BRITISH LABOUR CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 241, 29 June 1918, Page 7

BRITISH LABOUR CONGRESS

THE POLITICAL TRUCE A STORMY SESSION 1 London, Juno 27. At tlio Labour conference, Mr. Robert Snullie (President; of 'the Federation), in a vehement speech, which was loudly cheered, declared that the vast majority of the delegates were amazed at Mr. "Henderson's statement, that tliero had beet, l'o trues, lot two years. It was easy to get a better Government thai» the present, one—they could not possibly get n worse one. The conniry was as sick' of the'truce as it was sick uf the Government. Mr. Williams (Transport Workers) said tnat if the adoption of the resolution meant the withdrawal of the Labour members from the . Government so much the better! '. i ! >.! ••. , Miss Sylvia Pankhurst, oil behalf of the British Socialist Party, in a violent speech, moved demanding that the Labour members should withdraw from tha Government, but her motion was not seconded.

Mr. G. N. Barnes (Labour member in the War. Cabinet), voicing tlio opinion of the moderates, said the resolution would weaken national effort during one of tlio greatest., crises in history. The motion would be taken by the Government as a declaration of war. "I am in the Cabinet," said Mr. BarneSi "as a representative of' Uie Labour Party, which has more than once conlirmed my position. I shall stop in tho Government until the Labour Party ■in similar manner says otherwise." Mr. - Clynes (Parliamentary Secretary, to 'he Food" Ministry) had an enthusiastic 'reception. He challenged the supporters of the resolution to test their opinions by a, series of by-elections. Personally he was prepared to resign meot them. 1 Tho general opinion is that the resolution is not intended to .withdraw tho Labour members. from the Government, though it may embarrass them. It la only intended to mean that the Labour Tarty proposes. to hold itself _ free to contest elections against Coalition _ candidates, so that the' Labour Ministers will have to keep silent at such elections. ,

LabW and the Elections. Mr; Henderson announced that Labour would support 301 candidates in the next elections, and the party had inquiries for a hundred additional constituencies. It was expected that the election would 1m held before the end of the year, and it would bo a most exceptional election. There 1 would probably be ten million, new voters, 1 and ,he believed that the results would place the Labour Party in the House of Commons in a position 6econd to none occupied by • Labour in tho world. There wa3 a possibility ot a f-econd election" within' a year. AuM N.Z. Cable Assn.' . LABOUR MINISTERS WILL TAKE NO 'ACTION ■ c (llec. June 28, 10 p.m.) London, June 27. The Labour Ministers in the CaMnot have considered their position in consequence of yesterday's conference vesora« tion, and considered .'that no- action i$ necessary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KERENSKY'S CREDENTIALS CHALLENGED London, June 27. At tho Labour Conference, a motion was submitted urging the. need for increased production and for the socialisation of industry. ■ II Kerensky's credentials were again challenged, but, after a disorderly scene, tho chairman permitted a welcome to, be given to il. lverensky and other foreign delegates.—Reuter.