NATIONAL UNITY

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1918, Page 6

NATIONAL UNITY

AND THE PARTY MENACE.

LONDON, June 23.

Lord Denbigh, interviewed after a vigorous campaign in the provinces regarding Germany's long-planned schemes in Central Europe and Africa, severely condemned the system of party politics, which he declared was bringing Britain almost to the verge, of ruin. The only form of propaganda required, he said, was the simple recounting of the causes of the war, and an explanation of the eituation iby a largo map. Mr. Arthur Henderson, speaking at Brighton, cordially approved Vietount Grey's pamphlet on the League ot Nations, and added as a corollary that better international relations meant there must be devised a better understanding between the classes. The war had sounded the deathknell o£ class rule in politics and in industry. The workers could no longer be denied a chare in the control of industry. (Jooperation ought to be the watchword ot all future reconstruction. The Labour members of the Government have issued a manifesto in which they point out that the position is rendered very difficult owing to incessant sniping by anti-Na-.ionalists and other partisans. The manifesto adds: "We find ourselves in honour bound to vote sometimes contrary to our own inclinations, and in apparent contradiction of past party resolutions, but that is a condition of a Coalition Government at any time, and more applicable to our colleagues of other parties than to ourselves. They as well as we have sunk their personal and party predilections. It is more than ever necessary to set our faces firmly against dUintegrating influences. We appeal to Labour to do nothing to destroy national unity in wartime or to clceVoy the prospect ot Labour unity after the waT. OMINOUS SIGNS OF DIVISION. (Received 5.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 23. The Labour n-anifesto adds: "For the moment we believe national unity the one supreme consideration, but there is another consideration present in our mind. We are Labour representatives desirous of maintaining the solidarity of Labour, and look forward to the time when we must be rebuilding the social and industrial fabric. In order that Labour may then exert its due influence it is necessary that Labour should be a united body. There are, however ominous signs of division. We regret it' but regard it as an inevitable outcome of the course of conduct on the part of certain persons who assume the right to speak for Labour, but fail to realise the momentous issues involved in the war.' The manifesto is signed by Messrs , Barnes, Hodge, Roberts, Brace, Clynee Walsh, Wardle, and Parker.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)