist hopelessness: fight back rd! And March 18 blow here to a ke at all.) refrain was echoed lalpin, chairman of the with Mr Feather d much more than

TUC

hing bigger? Halpin told thought the of would be push the Tories to restrict the divert the of workers tively realized the democratic rights the Bill, the mittee resorted to ntemptible form of chicanery: 'Deter- ial action', Strike dimensions' ning bigger than a much the crime theme remained on't fight the right, lefts on the on't fight to replace with a Labour gov- to a General TUC sold out ecial Conference on he Liaison Commit- i predictably silent. silent even and Scanlon ers Press, Thursday May 25, 19 ntimater that egister if the Bill b They said nothing same leaders strike agreement an end the F in 1971. The had turned a full cir The Workers to the Liaison Comi Crystal made of articles and edito sheer Stalinist hi Johnstone to Workers Press critical support to th of the Liaison the Defence Here is but one e the principled Workers Press hese lying allegatio The Torie Defeated': "The anti- of the Tory governm unprecedented living standards rights of all workers families. 'The Tories inten workers' up leave them quickly reduce them style unemployn •For Defence against the anti-unic December tion of the mass mo 'Every single acti the laws, every opposition Tories' plans couraged; and every the workers' mover ... The Tory off not go away, nor w because of protest. The most ur tion ment to force 1S union leaders to mo members for this fi the anti-union laws conference now mobilization of the v union movement a government. 'The December 8: therefore be seen as in the building up o movement, one preparation Strike against the T can be forced to res This lead with the following d • Defeat the anti-l ' All out on Decer 'Not "protest' first step towards Strike to force the resign. ...Lobby every 1 executive and mobilize the class movement 14, 1970. ember original.) Subsequent proved conclusively rectness of the Wor stand on December other protes f the Liaison Com The history of th struggle against the Stalinists in the Lia mittee is the refutation of Johnst the ment coat revolutionary tactics proposing form of action than which it has proved win the maximun at a given now? pose was for that the Stalinists Ramelson, publicly slander that December 8. slander has been dis Plough Press exonerated of the the SOGAT

CONTINUED TOMI

May 25, 1972 PAGE 5 they when the ment and a secret nd the Ford strike wheel of protest a full circle. attitude Press Committee was clear in a series nd editorials and it alinist humbug for that ress did e not give ort to the activities of Trade Unions. one example of stand of which exposes allegations: Must Be The anti-union laws threat to basic and I workers and their ies intend to break organizations, defenceless, then uce them to 1930s nemployment and reason, the Social- eague is in support onference called by Committee for the Trade Unions. one-day strike anti-union laws on be im- an ge in the mobiliza- mass movement. against expression of the nd every section of movement must to the fight government. Tory offensive will y, nor will it cease a series of token They expect such most urgent ques- the whole move- force the trade rs to mobilize their or this fight against on laws and against emergency TUC to plan the n of the whole trade ement against the ember 8 strike must e seen as one stage ling up of this mass in the stage General the ist the Tories. They article concluded llowing demands: the anti-union laws! on December 8! "protest" but the • General towards: force the Tories t y every trade union and force them to working entire the ement against Nov- orkers Press, 1970. Emphasis in events have nclusively the cor- the Workers Press ecember 8 and the demonstrations on Committee. ory of the reformist ainst the Bill by the the Liaison Com- eloquent of Johnstone's argu- 'SLL's super- ry tactics consist in advanced more s proved possible to maximum more protest? these criticisms led Stalinists, by publicly spread the Workers Press SOGAT Division er 8. Readers will know that this charge executive.

ED TOMORROW

PAGE 6 Workers Press, Thursday May 25, 1972 nificance is determined not by Because we are James Reid, leader of the part or tne human race aren't we?' your good wishes, but by the work-in at Upper Clyde Clergymen welcome this relationship of objective social Shipbuilders, is the most One Plymouth forces, the objective relation- appeal. vicar even suggested in the letter shiBy virase of that relation- remarkable product of columns of 'The Guardian' that modern Stalinism. Reid for the ship it turns out [irrespective was He is the first member in the 'Holy Their of your will and independently support is not surprising. of your consciousness] that you history Com- the britisn Reid borrows the platitudes munist Party to win approval have put a good • colour ana a of Christianity and attempts to coating on the idea of sugary trom entire capitalist media. weave them into his vision of the clericals practice the good life. He attempts to the idea of God helps them Praise ranges from the ultra- bring down religion from to keep the people in slavery right-wing Scottish Daily By beautifying the idea of God and Express'- -which describes him heaven by making it "secular. you have beautified the chains as the, 'big swarthy communist vigour his the with which they fetter ignorant who exudes the warmth of i Leney "Scottish Daily Express' he was workers and peasants' teddy a formidable who is mainly this. The leader of men quite specific about words could be applied asked, Reid, big what were the to but with one responsible for keeping all was difference. four Clyde yards working, major influences on his '-to le! Reid does not eulogize the "liberal' For a start, replied Reid, the Guardian', which 'I am interested in the social teachings of Christ to impressed by his lack of teaching of Christ, as expressed a 'people's religion', revolutionary fervour and says but as nar! of the Communist Party's own in the Sermon on the Mount it's a shame he's not a Labour drive and the Beatitudes [blessed are MP. snuggle up the the for they shall see progressive' churchmen and The poor has been LelevIsIon the middle class. Indeed Reid, equally solicitous. There God. They amount to a social have which I subscribe. throughout the UCS ethic to struggle, been Reid profiles, Reid discussions 'Yes I am a Christian. I be- continually praised and featured programmes lieve that Christianity, like all the of the support church in like Late Night Line-Up' and 'live' confrontation shows with major religions, only last the fight for the right to work.

can the basis of its humanism It is in the Reid in the studio audience.

popular Communist Party literature one —with a small "h" of course.'

from the Clyde- cry siders of old like John Here in a crude fashion Reid can find the origins of Reid's McLean the German idealist reflections. jailed for echoes was his philosopher Feuerbach, against Cornforth, agitation during times of crisis Maurice the his Oxford academic and Party whom Marx developed and industrial unrest Glasgow. profound ideas dialectical member, laid out the foun- dations the Party's of appeal Like Reid, Feuerbach brought the middle class his earth. He developed a *Marxism and Linguistic Philo- God to materialist approach and argued sophy, which is popularized in him that man's thoughts-including pamphlet by called of God- 'Communism and Human those had to be ex- Values' plained from the world in His section on religion which he lives. But he conceived man as an particularly instructive in- sight Stalinist modern abstract being inhabiting into all equally abstract 'theory'. natural He rounding. He ignored that man argues that religion de- the alienation and lived, produced thought, from and of under certain social conditions depersonalization men communities that have passed -capitalism, feudalism, slavery and so on. beyond the stage of primitive Because Hence of this Feuerbach techniques. religion Not for Reid the wrath that developed an abstract outlook, a phenomenon of human con- descended on these socialists. sciousness. its foundation. cece Instead this 40-year-old mem- but one which viewed man as But he conveniently fails to that though religion is ber of the Communist Partv's he should be according to the welcomed and timeless a reflection of a specific human universal nature Hallona, execunve Is of workers' it itself enters into of his species, rather than how as some new type conusuon, The media like his style he was under certain conditions the leader. relations as ruling Class and philosophy. of class class use to oppress the The attraction is not difficult their The effect of such reasoning masses and justify rule. to fathom. The moral bromides the need for The omission leaves Corn- replace that Reid preaches the with forth suggesting that Te ottony from the or Rec- religion ideology of television, reformist desire to alter society pulpit at to correspond to certain moral' the masses that can be used in university, are the quintessence principles that reflect man's fight against oppression.

