/
'THE CAUSE OF LABOUR IS THE CAUSE OF MOCHA IRELAND' (Incorporating "Irish Freedom") —JAMES CONNOLLY.
JSew Series No. 35 NOVEMBER, 1947 Price 3d. Autumn Budget: 'A Costly Hoax'
ready to absorb the good worker, at a wage not incompatible with decent living." - SAYS IRISH T.U.C. But editorial wishful thinJking will not in itself persuade the 200,000 men and women who have come to Britain since 1939 to re- turn home. Incidentally, it is time that a real factual survey was made of comparative HOW GOVERNMENT PLANS WILL AFFECT living standards in Eire, Northern Ireland and Britain. IRISH IN BRITAIN It is the hard, bitter and prolonged struggle of the Labour movement which Hill By our Political Correspondent in the long run make Ireland a more pros- perous country for the common people. "THE autumn Budget, by which the price of bread, tea and sugar has been Exiles anxious to return to their native 8 rcduced by subsidies and the price of tobacco, beer and cinemas has land, must realise that it is only through been raised by increased taxes and duties has met with a mixed reception their own struggles that they will win the life they want. in Eire. To achieve this new freedom they must I".,;' w subsidies which, temporary at says hopefully that the "wages of skilled take their full part in the trade union 1 . rhcck the rocketing cost of Jiving (up workers in Dublin and other Irish towns tcr- struggles in Britain, equip themselves in the l; :i i::'^ in three months) have been wel- day are at a higher rate per hour than in theory and practice of Socialism, and give c ••;,.! a move to protect the living stan- London and comparable British cities . . . all possible support to such political il •..•.!• • 'he people. Stabilisation of prices skilled labour can earn more here than in organisations which strive to strengthen I". Gun rr.ment intervention is regarded as a Britain . . . To-day there are industries Labour, both in Ireland and Britain. \: f'-.r the Left, toi'ced by combined ;> jors of Labour. National Labour. Clann !..i Pnblachta, trade unions. Women's Parlia- i.. :.! and Lower Prices Council. I nity of the progressive forces has once IRISH PRISONERS ag.iin triumphed over the profiteers. Eire is now facing the example of Labour Britain. Australia and New Zealand, by (.V-:ir,<« steps by means of subsidies to keep O'Casey's Call for Amnesty c.'.Mi ih-. prices of the essentials of life. ~V[~EW moves in the campaign to feel that in all the circumstances it Burden on Poor , -L* secure the release of the Irish would be a humanitarian gesture Veteran Parnellites commemorated prisoners include the circularisation of The new taxation, on the other hand, will and tend to better relations be- last month the 56th anniversary of fa'l most heavily on the poorer sections of all interested persons and organisa- tween our two countries if you the death of their Chief. Ih..' community. tions. would review the safltences with a The "Irish People," official Labour Party view to authorising the release of organ, publishes a chart showing how the Sean O'Casey, world famous play- the prisoners. wright and Socialist, responding to an average worker will gain about sevenpence We trust that this matter will re- appeal from Eoin O'Mahony, Cork a week on subsidies but will lose about 6/6 ceive your early and sympathetic Dail Questions barrister-at-law, who is now working a week on taxes. consideration. in England to free Irish prisoners, It is strongly felt that the income tax Yours fraternally, writes: s'.iould have been raised more than sixpence Irish Labour Party—W. Norton, in the pound and that the Excess Profits "Whether the Irish Government Chairman Parliamentary Labour Tax should have been restored. is willing or not, to take back the Party, L. J. Duffy, Secretary Labour No Answer on The Irish Trade Union Congress and the imprisoned I.R.A. men, is not the Party, T. J. Murphy, Chairman Labour Party have both violently condemned point—it is that a Socialist Govern- Labour Party, Sam Kyle, Seanad certain aspects of the Budget. The T.U.C. ment should not keep these political Eireann, James Larkin, T.D. Gil- describes it as a "costly hoax, calculated to prisoners a single second longer in bert Lynch, A.T.G.W.U. f i >1 the workers and secure to the profiteers jail. They were moved by idealistic Northern Ireland Labour Party— Partition their ill-gotten gains . . . Workers are invited principles, had nothing to gain and R. Getgood, M.P., F. Hannah, M.P., tT agree !c a stabilisation of wages at present all to lose. It is a shocking thing H. Downey, M.P., John Boyle, "T>Y your fruits you shall know them," levels, regardless of the anomalies and in- that they should have been treated Chairman, J. Macgougan, past ' ' said Mr. de Valera when questioned justices which such drastic and ill- as criminals. I think their policy Chairman. in the Dail last month whether the British considered a decision would involve." was a mistaken one; I thought so all Labour Governrr^ent had the same attitude There can be no doubt that if Mr. Speaking in the Dail, Mr. W. Davin, along; but tfiere was nothing of to Partition as the Tories. Labptir T.D. for Leix-Offaly, said that profits self-interest in it anyway. If the de Valera and Fianna Fail could be Labour Government have any sense, persuaded — or shamed — into taking Mr. B. Corish (Lab.) asked Mr. de they would go with bands and ban- up this matter officially, with the Valera whether written representations on ners to the prisons where these men British Government, these letters partition were made by him to the present TKUE HOME are, open the gates for them, and would have much greater effect. British Government subsequent to August, ask them to join in the fight for Meanwhile the Six-County Minister 1945. If so, whether he would place a copy ]\|R. HARRY MIDGLEY, ex-Com- human, political and economic free- of his communication in the'Library; if a m monwealth Labour Party has • of Home Affairs, Mr. Warnock, K.C., dom. now joined the official Unionists in refused, at Stormont last month, to written communication had been received Stormont. At last he has found his "I >m not well enough to speak . consider an amnesty yet for the re- from the British Government, and if so, true spiritual home. publicly for these fine fellows, but, maining 31 political prisoners in Bel- whether he would place a copy of that if my name is of any use to you, it fast Jail, when he replied to an Anti- communication in the Library. is yours and theirs. Partition Party motion calling for in Lhc drapery trade were in some cases as Mr. de Valera, replying, said: As I "And, by the way, why don't the their release. The motion was defea- liiuh as 100 per cent. "Drapers are sending pointed out in reply to Deputy Norton on Bishops . . . who are forever talking ted by 22 votes to 10. out circulars appealing for funds for Fianna October 15th, I do not believe that any Fail." he said. of mercy and forgiveness, speak a Mr. McAteer (Anti-Partition), word for them? Or the 'Republican' who moved the motion then made the more formal representations to the British Government of de Valera following base and unworthy appeal, Government in regard to partition than Inflation Dangers "Oh what are some of these on saying: those I have made would have been help- Dangers of inflation, which have been the Government benches here, on ful. I am satisfied that the British much tressed by Mr. Sean Lemass, Minister "It may be the whole Western world the Government benches there, and will be faced with the problem of the Government knows the position. The ''»' Industry and Commerce, come much on the benches where the Bishops matter has been mentioned in writing In more from surplus purchasing power in the Eastern menace, and in the glare of sit!" that conflict, I think our own differ- the course of certain communications be- bands of the rich than from wage-earners. tween ourselves and the British Govern- I hat is why there is deep resentment at the A letter signed by prominent mem- ences will pale into insignificance. We ment in the period referred to by the Government threat once again to keep down bers of the Labour Parties, North and will need all men of goodwill to stand wages. Fianna Fail Ministers who lecture South of the Border, has been sent shoulder to shoulder to face that deputy, but I am not prepared, at present, 'he workers about the wickedness of strikes to Mr. Chuter Ede, the British Home menace." to place copies of the communications in and the alleged economic danger of the Secretary. It reads; Before Mr. MacAteer pledges the the Library. "men of goodwill'" in the fight against vicious spiral of wages chasing prices" are As you are aware, there is a being advised to stop waving the big stick the "Eastern menace" he might read number of Irishmen serving sen- II the trade unions and chastise instead the the letter from a prisoner in Park- "By Their Fruits—" tences in Parkhurst and other hurst to Mr. O'Mahony, replying to wealthy profiteers, ranchers and manu- British jails for offences which they Mr. Corish. — Would the Taoiscach say facturers. the Irish prisoners' Welfare Leaflet, regard as political. that representation to the British Govern- General welcome from all parties has been issued during the Liverpool by-election The persons concerned were sen- ment on the subject of partition has been Civcn to the proposals to tax the rich urging electors to vote against the made to the present British .Government •irltlsh "fly-boys" who in recent months have tenced in 1939-40 to long terms of Labour candidate. imprisonment, and no doubt, the subsequent to August, 1945? •>een buying up farms and estates In Ire- In that letter the prisoner, echoing find. strain and stress of events In Great Mr. de Valera.—I have answered that Britain during those years tended the opinion of many of his colleagues question. Nq sympathy whatever Is felt for these —and of the thousands of Irish men to make the sentences longer In Mr. Corish.—Does the Taoiseach assume "niieres from the rigours of British Social- and women now working in the ism, duration than they would have been that the present British Government has in normal circumstances. The per- Labour movements of the world—de- clared his belief In Socialism, "and the same attitude as the old Tory Govern- Irish in Britain sons sentenced are not common ment had in the past? criminals and It Is clear that the before I'd assist the Conservatives in Irish exiils In Britain will no doubt Mr. de Valera.—By their fruits you shall offences with which *thcy were any way, I'd cheerfully spend the rest wonder how the Budget will affect their of my life in prison." know them. future, will it make things cheaper for their charged were fwlitlcal In origin. wives and families to live at home? Will It The men have already served "In any way," Mr. MacAteer, "in Mr. Corl*i.—Does the Taoiseach not try mcrease the prospects of their getting work sentences of over seven years and we. any way." to find out? 111 Ireland? 1 Mr. de Valert.—You may be sure '•"he "Irish Press," Fianna Fail's paper. [ • - W Taolseach has tried. November, 1947 THE IRISH DEMOCRAT 3
