LABOUR SUPPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 October 1939, Page 9

LABOUR SUPPORT

PROMISED TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT ON NEUTRALITY ISSUE. MR H. HOOVER’S PROPOSAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. NEW YORK, October 10. Commenting that “Roosevelt knows best,” Mr John Lewis announced that the Committee for Industrial Organisation was backing the President’s neutrality programme. Mr Lewis pledged the support of 4,000,000 members in any situation “which imperils the integrity and existence of free institutions under our flag.” Mr Herbert Hoover, in a statement on the neutrality issue, said he favour-< ed the free sale of pursuit and light observation planes, anti-aircraft guns and other means of defence against attacks on civilians. He proposed the prohibition of the sale of bombing planes, poison gas and submarines. He stressed that his suggestions were offered as a genuine alternative to the repeal or non-repeal of the embargo provision. “The proposal,” he said, largely meets the distrust that the repeal of the embargo is but another step in a programme for the-United States joining this war. We would not be throwing the weight of our manufacture of arms into European Power politics. We would be throwing it into the cause of greater humanity in the world and less destructive war.” The leaders of both parties in the Senate questioned the value of Mr Hoover’s proposal. Senator Pittman said: “That is fiddling around with immaterialities.” Senator Borah asked: “How can it be made feasible?” Senator Nye said it might be difficult to draw the line between aggressive and defensive weapons. MONROE DOCTRINE EXTENSION TO AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND. SUGGESTED BY SENATOR. WASHINGTON. October 11. Senator Downey, during the neutrality debate, proposed that the Monroe Doctrine be extended to Australia and New Zealand, arguing that it would make the United States as well as thosi countries impregnable. He added that he did not favour protecting British colonial possessions generally.