REARMAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1936, Page 6

REARMAMENT

" i \ BRITISH LABOUR ATTITUDE. EDINBURGH CONFERENCE. I United Press A3sociation— By Electi n' Telegraph—Copyright). (Received this day at 12 noon). LONDON, October 6. Mr H. Dalton, moving the armaments motion at the Labour Conference at Edinburgh, after criticising the present Government, said the time had come when Britain must tell fascist states,: “There is a limit. So far, and no further,” but she must also say: “Come, join us. and state your grievances,” Mr. Arthur Henderson, seconding the motion, said the raw materials, of the world must be pooled.

Lord Strabolgi said: “The time has come when democratic socialist powers must be armed for mutual support. I don’t want a Labour Government to bo‘weak, and open to bullying, blackmailing and threats of fascist powers.” Mr George Lalisbtlry opposed the motion and said armaments could not save the world. Even the dictatorship nations must be brought to the roundtable, and led along the road to peace.

Mr Dukes said: “Dictator nations should be told that if they want a decision by the sword, we will not flinch.”

Mr A. R. Attlee, winding up the debate, denied the motion committed the Labour Party to the Government’s rearmament policy. Labour would continue to criticise the armaments programme, and decline to give A blank cheque. That did not mean they said'ho' arms were required. Collective security; must be backed by a sufficient force toj deal with the aggressor.

“We are not prepared to he conquered by fascism, either from without or within.”

A card vote resulted For the motion 1,738,000; against, 657,000.

SPANISH ENVOYS ARRfVE,

WELCOMED BY CHEERS. (Received this day at. 12 noon).. LONDON., October 6A scene occurred at the Labour conference at Edinburgh before lunch when the secretary announced the arrival by air of two envoys from Spain. The delegates rose and cheered the envoys, Senor Asua and-Senora Isabel de Palencia, who will address the conference; later. AUSTRALIA’S DEFENCE SCHEME. LABOUR PARTY’S ALLEGIANCE. (Received this day at 12 noon). CANBERRA, October 7. The Leader of the Federal Labour Party (Mr J. Curtin) announced the; party’s “allegiance to the defence scheme } commensurate with Australia’s ability to maintain it adequately for Australia’s needs.” Mr Curtin declared no other country, not even Britain, could come to her rescue in. time if Australia were attacked. Australia’s defence had to be assured by herself. It was realisation l of this fact that dictated the whole consideration of the defence policy by the Australian Labour movement.