LABOUR’S PEACE AIMS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21575, 10 February 1940, Page 9

LABOUR’S PEACE AIMS

Victory Must First Be Won No Trust In Nazi Regime British Official Wireless RUGBY. February 8. Labour's peace aims are contained in a declaration of policy issued by the Labour Party Executive reaffirming loyalty to the Socialist and democratic faith. While declaring continued opposition to Mr Chamberlain’s Government, it calls on British people to contribute their utmost effort to the overthrow of the Hitler syster in Germany, stating that though loathing war, the partyregards it as a lesser evil than the destruction of Parliamentary democracy and civil freedom, which is the only alternative to resistance to Nazi aggression. Although victory is the immediate task of the Labour Party, it states, the issue of peace alms before a people still further estranged by suffering and hatred may bring lasting peace nearer, and it declares: “The Allies’ war purpose must defeat Hitlerism and undo the wrongs resulting from Nazi aggression without creating new wrongs. It must be shown beyond all doubt that we will not allow aggression to succeed. The feeling of experience in recent years has shown that no trust can be placed in the Nazi Government’s word.

“Labour is convinced that the Allies ought not to enter peace negotiations with the German Government, which has not performed certain acts of restitution, including the withdrawal of the German forces and police from Polish and Czechoslovakian soil. The Austrian people must truly be free to decide whether or not they wish to remain within the Reich. Britain had stated that no material advantage was sought for Britain, and Labour demands that undertakings be given the German peoples that their interests will be respected equally with the just interests of others.

German Equality Claims

“Whatever else may be contained in the peace treaty,” the declaration continues, “this assuredly will not be the last war in Europe, unless when the war ends, we succeed in reconciling the French claim to security with the German claim to equality. If Britain is neither inattentive or impatient towards either of these claims, she will have already incurred her share of responsibility for the next war. The French people must be assured against menace and the Germans given acceptable peaceful outlets for their energy and ambition. Labour suggests that the answer to the French claims to security lies in the British and French peoples not being merely allies for a season, but brothers all the time.” To Germany, Labour says: “We are opposed to any attempt from outside to break up Germany, we do not seek the humiliation and dismemberment of the country.”

While desiring to welcome her into peaceful collaboration Labour reminds Germany that the Hitler system prepared and started the war. “He would not continue it if you ceased to support him. Until the accursed Nazi regime is overthrown there is no hope of peace between us, but if you establish a Government sincerely willing that Germany shall be a good European neighbour, there shall be no humiliation nor revenge.” The party regards the equilibrium of French security and equality to the future Germany as necessary to European peace. Soviet Action Criticised Referring to Russia, the declaration states: “We hoped that the Soviet would join the democracies for the collective organisation of peace and the resistance of aggression. We should regard the extinction of the free Finnish democracy as an intolerable disaster to civilisation.” Turning to more general issues, which should be included in a peace settlement, the declaratior. states: “The establishment of a co-operative world commonwealth in which national sovereignty is subordinate to world obligations is still Labour’s aim, and t declares that such an association must be created and given such economic and military power as would enable it to enforce peaceful behaviour between the members.

Regarding colonial questions, the declaration pledges Labour against imperialist exploitation, whether capitalist or otherwise, and it demands a speedy move forward to colonial selfgovernment. Where t.ie populations are not ready for self-government, the native interest should be paramount, being safeguarded through an enlarged mandate system.

Recognising the gravity of the economic crisis which will confront the world at the end of the war, the Labour Party proposes tha “international public works conferring benefits on more than one nation and covering the comprehensive development of the great colonial Powers must be undertaken through an international authority with budget powers far greater than the League of Nations ever had.” The declaration concludes: “Victory must come to the arms of Britain and France and their allies. Peace must be won for humanity.”