LABOUR VIEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 14

LABOUR VIEWS

AMENDMENT MOVED GOVERNMENT'S PLEDGES ALLEGED VIOLATION CONSCRIPTION OTPOSED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, May 4 The Labour Party's amendment to the Military Training Bill was moved in the House of Commons by Mr. H. B. Lees-Smith (Keighley, Yorkshire). It was as follows: "That while determined to take the necessary steps to defend the country and fulfil international obligations, the House regrets that the Government in violation of its pledges has introduced a measure of conscription." Mr. I ioes-Smitli argued that there was 110 military case for the bill, since greater numbers of men could bo obtained by the voluntary system. The bill was merely a surrender to Conservative conscript ionists. Ho was of opinion that if war was avoided for some months the tension would relax before the end of the year. Mr. Eden Supports the Bill Mr. Anthony Eden, formerly Foreign Secretary, supported the bill. He said it had been introduced because it was a necessary remedy for doubt in certain foreign countries about Britain's determination. It would be foolish to ignore those suspicions. The measure might tip the scale in making the deterrent fullv effective.

Mr. Krl on said ho hoped there would be no modification in the nature and extent of the British guarantee to Poland, and that the Government would continue its efforts to bring the Soviet into the peace front and make an agreement with the Soviet and other peace-loving nations as complete as l>ossible. "1 am convinced that this foreign policy is our last hope of averting the final calamity of war," said Mr. Eden. Many Voluntary Enlistments Mr. Ernest Brown, Minister of Labour, said those who alleged that the introduction of compulsion would lead to a suspension of voluntary service had been proved to be wrong. There bad been 1,190,000 applicants since the campaign started, and a notable increase in the last fortnight for both civil defence and armed forces. Moreover, the measure had had a profound steadying effect in Europe.

Men from 20 to 21 would be required to register on the first convenient Saturday after the bill became law, and would be called up in equal batches from the end of June.

Mr. Brown added: "Our understanding with Poland has not altered.'' Liberals Cease Opposition

The Liberal Opposition decided not to oppose the bill further, on the ground that, Parliament having conceded it in principle, it would not be in the national interest to carry on a campaign against the Government. Five thousand people, protesting against conscription, held up traffic in the West End to-day. , The joint conference of the Labour Party and the Trades Union Congress reaffirmed its opposition in principle to' conscription and called a conference of executives of affiliated unions for May 19 to consider the position.