MR. HENDERSON'S ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1917, Page 5

MR. HENDERSON'S ACTION.

| THE PREMIER TAKES HIM TOTASK. Aub. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Aug. 12, 11.5 p.m. London, Aug. 11. The correspondence -between ,Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Henderson;regarding Mr. Henclcrson'n resignation h,as , been publislied. Mr. Hendereou, in. tendering Jiis resignation wrote: "I sluiro in your desire /or the way to bo.. caffied to a successful conclusion."

Mr. I.Joyd in his reply, intimating that the King .had accepted the resignation, says: '"There are facts wherewith the public should : be acquainted in order to form a correct appreciation of the events which have led to this regrettable conclusion. Your colleagues were completely taken by surprise at the attitude you adopted at the Labor Conference. I was under the impression you meant to use your influence against meeting enemy re-presento.-tives at the Stockholm Conference, and this was also the impression oE your Cabinet colleagues and your Labor colleagues. Surely this was a conclusion whereon you should have informed Cabinet before entering upon the Labor Conference, as you were not a member of the Labor Party only, but a member of the Cabinet responsible for the war. Nevertheless, .you did not deeui. it necessary to inform the Conference of the vie ws of your colleagues, and the delegates were accordingly justified in assuming that tlie advice you gave ivas not inconsistent -with their opinions," Mr. Lloyd George then points out that the Government had received an important official comimuiicatioli from the Russian Government, stating that although it had not been deemed possible to prevent Russian delegates from attending the ,Stockholm Conference, its decisions would in no wise Ijc binding on the liberty of action of the Russian Government. 1

Tho covering letter added: "I hasten to lay this information before you, as it is feared an impression has hitherto prevailed that Russia ardently desired the Stockholm Conference, and that this argument was put forward in order to influence British public opinion in favor of the Labor and Socialist parties inBritain participating in tho Conference." Mr Lloyd George adds: "I immediately sent this communication to you, with a request to communicate it to the Labor Conference, but yon omitted to do so, though in the course of your speech you made a very casual reference to some modification of tho attitude of the Russian Government. In these circumstances your action doea not appear to have been fair either to the Govermnpnt or to the delegates you were addressing, as it left them in ignorance of a vital fact which must necessarily have affected their judgment."

Mr. Henderson's reply deprecates his attitude at the Conference being made the subject of controversy and recrimination. He adds: "I only request tlie public to suspend judgment till they know tho facts. If any statement is necessary it will be made in tlie proper place, tho House of Commons." Even then, he states, his couree will be influenced, so far as it affectn the nation's interests, by tlie successful prosecution of the mar.

PEACE BY RECONCILIATION URGED. PA'N-GERMAN AIMS. SHEER MADNESS. CONTINUANCE OF WAR MEANS EXHAUSTION. Received Aug. 11, 5.5 p.m.

| London, Aug. 10. | The Karlsruhe Voike Freund recognises it is impossible for Germany to compel her enemies to ipay indemnities or surrender territory. It adds that continuation of the war will lead to .-the complete exhaustion of all the nations, and if the result enabled Germany's enemies to demand an indemnity, and territory it is too terrible to 1 contemplate. The pan-German aims are the sheerest madness, leading lo thfe inevitable ruin of conquered and conqueror. It is time the majority iii the Reichstag urged peace by reconciliation.

ANOTHER CONFERENCE PROPOSED.

TRADES UNION REFERENDUM " DEMANDED. Australian Cable Association.' Received Aug. 12, 6.5 p.m. London, Aug. 11. Mr. Havciock Wilson is calling a meeting of trade iiAion leaders to consider the question of convening another conferon Thursday, demanding a trades union referendum before sending delegates to the Stookholm Conference MR. HENDERSON'S EXPLANATION.

London, August 10. I Mr. Henderson, addressing the [or Conference, said the Russians wanted a binding conference to discuss ipeaco terms. He pointed out to them that only the Governments could negotiate peace. Finding a conference inevitable, he eonsidoml it nnadvisablo nnd dangerous for the Russians to confer with the enemy without hearing tire British side./ He tad no alternative to recommending British delegates to fitler.d provWad satisfactory conditions were laid. down. He believßd a consultative conference would be productive of good, enabling the German Minority Socialists to juiorm the German people of the British i*Uhheld frcwi their knowledge.