Socialist Challenge No. 100, 14 June 1979
The scan: sc-n100-jun-14-1979.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
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Socialist Challenge
NOW'S THE TIME TO FIGHT
FOR THE RICH
A
TORY W
BUDGET
porters, clerks, general labourers people.
rates, fuel and clothes.
well be willing to talk to the unions
over what the labour movement must do.
No 100 14 June 1979 15p OVER two million full-time workers earned less than 147 m week last year: local sut bority manuul workers, shop assistants.
-ordinary working class
All their money goes on the bare necessities: food, rent.
The Tory Budget is a disaster for them. Those basic necessilies will go up in price. Even thellited protection of the Price Commission is being done awuy with.
Meanwhile the wealthy are laughing all the way to the bank. The cold reality of the Budget should end uny illusion that it's possible to bargain with this government. Thatcher & Co. may
but talk costs them nothing. The cost to the labour movement is confusion. Confusion as to what this government is about. Confusion
Thatcher Is preparing lo attack working class living
standards and rights. She may be treading more carefully than Heath did, but her goal is just the same, We have to give her the same response which finally toppled Heath: unity of the Intour movement for mass action to defeat the Tory attacks.
Page 2 scan of this page
Sociulist Challenge, 328/9 Lipper Street. London N1 2XQ. Editorial: 01-3598180/9. Distribetion/ Advertising: 01-359 8371-
OUR POLICIES
Cupitalism is in crisis. The leader of the Labour Party and the trade unions offer solutions that are in the interests not of the workers hut of the capitalist class.
Socialist Challenge believes that the two vital tasks confronting revolutionary socialists are:
• To build broad-based class struazle tendencies in opposition lo class-collaborationism in the labour movement. These should be non-exclusive in character grouping fogether militants hold. ing a wide range of political views.
• To begin lo fight for the creation of unified and democratic revolutionary sociulist organisation which can. through an application of uniled front
alternative thousands workers engaged in struggles.
Such an organisation should be based on the understunding that:
The struggle 1 socialism
seeks to unite the fight
workers against the bosses with that of other oppressed layers of society - women, black peopie.
struggling for their liberation. This socialism can only be achieved by creating new organs of power and defeating with capitalist state. 2 Than what elite t Triati Our socialism will be
1 than what exists in Britain loday, with full rights for pulitical parties and currents that do not take up arms against the socialist state. The Stalinist models of socialism" in the USSR und Eastern Europe have discredited socialism in the eyes of millions of workers throughout the world. We are opposed to them and will offer full support to all those fighting for socialist democracy.
The interests of workers and
capitalists are irreconcilal
on a world scale. Capitali
not only created a world market, it has creuled world politics, Thas we Fight for working class unity on an International scale. This unity will in the long run be decisive in deleating both the imperialist regimes in the West and the brutal dictatorships they sustain in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
In Britain it Implies demanding
withdruwal of British troops from Ireland and lesting the Irish people determine their own future.
The Communist parties in Kurope are in crisis, Neither Eurocommunist nor the pro-Moscow wings have any meaninglul STRICE overthrow of the capitalist state. New revalutionary socialist parties
necesury than ever before. Conditions today more favourable than over the preceding three decades, But such parties can built by rejecting sectarianism and seeing internal democracy not us u luxury but asu vital necessity. This means the right to organise factions and tendencies.
If you agree with these principles und want to be Involved activities hy Socialist Challenge supporters in your area, fill in the form below and send if to us.
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Socialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page 2
EDITORIAL HOWE'S budget has been presented by the press as a policy to 'set the nation free. The income tax cuts are supposed to give 'incentives' to get the economy back on its feel.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In the first place for working class families the cuts in income tax are totally overturned by the increase in VAT duty on cigarettes and the price rises these create. In fact millions of people living on the lowest incomes will actually be worse off as a result of the budget.
The only people who will gain will be a small
THE OIL monopolies" credibility is starting to wear thin.
United States, where 69 per cent of people in a recent poll were convinced that the energy crisis has been engineered by big business.
There are good reasons for the sceptical response. A year ago the papers were full of the 'oil glut'.
The press are now trying to blame the crisis on the Iranian revolution, the OPEC countries or the American "petrol-guzzling' people.
The papers can't quite make up their mind who to attack first.
Most British papers have plumped for the American workers. They have loudly applauded Carter's statements that workers in the USA
FIRST WORD By Brian Grogan.
THATCHER'S government wants to shackle the unions. cannot be put on a firme unless the working class is severely weakened in the course of the next ELLETSUEL The Labour failed to do this in the last LESSON SOLIA CACECOCSTAESAE from a favourable position.
To prepare the way for an assault which uses the law to weaken working class organisation, Thatcher is relying on her 'popular mandate" who defies her policies is defying the verdict of the clection.
She will use the defeat suffered in the election as a result of Callaghan's right-wing policies in order to step up attacks on the labour movement. But she must do this without running into a premature confrontation with the
organised working class.
So her overall project is clear:
Take up certain social issues where the consciousness of the working class is low - racism, women's rights, hanging and so on. gains made by the working class durine the bost-war vears throush S policy of divide and rule, with massive spending cuts and increased weitare charges to drive a wedge beiween the public and private sector. Unemployment
Allow unemployment hitting blacks, women first, hitting shipbuilding Leyland, and areas like Liverpool which have already been softened up.
Then, in order to prevent an immediate united response to any or all of these attacks, draw the trade union leaders into talks and win either their endorsement neutralise them.
But the weak position Thatcher stacts from, with the memory Heath's fall still strong in the labour moverneat, means that even small mistakes can upset the most carefully Jaid plan.
Massive pressure can build up for a fightback amongst the rank and file,
The Tory Budget
service.
Oil-let's see the books
At least that's the situation in the
Mexico.
The best laid plans..
restricting the Labour leadership's
move too far too fast, they could find
Capitalism themselves in a confrontation before
they have sufficiently prepared the
problem is that Errors
number of errors of this kind. A large part of the traditional hase of the Tory Party is dentanding that she make good her promises very quickls. anyone Commission -body has put her in the position of stimulating inflation in many people's eyes. And her mussive salary increases for the *top people, when evergone else is called upon to make sacrifices, just encourage a gur response amongs the working class people across the board — even those who voted for the Tories in the election.
Pressure
Undermine the rank-and-file
threatening language beginning to come from the right-wing leaders, like Dutty of the
intension of doing anything, but the pressure on them to avoid open collaboration is growing.
to rise, this dynamic.
and youth сал only
and massive wage increases next winter. Thatcher will find it very difficult to take an early stand against the big guns of the workers movement like the miners.
Undermine
Jeast policy or statutory pay freeze would completely undermine the government's divide and rule tactics, If over the next months we argument and lightening our eti argument Inside Tor. Le pelicy under any government, then all the best (women will
number of the highly paid.
The huge cuts in public spending will attack living standards directly by cuts in social services. Tens of thousunds of workers in the public sector will be made unemployed in addition to the 22,000 jobs the Tories have already "frozen' in civil
The selling of state assets in public firms is also a major attack on the working class. Income from the profitabile parts of public industry will be lost to private hands. It immediately threatens Jobs as the private asset-strippers get to work.
should choose hetween heating oil and petrol. But the problem is not oil-greedy America, but profits-greedy oil monopolies.
The attempt to blame OPEC Is equally dishonest. OPECcountries increased their supplies to make up for the shortfall of Iranian oil. when Saudi Arabia restores production for former levels it was a decision taken in full colluboration with the oil monopolies who complain so loudly. There were more than adequale supplies to compensate for the cut-off in oil-production, both in Alaska, the Norsh Ser and
But the oil companies are not interested in maximising supplies, hut maximising prolis. They refuse to develop refineries in the LSA until If the Tories Thatcher has already made a
Thus her arrack on the Price
La tolully ineffective
rather than curbing This is beginning to build up
pressure and is already MOS They have no
The Budget looks like reinforcing
Large VAT increase: stimulate demands for Tobe forced into an early incomes
can win the workers
bosses, against an incomes
laid plans of mice and come to naught.
jobs And [for the others see page 5).
trunian
INDON
PEOPLES
FESTIVAL
SUNDAY JUNE 17 Alexandra Palace 11am -11.30pm Evening concert with Amba, Gina 'n" the Rocking Rebels, The Resistance and Immigrant; Jazz with Stan Tracey and Solar Heating: Theatre, with Clapperclaw, Counteract and Incubus: Folk from Bob Davenport and others; International singers; Classical music with John Sipprell and others; Jonah who will he 25 in the year 2000 and other films; Exhibitions: Sports; Dozens of children's events; creche; Political Rally with Gordon MeLennan, Annie Powell and others; Debates on Children's rights, Cyprus, Racism and New Technology.
DON'T MISS THE BEST DAY OUT IN 1979 Tickets: Adult £2.50, OAP/Claimant El, Child 60p, evening only £1.50. Details from Festival Organiser, London District Communist Party, 75 Farringdon Rd., London ECI.
The British economy is already moving into a major slump in 1980. The only way to get out of that is a major programme of public spending and a whole series of nationalisations under warkers" control to guarantee investment and safeguard
The Tories are now putting hundreds of thousands on the dole queues through cutting public spending and denationalising industry.
This is not a budget to free the nation but one that will imprison milliens more of its people even further into poverty and unemployment.
the price of old is decontrolled there. Likewise in Britain, One of the last acts of the Price Commission was to let through two big price Increasca for Brilish Petroleum this year — in three months. BP and Faso will be two of the big firms that will mourn the passing of the commission least
Under public scrutiny, the American ruling clas have heen forced to admit that they reully de not have a satisfactory explanation for the crisis.
There are explanations und they are to be found in the profit margins of the til companies. That needs to be publicly demonstrated. The oil companies books and plans need to be revealed to the labour movement so thut a workers" solution to the oil crisis can be developed right new
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Red sails in the sunset?
By Geoffrey Sheridan
LORD Carrington, the Secretary, tells the government should be parted on the back for its humanitarian gesture in admitling to Britain Vietnamese refugees arriving week after being picked up by the British-registered "Sabonga
The humanity of the Conservalives, needless to say, is doled out on a selective basis. After the overthrow of Alleade in Chile In 1973, the Heath government refugee — although many of them fuced death at the hands of the Junta.
RELICES HAS TO TUTE ENTIR black immigration to Britain do not need elaboration here.
It's the plight of the boat people" which has tugged at the Tories heart strings, and it so happens that many of those in Vietnam who are leaving its shores in small boats believe that the West will greet them with open arms.
The migration is encouraged by mOre than propaganda. determination of the United States to resist the spread of the imperialiss defeat in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia in 1975 has dictated its DOES In Son CEs C
Blockade
The US has mounted an coonousic Stockade of Vietnam, mainsained # Strong military presence lo Korea, given massive supporl to the Thai regine, and consolidated its military forces in the Pacific.
The West has done its best to hinder the cconomic development of
Behind the flight of the boat-people
hardship
Foreiga
Tory since 1975.
the
this population had
homeless.
Bol OBe
Storm Di string-free ald Evacuation
behind.
with billions of dollars,
peopic. and The which thousand civil servants and
alternative meant bring squad, That 170,00đ ise and assoried ai
South anumediately
withdrawal is
material
experienced in Vietnam which is a major factor bebind the exodus of some half million refugees
The carnage of the American war bears a heavy responsibility for this. At the time of the liberation of South Vietnam, more than 16 per cent of the
been killed crippled: 56 per cent had been left
There were 3:5 million unemployed, with 4,5 million dependents - in a population of 50 million. The West's humanity does not, of course, now extend to war reparations in the
The LS evacuation of Saigon left more than death and destruction
The Americans had propped up the Thieu regime in South Vietnam
artificially sustaining numerous small business
maintained civil administration geared to its war elfort
employed several hundred
The re-education programme set up by the Vietnamese authorities for such people may be harsh, bur the
would no doubt have
morators pilled Bfter the US scutoely surprising. stales And it is no less surprising that the present increase in the number of тиесся даномя locaanonaasanou of all private trade two months ago, and the collectivisation or the laric.
It would be satisfying if the blam for the 'boat people' could be laid entirely at the door of imperialism. but that unfortunately is not the case. The other culprit is, in a phrase, the heritage of comrade Stalin.
Carringion, Secretary
The doctrine of socialism in one
the Serie nion them ree are is
the Soviet Union from the late onwards to shape forcien according to ra twer veroet baerests
Jesper Bitter harvest
di's desire to exert wet all the workers' which brought about Sino-Soviet conflict, culminating in the carly '60y with the withdrawal of ali Soviet uld Argin China.
in its turn, the bureancracy seex is bezemony in
Indo-China threatened revolution in Vietnam and cur off its aid to Vietnam last July, cancelling HO projects. There followed, of course, the Chinese invasion of earlier this year, The trail of socialisin in one country and bureaucratic rule does not sion there.
Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia is OUTSILI leadership's aim of bringing about by military means an enforced alliance Vietnam, Cambodia.
For the Vietnamese people, these wars between the workers' exacting a heavy toll.
They believed that the defeat of American imperialism meant peace at - Instend. border areas in the North against the Chinese forces and the despatch of Vietnamese troops to Cambodia has put their country once again on a war
and au chormous strain economy: foreign Er has also threatened the position
of the 1.7m Vietnamese peopie of Chinese origin, who have made up a sizcable proportion of those leaving Vietnam — some 200,000 l0 China policy itself.
in Merchants
Among them, who head for Hong K formier the Vietnam as a result of pre-revolu-
Lonary China's thousand year donnation of the region.
But others are Chinese skilled workers from North Vietnam,
inclading 39151
by the departure
Vietnam
The continuing
the Vietnamese
Laos, and
Ism, states are
defence of the
internationalism the relugees, TEAC me salty
stored
technicians and British
cadres, Their
'ERNATIONAL has brought mining production and the port a Haiphong
To what extent this migration is due to subversion stemming from the Chinese leadership, as the Vietnamese authorities claim, or to racist-inspired policies by the Vietnamese leadership, as the Junese authorities argue, it is impossible to say
Chauvinism
What is certain, however, is that Stalinism fosters national chauvin-
BUT DELS interests of the Vietnamese leadership prevent it from encouraging Vietnamese people of Chinese origin to appeal to the Chinese masses.
A bureaucracy is Jimited in the steps it can take against another bureaucracy: all of which argues that socialist democracy and proletarian
the only measures which can halt the flow of
West's tears for the boat people fall from dry eyes, just as they would if the Vietnamese authorities forcibly closed their borders and put a stop to the exodus.
