BRITAIN & RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1941, Page 6

BRITAIN & RUSSIA

CHARGE MADE BY UNION PRESIDENT SOME PEOPLE DESIROUS OF SOVIET DEFEAT. ACTION BY GOVERNMENT DEMANDED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) This Day, .11.45 a.m.) LONDON, September 2. “There are people in high places who deciare and hope that the German and Russian armies will exterminate each other and so leave Britain the dominating power in Europe,” said the president of the Amalgamated Engineering Union (Mr Jack Tanner) at the Trades Union Congress. “That point cf view has been expressed quite recently by a Cabinet Minister, Lieutenant-Colonel MooreBrabazon. I think everyone will agree that such an attitude is a terrible danger and crime against the Soviet peoples’. If Russia succeeds, we succeed. If Russia fails, we fail. We must let it bo known that we will defeat any plot which might be formed that will withhold full and adequate aid for our allies, and if necessary smash any person who is responsible for such a policy. The impression is still very strong that certain elements desire to switch the war against Russia. I hope the Government will remove from its ranks those who are reactionary and irresponsible enough to make the statements they have and in effect to desire the Soviet’s defeat.” Sir W. Citrine said he thought Mr Tanner was bound to be called on to substantiate his statement. He felt sure that the person, impugned would have to pursue the matter. He added that the General Council would take great care that its support for the Soviet was not diverted or prostituted by political protagonists who might seek to divert it to other purposes. EXTEMPORE SPEECH “OPEN TO MISREPRESENTATION.” VIEW'S CF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MOORE-BRABAZON. (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 2. The Ministry of Aircraft Production explains that Mr J. Stanner’s statement, at the Trades Union Congress, regarding the views of Lieutenant-Col-onel Moore-Brabazon (Minister of Aircraft Production), evidently refers to a passage in a recent extempore speech which is open to misrepresentation. It adds that Lieutenant-Colonel MooreBrabazon’s views on Russia are those he recently announced publicly, when he said everyone fighting in Russia was! fighting Britain’s battle, for which reason they should be given all. possible help. By helping them, we were helping ourselves. Every life sacrificed against the Nazis was lost fighting our battle.