London, May 28, The report of the Economic Committee of the Trade Union Congress was privately considered today by the Genera] Council, which pasied a resolution expressing indignation at the publication of a "private and confidential document" and repudiating the interpretation put on. it by two Empire free-trade newspapers.
The report created considerable controversy between members the General Council, a section of which are strong proponents of free-trade, The report in question recommends that, at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, it will be the interests of the trade union movement for the Socialist Party (2) to press for the fullest possible development of economic relations between Britain and the Dominions; and (2) to urge the creation of machinery and, if necessary, agreement= with the Dominions for the further development of inter-'Commonwealth trade and the best. distribution of economic activities within the British Commonwealth, Ars. Philip Snowden, the wife of the Chancellor of the she deserfbed as a non-party conference on free trade.
Mr. Ben Tillot, the former chi man of the General Council of the Trade Union Congress and one of the leaders of the trade union movement, presided.
Among the speakers were Mr. Henry Bell, a director of Lloyds Bank, Ltd.;'Sir Alan Anderson, the shipowner and vice-president of the International Chamber of Commerce; the Marquess of Lothian, formerly Mr. Philip Kerr, who was secretary to the Prime Minister from 1916 to 1921; and-Sir Herbert Samuel, the chairman of the Liberal' Party Organization.
All the speakers urged the neces-y of a campaign against the new "protectionism."
A remarkable report has been drawn up by the influential Economic Committee of the Trade Union Congress unanimously recommending' that, at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, it will be in the interests, and the Dominions and to urge the creation of machinery and, if necessary, agreements with the Dominions for the further development of inter-Commonwealth trade and the best The report will come before the General Council of the Trade Union, Congress to-day, but it is not expected that an immediate decision will be taken.
'The report expresses the opinion that Great Britain cannot be part of a United States of Europe under' M. Briand's scheme while maintaining her place in the British Group. It cites arguments in favour' of the formation of a British Commonwealth group as a necessary step towards ultimate world econo-ie unity—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.