This is not lo say that we should oppose the eniry of the Vietnamese refugees to Britain. It is the National Forgi which his promised pickets,
lould probitise agkinst
Supporting immigration restrictious would mean, in effect, telling the masies of some other country that They should put up with them. The
tabour accept its responsibility fot failing to oppose imperialist Socialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page
Page 4 scan of this page
"They destroyed the only beautiful thing in Battersea
HOME NEWS Preston
plans to
beat the
budget
By John Parkinson (Secretary, Preston Trades Council)
On the day Geoffrey Howe presents hin Budget attacking jobs services, trade unionists in Preston will be planning their response al a meeting of the local public sector Action Committee
*Health: Even before the Tories washing cuts. services are grosse
There in la single bed free in the local hospitals.
Preston Royal Infirmary is tfit only for burning down" according to onc local councillor. The planned new
hospital scheduled for opening in 1981 is long overdue.
"Abortien: Only 17 per cent of ahortions In Preston are performed on the NHS, compared
atonal average of 50 per cent. Th rades Council. National Abortio Campaign, and Women's oup are copa ь for a day carc abortion clinic in the new hospital.
Our joint inquiry into the lack of safe. speedys free #hortions drawn a blank from the Aren Health Authonity.
vEn- local pro-abortion Labour left MP. Stan Thorne, has ignored our campaign. In a strongly Catholic lown with well-organised tore importan han Labour Pate policy for a woman's right to chose.
*Nurserles: It isn't only our health that is under fire. The Central Lancs.
Town Development Corporation, introdaced to created jobs and houses, is creating mayhen.
Local parents have waged a long
with Lancashire County Council against its policy blocking "rining-five" entry to infant schools.
The local Polylechnic has refused to provide a nursery for staff and students, because We can't afferd it". But they managed to find two thinds of the mursery's cost — to blow on a visit by . Windsor's husband and corgi for a two hour
*Fighting We've scratched the surface as yet. To find out what culs are planned, and where,
local industrial trade unionists will have to be ittvolved.
The Trades Council recognises that it's our job to organise action in support of public secter jobs and services. We have to show that every dole.
Every penny off the top rate of tax E the closure of a hospital. Every Tory proposal a kick in the teeth for our living standards.
Preis statements and protests by union leaders and MPs won't wash with the Tonies. Only a militant and well organised campuign will succeed.
During the public sector pay claim, the Action Committer handed out over 15,000 Icafleis, pickets, rallies, socials. We brought Logether the different unsons, all those who were after the same ends — E60 and 35 hours, This will be our response to the Tories attack.
Defend Our Unions
Rank and File Conference New Century Hall, Manchester
AGENDA
THE AGENDA will deal with the lour major areas
of the lory attack:
* Picketing and the right to strike * Recognition and the closed shop * Redundancy and the cuts * Rank and lile organisation
Socialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page 4
By the Save the EGA Campaign
THE TORIES claim they have saved
the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hos-
pHan Duba
• They propose lo cut more than
hait the hospital's beds and most of
the outputient climics.
* They are calling for churity te
Therefore the Camden and Isling-
ton Health Authority have decided to and close all the beds at the EGA at
Euston Road immediately.
It was the massive support for the
hospital which won the commitment
from the government that the EGA
should stay on its Euston Road site.
Two million pounds of goverament
money will be made availuble to mo-
dernise the hospital.
The end
But the government wants to close half the hospital reducing the number
of beds from the original 150 te 40.
Funds will only be provided for
kynaccological in-putient
and related outpatient clinies. This
Voice By Paul Russell
MORGAN CRUCIBLE'S army of bull-dozers swung into action at 64,000 3.00am on 6 June. They smashed into
Five bours later community artist Brian Barnes was looking only remaining fragments of the country's largest mural painting.
Two years of dedicated and painstaking work by Wandswarth residents had been destroyed.
Barnes, the mural's designer, had been leading a campaign to save the mural from destruction by Morgans who plan to build luxury flats on the
will mean the end of the EGA as a general hospital for woien The calling for churity funding for a day care hospital and further outpatient services for women. But these are just empey promises.
Fighting for these expanded services as part of the NHS.
to the women who need these services. and lo ether closure is - if you want them you must find the money to pay for them sitc.
mous popular support, because those who work and live in the area identified with the politics of the painting
Brian Barnes' vigil that morning us he at the spent the day on top of the keeping police at bay.
bad been featured in the mural.)
vandalism. 1 feel terrible about it.
Battersen rought his family 15 miles to see th SPONSORS Acton Works London Tran sport AUEW Shop Stewards Commitlee 2PSA Manchester DHSS branc Dunlop Speke Joint Trade Union Action Commilter Gardners. Manchester Joint Stewarde Committer Hackney Council Joint Works Commiltee (GMWU. NUPE, TGWU) Heathrow Airport Joint Stewards Com Massey Ferguson, Kilmarnock, Joint Stewards Committe langarw Coke Werks NUM Roneo Vickers, Kirkby sirike committer Roral Graus Docks Shop Siewardi Commitbe‹
TRANSPORT
STAYS/OK
we won't.
government talks about
have been with clesure.
The Tory government's message
hospitais Tighting
charity fundingThe campaien had received enor- them
very beautiful thing.'
The Christopher Two bundred supporters Joined
Food and encouragement came from bus crews
Driver John Clarke said, 'Its sheet wall
noliceman had nearest police station.
Courts of Enjustice,
less people facing
COLTE, Suddenly
Street Police Station.
following remark»:
body bonus
Health
light
Successive Labour and Tor governments have cut money from health and other public services to try and holster the profits of big business. That is why the EGA Is threalened
The Tories" plans are to cut even more services and lo encourage pay heds and private medicine. Asemhle
Those of us who cun't afford to pay for health care will have to rely on askeleion health service dependent on
It's the only thing 1 would show
Battersea, it was
Tory council leader Chope turned up to survey the ruins. He was disconcerted to see that the only section of the mural standing depicled himself and other Tory councillors fleeing the wrath of Wandsworth residents.
Then it came true!
surrounded him, bricks started to appear. He turned on his heels and fled to the sanctuary of the
At the end of the day, Barnes and
We get a body bonus - police
FRIDAY 8 June, the Royal The Strand. In the time honoured manner of home
CViCtion, Ferry Lane Squanters and Housing Action are peacefully picketing outside the
sevels people pounced on by police, arrested and
charged with obstruction.
They are taken in a van to Bow
On the way the police make the twice Blair Peach - you?ve gut your-
selves a martyr haven't you? Weget a
- one down a lew chouWe haven't got amy lead trincheons todav. Weld murder you 5691.
Thousands of women locally and nationally need and want the EGA and it's a right that women should have. In should be provided by the NHS free of charge.
Health Services
fought in the 1930s for a National
Service free at the time of need. It's up to us to carry on the
Hundreds of hospitals throughout Britain are forced into closare or une crippled by lack of staff and money for repairs and equipment. Waiting lists grow longer every day
Tie EGA will fight alongside others demanding an end to cuts more money for the health service and better heulth cure for all.
Protest
• A protest demonstration has been called for Wednesday 20 June,
1.00pm EGA. Euston Rond. [100 yards 5t Panerus Station).
Further Information contact the Save the KGA Campaign c/o Camden Road, London NWI
six others were arrested and charged
Their trial has been set for 21 Fune at
South West Magistrates Court
Meanwhile members of the Work-
shop are hack at the wall, paisting in
figures, including • cynical
quotation irom the chairperson of
Morgan Crucible issued al the same
time he was ordering the mural's
destruction
Mindfal of our long association
with Battersen and is cultural
heritape.
Contributions and messages of
support to;Batterseu Mural Defence
David
1 Stormont Road, London SWIl. lot if we had a chance.'
Twenty hours later on Saturday
morning, the arrested demonstrators
appear at Bow Strcet Magistrates
Court. 30 people turn up to packet the
Almost immediately the saite
group of police move in and start
making arrests.
To date 14 people have been
arrested and charged with obstruction
and one person bas been arrested
All the arrests ure an attack on the
fundamental right to demonstrate
Those arrested are guilly of nothing.
phone 01-607 2789 ext 5027 or 01-701
Page 5 scan of this page
wage rises for the rich
For the rich... • Public sector bosses 43 to 50 per cent, aver E212 per week. * Civil servants, judges, Service chiefs, 15 per
For the poor.... • Public sector workers were offered 5 per cent, and had to fight for every extra penny of their Tinal rise tomorrow from the Clegs Commission on pay compursbunty,
The gross increase of $3.50 plas El. for a hospital worker, has boiled down to between 43 and 55 pence for someone who is married with two children.
The Tory Budget cuts in the basic rate of tax will be grabbed back as increased value Added Tax raises prices.
Unity
When your wage rise is £212 a week, a few pence on household goods is nothing. But for the millions of working class people who are in pad, unemployed, or pensoners, BES misery.
With the aboliton of the Prices Commission the bosses' hands will reach even further into workers' pockets. To add to this, there is City pressure to berade Ence pound.
The old slogan of "strength in unity' was never truer thun today. Unity in action needs to be at the centre of our opposition to the Tory
United action by those groups of
engineers, leachers. workers could see off uny Tory wage-cutting Campaign
Only a policy which protects wages against Inflation can ensure lasting gains for workers from their struggles. Policies such us antomatic
national minimum wage are the real guarantees of workers" unity.
A campaign to end cosy TUC chats with the Tories und for militant action for such policies is what's required.
hosa. ANDREW WIARD
the wealthy.
weapons for defending living standanis.
the Tories.
The reason for this outburst?
Tor profits will mean for the steelworkers pay ries.
with it's promise of jum chemical and power Another militant call to surrender BILL SIRS of the steel workers" unipn has described the Tory government as an "avowedly reactionary Conservative administrution whose early actions already promise hurd times for working people and greater disposable income for
You might think this message, to be put before the ISTC conference this week, Is a rallying call to prepare a fighibuck. Fur from it.
He wants to give up some of the baste onion rights which will be vital
Attucking the lorry drivers' strike of last year for thewse of flying pickeis, he has said that the Concordat with the Labour government could be repeated with
British Steellost £50 millions last year due to secondury picketing. No doubt some delegates al the conference will be concerned to ask him what this concern
HEALTH - NOT CUTS
CONFERENCE
The tight toe a socialet Bodie ros Saturday JUNE 30th 10am - 5.30 Conway Hall. Red Lion Sq..
LONDON WC1
SOCIAL 7um TILL 10pm Oranded be FIGHTIACK, JU Cancan Roas Lurden Kit
Company
Barclays Bank Lid Metal Box Ltd IG Glass Containers Lad Tate & Lyle Kefineries Lid British Railways Board
Passenger Fares
Miscellaneous Ever Ready (G81 Lad ICT Lad Weetabix Lid
Cereals
Allied Breweries (UK) Lid
Beers
Food, Drink, Accom Southalls (Birmingham) Lad IPC Magazines Lid Thames Water Authority Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd
Portlund Cement
Special Cement British Gypsum Ltd
1980. group.
Price rises for us,
Why don't the Tories like Commission. The table below spenks for itself. Limiting price rises means less profit, and even where the Commission did allow the requested rise, the delay due to their
Notified Pinal Price Price Increase Increase
N.A. N.A. 10.5 10.5 9.8 9.8 2.0 2.0
14.6 14.5 36.1 13.8 7.0 2,0 5.0 5.0
8,7 8.7 6.5
7.4 7.3 7.3 4.3 4.3 2.9 2.9 9.5 7.2
10.0 10.0
8.0 63 My Ailean O Callaghan IF the Executive of the Post Office Engineering Union (POEU) expected an easy life at Conference following its successful sabotage of last year's struggle for the 35-hour week then it got a rude shock last week.
on Conference teenin day the
table" Insisted formulation of the pay claim to be Nahilled Dr the 126,000 strong union should he adopted. It seemed to promise (wo-stage amounting to 25 per cent by January
A closer Jock revealed however that the sise of the first Instalment depended on the inclusion of existing pay supplements into the basic wage calculation and that prodectivity agreements accounted for a fall 5 per cent of the tota amount.
The second Instalment worse. lis calculation included a payment for restructuring regrading even though the POEU B
ly Denny Fitzpatricl Paddington School NUT
THIS SATURDAY sees a special NUT conference on salaries. Executive will be recommending an offer of 10, N per cent in two stages plus a promise of more to come trom the Clegs Commission — a loss in real wages of 25 percent even on the Executive's figures:
Thesudden acceptanceof an offer only murginally berter than that of the Labour government is due inclusion of a reference lo the Hough con Relativities in the Clege Commis sion briel.
Houghton, de lynch-pin of the NUT's argument, was in fact a policy which gave must to those who had most, entrenching differentials between reactiers-
Only one member of the 47-strong Executive voted against the settlemeur - Dick North of the Rank and File
Price
incentives doesn't it?
Total Loss of Profits
0.63 Tras Houses Furle Hotels LAd 0.45 Royal Doulton Tableware Lod 0.75 Proctor & Gamble Lid 0.50 HOTHELE
Air Products Led 0.50 Thermes Lid 1.00 Butlins Led 1.60) BOC Ltd 0.55 Dissolved Acetylene
Compressed Permunent 0.14 Cases 0.14 Daily Telegraph Lid
0.20 0.20 Wholesale Beer Prices 0.37 Managed House Prices 1.00 Whitbread & CoLNd 5.20 TBOILSOICTRISTHIEES
Managed House Prices Electricity Council: 2.90 Domestic Increases 2.90 British Gas Corporation 2.06 Total
Union leaders get a shock
supposed to be opposed completely to the Post Office's plaos for these Seeing these strings, the Lnion's delegates promptiy cut them adopied a two-stage 25 per cent claim on the basis of stundard of living not subject to deals about productivity,
Moreover the committed to taking industrial action to achiere these demands if they are not immediately met by the Post Office management, Bryun Stanley, the POEU General Secretary will not find it so easy to sell out the membership occasion either. Despite a vigorous campaign by the tendency — called Mainstream' -which supports the Executive. despite a carefully orchestrated red scure against the Broad Left in the Union, it took a desperate munoeuvre was by the conference's chairperson to
prevent # second delest and Executive: the
Agreement' it negotiated with the
Special teachers' conference
The rest were so keen to avoid a Teal light when Labour was in office that they are now disarmed in front of the Tories.
The The anger and fristration of many
thousands salaries sell-our highlights the need for an alternative.
That's why the Socialist Teachers Alliance and Rank and File, the two opposition groupings in the union, are presently discussing fighting for a new leadership in the next elections. to the Des Tierney and Mike Anderson
add from Scotland:
The conference of the Scortish teachers union, alarasing signs that the Executive is prepared to reirear before the Tory offensive in education.
teachers' interests will be protected by productivity deals blarger classes) wil perhaps lay the basis for uny deal pu orward by the Clegg Commissio he presence of 60 delegates at th
Investigation still meant profits lost.
