One of the by-products of the conference of marxists over the 14/15 of April, 1962, in Nottingham is the very late appearance of this journal. For this we offer our apologies, particularly to those who have paidf,, but we can immediately counter any cynicism by saying that another by-product of the above conference will be a much better Bulletin in the future. Seriously though ths amount of tochnical work involved in preparation for and arising from the conf— erence is a very clear indication of its seriousness and importance.
Comrades came from Birmingham, Derby, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Long Jiaton, Manchester and Sheffield to join a good number of Nottingham marxists in the weekend's deliberationse In addition comrades from London, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Stafford and Nottingham sent in apologies for non attendance, while expressing support for the conferencee The delegates included comrades active in a very wide field of activities. Jispocially well represented wore Young Socialists and comrades active in the anti-colonial struggle. Virtually all the comrades are active Labour Party workers and many of them hold positions in the trade union fiold,
The discussions ranged over many problems, notably the probloms of building the left inside the Labour Party and the attitude towards C.N.D., li.0.F.; and other such like organisations. In particular the way in which marxists should coordinate their activities and strengthen thoir endeavours was gone into in a most detailed way. Most important of all was the accoptance of a statement of aims of the International Group, dedicated as it is to the building of a Fourth International section in Britain, The discussion was lively, vigourous and thought provoking, and will be continued in a written form until the next conference, No doubt the discussion then will continue on other topics.
The conference recognised that while the Bulletin has played a good role in coordinating activitios, stimulating action, making known activities of the International, combatting the distortions of other tendencies, etc., it has many weaknesses. In particular, it was felt that it had only very limited appeal outside our immediate periphory. To romedy this two approaches were decided upon 34 technical improvements — having a cover, going over to quarto size, etc. (2) improvement in content - producing more small factual itoms, getting wider coverage of different fields,
In both rospects, doar reader, we ask your assistance, Item (1) is largoly a question of finance (as is, in part, item (2)) donations will be very welcome and if everyone paid many improvements could be mads straight away. so far as iten (2) is concerned, everyone can help. Proferably articles should be sent in but even simple reports, press cuttings, extracts from journals, ctc. will help immensely, The building up of a subscriber/correspondent network is aimed nt too, Nearly every roader of this journal will know someone who could possibly fill this role. MTranslator® can be very useful too, there are many items in tho press of other countries which would prove of great interest.
Most readers will be approached directly in some form or another as to how they can help the work of the International Group. As much help as possible is required because of the mexnitude of the task - nothing less than to start tho process of building*thé mevemont. which ains to..bring about the overthrow of British capitalism. We are sure you will all help.