South Yorkshire Times, January 13th 1933
Conisboro’ U.D.C.
Tom Mann
Council Demand Release
“Obsolete” Law
In the absence of the chairman, Mr. H. Gomersall, who is down with influenza, Mr. Ben Roberts presided at the monthly meeting of the Conisboro’ Urban Council on Wednesday.
A letter from the local branch of the National Unemployed Workers’ Movement called the Council’s attention to the imprisonment of some of their leaders, Tom Mann, Lamrys Llewellyn and Mrs. K. Duncan, who were being detained “under a six hundred years old Act” (Edward III), and had been charged under an obsolete and antiquated law by which any working-class leader could be imprisoned for no crime whatever. They asked the Council to protest against the imprisonment and to demand their instant release.
Mr. T. J. Gregory moved and Mrs. Levers seconded that the Council take this course.
Mr. J. I. Webster: I do not see why we should interfere with the law of the land. We are here to administer local business.
Mr. Gregory: It might be your tur next,
Mr. Webster: I don’t care
Mr. J. T. E. Collins urged that these people had committed no wrong, but were charged with something they might possibly do. “I feel we must protest. I feel very strongly on this subject,” he said. “If not only resolutions were passed but demonstrations took place all over the country, these people would soon be released.
Mr. Webster: I should like to know why we are interfering. Tom Mann can release himself if he wants.
Mr. Roberts said Mann was sticking up for a principle. That was why he was detained. He understood Mann would be released if he promised not to espouse the cause of the workers in future.
Mr. Webster: That is the reason you are trying to tell us.
Mr. Gregory’s resolution was carried and copies are to be forwarded to the Prime Minster and the Home Secretary.
Winter Relief
The question of winter relief for the unemployed, discussed at the last meeting, was again raised by Mr. Collins, who asked what had been done.
It was explained by Mr. J. Shelton that the matter was brought up at Saturday’s meeting of the Guardians’ Committee, but it was decided not to deal with it until the county authority had discussed it.
Mr. Collins: I am very dissatisfied. To suggest that the matter be left until Wakefield has dealt with it means it will get no further.
Mr. Shelton: Mr. Collins knows that if the committee at Doncaster had the agree to work the scheme, Wakefield would have turned it down as they turn down all our schemes.
Mrs. Levers: The County Council are worse than the Government. We want working-class representatives on the County Council.
Mr. Collins moved that they ask the County Public Assistance Committee to empower the local Guardians’ Committee to grant winter relief to those in receipt of unemployment benefit and transitional payments, and this was carried.
Training Quarters
There was a long discussion over a minute of the Baths and Fire Brigade Committee that permission be granted to the Denaby United Football Club to use the swimming baths from 2-30 to 5 on two days per week for purposes of training, at charge of 5s. per week.
Moving the reference back, Mr. R H. Shephard said the club asked for the use of the baths for the registered players, and as they had only six registered players resident in the district, he considered the proposed charge too high. The club paid £17 in rates already.
Mr. H. H. Wray moved that the minutes be confirmed. Although the club had only six registered players resident in the district the proposed arrangements did not prevent any number of the club’s players, if registered, from availing themselves of the facilities.
The Chairman said they did not want to act unjustly towards the football club, but felt that they were being liberal. Even if the club only used the baths one afternoon a week 5s would not be too much.
Mr. G. A. Chadfield seconded the confirmation and Mr. Webster seconded reference back.
Mr. Collins pointed out that if the Council were going to allow the use of the baths for a period where it could be proved they were being let at a loss they would be called to account for it. They did not want to be losers.
The Chairman: If it is found we are overcharging we are prepared to review the question.
Mr. Collins: It is a small matter over which to spend so much time.
The Surveyor (Mr. H. Thirlwall) said the Baths Committee thought 5s a very reasonable sum, but there was no harm in referring the minute back and getting further particulars. They did not wish to be hard on the football club
The minute was referred back.
Fare Stage For Miners
Mr. Collins and Mr. Morgan reported upon an interview with representatives of the Mexboro’ and Swinton Traction Company for the purpose of endeavouring to persuade the company to make the journey from Hirst Gate, Mexboro’ to the Cadeby Colliery a fare stage for the benefit of the miners. Mr. Collins said they had not been successful in getting the 1s weekly stage from the Toll Barr to Burcroft transferred to the section between Hirst Gate and the Colliery, but the Company’s representatives had promised that the matter would be considered and where anomalies existed attempts would be made to remove them.
- P’s.
The Clerk (Mr. Spencer Baker) said he had again communicated with the Lord Lieutenant with regard to the appointment of additional justices of the peace in the Conisboro’ area, and was informed that the matter would be brought before the next meeting of the advisory committee.
Items
A report on the “Boots for Bairns” conference at Doncaster last month was given by Mr. Collins and Mrs. Levers.
The Council are to recommend that future contributions to the Doncaster and Mexboro’ Joint Hospital Board be on the basis of ratable value instead of by fixed proportions as at present.
The recent dance organised by the Council officials for the benefit of the “Boots for Bairns” Fund realised a profit of £5 16s 5d., with donations amounting to £6 10s to add. The Council are to distribute 4000 leaflets containing advice as to how the influenza epidemic should be combated.
Permission has been granted to the Conisbro’ and Denaby Unemployed Social Club to level a portion of the North Cliffe recreation ground to form a football pitch. The club is to provide free labour to carry out the work under the direction of the Council’s Surveyor.