The Tories are after all concerned to tackle inflation, and that requines restoring profit
Notified Price
5.3 9.3 5.5 13.0 0.0 9.5
9.7
9.8 4.5 Rugby Portland Cement Co Ltd 10.9
7.9 7.9
5.7 8.8
8.6 8.5/25.0/35.0 Post Office
and
Fright to
modernisation
Lnion is non next
nght wing
100.
for the among *Job Security with opposition
of teachers about the other areas.
schools
the EIS, showed is still illegal).
The acceptance of the idea that
sponse
HOME NEWS Final Total Price Lossof Інстевве Profits Em
5.3 1.42 0.18 1.56 0.25 0.70 0.20 1.40
2.90
2.W 0.50 0.16
7.0 7.0
4.50 4.50
30.00 22.50 91.12
•High marks for artistic interpretsoon, none tor cecamicur mer was how one delegale summed up the Executive during the debate on an agreement which, significantly,
TYLE one promised in our deal made when the 35-hour week struggle was sid out. Just as the delegates saw through c Ecoles proar burge so many of them recognised the Jot Security Agreement" as a redundancy
The point the 'top table will not have been slow to take is that the possibility of them trading off Jobs for higher wages was severely limited by votes at Conference.
The Union's membership cleariy expect 25 per cent without strings and they ure prepared for a fight for it
If the Executive fails to cive th leadership whot they expect, then the signs are already there, particularly
POEL'S younger mensbers, that they are prepared to look around for one that will.
Rank and File opposition meeting was just ooe sign the executive will meet
One third of the delegates rejected the pay deal and victories were won in
Support was piedged for nursery teachers and those in special educa fion taking industrial action to ger the
conditions as in urdinary
The present segregation of schools into Roman Catholic and non-Roman Catholic sectors was opposed, and by # carton sote a moton was rejected calling for more protection 10 gay teachers (in Scotland homosexuality
Scortish teachers now accepl thal use of the belt has to stop and, while conference voted to seck alternative sanctions against school students, the Rank and File policy of ending belting and recognising the school studeots upion received a sympathetic re
Socinlist Challenge 14 June 1979 puge 5
Page 6 scan of this page
HOME NEWS
Youth unemployment
is one l
can keep'
AS UNEMPLOYMENT continues to rocket it is youth who are the most hard hit.
And those who do manage to get Jobs face appalling wages and lack of interest from the unions.
Jade Woodward talked to some anemployed youth in Birmingham about their work prospects.
Their experience forcibly demonstrates that for young workers it is anemployment that is the most burning issue.
And it is particularly on this issue that the unions should be making a big drive to bring young workers into he organised Is Dour movement.
Tony is 18, he left school two years aro, presently he is unemployed this time it has been for four days.
Since left school I've had fou
Jor five jobs, I've worked mostl in factories. When I first left school it was difficult to get work.
You went to the Job Centre and saw a job you thought you could do. but you had to have experience before you could get it.
Discipline
It was about a year before 1 got my first job - working in the market on a stall. I gave that one up as it was such long hours and such lousy pay E17 a week.
I came from Ireland originally. about six years ago. My parents died and 1 came to my aunt.
But 1 lived in children's homes a lot of the time, I didn't like school, it
Women's aid
By Jude Woodward WOMEN'S Aid in Birminghum is three and a half years old.
Throughout this time it has been negotiating for a permunent refuge — WEET CHEESS
Last week, in exasperation, they occupied a Council-owned house that had been standing empty for two years
London has 25 women's refuges and that is inadequate, Birmingham has none at all.
The women were fobbed off with a short-life property for a period, but it had to close in January due to Its awful condition and overcrowding.
It was falling apart around our cars* one of them said.
The social service department ure quite belpful with giving grants, but the housing department completely ignores 1s.
The were terraced house, again short-life, with only enough room for two families.
The Council had told Women's Aid that the previous house was overcrowded, so this offer was simply an Insult.
The house under occopation had been standing empty for two years but when the women moved in the Counci turned of me cocary
The Council plans to sell it back to the freeholders, who want it for an American company to build a private hospital on the site.
2S NO 3518 was occupied a woman with five children mored in, despite the conditions, as it was the only way escape the violent situation in her home.
Birminghum Council mest be forced to meet its responsibilities towards batfered women.
Women's Aid will not leave the
Socialst Challenge 14 Jume 1979 page 6
A good job
was discipline all day then I went home to the same discipline or worse. I just wanted to get out.
Next I got a job packing. I was working Sam-Spr and picking up E22 for that.
I left that after abour six months - by then I had a flat and I couldn't pay for it on that kind of money.
Generally I found jobs myself, through walking around the factory areas for hours knocking on every door.
Boring
I tried to get jobs at the Job Centre but they'd ring up the employer and find the job was filled. They'd say: We've got someone here who thinks he can do the job — he's never done it before'
You might drag all the way down there and then get toid the job was
I went on a training scheme once - I just gave it up after three wocks, It was really boring
You'd just put a screw in a pipe over and over again tor days they'd say you'd learnt something. Some guys would do it for six months and just learn to press buttons — then they'd say you'd got a skill. - gOt They'd say you were starting to learn how to somethine like that.
One guy who did the course shows his certificate when he goes for a job. The guy who sees him comes out with all these long words about machines
reasonable property for homeless women.
Abortion
conference
By Penny Duggan
The National Abortion Campaign conference last weekend concentrated its energies on working out how best to defend the existing, limited right to abortion that looks likely to come • under attack through Members Bill in this session of Parliament.
The conference, attended by 75 members, togetber activists from all over the
We decided that in the evens of a restrictive bill as proposed by Corne, NAC should initiate a campaign around the slogan 'No lowering of the line Imt - Defend the 1967 Acr
This campaign should culminate in a major national demonstration, organised by the women's TUC, al the time of the third reading in the
Despite this defensive situation plans for a national conference of the
abour movement, 1o discuss wbat positive legislation on abortion we want to see, will go ahead for Spring 1980.
NAC'S Declaration, porating the principles we want in any positive legislation, will be published as soon as possible as a starting point for discussion.
The campaign for the provision or extension of local day care abortion facilities will continue to be a major activity for the local groups.
NAC will also continue to develop discussion with other groups such as Black Women's groups, W Health groups and will participate in one until they have been given a the Women and Health tribunal.
Tony anc I Mark Can you use machine?
doesn't know.
quarter
the industrial revolution.
I was pickling,
then hot and cold water.
never provided overalls to
do about it.
vveralls.'
take bome зу 10 nights from 10pm 10 8an
and
lo it himsel
use machines or
chances at the
Icaving school.
Fight
immigration
laws
There. a Private These
Nationality Act, dependents, voluntary although only
drew
aguinst "illegal immigrants" These proposals
attack.
Immigratrion Act.
This Act
picked up, delained and removed
incor- and temporary
against white labour.
The Campaign gration Laws
turn it to concrete activity.
omet and
Rising Free, London NI.
such and such guy doesn't now what it looks like so he jus don't last long.
My next job was in the Jewellery
- part of Birmingham where 130-E35 is good pay. they make jewellery, left over from
that's trophies and cups into vats of acid
The job itself was OK, but they
protect tot seven 'O' levels your clothes from the acid. Most of the factories in the quarter are not in the union so there's not much you can and design
They just said: Well, get your only last job has been in the bakeries, working nights. 1 got E32 you as a person
What happened with that was that GUILING ONES I learnt the job from the foreman.
After 2 or 3 months the gaffer comes up and tells me I'm doing it all wrong.
lost my temper and told him 1
All I can do is keep looking and hope to lind another job, but the
moment are pretty vague because of all the new people
In Birmingham at least, jobs like basic CSEs. these are the only ones open to THE TORIES are proposing a whole series of attacks on the rights of black people, both within the country and among those who would like to live
proposals loclude a nev register of repatriation, greater restrictions on black people wanting to work or settle here und an intensification of "counter measures
still further reduce the status of blacks to second class citizens, giving the go-ahead for greater police harassment and tacit approval for every kind of racist
The basis for this is set by the 1971
discriminates agalnst blacks trying to enter through the patrial clause, and means they can be without right of appeal — if they ure suspected of being iBegal immigrants.
Il divides working people on the basis of colour by creating a cheap
pitted
Against Emmiexists to co-ordinate opposition to the Acts in the labour. wali-racist and black movements and
CAH. is holding a public meeting on 16 Jane and national pickets of all detention centres on 7 June at 2pm.
For info contact: CAIL, Box 133,
182 Upper St,
vounger kids with no qualifications.
And they're such crap jobs that they
What I'd call a good job is any job
Mark is 16 and left school a year ago, he is unemployed having had one job since he left school. 1 was chucked out of school in
the March, but I went back it May and June last year to do exams. I
I'm interested in doing work tha uses the talcots I've got in drawing
- like technical drawing.
The only way to get that kind of job isto get an apprenticeship or go to college and do an ONC or HNC
Doing an apprenticeship destroys
- it's four years of shit wages which effectively imprisons you at home. You ve got no money to
That's how they operate - 10 make sure you've got no freedom.
When you're young you've got a tendency to be more rebellious, to take less shit, so the work discipline is tough and they ensure you have to stay at home so you are under the control of your parents,
You can get a craft apprenticeship al British Leyland with one or two
I could have gol it as may father works at Leyland.
Campaign Against Immigration Laws
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
WHAT? — there is to be a National Picket
WHERE? - outside ALL prisons
kept.
WHEN? - at 2pm, Saturday, 7th July
ALL the prisons below will he pickeled:
• Bedford Prison Si Laya S Bedfonichine
Manson Green Rel
• Canchery Prism
EMBAT DEE
• Canity Frien
• Dushare Prenu Die Event Buttin
• Haruadenna D.C Colebront Br-pass Wet Dreyion
+ Heathrow D.C, Queens Baildin
But whole generations of my family have worked at Longbridge and T've seen what it does to them. I used to go past everyday and saw them all coming out depressing.
In our area it's the equivalent ot going down the pits
But the apprenticeship is not bad pay if you stay at home - and in the end you'd be alright.
A frend of mine — Keith — is an apprentice electrician. But he won't
Till then he just has to take shit fror the bosses, the other workers and the He was told to so and work in B unions don't care Peterborough on contract work for
three months, It's a 60 hour week for
E90. But be has to live in digs and pay for all that.
A mate of his got hit by something falling from the scaffolding and had his back broken. Keith could hardly face going back after that. Stupid
I want to go to college but that poses problems us at my age you can't get a grant. And fulltime at college you can 1 sign on
You have to survive off your parents. Mine weren't prepared to do that before, but i think they are now
But I don't want to live at home -there's no choice
I have to go down and report to the Careers Service every week.
I told them I wasn't prepared to accept a job where I worked 40 hours for 121 and they'd agree with me. But then they'd come hack and offer me a job as a shit-shoveller and things like i'a They treat you as though you're stupid. They treat you like a kid
They offered me a job as an offic junior for Cl6 a week!!
The way the dole operates is in
The only communication with others is the acne on the person in front of you's neck
We've got to try and break through that isolation and get rogether and try to orginise
And the unions should take an interest and not let us get pushed around and ripped off when we dol get work.
and detention centres where detainees under the immigration act are
Landon N7
Yurishu
East Sur
Carivall Bi Liscal * Peniverile Ladie NI + Isley Remand Canin WATER HE OSKE, rEA
• Winchesler Prion
Page 7 scan of this page
By Ceoff Bell IN 1969, when lan Paisley battang with Minister Terence. O'Neill for the hearts and minde of the North of Ireland's Protestants; a Maoist group in Dubim produced explaining the reason for this contest.
inter-imperialist conflict, said the leatlet. American imperialism Paisley and British Imperialism backing O Neill.
The story is a warning against glib explanationt for the recent criticism of influential United States ticians of British policy in the North of Ircland.
No-one has yel suggested it represents a renewed contict intereste berween the two imperialist powers bur the most popularly given cason is equally facile. That is, that there is nothing more to it than attempts hy a few politicians to attract the Irisht vole. Gift-wrapped
The case of Edward Kennedy shows why this explanation falls flat on its face. Kennedy does not need to criticise Britaio over Ireland to win the Irish vote; he aiready has gift-wrapped and handed to him for he is a Catholic, he is a Kennedy, and the: birth-place, of his ancestors remains somewhere in Ireland.
Similar assessments can be made concerning the other Irish-American politicians who have been to the fore or Hugh Careyh polen York. mor Hugh Carey Senator Daniel Moynhan and the House of Representatives Speaker, Tip O'Neill all enjor broad support Their political lives do not depend on the Irish vote which anyway is fairly tied in with the Democratic Party machine.
So why did Kennedy Britain of 'violating the spirit of its recent pledges to the European Court ol European Rights'.
Patrick's day message in March?
Why has Tip •'Neill made repeated criticism of Britain's Irish policy, accusing the main parties of treatine Ireland political football and two weeks ago calling Jor an embargo on American arms sales to the RUC?
Patient
Why has Carey advocated a more extensive boycott of Britain for its repressive policies?
Why has Moynihan said that the US will not be patient forever" the question of a united Ireland?
All these gentlemen are highly influential. The saying goes that the 'Tip' U Neill slands tor influence presidents. Kennedy came second behind Carter with O'Neill third in a recent public opinion poll in the USA on who was the most powerful American. Moynihan is one of the leaders of the Democrat's right wing while Carey is governor of the second largest state in the USA.
Other American politicians, notably aes have made strenged MeCiovern Mario Biagei criticism of Britain's role in Ireland than have the lour haremen' they are dubbed. But it is influence and power these four have which make their statements mean something. And this raises a further puzzle concerning the role President Carter played in all this.
Spectacle
The answer to these and other riddles the ridiculous pectacle of the USA posing as che chandons rights Ireland begins with a recognicion of the state of play in the Six Counties
British policy in Ireland is in one big mess. The recently leaked top secret confirms that the Provisionals have the ability and support to carry on their resistance as long choose.
The electson successes Loyalist right confirms the estant population are as unlikely to endorse a 'compromise' settlement as ever they were. British policy inself S, in American language, a destabilising factor?
If British politicians are reluctant
waS Prime
beatlet
with backing
poli-
on
to face these facts the Americans are nol. When William the Sunningdale settlement ssued public sratements of approval. When Merlyn Rees refused to give in to the Loyalist demands for a return 1o Sornont the issued their strongest criticism so far
appeared le be scttlement the American avoided any "human rights" criticism.
TaDO
Their attitudes changed after two
was between Top
the Callaghan al which, i has
reported, Callachan agreed he had done a deal with the Unionists at Westminster to allow Lahour to stay in power. The second meeting was between Moynilan and Roy Mason after which. the New York Times absolutely duzed. He was quoled as saving of Mason. *He intention of doing anyching, about Northern Ireland excepi keeping Lie British there. there is no political will co seltie The problems such a stance poses was summed up in a pre-clection interview with Kennedy in the Belfast Telegraph, complained Kennedy, "
they 100 march against PTA
of the Pror-
American advice on
England's Vietnam
He Kept Our Boys Out Of Northern Ireland
Whitelaw was "power-sharing" and terror, Kennedy there is a diminished if nothing happens'.
