ROAD TO WAIKAREMOANA POPULAR CAMPING PLACES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 132, 1 December 1938, Page 17

ROAD TO WAIKAREMOANA POPULAR CAMPING PLACES

PLANS FOR DEFENCE

BRITISH MANIFESTO

WHAT LABOUR PARTY SEEKS

A call for "a supreme effort to avoid disasters without parallel in British history" is made in a long manifesto issued by the Labour Party, says the "Daily Telegraph and Morning Post." It is contended that such an effort cannot be achieved under the present Government, but that a new and democratic? Government is needed to make Britain strong for democracy. The tasks of the Government desired by the Socialists would include: The organisation of man power, without compulsion, "which is equally unnecessary for the armed forces, for passive, defence, and for industry." Consultation with trade unions on all questions affecting labour supply and conditions, so as to secure their close and willing co-operation. Creation of a Ministry of Defence to co-ordinate defence services, and a Ministry of Supply to 'ensure tha prompt and orderly supply of their requirements. Air Raid Precautions to be treated as of equal importance to the other three defence departments. Provision of a powerful defence by-anti-aircraft guns and balloon barrage for all crowded centres of population. The relative weakness of the Air Force to be remedied as speedily as possible and the number of fighters increased. Prevention of profiteering; heavier taxation on large incomes and great fortunes. No reduction in the; purchasing and consuming power of the people. PRODUCTION OF FOOD. Increase in the home {production: of food, and food storage on a large scale, both as reserve in the event of war and to steady prices and prevent speculation in time of peace. National control of investment; and, if necessary, of foreign exchange, to: ciheck misuse and waste of capital and the "present unpatriotic flight from the pound." ' -r It is stated that trade must be extended with the British Commonwealth, the United States, and other democratic and friendly peoples. New commercial treaties must be made with all countries willing to do mor« trade with us on a fair, basis. There must'be increased use of export credits, and of import and.,; export control to direct the flow oifr commerce into the most useful ; channels. The manifesto criticises "the present Government on the ground that the nation has not had value for the enormous sums voted for national defence. . s ; "The defences of. our country have been criminally neglected," it states. "The recent crisis found us in a state of appalling unpreparedriess. The shortage of anti-aircraft guns is a public scandal. The confusion and inadequacy of A.R.P. arrangements are notorious. Except in London there was no balloon barrage; and even in London it has been shown to be grossly defective: "FAE OUTSTRIPPED." "Our Air Force.in spite.Qf a pledge by Mr. Baldwin in 1934 that it should be equal in power to that of any country within striking distance of these shores, has been for outstripped in every respect by that of Germany. Equipment and supplies for the fighting services are deplorably insufficient, and in spite of definite pledges given by the Government, profiteering has been rampant. "Food supply has not been made secure either by increased home production or by substantial food storage. "The financial and industrial strength of our country is being allowed to decline, because of the same indecision and ineptitude which the Government has displayed in foreign affairs. Nearly 2,000,000 wage earners are unemployed, and'great numbers of our people are_ living in poverty and without adequate food.; - ; "The nation cannot at this critical hour afford the shameful and preventible waste of the,. productive powers of so many of its citizens. Unemployment has increased by 500,000 in the last twelve months, and :is still increasing as the trade depression deepens. It will be further intensified by the loss of markets to Germany and Japan. "The post-war settlement has been shattered. Force now rules in the world. The nations are full of fear. But war is not inevitable. Recent events have /shown „ how deep is the desire' for peace amdn'g>:all peoples. They are waiting for a lead. The British people must give it. STRENGTH AND SETTLEMENTS. "Instead of seeking to gain a brief respite for feverish re-armament by making further concessions to aggressive militarism, Britain must be prepared now to enter into discussions with all nations, whatever may be their systems of Government, for the removal qf genuine grievances. But such discussions must not be conducted under the threat of armed force. "The colonial question must not be solved by redistributing territories among competing Powers, but by applying to all colonies not ripe for selfgovernment the principle of international trusteeship in the interests of the colonial peoples of all the world. Likewise the question of access to raw materials can be settled by a readiness to allow all nations which are willing to renounce aggression and to live at peace to share the world's abundance. "Britain must have a new and firm Government, which will renew the strength of our democracy, restore the self-respect and influence with our neighbours which we have lost, and work toward the) rebuilding of the League of Nations1 and of a real collective security against aggression. "We desire to be the good friends of all peoples, and to co-operate with them for all common ends. We must ensure that, whatever their Governments say, the peoples, even under dictatorships, shall realise our good will. By broadcasting and other means the barriers which divide the peoples must be broken down, that their common will to peace may find expression."

A special exhibiticm was held at Euston Station, from September 19 to 25, to celebrate the Centenary of the opening of the London to Birmingham Railway. '