AFFAIRS IN BRITAIN.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16251, 29 June 1918, Page 9

AFFAIRS IN BRITAIN.

LABOUR AND THE GOVERNMENT. (By Cablo.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and H.Z. Cablo Association.) LONDON, June 27. At the Labour Conference, Mr R. Smillie, in a vehement speech, which was loudly chcered, declared that tho vast majority of tho delegates were amazed at Mr Arthur Henderson's statement that there had been no truce lor two yoars. It would bo easy to get a better Government than the present, but they could not possibly got a worse. The country was us sick of the truce as it was sick of tho Government.

Mr Williams, of tho Transport Workers' Union, said that if the adoption of tho resolution meant the withdrawal, of Labourites from the Government, so much the betrtor. .

Miss Sylvia Pankliurst, on behalf of tho British Socialist Party, jn a violent speech, movod a motion demanding that Labourites should withdraw from the Government. Thfl motion was not soconded.

Mr G. N. Barnes (Labour member in the War Cabinet), voicing the opinion of the Moderates, said that the resolution would weaken tho nation's effort during ono of the greatest crises in history. Tho motion would bo taken by the Government as a declaration of war. JJo was in tho Cabinet as tho representative of the Labour Party, which, moro than once, had confirmed that he should stop in the Government until the Labour Party, in a similar manner, said otherwise.

'J' Clynos,. who was given an enthusiastic reception, challengod tho supporters of the resolution to test their opinions by a series of by-elec-tions. Personally, ho was prepared to resign to meet them.

The general opinion is thnt tho resolution is not intended to withdraw the Labourites from tho Government, though it may embarrass them. It is only intended to mean that the Labour Party proposes to hold itself free to contest elections against Coalition candidates, so that Labour Ministers will havo to keep silent over such elections. Mr Arthur Henderson announced that Labour would support 301 candidates at the next cloction. The party had inquiries for 100 additional constituencies. It was oxpected that the election to be hold before the end of tho year, would bo a most exceptional elontion. There would probably bo 10,000,000 new votoi. He- believed that the results would place the Labour Party in the House of Commons in a position second to none in the world. There was a nossibility of a second election within the year.

STOCKHOLM. June 27. A delegation of Russian Socinl Revolutionaries sent greetings to tho British Labour Conference, declaring that the liquidation of the Bolshevik Government must precodo Russia's revival, and that the shameful Brest Litovsk peace must be abrogated. They hold that the British conference will bo followed by the convocation of an International Socialist Conference, which will give humanity the desired democratic poace. LONDON, June 27. Mr John Hodge, Minister of Pensions, in a speech in London, announced that he was about to appeal for £3.000.000 for the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers. LONDON, Juno 27. _ The Labour Conference passed a motion urging the need for increased production, and the socialisation of industry. M. Kerensky's credentials were again challenged. After a disorderly scene the chairman permitted a welcome to M. Kerensky and other foreign delegates. (Received June 28th, 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 27. The Labour Ministers considered 1 their position in consequence of the resolution carried by tho Labour Conference dissolving the political truce. They decided that no action was necessary. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES. ■ (Received June 28tn, 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 27. Earl Cnrzon entertained the overseas delegates, to tho Imperial Conference at a dinner. The Controller of Shipping gave a luncheon to Mr Massey and Sir Joseph "Ward. (Reuter'a Telegrams.) LONDON, June 26. Tho House of Lords Committee is considering a Bill empowering the con- \ struction of an important wharf and railways at Convey Island, at the mouth of tho Thames. The wharf will be capable of accommodating the largest vessels, thus enabling the embarkation and the discharge of passengers and cargo without proceeding np the Thames. The estimated cost will bo over £1,250,000. It is stated that the proposal is actively supported bv loading shipowners and public men of tho Dominions. Canvey Island is off the coast of Essex, 30 miles below London. The area is 240 acres. SPEECH BY SIR HUGHES. (Renter's Telegrams.) LONDON, June 27. Mr Hughes, speaking at a luncheon, given by the London Chamber of Commerce in his honour, said it, was clear from the facts, that the military situation on the Western and Italian fronts was well. From the tone of inspired Gorman Press utterances and her rulers, the enemy was becoming increasingly anxious. Herr von Kuhlmann's recent speech was a clear and candid admission

that the recent vaunted offensive had resulted in but barren gains. (Received June 28th, 7.20 p.m.) Urging the "necessity for stopping German commercial penetration after tho war, Mr Hughes quoted Herr Emil Zimmerman to show that British shorti sightedness was responsible for tho ris© of Germany, and that the economic position arising from that policy was responsible for tho war. Herr Zimmerman, Mr Hughes pointed out, had declared that Germany's rise depended essentially upon the "open-door" policy of England. The Germans, Mr Hughce said, were sojourners in England's house. The secret of Germany's success lay, apart from the training and organising of the workingclasses, in the fact that England and other countries who wero great pro- : ducers of raw materials, allowed Ger- ' many to draw upon their great resources of raw materials. If this permission wero withdrawn, Germany would be. at one stroke, once more the Germany of I3SO. Hughes concluded: "What is wanted is a dear, definite, economic policy. Effective action by the Dominions awaits tho formulation of such a policy, which should be declared without delay.''