2 THE IRISH DEMOCRAT November, 1947 IRISH DEMOCRAT WHAT YOUR WAGES 374 GRAYS INN ROAD, PLAN TO BEAT CRISIS ARE WORTH LONDON. W.C.I Vii . ommunications to be addressed OINCE 1939 the cost of living has ,„. the Editor, Flann Campbell. Programme for Irish in Britain * in: Ireland iTwenty Six Count:; in Telephone No. Ter. 3906. GEORGE GILMORE BACKS per cent.; Britain by 31 per cent.: fun. y^FTER two years of peace the ination, whether applied to Irish, Jews 3. Repeal of the Special Powers Act. by 27 per cent.: and New Zealand b\ 14 KATE—Twelve Months 4/- capitalist world is confronted or others. v cent, according to a recent statement i.- u> S i x Months 2/- We are confident of the support of the with an economic crisis. This crisis 2. Improved and increased housing and British Labour Movement for those de- by* the standing Committee of C!.t:m hostel accommodation. has halted reconstruction and already mocratic reforms demanded by our PoblijehLa. 3. Unemployed benefits accumulated dur- had serious consequences for the ing work in Britain to be payable after countymen in the North and welcome the FULL EMPLOYMENT working people. For Irish workers efforts of British M.P.'s in the recent de- DUNNE IN BY-ELECTION "The solution is a policy of fuli cmpi - return to Eire. E bate. \\r are in the midst of a small-scale ment and full production based on aeveloj IRISHMEN! in Britain it means the prospect of 4. Improvement of travel facilities; in par- i T the time of writing, the transport '* general election, with by-elections in Indeed, bearing, perhaps, in mind the ment of natural resources, backed by nu; lower living standards, continuance ticular the modernisation of customs In the Twenty-Six Counties the absence ^ strikers in Dublin are more solid than progress in Dublin County, in Waterford disastrous failure of the Blum experiment national credit. The present admini-urai o of overcrowding, the postponement of examination to eliminate delays. of price control bears particularly heavily in reduction of living costs early this year, ever, and a pood many are active in the and in Tipperary. In the midst of this has not the desire, the vision, the enthu.siiisn, UNITE FOR improved social services, and above We believe it is in the interests of*the on emigrants who maintain two homes; 'Dev' specifically warned the Dail and the nor the ability to put such a policy in: . two peoples to stand together in the crisis we heartily support the Labour Move- effort to win the Co. Dublin by-election for campaign came a series of shocks, which all, the threat of unemployment, in- are making the people realise the com- nation that the Government could not operation. The real remedy will have and we will do all in our power towards ment's struggle for the necessary legisla- Sean Dunne, popular leader of the Rural security and want. plete interdependence between the eco- guarantee that the cost of living might await the advent of a new Government. this end. tion. "In the meanwhile temporary measure- PROGRESS Workers' Federation, who has the support nomy of our country and economic con- not rise again after the effect of the im- The crisis is due, in the first place, to must be taken to deal with the economic Ireland, as a country with practically no We express our solidarity with the also of George Gilmore. mediate price reductions due to the the attempts being made by American big ditions in the rest of the world: though crisis which exists as a result of the Govern- N ttiis post-war world of disappoint- exports to the U.S.A., is affected by the C.I.E. busmen who rejected the insulting emergency budget proposals. Absit omen. business to use the world shortages as the People have got used to the strike and it must be admitted that, in general, the ment's failure to stabilise prices. Claim n I ment and bewilderment, there are dollar shortage. Ireland was not war- and biased recommendations of the La- first effect has been one of considerable Dublin Bay has an unusual look these Poblachta urges the following temporal means to world domination. The "dollar damaged like Britain or the continent, but bour Court. These men are struggling for there is a good deal more understanding with an analysis to offer. The stupefaction. days—there are rarely less than six ships, remedies:— people famine" is a fancy name for the refusal lack of imports during hostilities makes expressed for the strikers' claims than a living wage in the face of the rising cost With the transport strike still in pro- mostly U.S.-built Liberties, lying at an- Provision of food subsidies on all fooci.s Connolly Association Resolution re- of the U.S.A. to buy in world markets, of living. We hope, above all, that in this when I wrote last. gress, and a railway strike under discus- chor, waiting for the congested docks to produced and consumed to effect an immedi- produced in this issue is a vigorous while making exorbitant conditions of struggle for wage advances, price stabilisa^ sion, Mr. de Valera made a comprehen- find room for them to discharge their ate reduction of at least 30 per cent, in the sale to her impoverished customers. Cer- tion, a fairer rationing system which pio- cost of food; to provide the producer with a and well thought out contribution to sive statement on the economic situation cargoes. A vessel recently arrived, the tain elements in the U.S.A. are even will- Fighting Policy tects the natives from the competition of and Mr. Aiken (Finance Minister) has, coal cargo of which, loaded in S. Africa, return sufficient to enable him to provide Irish thought to-day. ing to contemplate atomic war to achieve WOULD YOU LIKE TO himself and those he employs with an ade- wealthy visitors, and for Trade Union without warning introduced an Emer- had caught fire en route. their ends. "IRISH DEMOCRAT" is glad quate family wage. The note of warning with which it participation in national schemes to in- WORK IN EIRE? gency Budget. to publish this draft resolu- The S. Africa coal exporters' association "Establishment of Regional Price Tribunals The immediate crisis in Britain is due crease production, the working-class will • begins is timely. The curtailment of tion which was discussed at the It was clear from the commencement of published a statement, not reproduced in representative of eonsumeds and producers; to the foreign and colonial policy of the fully restore its unity and independence. the by-election campaign, that the Gov- provision of adequate supplies of fertilisers the British building programme will British Government. To carry this out a recent Connolly Association In particular, we welcome the fact that A LARGE number of men and the daily press here so far as I am aware, ernment was on the defensive. Feeling free to all agricultural producers; cessation million men are kept under arms while the Annual Conference in London. Labour has published an agricultural pro- - * women, especially those with declaring that no coal ever exported un- threaten the livelihoods of thousands, about the rise in living costs has grown of luxury imports, such as motor cars, wines, gramme which should help to cement skill and experience, are required for der its auspices had ever caught fire, and remainder of the working population is A full report of the Conference brandy, canned fruits, etc. Reserve ail ship- many of whom have two homes to long-term contracts in Ireland. Full sharply in the past few weeks. One of pointing out that it was not responsible for insufficient to produce enough for the will be published next month. bonds between town and country workers. ping space credits for imports of essentials, keep, There is talk of using unem- Trade Union conditions and other the proofs of this was the great success of the cargo in question. People are asking country to pay its way. It is also due to We hope that the growing strength of the such as fertilisers, agricultural machinery benefits. the first session of the Women's Parlia- ployment to drive workers into the the short-sighted greed, incompetence and Labour movement will shortly enable her why this particularly low-grade cargo was and foodstuffs. Provide in large population The following are required at once: stupidity of the very capitalist class which necessary considerable reconstruction. to challenge the Government on foreign imported at a high price from an appar- centres producer-consumer markets and slave industries. For the exile the Bricklayers, Plasterers, Carpenters; The productivity of the land has fallen policy so as to disassociate Eire from the ently not very reputable source. municipal canteens." is now trying to place the burden of the Textile and Rayons, Artifical Silk and alternatives will be harsh—poorly crisis on the backs of the workers. through lack of fertilisers and industrial policies of Anglio-American Imperialism, Cotton, Loom Tuners, and Warp Dublin Letter by paid, irksome, or unhealthy work, or equipment needs replacement. There is and thus enable it, by opening up relations Twisters, Dyer and Finisher, including The British workers have their own way unemployment here or at home. unemployment on both sides of the border. with the new democracies and the U.S.S.R. Works Manager; Glass Bevellers; Arc John Ireland OUR READERS WRITE ABOUT to solve the crisis, by releasing the The crisis will be more effectively met if to reduce the effect of the crisis and Welders and Automatic Machine Oper- Despite Mr. de Valera's economic initiative of the people to increase pro- it is possible to plan on an all-Ireland scale weather the coming slump. atives. duction; abandoning the American- ment held in Dublin on October 7th; an- optimism in calling for the emigrants' and the Governments of Eire and N. Ire- While other crafts may not be im- sponsored foreign policy of Bevin; drastic- other, of course, has been the strike move- land should consult on the methods to be mediately required, a register is now return, his ministers' sober warnings ally reducing the burden of arms and Youth Movement open at offices of Irish Employers' ment. Now, however, the Government has adopted. Us, Trade Unionism & Partition of "hard times" seem nearer the armed forces; and co-operating with the Bureau, 43 Dame Street, Dublin, and taken bold measures to re-establish its We welcome the recent talks between We congratulate the Irish Youth Move- crisis-free new democracies of Eastern all applicants will be entered, and popularity. mark. Emigration occurs from Eire and Britain, but consider that N. Ire- ment on the recent amalgamation of CRITICISM TRADE UNIONS Europe. directed in strict rotation. The decision to subsidise the price of countries of small land-units when in- land should be included, and that repre- three youth organisations and wish the Write at once for applications form. certain essential commodities will be as sentatives of the Labour and Trade Union united movement every success on both T>E your article "Break the boycott" in I N your last issue a 'Federation Steward' dustry cannot absorb the "surplus" Other things being equal, Irish popular as it is correct. The decision to Join Unions movements should be brought into future sides of the Border. J- of a trade union states that Irishmen nationals will receive preference. tax motoring, wines and spirits, furs and last month's issue: whilst agreeing agricultural population. Can we hope, discussions. The problems confronting the Irish, (By order), are apaflhetic towards trade unions in this We pledge our support for the struggles cosmetics, will also be well received, be- with much you write and at the same time in these crisis years, that Irish indus- people are many and difficult, solutions country. of the British workers for the democratic P. J. HOGAN, Secretary, cause it answers yie growing call of the appreciating that your paper gives much Price Control are hindered by the un-natural Partition Irish Employers' Bureau, try will be able to do it ? If it cannot reconstruction of their country, and urge common people for sharp taxation of the interesting news and articles, might I be 1 would like to contradict him. Many of our country. In the struggle against 43 Dame St., Dublin. Irishmen became members of an English —in spite of the efforts of those fight- all Irishmen in Britain to join their Trade The absence of truly democratic rich, to whose squandermania and allowed to mention the fact that you never Unions without delay. We suggest to the government in the Six Counties, is an the crisis and those who wish its burdens profiteering the present crisis is undoubt- trade union before coming to this coun- ing for the unity and prosperity of on the working-class, the Labour move- write any criticism of the Russian, Polish try for war work. The only benefit we British Trade Union Movement the con- obstacle in the struggle against the crisis. edly in part due. the country—how long are the emi- ment both North and South and emigrants and Yugoslav governments; no comment have got out of it was pay our subscrip- ducting of a National campaign to recruit Democfatisation is needed and means: Taxation on big incomes and estate duty in Britain, in alliance with the British on the 'Petckoff' execution, no comment on tions every week. grants to remain supernumerary ? Irishmen and promise the full and ener- 1. The restoration of proportional repre- are also to be increased; but there is no getic support of our organisation. We are workers, will break down the limitations the latest book 'I Choose Freedom' by On my first job on an aerodrome in Are they to be a mobile labour squad sentation with abolition of gerryman- Special Offers re-imposition of the excess profits tax. In confident that British Labour will fight of the Border, and in collaboration with 'Kravechenko.' Norfolk when the organiser came to ad- dering and a public enquiry into elec- return for the successes which they have all their lives, exposed to every eco- with us for our special needs, such as: all democratic forces, will lead the way dress a meeting on the site to get more tion procedure. achieved as a consequence of the growing nomic wind that blows ? to the unity, independence and prosperity "EASTER WEEK" It is this fact that prejudices many members, we brought up the question 1. The making illegal of all preaching of 2. Manhood suffrage in municipal elec- agitation of the past months, the working tions. of Ireland. A History by Brian O'Nell would-be readers of your paper. Perhaps about not being paid our proper bonus. racial and national hatred or discrim- people are asked to pay heavily. The answer may not be quick Price 2/6. you think these are not worth mentioning After he attacked the Works Committee The housewife will not save much more and that you contend that the Press of coming. Meanwhile the Connolly "A PLAN FOR EDUCATION." he promised to get the matter fixed, but from the sharp fall in the cost of tea, the Western World comments enough on to our surprise we never got the money. Association, following its