WORKERS’ CREED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21632, 8 February 1945, Page 6

WORKERS’ CREED

WAR COMES FIRST ALL OUT FOR VICTORY WORLD UNION CONGRESS RUGBY, Feb. 6. Discussion on the Allied war effort at the World Trade Union Conference was opened this afternoon by M. V. Kuznetsov, chairman of the Russian Trades Union Council, who said that the attention of the workers ol all democratic countries was centred on the conference. The workers expected the conference to give clear and decisive answers to all vital questions troubling them. The masses of the people and in particular t lie working class were paying too dearly for failure to undertake timely and decisive action against Fascism. M. Kuznetsov referred to the way in which the Allied nations were fighting Germany, and to the help given to Russia by the other Allies who had been able to send supplies of raw materials and armaments. “The Soviet working-class and the whole Soviet people are very thankful for this assistance to the workingclass and to the peoples of the Allied nations,” he said. “The brilliant victories of the Allied forces over Ihe German Fascist invaders have placed Hitlerite Germany on the brink of the Inevitable disaster, and brought the freedom-loving peoples close to final victory. This does not mean tlud the war is finished. The enemy has not yet given up the struggle. Bids to Delay Defeat “In anticipation of his inevitable defeat he is trying in everyway possible to out off the hour of his defpat. We must not forget that any prolongation of the war means further destruction, suffering and death for millions of people, more hundreds of thousands homeless and orphans, and more sacrifices for the working classes. Final victory over the enemy must be won as quickly as possible. For this, all our military might must be hurled against the wounded Fascist beast, who has been driven into his lair and is exerting his last strength. “Our forces must be brought into play for thtNJulfilmont of this task. Our slogan still remains: ‘Everything for the front: everything for victory!' We must not relax our production of war materials. It would be a crime against our valiant soldiers and officers at the front if, as a result of complacent over-optimism or proFascist propaganda, the war effort was weakened and the production of war materials reduced. Unionists Must Fight “Each gun or tank not delivered, every plane whose construction is held up. all munitions that are not delivered to the front, means the prolongation of the war, and more sacrifices for the freedom-loving peoples. The trade unions must fight with all the means at their command against any attempt to reduce the output of war material and to curtail war production until victory over tire enemy is achieved.” M. Kuznetsov added that the working classes of Sweden, Switzerland and other neutral countries also were faced with the task of destroying Fascism. Tire workers of those countries should wage a decisive struggle against any tendency to give help to Germany. It was their duty to achieve a break in diplomatic, economic and other relations with the Fascists. It was absolutely necessary to establish post-war conditions in which Germany would not have the possibility of preparing for and launching a new war. Germany's complete disarmament, and the punishment of war criminals was essential. “The Soviet trade unions will welcome the creation of a new, strong, international trade union organisation,” he said in conclusion. “There is no doubt the new world trade organisation will ensure a still greater mobilisation of the efforts of tire working class for complete victory over Hitlerism.”