Workers Press no. 890

workers press

STRENGTH

CAV men occupy closure-threatened plant INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER • TUESDAY OCTOBER 10, 1972• No. 890 • 4p DAILY ORGAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIALIST LABOUR LEAGUE

AS LABOUR LEADERS RETREAT

RENTS

BY PHILIP WADE Our Housing Correspondent AS THE SECOND WEEK of the fight against the Tory "fair rents' Act opened yesterday, tens of thousands of council tenants were still refusing to pay the increases. In Manchester pickets were outside the new rent offices set up by the Labour council. Warrington tenants in Lancashire and at Greenwich in south east London took similar action. Manchester's 'commando squads' were also in action making sure tenants were not harassed by

FIGHT

rent collectors. In Northwich, Cheshire, 4,400 tenants are now paying no rent at all and a further 975 are paying less rent than before last Monday's increases. In London's East End, thousands of Hackney tenants are refusing to pay any rent at all for two weeks and there are for further action at the end of the fortnight. In Yorkshire, Mespite Bretats from neil state ta sill are still from council staff. relusing to pay despite inreats implementors of the Act on the local council have reinforced the threats. Said Barnsley council leader Ald B. Vanave reinforced the hreats. Said Barnsley council leader Ald B. Varlev If council officers are pressing

GATHERS

tenants to pay tneir rent, wnich inely dee they doing tair athen includes the new increases, All these struggles of the ten- ants against the Housing Finance Act are proceeding in the of and enormous continual trayal by the Labour both nationally and locally.

And now, in fact, so-called leaders of Labour-controlled town halls- elected on to oppose the Act 2UD ane cm the country are launching savage denunciations of the rent strikers, as in Barnsley.

The of the same CrUe Labour Party National Executive Committee. Throughout the year has urged Labour councils to and implement obey Tne the 'fair rents" Act. Then last week's Labour conference, the Party true rela- tionship between La Dour leaders and the Tory government was reveaten urails nee motion non-imple- UrSI and support for Lab. mentalon our councillors defying the Act defeated after the interven- the

NEC

the shape tion "left MP Frank Allaun Although a motion supporting the councillors was carried against the NEC the next day, it was already clear that the Labour demands simply they 702 L reso uBon have the chance. the Labour leaders

HOLE

n essence, have entered an

ODCH

With une Tory government rents and all other questions just

TUC

collaborates with

POONC

Heaths wage-cutting patep sals.

same Al local level it is tne story, with virulent attacks the tenants now being made. Two Tories could take place this week the 41 Labour-controlled councils still defying the Act. camden counci in condon nas for some weeks been negotiating the Depart. concessions the Environment, ment already revealed in the Workers Press. Tomorrow. the policy and committee meets to

ECSOULCCO

its cecce wiemer reverse non-implementation policy.

MORE

THAN

1,000

FROM STEPHEN JOHNS ON MERSEYSIDE

This will then go before Wed- Liverpool nesday's full workers at counci mecuns

CAV,

Mrs Millie Miller, council leader Fazakerley, yester- terday. "This closure is part kinds of incentives to sten Trafalgar Squar day occupied their fac- and clear the October that her council tory and declared a sit-in the Common Market and the factory. had to felt isolated they Ine sland strike against a manage- are the first victims. this Y C

DUL

stop •LO were taking. end or tne The ment closure threat. shop stewards de- away." week they may feel they have the occupation at Lucas workers learnt of some friends. The men are not work- a.m. yesterday. the closure last week when in the north-west. is 1n9-11- -producton is at a *We decided to take the holding an emergency Labour standstill. They will con- the firm told that unen group meeting on Wednesday factory over,' Mr car-pump production at the tinue the strike until the Sa10 Martin, who chairman factory was being phased their position. Last week pound parent

ICVICW

mula-milon of the joint shop stewards Lucas empire its a monon tor implementanon was scraps *We lost 18 to 16. plan to close the plant in told the committee Lucas is building up out- Labour chairman of the housing Just listen Zott, management to get out of put April next vear. type another the factory and they went.

•We determined to pump at its Edgware sub- are Simms convenor win this fight, He said that sidiary, lidudse

TURN TO BACK PAGE

Dave Martin told me yes. Lucas ment nao been orrenne al yorkers lo. 890 • 4p

LIST LABOUR LEAGUE

OCTOBER

FUND £93.85

THE FIGHT

EVERYWHERE, tenants, house- wives, trade unionists, are fighting back against the huge rent increases and constant rises in the cost of living.

union and While trade Labour leaders remain silent, workers becoming more are vociferous than ever against the Tory government. There doubt that is no Workers Press can win a wide every circulation in district. Ours is the only daily paper to expose the absolute retreat of these reformist leaders and instead show the way forward in these decisive struggles.

We Know that you, our readers, are also hit by these huge increases, but we appeal to you all. Our Fund is vital to help to expand and us improve the coverage of our paper. We must therefore make very special effort for our a October Fund. There is no Collect time to waste. more extra amounts wherever you can. Post all donations imme- diately to: Workers Press October Appeal Fund, 186a Clapham High St, London, SW4 7UG. Greenwich, South East London, tenants picketing a local rents office yesterday. See story p. 12. WE

ARE

THE

ERSEYSIDE

factories in owns Spain and has interests in Ger- car part planis. man Fazakerley plant on the When Lucas workers in site have already voted to nine Birmingham factories taken support any action struck earlier last year, by the men. The Liverpool supplies from Germany trades council has also were imported to break the pledged to mobilize sup- dispute. firm The has port on Merseyside. monopoly on fuel injection Yesterday sub-committees systems. of workers were being set This delegates evening to deal with from up canteen all Joseph Lucas and sleeping arrangements north-west plants in the and plant maintenance. will meet in Liverpool to The Fazakerley men discuss the situation. say the closure is part of the • See for centre pages background on Lucas com- Lucas plans for entry into Europe. The firm already bine.

workers press

STRENCH

CAV men occupy closure-threatened plant INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER • TUESDAY OCTOBER 10, 1972 • No. 890 • 4p DAILY ORGAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIALIST LABOUR LEAGUE

AS LABOUR LEADERS RETREAT

BY PHILIP WADE Our Housing Correspondent AS THE SECOND WEEK of the fight against the Tory 'fair rents' Act opened yesterday, tens of thousands of council tenants were still refusing to pay the increases. In Manchester pickets were outside the new rent offices set up by the Labour council. Warrington tenants in Lancashire and at Greenwich in south east London took similar action. Manchester's 'commando squads' were also in action making sure tenants were not harassed by rent collectors. In Northwich, Cheshire, 4,400 tenants are now paying no rent at all and a further 975 are paying less rent than before last Monday's increases. In London's East End, thousands of Hackney tenants are refusing to pay any rent at all for two weeks and there are moves for further action at the end of the fortnight. In Yorkshire, Mespite Breteats from so uncil stars ye ta sill are stil despite threats from council staff. relusing to pay implementors of the Act on the local council have reinforced the threats. Said Barnsley council leader Ald B. Varley: 'If council officers are pressing

GATHERS

tenants to pay tneir rent, wnich inely des they doing tear atten includes the new increases, All these struggles of the ten- ants agalst Ine mousing rinance Act are proceeding in the face of enormous and continual De. trayal by the Labour leauersuip both nationally and locally.

And now, in fact, so-called leaders of Labour-controlled town halls- elected on pledges bally to oppose the Act-un and dowr the country are launching savage denunciations of the rent strikers, as in Barnsley.

The of the sanne unue Labour Party National Executive Committee. Throughout the year it has urged Labour councis to and implement over the 'fair rents' Act. Then last week's Labour conference, the Party true rela- tionship between LaDour leaders and the Tory government was revealed for all to see.

motion non-imple- and support for Lab. our councillors defying. the Act was defeated after the interven-

NEC

the shape the left MP Frank Allaun. LIUl Although a motion supporting councillors the was carried against the NEC the next day, it was already clear that the Labour tea de coads on give, fig about demands will simply if resolution they Toe have the chance. In essence, the Labour leaders have entered an coalition

UPCH

with une government rents and all other questions just

TUC

collaborates with Heath's wage-cutting proposals.

same Al local level it is tne with virulent attacks story, the tenants now being made. Tw capilulatons Tories could take place this week the 41 Labour-controlled councils still detying the Act. camden councu in condon nas for some weeks been negotiating the Depart- concessions Environment, the meal already revealed in the Workers Press. Tomorrow the policy and committee meets to

ICOUULLES

reverse non-implementation policy.

MORE

THAN

1,000 This will then before Wed- Liverpool nesday's full council workers at Hicculls Mrs Millie Miller, council leader

CAV,

Fazakerley, yester- terday. "This closure is part Trafalgar Square day occupied their fac- for Lucas strategy October that her council tory and declared a sit-in the Common Market and they ielt isolated tne sland are the first victims. strike against a manage- were taking. ena or the The ment closure threat. de- snop stewards week they may feel they have at clared the occupation some friends. The men are not work- 9 a.m. yesterday. in the north-west, is •alone. 189-18— 'We decided to take the holding an emergency standstill. They will con- Lour group meeting on Wednesday to factory Mr tinue the strike until the over. sata Last week Martin, who is chairman their position.

1CVICW

mull-mmon pouna parent of the joint shop stewards Lucas empire scraps its a monon tor noene tauoa was lost 18 to 16. plan to close the plant in Commed. tOOl Labout liairman of the housint, listen Zott, management to get out of April next vear. the factory and they went.

'We determined to are this convenor win fight,' He said that manage-

TURN TO BACK PAGE

ment had been offering all Dave Martin told me yes- JAY OCTOBER 10, 1972 • No. 890 •

MITTEE OF THE SOCIALIST LA

ROM STEPHEN JOHNS ON MERSEYSID

part kinds of incentives to step plar up production and clear site the factory. We had to put a stop to this right away.' Lucas workers learnt of ple the closure last week when the firm told them that car-pump production at the factory was being phased out. Lucas is building up out- put of another type of pump at its Edgware sub- the sidiary, Simms Motors. Workers at the Lucas Eur o. 890 • 4p

LIST LABOUR LEAGUE

OCTOBER

FUND £93.85

STEP UP

THE FIGHT

EVERYWHERE, tenants, house- wives, trade unionists, are fighting back against the huge rent increases and constant rises in the cost of living.

While trade and union Labour leaders remain silent, workers are becoming more vociferous than against ever the Tory government. is no doubt There that Workers Press can win a wide every district. circulation in Ours is the only daily paper to expose the absolute retreat of reformist leaders and these Instead show the way forward struggles. in these decisive We know that you, our readers, are also hit by these huge increases, but we appeal to you all. Our Fund is vital help expand and to us to improve the coverage of our paper. We must therefore make very special effort for our a October Fund. There is no more time Collect to waste. extra amounts wherever you can. Post all donations imme- diately to: Workers Press October Appeal Fund, 186a Clapham High St, London, SW4 7UG. Greenwich, South East London, tenants picketing a local rents office yesterday. See story p. 12. WE

ARE

THE

ERSEYSIDE

factories in Spain owns and has interests Ger- in car part plants. man Fazakerley plant the on When Lucas workers in site have already voted to nine Birmingham factories support any action taken struck earlier last year, by the men. The Liverpool supplies Germany from trades has council also were imported to break the mobilize sup- pledged to dispute. The firm has a port on Merseyside. monopoly on fuel injection Yesterday sub-committees systems. of workers were being set This delegates evening deal with canteen up to from all Joseph Lucas and sleeping arrangements in plants the north-west and plant maintenance. meet in Liverpool to will discuss The Fazakerley men the situation. say the closure is part of the • See pages for centre Lucas plans for entry into background on Lucas com- bine. Europe. The firm already

PAGE 2 Workers Press, Tuesday October 10, 1972 What It fits in with the right-wing drive 'law and order, 'morality' and on hostility to the working class.