Tour horsemen" Equivocate
attempting some big-wigs
J Neill and heen from MoGovern, cheerfully
according to Moynihan was
had
internal to Democratie Party politics. right-wing Democratic Carter's Toreign policy. continues to
More than 100 people, including British socialists and Irish Republicans murclied last Saturday against the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
They were on their way to Briston prison to protest the delention of Jimmy Scanion, a beilding worker and member of the IRSP Support Group. Jimmy is being held In Brixion while his appeal against deportation is being heard.
personally feel extremely strongly about the need to condemn violence the koeper
But our ability to influence and convince people that
better way would be
united Ireland.
Busily following his policy repression Roy Mason ensured that nothing did happen. But in America realised thal
lenders of the 'political initiative" Irish-American lobby were attracting increasing criticism for their silence Catholic
Countics such as himself.
threasened to "black' British goods
movement pressure can be added the increasing Government. attention Britain was attracting to itself, and by implication the Western
Britain
There were also factors at work
critics Kennedy equivocate on his
the EAST being presidential intentions and O'Neill as
the Democratic machine can act as an unofficial spokesperson for Carter. Each had good political reasons to pose as the champions of human rights Ireland. Some may even have an emotional attachment to the idea of a
If all this waso't cnough there is the friendship beiween Kennedy and week: John Hume of the SDLP who also
the longer Britain's was put off the larger was the loss of influence on the
population the 01 reformist politicians
The Americans did try and lobby the British on their worries. What 'dazed" them was the complete lack
from the The only option they had left was to go public
Ar the centre of their concern. governmental or otherwise, is tha
permits an Increasingly unstable sitoation to develop in Ireland from which anything could emerge. It is for this reason that the best informed advisors of the British bourgeoisie in this country welcomed the American's intervention. The Economist described O'Neill's "pohtical football' statement as 'one of the most sensible, speeches abur his oll. forelathers country ever made'. The Financial Times judged the collective intervention as 'no bad thing". situation developing in Ireland. Fo British politicians this might seem
Hut US imperialism has learnt the hard way that Tar-off nossibilities come uncomfortably fas Ethey are not dealt with in time.
TIRELAND
SOLIDARITY
Student appeal AN APPEAL to th student movement has just been published b
International Tribunal on Botain'5 Presence in Ireland.
The appeal calls for delegaie. from student unions to take up the reserved pieses •labour movement jury which will bear the
The final bearing of the Tribunal lakes place on 7/9 July in London' Conway Hall. Further informatio on the Tribunal and extra copies of Wilsham Street, Londoo WIL State racism
LONDON organisations including East Looden UTOM have organised a demonstration against state ricism. The march, on Saturdas 16 June hims lo draw the links between racism against Irish people and racism against Asiuns and blacks.
Originally intended as a response to the iftuck by the National Front against the Bloody Sunday demonstration earlier this pear the demonstration hopes to link the two stroggles.
The murch will start irom Hyd Park [Speakers Corner] at 2,00pm After the march there will be a social at Cily Poly Students Union (tube Aldgate Fast] with the film 'Patrio Game' and the reggae band Amber. Pat Arrowsmith TROOPS OUT campaigne Pal Arrowsmich will appear in Cardifi magistrates court this Thursday. This will be the fiest of two appearance she will be making in the court (the second is on 28 June) as a result of
arrested twice during her candidature in the general election.
The arrests came as Pat was speaking on Ireland, She says:
*I consider these charges to be a gross injustice and an atcack not only
night to speak parliamentary candidate, but on the rights of everyone who speaks out against the government's policy on Ireland, and the rights of potentia voters to hear what their candidate has to say
*Iwant it to go on record that if 1 am convicted on these spurious charges I will in no way cooperate with the authorities — 1 will pay no fine, nor will 1 be bound over and if 1 am sene to jail, 1 will go on hunger strike untill am released."
A petition demanding the right of free speech on and the dropping of all charges against Pas will he presented to the Home Office and the Cardiff Chief Constable this
Signatories include Lords Anthony Gifford and George McLeod Emlyn Williams (S Wales NUM President), Arthur Scargill and Neil Кіллоск МР.
Liverpool arrests 'DON'T wrile in any left-wing puper about police il-treatment' was th warning given to Colin Maguire and Alf Cotterell when they were releused after two days detention ander the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The two, members of the IRSP support groep in Liverpool, wer arrested after collecting money for H
All suffers front cancer of the stomach. But this did not prevent police keeping bim and Colin in isolation cells with lights permanenti)
Frank Field, Labour MP for Birkenhead, has written to Merseyside police and put down a question in
Commons demanding explanation of police conduct.
But only action by the labour movement will stop more names being added to those scrulched deep in the walls of the Bridewell isolation cells. Socialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page 7
Page 8 scan of this page
WHY WE MUST DEFEND
Enterprise Board.
system for capitalism.
to stay in the intensive care unit.
So why do nationalisation? introduced in the past.
for the NEB
The Tories say that the nationalised indostries are inefficient because they
nationalised. The facts show otherwise.
LET EITHE between 1958 and 1968 output per person rose by 4 per cent in British manufacturing as a whole. In the nationalised railways it rose by 4.6 per cent, in the mines by 6 per cent, in electricity by 7.5 per cent. and in the nationalised airlines by 10 percent.
One of the reasons why the Tories have not tried to de-nationalise the
MRS, Tall industries is that private ownership would be incapable of generating the long ten investment necessary to maintain these industries — and they
In the private sector investment is left to the anarchy of private probit -If the profits don't warrunt the risk, then no investment.
Benn Is right in saying that the nationalised induscries have been run
life suppor capitalism. Subsidy
Firstlythey provide cheap services to private industry. ICI has a contract
which they receive gas worth E110 million a year to ordinary consumers for E30 million a year.
Berween 1947 and 1957 the sale of coal to private industry at lower prices than to the domestic consumer them a subsidy of t2000 milkon.
Secondly, they provide a fixed and ready market for goods. In 1974-5 the Post Office bought E800 million of telecommunications equipment from firms like GEC - whose average profits are 15 per cent.
Thirdly, they pay compensation to former owners. The old rail owners get about £50 million a year, turning
ny profit into a loss for the railways
lo see that they are run in the interests of capitalism their controlling boards were filled with reliable "commercial gentlemen start. Of the directors on the boards of the nationalised industries in 19:50 only 12 percent had apy connection
with the labour movement
Today the National Enterprise Board is beaded by a majority of company directors or directors.
Yet even run capitalist lines, the industries have proved themselves more efficient than the private sector.
Saving captain das nor ce much for those that work in the industries. Tens of thousands of jobs
Socialist Challenge 14 Jane 1979
The Tories want to see as much profitable industry in private hands as possible. That's why they are gunning for the National
Tony Benn has attacked the Tory proposals by warning that they will cut off the life support
The Tories want to send the patient out for a good stiff constitutional, whilst Benn wants it
socialists
RICH PALSER looks at the arguments. Elsewhere we ask who stands to gain from de-nationalisation, and look at the steel industry to see how nationalisation has been
Tories gunning
freezes and productivity deals.
support system. them?
ago as 1912, a group of miners wrote in the Miners Next Step that 'as they feel the increasing pressures we shall be bringing on their profits, they will loudiy cry for nabsonalisation, We mining shalland must oppose this."
Workers Control Unfortunacely, however,
result is massive closures and lay-orts.
Mass unemployment
for again.
the bosses if they cannot provide jobs.
. like George Ward, they refuse to give
profit:
of firms creating redundancy gave private sector's, must beserved.
The previous owners
been living off the backs
years. order to improve
week.
sector,
from the
WOT CIS SULLISI
directly elected representatives.
Victory former
aloDg totally nationalised is tremendously
page 8
argue for have been lost, Wages and conditions in these industries have been the first to come under attack through wage
So is it worth the candle? If the Tories want to cut off capitalism's life
shouldn't we let
The question isn't new. As long
capitalism will not cease to exist of its own accord. When the pressure on profits make investors scarce, and the state is not called in to bail industry out, the
used to demoralise and weaken working class organisution, and thus boost profits
The call for nationalisation under workers" control is a call to get rid of To tuke their company off them if,
workers decent pay and conditions. It is a call for planning against the anarchy of private ownership and
In fighting for the nationalisation
the workers" needs and interests, not the
are not entitled to compensation — they have
of the workers who produce the wealth for
New technology must be used in to
the life of the workers through a shorter working the
standards
Products and prices must not be geared to cushioning the private heads.
Instcad of control being placed in the hands of the company directors. Workers must cantrol pens the
control Indestries run through their own
*rights
Nor does the fight stop having won these demands. Private industry
concentrated and powerful. A mere 80 companies own organisations
Any serious victory in the fight for nationalisation would not ooly fail to increase invesiment in the private
sector (and witbout chat no island of socialist nationalisation could exist for long), but it would positively make things warsc
The wealthy few are hardly Likely
their moncy in new technology when they see workers on
offensive to living and threat nationalisation hanging over their
That's why Benn's talk of 'planning agreements" being used to see that investment takes place is pure fantasy — it's only by challenging the "right" of the big capitalists to dispose of their wealth as they will that planning of the economy can begin.
Exerting control the
means denying those
Nationalisation of the major banks and finance houses, placing them under the control of the workers
that credit and investment are under their control that is the first essential step towards socialist planning.
Opening the books of the major
contpanies and subiccting employers to the scrutiny and control of elecled workers committees is thc ne There should be no retreat from fighting for socialist including nationalisation. The Tories offensive can easily be used to divide workers.
The Pose Office Union for example has consistently called for the two main sections of the Post Office to be run by different boards one 15 a telecommunications sector, the other the loss making postal service.
Any de-nationalisation plans of the Tones will have similar divisions in mind.
If workers in these industries see no credible socialist alternative to nationalisation as we now know it, the basis will he laid for further divisions as the profitable sectors go back to the private sector and the remaining are left to suffer the WOrsE.
the
policies, In the summer of 1977 the
sold off to private hands 17 per cent of British PetroEngincering leum shares. This €540 million sale was
just one of the concessions, along with profitable public services,
Goverament made in returo for continued loans from the International Monetary Fund.
The new Tory Government wants further in raising money this was. also advantage that their friends in business will gain — that is after all what a Tor Gotcrument is best placed workers to do.
The first to gu will he some of the companies in
Denationa
which the Na
government prise Hoard
Take Ferran tronics firm. I it recorded a y 19.12 million cent increase.
TOTEELS in Under the
which the original agreen
the NER - Ки Ferranti, it has sharcholding ! once Ferranti t a profit. to go a lot
Tories
has the
This it di and 2940,0000 ou Tories know where that car the private ins have the bealing unpr
Page 9 scan of this page
NATIONALISED INDUSTRY
| Easter- cerns for them. wolved. The most stunning NEB
reh 1978 profit of 49 per
of the ly which ures in duce is DEE LEI
sation - who gains?
Fairey bankruptcy by a total NER engineering — rescued from takeover, and now showing
pre-tax profits of $5.2 million.
A return on cupital of 26.6 per cent is a gift horse the private sector won look. in the mouth.
The Tories of course say that these will be best ron in privule hands unyway. that were true the Government would not have been pouring money into them via the NEB in the first place.
State investment used because the wealthy privule investors were either unprepared to luke risks or didn't see emough retums.
1976 averaged 3.5 per cent in the British economy as a whole
well below point the industrial cycle in 1970, That's why the investors are not investing.
weulthy possibly be Inclined take-over those compunies
that ure now fit and well after massive Injections, let if there is no firm guarantee of retures
forthcoming-
Favour H Even in the case of ICL, the computer firm, anotber NEB Involvement which recorded 24 increase in profits in 1938, the massive needed over the years may put off the private sector despite healthy stute profitability
When the Tories get round to half the low other Industries — sections
of shiphuilding, steel or the previous telecommunications side of
the Post Office - they will he only foe aware that doing big business
might depends
to triesiness sees it as a favour.
Steel-
example is the
compete with its main rivals. immediate protit.
Nationalisation capitalist solution. First,
massive investrnent
returns in if for them.
Second,
investment promised to former owners
market
sabotage
did carry out,
Parliament.
By the 1960s, Japanese steel had been rebuilt
about scoel
it, but merely compensation for the owners They government
50
jobs
year with 200,000 workers
- Per cent
Investment next few private industry
its current been the second
industries desationalising
machinery
acoess to Britain. whether big
capitalist rationalisation.
creeping
devastation
NATIONALISATION in Britain has always been used to aid private capitalist industry. rather than as a step towards socialism. A prime
British steel industry nationalised and denationalised according to how it benefited private ownership.
Britain's domination of the world markets was broken by the First World War. Since then the British steel industry has been unable to
The latter had better and more advanced technology, concentrated in large units, while Britain's much carlier development meant that massive investment and re-organisation to concentrate resources was needed.
With the depression of the 1930s, however, the owners of British steel did the opposite They banded together to tix a common price foi steel sales, and lobbied to win a tariff on cheaper foreign imports. Attempts to introduce new technology were resisted in the interests of
could provide a pro because the state would be in the best position to fork out the
needed, whereas private capital feared the risk or saw insufficient
because the necessary reorganisation could then take place without being blocked by the steel owners. Unwilling to sec change lest they were the ones who lost out. they could be guaranteed a safe return on
through the compensation
But in 1945, when the Labour government came to nationalise the industry, the war had remporarily cased the situation for the steel employers. German and Japanese industry had been severely weakened, and the sleel owners were not going to give up the short-term profits which this offered them on the open world
So the owners' federacion orpanised to
Labours's nationalisation, and refused the ron and Steel Corporation ans co-operation — even technical advice
The Minister of Supply was forced to admit in the House of Commons that these people (the employers) decided to threaten, and indeed
La political strike. there is concerted action by a tumber of pepple for thi specitic purpose of sabocagine of
When the Tories canie to pffice in 1951, a year atler nationalisation, there as no attack on the stect employers for defyleg an Act of Pariansent, Steel was simply des itionalised.
nonsever. and tain using the mose advanced lechnology at production methods. The basic problem had te surfaced, It was clear that private capital could not resolve it, and that things could not go on as they weie.
