LABOR AND WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1922, Page 5

LABOR AND WAR.

OPPOSITION MADE CLEAR. BRITISH LEADERS’ VIEWS. AID TO GREEKS RESENTED. tfy Teleffraph.-u-Press Assn.—-Copyright. Received Oct, 10, 7.35 p.m. London, Oct. 10. An official report has been issued of the trade union deputation to Mr. Lloyd George on Sept. 20 on the Near East situation. Mr. Ben Tillett admitted that owing to unemployment some men would join the colors, particularly young men. but the trade union leaders came to tell the Government “the plain God’s truth that we are opposed to war and will organise opposition against any form of war.” Miss Margaret Bondfield said the impression which Cabinet’s call to the colonies made upon women was one of horror. It was blasphemy to call it a holy war.

Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., described the call to the colonies not only as unwise but as humiliating and dangerous. If war were forced upon them active, strong and determined opposition by Labor would make it disastrous. From the point of view of the Empire Labor was not unmindful of the necessity for keeping the Straits open, but the Government’s support of the Greeks had been the direct cause of aggravating the situation. America had no right to run away from its obligations.

Mr. Lloyd George replied that if the Government had taken strong measures it was because it was firmly convinced that those measures were necessary to avert an international conflict. A policy of drift would make war inevitable. “We never gave Greece sixpence.” he declared. The Government would welcome the occupation of the Straits by the League of Nations, provided the League placed an adequate force there to keep the Straits free and neutralised. The League would have to decide whether fortifications were necessary to guarantee freedom.

Mr. Thomas interjected that Labor disagreed with the methods of giving effect to the policy rather than the policy. The deputation concluded by agreeing not to issue a report revealing that Labor would resist war, as it would make a bad impression upon Kemal. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.