A Tory witch-hunt There are 77 resolutions on law and order on the Tory conference agenda, we which to pickets' several reter 'violence'. Table ser ike ack ones one.

think Transport General Workers and Union Heath's plan is to play upon middle- 'NO GOVERNMENT in its right senses accompany Common Market entry can (See opposite page). class tears in order to create the atmos only intensify this conflict.

As leaders towards phere for vicitimization of workers' wants conflict for conflict's sake and move Yet and trade that is why we are anxious to tackle the Party care for a witch-hunt against socialist- coalition government, the lories under aw and orderi La DOUr Headers new union chiefs refuse to fight the Tories inflation with the em- legislation. ployers and the trade unions.

on these issues. The working class is and militants. This is the meaning of With the TUC eager for continued Heath's threat that he would isolate left leaderless these decisive But those with whom we talk know 1n class-collaboration soil ve the wong das leader.

Wilson that we are in earnest, we shall not be the bullies'. struggles. company By 'bullies', this spokesman of the The TUC General Council, meeting turned aside from our objective.

This statement, issued by premier today, is desperately seeking a wage- ruling class means all those who lead less and open to serious defeats.

freeze agreement with the workers' resistance to Tory attacks and Edward Heath yesterday, shows that lories and Labour sell-outs. the How we can build alternative leader- conciliatory the Labour the employers. makes attendance at the October Party Heath's declaration is intended to ship leaders become, the more the Tories And the leaders, put forward reassure the middle class, which makes 22 All Trades Unions Alliance confer- intensify their offensive.

their recent conference, Nationwide, workers are fighting the no major differences with the Tories Birmingham all up tae grass-roots membersnip or une ence LOTe Tory Party, on the eve of their Black- urgent for workers, tenants and house- questions as Ireland, on such crucial government on wages, jobs and rells The huge price increases that will rents, wages and the Common Market pool conference. Wives (See delegates' form p. Il).

Peron provides an Japanese rearming election diversion linked to trade war JUAN PERON, the 77-year-old trade unionists can be measured his statement at a press con- ex-Argentine dictator, con- yesterday with a tinued talks terence last Lnursudy he remarked: of delegation his supporters 'Undoubtedly, I have to go to Madrid who have flown to Arcenta. Dul I Shall go from Buenos Aires to plan his

BY JOHN SPENCER

of the yen. JAPAN will almost double another revaluation something. If I am not going to The return to Argentina 8: anything, I shall stay here in apanese military its spending over Was 16 Peronist cent latest reva ued over the next five years under a and air force. The sum involved

VOLY

Cull December last year, but Japan is follows the manoeuvIes tortanie. programme is more than twice the amount still huge payments given Since Franco lifted the ban carlamiche reTon s

TOT

The spent on equipment by National Reconstruction' by Pre- approved yesterday. new Peron's public survius win America British government who National Council the last To avert arother revaluation, sident-General Lanusse Defence ex-ulator the Finance Ministry in Tokyo year. *a positive con- provided press- as series agreed outlay of It is also nearly 100 per cent working out proposals for cuts in tribution solution statements, _the £5,800m for the Fourth Five- Argentina's problems'. the of Japan's more than cost like the he Tarbus Defence Build-up Pro- previous five-year build-up for imports from abroad. Its pre- Year pro- the the plan is lull Moment vious proposals for tax on calls to Argentina free from are merk at diverti the sectors large sition rejected bv lan- domination and for working demanes tor orasticcuts. The money is to be spent The council, presided over bs aka. which him, iron release all •onucal alla Kakuei Tanaka, said The Ministry has scraped on more sophisticated weapons premier it labour union prisoners there.

real fight against the military items including together Peron's concern for imprisoned for the Japanese army, navy the ter Would conunuelo American nuclear umbrella'-an interrated Deals, peas indication that Japan is not yet developing its own A-bombs.

Several Japanese firms are The weapons increase Indian West includes another .280 tanks and 154 helicopters for the German group to develop an army, automatically-propelled destroyers con- nve alla subillarines for the navy and 173 new jets for The programmed Lamicrollo 52,000-ton vessel will be pro- crisis hits the air force. The military man- will vided with an integrated remain just pres- surized water ICaLLUL wUll council decided on the struction is expected to start in 1978. massive military because budget jobs and reasonable' not was out tne possibilty or local armed conflicts, even though a general and tomato juice which - onl 'seemed highly unlikely. It tariff reductions be made. war can production The list is unlikely to impress the noted that despite the relaxation of tension in Asia, the region had Ulted Sies wance as aren not yet achieved 'stable detente'. witnessed the farce of previous Japan has just renewed diplo- schemes proposed by Kein- the of food the relauons wIld canien. danese empiovers enemy, China, and is currently association. treat with the USSR. But pease negotiating peace Japanese big business is simply plaving for time. disguise the off another disastrous revaluation moves do ite to growing appetite for Asian mar- while building the 'military up kets and raw materials among the might it requires to force its way THE INDIAN army was put on the The or monopouss unasan overseas markets. Since the resurgence Japanese the are alert throughout the state of Assam Nixon Shocks begın. last August American foreshadowed by huge nin. language spread yesterday as riots market has been budget. is tar through several districts. In Nowgong closed calecones than the detente with china and Japanese goods and the US the moves to make peace with and Hojai towns 24-hour curfews are in mounting pressure Tokyo for the USSR. operation and there have been reports of more than 100 arrests.

Sihanouk calls for uprising The riots began with student demonstra- establish tions against the decision Bengali- in predominantly university speaking area. Assamese is the state's main PRINCE Norodom Sihanouk, Liberation forces control nant has hit all The Assam riots followed demon- country areas very close to the head of the Cambodian govern- lall, uarc. sections: These women are from capital, which is defended in a strations in the Punjab, where five students the textile trade. ment-in-exile and his premier, half-hearted manner Lon were shot dead by police.

Dy Penn Nouth, have issued a call Nol's The weekend Sihanouk's attack shows that The rapidly worsening for a general uprising in the unemployment problem said food grain production of economic situation is one forces have considerable sup- likely to in 1972-1973 was be country to overthrow the Lon the main causes of the unrest: port in the capital itself.

million below The National Council metric tons to Nol dictatorship. according to a report published Applied Economic Kesearch, the 1971-1972 figure of 106 mi- yesterday Several the countrv s independent said lion tons. times they have This is the first such call dustrial production is virtually mid-year the Fears that the loss of Kharif come close to capturing the Sihanouk since his gov- from to the stagnant and agricultural out- (summer) due town, but they have refrained economy lu Was

DOS

ernment was overthrown with monsoon would be about 15 mil put is likely to be sible to hope that industrial apparently because cowil onl ther tear CIA backing in 1970. It follows growth be anything like tons were exaggerated. The last year's. the US air force would be only 6 million of daring shortfall might be series attacks

1 DCI

to Phnom Unemployment among gradu- which brought the Cambodlan Penh to rubble if it is taken.

ates in India has reached unpre- Sati saction turns out to lief qhat an national 15 millbe liberation forces into the heart be 6 or per cent', the report additional million

TOO LOS

calls Lo of the capital, Phnom Penh.

continual upheavals in the uni- The attack the city tons could be during the on Sale. versities. The increased liberation Such growth rate was far winter and spring, Th More than 100 appears to be part of a co- sufficient contain infla- yield would be million When the Delhi offices of the from troops battled it out ordinated offensive throughout the report said. Bank the National Reserve weekend in the streets with Indo-China. In recent days the

LION

DIICES

advertised 50 vacancies ing by 8.5 percent in the past about rood prices have nsen units of Lon Nol's US-financed South in berton graduate at 14 per cent overall, the report clerks salaries year They blew up the long- Vietnam been army. have pressing £13 said. The cost of fish, and £10 and month The report was issued as the and est bridge Cambodia, the closer to Saigon other body they received 22,000 cent and sugar by 40 per cent in reniles. Sane policy-making on tie so-called Japanese Bridge over including Kontum towns, Minister blandly com- ing Congress Party met to chart ln the last year. the Tonle Sap River. the central highlands. that it illustrated the future economic policy.

WHEN A Labour Party big-shot like Professor Nicholas Kaldor starts praising Tory economic strategy, the working class should be extremely attentive. It announces that large scale treachery is afoot.

In his 'Sunday Times' article, Kaldor examined Heath's proposals for state control over wages and concluded: I view For these new proposals in structure and • con- ception are far superior to anything ever thought of, let alone put forward, in the days of George Brown or during the whole admistration of Harold Wilson' Kaldor and his 'twin', Lord Balogh, were the economic luminaries behind the Wilson government. They were brought out of universities into Whitehall to help frame Labour's so- called economy strategy. week's During last Labour Party conference Kaldor was in Blackpool staying at the Imperial Hotel with Harold Wilson and the other Labour leaders. He still retains a powerful influence over the party's économic policy. We have identified deep similarities between the speech to conference on the economy made by Denis Healey, the shadow Chancellor of the Ex- chequer and the Sunday Times' article by Kaldor.

Both began their analysis describing Heath's by economic attitude to antediluvian; matters as both said he had been forced to change his mind; both said agreement on an incomes policy could only be achieved by creating a socialist environment; both said a Labour government had a better chance of per- suading the working class to accept such a policy. The question to ask is did Kaldor write Healey's speech? In the reproduced ex- tracts on this page it is in- conceivable that some form of collaboration did not take place. link Why is it important to show a link between the thinking of these two men?

By calling for a f2 wage- curb Heath is launching a huge attack on the standard of living of the working class. By accepting the £2 limit as a basis for negoti- ations the unions and the Labour Party have accepted in principle the issue of state control over wages.

Fearing the strength of the working class who have won all the major wage battles this year-with the exception of the engineers -the Labour reformists are rushing to the class enemy and offering their assist- ance. Just as Kaldor sup- ports the Heath plan, so does Healey, but in a less obvious way. When the package was announced, Healey first said it was la step in the right direction'. He con- tinued this theme at the Blackpool conference by saying he did not want to be unfair to what Heath is attempting. Such fair play!

BY ALEX MITCHELL

General Workers' Union abstained leadership The bankrupt Labour sup- After Healey's speech the ports the Torv wage plan conference went on to sup- because it is afraid of the port a resolution calling for militancy of its own sup- a prices and incomes policy.

porters. This Coalition politics is the was passed only because the Transport and order of the day.

PROFESSOR

NICHOLAS

KALDOR,

top economic adviser to the Wilson government, writing in the Sunday Times': Heath, I am sure, really believed that inflation can be cured by monetary measures: by market disciplines, by labour 'pricing itself out of the market'. He really believed that the burden of by redistributing tax- the masses from the better-off, by abolishing ation to or curtailing universal social benefits and all instruments of price control a new healthy vigorous climate would be created, generating investment, increased greater efficiency, more wealth and even full employment. The pressure of events in the course of this year has finally forced him into abandonment of most of these an beliefs and indeed led him to put forward an entirely new policy which in its ultimate implications is the very opposite of everything the new Toryism stood for. For these nev proposals in structure and conception are far superior to anything thought of, let alone ever put forward, in the days of George Brown or 'during the whole administration of Harold Wilson. DENIS HEALEY, shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to the economic debate at the Labour Party conference, Blackpool, on Thursday, October 4, 1972.