frankly By the Irish National sugar and bread than the average family these happenings. Nevertheless I think Since the building industry got the last DEMOCRATS-DIARY by the EDITOR Teachers' Organisation. will be paying extra before long for visits you should be objective and publish more socialist analysis of the cause of the increase in pay, cost Of living and other Price 1/9 (post free). to the pictures and for cigarettes and the about these facts. After all your paper crisis, has worked out a recommended expenses has risen threefold and the fear an tighe's Guiness. has a 'Democratic' heading. unions have time and again put in a de- course of action. The crisis is not an "A SOCIALIST ANQ,WAR" Moreover, the worker must agree to peg A collection of the writings mand for a rise in pay to meet the rise in act of God. It is man-made. It is due his wages for an indefinite period to the LI AM OMAOLALAIDH. of James Connolly between prices but have been refused and they THE TWO SEANS cost of living index (which is to undergo Switzerland. to the inequalities of distribution in- 1914 and 1916. have made no effort to press the demand a long overdue revision and modernisa- separable from the unrestricted sys- ballot box and in the Dail. The pro- The present weak position of Labour Compiled by P. J. Musgrove [This newspaper believes in the necessity further. UEAN DUNNE and SEAN McBRIDE, tion). Finally, neither the Taoiseach nor to propagate Socialism—as Connolly and ^ Labour and Republican candidates gramme of Clann na Poblachta is on in Ireland can partly be blamed on Price 2/6. They bring up the old bogey that they tem of capitalist class privilege. the Minister for Finance, in their state- Larkin did when they were alive. Rus- respectively in the Co. Dublin by-elec- paper at any rate to the Left of the La- O'Brien, Foran, Kennedy, Farren, cannot do anything till they have a hun- Therefore Irishmen should join with 'THE CHALLENGE OF SOCIAL- ments, made reference to the problem sia, Poland and Yugoslavia and all tion, are two Irishmen whose personali- bour Party. The only blots on his re- O'Shannon and those other trade union dred per cent, membership. The Irish ISM.'' troubling most workers as much as the striving to maintain the forms of Social- their British fellows in the struggle cord have been his opposition to the bosses whe since the Treaty have played unions do not wait till they have a big ties and careers have shown in some By Prof. B. Farrington. rise in prices, namely, the rise in rents. ist economy they have established in the to restrict that system and place the formation of the Republican Congress safe in both industrial and political af- membership but fight for their demands ways striking differences and in others Price 7d. (post free). Deputy Larkin, speaking in the Dail on way they deem to be most suitable for in 1935 and his failure to come out more fairs. Great responsibility therefore and collect members after. - burdens of the crisis on those who equally striking similarity. ' the new budget proposals, correctly said their own countries. We will not join decisively against Fascism both before rests upon Frank Purcell, new General caused it by their greed. Dunne comes from working-class "THEY ARE INNOCENT." the workers are prepared to forego wage the malicious'band who denigrate the My advice is instead of talking trade and during the last war. Secretary of the I.T.G.W.U. He and his By Gerald O'Reilly. background, McBride's parents were of claims if they can be convinced that the policies and leaders of these countries. unionism to act it and get on with the fellow union official, Frank Robbins— But, however, successful in Britain, middle-class origin and became famous It is a pity that two such able, pro- Price 1/2 (post free). government intends to bring down living Their opponents are those who have op- job and not to be taking it lying down as who incidentally fought in the * Post Irishmen prefer to live In Ireland. gressive and unselfish fighters for the costs. But even if it has at last been con- at present and then they will get all the in Irish and world politics. Office in 1916—will no doubt remember "MARX, ENGELS AND LENIN ON posed every social and political advance people's rights should have opposed one members they want. The home country must also find a Dunne was brought up under the that splitting the workers of Ireland IRELAND." vinced of the seriousness of the price situ- of the common people throughout the another in this election. into two rival Congresses was not ac- By Ralph Fox. ation, it is not possible to say that the world and who are now traducing the ROBERT KEOGH (Builders way to prosperity. rigid Catholic discipline of the Chris- tian Brothers' School in Waterford, Surely some basis of agreement could cording to the traditions of the Citizen Price 1/6. Government has the will to enforce im- democratic representatives of the people Labourer). provement: for enforcement of improve- who contest the by-elections in Ireland. London. Present conditions bring the two McBride was educated in the more have been reached between Labour and Army nor of their chief, James Con- A limited number of copies can be ments would bring Mr. de Valera peri- (Read Mr. Sean MacEntee for "objecti- [We regret that we have had to cut this problems slose. In the South the worldly atmosphere of France. Dunne Republicans to unite those forces in nolly. obtained. Write for particulars to: lously close to "going outside the capi- vity"). In short, this is not the place letter without, we hope omitting the Labour Movement struggles for has an Irish brogue and is more at home Ireland which stand for the independ- # * * Book Dept., "Irish Democrat." talist system" as he long ago threatened, to seek the calumniators of the work- main points it contained. Trade Union- higher wages and lower prices, with at a stormy trade union meeting or ad- ence and progress of the country against those who would sell out to the profit- " IRISH DEMOCRAT" has often been ^Cash with order please. but which now, would obviously lose him ers, whether they be Swiss, Russian or Ism here, as elsewhere is not perfect, some success, against those who like dressing a crowd of farm-workers in •^criticised by certain of our less poli- but the remedy is to strengthen the eers and Imperialists. the goodwill of General Marshall. Irish.—Editor.] to see the working-class footing all a village square, McBride speaks-with a tically-advanced Nationalists for placing links as our correspondent suggests.— slight lisp and French accent and has * * * the bills. The North is planned to too much emphasis on social problems Editor.] the precise diction of a lawyer. Dunne NENBcecteecMirovaccweeecK < • yHE key position which the Irish when discussing Partition. have Britain's medicine—plus politi- is big and burly, McBride is neat and anna Fail) and Jeremiah Ryan (Fine *- Transport and General Workers' "Irish People," our Labour contem- cal monstrosities its reactionary dapper with well-cut suit and the man- Five-Party Struggle Gael). Union holds In Irish trade unionism has porary in Dublin, aptly pointed out In WHEN IN LONDON rulers have already imposed. ners of a diplomat. Mr. Thos. A. Kyne is Labour's nominee ANTI-PARTITION once more been emphasised by the strike a recent issue that it is precisely the STOP AT THE for the Dail in Waterford; Sean Feeney (Clann na But can the patient be cured in two * * * of 2,000 Dublin bus workers. bread-and-butter questions of wages and I AM glad you gave the opportunity in Poblachta); John Ormonde (Fianna Fail) pieces? Essential to healthy recovery UT there the differences end. Both Biggest and most famous of the Irish prices that loom so large in the eyes of /" CONSCIOUS of the rising wave of 1 the "Irish Democrat" to Mr. T. Wat- * ' working class discontent, Flanna Fail and N. Sheehan, standing for Fine Gael. is overall planning of the country as men have fine Republican records. unions, the I.T.G.W.U. no longer has the Protestant fand Catholic) workers ters, Manchester area counpil Anti-Parti- B are, as we go to Press, making an all-out Speaking at CJonmel during the by- one unit. Need we wait till partition Dunne has been In the Labour Move- that reputation for militancy which it of the Six Counties. tldn League, to state the case against Par- drive to win the three by-elections being election, Mr. Sean Lemass, An Taniste, is formally abrogated for this? Can ment since he was 16 years old. In 1936 gained when led by Larkin and Connolly "In Donegal larm labourers are get- said: tition. It is important that every effort in 1813 but it still remains with Its ting 50 - a week," says the 'Irish People.' nothing be done now ? Must we be he joined the Workers' Union of Ireland When our difficulties eased If there be made to focus publicity on this most 60,000 members and its widespread orga- But "Just across the Border in Northern NOfcftJLK SQUARE See Page Six Col. Four a|l or nothing, rejecting the land and led the hunger marches of 1937. was not another fighting war—the drive difficult problem. Later he was imprisoned for ,twQ years nisation in many districts and indus- Ireland the labourer enjoys a wage of for Labour's Manifesto sparrows for the lush pigeons ? PADDINGTON STATION J to economic security and prosperity I fear, however, that Mr. Watters' only for his Republican activities. Qpring the tries, a powerful instrument for the bet- £3 17s. 6d. a week. Yet Gutter in N.I. is could be resumed. But there was no catches the surface of the problem. Plati- terment of the Irish workers. 1 4 a lb. while in Eire it Is 1/8." Not all will agree with Ihe resolu- war he was mainly .responsible, for orga- fought -in Co." Dublin, Tipperary and basis for prosperity except work%nd tudes will never achieve the unity of Ire- nising the Federation of Rural Wprkcrs. Now that th» old leadership WRlch Clearly it Is no use our shutting our Waterford.1 land. During the present; crisis, which is tion. It i6 the view of one organisa- "Phone: PADdington 6443 output, and anybody who asserted other- McBride has been* a Republican, leader controlled the union for the past 25 eyes to these facts, disagreeable though Candidates for Co. Dublin are Sean sure to affect the workers an both sides iion though the strongest. But time wise m a fool or a knave. for 15 years. In 1937 he l<*t the, I R A. years is dead or In retirement It is pos- they may be. The solution Is to rals«;. Dunne (Iuab.); Seah McBride (Clann na is short. Crisis advances. Cannot all Our national problems were very seri- of the Irish Sea, it is more Important and since then has (jtrlven to build a de- sible that the "Irish Transport" will wages, and r^upe prices In.EUre,,.. D« Pobtefcht») ;•. T." MuUina (Fiannd Pail) Irishmen of good wijtl fiiy! here Readers of "Iri*h Democrat" ah) ous—shortages, rising prices and strikes. than eVer that the "Irish democrat" put mocratic Republican Party which would again t«ke its rightful place In the fore- Messrs, ^Ahir Heally anfl IJarry Diav and- Bamoir RoonejM(Ftoie OfM3>f'1' forwkrtl a clear bonclse Socialist policy in something common to ACT upon ? Thpre were two causes of shortages—the fight not with the gun but through the front of the struggle for Socialism. "nond agree? •Contestants for thp Tippcrary seat-our-' 'ftnrtt, that there was not enough food In contrast to the woolly ideas unfortunately 1 Unity for progress Is strength, ' Prop., BEN oWeWs Oehte OSulltvan (Lib.); Patrick Kin»ne the work} to feed Its people, and we were so often advanced by some of our Nation- (Clann na Poblachta); Michael Fitzgerald i • ' < not producing as much as we should our- alist friends. w MoCUINHE8s. i mamamm&a&m(Clan n na Talmhan); Sean Hayes (Fl- selves. London. 4 THE IRISH DEMOCRAT November, 1947 November, 1947 THE IRISH DEMOCRAT 5 News and V/ews on the Irish in Britain BOOKS THAT LIFT THE LID OFF Lanes. Anti- Travel Chaos at Cross DID THE PRINCESS KNOW X. IRELAND Partition League THIS! "Rural Life in Northern Ireland." J. M. OUSING conditions in all but the fcjOT A SINGLE LABOURER'S COTTAGE HAS BEEN Mogy, M.A. (O.U.P.. 1947, pp 240, 15,-1 H North Down area, influenced by its BUILT BY ANY RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL IN rPHIS book is of outstanding fhiportance proximity to Belfast, are apalling. Gaelic League FERMANAGH SINCE NORTHERN IRELAND BECAME A Channel Ports and should be on the shelf of every Not a single labourer's cottage has been Labour M.P.s SEPARATE STATE. student, politician, sociologist, or agricul- built by any Rural District Council in TRANSPORT chaos at cross-channel ports is due in large "NEARLY 69% OF 7,477 HOUSES HAVE NO SANITA- turist in Ireland. To the general reader Fermanagh since Northern Ireland be- came a seperate state. in Britain TION WHATSOEVER, 27 HAVE DRY CLOSETS AND 4 , also it offers a unique opportunity to give ' measure to complete lack of co-ordination among independ- Only 10 per ccnt of the houses in one HAVE A WATER CLOSET. OF THE RURAL HOUSES IN his picture of rural problems the concrete- Aid Campaign ent organisations, writes a correspondent who recently spent three /"1AELIC League branches in Brit::i:i ness and certainty of science. area have piped water, two-thirds of the FERMANAGH, 93% HAVE NEITHER ELECTRICITY NOR " show an increased membership, t total draw water from wells over 100 yards hours on the quay at Liverpool waiting for his luggage to come : "Rural Life in Northern Ireland" is the HPH REE prominent Lancashire La- was reported at a meeting of the Regional GAS." distant. In Co. Fermanagh as a whole account of a social survey of five widely bour M.P.s lent their support to off the ship. During all this time passengers, of whom he was Council of Britain in Liverpool, which was i towns being excluded) official figures ad- differing typical areas of the six counties the Anti-Partition Campaign in Bri- attended by delegates from Manchester, mit that only six per cent have a mains one of the first, were coming off in single file. undertaken by the Rural Survey Commit- tain last month. Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. supply. Speaking in Salford, Mr. Charles "I tried to find out who was respon tee of the Northern Ireland Council of The President, Mr. Patrick McFaddui, Page by page it goes on. Mr. Mogy has Royle, M.P., said he was concerned Social Service. sible for the arrangements," he tells AX II SPAIN built up the picture with deadly thorough- about the state of affairs which con- DEMANDS BY M.A., Glasgow, in his address, referred to tinued in Ireland. us, "and found a confusion of rights the unique record of Mr. George Shorten The field team was composed of trained ness. In the most advanced area, North and duties that would baffle a Phila- of the Four Masters Craobh, Liverpool, workers from Queen's University under Down, only six per cent of the houses A small body of Labour M.P.s had, DONEGAL WORKERS IN PMMET JOHN HUGHES, author of "Report from Spain," is a Catholic. he stated, been preparing memor- delphia lawyer. The young passport who began his Gaelic teaching career in the leadership of the author. The aim was have a W.C., four per cent a bath, 10 per E Ha was four years in Franco's Spain, as Press Attache to the American anda and suggestions to place before manager said: "I know there's chaos. SCOTLAND 1899 in the Glasgow branch of the Gat: . to ascertain and record fact. The method, cent a mains water supply—this on the Embassy and in the U.S.A. Military Intelligence. His first book was "The the Government. He appealed to It's not my fault, that's all." The liner Irish fish workers are demanding League and shorrly afterwards removed ' to obtain all essential social data by ques- edge of Belfast. Irish friends to exercise patience in Church and the Liberal Society" and, as a Catholic Book-of-the-Month Club tioning the inhabitants in each of the five customs officials blamed the Mersey higher pay before proceeding to east Liverpool, where he has continued tluit The conclusions are inescapable. In the belief that in due course, and in work ever since. selection, it not only became a best seller but established the author's areas chosen. Northern Ireland everything has stag- a very short time, the Government Docks and Harbour Board. Nobody Anglian herring fishing. These fish- workers, who form at least half of reputation as a serious, broad-minded and objective writer. nated except the profits of the monopo- would come round to this Partition knew anything, while passengers 7 \ETAILED information on housing, the total curing staffs almost all hail Newcastle "Report from Spain" is easily the best and fullest study hitherto lists who rule it. problem. queued, and dribbled off the steamer sanitation, wages, rents, farm-eain- from Co. Donegal and have recently The secretary, Miss Treasa McCann, The artificially created religious preju- "It is," he continued, "a deplor- available of the regime of General Franco and of Spanish Fascism. It ings, pensions, expenditure, whereabouts in ones and twos. formed the West Donegal Workers' told of the great revival of the Gaelic, dices, the flag-wagging and drum-beating, able thing in these enlightened days has a special appeal to Catholics. of relations and personal history, was very that a small section of your great Association. movefhent in Newcastle, with the strong the tumultuous imperialism of the metal freely given—being refused in a negligible country can continue to control, and possibility of the Gaelic League being one.; Mr. Hughes provides an interesting Sunday and Holy Day" during his four and linen bosSes has its obverse in the Liverpool Confusion The wage demands are £3 per week number of cases. This is a testimony to keep under their heels, another sec- more established on Tyneside. The juven- piciiiie of Franco, whom he describes as years in Spain. misery, the poverty and the backward- the skill of the investigators whose ac- tion of the community in their area. Only one man denied there was confu- for men; £2 10s, for women; gutting ile branch, Oisin Og (Manchester), ha.-, a "devoted Catholic" who "in the entire The Spanish Church to-day, he roundly ness of the rural population. The time must come when that ano- and packing, 3/- per barrel for men count from Mr. Mogy's pen shows elo- sion. He was a Liverpool policeman, increased in membership from 50 to 120. bleak history of Nazism never once sug- asserts, has forsaken its former tradition This Mr. Mogy shows, but in addition, maly must be put right." presumably inured to the complacent and women; hand packing, 2/- per Craobh Sean O'Donovan (Liverpool gested, publicly or otherwise, "even a of dedication to the poor and the dis- quently how a sympathetic and sincere approach can breathe vitality into science he shows within it all the practice of inefficiency that marks that city in its barrel. Existing rates of wages, £2 granted this four year scholarships to col- modest concern over the Nazi Party's per- possessed and is now "a champion of and make it a potent weapon for improve- mutual assistance, the "cooring ' or colla- Unity decay. 10s. for men, and £2 for women. leges in the Gaeltacht and Craobh Oisin secution of the Church." The Spanish money and reaction." He was deeply ment. boration of farmers, derived from ancient He pledged himself to plead the Finally after an hour. I learnt that the (.Manchester) held a grand celebrity con- Caudillo is not the comic little idiot of the shocked by the unblushing support which communal custom, the charitable helping cause of United Ireland, and to responsible official is the superintendent of hustling about on behalf of those who cert similar to the one held annually m cartoons but a man with an intelligence so many priests have given to the "most As one who has known two of the dis- out by neighbours of the pensioners, aged bring pressure to bear on fhe Gov- the ship. Travellers please note. His story could tip them. But the sum-total of their Glasgow. that is crafty, a sincerity that is fanatic, Fascist aspects" of Franco's regime, and tricts selected for the past twenty years or incapacitated. ernment to wipe out the blot of Par- was simple. The Mergjpr Docks and Har- antediluvian system was delays and irrita- A strong appeal was made to the people a tenacity that is ruthless, and an integ- he understands why so many Spaniards I can testify that the life of the people is tition. bour Board decide wnether a ship will of Britain, who are Irish by birth or rity that is cruel. are both devout Catholics and, at the same here and no one-sided compilation of rpHESE illustrate the strength and inde- Mr. Alfred Havekin, of the tions for all. berth in dock or along-stage. Then the descent, to take full advantage of the time, rabid anti-clericals. figures. pendence of the people, a self-reliance National Executive, said that the The first need is to re-organise the His artful duplicity and consumate customs make their arrangements. The facilities offered for learning the language. and courage which will one day beget or- British Government had the power method of customs examination, with the adroitness in playing one contending VTR HUGHES is of the opinion that the The book sets out to prove no thesis, ganisation and political action to end the and moral duty to bring the puppet placing of luggage and passengers on the In districts where no branch of the erection of scientifically planned barriers faction against another, and in tacking to " ^ Falange has not so much power as it but in the scrupulous care with which fact outrage of a neglected and impoverished regime in the Six Counties to an ship is made without reference to where Gaelic League existed the council was pie- and examination tables. the winds of foreign pressure are described had. Leaders have been dismissed and the is assembled, the major problems of the rural population in times of unprecedented end. How disappointing it was after it is going to berth, as this may not be pared to establish one if requested. as "superb." When Germany seemed un- organisation weakened. The Church has Irish countryside show forth with stark two years that it had not been found agricultural prosperity. known. Not only would this make for speed conquerable, Franco was loud in his clarity. The population figure has de- possible to extract even a declara- gained some strength (of very doubtful Where does the money go? The an- but also for thoroughness. The second is clined to nearly a half the value of its tion of policy from the Prime Min- The customs officials insert that there cheers. To-day, with equal sincerity, he value) by this change. One Falangist swer to this question lies outside the scope for planning arrangements on board in productivity in 1846. The cultivation limit ister or the Government. shall be only one gangway as "otherwise contends that his regime is an "organic leader went so far as to admit to him that of the book, but the reader is tempted to conformity with the arrangements ashore. is about 600 feet in altitude, and the The problems of India, Egypt and they have no control." democracy," a "bulwark of Christianity" the Churfch "has virtually taken over the answer it. It goes to the seed-merchant, Above all what is needed is modernisation MORE PAY ruins of farms above this limit, and the Palestine had been faced, but the and, since the fraudulent referendum and Falange movement." In other words, the the fertiliser manufacturer, the livestock No explanation was given as to why of equipment, for example by the use of poor state of those on its margin, show problem of justice to Ireland was the passing of his "Law of Succession" by Spanish Church as increased its strength dealer, the fuel supplier, the middleman avoided. they could not control two or even three luggage containers and other devices. the increasing difficulties of farming in a Parliament of personal appointees, a by the adoption of Falangism. and to the great inter-linked banking in- Rev. Amphlett Micklewright, t'he gangways as well as one, by the process of FOR NURSES competition with the giant producers who I doubt if there has been any change in "Catholic and Social Kingdom." Yet, if the Falange has lost power, it stitutions of Ireland and Britain who bat- chairman, described Partition as "a putting men on them. I RISH nurses here will benefit by the now dominate the world market. fifty years. It would be unwise to dismiss Franco as remains a powerful source of Fascist ideas ten on the deprivations ~ a divided dagger held at the heart of demo- "Simply an example of British ineffici- J- new scale of salaries which came into cracy throughout two hemispheres." Finally, is it too much to ask that third- a humbug or a hypocrite. Mr. Hughes and ideology—so much so that the old people. ency" said an American passenger. effect in Britain recently, writes our Lon- '[''HE survey covers a period of excep- Partition was an affront politically class passengers should be considered coneveyiji the impression that it would be Spanish reactionaries and monarchists all Unfortunately capitalist economics con- don correspondent. J- tional prosperity, but is, in sum, an and economically. human? One would almost imagine they nearer the truth to regard his as a man hate it. The feudal conservatism of these ceal the silent robbery going on. One The improved salary scales, for more account of the make-shifts to which the Ireland could not bring forth all Ancient System were being paid to travel. One of them who has so far convinced himself that he gentlemen can have nothing in common day the public will ask what happens to of which her economic potentialities than 55,000 nurses and institutional mid- population is reduced to mai
« THE IRISH DEMOCRAT November, 1947 i _ i-i -i "in —ii i ~n i i " " " '"T*
