CRITICISM OF LABOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 133, 2 December 1929, Page 12

CRITICISM OF LABOUR

RIGHT TO MIGRATION

United Press Association—By Electric T«lt<

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LONDON, 30th November.

The Earl of Birkenhead, speaking at a Conservative Association meeting, declared that the tone Mr. Snowden adopted on tho Continent in insisting on something upon which the Conservative Government would have been equally consistent but more polite was alien to British diplomatic traditions.

He'said: "It is astonishing that London should gallop forward and acclaim Mr. MaeDonald and Mr. Snowden and confer on them the freedom of the city. It was when it was in the balance in 1914-18 whether the Empire survived or smashed that Mr. Snowdeu contributed a constant stream of defeatism. Mr. MaeDonald excited the only strike in. the mercantile marine when it refused to convey him to the Soviet Conference. A combination of the other parties could turn out the Government. I would rely on the common-sense of the people and turn it out when it was grossly wrong rath- ■ than maintain i_ by fundamental hypocrisy. Unless it is controlled it will destroy the whoso basis o- which our relationship with Egypt depends and bankrupt us. Our obligation is to maintain the rights of civilised countries there. ■If the Government can escape its obligations to Europe it will prove itself a political infant.

"There is no immediate prospect of Dominion status for Inda. It would dissolve India in anarchy. I wish some son of toil and competent trades unionist were Indian Secretary. It is not the place for a second-rate Parliamentary filibuster, and I hope those who must decide, the question will not be influenced by this amateur sentimental diplomacy. ■ We are finding work for more men in England than were employed in July, 1914. Our. right to large-scale migration has been greatly restricted. The Government places burden after burden on capital. Wo shall soon find a quarter of a million bright-eyed boys who should be seeking work receiving the dole."