But Heath clearly believed in these theories which were developed 100 and 200 years ago. He has really tried to take the government out of the economy. He really believed that the major economic decisions should be decided by the brutal clash of market forces. He believed you could for that only create incentives economic growth by widening the gap between rich and he believed order achieve and that in to poor, an effective market economy he must first break the power of the trade unions by legal sanctions supported by mass unemployment. He has tried to apply these policies and, as we could have told him, they have been a total failure at every single point. Toryism has been tried this time and it has been proved to fail. Now I do not want to be unfair to those proposals because, let us face it, they do represent a total reversal of everything Heath has said and done in some field of inflation for the last two years.

A CALL for picketing of National. Union of milk factories, animal feed Agricultural stuff mills and docks has Workers submitted been made at claim for a £25 minimum Wales Agricultural minimum is £16.20 for 42 O'Kelly, a delegate from Gower. London W1

BOOKS • PERIODICALS • NEWSF

Friday-9 a.m.-7.30 p.m.

CHARLOTTE ST

28

GOODGE ST

a TUBE

TOTTENHAM ÇT RD

Workers Press, Tuesd Denis Healey reading his speech at Blackpool last week.

PICKETING Glasgow barmaids yesterday claimed a complete victory in their bid to stop beer supplies going to 350 pubs and hotels owned by Tennant Caledonian Brewers, the brewery chain.

matter of days, he in a The 1,000 barmaids said. and barmen began their In addition to picketing strike yesterday in sup- the main breweries, pickets port of a claim for a would also be stationed at depots at Inverness, £6-a-week rise to give Dun- dee and Fife. them £21 for a 40-hour Relations week. At present they receive a man quits basic of £15 for a 50-hour week. The strike is officially the Transport Unionists backed by and General Workers' ULSTER'S ex-minister of Union. Community Relations, Dr Picketing barmaids arrived at the gates of the Robert Simpson, has re- signed from the Unionist Tennant Caledonian Well- Party. He said yesterday park brewery early yester- had that his day. All vehicles resignation were been tendered in a letter turned away. Unionist leader Brian David Cairns, the T&GWU's food and drink Faulkner. trade group secretary, said Dr Simpson added that he had immediate in- of the firm's pubs some would not open today be- tention of giving up his cause of the impact of the Mid-Antrim Stor- seat at 'If the As yet, he had pickets. strike goes mont. no on all the pubs will be dry plans to join another party.

NOW OPEN

Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri 9 a.m.—7.30 p.m. Sat 9 a.m.- p.m.

• NEWSPAPERS

088, Tuesday October 10, 1972 PAGE 3

BY OUR OWN REPORTER

SOCIAL WORKERS in six London boroughs are refus- ing to do voluntary night stand-by until some agree- ment is reached on their claim for increased pay for emergency duties. The social workers in Camden, Hackney, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Wandsworth already refusing to do the emergency duties were expected to be joined yesterday by staff from the Newham borough which covers the East London and Dagenham areas. In Manchester, where a recent ballot of social workers showed overwhelming support for indus- trial action, staff will stop stand- by work from next Monday if no settlement is reached. Staff are extremely dissatisfied with the present payment system for stand-by duty which is car- ried out on a rota system vary- ing from once every four to once every ten weeks. At the moment maximum pay- ment for the 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.

stand-by duty once every four weeks in London is £104 an- nually-f2 for a week's duty on stand-by. If a worker is called out he is paid a locally-agreed sum vary- £1.20 in the pro- ing between vinces and £2 in London. During negotiations in Febru- ary this year National Association Officers' of Local Government representatives demanded a joint payment for stand-by and call- out. The London social workers' co-ordinating committee are ask- ing for £7 a session and in the provinces the demand is for £4.

Since this demand was put for- ward, negotiations have been practically at a standstill. The employers have refused to con- sider a joint payment, and have offered a £2.20 increase in call- out payment in the provinces and £4.50 in London. Tomorrow the national nego- tiating committee meets again and many social workers expect that the employers will insist the claim goes to arbitration.

And if nothing is agreed - then inner London staff may well go ahead with their threat to stop all stand-by in the area by Christmas. MANUAL workers in the United Manchester Hospitals Group are to march through the city on Uctober 19 in support of their pay and conditions claim. The manual workers are claim- ing an increase of f8 a week across the board for men and weeks' women, four annual holiday and a 35-hour week.

Support from other trade unionists is being sought for the march, which will coincide with a half-day stoppage by the hospital workers. DIRECTOR-GENERAL of the French Employment Services M.

Jean Quesnel arrives in London discussions on the today for British and French employment services. The visit forms part of the discussions which are pre- ceding Britain's entry into the Common Market. In the Market there is complete mobility of labour between the member- states.

THE JAY LOVESTONE

PAGE 4 Workers Press, Tuesday Octob From Stalinism ... to the CI/ I was not only a personal friend of Bukharin, but I had fundamental agreement with him on international ques- tions, though on Russian questions I had agreement with Stalin and not with him?

— Jay Lovestone, testimony before Dies Committee, 1939- 1940, Investigation of Un- American Propaganda Activi- ties. Reuther, affairs director of America's United Auto- mobile Workers' union, alleged that the leaders of the AFL-CIO unions had 'permitted themselves to be used by the Central Intelligence Agency as a cover for clandestine operations abroad'. • Reuther, whose brother Walter was leader of the auto workers, and a prominent figure in the AFL-CIO, went on to say: "The tragedy of AFL-CIO activities in foreign affairs is that they are a vest pocket operation of Jay Lovestone.'

the following year, when disclosures about CIA involve- ment in the National Student Association, and through it in student affairs around world, sparked off consider- able controversy, Reuther told the press: 'There is a lot bigger story in the CIA's financial and other connections with the AFL-CIO than with students ...I did my best to try to lift the lid on it. And some day it will all come out.' ('New York Post', February 16, 1967.) Since then it has been revealed that the American Federation of State, County Municipal Employees (AFL-CIO), received at least $60,000 annually from

CIA

inter- finance to sources national activity between 1958 and 1964. Together with the Public Service International, to which it is affiliated, this American union was directly involved in the CIA-supported intrigues to overthrow government in British jagan Guiana. International Associa- The of Food and Allied tion Workers' Association, affiliated to the International Confedera- tion of Free Trade Unions, was used as a cover for CIA activity in Panama. General secretary Juul E.

confirmed in 1967 Poulson that this charge, originally made by Reuther, was true.

Poulson said that eight men in Panama and another one active in Colombia had posea as representatives of the Inter- national Association, although its headquarters, in Geneva, knew nothing about them. He added that these men were taking their orders from Andrew C. McLellan, AFL- CIO director for Latin Ameri- can Affairs who, in turn, was working under Jay Lovestone.

Suspicions about this CIA network sometimes be can exploited by old-style Stalinist bureaucrats prepared to use a bit of demonology to keep the ranks in hand. lay October 10, 1972 the CIA. By Charles Parkins. Part 1 More often, particularly in university circles, exposures about CIA connections can arouse a reaction in the form of slick, sick humour, about CIA agents everywhere, which serves as a defence mechanism facing against up the to implications of genuine exposures. The main danger, however, of a lot of the 'exposures' of the CIA that have been pub- lished, is that they often tend to cover up for the rest of the American government and system. American political leaders, so-called liberals' including like the late John F. Ken- nedy, much venerated by the take-letts, share every bit in responsibility for the actions of the CIA and other agencies.

CIA

conspiracies, like the • aggression the 'Green Berets' (who were set up as an unit by Kennedy), are 'élite' part of the maintenance of US imperialism. The hypocritical pretence that the US government is not involved has been impos- sible to keep up; but those liberals and 'lefts' who try to ascribe such operations as the conspiracy by bad' a villains, behind the backs of the US government, are doing their best to provide the US ruling class with an alibi.

Clearly, it is important to expose the connections be- tween the CIA and its servants within the-leadership of the workers' organizations. own It is not enough to depict this simple as a conspiracy, as though perfectly good workers' leaders who had been fighting for the working class and for socialist principles were sud- denly tempted one day to sell out to the enemy class. Betrayal is not such a simple process! It generally takes a little longer. The buying-off begins a little more subtly; and if you examine the leaders' pasts, you are likely to find that they were not so hot on principles in the first place.

In the case of the top leadership of the AFL-CIO in America, möst of them have always believed in the Ameri- can system anyway, being con- tent to obtain what crumbs they could for the American workers from the imperialist table. They have made their whole way of life within the system in this go-between position. The tradition which culmin- ated in outright collaboration with . the CIA can be traced back, at least in part, as far as Samuel Gompers' support for the Spanish-American war, in 1898, the beginning of Ameri- can imperialism. It is always the consequence of wanting peace with your bosses that you must be prepared to sup- port your bosses' wars: over- seas. The collaboration of the AFL-CIO right-wing leader- ship with the CIA can be seen developing from earlier as positions, although the actual way in which this took place is worth analysing. However, the man who has been at the of CIA-labour move- centre ment intrigues, Jay Lovestone, is worthy of more special attention. He is not an 'old-fashioned' right-winger, or 'labour-faker' but a former leader of the American Communist Party!

. Part Three Lovestone In the 1920s became the i Communist Party, with the full backing in the Sovlet Union. Lovestone took part at one time in the meetings of the Communist International and had private meetings with Russian leaders, including Joseph Stalin. In all the exposés that have been written on the

CIA,

whenever the issue of its in- volvement in the American labour movement is discussed, Lovestone's name inevitably crops up. Yet, although his past back- ground is sometimes men- tioned, there is never more than a passing reference.

In his book 'CIA and American Labour', for example, George Morris, a• journalist for the veteran American Communist Party's 'Daily Worker', , says: Jay Lovestone, who has been described as very influen- tial in US policy-making, and in the framing of the

AFL-

CIO's foreign policy, is in- variably referred to as a "former communist" • In 1929 he was expelled after a long struggle within the Communist Party. This simply will not do! Lovestone was not just a 'former communist. He was the general secretary of the American Communist Party.

As for the 'long struggle', if it was so consistent then how did Lovestone to be get general secretary? The truth is that not only was Lovestone able to take the leading Party position and to have his supporters dominate the executive, but he had the express approval and support the Moscow bureaucracy and Joseph Stalin. Communist The present Party of the USA is a Stalinist party and, like its counterparts elsewhere, it cannot face the working class with a truthful account of its history. This is why the Stalinists cannot really account for the renegade Love- stone and prefer to dodge the issue. Lovestone embarked on his career of treachery when he took to the theory of 'socialism one country, which on Stalinism is based, and remains based to this day He entered political life from a background fairly typical of ame the leader of the infant American Il backing of the Stalinized bureaucracy many American socialists and communists in the period of the Russian Revolution. His parents were poor Jewish im- migrants who arrived in the United States from Lithuania • when • he was nine. In New where York, the family struggled to make a living, the young Lovestone was attracted by the socialism of street- corner speakers. He was first attracted to the De Leonite Socialist Labour Party, then to the Socialist Party.

Having got to the College of the City • of New York, he became head in 1917 of the college's chapter of the Inter- collegiate Socialist Society. After leaving college, he for a attended law school time, then did various jobs, in- cluding a drugstore manager and a social worker. Late in 1919 he was a dele- gate to the founding conven- tion of the Communist Party, where he apparently made an impression for his drive and aggression. Although still young, he was elected to the new party's programme com- mittee and to its first Central Executive Committee. In 1921, he was appointed to his first full-time position— editor of the then underground party organ "The Communist'.

Four months later, he became the underground party's assistant secretary, and for most of 1922 he was national secretary. The young American Com- munist Party had to struggle against tremendous difficulties.

There was vicious anti-com- munist witch-hunting and per- secution in America just after the Russian Revolution. There was the problem of isolation, both as a result of the under- and of the ground phase, opportunism of the early 1920s boom years, when on the sur- American capitalism face seemed tremendously strong.

