At the Conference of the Labour Party which has been
sitting at Glasgow, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald moved on Wednesday a resolution" emphatically protesting against the suppression of
Trade Union action in South Africa by armed force," express- ing sympathy with the deported men, and demanding a full inquiry into the facts of the case, especially the responsibility of Lord Gladstone. The party, added Mr. Ramsay MacDonald would raise the question in the House of Commons. He went on to say that if there was no Imperial authority vested with the power of stopping that sort of thing—i.e., action like that of General Botha—" it was about time that there was." Mr. Wardle said that if "State railways" meant that the conditions of the men in South Africa were to be common to such railways, then be was convinced that State railways in the future would have the most active opposition of Labour. Mr. Keir Hardie declared that when it came to signing the indemnity, they must take a definite line in parliament. Ultimately the resolution was carried with the addition that "if necessary' Lord Gladstone should be recalled. Though the words of the Labour leaders are bold, we have not the slightest doubt that when they go to the House of Commons they will be as tame as white mice, and will, as usual, march into whatever lobby the Liberal Whips direct them.
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