LABOR AND WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1922, Page 5

LABOR AND WAR.

STEPS TO HAMPER TROOPS. THREATS IN AUSTRALIA. GRAVE ACTION PLANNED, By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received October 1, 5.5 p.m. Sydney; Oct. 1. The Council of Action has issued a manifesto, which states: “In consideration of the fact that the promise that the recent European war would be the last war has been dis-, honored by the servile acquiesence of the Prime Minister to the veiled comrades of British Imperialists to plunge Australia into another war in the Near East, the council is determined to organise the workers in all industries so that the manufacture of army supplies and the transport of troops and war equipment will -be prevented at all costs; further, we are determined to organise all effective forms of opposition, including general strikes in key industries, and open air demonstrations. “The Council is also determined to secure adequate sanction from unions to declare such general or sectional strikes, or to take other measures for quick summary action in the case of imminent or actual war projected by any Australian Government. The manifesto concludes with a warning to those individuals who precipitate the people into such a war that they will be personally responsible for the death or mutilation of any member of the working class resulting therefrom. Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. FEELING IN BRITAIN. LABOR’S EMPHATIC PROTEST. BRITISH CABINET BLAMED. Received October 1, 5.5 p.m. v London, Sept. 30. Mr. Arthur Henderson, speaking when opening a trades hall at Wimbledon, said Labor protested emphatically against the Government’s mishandling of the Near East situation. The latest demand for the withdrawal of the Kenialists -from the neutral zone on the Asiatic side of Straits was not calculated to lessen the tension, and he feared the war party within the Cabinet had gained the upper hand. The Government was pursuing a policy quite inconsistent with the spirit of the joint Allied Note decided upon at Paris. Cabinet, ever since the defeat of the Greeks at Smyrna, had maintained a bellicose attitude and threatened war when they should have striven for peace. Britain, he said, made a capital blunder in constituting itself the custodian and defender of the Straits and she paade a display of force instead of seeking a solution through the_ League of Nations. Many nations were concerned with, the freedom of the Straits and it was a question which should be settled by many nations in conference, not by one by means of war. Organised workers would oppose to the utmost of their power the war now threatening. No war ever had less justification. If necessary a special conference of trade unions and the 'Labor movement would be called to consider how to bring the Government to its. senses and enforce a policy aiming a t peace. War would not settle anything, but would raise questions more important to the Empire and the world than the freedom of the Straits.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 29. The Independent Labor Party has drafted a manifesto protesting against the Government’s Near Eastern policy and rejecting the Prime Minister’s claim that that policy was dictated by a desire for the freedom of the Straits. That policy was really dictated by British capitalism, and the manifesto therefore demands a conference of all Near Eastern peoples and the immediate summoning of Parliament.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■