from Uhris Otley
The inaugural meeting of the Sheffield C.S.E. was held on the 19th December and it brought together 14 supporters, mostly members of the Labour Party, but also some trade unionists and C.N.D. supporters. Although sone comrades expressed anxiety that the C.S.u. might be just a ‘talking shop! the general tenor of the national C.S.E. statement of aims was endorsed, It was agreed that in the beginning at least, the C.S.E, could set itself a modest educative task, and establish a common meeting ground for varieties of left wing activists in the Sheffield area. In the long term, however, it was hoped to develop an extensive ranse of study and propagandist activity. Great stress was laid on the point thet the C.5S.E. should not be an organisational substitute for existing left wing parties and pressure groupSe It was felt that the C.S.E,. should not engage in any activity for which effective organisations already exist.
It was agreed that the meetingsof the C.S.E. should concentrate particularly on issues of local concern, especially to activists in the trade unions and shop steward movements. The first major meeting of the Sheffield C.S.E. is planned for Sunday, 6th February, when there is to be a brains trust on the effect of anti trade union legislation. Members of the Sheffield C.S.E. also agreed to take an active part in the local !Voice! conference on steel nationalisation scheduled for the 16th January.