There was also the difficulty inside the Party itself of over- coming theoretical as well as • practical problems, of assimi- lating Marxist theory and of applying it correctly in the American situation. The difficulties which the new Party had in understand- ing and being able to intervene successfully in American history and the labour move- ment have often been attribu- high percentage ted to the foreign-born members. of this did pose Obviously; problems; but what was more party's important was the theoretical weakness, its lack of of the mastery, not English language, but of Marxism. The Russian Revolution had inspired the militants who formed the Party to follow Lenin's example. But they had yet to develop Lenin's method.

Even the best of the CP leaders, such as those who later founded the American Trotsky- ist movement, tended to start from their existing forms of consciousness and to adopt, in the manner of American prag- what seemed to be useful ideas from the Bolshe- viks to add to their existing armoury of militancy. As long as Lenin and Trotsky remained at the head of the Russian Revolution, there was the possibility of a struggle by them successfully transforming the US Party into a revolutionary party capable of the historical tasks before it.

The onset of the bureau- cratic degeneration of the first workers' state that was to give of rise to the dictatorship Stalin reinforced the weak- nesses in the American Party and set in motion the process out of which emerged the rene- gade Lovestone. As the bureaucracy con- solidated its grip on the Soviet Union and the Comintern, it •abandoned Lenin's concept of the Soviet Union as a strong- hold of world revolution and adopted the nationalist theory socialism being that was established and would be built in the Soviet Union, on its with the world com- own, munist movement and prole- tariat being, at best, subordin- allies. This of ate theory 'socialism in one country' was, and is, the ideology of the bureaucracy. Explaining what was meant, Stalin said on January • 25, 1926: ... the possibility of till - the proletariat seizing power and using that power to build a complete socialist society in our country, with the sympathy and supoprt of the proletarians of other countries, but without the preliminary victory of the.

proletarian revolution in other countries. The reactionary con- sequences of this theory for working- international the class movement were that the requirements of the working class and the building of revo- lutionary parties in each coun- try were firmly subordinated to the short-term bureaucratic considerations of gaining use- ful allies and friends for the Soviet Union while it went about 'building socialism'.

In Britain there were some apparently strong 'left' leaders in the TUC who could be sympathetic to the Soviet Union. there were the In China, nationalists of the Kuomintang.

In each case, the indepen- dence of the Communist Party subordinated and its was ability to present a challenge as for of the the leadership masses was destroyed.

CONTINUED TOMORROW

BY JOHN SPENCER

Eight young workers in the Soviet Republic of Lithuania have just been sentenced various to terms of imprisonment and corrective labour in the first batch of fake trials following disturb- ances in May and June this year. When a political protester burned himself to death, the youth of Kaunas took to the streets and rioted for two days. Disturbances began on the day of 20-year-old Roman Kalanta's funeral. Soviet para- troops and KGB units were rushed to reinforce the police garrisons. One policeman was killed and several hundred demon- strators were arrested. Opposition youth among and workers to the Stalinist bureaucracy in the Baltic states has been fermenting for many years. Although it has often taken a nationalistic and religious form, in essence it was a re- action to the bureaucracy which denies the republics the right to self-determination, carrying out to the letter a policy of Great Russian nationalism. This has meant impoșing the Russian language the various nationalities, on the stamping alien officials, out of local customs and the freedom to worship upheld by the Soviet state under Lenin.

For that reason the Kremlin has gone out of its way to malign those involved in the street fighting 'hooligans' ably, just all happened to be on the streets at the same time. The falsification began soon after the riots when Kalanta's suicide was found by an ex- pert commission' not to be politically-motivated, but fol- lowed a 'fit of depression'.

A total ban on all student demonstrations was clamped on Zambia last month by president Kenneth Kaunda, darling of the British Fabians. The ban was announced following student unrest at the Natural Resources De- velopment College on the out- skirts of Lusaka and at the Northern Technical College, Naola. In both cases the demon- against strations were staged the government-owned 'Zambia Daily Mail' which the students claimed had published a story unjustifiably attacking stud- ents' behaviour at the colleges.

Addressing the Zambia National Service passing-out parade at Kafue, near Lusaka, the President said that in future no unlawful student demonstrations would be tolerated. The police would take tough action against any student en- Brezhner and the Kremiin have gone ol involved in street fighting, as 'hooligans' At the trials themselves, the same line was taken. Look at this statement from

TASS

broadcast over the radio on October 3: 'A group of eight people appeared before the Supreme Court of Lithuania in an open trial. They are a motley com- pany, with only drinking habits, criminal past and de- sire for The charges themselves were fantastic, considering what did take place in May and June All eight were accused and found guilty of 'taking active part in an incident in the street, resulting in a disruption of public order and obstruc- tion of the normal operation of traffic' If it really was a case of a few drunks holding up the traffic why did they get such heavy sentences? Four of the eight got three years' jail, two more two years, another 1$ years and the last—a young girl-one year of corrective labour. gaged in unlawful activities and court action would be against students guilty taken of criminal acts committed during demonstrations. Those found guilty • would be automatically expelled and they would be made to pay they had damage any caused, Kaunda said. 'abuse Attacking of privi- leges' in educational institu- tions, Kaunda said subversive elements who had infiltrated incited student bodies and the innocent majority of students to commit unlawful acts would be weeded out.

'Students are free to learn and live in peace and to ex- press their discontent through correct channels. They are not free to break regulations and the law, or to abuse lawful authority or the privileges of free education.' As final warning, he added: 'Over-dramatization of in future be discontent will adequately met by a more dramatic authority, exercise of lawful e gone out of their way to malign those hooligans' and 'drunkards'.

Of course, the broadcast tried its best to cover up the real nature of the events in Kaunus: "The young hoodlums de- cided to settle accounts with the militia, it said. Why eight people not acting as a co-ordinated group in any way decided to set upon the militia is not explained.

Naturally enough, there was no mention of the presence of the para-troopers and the KGB units in the city. ridicu- statements to 'explain' lous their behaviour. I met an old prison-mate and we drank five bottles,' said one. The trials and sentences in Kaunas are only just begin- ning. It is reported that up to 200 youths are being held in jail awaiting trial. Some 20 of them are said to be students at the Technical and Medical of Kaunas. More Institutes 'hooligans, as TASS would have us believe. Workers Press, Tur Another milestone in the Stalinist 'normalization' of Czechoslovakia was the creation last week of Czech Union of a Theatre Artists. Over 230 delegates were present at the meeting in Prague which established the new body. Earlier this year, the Gustav Husak regime forced the dis- bandment of a number of theatre companies whose mem- bers had opposed the 1968 Warsaw Pact occupation. Official speakers brought in to launch the new organization made it clear these people and others like them will not be eligible for membership. Jan Fojtik, speaking for the Czech CP's Central Committee stressed that the artists' unions Husak: Forced disbandment of the theatre companies. Press, Tuesday October 10, 1972 PAGE 5 *ideologically selective are organizations' it He said would be rather strange if they were to let their opponents back 'after all the disruption which the right wing caused in this sphere. 'It does not worry us or deflect us from our purpose if we are reminded that many people still outside our are union,' he said. The foundation of the union marked the end of the hopes of those who had thought that 'with their own public life from departure there would set in a decay of society, of culture and of art.. • The purpose of the new union was spelled out un- mistakably by Klement Gottwald prizewinner Jaroslav Huzera, one of the union's deputy chairmen. He thanked the state for its aid during the 'difficult' period of 'consolid- ation' pledged Czech and theatre workers to adhere to the method of socialist realism.

In case anyone missed the point, reiterated it was in 'Rude Pravo' which said: 'We expect from creative workers in the domains of films, tele- vision and radio, from workers in culture and education in state, trade union and other bodies and institutions a high degree of responsibility, party- mindedness and a principled attitude in spreading art widest groups of among the the population.' In words-toe other the line, write to order or you'll be out on your ear. And with- out the sanction of the Union of Czech Theatre Artists no actor or playwright can work at his trade. The cross of Jesus ran into trouble when Arthur Blessit tried to take it into Spain at the frontier point of Irun in the Basque provinces. The civil guard did not like the look of his six-feet high, ninety-pound Jesus symbol, although apparently they did not take exception to his 'turn on to Jesus' stickers. Even the prayers of his suitably named wife, Sherry, had no effect on the guardians of Franco's law and order.

No doubt, Blessit was a spot of pleasant light relief for the Basque police who are in the midst of a campaign against the Basque nationalists, 80 of whom have been arrested in the last month. Unlike the members of the Basque separatist movement, the ETA, the cheery evangeli- cal only lost his cross: he is free to propagate his views, whose anti-communism more grist to Franco's mill.

HOW JOSEPH LUCAS BUILT'HIS EMPIRE

PAGE & Workers Preca, Tueaday October 10, Ian Yeats examines the facts behin The fate of CAV's vehicle.

pump factory at Fazaker- ley, Liverpool, was sealed at a series of board meetings nearly four years ago. That the factory is now to be shut down with the loss of 1,000 jobs is no surprise to top brass at Joseph Lucas (Industries) Ltd who own CAV. They planned it. diesel Side plan mail workers transe , as many workers at the Tuaeday October 10, 1972 the facts behind the Fazakerley closure in Liverpool doomed plant think. ing of Lucas. The Simms- government's credit squeeze, It will be Hobbs tie-up was part of this.

discontinued and Lucas no Winde the contracting market for compunction putting the in Other parts of shake- will be supplied with up calculated to give Lucas a thousands production Dulls later and more efficient models workers in its car-components commanding position in the trom combine's and factories on short time. motor acIo factories. space industries included the The historic British-Leyland The seeds of this change- taking of the special

OVEI

merger took place al tne same over were sown in 1969 when, products division of

GEC-

time, reducing the number of English Electric and Vactric. armed with a tim loan from vehicle-builders to four and the Labour government's The hoped-for and achieved foreshadowing what everyone Industrial Reorganization Corp.

result of all this was to turn expected would be the inevit- oration, Lucas bought out its the Lucas combine, which able 'consolidation' of motor- two only rivals- -Simms Motor besides its UK interests component suppliers. also Units and H. B. Hobson. owns 27 foreign subsidiaries in Despite several investigations 16 into world countries, by the Monopolies Commission giant capable competing Lucas and certain of its with the corporations of There was no foot-dragging into huge Europe, the US and Japan.

combine's subsidiaries, the at the branchae backed by Anthony Wedgwood The reorganization followed headquarters and personnel Benn's Mintech, came down in considerable drop car and marketing teams rapidly sales, aggravated by the Labour favour of a further strengthen- set about concreting the plications of the mergers.

Throughout motor choponents angroups factories, employing space 80,000 people, a massive labour shake-out was accom- anied by a drive to introduc Measured-Day Work and ner payments systems. At Lucas, CAV and Girling down • wave of strikes against the new conditions. These lasted throughout the year and drew harsh words from Lucas about the need for orderly industrial The oblige them and in the same the Industrial Relations year Act became law Lucas eave the party and organizations sup- porting it, including the anti- Aims nationalization total of £12,500 Industry, from profits. In April 1970, Lucas duced the final blueprint of the master plan for diesel pump production which was to. lead to today's axing at Fazakerly.

Lucas announced a £13.5m expansion which would allow it to modernize certain exist- ing plants producing vehicle pumps and build one entirely new factory in Gillingham, Kent. This cost £5.7m and, with 20,000 sq it of floor space, was eventually capable of turning 45,000 fuel-injection out pumps a day. Three plants already existed at Sudbury, Suffolk, but the complex was extended by 72,000 ft to allow diesel sq nozzle production to rise from 4t to 7 million with consequent increases in injector pro- duction. Of Lucas's factories at Fin- chley and Colindale in north production London, capacity at the latter plant was raised by 50 per cent. Even at this time Lucas was looking towards Europe and at the same time as the improve- ments were being made to its UK plants, investments new were made in France and Spain.