So when the 1964 Labour governmenr set
nationa lisation the Tories and employers did not go out of their way to prevent
pressed to get the best also managed to ensure that the profitable sectors were not inciuded, Much of the specialist stecl production. and engineering processing was left in private hands
Under nationalisation the steel industry has been run with twe main objectives in mind. The first has been to boost productivity and cut
Thus the Benson report of 1965 set a 10-yea larget of producing 35 million tons of steel:
nine million tons more, with 116,000 workers less, than • *965
The idea was to put British steel bac TiLS foct in the long term, so that even if a return to private ownership wasn't viable, it could a cast provide a cheap and dependable service lo
Acting as a buffer to privare industry has
objective. With the engineering, shipbuilding and machine tool
in crisis, low steel prices can encourage investment in new equipment and
So BSC prices to the private sector have bee kept down, whilst import restrictions bave been bified to allow cheaper foreign products easier
Nationalisation in steel so far has not been a step towards socialist planning but a stage in
Socialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page 9
Page 10 scan of this page
US shows the way to affirmative action
INTERNATIONAL DISCRIMINATION against black
people in Britain is an everyday
Between 1974 and 1977 general
esployment rose by 138 per cent.
hild for black people it rose by 307
cr cent. Amonest men with deerce
dard pralificatiums, 79 percent of
jobs compared to only 31 per
Women, too, face discrimination in
walks of life. Formal equality
nder the law has done little to change
One respuase in the United States Is combat discrimination has been
sections of an article explaining the sues which recently appeared in Intercontinental Press/Inprecor
By Ernest Hunch
ONE OF the most importunt cases affecting the labour, civil rights, and womes's movements in the United Males went before the Supreme Court om 28 March.
Officially kaown as Brian F. Weber versus Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation and United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO. the case beyun in 1974 when Weber, a white lab technician at the Kaiser Aluminum plant
quisiana, filed suit to overturn an affirmative action plan for black and women siceiworkers negotinted by the Favourite
Brian Weber charged in his suit that this modest gain for blacks constituted legal reverse discrimination" against him and other white males, that the affirmative action programme gave skilled jobs to blacks that whites would otherwise have got.
Weber is employing one of the GET OUTSE class to justify opposition to struggles for equality by women and oppressed national minorities in the States, He and his accusing the victims of committing the crime.
Those who try to use the myth of "reverse discrimination' as a bludgoon against the black civil
claim that passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act everyone has been 'equal". Therefore, according to this logic, any special measures to help blacks or latinos or worben means that they are getting "privilcged" ircatment and everyone else — that is white males — Is being discriminated against.
Punctures
A brief look at the reality of American society today punctures this myth.
The infant mortality rate for blacks is nearly twice that for whites. Black children go to schools that are
They rective far less money per pant
for education than white children do
According to official Labor Department figures for unemploy-
WHAT'S LEFT
Peruvia rem. 50p cach, funds to be shared by MG Fund Drive and Peruvian PRT. Write for
10,
ackwers, 35 Malern Arene
VANDWORTH Rock agains Raciam Clig
icel, London SHi BEEN CATHE PATRIOT CAME A there Ca
menlary on Northern Ireland. Captures the
by The Other Cinema and UTOM at ile Roya
iT Ticate, Sloane Squire, Condon SWon
24 June at 4.30 and 7.30 pm. Adm 11.30. Tickets available in advance From The
Socialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page 18
Against race,sex discrimination
labor solidarity.
Gramercy,
United backers Fare
the same unemployed, rights since the
were jobleas, cent for white youths.
For those
that • Labor: Department
White men Black men Hispunic men White women Black women Hispanic women These low wages for
able.
Diego
LoTTEDS.
Thursday I4 June, Lice Square, Loccan WOl
Digbeth, Bintingham B56DY, me. cartoon featune-length
bistory.
show. Presented
1: Roland 01-276 999 dascin
STEEL
ment during the third quarter of 1978, 8.5 per cent of black men twenty vears of age or older were out of work, compared to 3.6 percent for white males; 10.6 per cent of black women
were MUTTER. compared to 5.4 further. cent for white women; and 34.8 per cent of black youths of both sexes aged between sixteen and nineteen
compared to 13.7 per
who pet jobs. discrimination is just as rampant. The
figures for average weekly carnings of full-time action' workers in May 1978 bear this out:
$279 213 201 TOTE 167 admitted
141 law. blacks, latinos, and women exist for one fundamental reason: they're profit-
As a fact sheet on the Weber case gabbey Machine i 685 in By
pointed
INTED: full-time refuse worker for Hack
ceralis.
WOMEN'S WAGES: Can we beneft from the
Reaction'
Sane arm. Consay Hall, Re
touring
ine spaco. Easr/South Conden From Autat
SMASH ALL Immarmion Contross! MASS PICKET of Hansondsworth Deletion Centre.
Fendenc
BRIAN WEBER. His challenge to affirmative action underscores the real meaning and
U.S.W.A. LOCAL LOCAL 100-287/31
PORKERS FOE RA
companies profit from keeping workers divided and thereby drivin down wages and working conditions for all. They are the only ones who stand to gain by pushing blacks,
and Chicanos down even
Against this background, oppressed nationalities and women realised that special measures were required to they continued to be shackled with and gain equality.
They demanded *affinmative
- preferential programmes — to casure that they were hired for previously segregated or all-male jobs, received training for
skilled positions. 0r to universities educational programmes previously closed to them in practice if not by
Under the pressure of these demands for affirmative (which often took the form of legal suits against discriminatory practices
schools or companies sometimes unions). the first real affirmative action programmes were
sons. Contact BME RCT, London WC/1 6XX For
revolutionary Left in Rome. It was featured ir
BROADSEL Theatre, a London based socialis adminis
STOP
instituted io the late 1960s and early 19706 Universities were forged to reserve a certain number of openings black students and others oppressed national minorities, espe cially in those departments that had been almost exclusively white, such as medicine and law Similar gains were made against discrimination on the significant victory came in early 1973. when the communications was found discriminating against women and minority workers, It was foreed to provine nick piy to moseworker who had been discriminated arainsi were raise wages for women, blacks and and latinos;
skilled jobs to women.
About a vear later. the United Steelworkers negotiated affirmative action agre covering USWA members, the most extensive and any industry
programme a Kaiser Gramercy was part of that.
CARF 12, c/o136 Kinesland High St, Lendon ER 2NS REVOLUTIONARY
Fires forunts en how to build working Class Is use British series experiener of the last 30 sean
Experience an asset, abelity to makeideal wark is vital
warnen and
ittears
warking class
programmes workers:
cica
tool lor weaken for from
class.
unions.
job. Onc assemble giant leading guilty forward
wonten's
and begin an affirmative
that to a certain percentage of
America union
thus far, The Cemmunis -HAT AIL
INESS BE BIALK COOTERES
ROVIN CHICA SEEDENE COMMENITY ACTION NEWCASTLE nerds a men Courdinator
Mixed term contractol - plus pe dary negobabl Details from: Tim Ler, SCAN, ere Scudents Union, Kings Walk, Newsile-upon-Tone J.
These affirmative achon pro framines have so tat made oniy a
small dent in the huge discriminatory barriers in education and employ men. Har despite heir limited oature the ruling ciass fears the gains that
Suppressed rational
minorities have already been able so wrest from them,
that the existing
rogrammes could serve as spring
oards for furiker struggles and mor
and radicalising Influener that abrnelve accun is harng on tie
For theie reasons, it launched a concerted offensive agaiast affirmalive accion almost as scion as the first
implemeared.
LEIL mid-1970%, acerally hundreds of reverse discrimination suits have been filed
Some groups on the American lett oppose affirmative action, claiming
Nothing coold be further from the truth. In fact, tailure by the labour movement to fight for the specinl needs of women, black and latino
would only play into the hands of the ruling class as it tries to perpetuate its divide-and-rule poliPrejudices
Affirmative action is an essential
building working class solidarity, Strurgles in defence of the most oppressed strati of workers actually strengthen the entire class.
They break down the racist and sexist prejudices that Impede workers unity. They educare the working ciass to think in broad social terms. They help to build the unions by winning
greater confidence and participation From women and the oppressed national minorities.
Affirmative action, finally. is a crucial component of the tight to transform the unions into instruments of revolutionary struggle.
does this pan by strengthening working class solidarity and by orienting the unions toward broad political questions. It tends to
the positions the class collaborationist union bureaucracies, which base themselves on the BIAGE PEEPERLEY SEE DE LIC MOCKIE
It aids the fight to democratise the
Especially draws the most militant fighters into active leadership roles and begins to
those forces capable of the American workers
The importance of affirmative action scrugirles in the United States is a reflection of the impact of both the
and black liberation but especially of the vanguard role of die black struggle As a result. American workers have learned vital lessons about the basi on which chess solidarity is forged.
On this question of affirmative action, the American working class is more advanced than workers in any other country. Though they still have many other thirtes to leart, this one particular acquisition helps arm them more effectively for the even bigger class battles that are already in sight.
North Library, Magoe Gardens, London N? (Tubes: Archway, Holleway Road). 2.30pm SCIENCE under capitaliem
scientis knowled
apitalist? Fri 15 June. 1.30-LU. 15, Sar 16 Jur
Prince Conson. RE Open 1o all. Derails from: BSSRS, 9 Poland 3t
Page 11 scan of this page
Stalemate continues in Italy
Italian not police in bullet-proof gear. By Martin Meteyard
NO CHANGE. That was the outcome of the general election in Italy on 2-3 June. The stalemate in Italian political life continues. exactly reflecting that beween the capitalists and the working class.
Much was made of the fact that the vote of the Communist Party (PCD fell by a full 4 per cent to 30.4 per cent. But it still held on to half its gains in the 1976 clection.
What is more, this didn't benefit Italy's ruling party, the Christian Democrats, whose vote also declined slightly. Many of the PCI's lost votes seem to have gone to a militant protest group, the Radical Party (whose share rose from 1.3 to 3.4 per cent). The far leff's vote abo went up from 1.5 to 2,2 per cent. Austerity
This stalemate reflects one simple fact: the capitalists" austerity policy, pursued since 1976 with the active collaboration of the PCI, hasn't been uble to inflict any substantial defeat on the
IC's not for want of trying on the PCI leaders part. They have made concession after concession as the price for inching closer to their perspective of a government of national unity.
In July 1977 the PCI signed a joint agreement with all the parliamentary parties except the fascists of the MSI and the far left and the Radicais. This accepted the principle of a reduction in labour costs, mobility of labour,
But a principle is one thing; to carry it oul quite unother. Working class resistance on the ground culminated in a huge strike
EEC poll misfires
By John Marston
THE European Parliament is virtually powerless. But it is one in a series of interlocking Common Market institutions which together are intended to coordinate capitalist attacks on the working class, as well as the exploited masses of the "Third World':
was the need to give some popular legitimacy to these institutions rather urgent with the approach of a new recession lay behind the calling of last week's direct cicctions. But this manocuvre wasn't altogether successful, as the
Only in the two countries where voting is compulsory (Belgium and Luxembourg) as well as in Iraly (where it is a civic duty" laid down in
metalworkers and a 200,000strong manch through Rome on 2 December 1977.
The PCI used this not to launch a struggle in defence of working class interests, but us a bargaining counter Democrats to show what forces could be let loose if they didn't play ball in the PCI's parliamentary game. At the beginning of 1978 the PCI finally made it into the 'parliamentary mujority supporting the new government headed by Christian Andreetti.
Clarity And the consequences for the working class? They were spelt out with startling clarity by PCI trade union leader Luciano Lama in an interview in the Italian paper La Repubblica (Z8 Запцагу 1978): *The union is proposing that the workers follow a policy of sacrifices. Not marginal sacrifices, but substantial sacrifices... "We can no longer force companies to keep on a number of workers in excess of their productive possibilities, nor can we continue to demand that the lay-off fund go on forever paying the surplus workers their wages... Therefore...we maintain that when it has been ascertained that companies are in a state of crisis, they should have the right to fire.' The union proposes. but the working class disposes. president of the Italian bosses' organisation, Confindustria, deplored the gap between the good Intentions of the PCI and union leaders and their inability to deliver their base.
The resistance of the core sections of the working class has preserved the balk of its
by guins. The sliding scale, whereby wages keep the conscitution), did the turn-out bear any celation co national clection figures. Otherwise additional number who stayed at home varied between 18 per cent (Ireland) and 45 per cent (Britain, where the turn-out was only 31.3 per cent).
So it is going to be difficult to pretend that the EBCs institutions now have some popular mandate particularly in Bricain.
Here the Tories won 60 seats with the support of only per percent of those entitled to vote. The lack of proportional representation (pathelically justified by some Labour LILICTS On the srounds that shouldn't have anything to do with such a nasty Continental idea made the whole thing even more farcical, with each Labour member representing more than twice as many votes as
done away with.
the bosses.
Christian
Democrat leader
again.
powers *the
Tar left.
used against the
FLM union is engineering
Uncertain This year's annual report by the
something to offer its base.
each Tory-
Furthermore, an ITN poli showed a direct link between the massive abstention in Britain and opposition to the Common Market. Their sample showed anti-BEC feeling running at 2
non-voters, two-thirds of those voting pro-EEC If accurate on a national scale, thi would show per percent against the EEC — a position hardly reflected in the choice of candidates available
So what of those who offered a socialist alternative to the BLISSE Common Market? The Trotskyist Fourth International ran a campaign
United Socialist States Europe in all nine EEC countries (as well as the three applying to join), but was only able to stand candidates in four.
By •tar the most suopess ful campaign was run in France. Here che FI's section, che LCR, ran a contion slate with Lutte Ouvrière (Workers Struggle). This won 622,506 votes (3.09 per cent), which should have
pace with inflation, hus been modified but not
Redundancies have been largely fought off despite Lama's promises to
But others have suffered: weakly orgasised workers, women, youth (who make up 75 per cent of the unemployed). They have been the first victims of the big price rises and cuts in social spending which are part of musterity. It was their votes which contributed to the PCT's big advance in 1976 — and which it has now lost
The other aspect of the PCP's collaboration with the Christiun Democrats has been its hacking for the government's law and order policies. It has voled for the extension of police
Reale Law). backed the strengthening of the repressive apparatus, and actively encouraged a witch-hunt against the
These strong state measures, justified in the name of 'fighting terrorism', are already being
working class. Factory delegates at the Italsider plant in Genon are among the latest 1o be hauled in for alleged connections with the Red Brigades. And the
now being sued by the particularly bosses" federatien, Federmeccunica, for "illegal" strikes and picketing.
But the future remains uncertain. There is
struggles talk now of a return to the "centre-left" formula with a coalition government between the Christian Democrats and the Socialist Party (PST). But for ull their anti-Communist blaster, the capitalists have to come to some arrangement with the PCE; they have to give it
ensured the election of two members - except that the French parliament laid down that ner cent w'as necessary to have anyone clected The meetings addressed by the slate's two main candidates. Arictre
were consistently attended. The real interest in an internationalist alternative to the rabid chauvinism of the Communist Party and the pro-imperialist stand of the Socialist Party was also reflected in some of the local votes.
