Socialist Challenge No. 24, 1 December 1977
The scan: sc-n24-dec-1-1977.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.
Page 1 scan of this page
Socialist Challenge THIS MAGISTRATE MUST BE REMOVED
SUPPORT THE FIREFIGHTERS SMASH THE 10 p.c. NORM
What Dromey told us
Grunwick scandal
sentences.
at the moment.
We say:
See p. 889 for detailed story.
66 Mrs Oakley is the Judge Jeffries of Wellesden She could, if given the chance, convict Dreyfus again. She the Lord Chancellor and we are calling upon our local MP's to raise the matter with him and in House of Commons. urging all hose convicted by her to SOME3 SIC IN LEEREIEB0 refuss to disgualify herself from HENLEI ai) TUILE cases, will be asking the deLenARs COPRO HODdEERT PaESan the prococdines.
On 29 September a Willesden magistrate, Mrs Dorothy Oakley, told a doctor that she was not pleased by the 'very light sentences" which stipendary magistrates at anther court had been handing out to Grunwick picketers. She said: "About 40% have got off. We shall have to change all that, and they will get much stiffer
The doctor concerned has given us a sworn affidavit to this effect since Mrs Oakley is trying Grunwick cases
MRS OAKLEY MUST BE REMOVED NOW All those pickets convicted by the Willesden magistrates should receive a pardon and compensation.
the
99
1 DECEMBER 1977 No. 2415p
The lecturer
whoworked for the Iranian Embassy
page 11
Arthur cargill
on Sexism
page 14
Quintin Hoare
on the Venice
battle on Soviet dissidents
page 13
Behind Sadat's
Overtures
page 12
Page 2 scan of this page
THE FIREFIGHTERS are
basis for a semi-permanent victory.
10. have told striking
dictated government's
10% limit is maintained.
the public and private
it oppresses. of Capital in this country.
Include demands for
social expenditure on housing, hospitals, etc. The trade
by a Labour government. and cities trade
example of how to unite broad workers committees another vital step in the right direction.
support of the firefighters.
The Labour goverment is existing
reversed at amy minute.
periods of elections.
the door for Thatcher are not the
Labour Party.
Capitalism is in crisis. The leaders of thr
Labour Parly and ihe irade unions offer
HutenD that ate in thr interesis, Bol of the
marker, hut of the capitalist class
Socialist Challenge helieves chat the two vited
To haild broad-based cass strungle sendes
o in opposin to.stass-cilshorarionists.in
num-carlusive in charucter arouping Ingether
militants holding a wide range of political
uniled front tactics, begin lo he seen an an
Nuch an organisation should be based on the
derstanding that:
=ditorial
still on strike. The
Labour Government Is still refusing to accept
their demands. The uniformed scabs are still in
action, It is almost as If those whom the gods
wished to destroy were first set on a collision
course against a public sector union which had
never struck before, Callaghan, Healey and Foot
- the Labour leaders for 'standing firm' — would
be making a very dangerous mistake to imagine
that a defeat for the Fire Brigades Union would be
a victory for the 10% norm. Edward Heath made a
similar mistake when, in 1970, he thought that by
deteating the postal workers he could lay the
Labour Ministers might not like to publicly
acknowiedge the fact, but their pay policies are,
in reality, being implemented by the army. Were it
not for blatant use of troops to try and defeat a
workers strike, the FBU would have won within twenty-four hours. Callaghan himself is reported
fireworkers he
"Sympathised' with them, but 'national interests'
policies. in other
words the firefighters have a strong case, but the
Interests of British capitalism require that the
It is a fact that the wage demands of workers in
sector disrupt functioning of a crisis-ridden economic system. But the solution to the problem does not lie in upholding the system at the cost of those whom
It is here that the traditional trades union response to the situation is hopelessly insufficlent. For while all wage demands against the bosses of both private and state industries must naturally be backed by all socialists, the matter does not end there, For what has to be fought for in addition is an alternative set of socialist policles which pose a challenge to the Interests
These policies would nationalisation under workers control, a sliding scale of wages, cuts in defence spending, a programme of increased
schools and union leaderships refuse to organise such a struggle because they accept the argument about the 'national interest', Decause they refuse to challenge the legitimacy of the capitalist system and because they believe that such a system can be satisfactorily managed
The firefighters deserve to win on avery count. If they lose the fault will not simply be that of the government, but also that of the rest of the trade union movement for failing to launch a united frontal assault on Labour's economic policies and proposing concrete alteratives. In several towns
unionists have taken their responsibility. Nottingham's march is a timely
sections of against Labours policies. Support organise solidarity could be One theme of such action must be to compel the TUC to back a much needed call for national action in
at the present time on the good will of the Liberal Party - a goodwill, incidentally, determined by the need for self-preservation - but this could be
Ultimately a Labour electoral victory will depend on its relations with the working class and those who,mobilise it in Labour's Xmas present to the Fire Brigades Union could wall be a defeat. But if it is, It will, in the short term, presage a severe defeat for Labour at the polls. In other words those who are opening
Grunwick workers or the firefighters, but the leaders of the
OUR POLICIES
WHICH
2
across
determined as continuing to grow.
and action for the firefighters. Mass Action Means firefighters mobilise the help from other anions. Not Just in berns of money, but all foems di solidarity action. frami culling off services to the scab troops, to
Mass Action Means flooding the TUC with demands that they come out in favour of the firefighters, Calling upon the TUC to give toral support to the strike and to all other trade unionists who act in sympathy.
Mass Support Means not tely ing on the TUC or
committees
brief...
*Teeside: Boycott plans for helpers With its conglomeration of oil und chemical industries, is one of the highest fire risk #reus in Europe. That's why thi superscals — Ilghters - nove been sent there Bot the local FBU are hitting back. Branch officials have beer #A anompanies ure belping the souring the are.
RAF And now they bave drawn the? and army to strikebreak.
Astor companies which Intend to boycott once the strike I over.
Regional secretary Bill Griffin explained to Socialist Challenge That the FRU delegation has been obstracted from contacting anplants, and that they will not be serviced by ICI, Wilton and British Steel, Monsanto, Seal Sunds and Rohm and Huas at Seal Sands.
Bill Griffin Bas abo appealed по вас годивые сотацсе ог 10и FBU to demand the TUC call a general strike in support of the TICEDLES The buses a say ur more Bac unite she fight of the workers against prise alim at online acted be reing son organs of power and deleatine wich al
Thur socialism will he infinitels mur today, with full richte for all political AMU TOO LUFICHIS WE CO BOTHE waraxale wins alkania modeb of socialism" in the 1155R and Fevern
no all those fighting for weialise democracy:
Firefighters:
striking out
the country
The third week of the FBU strike sees the strikers as
Never, and support for their stand
Reports indicate that already many fire officers have joined the strike and pressure is mounting on the Fire Officers" Association to come out in all out support. But the key to victory remains organising mass support
greatest possible
involved. "Battersea: the FBU kers in every These are the best Observer, eral secretary
Oftice.
aclivity the the
RAF
ority.
Teeside
- special RAF fire- in this regard.
Ially disassociated fire claiming It
the bulletin put out leadership. claimed with
money has from K23 Battersee.
Many member of the [K23)
Billinghum, Port Clarence, furious.
E70 to FBU
They receipt. 3 The interests of workin and capical are inconclable scar. Capitalism has not oal reales a world market, it has realed world CHES TOUY WE WAI TOE PORTER VES on an international ical: This unily will in th long run be decolve in defeating both th imperialist regimes in the West and the brucal dictatenhi, they sustain in Lalla America,
implies demanding the inn disle wilhdrawd of Bricoh Inaps from Inland falure.
The Communist Paries in Europ Neither
for ihe avertras at the captiali salt. Net mean UHHHE HOUSE DEFLIES OFE MORE NELLS
more fosaurable than over the preceding thre decailer. Mut such parties can osly be built h
factions and Sendencies.
established by existing bodies such as trades councils, public sector alliances, ete. Make sure
hat in whatever body is set us
nembers of the FBU are
Mass Support Means continu-
ing to hold demonstrations and
lobbies in support of the firefighters and against the 10 per
FBU leaders smear stri-
London.
According to last Sunday's
Terry Parry, genot the • Fire Brigades Union alts by his phone, day after day, waiting trom for a call from the Home stations.
Whether or not this is the sum of Terry parry's current
Observer does not say, but the leadership of
FBU have shown little enthusiasm for the strike.
Where they have shown a degree of activity is in their efforts to head off any rank Labour and file activity in the strike which challenges their auth- support
The FBU leadership has been paying special altention to Batterses fire station
On Saturday 19 November the FBU oftic-
Itself from a march led by Batter-
station workers, DELICON
took on an added delight. In Last wook the campaign outline a Issue No Il of Strike News,
by the was reference to the strike fund, that 'so far no
been received
This Issue of Strike News, dated 24 November arrived al sector
Ballerson fire slation unite with the sentence crilicising them omitted. But when they ware told about it they were
For two daya viously they had handed over firefiehters.
official John Gregory for the strike lund.
had also received a
- • world
10,000 UNIFORMED Fire Brigade Union members and their families mounted a magnificent demonstration in support of their pay claim through London on Suturday.
The pity is that so few people saw it, as marchers wandered by the deserted office blocks of central
Delegations came from Strati clyde, Merseyside And Saut ampion but the overwbelming
bulk of the demonstrators wete
the any al these increasingly resent the smart Many don more elaborate and comfortable!
However, all the 10,000 got fa mealy-mouthed speeches band Speakers Corner wagon-jumping Labour MPs and their own "leader Terry Parry Joan Lestor, Chairperson of th
fretan, or the labor Facy,
the Pacts
but.... 'this is not about the 10 per cent limir and pay policy
The appalling sexist Frank
MP told the marchers thar Jim Callaghan was going to get raped on this oneso 'he might as welllay back andenjoy it.! Terry Party, peterst of the reu, was greeted were
chorus of boos cheers and then proceeded to
possibl schemes and deals on hours and productivity, none of which wil give the firefighters what they want → more pay now.
*Swansea: Public
workers
"PUBLIC SECTOR workers in 3w are wearing a . public meeting in support of the
Following a lead from Morrison National Union of Public Employees, the meering has been supported by TGHU local auth-
WANT TO KNOW MORE? # sou agree wu theis principles and wait to be evolved so aedeibes be Sochellet Chalicage simppaircris insoarates, fitte the form felow und send it 1048:
Adorn bey aren would The additional tehere and encinis 30p to cover coms:
Deleteif borapplicalle)
NAME 0000 ADDRESS
Seal or Mortaliss Challenge 328 329 Upper Strel London NE
Confusion over whether this was a FEU only demonstration incant the turn-out from orber London trade unionists was very small, despite the growing num her of solidarity meetings and support commitices in the Lon
wea, I will organising icto activity the huge assive supper that caists for the
icefiehters, which will guarant *Haringer Trades Comeril and J Cision of the FBU are holdin a sourciarity demonstration this Sanerday 3 December asrembin or Tam Rood, London (north side of Finsbury Park).
Meeting
Trades Council und NALGO which ruised 164 -haiy
the Grunwick strikers and half for the fingfigiters further 292 was ratised in one day by FRU menber outride For
The demonstration is being held to channel the massive local suppor thai and Tire fighters and frode wnionists in the rest of Nursh London are being approached to attend. Norti and Fast London Socialist Challenge
/vll servants in the SCS, NUPE social service workers, as will as the FBU
Ken Price, secretary of Swanleading the barle for more wiger sea NUPE said, The foremen are Jor us all. They deserve all tha запро не сал ACCEPIT
The meeting will take place on 6 December ar Duffry Cinb Woodfield Steer. Morriston, Swarse, Er i obe to start or 7.30pm.
Page 3 scan of this page
•We're united to fight the 10 pc norm'
HOME NEWS
*The Government has said it was the public that pulled down the power workers. Mrs. Thatcher said public opinion would judge sirises Well we're prepared Ec gamble on that and say 'Look at this one' As far as we'te concerned, public opinion is with ''There is an cupcutive counail meeting this week in London, We are hoping - IT possiolc London. In the north of England fine officers in officer hune atready joined Mt
the Government"
Peter Rockley, executive council
STANTU®
SPUN
PLANTS
STRIKE
cent ingrease, plus infiation proofed wages. 'Were marching today in suphe 10 per cent, and to show our claim is for E15 and 30p for ench HILL HATE for the firemen. Our subsequent rise in the cost of Living. We want to protect aur settlement against inflation.
*A representative of the said today they are a special case. Well we'te not a special case, our case is the same an every ocher
unionist in this country.
Warkers like ourselves are
cut without the backing of OCIas al workcrs against Government's policies.
Peter Radeliffe, member of the strike committee af Stuntoe wed Stuseley BSC plant. *Ie our strike, the Gavertment is
going forther than simply suin
he 10 per cent guidelines
CU LESL MENCC1S I SOc dire financial postion that logioally speaking there shouldn't be employed BSE any offer all Tor people
You've seco all the press so:
are staggering. Bur it's not a problem peculiar to BSC ponumen chroughout the world. There has to be a steel industry
and people have lo employed
'Demonstrations like today's
300 march in Nottingham
the Fire Brigade
We'te led up with being told there is anther enquiry around the corner. We're tired of beif fobbed off. We want a decent living wage and we're standing up to be counted. -The firemen have a saying. Ir's that every year they are issued WITE TOTEC MIS CHUDAS D shoes and a public enquiry. And we are fed up with that. wint the results of these en Don Febeon, Chairpenion of the NolA MamEDU Workers at British Steel Corporation plant march to domand a 21 pe
are important. Because our strike isn't official, we are
bave any official assistance from trade unitas. The march today helps us TONCE LAC No matter what sucpessive Governments have said the past about rallying to the of warking people, the chips are down we are left on out own.'