A flm extension to the Roto Diesel factory at Blois, France, raised capacity there by 25 per

KAL

VEKSEYST * DOCKER

SHOP

T Chl

UNITYAS STRENGTH

DEFEND

The world demand for diesel Left: Liverpool shop stewards of fulfilled by Lucas. combine cent output pumps march during January 12, Fazakerley is not needed.

Condiesel plant Barcelona, the demonstration against Spain. Rationalization, work-study, Industrial Relations Act. Top: supervision systems, including workers join march. the bitterly resisted tele- Above: on a one-day strike.

control, pushed up the return Spain Workers in Harsh management has kept on Lucas' capital-the aim of taking home only about f6 a the whole exercise. Lucas profits rising even in the pay and at the Sudbury In 1967 the group's turnover midst of and week recession after factory, which the became was Even after the sacking literally thousands of t184m. of the Rolls-Royce apple Lucas eye, car collapse, which over the past four years components whizzed along hit the combine's aerospace another 1,000 at Fazakerley are nylon from one fully- 1971 tubes divisions, the unlikely to weigh on its corpor- and unattended automated rose to £320m. ate conscience. machine tool to the next until Profit in 1967 was £10.7m, The Fazakerley plant is the job was done. rising to f15.1m in 1971.

'millions This losing of pounds a The foundation was now laid of and with reduced plant year, despite the impact veds for further rationalization 15 able to keep with existing recession- per cent up. demand and brighter prospects the diesel-pump production slump in the demand for diesel units. These factories have now 1970-1971— in the Common Market, Lucas engines between taken over the supply of all expected to go up to fl9m.

will not tolerate a loss-maker.

HOW STALIN PAVED

THE WAY FOR HITLER

Part eleven of a series by Tom Kemp on the history of the German Communist Party PAGE 8 Workers Press, Tuesday Oclot Part eleven of a series by Tom The 12th congress of the German Communist Party (KPD) in 1929, the last legal one held by the Party, endorsed the left The strikes then turn. going on were seen as the first skirmishes of the revolution. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) was described as 'social fascist'. Theorists tried to give this meaningless term a semblance of truth by claiming that the SPD was based on a workers' whose interests aristocracy were enlaced with the big monopolies and the state.

The KPD, of course, was only echoing Stalin when it used the term 'social fascist'.

Apart from its unscientific character, this term caused un- told harm because it made it impossible to break SPD workers away from their leaders or to pursue a united- front tactic which would per- joint activity against mit Nazism. The 'social fascism' formula made it impossible to distin- guish between different forms of bourgeois rule and the combinations different class which they represented. it in In his attack on 'Germany—What Next?' Leon Trotsky the matter put squarely as follows: 'Social Democracy, which is today the chief representative of the parliamentary-bourgeois derives its support regime, from the workers. Fascism is supported by the petty bourgeoisie. Social Democracy without the mass organizations of the workers can have no in- Fascism cannot en- fluence. trench itself in power without annihilating workers' organizations. The parliament is the main arena of Social Democracy. The system of fascism is based upon the destruction of parliamentarism.

'For the monopolistic bourgeoisie, the parliamentary and fascist regimes represent only different vehicles of dom- ination: it has recourse to one or the other, depending upon the historical conditions. But for Social Democracy and fascism, the choice of one or the other vehicle has an inde- pendent significance, more than that, for them it is a question of political life or death.'

Anlysing fascism in 1931, Trotsky emphasized: 'It doesn't only mean thet the forms and methods of government are changed in accordance with the patterns set by Mussolini-the changes in this sphere ultimately play a minor role-but it means, first and above all, that the workers' organizations are an- nihilated; that the proletariat is reduced to an amorphous state; and that a system of administration is created which deeply into the penetrates masses and which serves to frustrate the independent crystallization prole- • of the tariat. Therein precisely is the essence of fascism.' The theory of 'social fascism' employed by the KPD was until the end and continued to be used by the Comintern until 1934-1935. It is only in the last few years that the Communist Parties have admitted that this whole left turn, including "social fascism' description of Social as a day October 10, 1972 y Tom Kemp on the history of the Above: SPD anti-fascist demonstration li Democracy, was a disastrous mistake. Even now it is not explained how Stalin adopted this policy nor why the CPs swallowed it without opposition. In fact they cannot make an honest reckoning with this period at it all because the raises question of Stalinism and the theory of 'socialism in one country', ', to which they still adhere. Least of all can they admit the correctness of Trotsky's criticism. As the effects of the de- pression spread in Germany, the Weimar Republic was plunged into a prolonged which culmin- political crisis ated in 1933 with Hitler's accession to power. The era of relative political stability came to an end in March 1930 with the defeat of the coalition government and the failure of Brüning to form a viable al- ternative. In the elections which in September the followed KPD campaigned on the slogan 'Struggle against fascism-for the dictatorship of the prole- tariat'. • The SPD lost about 500,000 votes and the KPD gained 1.25 million. However, the Nazi vote soared from 800,000 to 6.5 million against 8.5 million for the SPD and of the German Communist Party natration in Berlin in July 1932. One of the last 4.5 million for the KPD Ignoring or underestimating the significance of Hitler's vote the KPD declared itself, in typical Stalinist fashion, the only victor in the election!

Normal parliamentary government had come to an end. A majority coalition could not be formed and Brüning ruled by decree under Article 49 of the Weimar Constitution, embarking on a deflationary policy in an attempt to meet the economic collapse. Whatever the new govern- ment was, it was not fascist, as it was instantly labelled by the KPD. Later, under pressure from the Comintern, this was modified to 'a government for the realization of fascist dictatorship'-the meaning of which was left obscure. The complexity of the situ- ation gave Thaelmann every opportunity to reveal his mediocrity as a theorist. The which followed governments each other in Germany • were now all fascist or near-fascist, of course, with the SPD, always "social fascist'. The main struggle was directed against the SPD. In May 1931 the Central Com- mittee found: 'The fascist dictatorship represents in no way a contradiction in principle with bourgeois democracy, under which the dictatorship nd of finance capital is also t the last efforts before fascism took over.

realized.' KPD's leading The body followed this up in February 1933 with the following: 'Democracy and fascist dictatorship only two are forms which • hide the Same content... but they also move together as far as methods are concerned and interlace.'

was not clear whether Germany was already fascist or on the brink of fascism. There were different nuances theory 'social of the fascism' expressed in the KPD criticism of the most extray.

from time to time, some agant formulations. Thaelmann himself took to task a Party written: hack who had social - democratic coalition ... would be a government his thousand times worse than an open fascist dictatorship.

The view was general, that a fascist re- moreover, gime would be short-lived.

The slogan 'After the Nazis- Our Turn' became popular with the KPD in the last year or two of the Weimar Repub- lic. By smashing the SPD and the Nazis the trade unions, would clear the way for the proletarian dictatorship, argued Remmelle, one of the main Party leaders. The KPD's frenzied ultra- declarations took unemployment precedented and economic chaos. Eight million workless roamed the factories closed streets as doors and whole in- their dustrial areas became lifeless.

The ordeal was scarcely less great for the peasants who could not sell their crops, or only at low prices, and the middle class, which saw itself thrust down into the ranks of the proletariat. These were the conditions under which millions turned to Hitler and the Nazis and the real fascist danger grew.

Nevertheless, the KPD did not modify its 'social-fascist' line: 'We cannot defeat fascism without destroying Social- Democracy... it is only when the mortal blow has been struck against Social De- mocracy, the principal social support of the bourgeoisie, shall be able to that we and destroy the conquer principal class enemy of the class — the bour- geoisie. Every KPD leaflet, pamph- let and newspaper harped on the same theme. Thaelmann Stalin's phrase that cited Social Democracy were not antipodes but twins. The SPD as the 'moder- was described ate wing' of fascism!

CONTINUED TOMORROW

BY JOHN SPENCER

What does American big business stand to gain from the trade treaty Nixon is currently con- cluding with the Soviet Union? Commerce Secre- tary Peterson gave out some of the answers in a recent speech to the Cali- fornia Chamber of Com- merce. Peterson heads the Ameri- can delegation to the US- USSR commercial commission which is now putting the final touches to a package trading agreement including mari- time deal, settlement of the outstanding Soviet wartime debt to the US and matters of credit and trade. The final package is expec- ted to be ready for signing be- fore the end of the year—a comprehensive agreement tak- ing into account practically all , problems which conceivable might arise in the trading re- lationship between the two countries. Peterson called it 'a sturdy well-engineered bridge' and between America and the Soviet Union. Justifying the new deal, he referred to its political implications: 'The worlds of international politics and international com- ... intimately merce are linked. Relaxation of political and commercial tension stands in both cause and effect rela- tionships to one another.

'As political relationships improve, commercial relation- ships increase. As commercial relationships increase, the in- political centive to avert differences is strengthened.'

These words will doubtless be noted with justified suspi- cion by the liberation fighters in Vietnam who have more than once voiced their hosti- lity to the US-Soviet rap- prochement. Peterson was quick to re- assure those who thought a flood of cheap Soviet goods undermine American would markets: Nothing domestic could be less likely ... Any- one who saw what I saw [in the Soviet shops] could hardly believe that the Soviet Union poses much of a threat to US producers at least in the con- sumer-goods market. sale in 'The goods on Moscow were characterized by non-competitive features and extremely high prices... The products which United the States is most likely to sell to the Soviets - machine tools, machinery and equipment and grain — have a considerably higher labour content than the raw materials which will constitute the bulk of our im- ports from them.' This is a shrewd capitalist assessment of the real rela- tionship between the Soviet economy and that of the United States. Because of its inherited backwardness, its isolation from the centres of capitalist production and the Sovlet CP chief, Brehzi bureaucratic of the Stalinists, economv 1s in compete on equal the US. the US careful have beer that the Soviet Unior tionship from its sta benefit in tionship poly of foreign trade said monopol questions dumping laws. 'In the Soviet Unic ling price of a good necessarily bear the to the production as it The country. state arbitrarily test meaningless.' For this reason, he US was insisting on hensive agreement would exclude of Soviet 'dumping' markers allayed any suspicior US was proposing t on the embargo "strategic' goods to t 'This nation's not been, and will n the on bargaining said. One of the Soviet Soones natural gas: that US energy ments are doubling years ana sala schemes present would soon become natural gas supplier, both the Middle Venezuela. This, n the 'increasing! able' group of Oi Exporting and malniy East would benefit, he sai were doing ilready 1 of wheat. These sales continue, dramati, noting the between the on farms in and the USA. 'In 1971, the aver: farmer produced ninth the amount pr his American Peterson said. He also referred let, Brehznev, recent host t mismanagement the Soviet in no position to equal terms with negotiators careful to ensure iet Union does not benefit in the rea. m its state mono- ign trade. Peterson raised monopoly about US viet Union the sel- f a good does not bear the same rela- of its

COST

as it does in this of the eason, he said, the sting on a compre- which greement, possibility the umping' on Ameri- Similarly, he suspicion that the posing to end its Do the exe USS. export security has ad will not be, put he gaining table, he main American e deal is to corner oil and Peterson pointed S energy require 15 every unae.

