REAL DANGER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1943, Page 4

REAL DANGER

OF NATIONWIDE STRIKE IN BRITAIN AGAINST RELEASE OF MOSLEYS. STORM OF PROTEST GROWING. ( (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.42 a.m.) LONDON, November 24. Nation-wide strikes are threatened as a result of Sir O. Mosley’s release from gaol. Ten thousand workers at a North London electrical factory threaten to strike if Mosley is not reimprisoned. “There is a real danger of a national strike,” said a factory manager. Miners in a Durham colliery called on the Miners’ Federation to order “down tools’ ’if Mosley is not sent back to gaol. The spokesman of a deputation of ship repairers at the Royal Albert Docks said: “The general feeling is that we should stay out until Mosley goes back.”

The National Executive of the Labour Party passed a resolution “regretting the decision the Home Secretary (Mr Morrison) has felt impelled to take in connection with Mosley’s release.”

The General Council of the Trades Union Congress has endorsed the National Council of Labour’s resolution of yesterday, dissociating itself from the action of the Home Secretary in releasing the Mosleys. The General Council officially stated that full consideration had been given to the release of the Mosleys in the light of Mr Morrison’s statement. “The council,’ it added, “wholeheartedly endorses the resolution of the National Council of Labour to dissociate themselves emphatically from the Home Secretary's action. In the council’s opinion the decision to release the Mosleys, taken as it was without due regard to its effect on public opinion in this and other countries, was a blunder. The council feels that the release, occurring a few days before Parliament assembled, and unaccompanied by any adequate public explanation, was most untimely. The council is not satisfied that adequate medical treatment could not have been given in prison, and also is not satisfied that the restrictions placed on the Mosleys will be an adequate safeguard against the possibility of subversive activities.”

All the London morning papers agree that Mr Morrison’s political future is in the balance. Labour leaders are asking how Mr Morrison can maintain his prestige and authority inside the War Cabinet if he is disowned by his party on a major issue. Mr Morrison’s explanation in the House of Commons yesterday was received with understanding and is approved by most London newspapers today. “The Times” says the Home Secretary’s statement provided a complete'answer to objectors capable of following a rational argument. In face of Mr Morrison’s assurance that public safety is adequately secured, any further demand for the return of Mosley to prison is a demand for penal and not preventive detention. English law, even under stress of war, does not permit punishment without trial.

The “Daily Express” declares that all those imprisoned under Regulation 188 should be tried in a court of law for any offences they have committed, and that Regultaion 188 should be abolished.