A POLITICAL CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1917, Page 3

A POLITICAL CRISIS.

AIR. HENDERSON’S POSITION

THE STOCKHOLM. CONFERENCE

COPENHAGEN, August 1

j Mr. A. Henderson has cabled that in regard to the Stockholm Confernecd ! the English Labourites have changed their minds and will participate in the conference which has been postponed to August 20tk. | M ATTER BEFORE PARLIAMENT LONDON August 1. In the House of Commons Viscount Duucannon obtained leave <to move for an adjournment till to-night to draw attention .to Mr. Henderson’s visit to Paris with Mr. Ramsay MacDonald and company. PROTEST IN COMMONS. HENDERSON~EXPLAINS. LLOYD GEORGE’S ATTITUDE LONDON, Aug. 2. Lord Duncannoin stated .that the business was not connected with Mr. Henderson’s duties -as a War Cabinet Minister. Lord Duncaimon said that the Governments granting of passports was tantamount to assenting to the mission which was projudica’l tx> the country’s interests at a critical stage of the war. He demanded that the Government prohibit Englishmen from gong to Stockholm to meet Germans. Mr. Henderson ought either to retract or resign.

Mr. Henderson denied that tne suggestion that the delegates' intention proceed to Italy was being abandoned owing to the outcry in Britain. He regretted tlmt judgment had not b#«n suspended until they had heard an explanation. He wont to Pans to examine the Dutch; and Scandinavian Committee’s invitation to the inN»rn«r tional conference and took the opportunity to discuss the proposal at the inter-Allied Conference, which had the Gownmeht’s ' approval. He emphasised the fact that a former conference had been definitely arranged,* whether the Commoners liked it ui not. He did not desire, to go to the International ConferencS', but tho Anglo-French were seriously prejudiced, unless they attended and stated tljeir case. Owing tK> our lack of propaganda Russia liad misunderstood Britain’s aims. He urged ’ the necessity for the Labour Party’s view's as presented t« the conference.

“I have done what I conceived be my duty, not in the interests of the Labour Party, hut of the country—tho only 'interest whioli has moved me since the outbreak of the war.” Mr Llovd George said that the Government’s war policy' was unchanged, neither was there any alteration in ... views upon the only possible conditions of peace consistent with honour and security.- We certainly were not prepared to participate >in any conference such as that described, and did not propose to allow any section or conference to decide or dictate tbe peace terms, which must be the responsibility of the Government solely.

He happened to be in Paris wins, the Labour Conference arrived at its decision. He was there, not discussing peace but the successful prosecution of the war. It was proposed w resume that conference in London in the n«*t few days. The Allied representatives wore atte,tiding.

Mr Henderson had frankly stared liis position- Mr Henderson’s association with Organised Labour had been of great advantage to tho Government, especially in reg vrd to tho output of munitions, the organisation of man-power, and the' carrying out of the compulsion Acts. The duality of position occurred in the French • Belgian and Italian Governments, Realising the necessity of retaining the support of the massos of the workers, Mr. Lloyd Georgo begged critics seriously to consider tho position and nob to express their decision until the Government had had the opportunity of conferring the French Government, who were in exactly the same position, and might he compromised by the Commons' verdict. He lyid never despaired of the Alies’ cause, nnd despaired now less than ever. He was confident regarding Russia, but wo might giver her a chance. The Provi&ional Government had asked us to forbear. We had done our best nob to play into tne hands of sinister influences working in. Russia against the Allies, who hnd earnestly played their part- Is it, ho asked, “too much to ask the House of Commons to assist ? It, is vital to [Reserve unity at home and abroad and not to plunge our valuable colleagues into the arms of pacifists, (Loud cheers.)

RUMOURS IN THE LOBBIES. LONDON, Aug. 2. Tho motion was talked out. It was rumoured in the lobbies during' the evening that Mr Henderson liad resigned from the Wnr Cabinet and withdrawn from the Government.