LABOR'S VOICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1920, Page 5

LABOR'S VOICE.

VIEWS ON POLISH CRISIS. WARNING AGAINST WAR. j By Tsleewph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received August 15, 5.5 p.m. | London, August 13. i Mr. William Adamson (chairman of the Parliamentary Labor Party), presiding ait the Labor Conference, said the action of Jingoistic France, and the manifestation of the dollar-making instinct of America during the last fortyeight hours, made the holding of (the conference more than ever necessary. He challenged Mr. Lloyd George to deny that he had repeated declarations of the Soviet to preserve Poland's independence. The Labor Party told ithe Government categorically that there would be no war between Britain and Russia.

Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P. (General Sec- j retary of the Union of Railwaymen), in moving a resolution approving of the Council's action in ithe present situation, said that- if circumstances demanded it would be better for the whole Labor movement to decide on "direct action," for only desperate and dangerous methods could prevent a calamity. The following resolution was adopted by acclamation:—"That realising the gravity of the international situation, this conference pledges itself to resist every form of military and naval intervention against the Soviet Government, and instructs the council to secure: Firstly, absolute guarantees that Britain's armed forces will not be used to support General Wrangel or any other effort; secondly, the withdrawal of Britain's forces operating as a blockading influence against Russia; thirdly, recognition of the Soviet Government, and tbe establishment of unrestricted trade relation? between Britain and Russia."

The conference refused to be associated with any alliance between Britain and France committing these countries (to support Poland or General Wrangel. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CHECK ON GOVERNMENT. [ LABOR'S NEW POWEB. Received August 16, 12.50 a.m. London, August 15. Mr. Frank Hodges (General Secretary of the Miners' Federation) contributes an article to the Sunday. Express declaring that the "Council of Action" is the most significant thing since the birth of the Labor movement in Britain. The Council's success is due to a spirit of opposition to war. It is not a challenge to Parliamentary Government, but a challenge to Government procedure at variance with the people's will. If "the Government challenged the people's right to express its will in this form it would mean civil war. The motives bringing the Council into being are transient. There is no question of establishing a Soviet Government in Britain.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

CO-OPERATION WITH FRANCE. Received August 10, 12.50 a.m. London, August 14. The "Council of Action" will dispatch Mr. Adamson and Mr. Harry Gosling (President of the Transport Workers' Federation) to Paris to confer with the General Confederation of Workers and French Socialists anent the Polish situation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.