DIRECT ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1920, Page 7

DIRECT ACTION.

CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTION, BRITISH PREMIER DEALS WITH LABOUR THREAT. By TelejMPb.—Press Asan.—Copyrljbt.

London, August 17._ Replying to Mr Clynes, who spoke in defence of the Council of Action, Mr Lloyd Geoiye said that Mr Clynes claimed to be a* democratic constitutionalist Mr Clynes argued that the constitution , was an unwritten one. That was incorrect. When a new body was established and substituted for Parliament it was a dangerous doctrine. Labour had suddenly established a body of men who said: "We will formulate part of the constitution for ourselves. We will not submit it to Parliament because the elected representatives do not count. Therefore, we are going to declare, by a resolution carried after two or three hours' discussion, that henceforth the constitution shall include a committee of action, representing one section of the community."

That was one of the most formidable challenges ever given to democracy and, Without hesitation, every Government j must accept the challenge. The Labour < Party knew perfectly well what was the < policy of tile Govferncmeflt and their ; action, when there was no issue involving peril of the community and when the Government had taken responsibility in full accord with public opinion, was "the I most unjustifiable action ever undertaken by a responsible body in this country. It was done to impress people with the idea that, without this dire threat, the country would be plunged into war. ■Every responsible Labour member knew that the Government was striving gtyenously and consistently for peace. He hoped soon to be able to publish the Government's despatches to Poland. They showed that Britain deprecated the Polish invasion and solemnly warned the Poles that, of the invasion was undertaken, they could not count on the support of British opinion. The Govnimnintii. rftf dmnatoil Q ll!l.ip'fl

breadth from this policy throughout. Concluding, Mr Lloyd George emphasised the need for preserving the unity J of the nation, as it waa preserved in face of a greater danger, but resolutions like that of the Council of Action of Friday last would not help the cause of peace. Such action roused deep fear and anxiety in the minds of millions as to what it all meant and the fear of most was that it would cause war. This fear was that, the democratic institutions of the country were to be subverted by some tyrannical idea imposed by force of arms. ' ' "I ask the t m not to repeat that experiment. If they do it will be difficult to preserve the-atmosphere of calm judgment which is essential to the peace, of the world."—Reuter.

London, August 16, ' In the House of Commons, following Mr. Bonar Law, Mr. Asquith said ho considered that the Government had taken the proper course in connection with Poland. It would be monstrous for the Government to undertake further warlike operations without the approval of Parliament. The peace of the world was now a thing worth purchasing at almost any price, short of dishonor. Moreover, peace ought, not to be beyond the resources of the combined statesmanship of Europe, with the help of the League of Nations. Mr. Clynes disagreed with the statement that there had not been any variation of the peaceful purpose of the Government throughout the past week. He declared that there would have been Ims suspicion if it ha 4 been known what was transpiring at the .recent conferences. He disputed the contention that the Council of Action was challenging the constitution, because the League of Nations was part of their constitution, and it had not been used in this con-

nection. He emphasised tliat. if the Government refused at such a time to use a part of the constitution which made for peace, then the workmen must not forfeit their right to strike if war could he thus prevented. Lord Robert Cecil disassociated himsdf from the view that the Government negotiations had been successfully conducted. He said that the threat of direct action was a threat of insurrection. Last Tuesday there was not a danger of Britain being dragged into a sudden war. Nevertheless, Labor uttered an ill-advised threat which might have unfortunate results in the future. Mr. Lloyd George deprecated using the League of Nations as a weapon to attack the Government, and pointed oiit that the League's existence was largely due to British support. The Government stood by the League and the League could not be invoked hitherto as regards Poland, as the action of the League depended on the unanimity of its members. It was useless to attempt to conceal the fact that the Allies differed as regards the Russo-Polish situation, consequently the League could not have done more to reach somo measure of agreement than the Supreme Council had done and was doing. Furthermore. Russia had emphatically refused any intervention by the League. Continuing, Mr. Lloyd George refuted the criticism as regards secrecy of the Supreme Council meetings and declared they had been given full publicity.—Reuter Service.

"COUNCIL OF ACTION." ORGANISING RUSSIAN PEACE DAY. London, August 17. The Council of Action is appealing to all workers to organise August 21 aa "Peace with Russia Sunday," including every city, town and village throughout the country holding mass demonstrations in favor of an immediate RussoBritish peace, ''no more support for ! French militarism, and no more trick - | ery." I Mr. Brace, president of the South I Wales miners, deprecated the proposal I to keep the Council of Action perman- | ently sitting. He said that chaos and j confusion would follow such a course. However, they should now concentrate upon the Russo-Polish situation, the cancellation of the Supreme Council, and the establishment of machinery to make the League of, Nations effective ,with a view to securing world peace.—Reuter Service.