the This is a philosophical brief of reaction. 'true' nature. The essence of Reid's philo- Reid for men like Reid who go ahead this way and al zucs sophy-if it can be called that • it is the core of his reaction.

and argue that religion can be -is to view society in abstract This outlook is al the more make a plea for certain potent and dangerous since it But once again the mistake and is the foundation of his politics of Feuerbach is repeated.

he moral changes and and strategy at Upper Clyde role religion be reforms. must He said, for example, on a Shipbuilders, as we shall see. examined in its specific social recent ITV profile: Lenin launched this an attack context-in case, under Want advancent against this kind of God- the utterly decadent system of and technology. all building and un-historic out- capitalism. Walll those things but I look in the socialist movement.

Lenin in the Gorky letter want it with labelled this approach as bour- associated. the kussian Maxim Gorky he took it operates with principles and precepts writer geols because "Your issue with those like Reid who "Robinson abstractions-that say: sweeping general role in life is to develop your "socialize' God and Crusoe" conceptions in general talents to the full in service religion. These kind of ideas, and, not with definite classes in for human beings" -out of the "go(es) out a definite historic epoch'.

dulls rat race into the human and [their] He says: 'God is... first of masses, SIg- 'I am influenced by the social teac 'The social principles of Christian the proletariat, not wishing to be Marx, 'Rheinischer Beobachter', 18 all a complex of ideas gener- ated by the brutish subjection of man both by external nature and by the class yoke-ideas which consolidate that sub- jection, lull to sleep the class struggle. There was a time in history when, in spite of such an origin and such a real mean- ing of the idea of God, the struggle of democracy and of the proletariat went on in the form of a struggle of one religious idea against another.

'But that time too, is long past. 'Nowadays, both in Europe and in Russia, any, even the most refined and best inten- tioned defence or justification of the idea of God, is a justi- fication of reaction.' One might add that even when the masses fought wars against the ruling class beneath the banner of religion there was an uneasy alliance between naive materialism and religion.

Hence the Levellers in the 1640s wanted the rule of the ›aints on earth, but they also developed a crude theory of first of the exploitation of labour by the social teachings of Christ... yes I am a Chi les of Christianity preach cowardice, self-contem : wishing to be treated as canai lle, needs its cour Beobachter', 1848. man, which was 'un-Godly'.

This critical analysis is per- credit Reid with haps to more developed philosophical position than he has got. Suffice to say his moral gleanings, from Cornforth, the modern Stalin- ist writers and the New Testa.

serve his ment, reactionary supposition that capitalist society can be 'restructured' to make life better for the people'. He made this quite explicit in his Rectorial address to the students of Glasgow university.

He chose as his topic alien- which he described as ation, Britain's major social problem.

Alienation was the cry who feel themselves of men the victims of blind economic forces beyond their control It's the frustrations of the ordinary people excluded from the process of decision-making.

The feeling of despair and hopelessness pervade that people who feel with justifica- tion that they have no real destinion,' . determining their say in The remedy was to root "The social principles of Christianity preach cowardice, self-contempt, abasement, submission, dejection, in a word all the qualities of the canaille; and the proletariat, not wishing to be treated as canai lle, needs its courage, its self-feeling, its pride and its sense of independence more than its bread' Karl human citionships: anything everything de-values

INVOLVING

THE

PEOPLE

IN DECISION-

MAKING

At end his speech achieves how this can in a lo years we could edit cate in our country the scourge the underprivileged, of poverty, slums and insecurity. be esse ye part must restructuring o of government struc- , interview in the Scottish Daily Express', nission, dejection, in a word all the qualities its pride and i ts sense of independence more tures so as to involve the people in the decision-making process of our society. unleash the latent potential of our people requires that we give them responsibility' This could be one of those fine speeches by the Arch- bishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Edinburgh, or even a Tory.

After all, we are all against the 'rat race', , and it would be nice if the ordinary bloke got a bit more say in things—make him feel wanted. It is noticeable that the 'communist Reid censored all mention of capitalism, the working class, revolutionary change and socialism. (One note of caution, these quotes are taken from a lengthy extract of the Rectorial address in the "Glasgow Herald'.)

His purpose again is to sug- gest that capitalism can be adapted ('restructured"') to re- evil social of move alienation. This is in funda- mental opposition to the facts.

The root of the 'mistake' lies in his incorrect description of alienation. • 44. 2. Daily Express, April 27, 1972.

all the qualities of the canaille; and pendence more than its bread.' Karl Reid describes here the con- cept of alienation beloved of the bourgeois-sociologist and the trendy vicar. Alienation is not man's in- ability to take part in decision- makin fundamental. It comes something far more from the productive relation- ships of capitalism. A worker is alienated from the things he produces be- cause from the outset it is the capitalist property of the employer. Equally he is alienated from his labour-which is also the employers' possession — and this leads to alienation from production itself. Production becomes a means to satisfy a need and not a natural process or a need itself.

Since it is man's deepest need to produce and create, what is truly human in man is made animal - for the capitalist a worker might as well be a horse. This digression is important.

Reid's idealist semi- religious concept of alienation leads him right on to suggest that alienation can be removed if society was only restruc- tured reformed along Or moral guidelines (i.e. certain the social teachings of Christ).

But far from being a bad aspect, alienation is the essence of capitalist society. It can only disappear when capitalist production relations are re- placed by socialism. Reid's mistake is deliberate.

He preaches an abstract view of society and garnishes this with a few middle-brow obser- vations on the rat race in order to hide the necessity of a revolutionary overthrow of capitalism by the working class as the only solution of the crisis of humanity. It is only when these re- actionary and idealist concepts are applied to the class struggle on the Clyde and against the government that the full range of Reid's treachery is exposed.

At face value some of his about the Tories statements are astounding. Take one example from his 'Scottish Daily Express' inter- view: 'If we end up with four yards and the distinct probability of a modern shipbuilding industry on the Clyde, I think the government, and the Ministers involved, will have shown a courage and objectivity which to be welcomed. is 'Although we have our point of view about what should have been done a year ago, I will say to the government "Well done": This kind of abysmal praise for a government that has driven 15 per cent of the men in his home town onto the dole is, however,, only an extention of his 'philosophy' to industry and the class struggle.

He sees the Tory govern- ment, for example, as a group of individuals who are obsessed with the outdated philosophy of I9th-century capitalism.

These Tories ought to re- spect modern needs of society —which are to help people to live creative and useful lives.

