A TRADES COUNCIL RESOLU-TION.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12503, 2 April 1909, Page 2

A TRADES COUNCIL RESOLU--TION.

Dunedin, April 1. Iho following resblutioa was passed by the Trades and Labour Council tonight:—(l) "That this Council, regarding war as not only brutal but an enormous economic waste of .human life, labour and material, is of opinion that the 'time -has ' arrived when more attention should be devoted to studying the question of preventing this waste by the adoption of a humane method of settling: national difficulties. (2) "Whilst holding these opinions, the Council recognises that under present conditions it is absolutely necessary that the British nation must be prepared by being adequately armed for any emergency, and that this Dominion is in equity • bound .to contribute towards tßevcost of this armament. (3) But seeing that .no immediate necessityfor precipitate'haste has be^an shown,, it-pro- * tests against the Ward administration committing the people to an expenditure involving three milli6ns or more without consulting Parliament and having the question thoroughly considered and discussed,- as such autocratic action is inimical to the democratic principles -of : » government under which we live. ,• (4) Further, this Council is of opinion that the, question of. the adequate protection of the ; Dominion 'has not received tha attention of tho Government that it deserves, and , Parliament -. . should he aske A ai an <-arly claie -to discuss the matter with a -view to nroviding ample land and naval defence." ■■■':•'.•: N