MIRACLE OF POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 6, 2 October 1929, Page 11

MIRACLE OF POLITICS

LABOUR PARTY’S RISE TO POWER

“NO WATERING DOWN OF FINAL OBJECTIVES”

STRIVING FOR SOCIALIST COMMONWEALTH

An interesting review of the political aims and achievements of the British Labour Party was given by Mr. Herbert Morrison, Minister of Transport, when opening the annual conference of the party. “We refuse to water down our final objectives,” said Mr. Morrison. “We aim at a new society—the Socialist Commonwealth.”

(British Official Wireless.)

(Rec. October 1, 5.30 p.m.) Rugby, September 30. Mr. Herbert Morrison, Minister of Transport, in his opening address at the Labour Party Conference at Brighton, said it was not without justification that the Labour Party was regarded as a miracle of politics. Its progress in the comparatively short period of thirty years was the outstanding romance of public affairs. “When we recall the attitude of the people to our principles in the early days of that great soul, Kelr Hardie, we may well pause and marvel at the peaceful change that has come about The trade unions have not only contributed substantially to the party finances ; they have performed valuable political education among their millions of members. It is a source of strength and not of weakness that the British Labour Party is so closely bound up with trade unionism.”

Successful Foreign Policy.

Referring to the success of the Government in its foreign policy,. Mr. Morrison said Mr. Snowden’s great success at The Hague had been acclaimed by the whole nation, and after eleven long years the troops of Britain, France and Belgium were leaving the Rhine. One of the most intractable of all British problems of foreign policy—relations with Egypt—was on the way io'a happy solution through Mr. Henderson’s genius for doing the right thing with resourcefulness and courage. In regard to Russia, the Government, he hoped, would be in a position when Parliament met, to announce the reestablishment of British relations with Russia. . Regarding Home affairs, Mr. Morrison said: “In these affairs no less than in international affairs, the Labour Government has taken its first, important step in putting into operation the policy to which it is pledged. It is busily engaged in translating into legislative and administrative detail more immediately many measures of industrial and social reorganisation necessary to raise the standard of the material and Intellectual life of the community. Although handicapped by its minority position—the reality of which handicap must always be kept in mind —nothing can be done which the opposition parties are not in a position to support.” The Nation’s Industries. With regard to the nation’s industrial equipment, Mr. Morrison said that some of the most important industries had undoubtedly lagged seriously behind our foreign rivals. The present stage was necessarily one of inquiry. Authoritative committees had been appointed to Investigate the iron and steel and cotton industries, while the form of inquiry into the fishing industries was under consideration. The Government’s plans on the coal Industry as a whole were also in course of preparation. ■ . Referring to the social record of the Government, Mr. Morrison mentioned that some outstanding anomalies of the Widows’ Pensions Act would be dealt with in a Bill to be introduced early in November, and the whole pensions position would be overhauled. Plans to give effect to the Government’s general policy on housing, slum clearance, education and pensions would be presented during the coming months. “SOCIALIST COMMONWEALTH” THE ULTIMATE AIM (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Australian Press Assn.—United Service. London,' September 30. “We meet in high spirits. The Labour Party and the Government are doing well, and success is not spoiling us,” said Mr. Herebtr Morrison, in his presidential address at the conference of the Labour Party. "We refuse to water down our final objectives. Our purpose is as much as ever the conquest of our country for the people of our country, and the conquest of the world for the workers of the world. We alm at a new society, ‘The Socialist Commonwealth.’ It is a source of strength that the British Labour Party is so closely bound up with trade unionism.”