Membership card with Basis and Programme, Workers' Freedom Groups [March 1913]

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WORKERS’ FREEDOM GROUPS. 

The following statement has been prepared to indicate the basis upon which the Workers’ Freedom Groups are being formed, and to enumerate some of the activities which the members of the groups might organize according to their needs and desires in each case. It is intended to prepare further leaflets and pamphlets giving a fuller account of the programme and setting out in the simplest form the Principles of the movement. 

BASIS. 

That a revolution is necessary for the abolition of poverty and the full enjoyment of life by the workers. 

That this revolution will mean the abolition of the capitalist class, seeing that the capitalists, controlling the means of life, are the controllers also of the actual lives of the workers. 

The revolution, therefore is not a question of obtaining suitable control, but of the abolition of control, of gaining our freedom. 

This change must start in the workers’ organizations, which should be shaped according to the needs of the future society and not from the ideas which belong to the capitalist system. 

Officials and executives are therefore out of place in our groups, and complete freedom must be established in them, as it must be in the future society. 

The workers by their own action must reconstruct industry to supply their own needs, and politicians and officials have no part in this change. 

The institutions of the future society will be entirely free, and no central governing or administrating body will exist. 

The political change brought about by the coming revolution will be the abolition of the State and its executive, the Government. 

PROGRAMME. 

(1) To provide premises for meeting places where there shall be complete freedom of speech. 

(2) To hold meetings indoor and outdoor to advocate the ideas set out in the basis. 

(3) To distribute all the available literature which furthers the objects of the groups. 

(4) To produce simple convincing leaflets and pamphlets. 

(5) To encourage the formation of reading and discussion circles or classes inside the groups for educational purposes. 

(6) To form a Library in connection with each of the group meeting places. 

(7) To assist in contributing to and circulating a paper setting forward the aims, and reporting the activities of the groups, and dealing with matters of local interest connected with the movement. 

(8)) It is proposed to study and perform dramas of artistic, educational and propaganda interest wherever members feel the need and desirability of this means of culture and enjoyment. 

(9) The subscription shall be voluntary and according to the means and decision of each member, but as far as possible regular. 

[Printed by Llais Llafur, Ystalyfera. Handwritten annotation, ‘Formed March 1913’.]