LONDON NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 3 August 1917, Page 5

LONDON NEWS.

MR HENDERSON'S POSITION

v DEFENDED BY HIMSELF AND THE

PREMIER

i LONDON, Aug. 1. 1 In the Hoiise of Commons Lord Dun- ' cannon (Tfnioiaist member ' for Dovei) ' moved the adjournment of the House! by way of drawing attention to the War i Cabinet's conduct in permitting Mr Henderson to go to<Pai;is accompanied by a pacifist member of the House of Commons, on, business unconnected with Mr Henderson's duties as a member of the War Cabinet. Lord Duncannon said the Government's granting of passports '< was tantamount to asserting its syru- | pathy with a mission which was prejudicial to the country's interests at a critical stage'in the war, and he demanded that the Government should prohibit Englishmen from <?oing to Stockholm to meet the-Germans. Mr Henderson ought either to retract or resign. Mr Henderson denied the suggestion that the delegates intended to proceed to Italy, but abandoned the trip owing to the outcry in Britain. He regretted that judgment was not suspended urttil lie was heard in explanation. He went to Paris to examine the Dutch-Scandi-navian committee's invitation to the international conference, and took the opportunity to discuss the proposal of i holding an inter-Allied conference, which had the Government's approval. He emphasised the fact that the former conference was definitely arranged, whether the House of Commons liked Jt or not. He did not desire to attend the international conference, but the AngloFrench would have been seriously prejudiced unless they attended and stated their case. Owing to our lack of propaganda. Russia misunderstood British aims. He urged the necessity of the Labor Party's views being presented 10 the conference. -'I have," he concluded, "done what I conceived to be my duty, not in the interest of the Labor Party, but in that of the country, the only interest which has moved me since ihe outbreak of war."

Mr Lloyd George said the Government's war policy was unchanged, neither had it undergone any alteration in its views upon the only possible, conditions of peace, which, must be consistent with honor and security. "We certainly do not propose to participate in any conference such as has been described, and we do not propose to allow any section of the conference to decide or dictate neace terms which must be the responsibility of the Government solely.

"I happened to be in Paris when the Labor conference arrived at its decision. I was there not for the purpose of discussing peace, but for the successful prosecution of the war. It is proposed ■to resume that conference in London in the next few days, the Allied representatives attending." The Prime Minister proceeded to say that Mr Henderson had frankly stated Tiis position. Mr Henderson's association with organised Labor was greatly "fco the advantage of the Government, especially in reepeat to the output of munitions and the organisation of man;powßr, .and the carrying out of the compulsion Acts. The same duality of positions had occurred in France. Belgium, and Italy, the Governments realising the necessity for retaining the support of the. masses of the workers.

Mr Lloyd George "begged critics -.o seriously consider the position, and not express a decision until the Government had an opportunity of conferring with, the French Government, which was exactly in the same position.

Ho never despaired of the Allies' ■cause, and despaired now less than ever. He was confident regarding Russia, but they might give her a chance. "Th<? Provisional Government has asked us to forbear IV'-e "have done our best not to play jnito the hands of the sinister influences working in Russia against the Allies. I earnestly plead: is it too much to asfc the House of Commons to assist ? It is vital to preserve unity at "home and abroad, and not to fling valuable colleagues into the arms of the pacifists'" (Loud cheers).

The motion was talked out

It was rumored in the lobbies during the evening that Mr Henderson had re••igfned from the War Cabinpt and had ■withdrawn from the Government.