MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

LABOR'S W/fct AIMS. OUTLINED Bf MR. HENDERSON. London, Dec. 28, A national conference of the Trade. Union Congress and the Labor Party Was held at Westminster to consider the manifesto on war aims. Nine hundred delegates were present. Mr. Arthur Henderson, in moving the adoption of the manifesto, declared that Labor's policy was, firstly, to secure a, settlement as speedily as possible, founded on the principles of democracy and security; secondly, territorial adjustments must not be dictated by annexationist or imperialist designs or for reasons of military strategy, but for the progressive civilisation and peace of the world; thirdly, trade policy after the war must not foe founded upon economic oppression or commercial isolation of the German people. No settlement could be satisfactory unless it completely discredited aggressive militarism and substituted higher conceptions of international responsibility. Every nation included in the proposed League of Nations should pledge itself to make common cause against one another for breaking pledges to the League. Mr. Henderson concluded by asking that military efforts should be supplemented morally and politically. , THE MANIFESTO CARRIED. GET ON WITH THE WAR." Reuter Service. Received Dec. 30, 5.3 p.m. London, Dec. 28. The official framers of the memorandum on war aims stipulated that they must be accepted, rejected or referred back unamended. Mr. Ogden, voicing the official view, said a world-wide issue might arise, the congress being one of the most important in the history of the world. Mr. Smillie declared that the workers of the world were anxiously awaiting the result. Mr. Havelock Wilson, commenting on the clause referring to food and raw material, said Germany had practically invited our house to share supplies. He added: "Get on with the Mr. Walsh stated that he represented 80,000 miners, who had had no opportunity to consider the proposals. , The conference, after carrying the* manifesto, adjourned till the following day.

DECLARATION OF WAR AIMS. URGED-BY TRADES! UNIOJBSTS. i LLOYD GEORGE'S REPLY, ■ IMPORTANCE OF LABOB'fIWVTEWS. Australian Cable Association. Received Dec 30, 6.5 p.m. London, Dec. 29. Replying to a resolution of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union 'Congress and the National Executive of the Labor Party, suggesting that the Government should make an early declaraation of its war aims, Mr. Lloyd George, in a letter to the Labor Conference, siyg that the statement can only be made in conjunction with our allies. The question of issuing a joint declaration was one which the Allies constantly kept in view, but the absence of Russian consultation made the subject impossible. He had stated the British aims in his speech of December 20, and he was never more convinced than to-day that the only purpose wherefor the Allies had entered the war was not imperialistic or vindictive, but that their achievement was essential for the future freedom and peace of mankind. Mr. Lloyd George to-night received the members of the joint committees of the Trade Union Congress and the Labor Party, when a frank discussion todk place on the war aims' memorandum. The deputation were pleased at the Premier's reception of their proposals. The Premier insisted that regarding AlsaceLorraine, the wishes of the French Government must be respected, not those of any section of the French people. The. wording of Mr. Lloyd George's letter, coupled with the invitation to the executive of the congress to discuss the position with him, is interpreted to mean that the Government is under no illusions as to the importance of Labor's decision*.

. PATRJOTISM OF SEAMEN. WILL NEVER SAIL WITH GERMANS. 'UNTIL REPENTANCE ENACTED. Reuter Service. London, Dec. 29. Received Bee. 30, 5.5 p.m. Mr. Havelock Wilson, representing the seamen, in moving the rejection of the manifesto, reiterated that the seamen would never sail in ships with Germans until Qenaany repented of her loul murders. Mr. WHsoh's motion was rejected bvi. 343 to 12. • * The Congress, by a show of hands, adopted the manifesto practically unanimously. BRAViBRY REdOGIBSED. London, Bee. 28. It is understood that the New Year honors include several girl telephoneoperators who remained at their posts heroically during the London air raids. OILS AND FATS COMMANDEERED.' l'- London, December 28. The Bood ©ontroller takes possession •of aM oSte awl fete in, or arriving in, *he United Kingdom en and after Janu■ary 1.