NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CIVIL LIBERTIES IN CONFERENCE by Len Nicholas
The National Council of Civil Liberties was formed in 1934 to “back ground of rising Fascist terror on the continent and hunger marches in Britain. For thirty years it has protected the rights of minority opinion and recent police excesses have more than justified its continued existence.
This year's Annual General Meeting of the Council reflected also the serious view that the trade union and labour movement takes of the House of Lords decision that the traditional right of the worker to withdraw his labour is "intimidation", "an illegal threat" or an "economic club" ruled to be no different in the eyes of the law from a "physical club",
The Draughtmen's and Allied Technicians' Assocation called for a change in the 1906 Trades Dispute Act as a matter of the greatest priority and Kingston branch of ASSET urged the introduction of legislation to protect trade unionists and officials following the decision of the Law Lords in the Rookes v. Barnard case.
Prominent NUR activist Hughie Turner speaking for the Peterborough Trades Council resolution passionately pleaded for the right of all persons indicted for serious offences to free legal aid, and for persons acquitted of serious offences and those remanded in gaol, and subsequently found not guilty, to be compensated by the prosecution for losses incurred.
The conference condemned the growing army of private organisations used as security forces for private industry. A resolution submitted by the Executive Committee noted, that the uniforms worn by security guards . similar to that of the police, and that the formation of these :banis contravenes the 1936 Public Order Act. Delegates supporting the motion pointed out that many of these guards carried firearms, while British police were traditionally unarmed; and of the great danger when the responsibility for law and order passes out of the hands of a force controlled by a democratic bodye
Committee of 100 Secretary, Peter Moule, spoke to a resolution which viewed with concern the encroachment into the right of political expression, and the use of outdated legislation to prevent the distribution of leaflets in the streets of London. He saiis "I regret that there was no public outcry against the special laws introduced to bring charges of conspiracy against the organisers of peaceful demonstrations last July, following assurances being given that the demonstrations were legal, and would be permitted." In the belief that a person is old and mature enough to vote at the age of 18 yearg, phe meeting agreed to press for legislation to that effect. John Hors ° moving the resolution drew attention to what he considered a ridiculous situation in that he had stood as a candidate in the recent elections but he had been barred from voting because of his age..He said: "Beaten by only 46 votes in the municipal election, old enough to marry, take out a mortrage..or join the army, I am not considered old enough to vote. Why not?"
The practice of police investigating complaints against themselves was condemned, and a strong plea made for independent tribunals. Further resolutions called for the revision of security procedures to secure adequate protection for the rights of the individual, welcomed the stand against racial
; 0.5 ia ES 2 ‘ ae segregation in schools, and called provision for minority opinion on the radio. It is plain that the NCCU has done much for civil liberties and will do more,
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