< FOOD: Its production and distribution is a world-wide problem. Are we in Ireland producing it by the best methods? In this challenging article T. R. Fforde suggests that to concentrate on THOU SHALT To our Readers in Ireland: Irish Emigrants in Britain guaranteed prices and subsidies without reference to the political and social structure is a job only NOT LIVE HERE half done. Mr. Fforde therefore advocates the development of the "co-operative and collective —Victims of Fianna Fail Rule— Expect Those at Home to UTORMONT has been in session hw system" for agriculture. Despite diverse opinions, it is, for all ^ weeks and still no discussion on th. Crisis. The bickering continues between the Government and the Nationalist over the Health Bill, the latter resistiim any taking over by the to-be-creaied Hos- pital authority of the Mater Hospital VOTE LABOUR A Question of Bread and i. Catholic). A Statistics Bill is also making its way rFHAT the methods, and results, of either in cash or in produce or jointly in through Parliament and is creating qu:t'« some of each. To "hold the ring" and to agricultural produc-'ion in the a shindy. It seems the Brooke Ministry secure, not only lair play but intentional deem it wise to make sometime scon a> Western World are unsatisfactory, is Butter advantage to such a scheme, requires the industrial census. borne out both by the unpopularity full weight of a political party, possessing This sort of thing has not hitherto b.'eu the confidence of the population, to con- of work on the land and by a general when populations have woken up and done in these parts, with the result that We too Must duct it, nourish and support it against the nobody knows what the productive capa- nervousness as to food supplies. decided on new methods. hostility of the narrow, but powerful in- city of the area is, with the consequent terests which would be opposed to its suc- There is no assurance of an I T is clear, therefore, that the political cess. impossibility of seriously setting targets adequacy of food. The land is not ' and social aspcct of agriculture and of for output in these critical times. Close the Gap made use of as it should be; productiv- the processing, marketing and distribution ^pHE most virile of the population, of This half-century overdue measure is how- •i-^m. ity is low, generally speaking, much of its products requires the closest atten- J- both sexes, are leaving the land and ever meeting with violent resistance. The tion for it is only by solving this problem the shores of Ireland as fast as opportu- Unionist backbenchers yell frantically "IRISH DEMOCRAT" faces a land lies idle, and those who own the 1 in a way by which the living conditions of nities offer. Things are not so very much "Socialism," "Nationalism," "Prying into serious financial crisis. Our land are not fit to use it as it must be the whole population improve and become better in Britain where hundreds of the private affairs of business men and paper, now in its ninth year and used if it is to yield the food necessary harmonious, and not by the restrictions of God knows what not. thousands await opportunity to emigrate with a powerful influence to support life and human progress. Wall Street for the City of London), that to the Antipodes or Canada, although re- human needs can be met. cent proposals for increased focd produc- SIMULTANEOUSLY the Stormont Par- among the Irish ' exiles in This is so because present methods Whenever agriculture is discussed, re- tion require the entry on to the land of liament is in labour with a new piece (Incorporating "Irish Freedom") Britain, must be reduced to lack the political and social structure ference to the all-pervading political and an additional hundred thousand workers. of legislation entitled "The Safeguarding four pages because of rapidly social aspect is studiously avoided. Instead necessary for full production and for It is not mere wage increases or "guar- of Employment Bill." rising printing, paper and other full consumption. anteed prices" or subsidies which will re- The system of Residence Permits, intro- New Series No. 36 DECEMBER, 1947 Price 3d. overhead costs. medy this situation. It is a fair share of duced by the British Govermrent du: ing the war for military security reasons, During the past four months 1JY its nature, the question of food SEND THIS ARTICLE HOME life which is needed, and which is fully made it necessary for all persons not or- our revenue has been stationary TO THE FATHER AND practicable, piovided only that new meth- production is not only agri- ods are put into operation with the neces- dinarily resident in the Six Counties be- while our expenses have in- cultural, but is one of fundamental BROTHER ON THE FARM. sary political and scc:al content. fore 1940, to have a permit to reside in creased by 25 per cent. the area which could be cancelled at any social, political and economic condi- Democracy cannot stand still, it must To close this financial gap we tions. Present conditions are now out move forward as a condition of its exist- time. GLOVES OFF IN READINESS there is a concentration on the question The British Government is dropping the need £25 per month for our of date, but the introduction of new ence. Capitalism also cannot stand still, of "guaranteed prices" and subsidies. But it must move backwards and keep outworn measure so the Stormont Government Fighting Fund. We appeal to all methods rouses the active hostnty of neither of thsse, nor both together, can conditions, and resist popular demands proposes to take it on and make it a per- readers and supporters to make those who make profits from the assure the population of an abundancy of and needs. Hence we have the food short- manent piece of Six County legislation. a special effort to send us a food. The Ministry of Home Affairs proposes to present system at the expense of the ages and economic difficulties we experi- IRISH PICKET donation before Christmas. Each is a most unreliable prop, lor prie s ence to-day. take to himself power to deny at will, FOR ELECTIONS population. c .n move up and down at the will of hid- the right of working in Northern Ireland \A/E need £80 a month. Our Shortage of food, and the urgency den influences and irresponsible people TO put life into the country, there needs to anyone not born within the pale—a THE SAVOY costs have soared without and so render increases of wages, or "guar- JL to be organisational centres estab- few categories of clergymen, professors, From Our Dublin Correspondent a corresponding increase in in- of men's needs, is used as a "bludgeon anteed prices" a mockery. As for subsi- RISH men and women catering workers lished as a network covering the entire doctors, etc., excepted. come. to prevent adoption of new methods. dies, they amount to a great extent to a area, to act as centres of instruction and I manned the picket . line during the I ABOUR throughout the 26 Counties is preparing for the Thus the Wall Street Journal of form cf bribery and their continuan e is explanation in political and social matters rpHE Bill is not alone an outrageous vio- recent-strike at the Savoy Hotel, London, •• general election battle which de Valera announced following This must be the only issue August 7th, 1947, referring to the precarious, especially as their function of affecting agricultural pioduction, and to -L lation of the right of an Inshman to to secure the* reinstatement of Frank making food availab'e at cheaper prices reduced in size. January must present economic crisis in Western serve as transport and supply and collec- residence and worK in his own countiy. Piazza, a dismissed shop-steward. the loss of two government seats in the recent by-elections. to the general population is detested by but into the bargain, is the denial to a see an eight-pager again. Europe, and particularly in these tion centres, and generally to serve as The workers were organised in the pow- These losses, last month, mark the end of a stage of our history which, reactionary political parties and are liable "nerve" centres inspiring the energy of the British subject of the United Kingdom If every reader bought two inlands, contends that present diffi- to constant attack and disintegration by (other than the Six County area) of the erful National Union of General and Muni- to many of the people, and certainly the chief actors in it, seemed destined countryside. These centres should be foci cipal Workers, led by the dynamic Arthur copies and sold one to a friend, culties are due to the adoption of new ihem. of development, where the co-operating right to freely reside and work in this to last indefinitely. Lewis, Labour M.P. for Clapton. Police our financial difficulties would politico-social principles in production So, "guaranteed prices" and subsidies working farmers and those without land, part of the United Kingdom. Fifteen years ago Fianna Fail was swept Yet this ugly measure follows directly from baton «haiges lock' PlftSS ^jjickets were vanish. Wo want syery reader in the form of nationalisation and are at best a patchwork attempt to hold would decide and arrange wheie and what Into power by popular discontent with a in being anachronistic structures, and crops to put in on which farms, and to the visit of Mr. Chuter Ede, Home Sec- arrested when the strikers attempted to government that had failed to solve either to do fife felt Ser tfiar drte"<3c; extended social provisions, and de- retary, to Mr. Warnock, Six County Min- cannot constitute any satisfactory solution draw up timetables as to procedure; this prevent lorries from delivering fuel oil at the economic or the political problems Irish Miner Says tra copy and we advance again. mands that these new ideas should be of the problem. ister of Home Affairs. to be done with the assistance of trained the hotel. then pressing upon the nation. TURING the past six months, halted and reversed, adding: "Until agricultural advisers and accountants. Such a measure could no longer be spon- Several Irish workers, among them P. 'PHE solution lies in a development of the sored by- Westminster, so Mr. Ede gives In its first years of office, Fianna Fail ** over 20,000 Irish workers that is done, American financial aid Here, too, decisions would be made as to Power (Clonmel), T. McMahon (Dublin), J- co-operative and collective system so Mr. Warnock the nod to do his own d.rty accomplished many things which the came to Britain. They went to will not accomplish rehabilitation." as to draw men (and women) together to where to maintain dairy cattle for the J. MCCrermott (Roscommon), W. Harley work. Thus the rights of Irish and Bri- people expected of it. In later years par- 'Improve Our Swansea, to Buckinghamshire, use their joint effort and initiative on a supply of-milk, to arrange for an organised tish alike are mauled behind the back (Dublin) and E. Collins (Limerick) ticularly since the war, Mr. de Valera's There have been many instances voluntary but increasingly advantageous milk supply in the countryside where at of the British Parliament, through an proudly showed their union cards and Berkshire, and into the mines Government has acted more and more as within the past few months, when the basis. present it is precarious and subject to a Ulster Tory—British Right Wing Labour expressed their determination to stick it 9 and cotton mills. We appeal to thousand vagaries for many workers. To the instrument of a small section of the supply of food ar^l of financial aid has This has far-reaching implications for, conspiracy. out to the end. Food & Billets all Irishmen and women in achieve these things, there must, at all community. if joint productive enterprise we:e set in Irish workers have a special grievance these areas to write at once for been made dependent on effecting action, a fundamental condition for suc- points, be the fostering care of a political A STIRRING appeal to the National iHTHIS shameful measure will be resisted against the Savoy group because of the Hitherto the people have not made up supplies of the "Irish Democrat" political and social conditions which cess is that the producers must have, party, conscious of its social responsibili- -L by the Labour and Nationalist move- Union of Mineworkers for help to im- would condemn the populations con- through their organisations, a measure of ties and determined to bring life into the ments here and no doubt will be the sub- economic hold the management has over their minds that "Dev"—vested by his prove'their working and living conditions to sell to their compatriots. land and improve the conditions of the the girls who, in many cases, "live in," immediate supporters with a smart but cerned to a retrograde existence. And control in the transport, marketing, and ject of strong protest at Westminster. was made by Mr. J. Graham, an Irish Many readers know one or distribution of their produce. people, so that those in want shall no It is expected that the Dublin Government and therefore risk being thrown on the ersatz copy of the mantle of Parnell— there are instances where these sup- longer "need to cross the seas to keep miners' delegate speaking at the eighth more of these new arrivals. Ask This means a full-scale plan in order will be pressed to raise the matter with street if they strike. could possibly have ceased to be what he annual conference of the Connolly Asso- plies have