LABOUR SUPPORT EARLY DISARMAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19801, 17 May 1934, Page 9

LABOUR SUPPORT EARLY DISARMAMENT.

MINISTER’S REPLY TO DEPUTATION. British Official Wlreiesa (Received May 16, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, May 16. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary (Sir John Simon) received a point deputation from the Trade Union Congress and the Labour Party, who presented a resolution on disarmament and the work of the League of Nations, representing the considered [views of the National Joint Council d the British labour movement. Among other points the resolution kirged the Government to take all possible steps to bring Soviet Russia and the United States into closer association with the League of Nations, upon the basis of the Pact of Paris. The resolution stated that the National Joint Council would warmly welcome an indication that the Soviet Russia was willing to become a member of the League of Nations, and considered that the foundations of peace would thereby be strengtiiened. The delegation appealed to the British Government to extend an invitation of |this kind to Russia. | The resolution also urged the Government to make a supreme effort to bring the Disarmament Conference to a successful conclusion. In the speeches supporting the resolution members of the delegation said that they had no faith in the policy of defensive alliances. They regarded the League of Nations imperfect as it might be as the only practical instrument for the maintaining of peace and stability. Britain's Position Defined. Mr Ramsay Macdonald said, that in the last two years, the British Government had used all its influence to obtain a disarmament convention. They had put forward a practicable plan, and had even inserted actual figures and levels. Even after the despatch of a special mission to the capitals chiefly concerned, no agreement had yet been reached. Nothing could be done without an agreement. The present position of the Disarmament Conference was a great disappointment to him. The British Government had taken the risk of setting an example in disarmament, which had unhappily not been followed, and had held back the programmes of expenditure in the hope of reaching an international convention. Meanwhile they would continue to use every effort in the cause of international peace. Welcome Assured Soviet. Sir John Simon (Minister of Foreign Affairs) said that he welcomed the putting forward of definite suggestions. Despite the difficulties involved. the Government took every opportunity of close contact and cooperation with the United States, but it must be borne in mind that the United States Government stood in a very special position, both politically and constitutionally. As legards the Soviet Russia, it had been the practice that governments wishing to join the League of Nations, should themselves make application. The Soviet Government had not so applied, but it knew if it did so it would be welcomed by the British Government.