Labour and Defence

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 7

Labour and Defence

Pointed Reply to Fascism STRONG LINE OF ACTION ‘ TAKEN United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Oct. 6. “lam going to speak bluntly. Britain in 1931 was securo in a military, naval and air sense. To-day that security is gone. If a Labour Government were in power to-morrow it would be compelled to proceed to increase British armaments, ” Thus spoke Dr. Hugh Dalton, M.P., moving the armaments resolution at the Labour Party Conference at Edinburgh. The motion was as follows: “That in view of the threatening attitude of dictatorships which are increasing their armaments at an unprecedented rate, flouting international law, and refusing to co-operate iu tho work of the organisation of peace, this conference declares that tho armed strength of tho countries, loyal to the League of Nations must bo conditioned by the armed strength of potential aggression. Tho conference therefore reaffirms the policy of tho Labour Party to maintain such defence forces as are consistent with the country’s responsibilities as a member of the League, the preservation of the people's rights and liberties, tho continuance of democratic institutions, and the observance of international law. Realising the relationship between the policy of foreign Powers and armaments, and having regard for tho deplorablo record of tho Government, the Labour Party declines to accept responsibility for a purely competitive armaments policy. It reserves its full liberty to criticise the re-armament programme of the present Government, and declares the continuance of vested interests in the private manufacture of arms to be a grave contributory danger to tho peace of the world.” A lively debate ensued. Fascists and Treaty-Breaking. Dr. Dalton proceeded to say that treaty-breaking had become a daily Fascist habit. The Government had a crusading responsibility for what had happened. The sly evasions of Sir John Simon, tho prim pretences of Sir Samuel Hoare, the feeble amiability of Mr. Eden, the lazy lack of leadership of Mr. Baldwin, and the senile vanity of Mr. Ramsay MacDonald had contributed to the plight of Britain and the world. “So Far, No Farther.” The time had come, ho said, when Britain must tell tho Fascist States “There is a limit; so far and no farther,” but they must also say, “Come and join us and state your grievances.” Mr. Arthur Henderson, in seconding tho resolution, said that the raw materials of the world must bo pooled. Lord Starbolgi said tho time had come when tho democratic and Socialist Powers must be armed in mutual support. “I don’t want a Labour Government that will bo weak and open to the bullying and blackmailing threats of Fascist Powers,” he said. Mr. George Lansbury opposed the resolution and said that armaments could not save tho world. Even the dictatorship nations must bo brougdt to a round table and led along the road to peace. Mr. Charles Dukes, general secretary of the National Union of Uencral and Municipal Workers, said: “Dictator nations should be told, if they want a decision by the sword, that we shall not flinch.” No Blank Cheques, The Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Mr. C. R. Attlee, winding up tho debate, denied that the resolution committed tho Labour Party to the Government’s re-armament policy, and said that Labour would continue to criticise the armaments programme and would decline to give a blank cheque. That did not mean that (hoy said no arms were required. Collective security must be backed by a sufficient forco to deal with an aggressor. “We are not prepared to bo conquered by Fascism cither from without or within,” ho added.

A card vote resulted:—For the rcso lutiou, 1,735,000; against, 657,000.