been peremptorily stopped breath in their bodies. London, though de Valera of late has them to contact us or send him that each may receive their due share. Engineers, electricians, and carpenters seemed to be in 1932. ciation in London last month. been noticeably very accommodating employed on maintenance duties as well as True, there was a partial revulsion of your copy of the paper and, with regard to such issues with the Smithfield Market porters supported the feeling due to war-time hardships in the Mr. Graham, former member of the above all, send us his address. C i • • in — * — — — - Brit.sh authorities. =====57) catering workers. election of 1943, but, in 1944, Fianna Fail Cork Socialist Party, told the Conference Send your "Irish Democrat" • I — 3H0ULU WE JOL\ THE L'NIOX? Some Nortnern Nationalist circles are un- "This is a real class fight'' said a picket regained an absolute parliamentary majo- of 400 Irish mineworkers living in a hos- home. irpHE Connolly Association in its draft derstanding between the British These suspicions have now largely been easy at what appears to be a gt owing tel in Castleford, Yorkshire: "spirit of accommodation" in Dublin, when outside the Savoy. Clad only in thin rity and seemed sure of office till 1949. The deepening economic conference resolution, called upon the and the Irish labour coming into removed, thanks to the developing class wj^h the British Government regarding suits, strikers bravely ignored the falling "Our billets are draughty and not pro- British Trade Union Movement to con- crisis and the political uncer- this country. consciousness of the Irish workers. Even the question of Partition and de Valera s sleet while furred and bejewelled ladies perly heated," he said. "We Irish miners duct a national campaign to recruit Irish Profiteering tainty in Ireland and in Britain, For 150 years British Labour was now one cannot be satisfied with the posi- recent'reply to Mr. Norton in the Dail, with their escorts entered the warm and feel forgotten men. We are under-fed and workers into their appropriate trade emphasises the need for a pro- suspicious of Irish workers, as com- tion, for as the crisis worsens with the has not served to allay this uneasiness. brightly-lit Savoy lobby from their luxu- As I reported in the early autumn the have to pay 25/- a week for lodgings and unions, and promises the whole-hearted gressive Irish Socialist journal. ing from a peasant country with possibility of unemployment, the enemies It seems the utmost the Southern Govern- rious cars. tide began to turn. There has been too two meals a day." support of the Connolly Association and ment can see its way to do at the little or no knowledge of industrial of the Labour Movement will again try to much profiteering, too feebly excused; Only you, our readers, can I'ish Democrat. moment, is to maintain a sort of hall- "There are no worth-while recreation life, who they thought might be exploit a difficult situation to sow the there have been too many shady help us over these difficulties. sour countenance at times with Downing facilities, and only one billiard table and In Birmingham recently I was sur- seeds of dissension among Irish and Eng- manoeuvres, too inefficiently covered up; We appeal to each of you^o ask: Street, over the Partition issue. To the GREETINGS two table tennis tables for 600 men in our prised to find thousands of Irish workers lish workers and so divert their attention there has been arrogance instead of in- "How can I help this great cir- I^XAMI'LE is better than teaching mind of ardent United Irelanders. this pLEASE convey my greetings and hostel," continued Mr. Graham. in that great industrial city still outside from the main enemy, capitalism. spiration and promises without fulfil- J ^ is the philosophy of Patrick fits the bill. best wishes to members of Con- culation drive ?" the trade union movement. A serious situa- Clancy, executive member of the Con- Examples of this can be seen in the East ment. Describing how young miners of 18 to nolly Association on the occasion of THE Editorial Board has cut tion was developing there, over the ques- nolly Association, End of London to-day where the Fascist iHTHEN there is the open drive of the The Border is a more monumental bar- 21 years earned as little as £3 10s. a week, your Annual Conference. The con- 1 expenses to the bone. No tion of piece-work, where workers, particu- who writes this ar- elements are singling out the Jewish popu- J- Martin Murphy Press, and publicists tinued existence of your organisation rier to-day than 15 years ago. People have he said that compensation for married ticle on Trades one is paid for his servioes to larly nbn-union labour, were behaving in lation for attack, thus creating race and like R. S. O'Hegarty, with the support of is a living memorial to the great seen other countries scrap long-lived gov- Unionism. the Fine Gael for dropping all national a way which resulted in having rates cut. national hatred which asserted Hitler's James Connolly. To the extent you ernments and throw popular heroes on Eire will receive three million tons the paper. We are determined As we go to press, claims and policies that would hinder Irish and English workers alike were rise to power in Geimany. continue to grow and expand so will the historical scrap-heap, without suffer- to advance. The political need 60% of his factory the complete meiging of Irish with Bri- of coal annually, following the re- blamed for the practice. This undoubtedly your influence and the teachings of of the Irish exiles demands our workmates s t r uck Irish workers have a duty to themselves, tish and American policy in the war-like Connolly be impressed on our ing instant extinction. In the absence of cent trade agreement with the created ill-feeling, and more so where non- work when Clancy to their family and to their class. It is to bloc directed against the Eastern States people, , a strong Labour Party, there has arisen a Labour Government in Britain. continuance. union labour is concerned. It can also (also convenor of remove the last barriers which stand in of Europe and the Soviet Union. MICHAEL J. QUILL, new party of the lower middle class, led HELP NOW. Increase the create the basis for an anti-Irish feeling. the shop stewards The Ulster Nationalists protest against ,by Sean MacBridge, pledged to finish what the way of unity, and solidarity with the International President, men injured at their work was only £2 a circulation, send your contribu- Another example of this can be found at his factory in Chuter Ede's refusal to meet the r depu- Fianna Fail left undone, though strictly English workers in this country. Transport Union of America week. Injured men lost their subsistence tions, no matter how small, to among the land workers, particularly at London) MM sacked tation, came at the moment when de "within the system." To secure this, every Irishman and (See Page Two for report of the allowance. the Fighting Fund, and soon the the time of the beet pulling. The piece- following his offi- Valera was in close discussion with A;t Connolly Association Conference). woman in Britain should be an active lee on trade and with Bevin on the Mar- There is plenty of excitement and no Poter Clancy cia, trade unJon To help improve these conditions 95 im- "Irish Democrat" will be work rate for beet-pulling, I believe, is £5 member of his or her trade union and so shall Plan. little speculation, about the .coming elec- per acre. When two or three join together struggle to win recognition for his help to maintain the present standard of migrants had joined the National Uniort of stronger than ever. The Unionist Press hailed Ede's rebuff to tions (the date of which is variously given they can earn a fairly reasonable pay union, the Amalgamated Engineering living and to improve it. To fight with the JOINED THE RANKS OF Mineworkers. Send a donation at once to Union. the Nationalists as a blow to Nationalist (Continued on Page Four, Column One) packet—provided the weather is good. British workers for a progressive solution Ireland generally, a victory for the per LABOUR Conference delegates warmly applauded the Editor, "Irish Democrat," I met some Irishmen who came here for to the present crisis; a solution in the manancy of Partition and "a growing ^ | R. CHRISTY O'BRIEN, treasurer of the speaker's account of how he had won 374 Grays Inn Road, London, the beet pulling, and who believed It was used as a source of cheap labour and interest of the workers and at the expense realisation" among the Labour Ministers Bray Fianna Pail Cumann and Mr. THE WEDDING recruits for the Onion, and it wae unani- W.C.I. not necessary to Join a union as they in- undermine the hard-Won standard of the capitalists. By arming themselves of "the righteousness of Ulsters stand James McCrea, chairman of the Wicklow mously decided that the Connolly Associa- Our most sincere tljanks to But just the same the Unionist Press re- tended to return home when the beet pul- of the British workers. with a Socialist knowledge and under- County Council and former leading figure In the Dail, Mr. de Valera told Mr. tion Executive Committee should "'ap- the following donors: Desmond ling season was over. In addition they Justification for these earJy sus- pays the "understanding" Labour Min- Flanagan (Ind.) that no Invitation standing they also become the pioneers of in the National Labour Party, created a proach Mr. Arthur HA-ner, N.U.M., the Donnelly £1; D. P. O'Sullivan were quite satisfied with%e rates. picious were pointed .out by Fredk. a new civilisation. isters with a daily campaign against the had bean received by the Govern- labour Government and for a Churchill political sensation when they declared ment to attend or be represented at National Secretary, to ask him to look into 1/-; P. Kelly £2; J. Griffin 10/-; What such workers fall to realise is that Engels In hl8 monumental work, In this great task Irish workers will find their intention to Join the Irish Labour the grievances of the miners in Castleford restoration. ( the Royal weeding, and no presenta- F.B. 1ft/-; A.G.K.L. 10/6; A.H. the rate they were receiving had to be "The Condition of -the Working the Connolly Association and "Irish Demo- Party. and othqr districts where there are irish- —Belfast Correspondent. tion had been made on behalf of 2/6; P. J. Hope £1; S. Silver £5; fought for, and negotiated by the Agricul- Class in England In 1844," and more crat" eager to assist them. In addition, Mr. Sean Dunne's recent 10,000 vote Eire, but our diplomatic representa- men in the pits. These ark now said to tural Workers' Union. Those few examples sarcastically dealt with, and very W, Burke 5/-; "Arklow" 2/-; help to extend the sales of the "Irish Prthle<; by Ripley Printing Society Ltd. success In Co. Dublin greatly encouraged tive in London, Mr. J. Dulanty, in number over 3,000. J) reinforce what the Connolly Association greatly exaggerated by Thomas Car- Connolly Association Executive Democrats the -paper ready to defend (T.tf.), Ripley, Derbys., and published by his supporters, seven hundred of whom common with other diplomatic re- "Irish Democrat" appeals to all Irish has been pressing for years: a closer un- lyle. your rights. held a victory celebration In the Thomas presentatives there, had been In- miners in Britain to send in reports of Committee £6. Total £17 1s. the Editor, 374 Grays Inn Road, London, vited and had attended. Ashe Hall, Dublin. their activities. 5B35S355S9EB5SS ssMBBafiasssaE sat^s^^^s W.C.I. 2 THE IRISH DEMOCRAT December, 1947 December, 1947 THE IRISH DEMOCRAT
