LABOR PARTY'S IDEALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1917, Page 3

LABOR PARTY'S IDEALS.

LABORS WAR AIMS. (Received. This Dav at 8.50. a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 17th. The Parliamentary Committee of Trade Union Congress and executive of the Labour Party have formulated a draft, statement of Labor’s war aims and peace policy, to be submitted to the National Conference at Westminster on the 28th. What caused the fundamental purpose of the British labour movement in supporting its continuance, is that the world may he safe for democracy. The most important wai aim is that henceforth thore shall he no more war. In order to achieve this movement, it relies on a complete demoeratisation of every form of imperialism, the suppression of secret diplomacy and the absolute resuriiisibility of the Foreign Minister to the Legislature, under the Dutch and Red Cross flags. aiming high. (Received Tlvs Dav at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON December L. The Labour manifesto demands universal abolition of compulsory military service in all countries, with a common limitation pf armaments and abolition of profit makng by armament firms. Moreover ,a super national authority or League of Nations must he established ,composed of the present belligerents, while neutrals should

also join. All disputes must bo submitted to an international high court and all states must enter into asolenm agreement to make common cause against any State ■ failing to adhere to this agreement. Jt is impossible to ignore the fact that certain territorial' readjustments arc requred, if the renewal of armaments and war is to be avoided. ( Tt was time that, in Alsace and Lorraine which were Forcibly torn from France in 1871. the inhabitants should he allowed to freolv decide on tho’r noli ties,] future. The people of the Balkans and" Poland should decide their own future irrespective of Austrian, luikish or other foreign Dominion. The Labour movement was in wjirni est sympathy with the people of Italian blood and speech, left outside of the Kingdom of Italy but has no sympathy for the far-reaching aims of conquest of Italian imperialism. Labourites hope the Jew’s "’ill iorm a free State in Palestine, while Armenia. Mesopotamia anti Arabia cannot be restored to tyranny of the Sultnn and his Pashas. These countries should he placed under a League of Nations whih should also control Constant!-

nople The Labour Party disclaim sympathy with all Imperialist ideas. Colonies in tropical Africa should not be booty for any nation, and be exploited for capitalists. 'All belligerents should aban don droam R of an African Empire and transfer the present colonies to the League of Nations which should form a permanently neutral African State. Cases when the sovereignty of other territories must be transferred, should be subject to amicable bargaining with an' equivalent exchange of money or otherwise.

The Labour Party declares against an economic war after peace and considers customs duties should be limited strictly for thejwrpose of restoration of the devstated areas of France, Belgium, Ttaly, East Prussia. Poland, and Russia, and must cover the peasantry. The labour movement will not be satis Tied unless a fully free judicial investigation is made of all acts of cruelty and theft, for which there was no justification in the ordinary usages of war or peace conditions. They should set up courts of accusations which should investigate and award damages.