Of course the argument is reactionary rubbish; there is nothing outdated about the Tory attempt to drive down living standards and keep up profits through mass unemploy- ment. The effect, however, is to disarm the working class since the corollary of these views is that employers and Tories can see the error of their ways and alter industry for the benefit of society. At least this was what Reid suggested when he discussed the future of the upper Clyde yards on ITV. The interviewer noted the Clyde had a history of decline —was Reid optimistic about the future? 'Well my point is this, 1 am hoping in the two companies that emerge that sufficient will be learned from recent ex- periences so that the structure of the company will allow the latent abilities of the work to express themselves.' force This is Reid's prescription for alienation, taken out of into the the university and shipyards. The result is remark- of attitude able. This kind bears a very close resemblance to corporatism. Basic antagon- workers and ism between capitalists, like Marathon Manufacturers and Govan Shipbuilders, are resolved in some overall scheme for in- dustry. With a bit more, say, in the 'decision-making process' creativity will flower in the yard labour force; the industry Workers Press, Thursday May 25, 1972 PAGE 7 will prosper and everone wil the benefit. This kind of fool's paradise Reid promoted bi contacte be will companies on the the lutense Inter compellon. сонате во coT step- driveR break among practices workers. Reid's leasins emporking Together'- ount motivated ov the right-wing 'Aims of Industry'.

Its very existence the workers. depends on ex on che will class-lt not change its spots. Like the God-builders, Reid pours sugar-coating iner it period war when class reachine wny Love allies He does talk of socialism- var to The the ballot boX according to but revolution or the irritates Reid sUMI future. leads divert workers Tory trap. lativity must over to the miant. This is a revival of the old the left- stains one cro Stalinism W1ng the Stalinism credibility the the courage to repeat the slander Yet men 'sensitive Keld. who con political This saves him the embarrassment of condemnin the stallnist regime flourishes like cancer on Rus regime that is the dishonesty Reid presumably believes that socialism, 'Russian-style', can exist side This is a shocking with such •ıe barbarısm a negation tal deceit exploitation, hypod sis. indeed a man that full political maturity. But workers should remem- 'religion' her it is in idealism. and moralzing. inat une There great radical tradian in Scot- But its hallmark was always dialectical - materialist outlook is the curde on life The tradition stalks traditione form of Cese eid of the and many lesser com minist are readers. their theoretical development - the reacher paved

BY STEPHEN JOHNS

PAGE 8 Workers Press, Thursday May 25

OVER-POPULATION OR I

CAUSE OF WORLD HUN

FRANKS.

Part four I need not repeat that strong liberal relief is today the only hope of stemming the tide of Bolshevism without the expenditure of lives and vast sums on military action?

(cable from Herbert Hoover, food administrator in US Paris to US President Wil- son, January 5, 1919) Herbert Hoover No one should be fooled by the apparent 'humani- tarian' implication of the term 'Food Aid'. The conceived programmes, for the most part by the United States govern- ment, serve the double purpose of eliminating US surpluses and impos- ing the political and economic domination of US capital throughout the world. for Similar objectives British imperialism were in- volved in the creation of the Colombo Plan of 1951, i.e. as against 'an effective • barrier South-East communism in Asia.' These aims are shown in the wording of one of the major schemes covering the last 18 years. United States Public Law 480, of 1954 (known simply at PL480) states that the policy of Congress is: ' • • • to make maximum efficient use of surplus agricultural com- modities in furtherance of the Foreign Policy of the United States' A detailed explanation of how this law is used is given in 'Famine-1975!' a book by two brothers W. and P. Pad- dock, long-time loyal servants of the US government in many of its operations in various parts of the world. Under a section headed: 'The Purpose of PL 480 Was to Get Rid of an Agricultural they quote an official of Glut, the US Department of Agricui- ture who had written the first draft of PL 480. He explained: I could see the possiblity of the American government con- trolling a couple of dozen countries through these free- food shipments. We could con- trol them because the food gave us power over the cities.

Admittedly, we could. not. ec lay May 25, 1972

OR PROFIT? THE REAL

HUNGER. BY BERNARD

physically control the country- side. But so what? It is the capital cities that must determine what course these nations take month-to- month. In its simplest form this is how I foresaw these shipments would work: A country with riots coming on could be controlled by letting our wheat shipments sit out- side the port like a carrot on a stick. 'A leader whom we con- sidered dangerous would lose support of the the masses because everyone would know we were not going to unload the wheat if he became top man or even if the government in power went overboard to the communist Left or to the junta Right. We might not stop all riots and revolutions this way but we could keep a lot of them from starting.'

The remark about action against the "junta Right' can be taken with a mighty pinch of salt as the US government, military and CIA administra- tions show in practice that for them the ruling is 'the farther right, the better' Paddocks The give an example of the 'Aid' policy in action: 'A reputed case which • kept hearing about con- cerned wheat said to have been used in the Chilean elections of 1964. The story went that in the election campaign the United States feared that the extreme Leftist candidate would win over the moderately Leftist candidate Frei, and huge amount of grain was sent in to keep down food prices, contributing to Frei's thus election. ('Famine—1975!'

p. 172.) The need to dump the sur- pluses was certainly urgent at the time PL 480 was legislated.

In 1954, ships from the US fleet had to be 'de-mothballed' to use for grain storage. By the some $576m had year 1960 been spent on storing food- stutts. One stipulation common to all aid programmes is that they must not be harmful to normal commercial transac- tions. In other words-anyone with any money at all must be forced to pay. The operation of PL 480 has been mainly on the basis of payment being made for food shipments not in dollars, but in the local currency. This cannot be removed from the country concerned. The result has been an enormous build-up of US capital holdings. . For example, by May of last year, United States rupee de- posits in Indian banks 'totalled more than £1,213m since 1956,' and at times had 'amounted to about 8 per cent of the Indian government's total annual budget'. (Financial Times' • August 24, 1971.) This situation is also allowed for in introduction the to PL 480 which stated: It is further the policy to foreign currencies which use to the United States accrue under the Act to expand inter- national trade, to encourage lot.. economic development, to pur-

DATISS

LPOPT

United Nations Aid programme In Leopo surpluses, but also serve to bolstor rea chase strategic materials, to pay United States obligations abroad, to promote collective strength and to foster in other' ways the foreign policy of the United States.' . Most aid and loan agree- ments require that an amount of other commercial trade must be accepted by the government receiving 'support.

A United Nations publication explains this system, though in terms which express slightly more than it meant to say: It is normally specified that the required level of commercial purchases shall be from "free world sources". In some cases, however, a specified amount of the required commercial pur- chases shall be from the United States' (FAO Com- modity Policy Studies No. 15 page 22) While prices of manufac- tured products rise, prices of raw materials in glut have fallen, to the further detriment of the undeveloped countries: four-fifths of their total ex- consist of agricultural ports raw materials, ores and fuels.

In this way, surpluses of these products can benefit imperial- ist powers requiring large sup- plies of cheap materials.

The United Nations Confer- ence on Trade and Develop- ment (UNCTAD) recently ad- mitted that over one-third of hard currency income of 'de- veloping' countries is paid out again as interest and repay- on past debts. ments Also, their share of world trade has dropped from 30 per cent in 1950 to 18 per cent in 1970.

