DISTRUST OF THE DICTATORS
(British Official Wirelsss.)
Labour's Altitude To Arms Programme "NEVER MORE NEED FOR DEFENCE"
; BUGBY, Sept. 11. The Trades Union Congress defeated the proposed reference back to section general councils of the report dealing with international policy and the defence report, which had been generally regarded as bringing the support of the trade union lpovexnent to the Government's rearmament programme, and then, adopted them almost unanimously. Sir Waltcr Citrine, general secretary, in a-speech which was enthusiastically roceived, said the first duty was to try to rebuild the League of Nations. They Would never abandon it and they want- . ©d to co-operate with other countries in that purpose, but it would take time and in the meantime the prime responsibilitv for the maintenance of peace piight iall on one of the countries adequately prepared and ready to shoulder those respon?ibilities. In these circumstanees they could not escape the conclusion that a measure Of rearmament was indispensable if the country was to face its obligations, The Labour Party hoped to become at no distant date the Goveminent of the country, but, if rearmament was necessary, common sense dictated that it should not have to wait the advent of the Labour Party to power. This argument was addressed by Sir Walt?r Citrine to tho movers of the reference back, who expressed distrust of the National Government's foreign policy. He addpd: "Much as I may distrust the intention of the British Government I distrust the intentions of the dictators even more." The debate *was enlivened by the ia-. tervention of a delega'te of the Navigator and Engineer Offlcers' Union, who declared; "These are days of pirates on the high seas. Our merchantment ara attacked by pirates who have not even the chivalry to aail to the mast the black flag with the skull and crossbones. " Never in history had England more need for the power of - defence, Captain Coombes told the congress.
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Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 203, 13 September 1937, Page 9
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321DISTRUST OF THE DICTATORS Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 203, 13 September 1937, Page 9
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