Brian MeGinley, secretary of the strike committee at Stanton and SMEC MORKACLARUEHIS
to They II's
Now we
TWE HEEG DIOTEWEDETMUSEC
against public expenditure cuts
need greater unity denied terent sectors in ine
class so that we not only put an end to the 10 per cent, but finall bring about an end to the system thal produces interest of private profits. "IE CYLIY 8 DOE body foliowed
when Nottinghain, we'd be obe step on
TIC TINO TO TOLIAE MCLER call sational action in support of the firefighters and against the 10 per cent pay policy.'
Brian Simister, vice president of Nottingham and disarict Trades John Peck - holding loud-hailer — chaired last Saturday's rally.
The miners: "given pride of place at last Saturday's march'. Don Nelson, Cha araononnum oU beonoot!
WE
THANK:
THE
PUBLIC
FOR
/TS
SUPPORT
Brian Simister
LOLICH
between dif- NOTEC working
Very quie the cuts in the
BOYCIIC
the lead
the battle once again.
AUE BENES
Jibe NUM.
policies. strikers.
Noltingham and District Trades
'We all have to join the hartle to eno cals Movetcaents CEHEBBHsnuly sone bcined the Freyane policies. Everyone
•LETOLT What are Mr. Whitlock and Mr.
Dennett doing in support of the firemen? They are keping wery,
know that it's their policy that's responsible for the strike of the FRU, and the other HECIEKIN ORL BU UTLLI boullry — che power men, the engineers, and sometime in the Tune inksi they wove way. thet the miners micht have to come in
LISALTCEI elect of the Nottingham Aren of per cent.
forthomming.
SiTuggles.
The Nottiagham Trades Council gave s magnificent lead to the entire labour movement when it organised a demonstration lust weekend to unite strikers from live different local disputes In a show of solid opposition aguinst Labour's pay
Pride of place was given to the firefighters because as Joc Whelan - general secretary-clect of the Nottingham aren of the National Union of Mineworkers — explained to the rally, "The firemen are fighting a battle for the whole trade union movement. If they are defeated, then the rest of the movement fighting for better wages will also be defeated. But if they are victorious, then the rest of us will win our fight against the Government's policies."
With only six days" notice, members of' a number of unions not currently involved in struggles — including teachers miners, and local government workers — joined those fighting to maintain their living standards:
*Workers at the Stenton and Staveley plants of the Brilish Steel Corporation. The 1,000 workers are striking for E15 a weck claim with inflation proofing, plus average holiday pay and a restoration of differentials — a claim involving a 24 per cent increase. The strike is unofficial and was sparked off when management locked out the worktorce in response 10 a go-slow in support of the claim.
Officials of the union involved - the General and Municipal Workers" Union calling on other plants to scab by returning to work. Peter Radcliffe, a member of the strike committee, told Socialist Challenge that workers are hoping the strike will spread to other plants this week pressure on the union to make the strike official.
*Metal mechanics at Raleighs. Low wages and a meagre 10 per cent offer from management are what the strikers are up against, Les Chapman, convenor of the Joint Shop Stewards Council and a member of the National Society of Metal Mechanics, outlined just how poor wages are for the 4,700
He told marchers lust Saturday that the lowest paid worker receives a gross wage of E39.53, the semi-akilled receives a base rate of f36.41, and skilled rates are between £42.07 and €47.57, "Add 10 per cent to nothing, like management wants us to do, and you come up with a very low wage".
*Workers from E&H Architectaral Products. Sacked within 24 hours after strike action was taken, workers are protesting the withdrawal of union recognition. Eighty per cent of the small workforce is involved — 15 people — in the fight to be reinstated with full recognition of the Furniture Timber and Allied Trades Union
*Metallifacture workers striking for a claim of over 20 per cent. The two hundred workers involved in chis official dispute are members of the Amalgamated Engineering Workers" Union.
John Peck, vice president of Notingham District Trades Council, explained why the raily was called and why every labour movement body up and down the country should be planning simiat actions.
"Today's march is a march by people who are linked by the
common bond of opposition to the 10 per cent guidelines. This
10 per cent is something the Government is frying to dietate to
the workers of Britain.
*It was never agreed to by the trade anion movement. In fact ut the Trade Union Congress the idea of any limit on pay increases was specifically and decisively rejected. The only thing that was agreed to
was the
But sow the Gorernment is attempting to impose this 10
per cent limit on all workers ap and down the country, If we
accept the 10 per cent it would only mean a further decline in
our standard of living.
Toduy, we ull need about a £10 a week increase in pay to
take us back to where we were Iwo years ago. We are told that
If pay is held down thea by this time mext year inflation will be
at the single figure rate. We were told that in 1975 when the
Social Contract was first initisted.... These last two years have
exploded a myth - that wages canse inflation. We've bad
restraiet but nevertheless inflation is ronning at a rate of 17
The Nottingham tally is a step in the right direction. The TUC ha showm where it Mands — four-square behiod the Goveroment's policies. In a statement issued last Wednesday not a word wa mencioned about the attitude of the TUC to the FBU strixe. It merely expressed its "'concern" at the "seriousness" of the dispote and offered ta help "to facilitato a negotiated settlement: The Labour Party national exocutive committee hasn't even done thal. Not a single statement has been issued by this body.
The TUC shoukl be organising sation action in support of th FBU and against the 10 per cent norm. Similarly, if the FBL leadership put out the call for nacional action, support would b
Workers struggling to defend their living standards can't wast for the TUC. The best guaranee for victory for the firefighters is for the working class people to take the first sep of tollowing the lead giver by Nottingham. On-goung support commlftees to plan such actions are vital. The mis-leaders of the labour movement will act only if the) can't afford to maintain their silence and thereby the sabotage oi
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE1 December 1977 page)
have sabotaged the strike,
- a move which will exert more Opening the rally he said -and many of us disagree with that 12-month rule betreen pas increases.
Page 4 scan of this page
Rank & File conference: action, but what policies?
Electricians: right wing policies triumph
Sue Slipman on problems facing the left in the union.
This terin the Tories bave taken Nos With 5o, med bers the forward in the Tories are the largest political force in the the student
ear from Conservative Party
entral Office BOG sizeable topanons iro prvate moustry the Federation of Conservative Students has taken the offensive.
ao acomand, ine rus nas lec and won several campaigas to diaffillate universities from the NUS including St. Andrews
ad Edinburgi . In the rest of the
yuntry the FCS plays lip servk so the unity of NUS, but has at
he same time initiated a string of from Tinancially supporting the firefighters or Grunwick arikers. A male member of the
the NUS Women's Conference two weeks speeches that JONATHAN SILBERMAN reports.
Can a conference representing 251 trade union bodies call strike
This is one
conference. For the delegates did
deed pass a resolution calling
a day of solidarity with the
strike 00 December, including the call Tor strike
Right-wing policies triumphed at the end of the five-day dectrician s biennial conference in Blackpool last week -despite the mearly unanimous resolution depioring Government interference in pay
Hounslow:
HOUNSLOW HOSPITAL 5 ocche labour movement to maintain the picket line in the vital weeks chad Alhough all of the shaff lave now moved te satisfuerory - including training (f required
purd unt the oreg neonn awrhor 2 fives fore asturancer tha
ospital will be reapened as o
The January meeting of the arca bealth authority will finance and planning group — who maintain that copital exists
HOME NEWS
NUS conferences
Broad Left in crisis
President of the National Union of Students and Communist Party executive committee member — threatened to bring in scab labour to break last week's strike by staff members at the union's headquarters. This type of incident - combined with vigorous press atlacks against student unions — is the backdrop to the NUS conference taking place in Blackpool this weekend. REDMOND O'NEILL reports
*Dave Wilks, national chairman (sic) of the FCS, summed up in a recent press fatement the major with Tory advances. eres of the FCS in his view ve ilustrated backing it has won from the Broad Left majority national executive of the NUS on every major lisue this term.
Thus it bas been Sue Slipman who has repeatedly lent her name to the press witch hunt against She started off the term by condemning the anti-fascists at LEWIS SAL. and finished
autonomy. middle of the term was fiäled with her threats to kick out unions apposing Zionism.
The National Rank and File Delegate Conference in Manchester on Saturday attracted 522 delegates from 251 delegating bodies. The conference passed a resolution in support of the firefighters" strike and endorsed a declaration on the way forward for Rank and File.
The delegates heard many militant speeches and a great deal of information about local struggles. But at the end of the day its not the feeling of elation on hearing fiery
counts, bul what comes afterwards.
There was little opportunity to discuss the viability of the call. the Chetile made no promison
on the firefighters" Te ke not the ECSOIOBOU distrihuted to the delegares in advapot. Indoed delegates could be excused if they didn't realise
bargaining.
In a sporet session on Friday, a clections on the union's 140 fulltime oficials — suspended in 196l WRS ACECHEME beeting decided to continue the
pickets needed
for reopening the hospiral, but revenue is not at hand as the next roand of cuts la ix mposed on the health services With the staff now scattered in mittee is determined to keep up the pressure. One of the commit Porter, told Socialisr Challenge: "We wan't he leavius ubtil the deparaiots arNe Hin paintbrushes, and work to. te open Hounsiow is underway'
Tre body to ring the Hoursiow now to arrange time on the picker rora. Tel: 07-570 4448.
Conference delegates
enfronted by a Broad Left Tory bloc out to oppose action on fee levels, DUCASHI Iroad Left/Tory motion will ti to thaw pastion of No pintorn
Cascists. unholy dun will also oppose any
dents' right to control their own unions.
All is not well in the Broad Left JUNCIEN Party militants are dismayed by the de
leadership and the Tories. These
stand leit unity unity against the right. They find The pro-
swalka,
full
CHEAP CORN 00 the
After all, the Broad Left led the fight to wrest the NUS from right
arnund a campaigo to throw ou Nus Constitur el. 'no politics" clause from the FCS and the Broad Left leader
Cantons who bas fascists, oppos dionisin, or support the right o women to close medines lo mien The left al Blackpool will be made up of all those delegates who retuse lo po alone with Sur December. Paul (Strathclyde FBU) who. moved
ban to prevent members of the Conmunist Party from holding
This erosion of democracy pontinned with the decision to
same from the exscutive, It Bow is
general secretary Frank Chappe and plumbers* secretary Charlie Lavell YOC MARCE DE DE DI the very lew secretaries to hold voting power. The union leadership panned
WEANED
for political reasoos at least Ewo
checonference. Wyn Bevan, a left wing leader of the Port Talbo
— as well carlier this year, said 600 mem hers
of his Pontardawe branch were
into the Port Talbor hranch, Bill Williams, secretary of the 3000 stong caron branco was simi Inriy refosed admission Chris ards. He said that his whole
oranen nao ceen suspendo.
Conference also
contucion encrens ng the soe: elevaren ben dineranch MOTENACIE 31078153915
ahout 250 to the 600 at this year's COLLUEVE.
the student culs, and
curnent NUS
And speakers from this attempts — - by
841582418
EXOTICA and Communise Part
are trained to under-
not bout face a bit bard to
contract within which we are
money".
and can't do funds. The
Today the of the SSA. 30 рет
The electricians*
to 13 members, and
niners' 12-mooth each have an executive
union general defending diferentials,
litele danger of the reactor programite.
REWARD
by stew safery measures
Slipman's historie compromise".
The lask of the left will be to turn
movement out veniber towards the firefighters, and to the defence of the union's own
especially in further erison education colleges. This entails a sustained campaign againse th
the Courts, loca education auhorities, and Dow, the public accounts conmmittee to limit the autonomy of student
Sue Slipman's comments don't give grounds for comfort. In a CUECO CON LE SECUE
t this way: "Our autonomy doe
signify total freedom: oL Sudent union consulutions are
with the public siven the powerto operae on me popue s
In other words, unioes will be WANTED expected to accept a local auth- NESSES: orty or college veto on what the six months"
Faith thei Socialist Students Alliance will be fighting at Black-
Pert alternet the Teren ad
August. process of uniting the student left
on the basis of fighting policies. Lewisham A nationally co-ordinated campagn to oppose all attacks on union control of union Funds will medical be the centrepiece to the efforts
observed, the resolution dida't mention the strike call. Only one delegate speaking from the floor referred
The
pay resolution reflecled shop-floor calls forrises ofaround
Spent, bur the safety net of the 12-moute rule was unfuried
claim will be prepared by a apocial conference Landon of power-station shop stewards io Lacember — the timie wileu
due the rule ls adbered to.
But by diverting the apposition in the union up the road ol numbers].
Chapple and the right-wing ca bal tbat nuns the EETPU know that there is
rank-andse soulas out ou acir conte
Spurred on by che exocutive, th ponterece lasoured a go-ahead ro une proposcu mucicar wasie reprocessing plant at Windscale
well as an expansion of the whole nuciear and fase-brooder
A mild resolution was dumped which called for a moratorium on nuclear development until new
are developod.
Delegates also roandly defeated aresolution calling foe withdrawal trom the FFC in favour of a pro
Perhaps Chapple, Tam Break
Co la the FETPU nor enlaihto condena the working class to low wages in a capitalist Europe, butifail else rails they can always hope for a nuclear 'leak".