IRISH DEMOCRAT IRISH, BRITISH WORKERS MUST 374 GRAYS INN ROAD, Policy of New LONDON, W.C.I All communications to be addressed CONTROVERSY has been raging 3. — Promoting where practicable co- w to the Editor, Flann Campbell. in Eire over the policy of the new operation in such matters as turf produc- Remember tion, tillage and harvesting. UNITE TO FIGHT CRISIS Telephone No. Ter. 3906. Republican Party, Clann na Pob- RATE—Twelve Months 4/- lachta, which scored such unexpected Party Education and Culture Them victories in the Co. Dublin and Tip- 'THE policy of the Irish Government in the present growing S i x Months 2/- Under modern materialistic conditions perary by-elections. Is the new \S the years roll on, Irish prison- • economic crisis is the same policy as that being pursued Work for All it is essential that the moral fibre of the ers still lie the jails, forgotten Fight Partition in Party to the Left or Right ? Is it a Clann na Poblachta will undertake to by the politicians of compromise and by the Labour Government in this country and in France—that people should be. safeguarded and rehabili- new version of Fianna Fail? Will it provide work for all, thereby ending emi- remembered only by the common tated. This can only be done by educa- of putting the burden on the backs of the people," declared Mr. * ally itself with Labour? These ques- people. Here is a list of the 30 Irish T.U. Branches EMIGRATION gration, and to make the country a self- tion and cultural development. prisoners serving sentences between Patrick Clancy at the Connolly Association's annual conference lrTHE Anti-Partition League is open to all tions are being asked by tens of thou- supporting unit by undertaking national Alien, artificial and un-Christian con- HOUGH it is too early to assess schemes including: 10 and 20 years (commencing in held early last month. Irishmen who believe in freedom, irre- sands of Irish voters. cepts of life are being constantly pumped 1939) in Parkhurst Prison, Isle of T the results of the Government's 1.—The electrification of all rail trans- still remain outside the Trade Union spective of their political school of though: For the benefit of our readers we publish into and absorbed by our people. To re- Wight. "IN BRITAIN, THE GOVERN- declared Mr. J. P. Mannion, area organiser attempt to bring tradesmen back to port and of all industrial undertakings. medy this Clann na Poblachta will evolve It is our constant aim to secure a Movement," he declared. the following extracts from the Party's MENT'S POLICY IS ONE OF at a mass meeting of the League at Ash- Ireland, and certainly some have res- 2.—The creation of valuable State for- plans for: revision of these sentences and a re- Turning to Irish politics, Mr. Clancy "Outline of Provisional Policy." SLASHING THE STANDARDS OF ton-in-Makerfield last month. ponded, the fact is that most emi- ests and the production of wood pulp for 1.—The creation of a National Theatre gular flow of books and letters, said that it was not the task of the Con- The aim of the founders of Clann na LIVING OF THE PEOPLE, CUTS He called on all Irishmen to appeal grants are not tradesmen, and 25,000 and film industry to aim at the. provision papers and periodicals to them until nolly Association to tell the Irish Labour Poblachta is to establish a truly independ- they are freed. IN NATIONAL EXPENDITURE, through their trade unions for the with- more are here than were here a year of films on a competitive basis for the Party what to do, but "we must express ent and distinctive national organisation home and foreign markets. Leo Duignan, Leitrim (10 years), WITH THE ACCOMPANYING our opinion. We must work with the Irish drawal of the British troops in Ireland. ago. Michael Fleming, Killarney (12), pledged to reintegrate the whole of Ireland FRIEND OR ENEMY? 2.—Production of films and books 'or THREAT OF UNEMPLOYMENT." people in Great Britain to express views The only way to combat the silence of the Charles Casey, Belfast (14), Patrick Some of the increase is no doubt as a Republic, free from any external educational purposes and for making Irish and give guidance to work towards our British Press on the question of partition kJR. RODDY CONNOLLY, the spoken language of the jieople. Deveney, Mayo (14), James Morgan In the face of the dangers inherent in association, save such as may be freely ,VI final aim of a workers' and farmers' re- was by public meetings throughout the due to wives and families of men who son of the executed 1916 (McGowen), Belfast (14), Patrick this situation, the main task of the Con- entered into by the Nation. 3.—The safeguarding and extension of public." country. have secured British domicile, and leader and treasurer of the the Gaeltacht areas. McBrine, Belfast and Birmingham nolly Association must be to build and Mr. T. Watters, speaking oh an amend- He believed that the unity of Ireland may intend to settle here perman- In the political sphere the most urgent 4.—The creati&n of a Council for the (15), Peter Walsh (Stuart), Glasgow unite the solidarity of the British and Irish Labour Party, proposes in (15), Nicholas O'Cleary (Michael ment from Manchester, said that it was could and would be won by the Irish and ently. But even where there is—and problem is to arrest the political decadence diffusion and encouragement of " a know- Irish workers, Mr. Clancy said. the "Irish People" that Labour Mason), Enniscorthy (17), Rory. M. an established fact that the main stream English electors In Britain. we hope this is the majority feeling— which has set in. Government corruption ledge of music and the arts, particularly should ally itself to Mr. Sean in provincial towns and rural areas. Campbell, Belfast (20), Martin of Irish workers coming to Britain gravi- the intention of returning, there are must be abolished. Clarke, Belfast (20), Joseph Collins Ill-Feeling McBride's new Republican 5.—The provision of free primary, tate naturally to the Labour Movement. grave reasons for disquiet. The mar- secondary, technical and university edu- (MacNessa), Dunmanway (20), Vin- "Above all," he declared, "in the build- Society Security Party, Clann na Poblachta, cent Crompton, Liverpool (20), Pat- "Very often," he alleged, "it is the fault ried man living alone 'in England cation. ing trade thousands of workers are liable TN the social and economic sphere it is which scored such sensational rick Donaghy, Dundalk (20), Patrick of the Trade Union Movement that Irish- THE CHALLENGE keeps two homes and has the com- 6.—The setting up of a Council of Edu- to be made redundant. Overcrowding men are not in the union." proposed that Clann na Poblachta victories in the Dublin and Tip- Dower, Waterford (20), Dennis Dug- forts of none. Directly or indirectly, cation to co-ordinate all branches of edu- gan, Tipperary (20), John Ouggan, will increase, lower wages will be the He believed that the question of Ire- should aim at providing social security perary by-elections. cation and to regulate admission to voca- OF SOCIALISM he pays taxes to two countries with- Tipperary (20), Laurence Dunlea, order of the day, and as a result there land's policy-in internal affairs and in A HARD-HITTING PAMPHLET and economic freedom for the people. Prominent members of the tional and professional courses in accord- out receiving the full benefits of Cork (20), Gerry Dunlop (Lyons), will be the danger of ill-feeling between international relations should be the re- BASED ON TWO LECTURES With this end in view it is proposed to in- Dublin Labour movement op- ance with the national needs. Belfast (20), Joseph Gavahan, Mayo cither. clude in the programme of Clann na 7.—The building of additional schools the British and Irish working classes in sponsibility of the Labour Movement in GIVEN IN BUBLIN BY pose this move, and suggest that (20), John Glynn, Mayo (20), Ger- this country being stirred up." Ireland. In his view, the policy of the Poblachta plans whereby: and the modernising of existing schools. ard Kerr, Belfast (20), Patrick Mc- Professor Benjamin Farrington Price rises in Britain reduce his Clann na Poblachta is merely a 8.—The raising of the school-leaving There has always been the suspicion Connolly Association should be confined 1.—A basic minimum wage directly re- Aleer, Belfast (20), John McCabe, personal spending power, But the new form or Fianna Fail, and age to 16 and the provision of continua- that Irish labour coming into Britain to working for "the best possible relations lated to the cost of living shall be fixed. Shercock, Cavan (20), Timothy Mur- money he sends home buys less, and Laboqf must fight alone. Con- tion courses in agricultural and technical ray, Waterford (20), James O'Brian might undercut the standard of living of between the British and Irish people by Published by the "Irish Review" 2.—The State shall assume responsibil- fusion reigns as to the real subjects. (Evans), Dublin (20), Edward the British workers, and in order to com- advancing demands for better trade rela- Price 6d., from the "Irish Democrat" Book how is he to increase the allocation ? ity for the employment of those who are unemployed, on such works as afforesta- O'Connell, Dublin (20), Patrick bat this, the first steps must be to remove tions," to bring pressure on the British Department. The chaotic condition of the English nature of Mr. McBride's policy. tion, housing, hydro-electrification and Plan to End Partition O'Connell, Tipperary (20), Eric any excuse for antagonism, to get the Labour Government on the question of building trade provides him with For purposes of discussion we other constructional works of national or Apart from building a political, social O'Neill (Thomas Nelson), Belfast Irish into the Trade Union Movement and partition and the Six Counties Special tempting but insecure alternatives published the provisional pro- (20), Daniel O'Regan, Greenmount, social importance. and economic system which will be at- to remove any grievances which could Powers Act, and to fight for the removal 9 which most resist but some do not. gramme of Clann na Poblachta Cork (20), James F. O'Regan, Sun- 3. — Comprehensive social insurance tractive to the people of the Six Counties, create this ill-feeling. of the grievances of the Irish working in The ^Democrat shall provide benefits based on the basics day's WeH, Cork (20). All indications are that difficulties as adopted at the Party's con- the plans for ending partition will include: "Thousands of Irish in Birmingham Britain. minimum wage for those who are incapac- ference in July, 1946. for Christmas will grow. The Marshall Plan will itated for work through old age, illness or 1.-*-The opening of the Dail to the restrict the independence of the par- family duties. elected parliamentary representatives of the people of the Six Counties. Principles of Connolly If you want to choose an unusual ticipating countries, and will tie Eire 4.—A National Monetary Authority will industrial purposes such as alcohol, News and Views By 'Holyhead' Christmas present this year why not take be established whose function shall be to 2.—The strengthening of the cultural The miners' delegate, calling on the even more closely to the pound sterl- paper, artificial silk and plastics. bonds and of the community of interests out an annual postal subscription to the equate currency and credit production to 3.—The demolition of slums and the association to stand by the principles of "Irish Democrat." ing. The surrender of Ireland's inde- between the people in the Six Counties the economic needs of full employment provision of adequate housing. The crea- Connolly and not drop its long-term It will only cost you 4/- and will be a pendent monetary system has now to and in the rest of Ireland. WOODY SUNDAY and full production and, to provide credits, tion and development of large inshore Socialist objects, was supported by Mr. W. happy reminder each month to your 3.—Securing'the co-operation of workers be paid for. If all sterling countries free of interest, for full employment and and deep sea fishing fleets, the mining of WAS glad to see the Liberal "News Club, the London Irish Rugby Club and Burke, who criticised the amendment friends and relatives. national development. and other organisations, north and soutH. are going in for a policy of placing coal and minerals, the reclamation and CJann na Poblachta states its attitude to I Chronicle" giving such prominence to representatives of certain Irish newspapers. from Manchester. Pill up this form, enclose a postal order 5.—The means of production and dis- the 60th anniversary of the "Battle of It aims to provide all comforts — a Mr. Burke drew the lesson of the for 4/-, and post it at once to the Manager, the burdens of the crisis on working- drainage of land, and the development of the I.R.A. as follows: tribution .0/ commodities essential to the bogs and turf by-products. Bloody Sunday" — that mighty protest lounge and bar, reading room and library, present split in the Labour and Trade "Irish Democrat," 374 Grays Inn Road, class shoulders, fife recent pact wiH "For many years a large section of Re- life of the people shall be so organised and In the agricultural sphere the aim will demonstration of London workers against London, W.C.I. mean that Eire will suffer too. controlled as to ensure a fair distribution. publican opinion has felt that Republicans a hall for dances, lectures, etc., and a Union Movement in Ireland, which, he de- be to provide for co-operative organisation Please send the "Irish Democrat" for By such planning, the wasteful and should take ah active part in the political the arrest of William O'Brien, Irish games room. clared, arose principally because 16 or 17 Our contemporary, the "Irish Re- based on elected Parish Councils for the Nationalist M.P. The proposed fee is three guineas per years ago the Labour Party threw over its one year to: harmful system whereby those who are life of the Nation. It was felt that it would view," holds that the pact means purpose of: unable to secure employment have to be possible to work for the achievement of Pour thousand policemen, 300 Grenadier year with an entrance fee of three guineas, Socialist principles "because it was afraid 1.