A.W.U. AND LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 21, 26 January 1933, Page 20

A.W.U. AND LABOUR.

ANNUAL CONVENTION.

BATTLE OF THE PARTIES.

LANGITES MEET AT GOULBUKN

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, January 20.

On Wednesday last the annual convention of the Australian Workers' Union opened at Katoomba. There was a time when the A.W.U., through its ascendancy in the Federal Parliament and Government, virtually ruled Australia. But no industrial organisation in this country has been more seriously injured by the "split in the party" organised by Mr. Lang, and to-day the A.W.U. is but a shadow of its former greatness. Every delegate at the convention is supposed to represent "4000 members or part thereof." A few years ago the number of delegates often exceeded 30, but this week only 15 or 10 are present. This means that the membership of the unions represented has fallen from about 150,000 to about 50,000 or 60,000; indeed, it is estimated that in New South Wales, where Langism is naturally strongest, the A.W.U. has lost 70 per cent of its former membership. The recent collapse and disappearance of the "World" newspaper, which was originally financed and issued by the A.W.U., was in itself a proof that the organisation was losing ground and that something must be done to strengthen and restore it.

One proposal on which great stress is laid by Mr. Grayndler, the well-tried and loyal secretary of the A.W.U.— who has had the distinction of being declared "black" by the Trades Hall— is the adoption of a 30-hour week in industry.

While the A.W.U. is endeavouring to set its house in order, the leaders of the Langite "breakaway" faction are making active preparation for the country confcrence of the N.S.W. Labour party, which is to meet at Goulburn on Saturday, January 28. The agenda naturally covers a wide field—demands for revision of the dole, for a "Right to Live" Act, for the abolition of State Governors and State Parliaments, and for the complete Socialisation of industry, are among them.

Vehement protests are to be made against the "sabotage" policy followed by the Stevens Government in closing down the State Small Arms Factory and the State Coal Mine at Litligow, and attempting to dispose of Walsh Island and Cockatoo Dock.

A strongly-worded resolution to the effect that Mr. Lang be requested to relinquish State politics and enter the Federal Parliament is based on tlie assertion that "Mr. Lang is the only leader that could lead Labour to victory," and no doubt every effort will be made by the Langites to reiterate this "slogan" loudly at convenient intervals throughout the conference.