Broad Left walk-out
The Women's Conference o
the National Union of Stud enes ended in disester for the Broad Left on 19-20 No-
when its executive merrbers Kay Copp-Brown and Sue Rob-
- spured a Conference decision to exclude men, ond wulked out, declaring the meeting anconstitutional.
They were joined in their walk ou by a handfal of women and a male member of the Federation of Conservative Students. It wa: his disruptive tactics which firs prompred the vote for a woman-
Confercos.
The frustration which women union members feel executive's bandling of the campaign is best summed up in their
Be gor a woman presiden
And a toker women's conference
URGENTLY: WITCHINAWOR
-Lambeth magistrates for the pleasura o
reing kicked by police officer
the Lewisham anti lascist demonstration on 13
Lockwood, a delegale to the All
Campaiga Agains Racism and Fasciam, and an unampo tone producio
endentem his in juriee, but the court preferred to tD 7 December
Certainly the feeling of the
building solidarity action. It was also for building the type of movement inat could electively organise such action. But Jack Robertson the editor of Engineers Charter posed the real question when he diference bet ween the rank and -There file, the millions of rank and file trade unionists, and the Rank and File Movement which com-
fine minority of the rank and
INVOLVED AGAIN
There were good ideas from the conference. The resolution
also
(loes for other disputes.
These are vital, but such
Socialist Challengo supporters in the Civil and Poble Servants Asociation will be meeting in Funder dealls from December
SUERIIS Challenge Centres in Birming
Glasgow, Manchester sad London. (See columa on page 14 for phone
CAMPAIGN for ACTION in NUPE National
Conference
Satuday 10 December 11.30em NUFTO Hall, Jocheys Inn Fields
London WC1
• Fight for Action on the Pay No to the Cuts - Far Union Democracy
Bicicos Trom ron Fanion B8 Stride Road, Portem outh Tel: 0705 817707
SOCIALISTCHALLENGE 1 December 1977 pape 4 is something sou con stiff..
Despire the undemocratic ace
ions of executive members women from aver 40 colleges remaned ro discuss motions and elect the new women's comm-
The majority of the campaign
3 not prepared to let the NU
hide away, or label th
tons of Copp-Brown and Robert
are part and roel of the fallof the Broad Left to put . ward perspectives for an active
campaign. They are prepared to bureaucratically
4H-HO grouping active in the campaign.
Delegations to NUS Confer-
cnce will demand chat these manoeuvres are rejected and that the decisions and newly elected
nised.
by Pumeia Hoimes
convict him on the ludicroun charge of 'assault on an unknown
He ls appealing against both conviction and sentence, but has ta locete the other three or fou comrades who were ahoved
CHANIHIN High Road, pestthe police alation
n Ladywall Road, shortly befon
an 13 August Socialist Challenge Envcioso.
Lockwood - urgent. autboritative broad hased local committees are not enough. Alan Thornect (British Leyland, Cow-
made the point when he
sald, 'everyone wans to orguist
the rank and file but around
objectives?
But there was litrle discussion For example on the Granwick strike, Kamlesh Gandal, chair-
receised a standing ovacion. He appealed to the conference to make suggestions on how to win the strike Kamlesh wa i the last
before lunch, but after furtle. contribution ou Gruowick and no answers were given to Gan dhi's appeal.
Such omissions were illustrat ed in a speech by Martin Murph
•look after the little things and the big chings will Jook after
thiaes te strike action one One could ask in reply, December)
Not content with apending C14
October Greater Man-
given to show pratitude lo the heads of firms that proviced their premisea and OLIC TECHOS
RENE JUNGA SEN Noveir ber, these loyal citizens -including local heedteschen
presented plaques. They gre inscribed with tha wor WIN STAR ARRESTE BASISE ance rendered on B.10.77. Chief constabin Jamos Anderton maan Whilo awaits his reward from the NFL
Page 5 scan of this page
Wright will win, but will he fight?
For a
socialist
opposition
in AUEW
1977 has not been a gooc rear for the rank-and-file ir the engineering Industry. While there have not been any really decisive defeals Inflicted by the employers, the trade union bureaucrats have been GOOGERCRACK tempts to break through the
Government's pollcies of wage restraint.
Of course this has not been easy for the leadership of the AUEW. At British Leyland the Executive Committee had resort 1o joining hands with the management in supporting the sacking of the toolmakers in order to induce a retum to Work
At Lucas It was the threat
pay that had a lot to do with inducing the call off their 10 wook strike DE
Nor have these wage cuts been inflicted without the suppression of trade union democracy. Despite a clear call for an immediate return to free collective bargaining at the policy making National Committee of the AUEW, Hugh Scanion neodod outside compulsion to allow the Executive Committee to
TUC and vote in favour of the 12 month rule
He resorted to the oldest Carronite trick in the book by refusing to let the tank and file delegation vote on the Issue.
But what about the Broad Left? The AUEW has had an organised left opposition for over ten years now but it is further away from achieving Its ends than it ever was with the decisive Executive Com-
firmly controlled by the right wing CUTICE by John Boyd, the General Secretary.
Desoite the SUCCESS
Bob Wright in the Presidential election, the Broad Left B
political disarray. The defection of Hugh Scanion 10 the camp of the right wing has not passed without leaving its mark.
The Broad Left has been inactive over the last three years despite the massive attacks on wages and jobs of those who work the engineering Industry. In fact, in the critical Leyland COCHINKArS leading Broad Left and CP member, LES TON voted with the right wing support the sacking of the toolmakers.
While the Broad Left can-
because it still remains dominant nalional current In the AUEW, vague hopes of reforming if or changing it are clearly not on the cards.
An altemative will not be built simply declaring one. This is the chief mistake of the Socialist Workers Party sponsored Engineers Charter.
But the need for militants to immediately start to build a principled socialist oppo-
non-seclarian characier has never been granter.
Such an opposition must be prepared to fight indepdenily for Its policies using ana most pupne pratrons 91 the union, such as elections. Only than will it be equipped to do the job of fighting the right WISTE through challenging the org211300 that been the record of the Broad Lell over the last three years.
in They lost the vote by 27-24. annual claim to November.
the unskilled.
would represent a 66 per cent rise.
and file support for the claim.
this year.
would get the benchit of their claim. In BROAD LEFT candidate, Bab SOUTH IS COTTA CHILLED WIL the presidency of the ALEW
The post becomes vacant
TUBENBULE Scanion (RIP). The result of the first ballot in the election showed
gaining than his
Terry Duffy. (83,893 o Duffy's 81Y3Y1
The Broad Left should be able to make up this deficit by the rime of
WIN COME ONLY March,
Whatever happened
at the AUEW
National Committee?
The National Committee of the AUEW voled to submit a claim of around 66 percent to the employers in late December. But at the same time, in a major defeat for the left of the union, the NC went on to narrowly endorse the 12 month rule governing pay increases.
The left's defeat cameafter a long campaign by the Broad Left against the 12 month rule which climaxed in a public row with Hugh Scanlon ar the September TOC Congress when he cast his vote against the AUEW delegation. At the National Committee the Broad Left were fighting to prevent his action being endorsed.
Their failure will have an immediate impact on many AUEW members. Last week Scanion was able to press the TUC General Council into opposing British Leyland's corporate package deal. He didn't oppose it because the package
anacks union organisation and his meinbers living standards, but because it would have breached the 12 month rule by allowing certain Leyland plants to bring forward their
The effects of supporting the 12 month rule will aiso affect the national engineering claim.
On paper the ciaim looks substantial, with demands for increases on the minimum time rare varying from E70 for skilled workers to E55 for
With the present skilled rate ser at E42, that
The claim also includes demands fora 35 hour week without loss of pay and longer holidays.
But the National Committee's support for the 12 month rule may demobilise the potential rank The implication is that the claim could only be implemented at a local level a full year after factories havesettled for their •Phase 3' Increase
domestic agreements end throughout the ycar this means there will be no common date when all engineering workers
Only 27,3 per cmcot the AUEW membership voted 10 he fors ballot. This was despite the postal with ballot system. the skies by the right wing and the Tories as being the best way to democratically involve the memmarginally less DETSEID But despite the postal ballot the low poll reflects Jarue number of the rank and file They found between Dully's support Social Contract - and Wrishr's Jailure to fight for action in the
wing clique which
weakened form. skilled workers by union against it.
of 19,071
which it the union
Cities at all.
Let or Manch
Challenge AUEW in these arcas.
in the second ballot, But confident. which is lauded to
Lefler Ran
The feeling of a Congress
Jarle to choose
for the
But militants will not only have to fight the 12 month rule to pursue the claim. The right
nOW COLITIE the leadership of the union has no intention of fighting for the claim even in its present
seeking • increases in differentials which will top the 10 per cent norm, they will settle for far less than the 56 per cent increase they have been mandated to fight for.
As far as the right wing is concerned the demand for the 35 hour week is just a ritual they are compelled to go through. A serious fight for the demand would face the massive opposition
Of the alternatives that were on
came as a surprise BUt it was F18ser who ku
which threatened to shatler th Social Contract. It was this repard for Fraser outsidebisown patch oftheskilled
But the vote of lan Morris, a
strike and the Engineers Chorter distance
12F87 cred To the sec an
Workers Revolutionary Part of Alan Wilkins of the
attemptrodraw in other left forces behind Morris's
example, no meeting woreheld Wthe Chanci
Manchester, MANT oles of help trom Socialiss supporters in the
The Tact that Dese candsdate: were the top five in the ballot ressulli means that the Broad Left Can Do Any DESCE DE OFT
they should nor be too Oiber ALEW election results announced at the same time show
Halverson, unlik Wright, publicly led the campnign
The engineers' vote at the TU Jor in lavour of the 12
on the second ballot for national organiser to right winger John Judith
In Executive Committee elect
Socialist Challenge
ENGINEERING
SUPPLEMENT
planning meeting now. lons the first of we hallots sau Communist Part mcmber Le Dixon trailing behind "moderate'
Edmund Scrivens. Another deleal TOT TIC ICIL WAS LETOO NOOSONS victory over. Vickers convenor Jim Murray for EC
There results should come as a warning for the Broad Left that they cannot rely on the weakness
pull Bob Wright through the second Presidential baller.
Wright's campaign contamed a creditalice zap as wide as the
Tween his left talking against the Social Contract and his failure to support the scrugale which were doing that sob in thi
Women trade unionists
get creche
trade WiNes have
played the game of lip service to
the fight for women's rights
Attempts to cover-up the all
too abwons under-represenFrater on on be her in are • Marit
Engineering Union's Con Jerence will not content women TARA BRONS CAr TA
Bura welcome change of a real
sort was илдегтакел пр
the staff section of the AUEW.
at a conference called to discuss
training and job opportunise
women
omen, members of AUER
rash agended the conzereno
zar month under chaibers
Hunt the women':
TREMO DELORSE
The large wumhers attending
of the Engineering Employer's Federation and the Government. Jolin Boyd and Hugh Scanion (RIP) are going in the opposite direction.
Only a really major campaign to mobilise the rank and file could turn the paper claim of the National Committee into a real basis for the fight to gain a decent standard of living.
The decision of the 20 November national meeting of the Broad Left for a conference of shop stewards and convenors to discuss how to launch a fight for the wage claim could kick off the campaign. But that means demanding that the Broad Left sets the date and organises a
spring of this year That was why it was correct to back Morns as an alcernativi socialist candidate. Morris' poor vote does not refloct willingness of the membersbip to fight back, but rather the refusal of the Socialise Workers Party (of which Morris isamember Hotryto Dulu a democratic, broddbasec fighting tendency in the AUEW Wright should now be able to command enough votes in the second ballot to make sure that at ILOS DO JEW SUDDORLEEDALR restraint rises no higher in AUEW
policies Government will benetit rank and fle malicants who want to take up the fight seriously It is for tbis reason that Socialis Challenge calls all its sup Corers in the AUEw lo activel campaigo lor Wright in the March ballot. the conference was no dout assisted by the almost a precedensed decition of the union to provide a creche for the
Nor surprisingly demand come forward from the con creche and after-school facilities for the children of porents whi WHY WHA,
Ef every mnior was to under rakesheeffort madeby TASS on Is oclosion for us conference Birmingham then union officials mighr find fess he LANTI ONE SACKU of women being aparhetic an not interested in trade unionism
creche for union meetings being cone-off a(imir it should become • regular proctice.
Page 6 scan of this page
Call for action on wages and jobs
ENGINEERS
ly GRAHAM WILLIAMS (TASS, Leeds)
DEMANDS that action rank-and-file campaign in support of the
Birmingham on 20 November.
sach a campaign itself.
The conference was opened by Beb Wright, Altbough his speech
adly condemned the record of the Labour Government and the capinlation of the TUC lo the Labour Government's 10 per cent
mil an wires and the & moath rale, he fusled to propose uny ege that the Broad Left could
The only definite proposal comming from the platform was a all for regional conferences of AUEW members to be caliod td
panise local campaigns in the March elections and diseuss the BILIWE DIER ISESEER
It was left to speakers from the Noor to probuse the soris of brosu actions that could begin to draw in he rank-and-file of the AUEW IF engineering workers think their Cen TEn wIng I bEoco ane
hen they ain't heard nothing get.
A new development in
overtures of Frank Chapplc,
cader of theelectricinns" union,
of the" AUEW.
