BRITISH LABOUR CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 17933, 26 January 1917, Page 5

BRITISH LABOUR CONFERENCE

AFTER-THE-WAR PROBLEMS. STATEMENTS BY LABOUR CABINET MINISTERS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 24. Received January 25, 5,25 p.m. At the Labour Conference Mr John Wardle, M.P., read Mr Lloyd George’s telegram congratulating the conference on its decision to share the responsibility of directing the Empire’s affairs. A resolution was adopted protesting against the handing over to any charity organisation or the recruiting authorities the re-settling of soldiers and munitions workers after the war, and declaring that the trades unions, co-operating with the re-formed labour exchanges, was the best organisation to deal with the problem. Mr John Hodge (Minister of Labour) stated that he intended to use the trade union machinery to the utmost during demobilisation. Mr Bellamy moved, on behalf of the executive, demanding that provision be made to protect the .1,000,000 munition workers and other war workers, as well as soldiers ,and urging the Government to formulate plans in advance, because, if discharged soldiers fell Into the clutches of the poor law', there would be a popular outburst of indignation. The resolution was carried. Mr Kirkwood, one of the Clyde Labour leaders, who had been expelled from Glasgow at the instance of the military authorities, explained the circumstances of his deportation.. Scenes of great ex-' citement followed, delegates demanding that the. Labour representatives withdraw' from the Government unless Mr Kirkwood and his colleagues were reinstated. Mr Arthur Henderson (War Council Minister) ended the scene by suggesting that the conference institute an inquiry in the matter. He pointed out that the conference had - heard—one. side only. He promised to abide by tKe’ result of the inquiry.