USSR

nemes the become the No supplier, surpassing East and said, would erican dependence easingly unpredict Countries Middle Farmers too it, he said, as they already from sales es were likely to said, cynically 'dramatic contrast' productivity arms in the USSR the average Soviet only one- nount produced by counterpart, referred to the ent host to Nixon and Kissinger juicy prospect of selling machinery and equipment — and even whole factories-to Soviet Union. US firms the had applied for export licences well over $1,000m in worth anticipation of contracts on the giant Kama river project in Siberia he said. There were also rosy pros- pects for export of electrical and non-electrical machinery to the USSR, present levels accounting only for a 'mini- scule $60m' a year. One outstanding problem, Peterson said, the was question of credit terms to fi- nance big export deals. Be- cause the rouble is a non- convertible currency and Soviet foreign exchange re-

USSR

serves are small, the will have to raise loans in the US to finance its purchases there. Peterson made it clear that there will be no question of specially low rates of interest such loans, though on the Soviet negotiators would like two per cent and ten years'.

He pointed out that the 'enormous amounts of credit' would be involved in some of the prospective deals— espe- cially as the US will have a substantial balance-of-pay- ments surplus with the USSR during the first stage of the agreement. He spoke of loans worth $5,000m for just two major projects-a which prospect must have set bankers' mouths watering in his audience. This sum, he said, was almost one- third of the total loans at present made by the US Im- port-Export Bank, and almost four times the Bank's total loan to any other country.

Peterson speaks as a well- is informed bourgeois who thoroughly aware of the poli- economic implica- tical and tions of the US-Soviet deal.

His frank statements about US intentions are in marked contrast with the secrecy and double-talk of the Stalinist bureaucrats in the Kremlin who enter this agreement with words about 'peace- deceptive ful co-existence' and attempt to fool the working class about their real relationship with US big business. Workers Press, Tuesday October 10, 1972 PAGE 9 widow exceeds standard the rate of the national insurance widow's pension is to be dis- Working-class parents--strug- regarded. gling to keep their 15-year-olds What this means is that at school in the face of higher widows whose husbands died school meal charges and adult as a result of old age, illness, bus-fares for children will be accidents, violence, or are interested in what the rich are financially worse off than those still managing to pay out for whose husbands the were the education of their ofispring.

victims of industrial or war We are told that in spite of injuries. It takes no account of an annual 10-per-cent rise in the woman's needs or com- fees, the great private boarding mitments, and widows pen- schools are doing well. sions are counted in full for Eton this term costs £287, tax purposes. which for a year amounts to This, incidentally, also £861, as compared with £765 applies supplementary before the last rise in May allowances. 1970. National insurance widows' After renovation of build- pensions are trachousands no ings some extra bedrooms have age, thousands been made available, the school women get only £1.80 a week, is full to capacity with a roll and thousands more receive of about 1,240. It expects to nothing at all after the first go on being full up even though few weeks of widowhood. fees are due to rise again in January by at least a further 10 per cent. is Harrow charging now £849 and Marlborough £942 for the privilege of a year's tuition. (In practice, parents have to pay for all sorts of extras over and above the fee.

Marlborough Apparently in- cludes more of these in its fee, so that the total cost of Eton or Harrow is probably just as high as Marlborough, if not higher.) "- Highest of all is Millfield.

The inclusive charge there in the last academic year was towards £1,500 for boarders and about £750 for day pupils.

This the year approximate figures are £1,600 and £820.

Says Millfield Headmaster Atkinson: Parents to seem have got to the stage where they go on paying no matter what the price is. I suppose there might be some process by which independent schools 'free' The total press is a automatically become delayed mythology. The papers print beneticiaries of stock market what they want to print. Take booms? the 'Daily Telegraph'. For the What happens when the five years this Tory- past markets slump? owned newspaper has conduc- ted a poll each month among Tory and asked the voters 'Who do The Housing Finance following Act, as question: lead the well doubling think should as rents, has you injustice Conservative Party?' brought another 1n which will affect thousands of On every month but two the answer has been Enoch Powell.

women. The Act states that in calcu- But 'Telegraph' has only the of the lating a rent rebate, up to £2 published the results of the amount by which the poll on the two occasions the pension of an industrial or war answer has been Heath.

LEON TROTSKY:

Germany 1931/1932 Paperback £1.25—cloth £1.87} Where Is Britaln Going? Paperback 37½p Revolution Betrayed Paperback 624p—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 :

NEW PARK PUBLICATIONS

186a Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UG.

PAGE 10 Workers Press, Tuesday Oclober 10, 1972 9.38 Schools. 12.30 Ar y trywydd.

12.55 1.00 Pebble Mill at News one. 1.30 Camberwick green. 1.45 Canvas. 2.00 Schools. 2.50 WEALDSTONE: Tuesday Octo- Countryman. 3.15 Escape to ful- ber 10, p.m. Wealdstone filment. 3.45 Rosla and after. 4.10 Play Magic round- Labour Hall, Station Approach, school. 4.35

•ATUA

Road. confer- 4.40 4.55 Station about. Jackanory. ence'. Animal magic. 5.20 John Craven's 5.25 Josie newsround. and the WANDSWORTH: Tuesday October and pussycats. 5.45 News 10, 8 р.т. Selkirk Hotel, Selkirk weather. Road, SW17. 'ATUA conference'.

6.00 NATIONWIDE.

CLAPHAM: Tuesday October 10, 8 p.m. Clapham Baths, Clapham

6.40 FILM: 'THE CRACKSMAN'.

Manor Street, SW4.

'ATUA

con- Charlie Drake. Adventures ference'. of a master locksmith. MANCHESTER: Wednesday

8.30 MY WIFE NEXT DOOR

For Richer, For Poorer October 11, 7.30 p.m. Mil- ton Hall, Deansgate. Fight

9.00 NINE

O'CLOCK NEWS.

the rent Act! Build Councils Weather. of Action!' 9.25

DOCUMENTARY:

'CAN-

CER:

MEETING

THE

SOUTH EAST LONDON: Thursday

CHALLENGE'®

The cur- October 12, 8 p.m. Deptford En- ability of cancer. Club, gineers' New opposite 'The Cross Station.

ATUA

10.45

MID-WEEK.

ference'

11.30 LATE NIGHT NEWS.

LEICESTER:

October Thursday 12, 8 p.m. 'Queen's Hotel'. Rut- 11.35

THE OPEN PERSUADERS.

land Street. 'ATUA conference'. Bakewell Joan interviews George Bruce, poet. GLASGOW: Thursday October 12, 11.50 Weather. 7.30 p.m. Trades Hall, Clydebank. and the ATUA conference'

'UCS

WILLESDEN:

Thursday October

ITV

12, 8 Trades Labour p.m. and Hall, High Road, NW10.

'ATUA

conference' 9.30 Schools. 12.00 Magic ball.

12.15 Women today. 12.45 Crafts-

SWANSEA:

Thursday October Sound of Dorita 12, 7 p.m. Swansea Council of men. 19.40 Services Pepe. 1.25 Felix the Social Building, Mount cat. Pleasant Hill Flintstones. 2.05 Castle haven. (next to fire station). 2.30 Good afternoon. 3.00 Charlie Brown •.30 show. 4.25 Danger Sooty BARNSLEY: Friday October 13, man. show. 4.50 Magpie. 5.20 I dream of 7.30 p.m. Community Hall, Laithes Jeannie. 5.50 News. 'The rents struggle and Crescent. the ATUA conference.' Speakers:

6.00 TODAY.

Robbie Roberts (Dodworth Stones miner), Chris (chairman,

6.30 CROSSROADS.

Athersley Ray Jaxon tenants), (South Yorks YS)

6.55 MY GOOD WOMAN.

CENTRAL

LONDON (Entertain- 7.25

FILM: "THE PLAINSMAN'.

and press branch): Sun- Don Murray, Guy Stock- ments 15, 7 р.m. day October London well, Abby Dalton, Brad- Western School of Film Technique, 24 ford Dillman. Street, WC2. Speaker: about Wild Bill Hickok. Shelton Royston Bull, industrial corres- 9.00

ARMCHAIR THEATRE:

pondent of 'The Scotsman' (in a

'THE CREDITORS'.

Susan- personal capacity). nah York, Kenneth Haigh,

DAGENHAM:

Tuesday October Anthony Corlan. Adapta- 17,8 p.m. Co-op Hall, tion of the August Strind- Fanshawe 'Force Avenue, Barking. the berg classic. Tories to resign.

10.00 NEWS AT TEN.

KENT: Thursday October 19, 10.30 DR

PRICE

1800-1893. 'The Legion', Burgess p.m. Story of the life of William Road. Aylesham. Reinstate Wil- Price of Liantrisant, doctor Griffiths fitters. Prepare the liam and iconoclast. With Wit Speakers: conference?

ATUA

liam Squire. and leading Griffiths' striker Kent miner (both in a personal

11.30 PROFESSIONAL WREST•

capacity).

LING.

12.15

MUSIC MATTERS.

The dally paper that leads the fight against the Tories. £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., Irculation Depf., Workers Press London, Sw4 7UG I would like to take out a subscription to Workers Press.

THURSDAY

MONDAY

Days required

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

(Please tick)

SATURDAY

WEDNESDAY

Or Full subscription (six days) for months. Name Address Amount enclosed f Elleen Atkins plays the title role In Duchess of Malti' on BBC 2.

BBC 2

11.00-11.25 Play school. 1.15-1.40 Medicine today. 5.35-6.00 Open University. 6.35 WORKERS AT RISK. Who's Responsible?

7.05 OPEN UNIVERSITY.

7.30 NEWSROOM. Weather.

8.00 FLOODLIT

RUGBY

Helens v LEAGUE. St Leeds. Socialist Labour League

LECTURES

THE THEORY AND

PRACTICE OF MARXISM

Given by Cliff Slaughter (SLL Central Committee member) The nature of capitalism Monday October 16

PEEL HOTEL

Boar Lane, 8 p.m. Historical materialism today Monday October 23

PEEL HOTEL

Boar Lane, 8 p.m. Building the revolutionary party Monday October 30

PEEL HOTEL

Boar Lane, 8 p.m.

REGIONAL TV

CHANNEL:

9.30-12.00 London. 3.50 Puffin. 3.55 Odd couple. 4.25 London. 5.20 Shirley's world. 5.50 6.00 News. London. 6.10 Police file. 6.15 Lookaround. 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Film: 'Alaska Seas. My 8.30 good woman. 9.00 12.15 News, London. weather. WESTWARD. As Channel except: 12.00 Gus Honeybun. 3.53 News. 6.00 12.15 Diary. 12.12 News. Faith for life.

SOUTHERN:

9.30-12.00 London. 1.05 News. 1.10 in the

JOOS

house and garden. 1.35 Dick Van Dyke. 2.00 Freud on food 2.25 Film: 'It's Never Too Late'.

4.10 Houseparty. 4.25 London. 5.20 Cartoon. 5.25 Crossroads. 5.50 6.00 Day London. by day. 6.40 Jimmy Stewart. 7.05 McMillan and wife. 8.30 My 9.00 good woman. London. 12.15 News. 12.25 Weather.

HARLECH:

9.30 12.15 London. A Woobinda. 12.45 Rivals. 1.45 House- place of her own. 2.30 party. 3.00 Saint. 4.00 Hare brush.

Tinkertainment. 4.25 London.

5.20 Gustavus. 5.25 Crossroads. Report 5.50 London. 6.01 West. 6.15 Report Wales. 6.30 Bless Film: this 7.00 'Apache house. Rifles'. 8.30 My good 9.00 London. 12.15 Drive in. 12.45 Weather. HTV Cymru/Wales 7 and 41 4.10-4.25 Miri above except: mawr. 6.01-6.15 Y dydd. HTV West as above except: 6.15 6.30 Report West. ANGLIA: 9.30 London. 2.00 Jun- House- kin. 2.30 London. 3.00 3.15 Randall and Hopkirk.

party. 4.10 Cartoon. News. 4.25 4.20 London. 5.20 Chimp. 5.50 Lon- don. 6.00 About Anglia. 6.35 Film: 'Cast Crossroads. 7.00 Long Shadow'. 8.30 My good woman. 9.00 London. ATV MIDLANDS: 9.30-12.15 Lon- don. 2.40 Jokers wild. 3.10 Horo- 3.15 Women today. 3.40 scope. Dick Van Dyke. 4.10 Enchanted house. 4.25 London. 5.20 Jackson Five. 5.50 Today. London. 6.00 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Film: 'Apache Rifles'. 8.30 My good 9.00 12.15 woman. London. Stories worth telling. 12.20 Jason Weather. King.