Chapple's condicions for fusion
amount to virtually the abolitioo O ECHOXTALY ICES ROET. IGE
very difffcult you might say. Bar
listen to this. He wanis:
* Abolition of all District Com-
* Abolition of all Divisional
Committees.
the National
p+ Socialisr Challenge, PO Box 50, London NI.
be laken now to launch a
engineering pay claim for increases in the national minimum rate and for a 35 hour week without loss of pay. mere endorsed by the Broad Left conference held in
But the factthat no specific proposals for action came from the floor of the conference indicates that the leadership of the Broad Left is fur from ready to launch
into opposition with the Covernment'5 incomes policy and the right-wing endershin AUEW. conference endorsed a resolution /romn Birminghom shop steward, John Graham, for a conrac er shop sie wards a/o convenors in the New Year coste do to ae h a lear or
THE WELT ARRAN Wie Cinn Cra to be submitted to the employers on 19 December.
TENE XIETEICT MISO LOGEE LU hack a call from a shop steward from Stockport for a lobby of the TICEER , WILE - me engineerns Employers Federation. doubtful that laersnip cr me brodd ct wu put much enengy or entusiasm into mobilising for such actions garci mcar repord of fasteres over the past few years.
Chapple's Law
* Abolition of thie Final Appeals
* An 'annual' conference to be held onge evers none vers. * Consrtation int between times bytbe EC with different industrial groups. • An Executive with much greale than at present held by the ALEW EC On no account must Chapple
sway he Did malied tee
away wih this massacne.
AUEW is the bost democratic union in Britan says very little, if it was to follow the fareof the EETPO, I would be adefeat forthe wholeof the labour MCTEEL
While the absence of Hugh Scanion from the ranks of the Broad Left may give them and the Commorist Party a birmore rooc
national bureaucratie practices will con show left
One of the high points of tbe conference TCHICT CUC TuL BELAEr
whole of the working class should support to victory sinoe it was the firs malor confrontation over thi Government': 10 per cent wage
The conference was attended boylous leston of the Broad Teit only of the being hog-Lied to the lett bureaucrats who in turn are bound to Callaghan 1T03 UNCH LOTOP CACHC.
But the fact that they had to take resolutions from the floor, breaking with past practice, incant that even they realise there is a ferment in the rank and file
Whether they will do anything about the proposals thai came from the floor and were passed is nOCE BREE ACC.
However the by RON THOMPSON (Sheffield AUEW)
THE RIGHT WING flexed their muscles again on the 52 delegate National Committee of the ALEY MACE ICy MECw QuE S0e long-delayed proposals for amalgamation of the union.
By 28 votes to 23 they rejested proposals coming fram Broad Lett delegates which would have drawn the four sections of the AUEWConstruction and TASS into obc amalgamated union inscead of che present loose federation.
The sight wing have hypocritically opposed the merger on the grounds that it is udemocratie. This argument is holloe given their virulent opposition to balloting the whole membership on the issue. This was the course decided by the Nacional Executive Committee of the four sections, poing over the Eneincerine Committee,
Amalgamation is the last contribution which Hugh Scanion wants to make to the union hefore his retirement. have already decided to shatter CHISTOR SIHE HENE BEETLOS CH though the law courts to rule the
tional. They supceed sincethere is no provision -BEEC engineering leading body to be overruled in L WIT:
Anocher wing's how isthat there it a kernel of truth to their apcusation of lack of democricy. The mainobject of their fire is TASS. They will use every trick in the book to prevent the Communist-led unico from using its influence to change and while this overall policy.
At present this is the privilege of the right wing tbrough Their domination of Die engineering section.
face Licir
speech bya This
ignored by the
Amalgamation battle
Right wing finds
new allies
right wing discredited.
Co.
campaien for
- Ensineerg, Foundry Section's National
Tight-wing
wilh quite likely
-SEOU
ArTOW In the rien!
Name Address.
Solhull.
over.
If the TASS section wold group concede to the demand that their were officials must be clecsed then the
mould DC Cona)
But the desire of Ken Gill and
to retain their entrenched position al all costs means that CY CAnnOL LEE MEA dau u
amalgamation which is so desperately neoded:
in-fighting. froin" Uhe
Domestic: 6 months, £3.75; 12 months £7.50
Abroad: Airmail, £12.50. Surface, £9 per annum.
Tenclose a donation for the Fighting Fund of
Complete and return to:
Socialist Challenge, 328/9 Lipper Street, London NI.
Socialist Challenge
ENGINEERING
SUPPLEMENT
Which way for Leyland
shop steward. Rover
Now the corporate bargaining ballot fraud is
Leyland's skilled workers have to decide their next step. It was this
of workers who the most solid in voting "no" to the pro posals. This was despite the recommendations of most electricians, stewards and AUBW and T&G convenors,
One answer has come from the Executive of the Skilled Workers ZHE OTHIT DEN Hau sation. Mceting in Birmingham or 15 November, they agreed to cal
Some workers will sec the hest agrecuent within the nes five tier corporate grading structure. And STaCy dOH EnK auw. DaC Robinson, Longbridge convenor and Sir Richard Dabson's favourNE H UDSWI OG TE IU make sure they do is tbe future.
What this proposal hoils down le opposto amy sousc ove
relance on bureaucratic
Alterativeproposals have come
craft committer Rovers They hawe pronou th holding af a shop stewards"
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Cheques, POs and Mones Orders should be made payable to "Socialist Challenge'
skilled
workers?
"conference lo prepare the fight and the claim. Democratic pre parantoo ol lens sortel coblerence is key.
A bulletin should be circulated amontil the vars Dank tc ensure aff embers are aware of the arguments for and against a
LasCIcI Such a bulletin should open its
colutis to alandvides aid shop stewards" bodies which have
LULLEULAM of the akilled morters" pommitcee executive
it's vital thal a isle be set for the conterence
Our right toan agreement shold
in 1978. The startins point for the clainishould he the Confederation of Ship-buitling and Engineer minimum of th Elnion's basic plus $15 to 1979, plus a system foc inta m pring wal Letand workers will be able to resole their problems by fighting alone ans Le Coverneen EMpOSOY re-organisation. But the fight cf
poold lead coordinaled tight hack against the trade union burenucracy and the right-wing drift of Lie plan Teadership
The attempts of management lo impose speed-up and harsh man ning leveis will nile everror The basis for a joint fight is there.
Ir's up to the skilled workers in Levand to crisp the bpoortunity
Page 7 scan of this page
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Page 8 scan of this page
The 'justice' now facing
Thoughts of the right Reverend Oakley
JALIST CHALLENGE 1 December 1877 page 8
innocent
DOROTHY OAKLEY is a
familiar figure at Willesden
magistrates which
reputation as the Metro-
politan Police's favourite
dispenser of justice.
Socialist Challenge has
midence WHICH seriously
challenges Oakley's com-
10 sit •Several weeks
before she sat in judgement
on cases Involving
Grunwick mass picketseshe
told a respected medical
practitioner 01 14 eur:
Manding that she was per-
turbed at the "very light
sentences which had been
pickets by a neighbouring
court at Barnet.
According to the doctor,
per cent have got off. We
shall have to change all
that, and they will get much
stiffer sentences.' This has
been borne out since
Willesden began hearing
and sincerely
statement, accurate to the best
Machine recording
converastion
hereinafter mentioned.
THIS CORTS ECH LOADI
on the 29 September 1977,
from 11.35 to 11.45am at
(place daleted) any
перподу, ало тоск дивос дег
woen three persons. namely
and Dorathy
Oakley, magistrate. Ms Oakley
SUBMICA
demonstrators arrested while
picketing.
In response to a statement
from X. Ms Oakley said that
WES OrAN few
magistrates who is not politi-
cally involved in this trial: thar
side or the other. Most of the
feelings about the Issue, and
belang to one or other political
Ms Oakley went on to that those
at/pendary magistrate.
This unsatis-
because a stipendlary magi THE VIEWS of Prebendary George Oakley, former Rural Dean of Brent, are the cause much merriment in the labour movement in North-west London.
The reverend - hasband of magistrate Dorothy retired to the rural pastures of Oxfordshire two months ago, which finally brought relief to the readers of the Kilburn Times and Willesden and Brent Chronicle who had been regularly regaled with the thoughts of the right reverend.
Magistrate Oakley's motto
Guilty till proved
mass picket cases a fortnight ago.
We are publishing below the sworn affidavit given to us by our informant. He nas asked us to wuno ne identity for the time being, but has made it clear that he would be prepared to testify under oath to any investigation which is carried out. whether Lord Chancellor's office or the Inbour movement.
It is clear that Dorothy Oakley should be removed from the court immeciate v and that a public inquiry
instigated forthwith be
Instigated forthwith. number of solicitor and
complained to the Lord
complained to the Chancellor about travely or gustice transpires in Willesden to little avail. GEOFFREY SHERIDAN Investigates the scandal of the Willesden bench and the Oakley phenomenon.
What she had to say
conditions, does nor
and has been giving them an very light sentences. About 40 per cent have got off. We shar! have to change all that. may win ai get much sorter SENTENCES!
Ms Oakley went on to say that it was going to be a very
be Dur in roa She mOst come out during the trial. The
Shed had their
They had taken the numbers of The dolice or They arrested demonstrators actually stood there, writing in
CHEERS TO LIE PISUS
WA CM SOME COOCED TAKE US TIRY ORHO TARI she had speer a lot of her life
a smail mining indeed was very fond of minars. In those days i lined
Usa/d, they were very good, but the
bacinning to get very worned
pay all the costs and tines.
don't think what these will amount to.
Minus declaration by We are satar Decra tions Act 1635. (The statement was signed and notarised on 26
On the day following
General Election in February 1974,
for example, George waxicy ex
pressed to his flock the following
enthusiastic sentiments: England day. eat it bor in There is need for
exploding in our cities,
afraid to open their mail, students
rioting, pickets assaulting peaceful
WOESCHA who can pretend we
Eve in peace?'
Who, indeed? But the rev, weat
on to reveal that he had more than
prayer in mind: Whoever is in
poser this morning, we are going
so face a long bout of auscerity -
something most of us will welcome
if it is going to give us our
self-respect back.
A couple of weeks later, with
a Labour Government in office,
Gearge Oakley had evidenly de-
cided that the resurrection
It ranks as London's most notorious magistrales court. Dol least because of its cagerness to the remand defendants in custody
rather than on bail: for its hostility to legal aid applications: and for the frequency with which punitive decisions are over-ruled by a judee in chambors or overturned by a crown court:
Keporter Lauren Soertz, who sat in Willesden court twice a week for over six months earlier this year when she worked for the Kilburn sires, tound that toe pench was only too happy to leave defen dams in enc cens so taa, In Inc words of the police, 'they could stewitout a hit Soertz and a solicitor protested vigorously when they caught sight know had
reverend George, posing well-parned retirement rivo months ago. Christ was a matter of extreme urgency. In his "Thinking aloud column headline "We are all too selfish' the rev, had this to say: "As long as England THEN WILLIE ENDINSE DESSE SEID people redemption, po our would have
suggested that wage claims could be stopped by controlling prices,
forgonen their
Chriscians.
concern for the price of mear and coffee, if not for wage levels, and it was perbaps in consideration of TRIC Charch of England decided 10 abolish the time-honoured office of rural dean in Brent following the departure of the Oakleys at the of end of Seprember.
Willesden -
thatthe National Association for Freedom holds dear.
JES Lord
policeevidence.
TOO LENIENT
were fartoolenient.
A vernet mete her outta Pena pera d te right
plainly ludicrous
e are all too settish le
accepted the Christian fram the Willesden branch.
Christianity who *віту-faiy education would have some have one might
ians: oligarchs 0i the
Has said.
the Met. Police's
favourite courts
Willesden magistrates court, as Dorothy Oakley observed to our informant, is on Grunwick's home ground. Early on in the struggle the strike committee designated the police based at Willesden Green as George Ward's private cops. Willesdes court dispenses justice in a style
of a poster of Hitler adorning the wallsofthecount's warrant office Now solicitors ano barristers Involved in Grunwick cases are taking the unprecented step of preparing a circular lester to the Chancellor's office. demanding that action is taken against the Willesden magistrate because of their willingness to accept even readily coatrovertible
All the cases arising from the mast pickets of Grunwick were dealt with by Barner magistrates court until a fortnight ago.
Dorothy Oakley's opinion, they
to the
earlier.
ment. asked.
Yet the views of the right rev. — for a cleric ensconced in a predominantly working class area admirabls reflect the conduct of most of the magistrates who disponse jusrice'
Among George Oakley's nuttcrous calls to action was a demand for teachers to be trusted with a cane once again, in spile of the Dorothy Oakley anuld no doubt endorse that apicion. We hope that she does not live up to her upright partner's expectation of politic No one any longer believes that • politician says what be ricans: rather he gives the impression of hedging his bets so as never to be called to account for anything he
Routine sentencine al Bombela 120 fines on trumped up obstruct100 CAT AN HEE LOT pay for costs, were evidently not COOT CHOUT TACLE WELLS DO haps, too lew jail sentences, such se the two monte Inded out IG Roger Green for assaull — his first
imposed on Socialist Challenge
On 14 November, the jusrices of the peace who perch on the Willesden bench began to foam at the beak. This was when they could really begin to sink their claws into the enemies of Georg Ward. The mass picket cases had come to the Metropobian Police's lavourite court; and to celebrate. Dorothy Oakley was brought back
bench from her earned retirement two months
NOT GUILTY
Typical of the Willesden treat-
was the case of Socialist Challenge supporter Frederick Deplat. smember ortbe engineer
obstructing the highway. Fred who had standing on the pavement beside the Carun
rate, was lined a cotal of 150 wit t20 costs and 14 days to pay th
LIKE CHISE he is appealing
A prosecution counsel employ
Chailenge between Grunwick cas es at Willesden last Thursday afternoon that he was well pleased with the way things were going. He hada Llost asingle Grunwick case. Was be surprised, our reporte
"Very', he replied, normally lose loes of cases.