In the big industrial belt around Calais, for instance, where many workers are threatened with redundancy, the Trotskyist slate won more than 4 per cent Elsewhere revolutionary candidates, despite a generally successful campaign, lared less well in the vote Tariq Ali, standing in thi Weat London constituency, won 1,635 votes (just under 1 per cent). The Trotskyist slate in Belgium won 0.3 per cent. Figures were not available at
EUROPE
The entry of the PCI into goversmest would certainly give it something to induce its membership to go easy on the struggle. Bat it also holds out the very real danger that the expectations which such a derelopment would arouse in the masses could bring their militancs to bolling point.
So a more likely solution is perhaps the inclusion of some pro-PCI independents in the
temporary compromise pending further manoeuvres.
Prolonging
One factor prolonging this crisis is the total inability of the far left to offer any alternative solution. The PDLP, which won 1.4 per cent of the vote and six MPs, spends most of its efforts in trying to get the PCE to "urn left"; while the other far left slate, the 'New United Left' which polled 0.8 per cent and got so MPs), Is mainly marked by its turn away from the labour movemeat towards "aew social layers'.
But the shape of un allernative, though not as set in an organised form, is beginning lo emerge in the widespread discussions taking place at the base of the unions. This b
true in the FLM, where the Trotskyists of the GCR have started to win some small influence, and where the leadership has already been forced to lauch a struggle for • 38-hour week and un across-the-board rise.
Through a fight to unity and centralise
around such demands, and lo claborate an alternative workers' plun to end the crisis, with the demand that the PC and PSt end their class collaborution and form a goverament based on the trade unions and the mohilisation of the masses, the present agitation in the ranks can pave the way for an organised altemative.
I the time of going to press for the Trotskyist slate in Luxembourg, Bernadette McAliskey's anti-imperialist candidature in the Nort of Ireland won more than 34,000 first preference votes. We will analyse the results of this campaign in next week's issue.
Intercontinental Press
THE situation in Nicuragun is the subject of a lengthy article in the lates isse of Intercontinental Press/ Inprecor (Vol. 17, No. 22), which sho cosers developments in Iran, South Africa, Kampuchen, und Japan.
Single copies of the journal cost 30p plas 1p pap, but subscriptions work out much cheaper at C2.50 for an introductory offer of 10 issues, E5 for six months (24 issues), aed C9 forayer (48 issues). Please make out cheques to "Intercontinental Prew" and send to: IP/L, PO Box 50, Londen Nf 2KP
Socialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page 1
Page 12 scan of this page
By John Hunt IT WOULD be tempting to see the resignation of President Vorster of South Africa as the concluding chapter of a meaningless and squalid affair which merely illustrates the corruption of the apartheid regime.
has profound consequenoes for the future because of the structure of South African politics.
The ruling Nationalist Party was hut as an sance or ine AlnKaner workers and pelty-bourgeoisie with apiring Afrikaner capitalism, and
Natona 1515" promse to protect the high wages and ронн совнапое от ine waues
with Muldergate repealedly harassed.
in the killing. against any encroachment by the
This was ideologically underpinned by the Afrikaner Calvinist religion, according to which they should be upright, direct and moral in their
ready to strike down the enemies of the Lord sanointed.
In line with this moral dualism, they support brutal measures against black activists, corruption by Afrikaner politicians as a heinous betrayal of the Nationalis
The first sacrifices by government on the altar of this tradition were former Department of Information head Rhoodie, Cabinet Minister Connie Mulder, and BOSS security chief Cieneral van den Bergh. But last December's report of the Erasmes Commission cleared VorMer, and all would have been well
Socialist Challenge I4 June 1979 page 12
The importance
of Muldergate
had Khoodie been shut up.
Instead he went to Europe, revealing thal Vorster and Finance Minister Owen Horwood had been in 0d tac deal, and sivine an extended interview to the BBC. Milder then backed up his allegations against Vorster, The best option for Prime Minister PW Botha was therefore to ditch Vorster quickly, in the hope that he and Horwood would be spared. The final Commission duly oonecd.
But the scandal has come at a very bad time for Botha, coinciding with a
KKE COmmission
THE most estraordinary part of Muldergate has yet to be revealed.
On 22 November 1977, Robert and Jeanne-Cora Smit were found murdered in their Johannesburg home. Rumours soon began to circulate that Robert Smit, a top-ranking finance expert, had leen Investigating a currency swindle involving highly placed people. PW Bothu has denied this, and police say that they know of no connection
but reporters investigating the case have been
A journalist on Rapport, a pro-government paper, was charged by the Press Council when he wrote that the police had admitted a link with Muldergate. And • Johannesbury Sunday Express reporter was tried in camera after writing that two German hit-men had been used
Nevertheless, in March a well known jurist and conservative, Judge Eudorff, announced that a mercenary, Syndey Escell, had made a statement lo him declaring that he had flown two hit-men into the country to carry out the murder. The police hysterically denounced Eudorff's story».. but the truth won tremain hidden for ever.
recommended that responsibility for enforcing the hated pass laws should largely be taken OVer employers: that black-owned businesses should be allowed to operate in "white" arcas: and that black workers should have the right to stay in the The Wichahr connission recommended that for the first time registered black unions should be established (although with much state restriction and interference) and that some forms of racial discrimination should be reduced the eliminated).
This is an intelligent strategy to maintain the status que by irying to co-opt the petty-bourgenisie, and trade union bureaucracy in order to hold back the - struggles of the hlack masses.
The problem is Afrikaners don't see it that way.
NO TORY
SELLOUT IN
ZIMBABWE
ASSEMBLE: 2.30PM SMITHFIELDS MARKET BRANDON TH
SATURDAY JUNE 30
MARCH VIA FLEET STREET & RHODESIA HOUSE
TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE RALLY AT 4PM
against any such concessions These fears of
towards those
than Botha CIAS0125 Andries Treumnich:
rightist, recently beat PW
has Party
increased its vote from 530 to 2,428
minimal
has been fuelled
thus prove decisive *Picket South
of
Black Consciousness Movement. number of questions.
who, according to Dr Rhoodie, the disgraced former
South Africu Commons and to spy on the Antithe Apartheid movement? *What has - the
has South Africa International Confederation of Free Trade Unions in January 19771 *What were purchase of 50 British/US newsagency LPI-TN by (though not the South Africans?
A public inquiry
black bourgeoisie,
TUC and Labour Party
that many business.
Reared on crude racism, they see Ts modernisanon or anime as a capitulation to the blacks. White miners have arcady gose on strike
La fortnight the Afrikaner workers and petty-bourgeoise have combined with their moral horror a: Muldergate to produce a sharp swing
who show province themselves more consistent racists
an ultraBotha's nominee for the Transvaal leadership of the Nationalist Party. And last week the NP's majority was slashed in a by-clection as the Herstige National
which takes the view that Botha isselling out to Communism - ality in tram's rich
Botha's ability to avoid a political explosion in South Africa through demonstration
concessions to the black masses is now seriously threatened by of their a revolt on the right of his party which Kaghani
by Muldergate.
Further revelations in the affair could
later.
Africa House (Tralalgar Square] on third anni-
Soweto uprising Saturday 16 June, Ipm. Organised by
AN Immediate point of interest for the British left is the information which has emerged about the South African Departmeat of Information's operations in Britain. This prompts a
*Who are the two Labour MPs
head of the department, were paid to lobby for
the House of
TUC done lo investigate the payment of R100.000 to lending trade unionists in Western Europe. in order to induce them to sabotage the week of action against
arganised by the
the results of the per cent the
initiated by the labour movement would undoubtedly come up with same very interesting unswers. Which may be why the
leaders haven't shen uny great eagerness to delve more deeply into the whole
Trotskyists arrested
in Iran clashes
AFTER the bitter fighting between Arals und the unmy in Southern Iran
ago, tine Buzargan government has climbed down. all peace treaty drawn up between Arab appointed governor teneral or te representatives and the
Vol Khuzestan conceded some of the Arab demands. particular it was agreed that some of
taken preser the fighting will be releused.
There is no news however of seven
Trotskyists who have disappeared after being arrested by a local 'Inam committee.
The Arubs, an oppressed nation-
oil-producing Khuzestan province, started the fight for their rights on 27 April. A mass
Khorramshahr demanded an end to the hurussment
religious leader Sheikh
I was in Khorramshuhr that the fiercest lighting took place a month
Revolutionary guards" and Iranian Army regulars turmed their guns on the Arab Cultural Centre in the city, arresting 40 people
At the sume lime ranks took blace against Arab militants throughout Mehdi Khuzestan, In the town of Ahwaz, nine members of the HKS (Socialist Workers Partyl, the Irunian section Iran. of the Fourth International, were also
Peru student hunger
strike
STUDENT unrest in Cezco, Southern Peru, came to a head during
the sinal acck of May. Protest acaust the Entation of places in
higher education showed itself in the streets with marches and one-day
srikes by all school children and students.
The strungest of these protests hegan over twp weeks ago as 40
youre men and women attended mass at the church of the Tempio de
le Companis de lesus on the Plaza de Anas, After the service diey
barricades themselves in the church and declared a hunger strike in
support of student demands.
Sixteen days later sis people had been evacunted and hospitalised.
The strength of the student fecling for their cause was illustrated by
senes we witnessed when two more of the hunger strikers were
dramatically brought out.
At the church bells toiled, cach of the sick students, seemingly
unconscious from Lack of food, war strapped to a pew and
precariously lowered some 30 feer into the waiting arms of friends an
supporters packing the square below. They were hurriedly rushed off
in a nearby medical post. where their condition was said to be serious.
The hunger strike contimes in carnest as negotiations with universits
officials have failed so far to satisfy the scudents" demand:.
arrested.
Only two of those arrested are being held in prison. Seven others had
their clothes and personal removed from their
hivases and have disappeared. In a
press conference in Tehran. HK
enders expressed fears for their lives
The arrests were not unexpeeded bowerer the ocal man mittee has previously threatened that all 60 members of the HAS in Ahwar would he arrested because of leaflets they had distributed supporting the demands of Arals and Kunds for self-determination,
The weckl , paper of the HKS. Kargar (The Worker), also carrled a long interview with a militant of the Political Front of the Arah People.
Abdul Rafursuleh's messuge was that: 'Our ficht is inseparable from that of other oppressed nationalities. We hope that the Irunian working class, which shut down the factories and shut off the oil, will get its rights, hecause it has set not done so..lt is the working class that is going to reconstruct Iranian seciety
[Messages appealing for the relense of the HKS members should be sent to
Bazargan, Prime Minister, Tehran, Iran, and to the islamic Revolutionary Council, Tehran,
Further information Socialist Challenge]-
Page 13 scan of this page
*People must be able to make their own decisions
"ETR UHL, editor of the information bulletir roduced by the Charter 17 civil right
Seven other Charter activists face sentences of up to five yeurs on chunges of subversion 'of A HUSS SCOONS KIND
Uh! has been active as a revolutionary socialist since before the Soviet lavasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. Below, in extracts from an interview carned January explains mis view resolutionary polities.
When did you become a Marxist? I became a Marxist while 1 was still at college. 1 was very much influcnced by the courses on Marxisni espocial those of Protestor 315 Hermach. This was 1958-63. Ir is interesting for me that today Professor Hermach is one of the signatories of the Charter.
At the beginning 1 was a reformist. 1 had a critique of bureaucrane sustem but thought that the faults could be overcome experiences in France during the 1960s. 1 wat uradually. there for two months in 1965, then again in 1967, and three times in 1968.
In Paris in 1965 chere was this internal crisis and debate in the Communist Party's student organisation, the UBC There tendencies: a 'pro-Italian" (Togliatti) tendency the Trotskyists, and the Stalinists, This is where 1 first met Alain Krivine, the leader of the Trotskyist tendency.
I took part in all the big battles. 1 prepared myself for the discussions and I intervened. I also took part actively in their work. I used to hand out leaflets with the pro-Italian tendency
1 brought back with famous letter of the Polish dissidents Kuron and Modzelewski. When the Prague Spring, the democratisation process, began in Czechoslovakia in 19681 translated it into Czech and the Student Parhament a 1'raeue pubushed it and
Arrested Czech speaks out
distributed it.
We made about a thousand copies. It was possible to do that then, the burenucratio structures were loosening up. The translation and puhlication of the Kuron letter was my first important political act.
What was your personal involvement in 19687
In Prague, in the spring of 1968, there was a left-wing discussion club organised by Zbyne Fiser (a philosopher, poet, ar the time a Maoist, SHEL in a propagandist of the Peking line, but also in TAVOUT GE self-organisation
councils). This question of self-organisation and workers' courcils was in fact the main issue of discussion in the club.
1 played an active role in this club and was the editor of its Information Bulletin. The club was really an amalgam of the tar left, Scalinists, a lew Khrushcheviles, and so on. We had about one hundred in Prague, more in the provinces. The club disintegrated at the time of
1 was also movement. At the time I was a teacher-in the Prague Technical College. There was a trade union committee of eight people clecled by the college and I was elected to this committee in April 1968.
Through my position in the union structure 1 was able to participate in union activity at a national level. I was a delegate to national
intervene at this level.
After August Flooked for a new milieu to work in. The club had disintegrated. My union were threc was far too weak and also too reformist to offer any read possibility. I was a teacher, and not in industry, so the question of workers' control didn't arise in such an immediate way in my union.
At this point 1 linked into the student milieu, I had many frends in the Arts Facully and also m my own faculty trom student days. J played an actve role in the student strike in November 1968 and out of this strike we formed the Movement of Revolutionary Youth (MRY),
What role did you play in the creation of the
MRY? What were Its activities?
experieticed,
had read and so on.
group. It
all, workers
the
clandestinely.
actve in the trade union
invasion in August.
prepare a Marxist
for insance and was able Lo tract?
the
was so great,
organised.
democratic
leaflets associated.
because Section. imperialism
1 played a very central role. My comrades were generally about 24-25 years of age. I was 28,
had been abroad, knew the revolutionary movement in Western Europe,
In the beginning the MRY was a discussion
manifesto distributed publicly, read publicly at student meetings. But gradually it became more and more clear that we couldn't appear publicly at
We produced at Unis time and distributed a 100-page document which was mostly extracts
them from Czech Marxists, the Praxis group. Djilas and so on. These all dealt with political, social and philosophical questions and the goal of this action was to promote discussion on the nature al the political and social system. This was done
if they wish
The MRY had no stable structure. It was in. very spontancous. We attempred to form cells but that failed. In June 1969 we discussed what we would do for the first anniversary of the
Some tracts of a nationalist character already existed, so we decided that we would
tract. There was DO committee which decided this, it was a result of very spontancous discussions in the group. But under which name could we produce such a
It wasn't possible for us to publish it as the MRY hecause everyone knew who we were and the police would know who to go for. So we picked on the name Revolutionary Socialist Party as a cover-name for the MRY Manifesto and un Appeal to Youth. I was the produced, principal author of the Manifesto. When it was tinished there were a few people who were not happy with it. They then, wrote the Appeal to
fouth. But the Appeal was actually a very good text. It was less ideological, but good
After Angust 1969 the brutality of the police
and was increasing, decided to establish an illegal movervent. It was still not a party, but we were much more rigidly
We had cells, a co-ordinating
committee, a division of labour and of responsibility.
