LABOUR DILEMMA

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21905, 5 October 1936, Page 9

LABOUR DILEMMA

British Programme Of Rearmament DRAFT OF RESOLUTION FOR CONFERENCE (UXIIXP P&S3S iaSOCIATIOH —COPTAIGHT.) (Received October 4, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 3. A sub-committee of the national executive of the Labour party, to overcome the arms policy dilemma, is. drafting a resolution fpf submission to the impending Edinburgh conference declaring that the armed strength of countries loyal to the league must be governed by the armed strength of a potential aggressor. Therefore it reaffirms the policy of maintaining forces consistent with Britain’s responsibilities as a member of the league, but declines responsibility for a competitive armaments policy, [On September 19 the correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reported that after a five-hour meeting of the national executive of the Labour party a substantial majority supported the Government’s rearmament programme. A sub-com-mittee was appointed to draft a resolution to that effect for submission to the executive for endorsement at the annual conference in October. A member of the House of Commons (Dr. Hugh Dalton) said British labour should show a united front on the issue of preparation towards arming to defend democratic institutions. Mr J. JR, Clynes and other influential members supported this ■ view, but Mr Herbert Morrison was critical, and Mr G. R. Attlee non-committal.