He bas good reason to be sariafled. The previous day, 18 pickets had appeared. All were
sanvicted. A solicitors' firm th has been dealing with many of t picket cases, estimates that four five pickets in every 20 hauled, al barnet have been acguitte
Al Willesden the acquittal n is arcady worse than that. T Dorotly Oakleys of she Willesd beach do not make empty threa Yet Barber's acquital rate been Half the 40 percent Oakl Imagined it to be. Her error is n altogether surprising. A sen
said th scornayarde mecco-s perc acquittalsat Barnet, and they we STONED SITNEESUCEESS
LAPSES
There have been some lap from NAFF-style jostice at Wil den. There were three acquitt on 15 November, for exump when Elityd Harrington - dep Labour Jeader on the Grea London Council sat an
Chief Inspec Robert Hay from Willesden Gre police station was furicus. He told Dreal Trades Cour secretary, Jack Dromey, who y representing one of the def alts, thar Harrington shouk
emoved from the bench heca he had been present at the pic Harrington's appearance out. Grunwick bad In fact, purely as an abserver. But e that was too much for Wa chock troops, and no doubt as w for Harringron 'scolleagues on
They have a curious notion Impartiality, When strike
was brought before then or assault charge, her counsel as LOTTIE RSCIDELHEEOUUEDI
anpounded they had no intent of dismissing chemselves
Desai, who is four foor ten, convicted ch reschie aver a foot six wall and striking a cop Oakley Dench i well familiar with it implies. Willes
conditions.
Peter Kandler, of the No UNSETER TCHES BH SHE the early advocates nei bourbood law centres in Brica consolers that the Willesten in scrales have a Custer's-last-st artitude to maintainine dscench in an ares that has ton the largest black commonite Britain
He recalls a bail application
Immoral earnines charge. cross-examining the police us
ground, Kandler turnedtoade bebench whereupon they sti CORNER AMONTACTSEIVESS declared thai bail was refused
lo no uncerrain terms, Kan
Page 9 scan of this page
this lot les the magistrates know what he thought about their judicious
without ever
them. magistrates retired tor 13 returned, smiling. to announce mation hate defendant par bail
sureties of 8250 cach absurdly high in relation to th holders or relatives — restrictions for which there is no legal
EXAMPLES
alerned Socials Challenge acials Challenge of
sapy otherexamplese/ Willesden
• Earlier this month the cours
calt with a 15 year old accused af housebreaking, who had been in
abandoned
hild. Quite plainly he had ino financial support of his own, ye ne bench refused to allow legal al CITE his means had been checked'
A pupil barrister who w assisting researching its publication Bail or
Body sal or three days
While there attempted to advise two Germar students offence. They spoke no English The papi barrister let to ely fat ench altempled to remand contemptof court!
• Bill Nash, a consultant solicifor with the Saunders and Ware firm, told us:"1 was-dealing with a
DE
runwick pickets
GRUNWICK "JUSTICE" - STERIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH.
pathetic case of obstruction where
the defendant stuck to his case and
ine police to theirs. His sory wa not ud have men an should have meant acquittal. The police officer told me he'd never known a student to get legal aid, and never known an
Grunwick
porn pickers ate patele
Rail members of the
Irent East Labour Part
onlysix were allowed. Eight of the pickets were arrested and later convicted at Willesden. The police
15-44 PONCE Balt
One solicitor Let Chancin plained to the about the Willesden bench i the Law Sister's colmalh Charles Wea told Socialist Challenge:
*About five years ago 1 had a scandalouscascoftwostudentson a theit charge who were botl refused bail, in pite of their goo records and both having familie 30%aT91
tie for raging the he rater
though a materialised that the police had little interest in keeping
resed a couple of days later.
vasutterly scandalise
Wegg-Prosser's view, tbe Willesden bench mainly consist: bE right-wing Labour Party people, who — when they get in such a position become more right wing
Lail Friday, Lord Shawcross -a former Labour Attorney-
addition Jack Dromey's statement, which appears on the front page, Socialist Challenge has received the following comments on Magistrate Dakley:
GRUNWICK STRIKE COMMITTEE: We are all appalled that a person in a public position should make such CIETECHES 011 Grunwick issue, It'sa frightening attitade for a magistrateto take.
In view of the fines that are being imposed on our pickets, Oakley's removal from the bench should be Tollowed with criminal prosecution. And in view of the police action against the pickets, particularly on 7 November, we believe there should he full public inquiry. This should include
General - publicly Joined th
The sury seem he deterit
the jury system.
MEIE obvious nogantals
can witched some Gore li
supporters to believe it
-Form the legal system, has m mass Mie To te, no now is CECI lad the temeris to reri the reactionary Lord
speral Election in the expe that ation of being followed by a Tor
*Dorothy Oakley and her caborts
might seem
decisions have brought misery to
countless people. com Direct action against them is not,
if seems, unprecedented.
incident that occured a year ago
Thirty men charged with burglit
notels nad ocen remanded
custody for some weeks. Wher
they were again due to come up fo
they leatned thai
Dorothy Oakley was to be on the
bench, and refused to leave the cEls
Oakley, we were told, led the
entrance: You are all remanded in
custody for seven sefused to listen to the pleas that ensued, Wehave not been able to obtain firm confirmation of thi incident, style justice and the fascist posters that have decorated the court ATHEISE
Oakley must be removed ar once, and a ful investigation must be conducted thorough teachionary couri
She must go!
the operation of the courts.
PEGGY QUIRKE, tury- Brent South labour Party: "A magistrate who makes remarks like should not be allowed to sit on the bench. We've certwinly heard it's a reactionary court. We have some of our people on the bench, but they've had to stand down the cases because of their involvement with the trade union movement."
CHARLES WEGG-PROSSER, member of the Law Society's
"Dorotty Onciey's menz is highly improper and enjudicial. It is extremely wrong for someone exercisingajndicial function to pre judge a case. A Grunwick demonstrator should be
side Congress headquarters of TUC The hunger
Rape em in
send sen down!
TUC".
they TELL I Grunwick strikers
sOme of its
been
small fry, But their
Solici
days? They
CURILY
into this
defendant.
secre-
strate is supposed to that of proot of evidence.
when
Grunwick examined
with Willesden court.
council:
stain
should he elected."
Dorothy Oakley was no doubt delighted last week when the leadership of APEX suspended six Grunwick strikers from the union, reports GEOFF BELL.
The suspensions came on 22 betrayal is November, Immediately after four of the strikers had started a three-day hunger strike out-
House, the
strike was in protest at the lack of action by the TUC concerning the cutting off of supplies and services to the Grunwick factory. Explaining the attack on the Grunwick strikers, APEX president Tador Thomas complained that the hunger strike was designed to embarrass the mittee',
The strikers would probably plead guilty to the charge that
put the Icadership of the trade union their movement on the spot. They have every right to. It is now ognition'. three months since the annua Congress passed unanimously a motion calling on all affiliat d unions to continue an ntensify their aid to th
Since then both the TUC and APEX have done nothing: the indeed they have retreated
from given where too.
previously coming. The Latest sickening Grunwick". judged according to the evidence, just like any other
BILL NASH, consultant solicitor: To make such a comment about a group of cases you will be judging indicates a desire to convict more pickets, while a magi-
be purely guided by standards
'How could she know that another court is too lenient
she presumably Basis doesn't knew the evidence
there? Her remarks are quite consistent
DENNIS SKINNER, MP: *I just take it for granted that OFFICET In our society, when judges corne from the class they do, that you are bound to get a very reactionary bench. It's high time these magistrates were checked for membership of NAFF, Magistrates marking
Union bosses join Grunwick witchunt
Will Dorothy Oakley join APEX?
only the spectacular in a long line of sell-outs and compromises over Grunwick
The suspensions have produced a torrent of condemn-
morement who remam comm itted to the Grunwick struggle For exampic. SAPEX Food Branch in Glasgow last week passed a motion which 'severeIs criticises the decision of the executive to suspend members of the Grunwick strike com-
The motion went on to 'call for the reinstatement of ull the members suspended and for the executive council to give
- TEE support the struggle to achieve union rec-
The hunger strikers have also received the backing of three Labour MPs. Eddie Loyden, Dennis Skinner and Ron Thomas said on Wednes day a the day after the suspen sions, that they fully supported
protest and urged the whole trade union movement to step up the struggle to achieve trade union rights at
FRONTATION.
Kicked by cops:
six months
WANTED URGENTLY:
who has just been sentenced to
leil by magistrates for the pleasure of being kicked by police officers
YH.I demonstration 00 A Lact weed, adelegate to the All
Campaign
medical avidence of his injuries
im on the ludicrous charge of
He is appeating against both conviction and sentence, but has
were shoved southwards along Lewishem High Road, pesthe police starlon
Road, shortiy before som on Ta August. Rush infor
WorRie Silence John Lockwood - urgent:
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 1 December1977 pages
Most important of all, the obvious aim of the suspensions - to divide the strike leaders from the otber strikers - has BIGWEDOO success. At a mocting of all the strikers last Friday a unanimous vote of confidence was passed in the strike committec officers and the hunger strikers.
Such determination to con-
absent from last week's meet ing of the TUC General Council. Over two hundred trade unionists lobbied the TUC demanding they organise unions to cut off supplies and services to Grunwick. The General Council refused to even consider such action. Afterwards the TUC genera secretary Len Murray added deceit to injury when he announced: The Genera Council has done everything it possibly could'.
The failure of these leaders to act means that the strike committee will be organising a further lobby of the TUC when
ially APEX branches - and trades councils should be urged to pass motions similar to the one quoted above from the APEX Food Branch in Glusgow
NEGOTIATON CALL DRAND
INCORPORATION
Page 10 scan of this page
"People may think him foolish...
A place called Armagh
IRELAND
I have been in prison since carly
1975. Since then 1 have listened
to jellow arsoners recollections of their experience in the so-
called "interrogation centres'. T know personally three men from different areas of the North who
signed statements admitting guilt to the killings of separate members of the security forces. Killings comunit, nor have any part in. it which they
in well known in prison cincles that these men are innocest and
In cach case the victims suffered extreme mental and physical LOE AC CIRE ECHURCH THE PLIGHT of male concentration camp has Socialist Challenge.
offences and a simultaneous
"criminal" status for political offences.
longer interview which Socialist Woman.
Protesters are beld in continuous solary. They receive one half hour exercise period in the BOTRE ABUL BUaISEnI they have to use these to clean out their cells. So they never get TC AIr
The cells are small and all the WILONS So CENE women have to sit up in blankels for warmth all day. One woman
CICTECB graine headaches. To get to the icilet they have to ring a beil and
lo come and accompany them down. Recently one woman has mau suam dogs sct da pa waue
Request
Letter from Long Kesh
The recent publicity given to the methods of torture and interrogation practiced at the Castlereagh Detention Centre in Belfast are currently being investigated by Amnesty International. Our regular correspondent from Long Kesh prisoner of war camp tells of the human consequences of just one victim of such "interrogation".
When they could no longer stick IL LUCE SEKO SECUE DICAIU statements, thus condemning themscives to long periods in I mention only three cases but if can be reasonably there are many others in a similar position. Sadly they have become the forgotten men and women as volume a tonure ano brutality allegations continue to
sain Rai halta 196 1 me
and became friendly with one of the three. He was very young. innocent and very naive. The
Irish women tortured
prisoners in Long been regularly featured in
Yet over the last few months there has been an increasing number of women sentenced for political
deterioration conditions inside the women's prison in Armagh. These women are, as the men in Long Kesh, refusing to accept ANN DUFFY, from the Short Strand area of Belfast describes conditions. Her comments are taken from
will be appearing shortly in
being accompanied down to the toilets.
The cells of the remand prison very low crilings. are just concrete slahs. The food 3 asru. Cue nignt 1 was so bac that even the murse refused to les us eat it.
SICA CIRO WOUCI DRIRM ar the moment. One who is over monchs pregnant is same conditions as the rest of the protestors. She receives no extra exercise, nor is her diet any different.
The other woman months pregnant. They
more T talked to him the more 1 realised how was. He seered thrilled to be li tc compauy orlacu who ne sam as folk heroes. He was so carried away with it all that before long BC BEEc mmsen a Tuay Hedged IRA man. youthful patriotic ment bubbline in him had finalh found an outler. Little did he realise the consequences of signlay a contesan To Bn Kii o a soldier, a crime in which be assuimed thar dido'l have any part. Nor did he
realise what life imprisonment really meant.
Polish. But the Tacts are that tf
Him exploited his innocence, and a peychological phase in his life, in order to obtain an admission of murder from him. As a result n n QuNOR.Toe VIl n will be deprived of / Kesh
of the WEIEWEH -The winklaw:
making her take hor baths every
tbem. She asked me to stay with her one night and I agreed. But five the screw suve me some sort of were medicine before 1 went in and I
Just conked put. want anyone giving ber advice As for modical Tacilities, the are Riven natai check one a woek. But they ane never examined. If they have any complaiats they are given VHUTO They don't want the bother of i baby being born in Armagh LastiercaKn mierroRatlOo centre, women, like men, are British Withdrawal from Northern Ireiand aigner, Daid Marzella arrested by the military police on Sunday, Marzelia and Par Arrowsmith were distribwting Some Information for Discontented Soldiers", army housing estate in Woolwich when they were proached by police.
