VIGOROUS CRITICISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27504, 26 September 1950, Page 5

VIGOROUS CRITICISM

Britain’s Attitude To European Unity LABOUR MEMBER’S ATTACK LONDON, Sept. 24. A surprising attack on the British Government, Mr Hugh Dalton, the Minister of Town and Country Planning, and the National Executive of the Labour Party has been made by a Labour M.P., Mr R. W. G. Mackay. Mr Mackay, who was a member of the British delegation, led bv Mr Dalton, to the Council of Europe at Strasburg a few weeks ago, makes his criticisms in a political pamphlet, “ Heads in the Sand,” published today. These criticisms are so vigorous that they may be brought before the Party National Executive next Wednesday and an explanation asked for. Mr Mackay wrote: “In June, 1950. the National Executive of the Labour Party issued a statement on European unity dedorable in every respect—in its refusal to look beyond Britain and. above all, in its hypocrisy, its smugness and its complacency. The only virtue of the document, believed largely the work of Mr Dalton, chairman of the Labour Party International Committee, was that it clarified the situation by reflecting the views of the executive on European unity in blunt, almost blimpish. terms. “The statement represents the view of Ministers in the British Government who would like Britain to remain in glorious isolation and independence, and who would like to see the Council of Europe die,” continues Mr Mackay.

“ If the Labour Party does not want Britain to join an effective political organisation of Europe it should say so in specific terms, which would be better than remaining in the Council of Europe while trying to sabotage its development and growth.” Mr Mackay. in another part of the pamphlet, said that full employment in Britain was as much due to American aid as to any act of the British Government.