A recent article in the 'New Scientist' adds: 'On top of this the world monetary crisis has hit the developing countries very hard indeed. The "Group • In Leopoldville, Congo.

such programmes are olster reactionary reglmes In the underdoveloper of Ten", yes; but what about They have suffered the rest? acutely from a combination of Aid cuts and new tariff bar- riers.' ('New Scientist' March 23, 1972.) One further example of how United States food 'support'— provided in this case through the • US Agency for Inter- national Aid (USAID)-is no more than a bolster for reac- tionary governments and CLA mercenaries against peasants and workers who are fighting capitalist oppression was re- vealed in a recent article in the 'Financial Times' This examined the situation in northern Laos where Pathet Lao forces in one area have overrun troops from the Meo hill tribes that are being used by the CIA. The article states: In 1971 alone USAID delivered 8,500 metric tons of foodstuffs to the Meo and other displaced hill peoples from northern Laos. The bulk of

•USAID

refugee relief programmes are confined to those ethnic groups which support American special intervention in Laos. forces Some 45 per cent of the total number of persons receiving refugee assistance fall within the category of para-military forces and their dependants.

'Since most USAID relief programmes are carried out in threatened minority areas, groups such as the Meo are encouraged to remain in com- bat areas.' The report continues: "The Meo are increasingly unwilling to participate in the continuing conflict, and sanctimoniously mentions the pay-off when the Meo have lost all usefulness to the US government: 'Unfortunately, when immes are not only an outlet for US fooc rdeveloped countries. USAID's operations are dis- continued in Laos, as they in- evitably will be, the Meo will be left without sponsors as an ethnic group. They have paid the highest price in the defence of northern Laos. Stripped of manpower, homeland and live- lihood there is no reward in for them.' ('Financial sight Times' March 21, 1972.) The creation of relative sur- pluses does not solve the con- tradictions of capitalism; on the contrary, it is a part of them and reinforces them. Every advance in agricultural techniques brings with it the pauperization of more farmers, an increase in unemployment well as the production of as an 'unmanageable' over-supply.

For example, the use of new virtually wheat strains barred to the small farmer in the under-developed countries.

Weighted down with oppres- usury and vicious land- sive lordism, he cannot afford the special tools and fertilizers re- quired to cultivate them. On the other hand, the bigger farmers become even richer and , are able to afford even more mechanization from the profits of the bigger harvests and so require fewer workers.

Unemployment increases and a smaller number of people can afford what has become, in theory, abundantly available.

As Marx wrote: 'In periods of over-production a large part of the nation-especially the working class—is less well- provided than ever with corn, speak of shoes, etc., not to wine and furniture' In Europe, massive schemes are operated by the Common Market Agricultural Authority to 'pension off' farmers and divert millions of acres of land

OUNC

TON

Farmers' demonstration In Paris-due to ence and are being forced off the land.

from farming, de-populating huge agricultural areas en- damning argument tirely-a against those who claim that shortage of space as well as shortage of food is a proof of over-population. Last year, 300,000 farmers and farm workers in the EEC area left the land. Many of those remaining barely scrape an existence. One report states: 'There are estimated 1f an million families in French agri- culture living in poverty out of a total population of 4 million families . . . . in France, the suicide rate is higher among farmers than any other group of the population. One in nine of French farmers dying be- tween the ages of 36 and 45 are suicide cases. ('Sunday Times' March 26, 1972.) In Britain, £l.4m had been paid out as 'golden hand- shakes' to farmers willing to retire during the last four years. Grants are also being paid to farmers to convert farm buildings into holiday chalets and use farmland for recreation'. At . the farm same time, workers, whose productivity of labour outstrips that of any other industry, see their de- mands for decent pay and an end to tied cottages con- temptuously swept aside. There is a long tradition of such treatment. More than 100 years ago the small farmers and the farm workers of Britain were being starved and forcibly driven off the land and their dwellings burnt to the ground. Marx examined the forced emigration from Ireland, Scot- land and England during the 1840s brought about by land- lordism, concentration of is due to over-production many French farmer farms, application of machin- ery to the soil and introduc- tion of agriculture on a great scale'. He commented: 'Here it is not the want of produc- tive which power creates a surplus population; it is the in- productive crease of power which demands a diminution of population and drives away the surplus by famine or emi- gration. It is not population that presses on productive power; it is productive power that presses on population.' York Daily Tribune' (New April 1853). Marx followed this up in 'Capital'. In the mid-1860s he wrote: 'What was the conse- quence for the Irish labourers left behind and freed from sur- plus population? That the rela- tive surplus population is today as great as 1846: that wages are just as low, that the oppression of the labourers has increased, that misery is forc- ing the country towards a new crisis. The facts are simple.

The revolution in agriculture has kept pace with emigration.

The production of a relative surplus population has more than kept pace with the abso- lute depopulation.' Today, whatever artificial restrictions may be put on the use of new methods, there is no sign yet of that 'revolution in agriculture' coming to an end. Enormous advances are continually being made in the science and techniques of farming. A modern harvester enables one man to lift 12 acres of sugar beet a day, an milking automatic device 'senses' when a cow has been milked, and disengages itself from the animal, a potato lifter harvests ten acres in eight hours. Newer, high protein, disease- ich farmers can barely eke out an exlat.

resistant strains of rice and wheat are being created, plant anti-biotics have been dis- covered which can be used in suppressing the growth of a wide range of fungus organ- isms. A fertilizing system injects ammonia directly into the soil under pressure, a modern water sprinkler covers 25 acres with one revolution of its 1,200 ft. span, a tractor- towed sower sets the seed, covers it with fertilizer and adds a herbicide and insecti- cide in a single operation.

Infra-red aerial photography is now being used to detect insect infestation, to watch for forest fires, to sense soil de- ficiencies and to measure radiant temperatures of soils.

A new automatic feed system can supply feed to 2,000 pigs in 40 minutes... and so on.

Here is the fundamental crisis of capitalist production.

On the one hand it continu- ously evolves the forces able to produce the most enormous leap forward in productivity of labour, quantity and quality of every kind of product and ser- vice; on the other hand, the system of production solely for profit, of private ownership by a small minority of the wealth and means of produc- tion, is totally unable to cope with the possibilities of such an abundance. Hence the rampant destruc- tion by capitalism of anything and everything which threatens to bring that abundance about.

also its fear and Hence hatred of the working class, the one force in society capable of dispossessing the capitalist bringing a class, and new, socialist society into existence.

se- CONTINUED TOMORROW Workers Press, It was only natural that Kevin Halpin of the Communist Party and Roger Rosewell, industrial correspondent of the 'state capitalist' paper 'Socialist Worker', should be speaking on the same platform the other night. At times like these when the working class is moving in big battalions to answer the Tory government's onslaught on the trade unions, the Com- and the Inter- munist Party national Socialists are con- veniently able to forget their For the thing that unites them is their determination to see that the working class is not mobilized to bring down this government and return a Labour government pledged to socialist policies. Halpin will be remembered by ..any trade unionists as one of the leaders of the Stalinist Liaison Committee for the Unions. Defence of Trade Throughout the struggle against the Industrial Relations Bill this body consciously sets out to divert the fight away from the government around the slogan 'Kill the Bill'. They attempted to turn it Below: Kevin Halpin ers Pross, Thuraday May 25, 1972 PAGE 9 into a single-issue struggle which could be resolved by putting pressure on the Tory government to drop the Bill.

Confusion-mongers like Hal- pin were ably aided and abetted by IS who joined in this com- mittee to fight the Socialist Labour League's demand for a General Strike to force the Tories out. At the meeting on May 18 called by Haringey Trades Council, both speakers made sure none of the real issues in the struggle against the govern- ment was raised. The motion that they pro- posed and which was passed at the meeting was devoid of any political The content. demand for a recalled TUC congress meant nothing in the absence of any statement on bringing down the Tories.