The MPs told the two that they VCTE Boing Despite palice refused to contact the civil polioe, and instead the bundled Marzella in a military vehicte. AIrOWSMth was abow la he
zullible he really he crows bide
escalale.
senti-
oneto find any scrap MENSOIII
carian and class higoery.
Branch who questioned
cernied about and
week of November TNA MEE O TEUSE TEAK
Woman face. Many rugted in Castlereagh
They don't be whole thine.
what's called a pre-
New Lodge who
About it. i out of their miods
Military police swoop
in Woolwich
campWAZS vechicle, be verhaly COnImCn1S HS
He an
прIwo military
Army. arrest them protest the military
Soliders*.
freedom for many years to come His torture is but beginning, as BATTaCHs
wiser he will only then realise
what he was forced to do and bis
ness goeng
menar sancrg wi rapic Although
To remedy this and many othe
njustices it is imperative that al
those sentenceu on the bass n
their own "admissions" have their
cases reviewed by a more impar-
tial judicial body rhan the preseot
one which is ouly too glad
Republican to satisty their seo-
Did it still gaes on. Ar a nati
the widespread imprisooment
youm or mnar cuy wuring thc urs
With the
te-opening of Gough Military
out now day
beaten. Mostly in's continuous
beating around the head. One
had tea thrown in her ASHa sacy They
ell of being sick and dizzy aft
saus cood ano caa t rememoei
le don Kic his mui pixuat alsados. ve hennd is abour
nereasing like the wee girl from
Mis sinpped
lot oh otgraen d eldo talk
warn wowldn'
They would try and put paper of che
Sornehore welve gor to make people see what's bappening. acrested when one MP sald "leave Unit
When David was in the ario
was intimiated an with 'You Fucking Paddy'. (Actually, be's Scottish.) Belfast.
PLONCI an army
barracks and questioned for or
plain clothes MP told him 'We bave a tlick tile on vou repression lod. He was eventually relcased afler signing a statement saring he bad not been harassed by tbe
-year 14 members of BWNIC were founded not guilty of sedition after being tried in the Old Bailey for distriburing Some
Kesearch JOm C TOESJIs amente
UCITSSE
caire on 1' ovembe tu local interrogarion men and wamen were picked up and brought there to per "bus
Armagh has been relatively quiet far a lang perio anart from a seris af unsoIVe: Loyalist manders. the arrests were concentrated on the Catho HENOTEIS LRSSHECH
The population of Armagh i around 10,000 approximateh Mal ae OSLASE mELR. of these Catholics were charged with various offences and throan BHOUOSOTCEISEU They were aged hetween 15 and 19.
These arrests necount for 0.2
Irish Solidarity News
Troops Out Conference
THE UNITED Troope Ont
Morement will be soldang 10
second conference on 10 and 11
December al Sheffield University.
The conference is open to sil those whe support the demands troops
and self-determination ND TA CODEATOe
The conference will
discussion of work in the labour WOmOEI SEnG MUDaEmONOICnE. and what initiatives cum be taken to min militants in these moremenis to a position sapporting the natiomal democratic rights of the Irish people.
The entrance fee will be 6lp per
(30p for clainants and students), and a pooled fare will
TROOPS OUT NSE PEORE AS PWEE T
Details From Troeps Out Op
Conlerence, c/o Risieg Free, 12
per Sinet, London h terenec antiamor e t0001 doing are both illustrated in ite lutest edition of Troops Oul, th
UTOM. Content includean urticle on Trish Wonsea and Brilish Imperialism', a report of the all-Irelued somen's libersta: Brtesh Lo bni Parry ant ation conference the Irish question. Troops Out ie available Frona The Ciber Bookshop, 328 Lipper Streel, London NI at lUp plus l0p for pdp.
Workers' Research
ANOTHER NEW publication is the kers telatch foni in latest bullerin Trom In a reaily excellent publication the bulletin gives over 20 papers to a thorough analysis of Brirish
in Ireland. Full of
omn British military forops 1
ng article is one of the be produced on thisissueto date. Th bulletin also has an article on th Northera Ireland economy Il posts 30m plus 10p for Jenny und is available from the Workers
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 1 December 1977 page10
per pent of the Nationalist
pobwation. That Geure mich
nor appear extraordinars but
magine il that many had bee
atoaat to 2,000 people - with
anather 4,000 nicked up. Such
R RIALOL SRET INHA 333HN
ripple in Britain
So na wonder the Nationali:
pod no wonde t SEINSI
no wonder there is such
anxiety and consternation int all
AOLSILI
estates. The question heing asked
DoR i5, who is next?
Vours.
Tiocfaidh an la.
Prison Enquiry
ONE OF the least publicised
aspects of the Irish war bs the
treatment Irish Repebtican pri-
Sers Fore In Drieish presons
Even since the death of Frank
Stagg there have boen sumerows
CHITUNS DE rUCHiN nOnGeR TuI oByih prime ton Bram tare
By refasing to
TEUAIE
OTSUOCE DOWECBE SPUEE BIOTIL
right to serve sentences in thei
home country, the Labnar Gow-
ernment isovertly sasctioning ihis
brutality.
Such is the background to an
COU UIY CICD DY HHBL nEErSL!
Students Union iato the treufment
of Irish political prisoners in the Hull Prison rot of last year. The enqniry receired the unsuimons
support of a 700-strong stadents BHA HAL MU SRCREA
The union is determined to be
organising the
Tu•nDHCEmELLRDICI Issued to Merlyn Rees and Rog Mason İnviting ibem to attend und CAURn WaT WEs TelO to gIE Trish prisouers political status The enquiry is dee to start in early IPS CIEKT
Birmingham Bombings
IT IS NOW just over three sears since the six men convicted of the видла pamoles wie 1r5 questioned by the police
Since then the sis men have COISNCE MInEICAACIC uI nocence.
They have further scated chat while in police custody they wen -savagely and repeatedly beaten by members of the CID, and that Talse and manulactured evidenoe was presented against tben
Now, solictors acting for the si ONVE ISUO AHI CnImnG CRI
Constable of the Police, the Chiet Constable of the Lancashine Palice und the Home Cffice. As the case is a major onc and the implicaticns s0 far-reaching. theproceedings will tak place in the High Court
Legal aid for the proccodings bes airendy beet granledio live of th men and the case of the sict being considered. It is noteworthy chat legal aid for such costly SCA SSE BEHLEUILI sobstantial and sinvincing evid ence being submitled to the Lega
Play
THE PIRATE Jenny theutre -Mad Micks and Enelichmen currenily rehearsing sudirical revue with music and sons wrilten by Eamone MeCann. In a Sisnuon wnerc tanker censor ship exists on Irelaad. MeCusn's play promises ppportaniry mot to be itssed. The
play is arailuble for universitles trades councili, und T Teni is tuding teokie mate
• tukimg hnokdigs s now from Kieraa MetJroy, e/o Social s Challenge. Or phone 960-583
lay) or 272-1876 (evemings
Page 11 scan of this page
The fruit of three month's planning
within the Arab
facts about the plans behind it.
CONTRARY to first impressions in both the Western and Arab news mean, nagar's accist to
to Israc was not all that
La miracle of the new Mel uhan era of instant trans national news
Although much essential in
some new facts have
rested one Made
East. message to Sadat was that the * Carter administration could no guarantee Israeli acceptance of
ins for come the one
peror talks This prompted a
major revision of Egypt's foreign policy.
QUESTIONABLE
Fory with careds had been
"whole' settement, opposed to Kissinger's step-by-
which he had on threated te
withdramals
artial Israc
inai in 1974 and 1975. Sadi
Carter
ve too much emphasis a "nuisance value to the Palestin.
an leadership, at a time when the
Geneva and American Caper
in light of Carter's problems
According to reliable emerged in
In mid september Moste
mid-September.
layan, Israci's Foreign Minister
roke off a scheduled trip to th US in Paris disappeared for attor me t and
before going on to Washington. According lo information which
a sanes now, dora
wth a hieh ranking Saudi officia
actine Esthan Pendeni
knosn to maintain a particularly close working relation with the THE THORIC PRIL CrE headed by Kamal Adham, as well as the extensive consultations he Sach regime on al WILD
sarts matters. During the anuary How known that Sadat made a secret trip to Riyadh which TESTICL financial injection to bolster up the ailing Egyptian economy.
NOGOODS
The "Saudi connection' in the mccling with Dayan, if true, is
in the ight of Arabia's mild 'criticism' of Sedat's decision to so to Israel. It will be easier for ne saudis to ISOOL COLLELLI type and nose regimes
yria which were taken off guare by the Sedat
between the rwo sides
Another incident which passed peculiar ministerial reshuffle early in October, He added five new MIDS CES WILDE portfolio, in cluding Butros Chali. acting as Foreign Minister after
Riadh, two Government ministers. Apperently Sadar expected
did not marerialise.
In late October, the Egyptias
pay rise. Lage and training grants" were given to thousands of officers. Several
INTERNATIONAL
New light on Sadat's visit to Israel
The visit of the Egyptian President. Anwar al-Sadat, to Israel seems likely to provoke as much controversy among the left and the Palestinian movement as it has
ruling class. Our Middle East correspondent, M. JAFAR, offers an assessment of the significance of the trip and reveals some startling new
hundred senior officers were sent transferred from Caico to remote camps in Upper Egypt. dealing wish, and it should come as no surprise that the entire top KAAND BE CEMAL AL gave him full support even before he left Cairo.
Finaly Emere 1s une unusual incident of Sadat's 31 October visit to President Ceasescu of Romania, Israeli President Begin month carlier. All parties concerned have intimated that the possibility of meeting was discussed, althoug details have not been The railab am total of these hidd lents and other-more esta recent political tren demonstrate the following points:
That Sadat had carefu epared himself to forestall a TWO ance of a cor That he had the hacking of leadership of the Egyptian army, and the upper echelons of thc
i am and Radish and
CASE
ment with reductions in the hap arary expenditure of Ea That Sadat in all probabil was not working alone. There is a strong likelihood of Saudi involvement in the whole affair, al ast in is initial conception M in its Shal detal
Icast one occasion in September. which incidentally were reported the
to the Americans. There is no reason to assume that during
heen anything but completely frank with Sadat on just how HELE HEY WETE WILTRO COHEESE as an immediate response to his trip.
* That the Syrian drift to the left after President Assad's abon along waw sadar st that
once again foundering on Israeli Sadat serve to weaken Sudat's position in Egypt,
Economical and curitiesl Assad's room for manoeuvre was far wider than Sadar's, and the
facing the Egyptinn regime was either to let itseil be dragged by Patied un the ander bation
Eavpr. initiative itself. Had Sodar opted for the former, he would certainOr have been overthrown within o year or two,
In this context, ooe can see in Sadat 1 action thought out long term attempt to
adat has probably been mor Cadet of the change since th October 1973 war. more solidly based generation o settle-
bracing the relationships berworr all the ruling classes of the
small chance orary success, as it coincides with the objective processes of development of the Arab bourgeoisie al present. His opponents, th rejectionist Arab regunes, now a confused
realisquagmire in a situation
governments, with each
But WASHE
regimes growth of a new an
Today's Zionist substance. would be too obvious
Israel. medley appearances,
other as they
the SILE oblige? The rejectionist Arab October war.
joining their ranks — argue that Sadat has received nothing released
unprecedented recognition of the Zionist state.
establishment
immacciately But the long term significance of Sedat's
fact that an Arab politician for the first time intervened directly
The respoose to Sadai's visit
Where is very powerful anima:
Sadat has the intelligence to use this for his own interests. li
Sadar's intervenevents.
motion.
masses. -ment
ruling class
Arab
COEILLES
On the
far-teaching
the
SOCIALISTCHALLENGE1D tion has probably placed more
DIL the Zionis cirnhlishment thar any
policical act since the
But the October war, for all the mighty fances it set into motion
from Zionist control
of desert along the Suca canal The Israeli state is today stronger
major concessions especially on the matter of Palestinian oF ibe West Bank which is a matter of principle for the whole Zionist establishment.
The concessions they are likely to make are only those that touch the interests of the Arab ruling Dave not made up their minds. It is likely that they will now play a THIS TRIC proces of making concossions as long as possible.
SETTLE ACCOUNTS
What they concede will in part be dependent on support Sadar gets from other Arab regimes. It is too early to
Arab regimes on the question of Sadat's visit to Israel.
It would he foothardy to think that even an act as dramatic as Sadat's assassination could sub-
stantially change the course of
Some leaders of the Egyptian army bave confirmed
journaliss in private that if Sadar is assassinated bis successor will be les able to change the train of events he has so tr
Sadat's visit has brought much closer the possibility of a peaceJul seldenent" a settlemeni
between the ruling classes of the THEN ALL LOUISC ATE CRE
-The Palesrinian move. and people will be the frontline victims of chis process But so will the Egrptian masses who will be confronted with a stronger and more self confident
is for this reason only that
pose Sadat's visit and
ALLION betrayal'. How is it possible fo such a consummate bourgeois politician like Sailat to betray the Interests of his own class?
contrary, Sadar has shown in this daring tightrope act
political Imagina tion, which he good use from the point of vice
emerging Aral
bourgeoisies of the region. The
foresight is now required of the Arab revolutionary movement if
it is to meet up to the challenge
harled upon it by its exploiters.
