PLAIN TRUTHS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 262, 1 August 1919, Page 7

PLAIN TRUTHS

LABOUR LEADER ON SECTIONAL VIOLENCE BRITAIN'S COMMERCE AT STAKE By McEraph-Pross Asßociation-OourriEht London, July 26 (delayed). Mr. Thomas,' a Labour leader, in a striking .interview on his return from America enid: "We are drifting headlong to ruin. Everything I have eecu in America in conjunction with events here convinco me thai, we will soon lose our commercial position unless our political methods arc drastically changed. Open incitement to violence appears to have- become common, but one section of workersjis dead against this bruta force. Such a statement may be unpopular with tho 'Railway-men's Executive, but tho situation is too serious for, anything except the plainest truths." Mr. Thomas described the situation as rampant sectionalism. "Time and again tho threats by sections of workers bring the country to its knees. These Russian tactics will lead to disaster. Either the country must lost the greater part of its overseas trade or constitutional government must be restored. America is making gigantic preparations to capture our trade. The English sovereign steadily depreciates, and. America will soon be in,a position to hold the Eiupiro to ransom unless Britain buckles down and produces vast quantities of manufactures, at cheap prices." Mr. Thomas entreats the Government to show, courage and prevent cliaos. The interview is interpreted in some quarters as an intimation of moderate Labour's campaign for the election of a Labour Government, transferring its problems to political areas.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.