“ONLY ROAD TO PEACE.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 October 1926, Page 9

“ONLY ROAD TO PEACE.”

Industrial Situation

Examined.

militarists hotly DENOUNCED.

By Cable —Press Association —Copyright* Australian oed N.Z. Cable Asaoctat../** ’LONDON, October 11.

“Tho mine owners are the most ruthless, reactionary section of employers, while individuals of Labour’s own ranks have adopted the old militarist formula that the way to assure peace is to prepare for war. We have had a constant repetition from July, 1925, to April, 1920, of phrases such as ‘get ready for May Day,’ ‘Line up forces,’ and ‘Clear decks for action,’ so dear to those linking up with strife for strife’s sake,” said Mr Williams in his presidential address to the Labour Party Conference. “Labour does not- think that international or industrial peace can be assured by preparing for war. We must preserve the Unions’ right to strike, hut we must not forget that industrial, like international, peace must be sought through reconciliation. Voices will be heard saying: ‘Get ready for the next general strike,* to which I reply ‘Read the agreements on which work was resumed in May.’ My experience shows that it is easy to bring out men, but very difficult to secure a return on terms as satisfactory as before the strike. Socialism does not come b> increasing the misery of the masses. We cannot subvert or overthrow, we must supersede capitalism.” Mr Williams said that the continuance of tho struggle, though heroic, is like the sightless Samson feeling for the temple pillars, the crashing of which might engulf what we call the British civilisation.” The miners’ request for a general embargo is * despairing policy. The embargo 'was ineffective in 1921'. Wlhat hope of success has it in 1926? I say again, look at the railway and transport agreements since the strike, which show that an embargo might be magnificent, but not war. The whole labour movement admires the stoical suffering and fortitude ot the mine workers, women and children. Were these men defending Mafeking or Ladysmith or constructing an epic retreat from Mons they would win the approval of the entire nation.”

Mr Williams said that all religious denominations applaud the Primate’s righteous appeal. Mr Baldwin and his economic and political dictator, Mr Evari Williams, may sneer and jeer at Princes and Prelates, but the latter were ■ voicing the will of the British people in demanding a negotiated peace. The Conservative desire to interfere with the long-established, inalienable rights of Trade Unions failed before, and will fail again. The Scarborough Conservative .conference ignored the economic situation in Britain. Our coal exports ceased; tramp steamers did not carry outward cargoes, but were carrying coals to Newcastle instead. The principal industries were working short time; blast furnaces were damped; the railways faced restricted services; imports overwhelmingly exceed exports, yet the Conservatives were worrying about getting an extension of drinking hours for clubs. The Conference defeated a heated attempt to reopen the question of the affiliation of the Communist Party. The card vote showed 2,706,000 to 348,000 votes. Communist efforts to compel the executive to reconsider the expulsion of the Battersea and Bethnal Green Labour parties were defeated bv 3,414,000 to 209,000.