ABSTRACT
The National Free Labour Association.—I have found it impossible, from the documents supplied to the editor of this Review, and from others which I have obtained from the general secretary of the association (I have purposely abstained from consulting any extraneous sources of information) to trace positively its origin. The general secretary, writing from 79, Fenchurch Street, November 21st, informs me that “there have been three Free Labour Societies in London, the first called the Free Labour Electoral Association, founded June, 1893, and dissolved after the general election ; the second, the Free Labour Association, founded by myself at a meeting held at the Roebuck Hotel, Tuesday, May 16, 1893, and of which I was elected president; the third, the present association, which was reorganized March, 1894, and of which I am the general secretary. The officers and executive council are elected annually. A financial statement and balance-sheet will be made yearly, the first will be issued on the 31st of December next. The executive meet here the first Monday in every month, and a congress is held yearly.” On the other hand, the only rules supplied to me, as printed on a member’s card, are as follows :—” 1. That the association be called The National Free Labour Association. 2. That all bonâ fide working men, unionist or non-unionist, be asked to join. 3. The subscription shall be not less than one shilling per annum, and shall be paid in advance. 4. That an executive council be elected to carry out the detail work and the resolutions of the members, this executive to consist of twelve members, of whom seven will form a quorum, and to meet at the association offices, in London, the first Monday in each month. 5. The association to consist of executive council, district committees, and lodges held under a charter from the executive council. 6. That where branches in the provinces are established, all salaries of permanent officers are to be paid from the central office, in London ; and that each branch shall contribute 10 per cent. of its revenue to the central office, towards the general working expenses of the association ; and also that all subscriptions collected by the branch offices must be forwarded to the treasurer at the central office within seven days of receipt of the same, it being understood that each branch shall claim the right to have the whole of the money collected by it spent on the work in that district, less the 10 per cent. above referred to. 7. That all officers of branches must be accepted and approved by the executive council. 8. That no member shall claim the right to dictate to an employer whom he shall employ. 9. That no man shall claim the right to demand that an employer, before taking on a man, shall ask him if he belongs to a union or not. 10. That every member, unionist or non-unionist, has a right to take work where he can get it, without interference or hindrance. 11. That no member claims the right to apply force or threat of force, or any form of persuasion (sic) to unionists or non-unionists.”
