AT HOME AND ABROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18035, 8 September 1920, Page 5

AT HOME AND ABROAD

THE VOICE OF LABOUR. CONFERENCE AT PORTSMOUTH. Association—By TelegT&ph—Copyri^lit. LONDON, September 6. The Trade Union Congress, which it is hoped will avert the threatened coal strike by securing mediation between the miners and the Government, opened at Portsmouth, 950 delegates being present. .Mr J. 11. Thomas, M.P., presided. In his address he said that, looking at the position at home and abroad, he would bo an optimist indeed who could find occasion for anything but apprehension. Mr Thomas justified the formation of the Council of Action, declaring that the council was determined to see that th<> objects for which it was elected—namely, the complete independence of Poland and peace with Russia, were achieved. He did not believe the workers were anxious to fight against the consolidation of capitalist interests merely for the sake of fighting, but the other side must clearly understand that the years of sacrifice which had placed the workers in the position they held to-day must not be lost, and that they would be prepared, not as a section but as a movement, to accept any challenge to their industrial freedom or economic emancipation. ( Referring to Ireland Mr Thomas said: "The position is dangerous, and sooner or later cannot fail to result in open conflict, the effects of which will shake the verv foundations of the Empire. The Irish people still can be made the friends of England. Let the Government drop the present Bill and cement that friendship with a bold, clear recognition of Dominion Home Rule. Let the Government realise that militarism in Ireland has failed, as it was bound to fail. You cannot dragoon a nation by the sword."—Reuter.