Instead the dangerous, counter-revolutionary course they offered to workers struggle opens the door for defeat. 'We deplore trade union leaders being used to discipline militant stewards and believe rank and file action is the only way to defeat the Act,' said the final paragraph. Leaderless protest and more protest. That's what unites Halpin and Rosewell. 'Kill the Act' and leave the government intact.

LEON TROTSKY:

Germany 1931/1932 Paperback £1.25—cloth £1.87} Where Is Britain Going ? Paperback 37kp Revolution Betrayed Paperback 62}p-cloth £1.05 Problems of the Chinese Revolution Paperback £1.124-cloth £1.87} Permanent Revolution : Results and Prospects Paperback 75p In Defence of Marxism Paperback 75p Lessons of October Paperback 60p Postage 10p per book, 3p per pamphlet. Order from :

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Fighting the Tories' Rent Bill PAGE 10 Workers Pross, Thursday May 25, 1972

WHEN

Wandsworth

BY PHILIP WADE

(London) council's con- Our Housing Correspondent trolling Labour group 'The Housing Finance Bill is voted 29-26 for imple. the piece of most important menting the Tories' "fair post-war legislation in my opinion and ranks with the Industrial rents' Bill, council leader Relations Act. 'For the first time it introduces Ian McGarry decided he the profit motive into council couldn't be a party to housing. It is a direct attack on of unprecedented tenants an kind and also a direct attack on that decision and local democracy. resigned his position. 'For these the reasons it 1s kind of issue on which the Councillor McGarry Labour says Party ought to make a fight. If they don't, on what sort he was hardly surprised at of will they?' asked Mr issue the decision, although bitterly McGarry who also Labour 15 Party agent for Putney. disappointed. The original 'A retreat has taken place in decision inside the group the sense that the Greater Lon- don regional council of the not to implement was con- Labour Party decision not to ditional implement was so overwhelming.

upon the rest of Yet there must have been people London borough Labour's sitting in that meeting on who had no intention of carrying the councils doing the same. decision into practice. 'But when the abysmal lack of The council majority the the became question unity on gave several reasons for imple- clear, it was assumed that the mentation. These included the waverers would change sides.

need respect parliamentary 'The decision to go with this democracy, the question of sur- Bill has totally shattered the charge and the possibility Housing effective Commissioner as political imple- group. organization. It has broken menting it if they didn't.

our 'None of these the reasons holds relationships with tenants- concerned, in fact stood them on their head,' far I'm as as Waltel replied Mr McGarry. he told me. The dally paper that leads the fight against the Torles. £20.28 for 12 months (312 Issues) {10.14 for 6 months (156 Issues) £5.07 for 3 months (78 issues) If you want to take Workers Press twice a week the rates are: £1.56 for 3 months (24 issues) £6.24 for 12 months (96 issues) Fill in the form below NOW and send to: 186a Clapham High St., Circulation Dept., Workers Press, London, SW4 7UG. I would like to take out a subscription to Workers Press.

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Name Address "The legislation is a straight class issue. The government has reinvigorated a class war which surprised some by its intensity. 'In this situation many of those representing the working class will be in the firing line and at some stage will have to make a fight or compromise and evict tenants, or say no: take my three-piece suite. "The Tories are trying to force council tenants into the buying market to force up house prices and rents in the private sector.

It's true to say we've had no lead either way_from Transport House on the Housing Finance Bill. Yet everyone has known been in favour they have of implementation wouldn't yet come out and say so. 'Now they've cottoned on to what appears to be a concession taken up by Birmingham to let them off the hook. 'The Labour Party's position could be quite damaging to them in the long-term. "Tenants have always looked to us to protect their interests.

Last year we won control because of the turn-out on the housing estates. 'I fear for that relationship and only hope that the stand some of us have made will help the party. I had no alternative but to resign and had no inten- tion of leading the implementa- tion of the Bill. 'If tenants withhold paying the increases we would have been eviction orders from the courts.

On housing it was generally agreed, added Mr McGarry, that one of the biggest failures of the last Labour government was in this sphere. "This flowed from their overall approach of intervening in the market economy and hoping that would produce the goods. "They must, of course, repeal this Bill and then do something about the public ownership of land, at least in the urban centres.

Decisions must be taken on the interest charges which are such a burden to local councils.

'And not so long ago the Labour Party had a policy of municipalizing all rented accom- modation. Slums in the central areas will be a problem as long as landlordism continues,' said Mr McGarry. CROSS-CHANNEL ferry opera- tors have been accused by North Cornwall Liberal MP John Pardoe of monopoly price-fixing to boost unprecedented profits. Pardoe told a Liberal meeting at Beckenham, Kent, that the held annual formal operators and fare meetings to fix fares increases for the coming year.

Two months ago he had asked Tory Trade and Industry Secre- tary John Davies to refer the matter to the Monopolies Com- mission. He said: 'As a result of these meetings, and their fares fare increases were all the same and excessive. 'The Department of Trade and Industry is now considering my memorandum and it is likely the matter will be referred to the Monopolies Commission. 'Quite unabashed by all this, the ferry operators met again last week at a secret meeting in Paris. Their purpose was again to fix prices for next year.

'British Rail, however, clearly

STOPWAYS

GRIP

lan McGarry-Will Labour evict tenants v

BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

TWO GROUPS of workers are tl which would disrupt the North's m Manchester. Stewards and stewardesses — members of the Transport and General Workers' Union — are demanding a £500-a-year increase.

had become worried by my and the ensuing accusations government investigations. They proposed substantial reductions in some fares. "These reductions were opposed by the other operators-particu- larly by the private enterprise operators. "The brazen-faced arrogance of European Ferries, who operate Townsend is Thorensen, incredible. Earlier this month they happily announced record profits. Their return on capital is almost unparalleled in British industry, said Pardoe. 'If this was merely the pro- duct of efficiency, no one would quarrel. But it is not. It is the product of price- fixing, restrictive practices and the unashamed use of monopoly power against the customer.

'British Rail must now crack do not, they will be failing their duty to the public' A Townsend Thorensen spokes- described Pardoe's com- man ments as 'far wide of the mark'.

TWO GROUPS of workers are threatening industrial action which would disrupt the North's major airport, Ringway, near A spokesman warned: If the claim is not settled there could be an all-out stoppage in july 1ne otner pay aispute involves 140 maintenance workers in four who demanding uili ulis t -weer rcenwve bons ce five-day week for workers, with the weekend being covered by shilt workers Guaranteed lay-off pay at Cowley A NEW offer of 28 guaranteed lay-off days with pay each year by was accepted yesterday British - Leyland's worKers Austin Morris body plant Cowley, Oxford. The rejected a recom- 11lCl mencanion trom tre stewares no to accept the offer. The stewards further wanted negotiations on orenauin payments Snorlunt working and back pay. Moss Evans, national of the secretary Genera Workers 1lansooll anu Union, personally recommended the latest deal.

MINI-CAR

• British _production at Leyland's LOnzorIaRt olanl Birmingham was resumed yester.

day after 360 inspectors , accepted formula which ended their workoneasurenenr osoue

THE UBIOUITOUS Lord Good- instance, he is also on the board of British Lion, which popped up man has again-this recently a director of the Royal sell off time as agreed Shepperton Opera House, Covent Garden. Studios to a property-speculating Goodman recently retired group. chairman of the Arts Council of Goodman's political life is just Harold Great held Britain, a post he contradictory: he is Wilson's since 1965. He is also a member private solicitor and of South Bank Theatre Board.

