LABOUR LEADERS' MANIFESTO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1590, 22 July 1916, Page 4

LABOUR LEADERS' MANIFESTO.

“NOT' THE TIME TO HAGGLE,

BUT TO SERVE.”

The following manifesto of the British Workers’ National League, signed by well-known Labour leaders, has been issued:— Fellow countrymen,—This is a time when every Briton worthy of the name will be eager to do his utmost duty to the Commonwealth, when all of us, whatever our occupation may be, must regard ourselves as essential units in the national defence. Our powerful and mortal enemy still commands the offensive. The glorious but sanguinary defence of Verdun must necessarily be a tremendous strain on our Republican Allies, the French. The extension of the British line on the Western front, and the need for strong reinforcements in the Near East, and for the vindication of British honour and British interests in Mesopotamia demand that the nation should put forth its whole strength for a supreme and combined effort.

To delay and impede in the utilisation of all our resources is to encourage and stimulate Germany as nothing else can do. It is to prolong the war. It is to prepare the way for an indecisive peace that will condemn the world to fifty years of crushing militarism.

This is the time for maximum strain, of the final long thrust, that must, end in victory. In this fateful time every other consideration must needs be east aside for our supreme objective, the triumph of. our country and her glorious Allies. It is no time to, weigh individual justice too finely, or to cherish mutual suspicion. It is a time lor effort, sacrifice, and regeneration. It is not the time to say —“I will go when A, B and C go. I will work when I) gives the example.” It is not the time to baggie, but to serve. We demand service from all and sacrifice from all —from capitalist and from worker —to arm their fellow-count-rymen for the most glorious and most sacred of all causes —the defeat of aggression and militarism. FATEFUL QUESTIONS.

The whole of onr race is at stake. The imperishable example of the Britons beyond the seas is before your eyes. Shall the Motherland be more reluetant than her children to defend onr common heritage? Shall Britain play a meaner part in the light for European liberty than onr French and Belgian .Allies? Shall we consent to onr Imperial heritage being protected by Russian prowess, while hundreds of thousands of able-bodied men linger at home? Ours is the choice of response to these fateful questions. We do not doubt the reply that onr fellowcountrymen will give to these questions. With a united and vigorous Government, and with leadership worthy of our people, leadership that will draw all classes together in defence of our homeland and Empire, we can go forward with complete conlidence. Victory will shine on the arms of Britain and her Allies and European civilisation, and liberty will be saved from a brutal and crushing militarism. Fellow citizens, —“Once to (‘very man and nation (mines the moment to decide.” Never in the history of the human race has the lime been so critical as now. Never have the ideals for which British democracy stands been so grievously endangered. In this supreme and vital hour ’the Motherland calls for the ungrudging service of all her children. Let her not appeal in vain. (Signed) on behalf of the British Workers’ National League, W. Crooks, M.P., Charles Duncan, M.P., John Hodge, M.P., C. B. Stanton, M.P., Stephen Walsh, M.P., H .G. Wells, A. Wilkie, M.P., A. M. Thompson (chairman of the Executive Committee), J. A. Sod don (chairman of Organisation Committee), Victor Fisher (lion, secretary).