THREAT BY WORKERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 November 1943, Page 2

THREAT BY WORKERS

NATIONWIDE STRIKES RELEASE OF THE MOSLEYS HOME SECRETARY CRITICISED (Rec. 10.45 a.m.) London, Nov. 24. Nation-wide strikes are threatened as the result of Mosley’s release from gaol. Ten thousand workers at a north London electrical factory threaten to strike «f Mosley is not reimpri.soned. “There is real danger of a national strike, ’ said the factory manager. Miners at a Durham colliery called on the Miners’ Federation to order “down tools” if Mosley were nut sent back to gaol. The spokesman of a deputation of ship repairer.; at the Royal Albert Docks said: “The general feeling is that we should stay out until Mosley goes back.” The National Executive of the Labour Party passed a resolution “regretting the decision the Home Secretary, Mr Morrison, felt impelled to take in connection with Mosley’s release.” The General Council of the T.U.C. endorsed the National Council of Labour’s resolution of yesterday dissociating itself from the action of the Home Secretary releasing the Mosleys. The General Council officially stated that full consideration would be given the release of the Mosleys in the light o' Morrison’s statement. “The council wholeheartedly endorses the resolution of f!i?. National Council of Labour to dissociate themselves emphatically from the Home Secretary’s action. In the council’s opinion the decision to release the Mosleys, taken as it was without due regard to its eTect on public opinion in this and other countries, was a blunder. The council feels that the release occurring a few days before Parliament assembled unaccompanied by any adequate public explanation was most untimely.” The council is not satisfied that adequate medical treatment could not have been given in prison, and also is not satisfied that the restriction placed on the Mosleys will be an adequate safeguard against the possibility of subversive activities. All the London morning papers agre e that Mr Morrison’s political future is in the balance. Labour leaders are asking how Mr Morrison can maintain his prestige and authority inside the War Cabinet if he is disowned by his party on a major issue. PRESS APPROVAL Mr Morrison’s explanation fn the House of Commons yesterday was received with understanding and is approved by most London newspapers. “The Times” says the Home Secretary’s statement provided a complete answer to objectors capable of following a rational argument. In the face of Mr Morrison’s assurance that public safety is adequately secured, any further demand for the return of Mosley to prison is a demand of penal not preventive detention. English law even under the stress of war does not permit punishment without trial. The “Daily Telegraph” says the whole 18 B procedure is repugnant, but in wartime it is inevitable. That is the strongest reason why it should be administered with the greatest possible impartiality and not strained. The “Daily Express” declares that all those imprisoned under 18 B should be tried in a court of law for any offences they committed. Regulation 18 B should be abolished.” LABOUR RESOLUTION The’ National Council of Labour after a long Mosley protest meeting, passed the following resolution: “Having considered the situation as the result of the release of the Mosleys, also Mr Herbert Morrison’s statement to the House of Commons, the council dissociates itself from the Government’s action and decides to remit the matter for further consideration by its constituent bodies.” It is understood the resolution will be considered to-morrow by the General Council oi the T.U.C. and the National Executive of the Labour Party.

As the crowd outside Parliament during the Mosley demonstration was being forced back by mounted police a man wearing the Mons Star threw himself to the ground between the horses in protest. When the police were lifting him up the man’s wife plucked the star and two other medals from his coat and threw them on the ground.