MENACE TO BRITISH EMPIRE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 225, 5 September 1928, Page 7

MENACE TO BRITISH EMPIRE.

“Tho time has come for plain speaking, and I mean to speak very plainly. Some of the wealth which the Soviet Government has to dispense undoubtedly comes from the sale of concessions to capitalist firms, but we must also remember that to keep Hussin in the hands of persons wh> are willing to work for the downfall of the British Empire is worth untold millions to ecrtain other Powers interested onlyin their own Imperialist aims. lam no lover of war; no supporter of a rabid Imperialism but I am certain humanity is not going to improve through tho downfall of the British Empire; on the contrary, it would mean absolute retrogression and the destruction of all our ideals in Aus trails. The flood tide of human misery Would inevitably turn towards Australia, once Great Britain mot with a serious reversal. “I have no hesitation in saying that industrial unrest, especially in the transport and mining industries, is being artificially stimulated by the Russian Government for tho purpose of preventing the development of this country and to hamper Great Britain in her maritime communications with the dominions. The enormous club premises somewhere in Druitt street, which I am told are to cost £75,000 t > purchase,will be a trap for the seamen and other workers engaged in maritime transport to persuade them to acomplish their own ruin, in the Imperial interests of the Soviet Government. “It tests with sensible people on both sides to restore a better feeling between the workers and the employers and do something to attract tho stream of capital, which alone can regenerate industry and provide employment for our own people and for those who must come to Australia if it is to remain a white man’s country. In saying this I have at hear' first and foremost tho interest of those for whom I have always work-ed-—tho members of the working class. I still look forward to a better economic system than our present one, but I see clearly ft cannot be found in an atmosphere of hatred and bitterness such as bloodshed would engender between tho workers themselves, hut must be worked out in a Spirit of concord and not in ccomomic ruin and despair.”