LABOUR AND MILITARISM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 47, 19 November 1907, Page 3

LABOUR AND MILITARISM.

INTERESTING DEBATE IN SYDNEY. SIDELIGHTS ON LABOUR VIEWS. An interesting debate took place at the meeting of the Sydney Labour Council 011 November 7 on the question of the establishment of a Commonwealth Naval Dock.Yard. Mr. W. O'Ncil (Boilermakers' Union) moved —"That in the opinion of this council the time'is now opportuno for the establishment of n Commonwealth Naval Dock Yard for the construction and manufacture of our own torpedo boats, armaments, and any other things necessary for our naval defence which it is possible to havo manufactured here, having our iron industry already established, and all the natural resources necessary for such purpose; and that the council, with all the Labour Councils in the Commonwealth, bring their influence to bear upon the Commonwealth Government to have this proposal carried into effect." It had been proved, ho said, that Australian workmen we're equal to. the best in the world. The manufacture of locomotives had boon a great success, and the same success might be made ill the manufacture of torpedo boats. Mr. H. Stokes (Ironworkers' Assistants) seconded the motion. ■ MILITARISM FEARED. Mr. E. Riley (Arbitration Court) was surprised at the meagre and paltry way in which the motion had been put before the counjil. There ought to have been reasons put forward why such a proposal should be carried. To establish a military system here would have the effcct of creating a class which would be against tho industrial class. Was tho couiv.il against the payment of £200,000 a year to the British Government for trie navy we now bad ? Ho hoped not. Wo had a good bargain. Australia was not able to sustain a navy such as would be required to protect our'great length of coastlino. The council should not ally itself with a movement which would incur heavy expense upon tho people. Before building a navy there should be a small-arms and ammunition factory. Mr. A. Vernon (United Labourers) supported Hi.3 motion. Big things would comc out of small things. Mr. Rilev: That is what lam afraid of. I don't want> to see the introduction of a svstem nf militarism. Mr. M'Evoy (Australian Engineers) pointed out that other countries had thoir arsenals, and dock yards, and Australia should not be in the background. FALLEN AMONG "BLOATED CAPITALISTS." _ Mr. If. Rock (Sawmill Employees) thought the council should advocate peace. At Litligow 110 had seen a banner representing a warrior taking a broken sword to an engineer, who was turning him away. A Voice: Because he could not mend it. (Laughter.)

Mr. llock: Judging from what 1 have heard I think I have got among a lot of bloated capitalists. (Renewed laughter.) I do not want any swords or fighting or anything of that kind. If any foreign invaders come hero to lake the country, and the trouble cannot be settled by arbitration, they can have it, as far .'s I am concerned. ' Mr. O'Neill: } oil are a poor patriot. Mr. Rock: On a Saturday afternoon I draw my pay. I have nothing to fight for. I am not going to take part in n'ny s business of boosting up something for somebody else, who would stand on a hill about ten miles away giving directions. The'council* should advocate universal peace. Arbitration, he said, was .1 good old method; but let them keep tho lawyers out of it. "The only way fin which fighting would affect my trade would be to keep the men busy cutting timber for collins. 1 ' (Laughter.) ' .. Mr. Sullivan (Ironmoulders) said the 6in. "guns for the protection of the Heads had become obsolete, and wore' to be replaced by mark 7 guns. The mountings for these mark guns could bo made here for a certainty, and i n believed the guns themselves could. Ho understood that the 6in. guns were'to he made into q'uickfirers. This transformation should bo done, in Australia, and not sent to England. His' union wanted a broader schome than was outlined in tho motion. The question of State v. private, enterprise should be sotthd by the Government. Mr. Gallagher (Bookbinders) moved as an amendment: "That, this .council, whilo desirous of seeing tho shipbuilding industry established here, takes this' opportunity of protesting against any proposed enormous expenditure of the workers' earnings on an Australian navy, while works of national importance and utility are neglected." AUSTRALIA'S WOOLLEN WALLS. Mr. Farrar (Saddlers) seconded the amendment. Tho movement should never have been initiated in the Labour Council.. There was no analogy between the construction of locomotives and tho construction of torpedoes. Australia had nothing to fear from an invasion. No nation would let another annex Australia and have a monopoly of the wool supply. Our wool was our safety. If any country should annex Australia it would become an' international struggle. Mr. Keogan (Bridge and Wharf Carpenters) was surprised at the stand taken up by Mr. Riley. Tho motion was practically in fulfilment of a plank in the Labour platform. (Cries of "No.") One plank said there should be a citizens' defence force, and an Austra-lian-owned navy. If Australia did not make a start she could never expect to become a power in the Pacific. Thirty years ago Japan was :n a position similar to that of Australia to-day. If the torpedoes were not made in the Commonwealth they would be made out of it.

Mr. C. Hogan (United Labourers) remarked that if labour desired to keep Australia "white" it should be prepared for defence at a moment's notice. If we put out the Japanese, and Japan said "No," where would Australia be ?. Till debate was ad jour vied.