LABOUR AND THE EMPIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 643, 20 April 1929, Page 13

LABOUR AND THE EMPIRE

UNION TACK NOT PARTY PROPERTY MR. THOMAS SPEAKS OUT (Australian and N.Z. Press Association, ( United Service) LONDON, Thursday. In the House of Commons, speaking on the Dominions Office vote) Mr. J H. Thomas (Labour) said it had beer declared that if Labour were returned disintegration of the Empire was in evitable. A Conservative Member What aboul last night? Mr. Thomas said there would be nc running away from that. The time was long past when the Union Jack could be considered the prerogative ol any particular party. The suggestior of disintegration could best be an swered by the record of Labour, while in office, also what its intentions were when it was returned to power in June He quoted the settlement of the Irish Free State difficulty, how Imperial unity had been dealt with, also the Indian problem in South Africa. Labour had been misrepresented ou migration. He did not suggest migra tion as a solution of unemployment but it was undeniable that it could be made an effective contribution tc this. We must face the real difficulties of the position, and Australia and New Zealand must be asked to apply themselves to the problem as it affected them. Labour’s main object, if returned, would not be the disintegration of the Empire, but the consolidation and progress of the heritage of which we are all proud. He moved that the original vote be reduced by £IOO.