to any indignity in the streets or elsewhere because they are not in the Army, when they are prevented from joining the Army, and a request has been made that I appeal to the War Office to supply them with buttons to wear in their coats, to indicate that they are doing their duty for their country. Buttons of this description are obtainable, I understand, from the War Office, and my object in writing this letter is to ask that some arrangement shall be made for supplying our drivers, firemen, and cleaners with these buttons, to prevent any trouble in the future."
The reply of the War Office, dated April 26th, was that the issue of buttons was restricted for the present to specially skilled workmen of recruitable age in the employ of British armament firms, whose services were indispensable for the execution of certain Government contracts.
Then, too, there was the difficulty of arranging for the satisfactory transfer of men from one district to another to meet war requirements. An appeal was made from Cudworth on behalf of members working short time, and the position was considered. It was decided, with a desire to assist the members, and at the same time to safeguard the funds from any great strain, to allow those losing one day per week 1s.: two days per week, 3s.; three days per week and over, 2s. per day; half benefit to cleaner members; only time lost less than six days to be considered for this resolution. In accordance with decisions of the 1912 and 1914 Conferences, a new Rule Book was being fashioned also during this difficult time, and alterations to premises at 8, Park Square, were being made to accommodate the growing staff. An invitation from the Morley Division Labour Party for Mr. Bromley to contest that division was extended and accepted, but cancelled a little later, owing to redistribution furnishing a good opening for Mr. Ben Turner, in whose favour Mr. Bromley withdrew. Mr. F. W. Coombes, of Exeter, who had served on the Executive, resigned early in 1915, being succeeded by Mr. C. Jarman, and in July, Mr. M. J. Dickenson, the veteran senior trustee, presented his resignation. It was decided to recommend that a suitable testimonial, in the form of an