Labour yet he went with peer, rets Goodman has an intriguing life.

right-wing Salisbury He appears as patron of the arts earlier this year to try to get a and the racialist in one costume business settlement with For Rhodesia. entrepreneur in another. regime in

CHIEFS

from the Common BUILDING society funds dropped Market's European Investment by a massive £84m during the London Bank fly into tomorrow first three months of this year for a day of talks with the Con- the compared with previous federation of British Industry. quarter. Gross receipts during the Created by the Treaty of Rome, first quarter were up £56m at loans the

EIB

finances for €1,387m. But the very high rate regional development and costly their Tomor- of society users taking technological projects. money out has cancelled out the row's talks will evaluate the of EIB loans to effect of the increase and turned British scope it into a net deficit.

REGIONAL TV

CHANNEL:

10.20-2.32 London. 4.18 Puffin. 4.05 Yak 4.22 Funny face. 4.50 Skippy. 5.20 London. 6.00 News, weather. 6.10 Hoaan's heroes. 6.35 Cross- 7.00 Film: "Dial M For Murder'. 9.00 London. 10.30 Maverick. News, 11.20 weather Weather. in French. WESTWARD. As Channel except: 3.55 Gus Honeybun. 4.19 News. 6.00 Diary. 10.30 Report. 10.59 News. 11.03 Theatre. 11.55 Faith for life. SOUTHERN: 10.20 London. 3.00 Afloat. 3.30 From a bird's eye view. 4.00 Houseparty. 4.15 Sean 4.30 Crossroads. the leprechaun. 4.55 Richard the lionheart.

5.20 London. 6.00 Day by day. Crime Locke 7.15 desk. 6.45 Dr Simon Film: 'Killers of Kilimaniaro'. 9.00 11.10 Derby London. 11.00 News. day. 12.10 Weather. Epilogue.

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Film: 'Strategic Com- mand'. 9.00 London. 10.30 Gal- lery. 11.00 Sain. 12.00 Weather.

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Wales. and HTV Cymru/ Wales as above except: 4.15-4.30 Miri mawr. 6.01-6-18 Y dydd 'Tom Brown's Schooldays' fans will r plays Conrad McKenna in 'Hell's Angels HTV West as above except: 6.18- Gallery. 6.35 Sport. 10.45-11.00 ANGLIA: 10.20 London. 3.15 Ran- Crossroads. 7.00 Simon Dr dall and Hookirk. 4.10 News. Locke. 7.30 Film: 'California Holi- 4.15 Jimmy Stewart. 4.40 Paulus.

day'. 9.00 London. 11.00 What's Scarlet. 5.20 4.55 Captain Lon- it all about. 11.20 Avengers. don. 6.00 Anglia. 6.20 Arena. 6.35 7.00 Film: Crossroads.

GRANADA:

2.30 11.00 London. 'Donovan's Reef'. 9.00 London. All 3.25 yesterdays. Saint. our 10.30 Nelson, 11.00 Cinema.

355 Camera in 410 action. Peton Place. 4.40 News. Lon- ATV MIDLANDS: 10.20-2.33 Lon- don. 4.50 Make a wish, 5.15 Lon- don. 3.10 Good afternoon. 3.35 Police file 4.10 Family don. 6.00 Newsdav. Stars. 3.45 Domen. 6.25 of Jeannie. 7.00 dream affair. 4.40 Rupert bear 455 4.55 London. 7.30 Film: 'McCloud:

ATV

London. 6.00 6.35 Top of the World, Man. 8.50 Syl- roads. 7.00 Skv's the limit. 7.30 vester. 9.00 London. 11.00 On Film: 'Timetable' 9.00 London. 11.30 Whiplash. the line. 11.00 O'Hara. ULSTER: 10.20-2.32 London. 4.30 TYNE TEES: 11.00 London. 3.00 News. 3.15 Corwin. Romper room. 4.50 4.55 Sound of 4.10 News. 415 Crossroads. Forest 4.40 Lon- 5.20 London. rangers. 6.00 ÜTV. 6.15 Tommy. 6.35 don. 4.55 Rovers. 5.20 London. D. N. Pritt, who died aged 84 on Tuesday, was Stalin's best Queen's Counsel. For almost 40 years he devoted himself to the glorification of the Soviet bureaucracy and the vilification and slander of revolutionary fighters against Stalinism. He will be remembered with particular hatred for his role the Moscow frame-up during trials of the 1930s. He acted as the most faithful publicist of the the Stalinist secret police and re- mained unrepentent to the last, overwhelming evidence despite that Stalin's Old Bolshevik vic- tims were crudely framed.

Pritt was never a revolution- ary. He came to Stalinism • via the Tory Party (which he left as rising young advocate prior to World War I) and the liberal defence of colonial leaders.

What attracted him was pre- cisely the counter-revolutionary face of bureaucratic rule in the Soviet Union. He was a particu- lar admirer of the former White Guard Andrei Vyshinsky,, archi- tect of many of Stalin's judicial frame-ups. Pritt's book The Zinoviev Trial' published after the first Moscow Trial in 1936 glossed over the glaring inconsistencies in the forced confessions made by the Old Bolshevik defendants.

He 'explained' the complete ab- ans will recognize Richard Morant who I's Angels' on BBC-1 tonight.

6.00 Today at six. 6.30 Smith family. 7.00 Popeye. 7.10 Film: Jane'. 9.00 London. 'Calamity 10.30 Sportstime. 11.00 Police 11.35 Drive call. 11.05 Cinema. in. 12.00 News. 12.15 Epilogue.

SCOTTISH: 11.00-2.32

London. 3.30 Once upon a time. 3.45 Crossroads. 4.10 Dateline. 4.55 Fireball XL5. 5.20 London.

6.00 6.15 A place of her Dateline. 'One 7.00 Film: Man own. Mutiny'. 9.00 Stuart Gillies ceilidh. 9.30 London. 10.30 Love thy neighbour. 11.00 Late call.

Cinema. 11.35 Beagan 11.05 gaidhlig. GRAMPIAN: 11.00-2.32 London.

3.34 News. 3.35 Job look. 3.45 Workers Press

BY JOHN SPENCER

.... sence of material evidence against the accused in the following passage: It is no part of the duty of the judicial authorities to publish reports showing exactly how they conducted preliminary in- have vestigations of which the per- who are at once most sons interested and best informed, viz., the accused, make no com- plaint.' To convince with anyone doubts about the trial, Pritt wrote at the time: 'Once again the the more faint-hearted socialists beset with doubts and are anxieties' but 'once again we can feel confident that when the smoke has rolled away from the battlefield of controversy it will be realized that the charge was true, the confessions correct and the prosecution fairly con- ducted... in his N. S. Khrushchev, secret speech to the 20th Con- gress of the Soviet Communist Party, revealed Stalin's real pre- scription for 'preliminary investi- gation': 'Beat, beat and beat again.' With remarkable unanimity, Pritt's role in the Moscow frame- ups is ignored by his obituary writers, bourgeois and Stalinist alike. "The Times', , in describing his mo 'fearless attacks on injustice and oppression' entirely omits to mention his services to Stalin's murder-machine. The 'Morning Star', describes

BBC 1

9.20-9.30 Mr Benn. 9.38-11.38 12.55-1.25 Arall fya. Schools. 1.30 1.45-1.53 News and Joe. weather. 2.05-2.25 Schools. 3.45 Working with youth. 4.10 Pars- ley. 4.15 Play school. 4.40 Jackanory. 4.55 Blue Peter. 5.20 Boss cat. 5.44 Hector's house. 5.50 News and weather.

