BRITISH LABOUR CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3161, 13 August 1917, Page 5

BRITISH LABOUR CONFERENCE

REPRESENTATION AT STOCKHOLM CONSIDERED DELEGATES TO PARTICIPATE OPPOSING AMENDMENT LOST BY ' LARGE MAJORITY i London, August 10. Mr. A. Hendorson, addressing tho Labour Conference, stated that the Russians wanted a binding conference to discuss peace terms. He had pointed out to them that only Governments could negotiate peace; but finding a conferenco inevitable, lie considered it inadvisable and dangerous for the Russians to confer with the enemy without hearing the British side. Ho had no alternative to recommending tho British delegates to attond, provided that satisfactory conditions were laid down. He believed that a consultative conference would !>e productive of good in enabling the German Minority Socialists to inform tho German people of facts which had been withhold from their knowledge.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

(Rec. August 11, G p.m.)

London, August 10. At tho Labomr Conference thero aro over COO delegates, including Russian representatives.

.Tho chairman, Mr. W. F. Purdy, said that no peaco would be satisfactory which did not secuire freedom from the nightmare of aggTessivo militarism. Neither Britain nor Russia wanted a separate peaco. They must stand shoulder to shoulder until a righteous peace could bo obtained.

Mr. Robert Smillio, president of the Miners' Federation, suggested that the executive should approach tho American and Belgian Labour movements and get them also to send delegatcß to Stockholm. It should also request the Dominions to send two representatives each. The chairman replied that tho suggestion would be considered. (Rec. August 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 10. At the Labour Conference Mr. Robinson (Toxtile Workers' Union) moved that the invitation to send delegates to the Stockholm Conference be accepted, provided the conference is of a consultative, and not a mandatory, character. Mr. Carter (Miners' Union) seconded the motion. Mr. James Sexton (Dock Labourers Union) moved an amendment, ~ "That while agreeing .that Mr. Henderson was actuated by a sincere desire to serve the best interests of the British democracy, this conference is of opinion that no case j has been made out for tho appointment j of delegates to a conference which would include delegates from enemy countries, and that the conference be adjourned sino die." Mr. Sexton said ho had always been loyal to tie executive, but there were times when loyalty to tho executive meant treason to the rank and file, lho resolution' meant such treason. _ When the Germans repudiated theii; crimes his objection would disappear. There was great uproar when Mr. hamsay Macdonald, M.P., rose to support the resolution, and a passage of aims took place between Mr. Will Thorne, M.P., and Mr. Macdonald. The chairman frequently callcd the meeting to order, and kept it well in hand. . Mr: G. N. Barnes, M.P., commenting on the absence of delegates from America, Belgium, Franco, and Italy at the Stockholm Conference, said that if the British delegates went they would discuss with Germans on. tlio one hand ana Russiahs on tho other, with Dutch and Scandinavians in the position of a makeweight voting for peace on any terms. Tlio difference botween mandatory and consultative "was very small. ,If delegates vent in one capacity ox tho other, the position would l>o tho same He asked whether the present was tho best time to discuss terms of peace. (Cries of "No" and "Yes. ). The conferenco, by , 1,651,000 votes to 361,300, rejected Mr. Sexton s amendment.. The delegates will, therefore, EotalSj Jt p _ CoM idered the Stockholm Conference calculated to injure M. Kerensky's Government, and sow dissensions. After rejection of tho amendment the conference adopted the main resolution by 1,846,000 votes to 550,000. The terms of this resolution make tho conferenco not mandatory, and will deprive the Stockholm gathering of tho importance once assigned to it.—Aus.-N./i. Cable Assn.

TRADE UNION REFERENDUM WANTED MEETING OE LABOUR LEADERS TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION. (Rec. August 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 11. Mr. Havelock Wilson is calling a meeting of trade union • leaders to consider tho convening of another conlerence on Thursday, demanding a . trade union referendum before sending delegates to Stockholm. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNITY OF ALLIED DEMOCRACY DESTROYED MR, HENDERSON'S ACTION DENOUNCED. (Rec. August 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 11. Mr. Appleton, secretary of the Trades Union Federation, states that Mr. Hen. dereon has destroyed the unity of tho Allied democracy, jeopardising the unity of tho British movement, and atfronted the Dominions' and American movements. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MINERS' FEDERATION DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE. London, August 10. The Miners' Federation lias. decided, bv 541 votes to 184, to participate m the Stockholm Conference. This probably decides the question—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFERENCE NOT LIKELY TO BE HELD OWING TO NATIONAL DISAGREEMENTS. (Rec. August 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 11. Tho "Daily Chronicle" considers the Stockholm Conference ia not likely .to bo hold, as the Russian Socialists want one kind, British Labour another, the French and Belgians a third, namely, a mandatory conference on a restricted agenda previously defined by agreement. The "Daily Telegraph" fails to see low a British delegation can possibly proceed in view of Russia's insistence i.n a mandatory conference; moreover JMr. iltnderson, while at Potrograd, that all tho Allies must be lepresonted, whereas Belgium, France, Italy, and America would lx) absent—Aus.-i.-a. Cable Assn.

ITALIANS AND BELGIANS NOT TO BE REPRESENTED. Stockholm, insist '10Tho Italian and Bolgiati Socialists have resolved not to participate m the Conference.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.