Opposition to the government's proposed air-raid drill for the civilian population is expressed in the following resolution carried at a meeting of the Salford Labour party:—
That this delegate body urges all sec
tions of the Salford Labour movement to decline to participate in the government's proposed air-raid and gas-mask drills for the civilian population.
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big that no preparations can he effective against the use of modem gases. that the poorer sections of the community are offered no means of escape. and that the only purpose of such drill is to create a war mentality as against the peace efforts of the Labour and kindred bodies.
Mr. J. Openshaw, submitting the reso tution. said that the people on the city council would have to provide the gasmasks, and they could not afford them. He pointed out that gas-masks would, in any case, be useless against the formidable new gases which were now being invented.
Women's Protest A copy of the resolution is being forwarded to the National Labour party. Mr. Openshaw, who will represent the Salford Labour party at the national conference at Brighton next month, will carry the resolution as a mandate from the Salford section of the Labour movement.
The Home Office circular relating to the proposed precautionary measures in the event of air attacks is being distributed among members of the Salford council. and the matter will be dealt with at the next meeting of the council.
Wigan women's Labour party have forwarded a resolution to the Prime Minister and to Mr. J. A. Parkinson, Labour M.P. for the division, declaring that as a body they will on no account take any active part in . doing air-raid or gas-mask drill, . .