6.00 NATIONWIDE.

6.45 WHERE IN THE WORLD.

7.00 SPY TRAP. The Execu- tioner.

7.25 TOP OF THE POPS.

8.00 THE GOODIES.

THAT MONDAY MORN-

8.30 ING FEELING. A Return to The Assembly Line. New series.

NINE O'CLOCK NEWS

9.00 and weather. 9.20

PLAY: 'HELL'S ANGEL'.

By David Agnew. Kathar- ine Blake, Andre Morell, Richard Morant, Michael Kitchen, Angharad Rees. 10.35

24 HOURS.

MISTRESS

•OF HARD-

11.20 Insatiable WICK. An Dream. 11.45 Weather. Women today. 4.10 Julia. 4.40 Rumblie jumblie. London. 4.55 News, 5.20 London. :6.00 weather. 6.05 Folk afore us. 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Andy. 7.30 Film: 'Against the Wind'. 9.00 London. 11.00 Viewfinder. 11.35 Survival. 12.00 Epilogue.

YORKSHIRE: 11.00 London. 3.00 • 3.15 Department Sound of : 4.10 Calendar news. 4.15 S. Crossroads. 4.40 London. 4.55 Bugs Bunny. 5.20 London. 6.00 6.30 Smith Calendar, weather. family. 7.00 Cartoon time. 7.10 Film: 'Calamity Jane'. 9.00 Lon- 10.30 Yorksport. 11.00 don. in. 12.05 Cinema. 11.35 Drive Minutes that changed history.

kers Press, Thursday May 25, 1972 PAGE 11 inst him as ving of the the lion-hearted defender honours on him by of the Soviet and East European bureaucrats. (Among these the Stalin Peace Prize, awarded in 1954 and coyly described by the 'Star' as the Lenin Peace Prize'.) Pritt had no such inhibitions om- in 1953 when He wrote: , Stalin died. ... we can in- deed be thankful of the Stalinist developments of our history..

Confident, as we contemplate his "Farewell, work, can say Comrade Stalin, we thank you for all you have done, and all you have led the masses to do, to make a richer, more beautiful, more peaceful world"? Pritt's support for Stalinism went far beyond his role in the Moscow Trials. During World War II he became a staunch social-patriot and advocated the jailing of strikers. In a pamphlet for the National Council Civil Libertie? ... The coun- published in 1944, he wrote: cil recognizes that during the war particular civil liberties, includ- ing the right to strike, must be suspended in the overriding interests of the defeat of unist fascism. D. N. Pritt will not be his mourned by revolutionaries.

He was a servant of the Soviet counter - revolutionary bureaucracy and his role in the destruction of Lenin's Bolshevik ibes cadre will never be forgotten.

ITV

10.20 Schools. 1.10 Time to re- (London only). 1.40 member Schools. 2.30 Good afternoon.

Houseparty. 3.15 Jokers 3.00 wild. 3.45 Marcus Welby MD.

4.40 Nuts and bones. 4.55 Secret squirrel. 5.20 Magpie. 5.50 News.:

6.00 TODAY.

6.45 CROSSROADS.

FILM: 'PORK CHOP HILL'.

7.10 Gregory Peck, Rip Torn, George Peppart. Last days of the Korean War.

9.00 LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR.

9.30 THIS WEEK.

10.00 NEWS AT TEN.

10.30 CINEMA. Robert Wagner.

11.00 SOMETHING TO SAY.

12.00 ANTHOLOGY OF LOVE.

Friendship's Love.

BBC 2

11.00-11.25 Play school. 5.35- 6.30 Open University. 6.35-7.00 Working with youth.

7.05 OPEN UNIVERSITY.

7.30 NEWSROOM and weather.

8.00 EUROPA. Tito . . . 80 Today. 8.30

THE GOLDEN

BOWL.

Fanny. 9.20

SHOW OF THE WEEK:

MORECAMBE AND WISE.

Guests Francis Matthews Anita Harris, Robert Young, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen.

YESTERDAY'S WITNESS.

10.05 The Tithe War. 10.45 NEWS ON 2 and weather.

10.50

. FILM: THE EXTERMINAT-

ING ANGEL'. First of four films directed by Luis Bunuel. A group of guests find themselves trapped in their host's dining room.

Tories provoke showdown —Wilson PAGE 12 Workers Press, Thursday Ma

BY STEPHEN JO

THE GOVERNMENT was accuse a showdown with the unions by L yesterday. In his most important 1 trial relations so far, Wilson said three things. To have a 'carefully-planned' c unions. To destroy the authority of th To take away parliament's rig ment's industrial relations policy.

He told the patternmakers' annual conference at Paignton, Devon, that from the moment he took office Heath 'has followed a policy of provocative confron- calculated, contrived set- tation, piece matches in order slogging to buttress a disastrous and mani- festly unworkable economic policy' THE TUC General Council yesterday accused the Tory government of deliberately preventing conciliators from intervening in major in- dustrial disputes. TUC general secretary Victor Feather told 'We reporters: believe the conciliation service has had restraints put on it, so that it can be manipulated in the interests of the economy?

A statement from the general council said: 'A obvious example this was in the local authorities manual workers' dispute in 1970 when government withheld con- ciliation assistance. "The government has seriously undermined confidence in con- ciliation and arbirtation by using it as a tool of economic man- agement.' I understand that the TUC feels that where wage claims have exceeded the Tory 8 per cent pay norm or nationalized indus- tries have been involved, govern- ment conciliation services have been notably absent. The General Council will make immediate approaches to the CBI for joint discussions of setting conciliation agency up new independent of government.

Yesterday's statement con- cluded: 'If confidence in concili- ation and arbitration be can developed, many more disputes will be settled without recourse to industrial action or the law.'

• The General Council referred to its Finance and General Pur- poses Committee a letter from the 50,000-strong National Union of Seamen asking it to rescind its decision to suspend the union from TUC membership. The decision was taken because the union used the machinery of the Industrial Relations Act,

WEATHER

Mainly bright with sunny spells over eastern and central districts of England at first followed by rain later. Wales, Northern Ireland and England will be mostly western cloudy with rain at first but sunny periods will spread to all parts by afternoon. Scotland will have occasional and suhny spells but showers rain will spread to most parts by evening. Outlook for Friday and Satur- day: Changeable with periods of rain, particularly in the north and west, but some sunny spells, mainly in the east. Temperatures generally near normal.

NEWS DESK

01-720 2000

CIRCULATION

01-622 7029 Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Published by Workers Press, Clapham High • Street, London, 186a

SW4 7UG.