In Brief
CARRILLO: latest thoughts of the high priest or Eurocommunism. At a press conference in Washington last week Carrillo opined bat the MOSE 00-THIL ARE TOVI a 'positive role', chat the US should be allowed to keep its Bat Spain should in the bat Spain sbould join Common Market
SAHARA: The Polisario Liber alion organisation has admitted holding three crew members trom a Spanish trawler. However, this is not surprising since the Spanish have been muking a oug naval pung-up along the Saharan coast 1c back up French attempis to
ZIMBABWE: The massive Lo cas group, and three of its tap
Rhodesian sanctions busting.
PORTUGAL: Tens of thousands of people atleoded a far last wock, Demonstrators gave the fascist salute and sang the Spanish rascist anthem Cara a
party took offici responsibility for the march but participanes included memhers of the Social Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Centre and even the Party, as well as the fascist was Former
monarchists Marxist-Leninist) were als present.
The mob ransacked a Com Rudio eithe bookshap an
headquarters of the Interestionalist Com munist League Portuguese supporters of the Fourth Inter-
CALLINNE
rade i carry a fuller report next week.
agninse press censorship. If chis tails to win concessions they propose a mass hunger strike.
USA: Following in the foot steps of Harry Trasal Jimmy Carter
on his desk in the Oval Office. It says: The buck stops here Unfortunateh that isn't where Carter actually works. He has a little office next door.
Page 12 scan of this page
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Page 14 scan of this page
NOT the kind of paper we want
COMMENT
IF Soclalist Challenge digappeared next week, we woud
empty space which
proven the need for an hones
vorking closely with the paper?
We've talked about it a lot In
he last few months and we've
ached the almost unanimou:
clusion at Challenge one with Socialist
1999009 C TULATE BOTH same kind of readers. in Itamit,
which sels out to create a mas
Until it exists, w
TORESTED.
the people who buy It from time
to time in pubs or on street
Socialist Challenge
TAMESIDE
WHAT WE
MONT BE WHAT'S WRONG WITH SOCIALIST CHALLENGE?
same edition that conveyod Ine deain sentence 1o the bigoted Sir Richard Dobeon
Layland,
hibition of British Painting 1952-77 al the Royal Academy Then there are those generously Te printed amen this pain or en
Trotsky pamphiet. is a lot of merit in taking your THRORIA SONOUSIY. OUT BOCIBIST Challenge usually makes If cioar in the ways wo've just mentioned that its readers are of people who will pass the newspaper around the canteer during the meal break It's a
Left Revies r Journalistic tradition
This tends to affoot its defini tion of politica. Sixteen pages of
when it is, the approach tends to
e dry and intellectu dissect the paper like this. After all Socialist Challenge doesn' have the kind of resources account for Socialist Worker's often brilliantly Imaginative and
Soclalist Challenge doesn't
frein enter Scale eliar
is clearly anxious about losing
the Richard Dobson scoop show what might be done
The Heart of the Matter
But the problem about SocialIst Challenge is that It lan't Just a newspaper. WETH decision to take part in it would
be an easier one.1 Despite its
DU CHAT
serve IMG's political projects. It is the means for bringing about a
unity as well as being a weekly
one without the other.
So, it is clear that the lack of popular appesi we've been des
cribing is maller of loumalistic style or resources.
Sexism-I'm innocent!
Revolutionary Unity
There are
organisational merger and deate about programme e did find a lot to agree with
lIkely to produce ravalutionary not the kind unity than joint activity involving
and individual comrades.
пет спова то гете л оцвіс the groups like Big Flame and
Socialist cil lenge
to
OCT MASS PICKET
more it
organisation which wins people to it because it is present every HOLI
Sance or ms no Du oran SA1110 It is also
movemanis iko 100
Independent rank and file movements of workplace militants. Socialist Challenge could en courage these developments b focussing publia discussion or more than a
revolutionary avance now. nar might mean that the paper would carried abetter from Jane Patrisol Sheffield, which alleged that i nade a statement: "Wor, there emerged from the toilets in the happenedy was that there fact ha
axception to the larme, and the
the use of
1 poise out that the wamar were being paranole about what i othere
#ising 8 page 3 pin-up.
Yorkshire Miner
firet year of publication, and is widely need by all large groups in
know thai the uled to me is not one would use; bul i defend vigor usly my stillude on the use o age 3 in the Yorkshire Miner Arthur Scargill (President, NUM Yorkshire).
many independent existing organisations
What Is to be done?
Ultimately.
IMG to decide which it T1O3L. capable a conflic kind of ed by doomed artists
WoUld De
TOSS TO WOKINE OLODIU
bricks not been
through the de
NovembaR Church Street.
strike Ho, on 17
made 1o girls by
look
which was , then lumed on quite LIVERPOOL
page 3 pin-ups in the
BURY neats at the Royal Hole ВЕТ КІПНИНУ НЕ ПІНИ something when there concern for delails, 061-236 2452. tester working ciass movg-
defended the Yorkshire Miner's SCOTLAND
mu, and of
do lo decide 221 74011. Open weekde a Miner Is pollenal ange of Fi pubrications. closin has been constel during
outside Feform
knows mo will sion attrib that 1
says
Big Flame
say a little lesa attention to th
aftward splits in the Communis
and give
Two examples come to mind.
of course, It is for newspaper which le
readership and a wide basis of PETER FULLER Is sweeping in
(Under Review, 20 October). As ned in my work with the fight
same time 1 am an abalract painter and far from there bein
form content, Ufind the two parts ol Ty proj side cold t
Fullers aitHude smacks 6
formalist experiment that he so
the Soviet Union. Thus he talks of 'mone
piles of bricks' as being produc
with a contingent existence. But surely it is not because they are AMSEIDEL MAN LIO WON IS GUILUT
- but rather tha they are wrapped in the cultural
Had the now-notorious Tate
bought
Socialist The
abort
Challenge
EVENTS
Information -
HOME COUNTIES
Room, Chute House,
NORTH WEST
For details of aclivitied in the NV
stite or ring the Manchester Sociald
Challenge Centre, Third, Floo
Prilly, Manchesser 1. 081-23
Thurada Floor
roup meets tonighty or Witne Challen
days at Stanley House, Upper Parlia- Commisalor
sociallet Challenger 31 Brimol 2.
WARRINGTON Sociallet
Sociallet Ch
fong norman scorn societ
Late Wide 1187:
meeta aclivities
Bools lcomer Street) CALLUMS
Crimes in treland
Scotlish Socialist Books. 64 Queen Oppression
socialism
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE lour of
Scotland Speaker, Colla Pugh
HAMILTON: Monday 12 Docember
he Pooems or momen 5 Libe
Socialist Challenge
Labour Conterence Sensation
BENN
QUITS
Art - dialogue
needed
many thousands of pounds and
curde but shown at a villane hall, a lot of people would have
and many more would have asked questions.
A vIiAl Dart of art's function is to educate. A dialague batween formalism and socialiam is important, such as existed at the time of the Russian revolution.
I a dialogue not exist today le a lact. atrophied stale of art, he make: British art is what happens in thinking that certain exclusive galieries
PAISLEY: Tuesday. 13 December 1pm, Palaley Tech. SUOTE UH
Probiema of Women's Liber"Sociaiem and Feminism' Furibe
- ring Aberdeen Sens All members of the Wornen's Liber
Open discussion and debete.
SOUTH/WEST PORTSMOUTH Socialist Challenge * spin el Milanine pub lugelaira SOUTHAMPTON Bocialist Challe
Pete khan pue, ta be
ISTOL Socallel Challenge gr
lich way now for Wamen's LIb
do wn moan by th
autonomy of the Women's Liberatior Movernent? The relationship betweer ThE WHO ERIE •Penny Duggan from IMG Womerie
Tuesday, 20 Baptiat Mills Centre, Honey Road
LEAMINGTON SPA Soollist Chal
lenge group public meeting: "Ireland movamont. Monday 5 December. Ranelagh Tavem. 7.30pm.
LONDON
GREENWICH/LEWISHAM Sociallet
Cale For details ring Hay on 01-5
CAMDEN Bocialist Challend gourt
sacond and
Thunday of each manth in Kential own. BoR is tom noon as ten
BRUNEL UNIVERSITY
Challange group, La Cecilial. Film clower by oscusson Do Yomeno
and ine atrugnia lo 6 December, 7pm in the
Lecture Theatre INoarest tube: Ux
SOCIALISTCHALLENGE 1 December 1977 page14
organisationa support cluding Big Flame the meana fawards a certain kind
call a national conference
CHICHE piscuss te tuture or me pape May we suggest that you open
conference who support the broad aimgof Socialist Challenge, If the resulting discuss on lesde lo decision to change the paper in the directions no Fine
poste
vould take wary sorlously the
dependent, popular sociall
well
DAWSORGAR CAVAN VEH Smith would find it hard to resist
slothal Secretariat
Big Fisme
As a member of the Artists Union. Fam engaged in the figh to gef artists employed by loc
authortes and the nationalise
exhibiting subsidised
agree with Fuller that thi artist must find a way
becoming the
working ciass in their historica
struggle. But the way to do It Such, but to light for the night
of the artial to work in cratic institutions and, if she o he wants, to use abstraction as A WAHOOT TO SOLOISI STEPHEN DORLEY-BROWN
(Bath
BRENT Socialist Challenge EAST ANGLIA
NORWICH: For detalls of Socalls
cott, Cleanion Road, Norwich group reels fortnighly on Te
Sociallem?
YORKSHIRE
MIDLANDS
For delails of achutes
Be Bringin. Far 13
NOTTINGHAM Socia Chailang Forum Wechesday 0 Decemb 1.30pm at the International Cor rin ra (or the edinal collectin Manstield Road Nuclear Energy:
LEICESTER Socialist Challenge
Community Care chi hear
I'm a
Socialist Chailenge
supporter
BEST
POs Orders Til cr mom C. Bulk Black and write ence only. in nee
Page 15 scan of this page
THE CONTINUING offen- 4 Dec in Manchester
'we
Vi aro tusenden
ordeal to sit through.
dialogue, ANDY DE LA TOUR -Belt and Braces theatre group
about.
tusenden.
"We are thousands" is no ordinary play; this is epic theatre, a show involving nearly fifty performers and musicians, sag ed in a tent that seats 1,500 half the lengih"
bochall pilch: amosher a rost-
ah in the middle of a se heads; a thind a square at one end attached to a lomy with hydraulic lifts. The 'action' took place gverywhere.
The pla: traces the develop-
ent of the working class fron the beginning of industrialisation in the eraly nineteenth century to the rise of the class strugale in the latte 1960s The central theme
scial detrey and li ded bye
ton of working class pobitics
Inceptlo was. also, the political weakness
o often there was a picture o
he working class as a class on the
revolutionary struggle but held back by their treacherous leaders,
In reality, there have been very few opasions on which the widespread united struggle has taken
major strikes in the 1930%,
isolated
rom the Swedish Communis Party, but the Tent Project was si ato ori in Swedish
A major event collica nestory is tne roic pazybu by social democracy in the war and the question of Sweden's
over the country.
UNDER REVIEW
A socialist spectacular in Sweden
"We are thousands" - Is the title of a play that toured Sweden in the summer. A four and a half hour history of the Swedish working class, it is an ambitious project and sounds, perhaps, something of an
Perched on a bench, not understanding a word of the
La member of the - watched a spectacie which, he says, many socialist actors in Britain fantasise
He reports here on the Swedish response to Belt and Braces' rock music plays, and the experience of Vi aro
"neutrality". The Swedish for 'tiger' is the same as to be sient" -hence the scene day with a tiger in blue ar ellow stripes (the Swedish n ional colours) who istka painted srain tarot utral* Sweden Into Norw of The Prime Minister, mcanwbile wrings his hands and wrestles with his conscience
STRUCTURE
mobilisations on Victnam in 196h and then a short speech about the UTUWOHAS BAHC BUC d expression of hope than a seriou perspective. Hur the swirling red and music expressed visually tha efebration of class strugale tf as the real strength of the whe how, an expression of hopes an dreams that are an essential po tevolutionary politics which lend themselves to imagin ative political theatre The trnek became the streets of Stockholm - trams, fights, cafes: a 30 Teot rose (hydraulically not divinely to claim the soul of a dead child tbe buddle of impoverished cap italists stand beneath storm; a group of warkers buil a two-storey House. Y0i-us gimmicks to titilate, That Lura io cheare what 1s sive of the right wing against
the left has taken a novel
and sinister turn. The latest
group under attack socialist theatre groups. The Tories, aided by the National
Association for Freedom,
have once again played a leading role in the witch
hunt. Their victim is the
North-West Spanner group,
which has played to thousands of people in factory
canteens, community centres
and working peoples clubs all
SETERE class in struggle.
Thile bourgools theatre ago 5505 indivicual: rett peacors and demand et them that they alouch and mumble in the name of TACAEC CARIO RIMMC SIEL capture the essence of classes in struggle.