ULSTER:

11.00-12.15 London. 1.30 News. Cartoon. 1.40- 1.32 2.42 Schools. 4.00 Romper room.

tle role in tonight's Stage 2 production 'The 4.20 4.25 London. 5.20 News. Partners. 5.50 London. 6.00 Re- 7.00 Film: ports. 6.35 Crossroads. Wizard'. 8.30 My good Diamond 9.00 woman. London. YORKSHIRE: 9.30 London. 12.15 Common Market cook book. 12.45 Jimmy Till I end my 1.45 song. 2.15 Cartoon. 2.30 Lon- Stewart.

8.50 WHEELBASE.

3.55 3.00 World snooker. don. 4.25 Dr Simon Locke. London. 5.20 Shirley's world. 5.50 Lon-

9.25 PLAY. 'THE DUCHESS OF

6.00 Calendar, don. weather. MALFI'. Stage 2 presenta 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Cartoon Eileen Atkins, tion with time. 7.05 Film: 'In Broad Day. Michael Bryant, Charles 12.00 Scot- light'. 9.00 London. Kay, T. P. McKenna, Gary Yard 12.35 land mysteries. Bond, Weather.

GRANADA:

9.30 London. 12.15 11.25 NEWS ON 2. Weather.

Sean the leprechaun. 12.30 Rain- 1.00 Galloping bow country. 1.30 Junkin. 2.00 Un- gourmet. 11.30

THE OLD GREY WHISTLE

tamed world. 2.30 Looking at 3.00 Saint. 3.55 Scales of justice.

TEST.

4.20 News. 5.15 Peyton London. Place. 5.50 London. 6.00 News. Put it in writing. 6.25 Sky's the limit. 7.00 Cartoon 7.05 festival. Film: 'Longstreet'. 8.30 My good woman. 9.00 London.

TYNE TEES:

9.30 London. 12.15 Alexander the greatest. 12.50 Edgar Wallace. 1.45 Jimmy Stew- 2.15 Felix THE NATIONAL Union of art. the cat. 2.30 world of Kreskin. Amazing 2.59 Teachers yesterday became the News. 3.00 Calling Gan- Doctor first trade union to enter the non. 3.55 Funny face. 4.25 Lon- don. 5.20 Shirley's world. 5.50 travel agency business. It London. 6.00 Today. 6.35 Cross- launched comprehensive 7.00 Cartoon. a 7.05 Film: roads. travel booking and advisory woman. London. service available to the public News. 12.30 Epilogue. as well as its 314,000 members SCOTTISH: 9.30 London 12.15 No small change. 12.45 To see and their families. 1.10 Quentin Durgens ourselves. 2.05 Nanny the professor. and The established company, Dateline 2.30 Scotland. 3.00 through the union's publishing Country calendar. 3.15 Cham- Pub- company, the Schoolmaster 4.10 Enchanted house. lishing Company Limited will be pions. the 4.25 London. 5.20 Crossroads. known as Professional Today. Limited- 5.50 London. 6.00 Travel Association 6.30 Smith. 7.10 Cartoon. 6.40 Adam

PETAL.

Columbo. 8.30 My good woman. The publishing company 9.00 London. 12.15 Late call.

says that apart from the restricted GRAMPIAN: 10.58 London. 12.15 facilities of the National travel Dick 12.45 Dyke. Danger Van Union of Students, the NUT is man. 1.38 Schools. 2.45 Cartoon.

the first trade union to become 2.57 Let's face it. News. 3.00 in the involved general travel 3.30 Survival. 4.00 Lucy show. field. 6.00 News. 4.25 London. 6.05 Top team. PETAL chairman Ben Johnson, 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 'There is a Film: Cartoon. said: demand 7.05 "In Broad large Daylight'. 12.15 among union members for a pro- 9.00 London. fessional travel service.'

Meditation.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

OVER 300 men at Midland Motor Cylinder, part of the Birmid Qualcast Group, in Smethwick, Birmingham, are faced with the closure of their plant. In mid-August, the North Works • No 1 foundry was scheduled for the axe under rationalization plans, but the MC foundry in Middlemore Road is to be closed instead..

This is because of 'the unre- liable history of labour relations at Middlemore Road', according to Mr C. S. Johnson, the com- pany's managing director.

He claimed that mould equip- ment had been improved and an "improved earnings plan' had been offered to the workers who had twice rejected it and gone on strike. incentive Under the new scheme it is alleged that A-grade workers could earn £46 for 40 hours if they averaged 60 moulds an hour. But men at the foundry say this target is almost impossible, despite the speed-up created by One of the favoured unre!

A STRONG attack on the existence of the National Dock Labour Board has been launched by the Freight Trans- port Association. In evidence to the National Ports Council, they say that the NDLB was 'outdated in con- cept and no longer operated in 'the best interests of dock lab- our or port management'. Also attacked was any sugges- tion that traffic should be moved away from the non-Scheme ports or the private wharves to the registered docks. The association made it plain that the use of non-Scheme ports enabled shipowners and firms to bypass well- transport MORE SUPPORT has come in for the principle of dis- pensation of working - class newspapers in the event of another stoppage of national newspapers, such as the one that took place over the im- prisonment of the five dockers. Portsmouth Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers' shop stewards' quarterly meet- ing voted overwhelmingly for dispensation for all working- class newspapers. In Ellesmere Port, Mersey- side, the workers' transport vehicle building and automotive group 6/760 No. 4 branch has new pumping machinery which increases track speeds from 6ft to 8ft a minute. Previously, the men were re- quired to produce 40 moulds an hour. A further obstacle to the higher productivity is that the foundry section is in the centre of many processes and is suscep- tible to hold-ups. The company now says it has lost £400,000 since 1967 in in- dustrial disputes and now wants the foundry down, to close despite increased production and investment in new machin- ery. The men, point out however, that there has been a contraction in orders from motor and trac- tor industries and • that short- time working has been common.

Union organizers have offered the company to discuss with means of maintaining produc- tion. In reply the management has suspended the phasing out of the cores section. They say they will meet union provided they organizers come with 'constructive pro- forward posals. ured unregistered wharts.

organized dockers in the regis- tered ports. From the users' point of view, they told the NPC, failure "to achieve harmonious labour rela- tions' was reflected in unrelia- bility, inefficiency and lack of productivity. This had forced trade to seek service elsewhere.

Un the other hand the smaller, non-Scheme ports, with good control and management a 'settled labour force' accustomed to handling a trader's cargo, had attracted support and satisfac- service torily provided the required. Importers and exporters were not only concerned with port total charges. but with costs Smaller, non-registered ports gave greater reliability and cut costs.

me urged its general executive coun- dis- cil to call on the print unions to 'grant special dispensation for the printing of workers' papers, i.e. "Workers Press" , and "Morn- ing Star", in the 'event of any re-occurrence of the events of July 24-25, or of a dispute in- volving the printing unions' The Edinburgh general branch of the white-collar ASTMS has unanimously passed a dispensation resolution which will now be sent to the union's No 12 Divisional Council (Scot- land) and if endorsed will be forwarded to the Scottish TUC congress in May 1973. Scottish resolution calls on the . support the TUC to view that the working-class press be allowed to continue publica- tion during future industrial THE UNITED KINGDOM is 1 according to right-wing Tor Speaking to an audience of l Hall in Belfast yesterday eve needs to be shouted into the that the war being waged on the United Kingdom, is being lost by ourselves.? Recognizing that was the first preliminary to reversing the course of the war, he said. The two most urgent • perils of Ulster today were indifference and uncertainty — indifference elsewhere and uncertainty here.

How by repetition soon, shock of soldiers being killed had worn off. In the first nine months of this year the death roll, exclud- ing •casualties inflicted on the IRA, was already more than twice that of 1971, which was hugely up on 1970, he said.

So much • for the initiatives adopted and the policies pursued • by government so far. They had failed under them the position in Ulster had continued rapidly to deteriorate, he said.

There was no use in the British government repeating the time-honoured formula about the wish of the majority in Northern Ireland when their every act of omission or commission bespoke 'sovereign indifference' as to the outcome. Every action of the govern- 'has, been ment, Powell went on, deliberately designed to leave open the alternative, to discredit and weaken the forces working for the maintenance of the Union, and to appease and placate those, whether on one side of the frontier or the other, whose aim is to detach these counties from the allegiance'.

Peace and justice would not return to the province until the government was seen unequivo- cally to take the resolve that the first of its objects, overriding all others, would be to uphold and defend the state, from out- side and inside. VALOR, the gas and oil heaters firm, yesterday clinched a £Im takeover deal in South Africa.

The group has bought out Cadac Engineering, South Africa's larg- est manufacturer of liquefied pet- roleum appliances. At the gas same time Valor disclosed it had granted a manufacturing licence to another South African com- pany, Autovena, to paraffin-burning viously exported from the UK.

action by the printing trade unions 'in order to combat the flood of reactionary propaganda which is directed against the workers' movement by all the other means available to the em- ploying class'. Clerical workers in the APEX Union who work at the Amalga- mated Union of Engineering Unions_ headquarters, Peckham London, have passed a Road, resolution at their branch meet- ing calling upon their executive council to approach all the unions concerned within the printing industry and request that they allow a special dispen- for the Workers Press, sation 'Morning Star' and other work- ing-class papers, in the event of a strike stopping the national papers. Workers Press, Tuesday October 10, 1972 PAGE 11 WORKERS at four Plessey plants in Essex, were yesterday decid- defend ing action to on sacked senior shop steward.

OM is losing the war in Ulster, Last Friday 200 workers at ng Tory MP Enoch Powell. Plessey's Romford factory sat- for 18 in after their steward ce of Unionists at the Ulster be- Mrs Kathleen Kelly, ycals, came 'surplus to requirement'.

day evening, Powell said: 'It ito the ear of the government Later of stewards meeting representing 3,500 workers in the ed on Ulster, and therefore on four factories in the Ilford being won by the enemy and call for region decided to in- dustrial action. Mrs Kelly has also been full-time senior steward for the electricians' for several union years. On Friday she refused to accept the sack and the £1,000 plus redundancy money to which she is entitled under the firm's redundancy scheme. Shop stewards have said that the sacking is a direct challenge organization at the to union Powell: Belfast speech plant. PUBLIC houses in Bristol put up Ltd, meant many pubs missed their weekly delivery. 'sorry no beer' signs yesterday as regular supplies following brewery spokesman said: ran dry unofficial by "This dispute has now been three-day strike settled, but it may take a few brewery delivery drivers.

The by 200 drivers days to get supplies black stoppage, to employed by Courage Western normal ' Send for delegates' and observers' cre- dentials from: Conference Secretary, R. Goldstein, 103 Lewis Flats, Dalston Lane, London E8 SPECIAL TRAIN FROM EUSTON, LONDON, £1.50. COACHES FROM OTHER AREAS Union. Branch Names, addresses and No of delegates/observers I enclose € as delegates fees Signature of secretary I would like information about Fill in the form below and send to NATIONAL

SECRETARY,

SOCIALIST

LABOUR

LEAGUE,

186A CLAPHAM HIGH ST, LONDON, SW4 7UG.

