LABOUR POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 21 September 1938, Page 11

LABOUR POLICY.

LONDON MEETINGS.

Reported Proposals Viewed

With Dismay.

FRANCO-BRITISH INTERESTS

United Press Association. —Copyright.

(Received 9.30 a.m.)

LONDON', September 20.

The General Council of Labour met with the object of laying down a common policy agreement. Continental Labour and foreign delegates were MM. Auriol and Bertherou (France), MM. Debrouckere and Aller, of the Socialist International, and M. Schevenels, who represented Chechoslovakian Socialists. It is announced that there was a full interchange of views about "a surrender to Herr Hitler's threat of aggression." The British National Council of Labour, after a long sitting, issued a statement that although desirous of maintaining peace it viewed with dismay the reported proposals by Britain and France for the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia under Germany's brutal threat of armed force, without consultation with Czechoslovakia. "This shameful betrayal of a peaceful and democratic people constitutes a dangerous precedent," continues the statement, which expresses profound sympathy with the Czechs and reaffirms the conviction that enduring peace is obtainable only by the re-establishment of the rule of law and the ending of lawless force in international relations.

The executive committee of the National Peace Council met and later issued a statement that no effort should be spared in order to avoid the immeasurable disaster of a general European war; but no solution would be satisfactory if it were simply a device to gain time in order to accelerate war preparation or a bargain to secure immunity for Britain at the expense of Czechoslovakia's liberties.

The committee condemned the policy of forcing further concessions from Czechoslovakia unless safeguards for its independence and economic future were provided.

The South African Trades and Labour Council cabled the National Council of Labour at London denouncing any betrayal of Czechoslovakia and urging strong action in support of independence.

CZECHS SUPPORTED.

AUCKLAND RESOLUTION.

The following resolution has been passed by the Auckland Council of the Federation of Labour:—"We request our Government to protest to the British Government against granting any further concessions to Germany in connection with the Czechoslovakian crisis, and we express our feelings of solidarity to the Czechoslovakian Government."

HOLLAND'S DEFENCES.

FURTHER TAXATION NEEDED. (Received 10.30 a.m.) THE HAGUE, September 20. Queen Wilhelmina, speaking from the Throne, at the opening of Parliament, expressed satisfaction at the friendliness of Holland's international relations and emphasised the indispen>al>ility of continuing to strengthen the country's military efficiency p.t home and abroad, on account of which bigger sacrifices are necessary, entailing properly adjusted taxation and tariffs. '