COUNCIL OF ACTION

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160734, 21 August 1920, Page 5

COUNCIL OF ACTION

N.Z, LABOUR PARTY’S CABLE STRONG COMMENT IN PARLIAMENT. (By Telegraph—Special to “Herald.”) WELLINGTON, August 20. A long cablegram was received by Mr Fraser, chairman oi the New Zealand Labour Party, last week from Mr Adamson, chairman oi' the English Labour Council of Action, declaring its policy and that the Labour Conference had authorised the Council to call any and every form of labour, when the cirenmsipnces may .require, to give effect to its policy. ft called upon every trade union official, executive committee, local council and member' ship generally to act swiftly, loyally, and courageously' to sweep away secret diplomacy and assure that the foreign policy of Great Britain shall be in accordance with the desire of the people for an end to war and interminable threats of war. The following reply was sent by the Labour Party;— “Adamson, M.P., House of Commons, London. New Zealand Labour unanimously supports the magnificent stand of the British workers against militarist and capitalist attacks on the Russian Republic, and congratulates the organised Labour movement of Great Britain on its glorious achievement for internationalism and peace. Wo consider your attitude the greatest event in 'the history of British Labour. "Wo are wholeheartedly with you. Signed—P. Eraser, President of the New Zealand Labour Party; F. R. Cooke, vice-president; M. Ayrton, secretary and treasurer; H. E. Holland, chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party.” The Premier’s attention having been directed to the matter by Mr I). Jones in the House, Mr Massey declared ho regretted exceedingly that any members of the New Zealand Parliament should express approval of, and thus assist a small section. Mr Fraser; “They represent six millions!” Mr Massey; “The hon. member has no more right to speak for workers than any other member of the House. By expressing approval of the action of a small section of the people he was assisting to harrass the Imperial Government at a most serious crisis In tbo history of the Empire. I take this opportunity of declaring that a, large proportion of Lire people of this country arc thoroughly loyal. (Hear, hear). They arc opposed to Bolshevism, Sinn Eeinism, LW.W.ism, and all other isms with which civilised countries are affected. I hope there will he no more ‘of this sort of tiling. The people of New Zealand arc prepared to stand by the imperial Government in preventing in every way the possibility of disintegration, which seems to be intended by those with whom the Labour Party have been corresponding. Mr Voitch, who also expressed regret nt the message., asked if the Premier would consider giving the House an opportunity of passing a resolution expressing its opinion on the matter. Mr Massey replied that he would consider the proposal and give an answer at the next sitting d.qy. Mr Sullivan, by way of a question without notice, suggested Unit, the ,lar£c number of by-elections won by Labour, and the presence of two exMinisters at the Conference, was evidence it was not a small or disloyal section of the community.

Mr Massey: “I spoke from personal experience l . I believe the Council of Action is no more representative of public feeling in Britain than iho small section of Labour members hero arc representative' of the New T/caland peonle.” .Mr Fraser declared he had been misrepresented. Ho contended that th« Labour Conference, was most representative of British workers and included two former Coalition Ministers. If such communications arc received from a representative* body, he concluded: “I am going to reply, and .” Members: “Order! order!”