Name Address

PEE

PAGE 12 Workors Proze, Tuaaday Octoba SHOP STEWARDS' leaders at yard of the the Clydebank former UCS shipbuilding con- sortium yesterday cleared away the last defences of their members against the dole.

Led by Communist Party executive member James Reid, a mass meeting they persuaded of the yard's 1,800 labour force to call off their threatened new work-in and throw themselves US entirely on the mercy of oil-rig builders Marathon Manu- facturing Company. They did so on the basis of a compromise deal arranged with Marathon after threats last week from company chief Wayne Har- bin to pull out of the yard altogether. The deal is that Marathon, which at present employs only demolishing the exist- 400 men ing facilities at Clydebank, will give the liquidator use of the yard basin for a further two weeks from October 16. This will enable two bulk- carriers-the last ships ever to yard-to be built at the be fitted out there. To do this a night-shift steelworking force will be employed. Marathon has also agreed to speed up its demolition pro- gramme, and together with the men already employed by liquid- ator Robert Courtney Smith on completing ships outside the yard, it is claimed that only a few immediate redundancies will result. The numbers involved will be announced today or tomorrow.

Most of those made redundant by the liquidator on Friday will be re-employed by Marathon, although not as soon as they are paid off. 'But, says Smith, 'the pro- gramme indicates that they will be able to employ these people being a few within weeks of paid off.' Amid all the jubilation of Reid and his stewards like fellow-Stalinist James Airlie, from the Govan yard, one fact is con- the UCS work-in cealed: since began 15 months ago 2,300 jobs have been lost. Meanwhile the political issues employment have com- pletely obscured by the reformist work-in tactic, adopted by the Stalinists in order to avoid a fight against the Tory govern- ment. the capitalist system! growth •We know it market, if not a boom market, said Reid. he The end of the work-in, said was a victory not only for but for 'the Scot- the workers, tish community. 'We want to thank everyone who helped us - the Scottish community, the political parties, the churches, people in the theatre and the art world, trade unionists from all over Britain and from different parts of the world.' container CONTAINERLINK, a company specializing in land-sea Britain and transport between Europe, was launched yesterday by PO Freight Forwarders, shipping a subsidiary of the group which is the subject of a £236m takeover bid. Based at Tilbury, Essex, it will carry more 2,000 containers a month than between Britain and Germany, France and the Benelux countries importers and for exporters, manufacturers. FORMER FRAUD Squad Detec- tive Inspector Donald Baker has been suspended from duty by Scotland Yard following a crimi- nal inquiry and a report will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Workers Press, Ofhce. Published by Street, London, 186a Clapham High

SW4 7UG.

(TU), 180b Clapham High Street,

SW4 7UG.

ay October 10, 1972

HULL

Tony

, COUNCILLOR

Fee, the docks shop steward who resigned from the Labour council group, has condemned the Labour Party leaders as puppets of the Tories for refus- ing to oppose the Housing Fin- ance Act. In an exclusive interview with Workers Press, Cllr Fee said: The purpose of the Housing Act is to destroy the Finance Labour Party at its grass roots. The Tories could have got con- trol of local housing by Act of Parliament, but they chose to get the Labour Party to impose the Act and destroy itself. "They have forced the Labour Party to reveal itself as a mere puppet incapable of defending working-class living standards and incapable of defending itself as a party.'

BY STEPHEN JOHNS

TENANTS in Manches- ter picketed new rent offices opened by the cor- yesterday poration to deal with the Tory Hous- ing Finance Act. At the Moss Side centre about 300 housewives and tenants came to pay their increases within the rent three hours; but ten- first ants' leaders reported a bet- ter than 50 per cent response to their demand not to pay the 92p increase. Kathleen Labingoh said the response to the campaign was excellent. 'If people see us cam- paigning like this and realize that other people are refusing to pay I am the sure the resistance against increases will snowball' The new rent offices will within replace rent collectors what the council claim is a ten- minute radius from the centre.

But yesterday old people from as far away as Longsight—one and a half miles to the south- were using the office. This means that everyone, including old people, have to pay bus well fares as as increases, said Mrs Labingoh. Janet Griffiths, a Hulme coun- cil tenant, said she had come to rent for the centre to pay the several old people. It is dis- gusting. These people are old or sick and can't walk any dis- tance or climb up and down stairs to pay the rent." Kathy Ince, a young house.

wife with three children, told she had paid the not me increase at the office. never put less than £24 a 'I quarter into my meter. If they take this £l off me it will mean my children go hungry. I'm not going to pay it? Margaret Crolla, said she was on social security and therefore had no choice, but to pay the increase. 'But I think it's disgusting. I have two children and my income is f14 and I've just got an extra 85p a week to deal with the increase. My rent is £5.61. It means life is very hard.'

Tenants' delegates from all over the greater Manchester area will meet tonight to discuss the pro- gress of their claim. SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC and Labour Party leaders are to have talks with the Irish Labour Party in Dublin today in an attempt to heal differences over views on the re-unification of Ireland.

Tony Fee considers that the anyo ard Housing Finance Act destroys local government independence: 'Already,' he says a Secretary of State circular advises councils to organize the sale of council housing and presumably it coun- cils refuse to do this their hous ing departments will be held in deficit the Housing Com- and missioner, sent in, even though might have they increased the rents' Cllr Fee condemned the lack of leadership from the Labour Party nationally: It's that the Labour true would not leaders. themselves have been liable to arrest if Labour councillors had refused implement the Act. But a to national campaign by the Labour Party for non-implementation and a rent strike could have pre- vented the Tories from arresting

BY IAN YEATS

BACKING

for Greenwich tenants' revolt is snowballing, pickets on duty at borough rent offices in Greens End claimed yesterday. It is thought, doing better than we leaders of the 2,000- St Mary's estate told me.

strong 'A lot more people are saying they won't pay now that they know what we are doing.' Housewife Mrs Janet Williams told me as she arrived at the rent office at Churchill House: "They can shove me from here to John O'Groats before Ill pay it. If it became necessary would withhold the lot. I just can't afford it. That extra does me more good in my food cupboard Labour council is Greenwich implementing the Tory 'fair rents' Act. Asked she what steps thought they could take to re- cover arrears, Mrs Williams said: So long as everyone sticks together, I don't think there i a lot they can do about it.'

Nine of the borough's tenants' associations have passed resolu- tions calling for an all-out fight against paying increased rents, leaving about five still to decide.

Housewives who have seen their housekeeping costs more than doubled over the last five years are turning out en masse to picket rent offices and distri- bute thousands of leaflets.

The majority feel a deep sense of frustration and betrayal at seeing minority of Labour a councillors succeed in imple- menting the Act by voting with the five Tories on the council.

But fresh dangers are already looming because of the refusal of their own tenants' association leaders to go beyond militancy and break with reformism.

FROM PAGE ONE

committee, defending the Tories: 'You are really faced with self- preservation in the interests of .

socialism, and with making sure you are not to be barred from public office for five years by refusing to implement the Act.?

Zott, official, union then a attacked 'Trotskyists, anarchists and left-wing lunatics on the fringe of politics in the AUEW' who are exercising pressure on council members'. If Salford does reverse and puts the rents up, as is thought likely, it may not be unconnected it was one of the six that Labour councils who on Saturday received a letter from the Tory government asking them to fall in line or face the consequences.

Only in Scotland is there any measure of a fight from the Some 23 councils, Labourites. including cities like Glasgow, are he anyone? Cilr Fee is a member of the docks delegate conference, the highest body of the docks sec- tion of the Transport and Gen- eral Workers' Union. He has resigned as a union delegate to the Hull City Labour Party. The party voted against implementing the Act but, says Cllr Fee: 'It has become a futile debating chamber because the Group Labour the council on ignores its decisions. He has resigned his not individual membership of the Labour Party and hopes that action will still be taken against leading councillors who have gone along with the Tories on rents. "The main issue is not really the rents but the Labour Party and who will control it. What is the point of displacing the St Mary's tenants' association committee members and Labour ward councillor Jim Spencer voted against implementation.

He said at the picket line yesterday: "There are a lot of old couples and young people coming here who just can't afford the increase. One woman came out crying on Tuesday.' But how far was he prepared to go in resisting the increases?

'A lot of people are worried about eviction, but what I have advised them to do is to save the money right up to the time of going to court and then pay.'

Communist Party member Mrs Pat Jeavons blamed the also right wing in Labour's leadership for letting the Act on to the statute book. She said: 'If we don't get the tenants on the move we won't get a fight against the Act. As . leader Harold Wilson

LABOUR

yesterday declared total opposi- use of industrial tion to the action . to stop the printing of newspapers. It was 'necessary to be cate- gorical' about Labour Party chair- man Anthony Wedgwood Benn's remarks in Blackpool last week that the press conspired against Labour and that the editor of 'The Times' had tried to invent a new political party in Britain.

sometimes wish the trade unionists who work in the mass media — those who are writers, broadcasters, secretaries, printers and lift-operators—would remem- ber that they too are members of our working-class movement holding out against the Scottish equivalent of the 'fair rents' Act.

A Tory Minister has sent them all letters giving them 14 days to change their minds. The right-wing throughout the 340 Labour councils who are implementing are now launching attacks on those who voted against the Act. In Tower Ham- lets, for example, the 15 coun- cillors who defied the Act have been ordered to resign all their council and public posts by the right-wing rump. councillors in Elsewhere stand have publicly principled broken from the right wing and called for their removal.

That is the position in Hull where shop stewards Tony Fee, who is also a member of the docks delegate conference, resigned the Labour group in pro- at their betrayal. (See test interview, p.12.) He hit the nail on the head les Tories if a Labour government the same policies?' carries on North Hull Labour Party • has voted full confidence in Clir Fee and, although there are rumours he of attempts to expel him, says: 1 shall stay in the Labour Party and expose them for what they are? Meanwhile, he is seeking sup- port for his stand among the trade unions in Hull. Cllr Fee wants a more socialist policy to solve the housing and rents problem. future for housing he *Armeans that Labour must says, nationalize the land and all major industries, write off the housing debts, and take a new look at housing finance' Cllr Fee is one of ten Hull voted Labour councillors who against implementing the Tory Housing Finance Act. the rents movement grows it will throw up its own leaders.'

Commenting on how tenants will defend themselves when the law is used to recover the with- held increases, she told me: "The first thing we will have to do is protect the tenants. If we hit a sticky wicket we In other words, tenants will be taken to the barricades on a wave of militancy and then told that's as far as they can go.

But this will not be nearly far enough for the hundreds of workers and their families who with these policies would in the end be left to foot the increased rent bill. They will demand that the fight goes on not only against the 'fair rents' Act but inevitably against those responsible for it— the Tory government. and have a responsibility to see that what is said about us is true', Wilson idi said yesterday: The Labour Party is totally opposed in all circumstances to the use of industrial action for the pur- pose of impeding the printing or dissemination the news or expression of views.'

PRO-MARKETEER

Dick who will fight the Lincoln cratic Labour candidate, has just been elected a director of the Equity and Law Life Assurance Society. when he said: "The main issue is not really the rents, but the Labour Party and who will con- trol it." As tenants face an all-out on- slaught on their basic rights, the real question facing them and the rest of the working class is a crisis of leadership. The same Labourites who initially organized many tenants' associations have dropped on their knees and crawled when the Tories have thrown down an open challenge.

The fight to remove • these turncoats from the leadership of the Labour and trade union movement now has to be taken into Councils of Action in each area on the basis of mobilizing in tenants and all workers a campaign to force the Tories to Labour resign return government forced by the mass movement to implement socialist policies and the repeal of all Tory legislation.