LABOUR REVOLT ON FOREIGN POLICY

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5282, 19 December 1946, Page 5

LABOUR REVOLT ON FOREIGN POLICY

(Press Assn.-

FLARES UP AGAIN CRITICAL CIRCULAR URGES NEW LINE

—Rec. 9.30 p.m.)

> LONDON, Dec. 18. Further indication that the division on foreign policy within the Labour ranks is by no means healed is the action cf the Spelthorne (Middlesex) branch of ihe Labour Party in sending a printed circular criticising the Government to the divisional parties, trade unions and members of the House of Commons, marked"private and confidential." In the circular the branch issued a call for "work within the movement by all forms of legitimate pressure for the modification of the present policy." The circular allege'd the 'Government's policy was "appeasement of American imperialism and hostility to the Soviet Union." It added that in countries bordering on Russia the Government "consistently opposes progressive measures and supports reactionary minorities." Fear of Socialism 'It added that in Spain "Britain opposes any policy which threatens Fascism." In Egypt, "Britain sponsors reaction" and "opposes liberation and nationalist movements." In Gerniany the Govdmm'ent's policy is "conditioned by fear of Socialism." The reaction to this circular was the "unus'ual step" of the Labour Party's secretary, Mr. Morgan Phillips, making an official reply from Transport House. He described the circular as "confused and factually inaceurate" and "a muddle of criticism." Saying- that Britain tried to work equally with both Russia and America, Mr. Phillips added: "It is not our fault if Russia thus far has refused to come into many of the new international organisations. No one can have failed to observe how at recent ■meetings in New York the British delegates usually succeded in finding a formula to unite both Russian and American views." Flagrantly Unjust The Daily Herald in a leading article on the Spelthorne circular said it would be hard to concoct an indictment more flagrantly unjust upon the evidence of the Government's consistent and tireless work for international co-operation during the last 18 months. The circular has apparently caused some embarrassment to the Labour Party, which is to be addressed on the subject by Mr. Ernest' Bevin before the end of the year.. Informed comment is that Mr. Bevin is unlikely to make any concessions to the rehels, though his tone may be eonciliatory. It is now felt that he has a very strong case and believes his policy is producing results at long last. It is not anticipated, however, that he will be able to convince Mr. Zilliascus and his extreme group.