BRITISH LABOUR’S STAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20049, 22 September 1939, Page 3

BRITISH LABOUR’S STAND

STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY DOMINATION BV FORCE MR. GREENWOOD’S CALL (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Sept. 20. Dealing in a broadcast with the attitude of the British Labour movement to war, the ncling-Leader of the Opposition, Mr. A. Greenwood, emphasised Labour’s determination to light for freedom to the end. They all hatea war, he said, but there were some things for which, if need be, they must light. Freedom was one of those things. This war was not of British making . Herr Hitler had decided on it, and they must fight him because "we cannot and will not tolerate the claims of individuals or States to dominate our lives through the threat or use of force.”

Together with Labour movements in the Dominions and India, British Labour stood for the same ends and had one common goal—freedom of thought, expression and opportunity, irrespective of class, colour or creed. Addressing particularly those not of tiie same political, opinion as himself, Mr. Greenwood said that Labour would support all reasonable measures necessary to bring the war to a speedy and successful conclusion. The whole future of Labour and of all who belived in freedom depended on a successful conclusion to this great and, he hoped, final struggle. “Labour stands four-square. It hates war, but it also hates oppression. Its mind is not clouded by evil thoughts against the German people. It hopes to rescue them from subjection.” Where Herr Hitler went, he said, millions were enslaved. People were put into concentration camps merely because they preferred liberty to subjection. “To all who believe in democracy and freedom,” he concluded, "I send the greetings of British Labour.”