Printed by Plough Press ltd. (TU), Clapham Street, London. 180b High

SW4 7UG.

ursday May 25, 1972

EPHEN JOHNS

is accused of deliberately provoking ons by Labour leader Harold Wilson portant policy declaration on indus- son said the Tories were out to do anned' confrontation with the trade ity of the official union leadership.

lent's right to examine the govern He accused Tory ministers of acting as agents provocateurs, seeking to invoke Her Majesty's judges and the majesty of law in the consequence of an unneces- sary and dangerous confronta- deliberately provoked for tion, political purposes. Heath smirking with satisfaction after yes

BY IAN YEATS

TORY LEADER, Edward Heath laid heavy emphasis yesterday on the government's determination to hold its ground against infla- tion at home and terrorism in Ulster. Three thousand Tory women clapped and cheered on the last day of their annual conference at Central Halls, Westminster, as Heath waived his fist to stress there would be no retreat on in- dustrial relations, or on maintain- ing the rule of law in Northern Ireland. At the same time he went out of his way to appeal to moder- ates in the TUC, the unions and among the people of the six counties.

HIII

£463.50 STILL

NEEDED FOR

MAY FUND

WE ARE getting very close to the end of the month. At the • moment our total stands at £1,286.50. No longer can this Tory gov- ernment avoid a head-on clash dockers. Emergency powers, together with the Indus- trial Relations Act may well face us in the immediate week.

Workers Press is needed now more than ever to prepare the working class for the major struggles ahead. Therefore we need all your support. Our fund has only seven days to go. Put everything you can into the last lap of the fight. We must not only raise our target, but let's try and collect well over the top. Post every donation immediat- ely to: Workers Press May Appeal Fund 186a Clapham High St, London, SW4 7UG "This policy of deliberately provoked showdowns with trade been carefully unions planned, added Labour the leader. Wilson said the government's chosen conflict unions was a direct result their defeat over the miners' claim. Their resort to the National Industrial Relations Court was an attempt to remove safeguards established • by trade unions over the years. He pledged a Labour govern- ment would repeal the Industrial Relation Act, but made this warning on the law: 'Bad laws, like good laws, must be obeyed. That is not and has not been in question. But bad laws must be changed. That matter is for political action.'

n after yesterday's speech.

He said: 'It is no part of our policy that there should be regu- lar trials of strength between the community and particular trade unions. In his speech last Saturday, Mr Feather said he thought it "straight was time there was talking" between the govern- ment, employers and unions. I warmly welcome the readiness which Mr Feather has now ex- to discuss all these pressed matters with us. 'We share Mr Feather's desire to find new ways of reaching sensible settlements - on the understanding that settle- the ments respect the interests of the consumer, the housewife and the community as a whole, as well as the interests of employer and employee.' Turning to Vister, Heath said: 'There may be some who argue that British troops be should withdrawn, the British responsi- bility abandoned and the Irish left to fight out their future among themselves.' But, said Heath: It is not acceptable to us that there should be areas in any part of the United Kingdom where the rule of law is neglected or reviled.'

In a pointed reference to the women of Belfast and Derry he said: 'We have seen in Northern Ireland ever since Willy Whitelaw took over remarkable some in demonstrations for peace, many cases led, not surprisingly.

by the women of Northern Ire- land. "They • have demonstrated that their desire for peace can over- come the barriers that still divide the communities' Leaders of the communities now had to follow the instincts of the people. Earlier. Heath had walked triumphantly into the packed conference hall amid an eruption ot feather festooned hats, wave- ing hands, and wild cheering.

The statement that the law by the rank and file two hours will be changed and not abol- later.' ished will certainly strengthen Finally he accused the In- fears among trade unionists that dustrial Relations Court of gag- Labour will retain some form ging parliament and destroying of legal interference into in- its right to examine government dustrial relations. actions. Passing his second on to Because of sub-judice MPs theme, Wilson said the Court's could not question ministers over intervention into industry Court orders while a case was threatened the authority of the going on. official trade union leadership. 'At the key moments 19 2* con- In a plea recommending union industrial dispute in con- leaders like Jack the Jones to ditions, the Minister has no re- employers, he said: sponsibility parliament-he to remember the disastrous cannot even be questioned on his 1967. dock strike in Liverpool in decision, still less called to With Jack Jones and Jack Scamp, account. appointed as conciliators, 'On form, the likeli- was recent struggling at 6 a.m. to settle it, hood in respect of dispute, any

. "NIRC

with Jack Jones commending once Mr Heath has said is that for two, it" parliament, tentative agreement to the ultra- perhaps left wing unofficial strike leaders, gagged weeks, three is only to the unofficial by itself see even and gagged an Act leadership through parliament on the gag.

thrown over 11 all

FROM DAVID MAUDE OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT IN

BLACKPOOL

PUSH-BUTTON

telephone equipment worth millions of pounds will lie idle at exchanges throughout the country until the Post Office comes up with a firm pay offer-and guarantees no loss of jobs.

Cathy McLean, from Glasgow, Before the Union of Post warned her Office Workers agrees to the that calculations showed telephonists would get equipments' introduc- general only about 7p a week from the tion, it is expected to demand introduction. pay increases of 50p to 60p She called conference on the a week for its 35,000 telephon- to 'scrub' the executive's report. ist members. Ayr telephonist Sheila Stewart This of a was the outcome urged the conference not to chaotic, two-hour wrangle yester- accept a 'pig in a poke'.

UPW's day the morning The £200,000 offer 'a was Blackpool conference broke up form of blackmail', insisted into sectional meetings: tele- Glasgow delegate Kenny McAllis- communication workers, postmen ter. and counter clerks. The debate revealed — for the Chick Law, Blackpool, could not remember ever getting second day running—a new mood any- in the union. thing out of a productivity deal. Telephonist delegates rejected Despite a sharp attack on these claims, the advice of their leaders assistant general secretary Kim McKinley failed to agree introduction of the new persuade key delegates to adopt her advice.

She equipment, the non-dialling argued that those exchanges that senders. Flanked by had tried key senders in union seciciary welc Tom Jackson, the new Post Office them as of favour of pieces industrial relations director, Ken- equipment. Young, watched Their introduction, she said neth anxiously afterwards, would be as a visitor. The corporation's proposals for delayed at least until December. Conference introduction of key senders, with went on to insist that productivity which it aims ultimately to any agreement replace all exchange and domes- concluded key senders over staff tic dialling should maintain existing equipment, received by the union only. last levels. Heather Protheroe, member of week. It offered telephonists the union's London district a share No avius timated at 200 00e council, warned that their intro- figures duction 'could be the start of the given of jobs. possible loss inevitable vicious circle' leading The Post Office made the point to staff cuts. would that detailed figures Fellow council member Bob Berriman said that lip-service had depend on studies of the equip- ment in delegates' been paid for too long to saving use rosing Now something had to be fears of yet another productivity jobs. done about it. deal. Socialist Labour League SUNDAY MAY 28 7.30 pm

RECALL THE TUC!

DEFEND THE DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS!

BUILD COUNCILS OF ACTION NOW!

MAKE THE TORY GOVERNMENT RESIGN!

RETURN A LABOUR GOVERNMENT PLEDGED TO

SOCIALIST. POLICIES.

Beaver Hali, Garilck Hill (nr Mansion House tube) Speakers : MIKE BANDA (SLL Central Committee) LARRY CAVANAGH (Liverpool docker) JOHN SIMMANCE (YS national secretary)