DIRECT ACTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 195, 16 August 1920, Page 5

DIRECT ACTION.

IF BRITAIN HELP POLAND. LABOUR'S AID TO SOVIET. (By Cnbic-l'ress Association—Copyright.) I ,Kr-i-iveil 11.. ii.in..1 LONDON, August 15. The ii-us|,ji|ieis nn vigorously discussing (lir l.iihu'ii Conference's attitude in l.„. diri.tioii of precipitating direct action, t" prevent l.iitiiin giving help to Poland vlany s. out the LuUutr plea „\ urgci'.->. pointing mil (bat Mr. Lloyd i;.-iii-_- wa« previously pledged not to ntilitarih assist Poland, und not to ...npli.y in- llockiidc if the Bolsheviks »ere pn-| iu'ml to make v fair peato in respect "t i'nli-li independence. Labour, therefore, is incongruously threatening 1,, striki in support of the Government |~,lic\. newspapers describe the excited aili'in uf the conference us in the miiiii mi eleetiotiei ring novo. In nee the support of Messrs. Adiinisoii. dynes. (I'liriiiL, uud Thomas. Others note that _ hill i- Hilled the Cot-icil of Action includes Messrs. Sinillic. Williams, ( iiiiiii'. und other* avowed sympathisers nith Itnl-li. vi. m. who, it is believed, are no" iigubtrly in contact with the Mos- ,-,,.. (iovernnieiit through tbe KamenctT mission. They Tear that the direct actionists may become a serious menace if distress ii ml severe industrial trouble arise in the coining winter. The "Westminster Gaz.-tte" believes that the confi'ieliei' reflects the growing dislike of tho old diplomacy, parliamentary inertia, and the failure of statesmen to secure peace. The "Times" does not doubt that astute •ill-ns. ess: nttallv atiti British, instituted the recent Labour developments in Britain. — if nitcd Service. I JINGOISM AND DOLLARS. DESPERATE AND DANGEROUS. LONDON, August 13. Mr. Adamson. presiding at the Labour Conference, said that the action of Jingoistic France and manifestation of dollar-making instincts in America within the last forty-eight hours had made the. holding of the Conference more than ever necessary. H< challenged Mr. Lloyd George to deny that he had knowledge of repeated declarations by the Soviet to pTrscrvc Poland's independence. The Labour party told the tlovernment cate--Diically that there must be no war between Britain and Russia. Mr. Thomas, in moving a resolution approving of the Council's action iv the present situation., said that if circumstances demanded, it would he better for the whole Labour movement to decide for direct action. Only desperate and dangerous methods could prevent a calamity. The resolution was adopted by acclamation.

llcalising the gravity of the international situation, the Conference passed a resolution pledging Labour to resist every form of military and naval intervention against the Soviet Government, instructing the Council to secure, firstly, an absolute guarantee that Britain's armed forces will not be used to support General Wrangel or any other effort: secondly, withdrawal of British naval forces operating as a blockading influence against Russia: thirdly, recognition of the Soviet. Government and the establishment of unrestricted commercial relations between Britain and Russia.

The Conference refused to be associated with any alliance of Britain and France committing those countries to support Poland and General Wrangel.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

The Independent Labour .party Executive at a meeting in Glasgow passed a resolution: "That French recognition of J General Wrangel indicates Allied duplicity, and the Conference demands the severance of the Franco-British Alliitnce and expulsion of Mr. Churchill from office."— (Reuter.) SEAMEN'S DIRECT ACTION. (Received 3 p.m.) BRUSSELS, August 15. The International Seamen's Congress -CBolved that in order to prevent future wars the seamen refuse to transport troops and munitions, The decision applies to tho Ruaso-Polish conflict. — (.Reuter.) Mr. H. SJ, llyndman, addressing the National Socialist party, said he did not believe in direct action, because those who neglected to go to the ballot would not go to tbe barricades. — ("Times.") M. Hnysmans has informed the British Council of Action that French munitions for General Wrangel already at Antwerp have been stopped by order of the Belgian Government and the Trade Union refusal to handle them. — (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

LABOUR'S POLICY. SECRET DIPLOMACY OPPOSED. A cablegram from the chairman of the. Labour party of Great (Mr. Adamson) was received nt tbe Trades Hall this morning by the secretary of the New Zealand Labour party (Mr. D. Wilson). It states that "the greatest and most united conference in the British Trades Union Labour movement met in London to-day (14th inst.), and hailed with satisfaction the Kussian Government's declaration in favour of complete Polish independence, and, realising the gravity of the international situation. pledged itself to resist every military and naval intervention against Soviet government. The Council of Action was instructed to continue until they had secured: — Kirst: An absolute guarantee that the armed forces of Great Britain should not be used to support Poland, Wrangel. or any other military or naval elfort" against Soviet government. Secondly: The withdrawal of all British naval forces operating directly or indirectly as a- blockading influence against Russia. Thirdly: The recognition of the Soviet Government, tbe establishment of unrestricted trading and commercial relationship- with Great Britain. The Conference refused to associate itself with any alliance between Britain and France, or'anv other country committing us to any support of General Wrangel or of Poland, or to supply munitions of war or war material for any attack upou Russia. The Conference authorised Council of Action to in 11 any and every form of withdrawn lof Labour when circumstances may require it to give effect to this policy, nnd calls upon every trades union official, executive committee, local council, mid the membership generally to act swiftly, loyally and courageously to sweep aw.iy secret diplomacy and assure that the foreign policy of Great Britain ahall be in accord witii the desires of the people for an end to war and interminable threats ol war."