PEACE ISSUES

Evening Star, Issue 20309, 18 October 1929, Page 9

PEACE ISSUES

M MACDONALD IN CANADA ADDRESS TO LABOUR CONVENTION Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright OTTAWA, October 16. In his address to the Labour Convention Mr Ramsay MacDonald said: “I have been introduced in tho name of the great office which I hold, but I want you to feel that, Prime Minister or not, I am still the old workman. In Britain I am a party man; but here to-day I do not represent a party, I represent a nation. On our side Labour is working out its policy by evolutionary means. Tho revolution we believe in is the revolution of the ballot box. You can make no permanent changes in tho constitution of nations unless you appeal to sound moral sense. Labour is the prope- forum to appeal to in seeking world peace You have to pay the debts of war in the iullness of time All classes have to share sacrifice in war, but, taken in the mass, Labour hears the burden. If there should bo another war the sacrifices and pains of Labour will be greater than in the past. In the next war death will be dealt out not only on battlefields, it will bo dealt out from the bottom of the seas and the heights of the heavens. The civilian population will drop down in tho streets and die from mysterious attacks of poison.” Mr MacDonald was introduced by the president (Mr William Green), who said; “He is among true friends today Wo knew him in the old days as chief of tho Labour Party; we know him to-day as the spokesman of Britain.”

Miss Isbbel also spoke.- Australian Press Association—United Service.

MOTHER COUNTRY AND CANADA. OTTAWA, Otcobor IG. In the course of his address to the Canadian Club, Mr MacDonald said that Britain had no desire to interfere with the affairs of Canada, though the Mother Country watched them with affection and careful interest. If he was to make any suggestion it would be that in economic affairs they should cooperate more closely. He proposed to go into no details at this point. His friend Mr J. EL Thomas had made specific suggestions as to how Canada could help Britain, and “anything you can do along the line suggested by him will be welcomed by the whole Government.” Mr MacDonald rose to great heights when lie turned to tho moral responsibility of the Empire. “A nation which has no moral message is decadent, and wo must remember that tbo British Commonwealth of Nations must keep the flags flying.”—Australian Press Association. MR MACDONALD HONOURED. OTTAWA, October 16. Mr Ramsay MacDonald will be sworn in as a member of the Canadian Privy Council on Friday. Tho University of Toronto conferred the honorary degree of doctor of laws on Mr Ramsay MacDonald. —Australan Press Association —United Service. FIVE-POWER CONFERENCE. FRENCH POSITION OUTLINED. PARIS', October 16. The text of the French Government’s reply accepting the invitation to tho Naval Conference in London points out that it is keenly interested in the Anglo-American provisional agreement and is glad to think that the methods which were suggested during the doliberations of the Preparatory Disarmament Commission have taken such a favourable turn, and that tbo Kellogg Pact had provided for the British and American Governments such a valuable element for realising an understanding in principle regarding naval disarmament. Tho French Government has given many proofs of its desire to see the completion of the Preparatory Commission’s labours in accordance with the League of Nations Covenant, therefore it was happy to accept tho invitation. It was unnecessary to recall tho principles which had long guided tho French policy concerning limitation of armaments in general, as well as the special problem of naval limitation. The French Government welcomed the conference, which would enable it to define its attitude on naval limitation and the general questions arising from it-, Australian Press Association—United Service, SPECIALISING IN PEACE PRIME MINISTER AT OTTAWA ' OTTAWA, October 17. t (Received October IS, at 10 a.ra.) Canada will be represented at tire Five-Power Conference by her own delegates, as will the other entities of the British Commonwealth. Mr MacDonald stated, in the course of an interview, that no arrangements binding Canada would bo entered into without the knowledge and consent of Canada. The final agreements in respect to disarmament depend entirely on the London Five-Power Conference. Mr MacDonald reiterated that the purpose of his visit was not to come to agreements, but to create an atmosphere favourable to further conferences on naval disarmament. Tho question embraced much more than the attitude of two Powers. What the Labour Government wanted was world agreement on disarmament, which would result in world pacification. Mr MacDonald will be a guest at Government House for three days. Asked why he had come to the United

States rather than approach one of tho other Powers, Mr MacDonald replied that until Britain could obtain some assurance on disarmament with the United States there was no use calling a general conference. In 1924 the world had been confronted with the problem of European settlement, now it was confronted with a larger issue—the problem of world settlement. One thing that must be settled at present was the condition of tho world mind on disarmament. He declined politely to discuss such questions as the holding of an Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa. He was at present specialising in peace. There wore departments of the Government working at full steam on problems of a domestic nature. When bis attention was drawn to despatches intimating that he would discuss the demilitarisation of Halifax with Mr Mackenzie King, Mr MacDonald replied: “I would suggest that you take these despatches with a large grain of salt.” The Prime Minister was very tired at the end of the Toronto programme, but was refreshed by a night’s sleep. He will have a less strenuous programme here.—Australian Press Asso-ciation-United Service. IMPORTANT STATEMENT. EXPECTED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 17. (Received October 18, at 11 a.m.) Air Ramsay MacDonald, accompanied by Miss Isbbel -MacDonald, Jett Toronto at midnight for Ottawa, where ho arrived this morning. He was met by tho Canadian Prime Alinister (Mr MacKenzie King), Air MacDonald proceeded to Government House, where he was welcomed by Lord Willingdon (Governor-General) and Lady AVillingdon, whose guest he will bo during his stay in the dominion capital. Later he went with Mr AlacKenzie King to the latter’s country house at Kingsmere. for a talk which is expected to deal mainly with tbo subject of naval limitation. To-night Mr MacDonald will be the guest of honour at a dinner to be given by the dominion Government in the parliament buildings at Ottawa, and he will probably make an important speech on the occasion. He has numerous other engagements to iullil before he leaves Ottawa ior Montreal on Monday evening.