LABOUR’S APPEAL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20958, 10 November 1939, Page 6

LABOUR’S APPEAL

PEACE AIMS OUTLINED LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (United Press Xssn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 8 In a speech in which he set forth “ Labour’s peace aims,” Mr C. R. Attlee referred to neutral offer of good offices and said: “ We appeal to the people .of all countries who equally long for peace and we appeal especially to the people of Germany in whose hands lies the decision whether or not millions of men, women and children are to suffer death. Hitler has started this war, but he can only continue it if the German people continue to support him. Peace is obtainable now provided there is an abandonment of aggression and the recognition of the rights of all nations and all peoples. We do not seek destruction or dismemberment of Germany, we wish no ill to the German people; we are ready to welcome them into the family of nations. “ it was a condition of any peace settlement that there should be in Germany a government that could be trusted. Then the way to peace would be open. It rested with the German people to open the way.” Mr Attlee declared that anyone who urged that the war should be ended at any price was no real friend of peace. The fact that Poland had been over-run, and Russia, after years of denouncing Fascism and aggression, had now turned round and made friends with an aggressor and shared the spoils, made no difference to the essential issue that if civilisation were to survive aggression must be brought to an end.