—Providing, on a co-operative basis, Name abandoning the tillage and turf plans, exist on doles and public charity, while Republican ideals by purely political Guards and 300 Lifeguards were mobilised but if you want to escape the double of being unpopular." agricultural machinery. and a return to cattle export and coal essential work remains undone, will be means. by the British Government to try and in- charge all you have to do is send an initial Since then they have blown with, every 2:—Marketing farm produce at guar- import. This will mean fewer jobs eliminated. timidate the 50,000 supporters of the Radi- 10/6 along to The Irish Club, c/o The wind, and the same would happen to the Address anteed prices. (Continued at foot of Column One) in Ireland sinpe cattle farming re- cal Federation who, led by Cunningham National Bank, 175 Whitehall, S.W.I, be- Connolly Association if the Manchester Grahame and John Burns, met in Trafal- fore December 31st. policy was carried, he said. quires less labojir than mixed farm- gar Square on November 13th, 1887. Sixty ing. The danger is that the changes DEMOCRATS DIARY by the EDITOR people were hurt and one man killed dur- which seem likely to take place in ing police baton charges. Eire will shut the door on the would- be returning emigrant, by re-organ- This was only one chapter in the story of British and Iririi working-class colla- The 'Democrat,' the Church and 'Dei? ising the economy of the country DECLINE OF FIANNA FAIL boration, during the 19th 'century. John sequent events" that have occurred which WITHOUT him. A TR. OLIVER BROWN in a recent issue letter there were priests who asked no "T^IANNA PAIL, when it came to power asm and whose leader's mystique Is very Basically these issues are simple: for Doherty, Bronterre O'Brien, Peargus question in thp confessional concerning a now enable the Catholic Hierarchy to give 0f "Glasgow Forward," states that British economic policy must be in Eire 15 years ago, was a Republi- largely based on his reputation for mili- peace, the unity and independence of O'Connor, Michael Dayitt and James Con- penitent's national creed. But some of the complete support to the De Valera whose Ireland has already the inestimable ad- carefully studied by Irish statesmen. can Party with a progressive, anti- tancy in 1916. 0 * g nolly were pioneers of British as well as Prison Chaplains accepted it as a duty to earlier efforts they so soundly condemned the country and the progress of the com- vantage of being a Republic, in spite of It may Imperialist policy. It claimed with some frish Socialism. It is good to know that use all Influence of their office to in- and transfer it to those of his working-class not be all that it claims. It T is implied though not directly mon people, against war, the new be- the Catholic Church which excommuni- justice to have the support of workers such Irishmen as Mr. H. G. McGhee, M.P. duce prisoners to submit to the Provi- political opponents who really mean busi- is in fact a policy of "guns not butter," I stated, in Mr. de Valera's talks in trayal to Imperialism, and the greed of cated De Valera and withdrew its ban and small farmers as well as important and Mr. Geoffrey Bipg, M.P. carry on their sional Government and to deny the sacra- ness.—Editor. of keeping a million men under arms, Paris on the Marshall Plan that Eire is the rich bankers, ranchers, landlords only when the Irish people took de sections of the middle-class, particularly ments to those who refused . . . keeping Britain permanently short of to give full support to the British and and profiteers. fcv. work in the House of Commons to-day. Valera's side in the dispute. the rising native business men and man- # • # labour, a powerful industrial magnet American Imperialist campaign against This is the first time I have ever read Clear Alternatives ufacturers. In tbe next election the Irish people Hunger Marches drawing laUbur-power from sur- Russia. will have an .opportunity to state their it, although I have been reading your Mr. de Valera always topped the poll Irish Club "The men who were fighting for the Re- TN "Democrat's Diary" of November you rounding States. Can Ireland ever Mr. Sean Lemass, Eire Minister of attitude to these issues. paper, "Irish Freedom," now "Irish Demo- in Clare—a county mainly small far- public Were faoed with clear alternatives state ref. Sean Dunne, "... In 1936 at Industry and Commerce, developed this Those of us who have long regretted crat." have a sound economy if no protec- mers, petty shopkeepers and farm la- Let us hope they will have the politi- now: continued resistance, with the know- he joined the Workers' Union of Ireland "Hate Russia" theme when he spoke in the alMenoe in London of a good club Many people are under the opinion that tion against this is ottered? What bourers. Mr. Sean Lemass invariably cal clarity of, for example, those 8,00® ledge that capture might mean execution, and led the hunger marches of 1937 ..." Cork last month of the "war of totali- wlgere Irishmen could meet and entertain your paper is a communist organ and or desertion to the enemy with arms. To happens when a slump comes, and re- Cork men and women who voted for got four or five times as many votes as tarianism against anti-totalitarianism in friende in a homely atmosphere will -wel- many Roman Catholic clergy say so also the rigours of the fight was added, for To me this seems to imply that the turning Irishmen batter on the closed Labour in South Dublin—a constituency Michael O'Riordan last year, the 10,000 come the news that such a clul> will be and prevent people from reading it. Catholics, of whom nearly the whole army Workers' Union of Ireland supported W. Europe," and of the "belief we have Dubliners who voted for Sean Dunne in door ? noted for its docks, factories and work- .... in freedom and liberal thought X started shortly. You should state the case why the was composed, the penalty of virtual ex- and/or helped the hunger marchers, ing-class tenements. the by-election, or even of those Irish communication: many a man was going whereas of course the Labour Movement The coming against totalitarianism." I • To be called "The Irish Club," it Is be- Church were prepared to take such action election will be fought During its 15 years in office the Pi- prisoners in Parkhurst who show an un- into danger without absolution, knowing did not help the Bray Unemployed Work- Tha cynic will note that Fianna Fail's - ing initiated by former members of the against de Valera. largely on doowttfo issues, but the anna Pail Government has passed many derstanding of the world .situation that that if he fell in action or was captured erg' Organisation in any way. In fact, "ballef in freedom and liberal thought" 10*7 extinct Pour Provinces of Ireland J. KERR. exiles have a right to demand that progressive measures—it has abolished would put many of our so-called states- and executed he might be refused the Last when I proposed the formation of an Un- took the peculiar form during Hie last G lasgow. political, parties at home state their the Oath and the office of Governor- men to shame. Sacrament." employed Organisation at a meeting in the war of neutrality towards Fascism. The opposition of Catholic Hierarchy to position on emigration. We for our General, it has built up native indus- Church opposition to previous social and Bnay Trades Club, the only Labour coun- It is further hinted in the Anglo-Irish tbe Republican movement is perhaps best political struggles of the Irish people is also Part are confident that Labour's will tries and encouraged the, development r understood from the following extract cillor present left the meeting with the trade pact, though again not directly rwo of these prisoners have made it recorded in James Connolly's "Labour in best stand scrutiny. of wheat, sugar beet and turf. It has (pages 836-7) from Miss D. McCardle's book, remark, "111 leave.it to you then." stated, that Eire's industrial, turf-devel- J- abundantly clear where they stand I WHEN IN LONDON Irish History" and in his book, "Labour, Na- improved many social security benefits. "The Irish Republic," which Mr. de Valera, opment and wheat-growing plans are to in the struggle of Socialism against Im- tionality and Religion," obtainable from New My purpose in writing to you is not to But Ilka *»' centra panties which are r in his preface to the book, described as a be partly abandoned In deference to the perialism. i I STOP AT 'rffffl Books, IB Pearse Street, Dublin. minimise Dunne's efforts. He did a fine IRISH DEMOCRAT' fundamentally capitalist under a "complete and authoritative record," Of The statement that "Irish Democrat" is a Job. But it is Important bpsee why the demands of the Marshall Plan. Peter Walsh (Stuart) denounced the Miss McCardle, Mr. de Valera also said that camouflage of progressive liberalism "Communist organ" Is, of course, completely Unemployed Organisation. failed, and it READERS' MEETING Fianna Fall has been unable to raise Students of Irish political history have recent attempt of certain elements in she "has. the supreme merit of being sin- untrue, although some of the clergy repeat cerely devoted to the truth." failed because.the.cwwisad Lphwr Move- tha living standards «f the common observed how in times of economic or the Irish Prisoners' Aid Committee to Bi^v this charge. Birmingham: December 14th Oasis Hotel ment did not lift a finger to help us. It people of Ireland and has bean forced political crisis the property-owners are mobilise Irish opinion against Labour in The quotation is as follows: "On Oct. In this connection one could quote Con- 10th (1033) the Irish Hierarchy, meeting was a magnificent failure and showed Ask Sellers Details. to compromise on many vital national always prepared to sell out national in- the Edgehill by-election. Vincent Cromp- noHy (page 7, "Labour, Nationality and Reli- what can be doner-but success will only terests for the sake of their class privi- ton,. another prisoner, described this NORFOLK SQUARE at Maynooth, issued to the priests and gion") when he wrote of "the many in- Issues. come when all the class conscious workers leges. action as a "stab In the back" and says people of Ireland a Joint Pastoral letter in stances in which the Catholic laity have been (Continued from Column Four) • * * whlclj resistance to the Provisional Gov- are united and fighting—not amongst Tone saw thip.olMriy when ha wrote he "doesn't want his release at expense 'ADDINGTON STATION compelled,to take political action contrary irpng unity of Ireland is as far off as ernment was once toore condemned, and themselves—but against the real enemy, It was felt that the cycles of repression about rajylng upon the "man of no pro- of a Labour set-back." Crompton con- Phone; PADdlngton 5443 to the express comments of the Pope and the and violence which marked the history of ever, Eire is still tied to the Bank r j th« war, oh the tepOblican side, was des- Catholic Hierarchy, and. in wWoh subse- the bosses. perty"; Connolly realtaad that the «apl- cludes his letter with the hope that the last quarter of a century could pro- of England, emigration continues un- cribed m AWrtlty only a system of murder quent events or the more enlightened con- L. O'CONNOR. taliat ciaaa amiM always betray Ireland "capitalism will be smashed in every vide no solution and could only weaken checked, the Gaelthacht is being de- and AuwMUuUlorwiC the National science of subsequent) ages, have fully justi- Luton. whan ha wrote that "only the Irish wor- country in the world." Concerning thr. Republican oath, they the national effort." populated, and wages lag perpetually I fied thp action of the. )m\fy, and coadomned king otaaa remain the incorruptible In- Emphasising this Leftward trend wrote that "no oath, cu Wad my man [Utters from. 8a»i Pollock, John North Low wages are blamed for •migration. behind the ever-mounting spiral of In- w the action of the clergy." heritors of tha struggle tor Irish free- among Irish Republicans I note that an- to carry on a warfare against bjs own |t may well be that "subsequent events'' and others are feltf over for lack of The Nation is being weakened by the flationary. price, increases. country in circumstances forbidden, by the dom." , « other Irish prisoner at Parkhurst has will Ju*tfy oar defence of the Irish people SB«9«v RMW»#r» «J-« Invited to contri- forced emigration of its youth. A small And now threatens the final sell-out law at God. They exprtwd Ihahope-that recently asked for copies of 'Han, En- "subsequent event*" Justified. Mr. t]e bute to our 'Xsttjfs te tha Editor" ool- section has be*n enabled to accumulate of om agonal independence by that S the world crisis deepens so the poli- Republican* would take, advantage of the Vs»era'r rteMaixe to the enemy In 192S. WWV. also welcome reports Of t»W A tical Issues before the Irish people gels and Le&in on Ireland, " aod Suite i Oknr^nment-s ofer.-" enormous wealth, while unemployment and party whjch came to power at the crest And it. will help. clarify the nature of our agtivlUa»„of. Irish political groups, clubs >ow wages, cnupled with an increased cost at a great wave of Republican enthusi- sharpen. Bums' classic "Handbook at Marxism." Km** the strictures -of the I**** struggle If war readers.«>and£r over the."sub* and societies in ttrltaln