LABOUR PARTY'S ATTITUDE

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 35, 10 August 1921, Page 3

LABOUR PARTY'S ATTITUDE

The attitude of the New Zealand Labour party towards the League of Nations and the endeavour .of the Wellington Presbytery to form a. powerful League of Nations Union is contained in a letter which the national secretary, of the party (Mr. Mose* Ayrton) has forwarded to the Presbytery, "under date sth August. . The letter is in the following terms:— '

In further reply to your letter on the question of the formation of a League of Nations Union, I have to inform you that it was submitted to the annual conference of 'the New Zealand Labour Party, which was held in Wellington on. 13th, 14th, and \ 15th July, and the following decision, which I was instructedl to convey to you, was arrived at:— ■'.

"This conference expresses its appreciation of the work of the members of the Wellington Presbytery in inaugurating a campaign against militarism and in favour of a League of Peoples to combat the war spirit and the. secret and insidious influences which make wars inevitable ; and thanks them for approaching the Labour Party with a view ,to mutual co-operation and, support on the question. , "This conference further expresses the opinion that, while it is true that the existing League of Nations as at present constituted does not truly or adequately represent the peoples of the earth, and is, therefore, not entitled to their confidence, the formation of a union for the purpose of fostering the idea and advocating the creation of a true League of Peoples, as outlined by the' Wellington Presbytery, is worthy of the support an:' assistance pi all to whom the future of humanity is a matter of deep concern; and it assures the, Presbyterian Church that the Labour Party is always willing to co-operate with it, and with any other organisation, in the cause of international peace. ■, .

"In the opinion of this' conference a Union,.of Peoples,/ Unfettered, by class privilege and secret methods, will not only be a bulwark against; the crime of war r bat wifl' at the' same time provide the machinery for the settlement of international differences in a civilised manner, as against the'present method of appealing to the sword and the violence and horror' of slaugEler and bloodshed. „,..; "With beat regards and wishes for the success of the movement your Presbytery has started. "Yours faithfully (Signed) M. Ayrton, national secretary-treasurer." :