BIG ISSUES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1940, Page 3

BIG ISSUES.

LABOUR'S POLICY. CONFERENCE PULSE. COALITION PROSPECTS. KEEN PRESIDENTIAL BATTLE. (By Telegraph.— Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. Momentous issues will arise at the Eastrr conference of the New Zealand Labour party, which opened this morning in the Centennial Exhibition Assembly Hall, but perhaps the most vital from the viewpoint of all sections of political thought will be that relating to the question of forming a Coalition Government. The subject seems bound to arise, just as it arose at the conference of the Federation of Labour conference last week. Delegates to the conference, however, seem to thin*; that there is no possibility of the conference sanctioning a move having for its object a welding together of Labour and Opposition forces. While precedent might dictate the formation of a Coalition Government, it is pointed out that the Labour forces in Parliament are sufficiently strong, numerically and otherwise, to prosecute the war effort to the full. Furthermore, it is claimed, unity of purpose has been achieved in the war effort to a large extent by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, appearing in the recruiting campaign, both individually and in concert with the Deputy-Prime Minister, the Hon. Peter Fraser. Breakaway Might Follow. The only outcome likely from any discussion on the coalition issue was a resolution to take not only Mr. Hamilton, but also others of his party, such as the Rt. Hon. J: G. Coates and the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, more fully into the/ confidence of the Government on all questions of policy, particularly as they concern the Dominion's war effort.

Some seem to think that a coalescing of political parties would lead to the disintegration of the Labour party, and, far from achieving unity of action by all members of Parliament, would possibly result in a definite breakaway by certain Labour members, who at present, do not see eye to eye with the existing policy of the party. That the likelihood of a coalition being formed is exercising the minds of some members of the party was forcibly illustrated at the Federation of Labour Conference. It is revealed that one delegate was so concerned over the matter that he presented a motion urging that owing to the imminent danger of a Coalition Government being formed, an urgent emergency national conference of the federation be summoned to debate the question. The idea of such a conference, however, was not supported. The mover of the motion was fearful that political tendency was towards a Coalition Government, a trend which he opposed vigorously. Mr. Lee's Reported Decision. Interest in the conference has quickened appreciably and on various sides delegates were to-day discussing the repercussions which are likely to follow the reported decision of Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P., to withdraw his nomination for the presidency. This position is at present occupied by Mr. James Roberts, the veteran industrial leader, and he is seeking another term of office. Others nominated are Mr. J. G. Barclav, M.P., Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P., Dr. D. G. McMillan, M.P., the Rev. A. H. Xordmeyer, M.P., and Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P. Dr. McMillan is regarded as Mr. Roberts' principal rival. t The present president has the nominations of 143 organisations and Dr. McMillan of 94 organisations, but, in tne event of Mr. Lee's withdrawal, the latter will, no doubt, benefit by some of the voting strength of the 22 affiliations who supported the candidature of Mr. Lee. It is stated that this is the reckoning of Mr. Lee himself, and that he also realises that his chances of success in the presidential ballot are comparatively slender in view of his clashes with the "Right Wing" of the party over written references to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. There is much speculation as to the probable outcome of the election, but even some of these delegates who incline to the "Left" believe that Mr. Roberts will once more carry the day. Hundred per cent supporters of the Government are firm in their conviction that he will do so, although they confess that the voting might be closer than many imagine, and that in the voting Dr. McMillan will not be so very far behind. Support for War Policy. "The result of the deliberations of the Federation of Labour conference portends the probable trend of coming events at the Labour party conference," said one delegate to-day. "The war policy of the Government was the real issue at the former conference, and it was overwhelmingly supported by the delegates, the final voting in favour of it being 223 to 28 against. That policy resulted in Mr. McLagan and his supporters being returned to office, and I imagine that the Labour party conference will swing back into p-iwer who support the war policv also, and they include M". Roberts." " So far as the leadership of the party is concerned delegates appear to be thrusting it from their thoughts. There seem* no general feeling that Mr. Savage should lesign owing to his indisposition, and the majority of the delegates cou-

suited tod ay explained that the Prime ■Minister would remain undisputed leader j>° long as he lived. They admitted, however, that Mr. Savage's logical successor would be the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. Peter Fraser, who has c-diried the major burden of responsibility since the outbreak of war. While there might be other aspirants for the position, Mr. Fraser, it is added, would <>e the popular choice. Democracy and Finance. While the illness of Mr. Savage has cast a definite shadow over the conference, and his absence from it will be recorded with deepest regret, it will not apparently lessen the vigour of the clash ot opinions between the two factions in the party on such questions as democratic principles and finance. A good deal, too, is likelv to be heard concerning the desirability of having an elective Cabinet. There would appear to be a considerable swing in favour of *uch a policy which, in fact, has been part of the official Labour platform. Should it be left to caucus in the future to elect its own Ministers this, it is thought, would go a long way to satisfying a number of the disgruntled younger members of the party, who consider that they are overdue for consideration for Cabinet posts. j

However, it is pointed out that caucus has itself to blame for any dissatisfaction which may have arisen over the allotting of portfolios by the Prime Minister as the caucus gave Mr. Saya.ie a free hand in the choice of his Cabinet.