Our Weekly Paper

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Organised!

workers in the struggle for new leadership.

To do so we need consistent support and money. Socialist Organiser Alliance groups Why not join with us? Supporters are asked to undertake to sell a minimum of 6 MARTIN Thomas outlined writing in much of the papers per week and contribute at least £1.50 the problems of producing naper. It was widely felt articles presuppose a • enrialist newsnaner on a that articles are often too large amount of prelimin- If there is no group in your area why not Maura Jones and Pete Allen low budget and with limited a JuLiano staff at a workshop at the Socialist Organiser AGM in Lanchester Polytechnic.

The useful discussion that followed raised a number of salient points.

One major point of criticism which had much support at the workshop, roncerned the style of on eking c We lengthy and are written in the language of theore ical journals, rather tha i that of an agitationai weekly newspaper aimed at the working class. (One SO comrade had calculated that the reading age of the newspaper was for those of post-graduate achievement). the workshop discussing the paper Many of the longer ary knowledge - the bulk of Socialist Organiser's potential readership has neither a social science degree nor a detailed schooling in the works of Marx. Lenin. Trotsky and the rest.

It was also suggested that political debate and disagreements should not he confined to the letters Contact: Mobilising page; readers should be Committee for the encouraged to express their opinions in articles as well.

Few women contribute regularly to the paper. A Middle Lane, London more vigorous policy of positive discrimination should be practiced by local SQ groups in allocating branch reports, etc. Also more labour movement campaigns (national and international) should be encouraged to write regular columns.

Some positive discussions arsing from the meeting for local groups to discuss for a future delegate meeting included:

1) SO to hold a weekend school for those interested in writing for the paper to discuss questions of lay out (is the typeface too small?

JOHN HARRIS Are the articles too crammed?); focussing the readers attention (Is it an effort to read some articles after the first paragraph, not because of the content but because the reader hasn't been immediately stimulated): use of photographs, etc.

2) More contentiously, it help us to build one? was suggested that many of the longer theoretical articles would be better suited to a (bi)-monthly journal and that Socialist Name Organiser. perhaps Address reduced in size and price, should concentrate on its agitational role, expressed in clear. concise, easily understood language.

Tebbit's Bill.

Leaflets will shortly be available from the Mobilising Committee relating Tebbit's Bill to the NHS and rail disputes, for use on picket lines, factory and Labour Party meetings, Defence of Trade Un- etc.

• The situation is currently very fluid. An upsurge in militant action in the immediate future could soon result in Prior's Act being put to the test.

Orga have been established in most big towns.

per month (20p for unwaged).

To 'Get Organised' • Write 28 Middle Lane. London N8.

The relative demoralisation of the past three years could easily evaporate and turn into its opposite national movement for strike action against both Prior and Tebbit' laws as part of growing solidarity with the health service and rail The willingness exists.

must now respond by linking theory to practice.

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Socialist Organiser no.91 July 1 193: Pare Socialist Organiser