LABOUR SOCIALISTS CON= VENTION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17005, 5 June 1917, Page 5

LABOUR SOCIALISTS CONVENTION.

"THE RED FLAG" SUNG TO A

GERMAN TUNE.

SO=CAIXED LEADERS PLAY INTO

ENEMY'S HANDS.

Received June 4, 7.25 p.m

LONDON, June 3

The National L*abour-Socialist Convention opened at Leeds .at the Coleseum. Mr. Smellie was accompanid by Messrs Ramsay Macdonald, Scowdea,. Jowett, Anderson, Arnold and Lupton and notable leaders of the great trades unions were invited. The proceedings opened with the singing of the "Red Flag" to a German, tune. . -~...-' Mr. Smellie said they had come to talk reason not treason. It would be a calamity for Russia to make a separate peace, but as it had been agreed that peace could not come from military action, why not begin to negotiate now? ' y Mr. Ramsay Macdonald's resolution congratulating Russia on the revolution was carried. Mr. Snowden moved that peace terms acceptable to the Conference nnist be based on no annexations, no indemnities and the rights of nations to decide their own affairs. Mr. Snowden indignantly denounced as dastardly the proposal to tear 400,000 square miles of Africa from Germany, and to turn the Turks out of Europe. Representatives of the Seamen's and Firemen's Union then moved to strike out the words "no annexation., no indemnity." There was an angry demonstration 'until the chairman put a proposal to the meeting that no amendments s&ould be fallowed. The proposal was carried. ;'; Mr. Bevin (Dockers' Union) said: I am prepared to respond to the Russian invitation, but what if the Germans refuse? Are you prepared to fight in order to compel them. (Shouts of No, No!.). Mr. Bevin replied "You cannot hafe your cake and eat it." Mr. Snowden's motion for the establishment of surban and rural districts of councils of workmen and soldiers' delegates, was carried. Mr. Anderon moved a resolution demanding the co-ordination of working-class activity and to work strenuously for a peace made by the peoples of the various countries, also for the complete political and economic emancipation of international labour. Mr. Williams (Transport Workers' Federation) in seconding the resolution, corrected Mr. Smellie's contention that they had not come to talk treason. He said: If any delegates have cold feet they had better leave, because we have met for business We, have to fight and speak for our own class. If the Russian revolutionists had been concerned about the Russian constitution the Romanoffs would be enthroned still. We congraulated our Russian comrades.

The resolution was carried with two dissentients.

Mr. Snowden drafted a cablegram Informing the Petrograd Workmen's and Soldiers' Committee; what had been done.