We were very much against spontancism but we didn't yet make any attempt
centralism. We were about 10 people. We had a clandestine journal and in thi autumn of 1969 we were able to distribute
Bur the political situation was generally ver unfavourable. Because we were clandestine we were penetrated by the police. Soon 19 out of 100 were in prison. I gor four years. What kind of balance sheet would you make now of the MRY experience?
was a vcry positive experience. i was
ale year of concentrated political acti political activity in a froe movenient, freely
This was something extremel important for us. All our organisations before that were controlled by the state, Just as they are now once again
Nevertheless, it was wrong to found thi
endestine organisatio August 1969,
andestini can only lead to sectarianists, passivity, and isolation.
I don't say that clandestinity is wrong in general, or that it is always wrong in the states of the Eastern block. Bur clandestinity is a phenomenon linked to retreat or defent of the revolutionaries
Positively, it can conserve revolutionary consciousness. But in the 20th century, in the bureaucratised and degenerated states Fastery Europe, it is not possible to wage an effective strugale againse the political system if we crist in clandestinity
In the MRY in 1969 you were no longer, shall we say, of the pro-Italian" tendency of 1965, but a Trotskyist, a revolutionary Marxist. How did you come to Trotskyiam?
Already duringthe Prague Spring in 1968 1 was a revolutionary Marxist and T said so openly in the club. I wasn't a member of the Fourth International but I received ail the documents of the Fland my best friends were in the French
Also, shortly before 1968, Czech. I read The Revolution read Trotsky in Betrayed and a collection of Trotsky's writing from 1927-28. But most important for me were his historics of the Russian Revolution, both 1905 and 1917. Those two works are a greal 'Schoul of revolation'
Lam not a nostalgic Trotskyist. I make a critical analysis of what Trotsky has written and done. Actually I dan't like the word Trotskyism and prefer to speak simply of revolutionary Marxisen.
It is wrong to say that there are two antipodes, Trotskyiam and Stalinism. I am part of a movement which opposes capicalism and
consequentiv oppose Stalinism. It is my anti-capitalism which is the basis of my political consciousness, and it is this anti-capitalism wbich takes me to Trotskyism
1 maintain chat the only solution to the Czech situation is not bourgeois democracy. although it has more freedoms than we have here now — but a completely ditferent social system, based on self-organisation, with che political structures of a direct democracy, with a real emancipation of the working class, of youth, of women.
When 1 speak here of organs of direct democracy, of self-organisation, this does not mean lam against parties. What 1am against is a system where people cannot make tbeir own decisions but someone else makes decisions for
1am in favour of political parties, with clubs, papers, radio and television, agitation and propaganda and the freedom for parties to make proposals, suggestions, present political alternatives which people can choose to follow
-hot only follow but participate
Parties are a means ol politicisation. [
ducation. But they are not organs or exercise of power. Power must be in the organs of the working class and not in the parties. The workers in the councils, in the organs of direct democracy are not responsible to any parties but only to those who elected then.
BOTH the Committee in Defence of
Crechoslovak Socialists and the Eastern
Europe Solidurity Campaige are taking
up the Charter arrests. They are asking
immediately for the largest posalble
number of labour movement protes
telegrams to be sent to the Czechoslaruk
Embassy. Kensington Palace
Gardens, London WS.
Copies of all such protests should le Caech Defence', 328 Upper
Street, London N1 for forwarding to the
Charter Prague. Messages
solidurity can also be sent to: Anna
Sabatora. Anglicka H, Prugue 2,
TELLUS TASER
Socialist Challengr 14 June 1979 page 13
Page 14 scan of this page
LETTERS
Race Relations Act
AFTER Southall the government may
soon havete make some move against
the National Front. The question is:
what move? "public order problem, in which case It can treat the whole thing as a
will hand greater discretionary
powers to the police under the Public
Order Act to stop meetings liable to
cause a breach of the peace*. Or it can
treat the problem for what it really is
- • question of racialism
instigate effective proceedings against
the NF under the Race Relations Act
for inciting racial hatred.
If we were demanding the use of the
Race Relations Act, we would be in a
much stronger position than we are
today, Insicad of making up "laws' of
our own (no platform for fascists'),
we sbould be demanding that the
authorities implement
Relations Act, which the NF contra-
venes cvery time it opens its mouth.
Why aren't the police implementing the law, for which they sapposed to be responsible? This is the point we should be making. If the
police were seen as defending those
they should be prosecuting, then the responsibility for riots would fall on the police, and it would be understood why anti-racists sometimes take the
ww intotheir own hands'.
In reality the law-breakers, yet we permit them to appear as well-intentioned umpires between two groups of extremists who come along to 'smash' each other up.
Aise, by Ignoring the Act, needlessly declare ourselves of free speech'. What the NF say is already proscribed by the law itself
This is not to argue against mass action or self-defence. thing to depend on the law, quite another to foolishly disregard snore i, ot refuse to approach it рознісану.
The state will intervene against the NF in one way or another. But the way the Front it attacked is even more Important than the the suppression of this puny group. At the end of the day, how will the police ppear? How will the let
ppear? How many new laws will t on the statute book? These are the questions we should consider.
The time has come for the far left to drop its mindless hostility to the Race Relations Act and, from now on campaign actively for it to be used against the Front.
DAVE BAILEY (London)
Deer Hunter' stinks MY complaint about The Hunter was not so much the film itself,
CALVERTEL publicity which preceded it. We were told that this was going to 'tell the real truth, show the American popula tion the reality of US foreign policy
heavy promises indeed, dragged myself and many other people into the cinemas of the world.
But did we get the real McCoy?
NORTH WEST OSS SIDE Socialist Challeng e paper a Most Side Cere, Saturday. 11 MANCHESTER SC Centre has been closed a te ner national office it Londo. lamage, bur will be reopening
nil enquiries should meanwhile be
ORE SAADLICH Socalse Challenge wake!
evelanil Centre. Also available from Newsfare
Socialist Challenge Bo
Fur duane pontace Costages, Low Pictington, Durham
Road an
Sperixr Hall i
Chilless Hond
ocialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page 14
5127119 Napalming of innocent
Race
non-starter, The most are guy with his
Coincidence? conclusions.
Hunter stinks! police are the
Problem of 'enemies
I WAS Interested to follow
But it is one
the last few months. One
paper.
convocation Asseinbly. the ¡hegemony
working class and conquest of power.
La Constituent Assembly
Deer
pre
and strength of the That is the only guarantee...
which
tionary Social Democracy
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE EVENTS
1-5pm. ohn Ford, 551 Elice Chessent. Hamster
Information
St) rach Saturday 1lam-2pm.
MIDLANDS COVENIRT
Bookshop:
HIRMINGHAM
STINGHAM, reade pchcole Si LEANINGTE
YORKSHIRE HEDDERSFIES D Socialist Cha mecis Fortnighelebn Thur Trades Clute
on Saturny merings in Wistrace at the
civilians?
Government corruption? No. Instead
we get nasty Orientals forcing our
all-while hoys to undergo the terror of Russian roulette. No, the film was a tuent
frightening thing
happened in the intermission. While
having a pint in the bar, I noticed a
pointing his finger like a gun. His mates and he was
target: a Chinese guy who happened
to be at the other end of the bar.
Draw TOLE own
Like the Merseyside air, The Deer LENNY KEIGHT (Merseyside)
Constituent Assembly
YOur stimulating reports and analyses of the unfolding Iranian revolution over problem, however, arises which does central whole not appear to have been dealt with adequately within the pages of your
Lately.
Dave Frankel (18 January), for anstance, argues that the main task of the prator sage i to cal fire
Constituent While I think that the slogan for the immediate convocation of a Constituent Assembly is correct it is at the same time insufficient. Why? Because of the structural limitations of a Constituent Assembly — it is. after all, an institution par excellence of bourgeois democracy guaranteeing
and continuity bourgeois rule — in representing the
facilitating its
Lenin, in an article written in April 1917 answering the question Should vened??, answered: "Yes, as soon as be possihie. But there is only one way to assure its convocation and success, and that is by increasing the number
Soviets and arming the working class masses.
*While demanding the convocation of a Constituent Assembly, revolu-
has ever since the beginning of the Revolution I of 1917 repeatedly emphasised that a
orangement 1221 745F). Wide range of Fourt
HAMILTON supporters sell Socialist Challeng every Saturday in the Hamilton shappens center. Fer details of local beivities
LINEURCH Socialist Chaliense Doe
Soout nin 24 sule oulside Baots fcorner of Reform
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BY HATRE PAGE METICLE
STRIKES -ENGRAVED PICTURES OF
LATUE PRIMS
republic of Soviets is a higher form
democracy than the
bourpenis republic with a Consti-
Assembly! (emphasis
original).
Needless to say. I have no quarrel
with Trotsky'sartick on China, The
Slogan of a National Assembly in
China' (2 April 1930), which Dave
Frankel quotes extensively.
insurgent iranian working class must
nevertheless form organs of its own
power that is, workers"
soldiers* councils which it can
utilise effectively when the inevitable
snowdowil with - the Constituent
Assembly occurs.
The focus for forming soviets can through call for
Constituent Assembly
stressing the importance of workplace
and neighbourhood working
organisation and no trist
and other questions
which are of paramount importance
to the Irantan proletariat.
Anything short of that denies the
perspective permanent
revolution. And unless the work fo
such a perspective begins immedi-
and not by any stages, it will
spell the bloody defeat of the Iranian
working class
JOHN EBEL (Melbourne, Australis
LENGTH of letters printed will be kept down to 400 words in order to encourage as wide a range of
contributions as possible. All
letters may thi
Editor's discretion.
Unsigned letters will not
normally be published
although we will withbold real
from publication
request.
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"DIALOGUE, should be the watchword of Socialist Challenee at a time when socialists are confronted with new political tusks. That was the view expressed by editor The Tariq All in a contribution to a
meeting of the papers Policy Committee a fortnight ago. and The NºC is the body elected by the
Socialist Challenge conference in May 1978 to guide the broad editorial direction of the paper.
Dodie Weppler from the Editorial Board argued framework had been established by that is, the paper with its Insistence on the
seed for a global political alternative class to the left of wecial democraey and the in the Commanist Party, It was this which
presented the paper from succumbing to a 'crude anti-Toryisn', as Theresu Coaway from Manchester pot it Within ENTE Kenevan from Edinburgh maintuined that the reul lest will be whether the paper can organise its readers and sapporters think ure on the agenda begin to occur. But this Involves the staff getting out of the offices much more. The Ford strike was covered well in tackled haw to improve our anion coveruge', said Kerevan. Ers net just a question of muking the articles shorter. For instance, wish the milltant from British Oxygen who spoke al the Socialist Challenge trade union conference had taken more space to explain to the puper's readers in detall exacily how they have developed strong organisation; what political prospects there are in the union in the fight for a socialist alternutive; and so on.* Steven Marks, a member International Socialist agreed with this, could ensure that the paper reaches out heyond the organised left.
Socialist Chuliage also
link up with the debate inside the labour mosenient centred on why election, Steve Potter argued that this is especially important now that Henn b making a few when he wasin the Cabinet.
Finally, Jude Woodward from the Precine: sales
SOUTH EAST NORWICH
Anglia COLCHESTER SC For derais phose Save an Wyminee ally
Tuesdays:
LONDON
HEMIT HEMPSTEAD
LOlster's
Selena Trague and
SC under the Tories
monologue
National strong Geoffrey
accepted. framework, Cardiff Insisted
coverage.
The framework. George
when the struggles we international
Meteyard.
came
but me still haven't
has finally come.
ING
shop loor reversed.
of the Allance, dropping feday.
and thought this
for the paper. needs to Finully,
which initially
Labour lost the conference
more noises than
groups, and so on.
TOWER Challenge sales
IRROW Socialist Chi FATH
EVIDENTLY
CAPITULATICN
Editorial Boand presented proposuls
to step up the yourh coverage in the
paper during the summer months.
The much-debated issue of the
Under Keview page wastackled hy the
NPC for the first time. All comrades
noted a tremendous improvement in
the page, It is more accessible and is
no longer dominaled by one point of
It still remains a bit vugue as to
what appears on this page — and that
will probably continue in the view of
Sheridan, who edits the
page — but the general approuch was
However: within this Paul Highfleld from and others greed on more consistent television NPC noted the resignation SAITOR The paper's international editor, Richard Carver. He will continue to be a regular contributor, but will be replace as
editer by Martin
One of the more important reports
from the paper's linance offices. Because of the failure to reach the t2.50 fund drive target for severai quarters hinning, the crunch
For this reason, it is impossible do Pacer during the summer continue the publication of a 16-page
BERNIEIS. therefore currently considering a cutback to 12 pages for Joly and August. Readers have been alerted for some time that this would occur if the financial sitution was not
Furthermore, although sales went up by an average of 25 percent or
during the election, they яге In light of these facts, it was agreed that the next NPC world plan an items on the fund drive
this also informed the approach of the NPC to the proposal for a national Socialist Challenge
in October. Most comrades on the NPC favoured a working conference on how to build the paper al every level: its sales. writing for it, organising supporters eular desall or Ros 50, Lencon Ni2
Thur evening:
End Broacwin, Sacurday morning. Miss s, par Bico more File,
anons, aid the fian Sullaby
HACKNEY SC gramp meeting: "Na recegnition . Alpm, Bride-sa nuk, Mare Street, ER
Page 15 scan of this page
Waiting rooms that
UNDER REVIEW Workers Against the Gulag Edited by Viktor Haynes and Oiga Semyonova Pluto, E1.95
THERE are, I believe. a few eccentrics on the left who continue to believe that the Soviet Union can he called a "workers state
For them in particular this well edited should be compulsory reading TOPCITWIEN STUTLET Workers' State by Miklos Haraszti, a remarkable account of work in a HUTTERING BE BACKEY
For writing and circulating that book Hariti was, Inevitably, put on trial, for incitement to hatred of the state, For planning to publish parts of the book, and for speaking in defence of Haraszti at his trial, the editor of a leading sociological Journal lost his job.
nevertheless, relative liberalism of the Hungarian sate Was contemplate publication, and in the end Haraszti received no more than TELL BALAS sentence T00UTIAE SEE BONE Berry got at the end of the ABC trial. remember? Big Brother
No such relative lemiency tempers the harshness of repression Hungary's Big Brother neighbour. the Soviet Union. There you do not have to write a book, or cogage in anY and ol consciously protest, in order to become the victim al colce MarsMent and worse
As Workers Against the Gulag makes painfully and repeatedly clear. all you need to do is to complain that vos are not receiving the wage 10
Advise and rule
For Her Own Good — 150 Years of the Experts Advice to Women By Barbara Ehreareich and Deirdre English Pluto Press. €3.60
THE most interesting part of this thorough book is the chapter entitled Mother-
pathology. in which American women ure blamed for eversthing Trom conmunism:
"Korea revealed that American youth was soft:
Sputnik showed it WAS stupid...