Brecht and Poscacor n the 1920k mounted the spectacles, and their performers reflecied it ASL CONNED DECO HI that
word
10CT BS 1 WNS in th=
guides the
known. The four theatre com-
point thi coul not aether
was the arel the tent project: Thete bured the tent prajec meetings ere six full-time child minde
TESCLTE IGLOE waff apart from the performers musiciens and technicians. Every
a rain ee ind the lgnie aer deri
into the pantechnicon crucks, but effects Swedich pariica life mude thi Sonn are
On 7 Octsher, a Tary councillor in Tameside, Men Ber ONa OvER19! the Arts Couneil granc so Span ner he stopped and an investimee is miltiat apo and ideal "'s actually carried at the Counci The TUTCYCI• has bludeebned into condoning Mcand
Roy Shaw, that it will support the company against any form o EEE sTEmMUOu The attack on Spamer tollows an asteropt by Red Ladder, anather lef wing thentre group.
trying to develop a mass cultural practice is typical of the society I WUCO WE OYE. sume of money spent on the
are thousands'
preoccupies itself and even in and Britain, culture
Tor radicalisation. "art', socsalist
cultural imperialism, WTen 201 0
Not tracitonal Tolk, working
socialist weekly paper together to
every lown there
the
commercial MRSSI L.NL.CEIL
emerged particular features music
Putting a spanner
La seif-confessed only for
and resolution
Arts 1 o il. efused to theatre group.
stated
IN WEILI WL IIFE
North-West
HicCarthyites wi
The attack
DL TENSSIVe
The strugale on the LELIL "culrural" front is more advanced than in Britain. Dominated by
HTT ENDORE entertainment from the USA
especially became a focal point Ten yeaTs ago, lo sing in Swedish was a political act, whatever the lyrics. Consciously rejecting a kind of
EBOIE and Esteners has grown up who ser their music, whether hard rock
through a
vies of stal nag The as
equivalent lo our ONTI New Musical Express, is a
English.
the largesr
"cultural
TintEu
There is Musikforum, a kind of loose-knit national organis ation of left-wing musicians and
oly coen berenie dilere
kinds ot cultura. communice who organise events, hold meet ings, print journals, all pursuing
CHELISMESS strugale.
There are now two independent left-wing record production and шокні сотрело, шнекс з
stranglchold crowni cun pet their records sold in the shops and supermarkets
The radical theatre companie
targely DUT OTTEH movemeal whercas in National Theatre, which caters
•a select and elite In any subienc ts docso t anake aul sense the way I've done it...
The accack on North-West Spanner follows au altempt by Torkshire Ars so stop a grant to Red Ladder, asocber lett wing 1CП.L
The atlack on small tkane grouns ano are trying to develop a mass cultural practice is typical of the society
The massive sums of money spent on the National Theatre cater only for n sekcr and elste adence (lhoug
ven on tbis front ibe NAF
and arowe tow ardi a purge ly ley
Are successfil elsewbere). The communsty and left wing groups
DELLIN cultural monopoly af london's theatres They receive modest grants by compenson to by wie cut wiei YAT.
out of the "straighc" theatre. The
project, posting 1500,000 raised mainis fram sund-riisin
was possible and sucseeded because the organisetion WOS. TACIe CRAIOmonS
sud pro ide tr per o el e ee
From only a two-week trip 1 Sweden in 1976. Belt and Braces powspow b upeuy nad penci ated enough of a following lo merit a longer, more ambitious mp tis year. 30 we toDk LM shows, 4 Day in the Life of th World and Nor So Green es ir's LURU ATE LOTCE MeEDOd throughout the country for cight weeks. Ironically, there is an аро о аг ста ПорендІ ism" that provod invaluable to u
the audiences underston
Boch of our shous concain a Jot of rock music and the most mitachae was ine readuiess io accepc political rock music by audiences who were not strangCC TOTE OME DOErRMLSoY
audiences arrived
we were of # event to attract more chan the far left and its supportIn some ways, life was easier ir Sweden Chan in Aricain theatre a tech higheal political
the taditico o g bo lical musi culture creates an audience for pur kind of shows, ever Radio Sveripe (the mational TV net work) was stirred into making
hour-long documentary abour our work
Bur for socialist theatre workers and musicians in Sweden o Britain there is still a long roa:
movement, to entertain and in form, and by doing so to bel LUNE LEC CAMERE LOE WITALE for something "new"
Secing the tent project, discusing with theatre warkers and
musicians, playing to Swedi:
udienoes, helped us wil Dur ICHnE Sne vIA buto. abd has betler squipped is lo bur ich in Britain.
up NAFF
OT IS sancHious
Local North-West Spanner ane not retreating under
fightback. They have organised : conferenoe to discoss the impliCALIDIS DI LIC SERCE. LETaLUIL have boen sent to a vast array of
LNIEES. -L32E Adrian Mitchell and Jobn McGrath will be there , as will 7:84 Hel aud Hrade. CAST and orhe supporters of the Association ol Communicy Thentres.
The conference is being held at the Peder Green Communi
Kappor Maudesbe Lent From
sapport should be sent Trades Coencils, trade minion branches, eic., and adressed to the group at the Drill Hall, Manchester Ruad, Mosaler, Ash-
-ander-Lyne, Lasc O15
SOCIALISTCHALLENGE1 December1#77 page15
"As serious
as your
life'
VALERIE WILMER's now book A8 serous as row tire, Hae ne
reprinted People, largely hands the stage over
speak aboo! their lives in music which is the next best thing to
It from Hear Me Telin' to Ye, these an
COURT NE AAVE OE WADE LIS T dup ame: mey re me i o Twentieth century equivalent o MOLOILE OLICTS
in tne vest, parniculerly sic the rule of InA DOinOROiS"
, art has bean trodden on the margins. ao-opled
Jogical and political conditions of socialisi transformation have
like the novel regroupad outside, In Atrioa anc Limn Am ti posian pland
thrisan a mercan artia exe the
LC TUI OT TC MOnDIC
mente has been in jazz. which -
the po of the blues in the mid-Sixties TA I SHOO 01 rOmUSH
sugest orate
mub anD GUSsIon In Ma Omro0s MS Tou
Whan European composers a the same time began deliberate I TO xora ne nosnons n Instrumental technique and atti
form thass had made was out of the bag: ail Europear
the Schoenberg-Webern school owes its existence to dewelop
Anyone who is a musician wil on the revelatons of As seriour As Your Life. The social ques
equally stimulating Jazz musiciens have made ar anempl - unique in any branch OTAR MUSICAI world overcome the 'star systom and halp other. themselves on oo-operative for ain the support of ota lim socialiam". must Wor us.c emer buge
INEV IERIES anarchist Thoreau at the begin ning of her book, not one of the Marxist classics. And that absolutely right, It is not the MUS CIZNA WnO SnOBIE De TIOLI ad by our interest in their musi it is we who should feel flatiere by their Interest in socislism
The other: Interesting social UPSTON S HI OE SOOr age of tne tape-recoder and o
Information survival on tape of the thought! of many of these musicians it Torune anode maculou bt the BurNia oRaneane! The story looke like a repetition ot whar happened to the earlie greal figures of Weslem music www d prom sy a0 o
earlier jazz musicians, at least one of whose
Bille Holldayi Suflered prema ture deaths. What may be ove looked is that this situation hat got worse Of the half-doze giants of the new music, most o LIC SI VOU OTUS RENESU
Coleman. Taylor, Sun Ra Eot Colai Alber Ayler
only ihree an while the musically inskiled hava mada fortuna:
from Paul Whiteman Boaties or, if yau prefer them blacktace, trom L Jolson to Mick Jaogerl. McCoy remark, "Music'a nota plaything huls aef be ta ken fera y e. it'e as serious as
he act of playing the new music the teRling oi the musicion tuR mo is Taking Cne woo R orn. CREATIVE ABILITIES IN A CON CENTRATED MOMENT: THAT he is taking his tife in his hande Too many of the bøst oi ther HAVERSI O NV HErSn
Listen to the worde and above
theae people: Bre embettled voice of civitisation in a barbaric century CHRIS GOODEN
Page 16 scan of this page
Japanese readers 'banzai'
the calm
since the early 1960s.
coincidence
any other British paper.
For the first time since the 1953 coe notoric sha ban the
notoricus Sha ban, brainless", helped the arty overthrow Mossadegh's Govern
gangs of thugs have been brought onto the streets to attach demonstrations meetings
of known dissidents
According to the Writers Association of fran, an illeza organisation of dissident writers and poets, the number of people
be as high as 10,000. A mumber of people are believed to have been thousands, have been injured, many of them seriously.
The massive protests of the las two weeks were sparked off by a police stack on a meeting Aryamehr University in Tehran during the Shah's visit to Wash ington. The meeting was one of a senes of cultural evenings which dissident Iranian wriners and poets have been allowed to hold since
About 7000 people had gathtrod at ibe university to listen to a
SOME OF our readers in Japan have recently provided us with a deline demonstration of inter nationalism in practice. We recensly received in the post •
discovered the newest model Japanese micro-recorder (see pic) with a message an the tape inside for Socialist Challenge. This was a sit testom he Fourte
CUBIES
Internutional to show their ap preciation of the Dribson
cal the thin or need at
combination most vaneed technology and the skill of Japunese workers the use of whose
made its production posJUANES omarudes and we trust that thi reader in eler perse the word. wanna will be ensulater
Swiss comrades, fur instance. could send us a clock (helping SOME COME HCOCk IN time), the French comrades could
crate of wine (not VORCE UNT SO HE HEVERHUSES reporting; our Americun readers could provide us with the com1on111 CENT anderstandahly renowned: dol-
Meanwhile on the home froet there in a steady, but slow trickle of funds coming in. A Longbridge
comrade who wishes to remain anoumons had been suring up sume money to pay his trumnick picketers lery to the Mugistrates was let off because of the police hadn't rip: ridence efficiently. He gave us O0. Another comrade sent us her
the well-known tovelist and New
New information from Iran
The storm after
Open opposition to the Iranian dictatorship, in the form of mass meetings, demonstrations and university strikes, has suddenly escalated during recent weeks to levels not known
Frightened by these developments, the Iranian regime has decided to abandon efforts to patch up its human rights image, and has launched massive reprisals on a scale unknown since the massacres of June 1963. If is probably
that this comes straight after conclusion of a new arms deal with the United States.
There has been a virtual blackout on the wire services from Tehran, and only one or two papers have carried uny information. Most of our information has not appeared in
leading dissident Soltanpoor. While the meeting was in progress 2,000 people who could not get into the ball and hac
the police who then locked the other 5,000 inside the
people inside cb hall eventually released, they immed.
and started to Tehran University, Their ranks quickly swelled to over 10,000
PIRATES Busloads of plain-clothed thugs armed with hatons and knuckle dasters, backed by uniformed
scene and attacked the peaceful demonstrators. According to the Wnter Association, two demon strators were killed, many more were injured and truck loads of demonstrators were arrested and taken to an unknown destination, In response to this sudent tenrescalatives from al over the country called for a Statesman writer took one a suh and made a daoution of 2s We would suggest once again to comrudes trut a subscription to Socialist Challenge, eur Calendarand the Russean Revolution Special make ideal seasomal presents. Don theshy of ordering
The money this week amoanted or Uper tree Printed by a name t Meaning. Berkeli
Socialist Challenge
general strike in all the univer sities. The call seems to have beer very successful and has led lo thi closure of most Iranian universities, despite further attacks
La number of universities The protests have also sprea outside the universities. Much of the baazar in Tehran is reported to have been closed as the result of a the
sans. There has been a report of a demonstration at Karad WE BECA Tehran. past has number of major TACILE HOTECTS
The Writers' Association ol
poel, said dissident writers and intellectuals have been physically attacked ou
Tea of then, Hoena Netsh and
le'mat Mirzadeh, are believed t
hall.
RESISTED
They had gone to Aryame University lo march towards universiry and protest about the
bao imposed on further meetings at the universicy when they were arrested by the polios, They were taken toa police station, beelen up and released. As tbey were leaving
kidnapped by plain clothed thugs hauled into SUSIE HE LILY WHEEL HAT besten to the point of death The famour novelist and play WHEEL LIONEL LOSSCIE was visited is bis home by Parviz Sabeti, the head of the security branch of SAVAK, who told him that if be uttered anotber astack word of protest he and his friends
ahroad would be run under a bus'. so 218059. This ruises the total lo £1117.7. Stil another £682.22 to
This wook our thanks bo:MG to CT (it was a set up!)
M.HIIl & C.M. Young
weblined by Relocrest Lid. Jor Socialist Challen
which in the been the scene of a
struggles by and shantyclaim.
ee the head of th
Lhey were
a car aod driven
Internal Anon E Cooper
1.00
The ACTSS (TGWU) staft at the
LUOR
executive 's ratusal to
Implement the anion's
ence decision on the staff's pay
Duning the strike eight men-
*In London 13 Labour MPs signed a telegram of protest to the Iruniua Governmentaftera lobb of MPs organised by the Commi flee Against Hepression in Irs.
M-102
ECM-150
bers of the NUS executive crossed
picket above photograph ghows Sue Slipman 1TH HOT OF SOCHU • carryin
members, work normally done by the statr
One of the staff members on strike was allegedly kioked by
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
SPECIAL
Socialist Challenge offers sou a 16 page colour
special on the Russian Revolution. The design, hy
David King.
manuscript by Isaac Deutscher. This text contains
contemporary accounts of Bolsheviks in 1917. The
price for this aplendid souvenir marking the 60th
anniversary of the revolution is only 50p plus 10p
p&p
RUSSIAN
REVOLUTION
1917
*Russian Revolution Special.
*1978 May "88 Poster Calendar,
•Grunwick mass picket painting by Dan Jones, E2 plus
10p p&p.
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← Socialist Challenge No. 23, No v, 1977Socialist Challenge No. 25, 8 December 1977 →