Nash s View

Northern Advocate, 25 May 1949, Page 4

Nash s View

The resolution was seconded by Mr G. Forsyth (Auckland Caretakers’ Union), who said he did so as a Socialist who had been through the revolution in Southern Russia.

Although attempts were made on several occasions to put the original motion, the chairman (Mr James Roberts) resisted them.

Detailing some of the discussion, the spokesman said that after the amendment affirming the party’s opposition to conscription had been moved by Mr Grant, Mr E. A. Napier (Wellington) said that the Prime Minister had said everything- except to declare war. The Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) said that he had been a pacifist until 1933, when Hitler had taken over Germany. There was a totally different foundation today when Labour traditionally opposed militarism. Mr F- Langstone, M.P. for Roskill, said he had voted against the resolution in caucus.

The resolution was politically unwise; it would split the Labour movement and would heap coals on the Nationalists’ fires.

The Minister of Lands (Mr Skinner) criticised Mr Langstone’s address and made a strongly-worded appeal for delegates to support the Prime Mi Q i s " ter’s motion.

The spokesman said that after lunch Mr Fraser replied to questions from a delegate. The Prime Minister said that conscientious objectors would not be forced to serve. The Government had no thought of introducing - industrial conscription. Mr Fraser also gave a pledge that the forces raised would never be used for industrial purposes. Mr M. Moohan, M.P. for Petone, who is a member of the defence committee, said that one of the Government’s first duties was to arrange for the defence of the country The amendment meant that the Government could do nothing until war broke out.