Labour’s Support of League

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 232, 2 October 1935, Page 5

Labour’s Support of League

NO ADVOCACY OF WAR LONDON, Sept/ 30. In opening the Labour party conference Mr.AV. A. Robinson, the president, defended the Margato declaration, which-lie said in no way advocated -war with Italy, but was a pledge' of the support of organised . Labour to the League if it implemented its powers in face of Italy’s open repudiation of obligations. “Should Italy persist iu iguoring the view of mankind aud defy sanctions by the League,” ho said, “thou, however reluctant we may be to take tho next step, there could bo no alternative but for tho Lca.guo to attempt to restrain Italy by force, which only utter madness on the part of Signor Mussolini could bring into play.” Italy might have aspirations but war was not the way to fulfil them. The Trades Union Congress early last month passed by a majority of 3,785,000 votes a resolution favouring the League’s collective system, declaring that Fascist dictatorships, notably those of Italy and ‘Germany, fostered militarism, and condemning Japan ana Italy for refusing to use tho machinery of the League, with which they aro incorporated.

Mr Savage is Non-committal “Until the party as a whole has reached a decision I do not wish to make any comment regarding Mr. Fraser’s remarks,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. M. J. Savage) yesterday, when invited to express an opinion on the statement made at Toronto by Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., in regard to Labour’s attitude towards the League of Nations and the enforcement of sanctions.