*Clearly American youth was unfit to face the Едету. Then the mosements of the *60s came along and revealed that youth was the enemy."
The attacks American MADE DOCT came during the frostiest period of the Cold War, in which Soviet youth was parudoxically made out to
model citizens tand probably were).
"We Americans don't want to move the world.
But we don't want anyone else to eitler.
'So Johnny had better learn to read. Because you
bet that Ivan CHEE spending a lot of time on his books,
The ways in which American women were told bow to manage their
with each generation and For: Her Own Good is a mine of usciul information. but the book has a number of
weaknesses.
lead to the Gulag
o1 documents
a sign of the
possible to
suspended jail
political
persist in More: details would have given as a better understanding of how social control has functioned historically how women reproduce the desired attitudes in their children.
Enfortunately, Ehrenreich and English tackle the subject at the level of the Individual rather than the ways in which attitudes are generully transmitted in societyTheir answer is posed o0 Iwo fronts. First, in terms of women s gullbility and helplessness; and at the other extreme,
which you think you are entitled: or criticise the works managment for not observing the safety regulations. For making such apparently trivial protests you can easily lose your job,
And if you are tash enough to
your objections, the
ikelihood is that you will end up in
the capitalist-patriarchal plot.
What the book is really about the official, scientific response to the 'woman question' confronted by busbands of idle' women with nothing lo do but mind the children
The use of such experts went hand-in-hand with the deniul and destruction of women's autonomous sources of knowledge their mothers neighbours.
Hut the book does not adequately deal with the social control of individ-
one of those notorious psychiatric 'hospitals" - 11 rely, prisons which, it is clear from this book, are still doine a flourishing trade.
On the evidence of the 49 case historics given in this book, waiting rooms of such bodies as the Central Committee of the Party are particularly cos places seems that if you wait too long, you are more likely to see the inside of a prison than the office of the tunctionary you were naively hoping
But now an attempt has been made to bring together some of these independent spirits in the Soviet working class within the Free Trade Union- Association Working People.
Independent
As the editors point out, there have been no genuinely independent workers* organisations in SALE HEL 1920% So. the lormation of the FTUA, small and relentlessiy harassed as it is. may mark the te emergence of a working class, and not merely intellectual, opposition to the tyranny of the Soviet state.
Ir ought be the particular concern of the left to expose these evils, and express its solidarity with Russia's working class protesters.
• these PrOTONSIS Nikolay Yevgrafov, says in a moving appeal to socialist and communist activists: Soviet totalitarianism is using Marxism as a cover.
in publishing this book not omiy gives support to a brave struggle for working class rights; it is also helping to restore the good name of Marxism, to which the Soviet rulers have done so much damage.
ANTHONY ARBLASTER
wals through the institution of the family, and in particular how women's oppression leads them to discontent through sapposed personal deficiencies.
Rather thun relying on descriptive material, WELL HUTE REEHEUEL usehul to examine explicily how scinece is put at th service of ideologs, and what this newns in relation to the Treatment or womer with Valium today. Gap Because the experts advised and lived mickle chas women, there is a large gap where black and working class women should have been.
Even If they minimal contuct with the experts in the last century. nowadays these ideas are trunsmitted through advertising. television, and most importantly by women's magazines.
The millions of women who read the probiem pages from an early age
the pick up prevailing
tudes on everything related to personal life, From une to incest.
Because they Indicate the concerns of women, a comparison of columas over the past 50 sears would give a more accurate and
and historical perspectise than
the 300 pages of For Her Own Good.
JEAN MACKENZIE
the
Sideshow By William Shawcross Andre Deutsch, 16.95
Soviet
Cambodia.
Russia
which Shawcross elaborately detalis. as a whole.
forced to abandon their
STEVE POTTER
The Ontology of Social Being 1. Hegel 2, Marx Lukacs Merlin Press 1978, £1.80 each.
THESE two book: by Larkacs arc in
own strengths and weakpesses. The
il
new contribution
Theory of the Novel, Lukacs wrot
was coupled with conservative exegis of resity.
conservative exegis of reality not th empiricism of Britain classic idealise, then this statement applies to these two books an well. It also reveals originality — and his weakness had
demonstrating the
previous capitalist philosophical traditions.
the great bourgeois tradition. in aestheries, philosophy and politics.
atti-
that great bourgeois achievement.
of Marxism heyond. indeed previous bourgeois accomplishment. these
livease.
We can find this succinct
When the Kissinger had to stop
Kissinger, Nicon and the Destruction of Cambodiu
STARTLING revelations abound in this book, which deals with the events which led to the current crisis in Cambodia and pins the responsibility fairly and squarely on the Lalted States and particularly on Kissinger and Nixon.
William Shaweross, a journalist, says: "Cambodia was not a mistake: it was u crime.' The evidence is overwhelming. Virtaully Nison's first foreign policy initiative after his inanguration was to order the secret bombing oi
But it was not until four years later in 1973 — when revelations were gouring out of Washingion in the wake of Watergate - that the Senate leurned of the unanthorised extension of the war into a neutral country, the effects of
It was on the ruins of this extension of the war that the Khmer Rouge destroyed ull the bases of the social and economic power of the ruling class, and through barbaric methods akin to that of Stalin collectivised ugriculture to attempt the reconstruction of their wrecked country.
The fute of the smull bureaucratic élite of the Angkar was finully sealed by die Vietnamese invasion, which co-operaded with a dissident faction of the Khmer Rouge to install the goverament of Heng Samrin
This Invasion was a step by the Vietnamese to establish by military power In enforced alliance between Vietnam, Laos und Cambodia. It did not advance the cause of the Cambodian people nor of the Indochinese revolution
The imperialists were dealt powerful blows by thut revolution. They were
Shuwcross has documented to such chilling effect. It is a shame that his pessimistic conclusions should accord with the current ideological campaign accompanying 'the Chinese option" so faxoored in State Department circles
Take Hegel on holiday
flashes overwhelming volume woodenness,
many ways, a good indicator of ris econonsies.
book on Hevel is excellent, that on Marx & wooden. boring and makes no the Introduction' to The Critique of
In the preface to a reprint of his avoids all the real issue -The Theory of the Novel was the first turn to the volume on Hegel. With Cierman book in which a left ethic wbat relish and coherence Lukacs oriented towards radical revolution shows how
La traditional-
If we undersiand by Traditional he was — not some obscure preacher
Lukacs" oWn who had gone
His strengihs lie in asserting and
German classic philosophy over all demonstrates vividly why it is true. suprernicy SULLI
0г ancient
connections berween Marxism and their conciseness
Lukacs shows Hegel and Goethe many finer compliments than the 117 as the peak of classical bourgeois pagesol this book — 1 certaunty know
culture, and how Marxium links to of none finer in Enghsh
But when it comes to those aspects books reflecis their unevenness. And which go radically it's not just a question of translation rupture with,
Shen we find a wooden stiltedneas and
Lukacs" development in his carber
works. Bur in these present books on book
Marx and Hegel, taken from his last questions,
major work The Ontology of Socini
Being it appears almost in caricatute. JOHN ROSS
rollbuck and containment' strutesy. which
Nothing that Lakacs wrote could he devoid of individual insights and of brittance but the impression Marx is of flat Particularly when dealing with , Lukacs faili to come to gups with the real probiens. discussion of such famous works as
Political Economy, for example, But what a difference wben we
Hegel despatched his bourgeois predecessors Lukacs here shows Hegel for what
of religious nature-philosophy. but but German the culminacing figure of bourgeois
philosophical thought. In innumer able aspects Hegel towered over those before This was Marx's own opinion -and he wasn't exactly an ignoramus in matters and Lukucs His discussion of many aspects of Hegel's thought stand out for their continuits and tremendous grip of the subject and
I doubt that in its rigorousness and appreciation Hegel has been paid
Even the literary style of the two
It is a real struggle to get through the book on Marx, taking pages to make clementary points.
On Hegei he is Tail of concise picture of incisive and hitting the nail on th
head lines and paragraphs. 1 is major difficult but with attention virtually reads itself.
Socialist Challenge 14 June 1969 page 15
Page 16 scan of this page
Blair Peach was murdered Disband the SPG
Reigoerest Led. for Socialist Challenge, 328/9 Upper St, London NI. Printed by Feb Edge Litho Lad (TO),
By Geoffrey Sheridan
FIRST the wouldn't confirm or deny the Daily Mirror report that a member of the Special Patrol Group was being held for questioning at Rochester Kow police station over the killing of Blair Peach.
Then late on Thursday night the
lice acknowledged that they
ed questioning an unnamed SP
lember for four duy announcement which was followed a day later with the news that the offleer concerned had been suspended from duty and would face disciplinary charges over the SPG attack in Southall, but not for Blair's murder.
Almost two months have passed since that murder, and no one has yet been charged with it despite the following Tacts:
• There are four eye-witnesse who saw Blalr hit by an SPG member
• A month ago the reported that the police investigation had been narrowed down to six suspects:
• Two pathologists have cluded that Blair was killed by a bow from acosh, and a lead cosh was found on Friday In a police locker at Rochester Row
Coupled with the latest postponement by the police of the inquest on Blair's death — to 17 July — the length and secrecy of the police investigations aid only one thing: 3 cover up.
The police may yet decide to find a culprit among its ranks, but MeNee's mob is certain to protect the SPG as an elite squad of demonstration and strike SASECES. with or without lead-lined coshes.
We will only find out the truth about Blair's death and expose the operation to theSPG murdering squad
HELLEY which of course the Tories refuse to set пр.
Southall Action Committee, which embraces virtually all the local organisations in Southall, has asked the National Council of Civil liberties representatives of black organisations inquiry, und trade unions invited to take part.
That inquiry will he launched in the next fewdays, and it will need funds to cover its findings. Financial assistunce is also required for the 340 arrested Southall on 23 April, who now face the kindiy hand of British justice.
Ealing magistrates have grunted only 15 of them legul aid, and have now transferred all cases bar those of
Domestic: 6 months, €5; 12 months. €10
Abroad: Airmail, E16.50. Surface, E10 per annum.
Multi-reader institutions: double individual rate
Name.
Address
lenclose a donation for the Fighling Fund of.
"Socialist Challenge',
Socialist Challenge
Police hud
an Mirror juveniles and women to Barnet magistrates court miles away Southall where the large majority of the defendents live, and with a fine reputation for meting out justice to the Grunwick pickets.
Southall Action Committee has -HES
therefore launched • campaign and defence fued with 1100,000 as the target. Publicity material is being prepared for distribution
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Cheques, POs and Money Orders should be made payuble to
Complete and relurn to: Socialist Challeuge, 328 Upper Street, London No-
Registered with the Post Office as a newspaper. Published
labour movement. The lessons from
The widely explained.
18 Featherstone Middlesex. For Purita, Oliver, or Eve on 01-574 1325 A picket of Barnet magistrutes court
July, beginning at 10am.
Increasing number
fascists of the National Front.
jalled for
evidence. reveal
sweet way. you I see what we mean.
on.
fought for.
Ability.
by
of what look place in Southall and the demand to disband the SPG need to
By Raghib Ahsan
It'sup toes to make that possible.
Donations to: Defence Fund, c/o
Road, Southall, speakers, contact The
opposite Bariset tube, Is to be held on 3
The banners on yestenday funeral Act. procession for Blair Peach showed that the events in Southall have led an
of people appreciate: who is protecting the
The campaigns which led last week to the seniences of the Virk brothers, without lies.
defending themseives against a racist atrack, being cut by half, and the freeing of George Linde, membership sisleen.
behind burs because of fabricated
the need for The organisation and defence to stop the police und courts going their owe
SHUNSUL
THIS paper's in danger, OK. Rear
the report on page 14 of the meeting
of its National Policy Commictes and fund-raising
The money isn't coming in, It's us
sample as that. And wedon'chave rich Stepped up
bankers or advertising revenue to ride
us over. Money from sales and money
for the Fund Drive is what we depend
book. le's not that there isn't a lol of
support for the paper and what it's
Our subscriptions. for
instance, just keep on going up. So, in
fact. does the number of individua
donors. The problem is really one of
collectise organisation and responsi-
Clubbing together against racism
POLLYANNA'S is a night club in Birmingham city centre
COmmissan Racial Equality found that the club had been
Dur racist practices and
order" under the 1976 Race Relation
The respouse of the owner of the club was to defend his quota-systen policy and so far has refused to against comply with the notice.
Ahmad was refused entry for not wearing a tie. Otbers were going in
Francis, a West Indian , was Told he wasn't a member, but there is no
Other excuses arc used to refuse entry, such as jeans, turbans, ete
Hittinghat Campaign against Racism in Clubs was set up in March. I has built ap a wide range oi
OUR FUND DRIVE
How many supporters' groups for instance, have recently organised jumble-sale, party, or bencfit bop?
Take a leaf our of Hackney's
There the comrades have organised two henelits already this Charee year, both of which have made money for the paper (as well as sustaining the around. Jocal Socialist Challenge group).
A benefit bop rakes a lot of work on the night, but it's relatively simple te organise beforehand, You need a weeks' time:
Its first act was to mount pickets
of Pollyanna's. It has been picketed
every Saturday nighs from 10.15 to
11.30 for the last ten woeks.
Business has really been hit. A delegation to the TGWU
regional secretary resulted in his
promise to write to all the TGWE
branches tor support.
The campaign offers an oppor tunity to curry forward the fight
labour movernent.
The key to all this is the The committee has called i national picket on l6 June at 9pm from Victoria Square.
A land has been set up to meet the Tines and legal costs of chose arrested.
Send donations The Birmingham Campaign Arrainst
Racism in Clubs, C/o Labour Club,
14 Bristol St, Birmingham.
hall (try the local student union), a hand or two (there are usually some around who will he sympathetic and prepared to play for pot too much more than expenses), and you're
Sort out whether you want some son of disco as well, what the bar arrangements are, whether you want to do food, what you're going to
then print up posters and leaflets and make sure they get
It's really not that difficult - and get cracking now, because the future of Socialist Chullenge is going to depend on your efforts in a few
3.4 The Oval. London E2.
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