LABOUR CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1662, 31 January 1913, Page 5

LABOUR CONGRESS.

GIFT WARSHIPS UNWELCOME. POLITICS V. STRIKES. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. January 30, 9.55 p.m.) London, January 30. Mr. G. H. Roberts, Labour M.P. ! for Norwich, in presiding at a conference of the Labour Party at Lambeth, criticised Canada's offer of battleships. ■ Tho acceptance of the offer, ho declared, would greatly add to Britain's annual expenditure. If Mr. Churchill's assurances Wtro accepted that the defensive forces were sufficient, three extra vessels must bo. in excess of requirements. Moreover, to give the colonies representation on the Imperial Defence Committee would be fraught with far-reaching consequences, and must be subjected to searching inquiry.

Mr. Roberts challenged the ..view that political action was futile, and industrialism the only method of realising the workers' aims. If neither political action nor'the strike policy, realised their' ; expectations it was due to the lack of working-class adhesion and enthusiasm. When a popular franchise was 6ccurcd the people could 1 master the State.' Ho viewed compulsory industrial arbitration with misgivings, but the integrity of contracts should be maintained,' except -under great provocation. With united action the nationalisation of ITTe mines and railways would be as easily practicable as the transference, of- tho telephones from the National Telephone Company to , the State had been. ■•■''• ;j '