AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17429, 13 April 1922, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

LABOUR PARTY DIVISION. THE PEDERaX. PABXIASSKHT. (Australian *ud N.Z. CaU* AModauSaT SYDXET, April 12. Tho new Labour Party has lost no time in providing the iHscess&ry administrative machinery, a new centra! executive has been appointed, and branches have ialready been formed in many country centres. A report from Melbourne states that since tho split caused byothe expulsion v of Mr J. H. Ciitte, many trade union, ists aro seceding from the movement and applying j[or membership in the' Nationalist Federation. In view of the result of the New South Wales elections, a movement is on foot to hold the Federal elections at an early date. The Nationalist nem'.bers aro urging Sir W. M. Hughe* to make an appeal! to tho country, believing that this is an opportune time. An official statement issued by the Australian Labour Party regarding the expulsion of Mr Catts, says it was "duo to his disintegrating tactics which which had beeomo intolerableand his membership of tho Party wa* no longer desirable." (Received April 12th, 7.35 p.m.) MELBOURNE, April 12. The split in the Labour ranks com. bincd with tho simmering of discontent among a section of the Nationalists at his leadership has lod to a. revival of the question amongst Labour members in the Federal Parliament as to whether or not it is possible to inveigle Mr Hughes to again take command I and rehabilitate the whole Labour I movement.

MR HUGHES AND LABOUR. HIS "AUK" AND THE "TIiOOD." (Received April 12th, 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 12. The Prime Minister, Mr ,WI. M, Hughes, referring to the split in the Labour Party, «aid: "I built an ark and invited them to came in, but as in the case of Noah, all my suggestions and warnings were disregarded. I concluded that thuy rejected my advice of the coming flood, and so I now lot'them swim." Ho added that at present he was not prepared to give his views on the position of the Labour movement. Lauour officials in Sydney think it ex* tremely unlikely that Mr Hughes will join tho new- party, as ho would not work with Mr Cutis because of the lat- , tor's attitudo towards contcriptioh dur», ing the war. MB DOOLBY EESIGNS. (Received April 12th, 10.80 p.m.) - SYDNEY, Apr" 10. •„ Tim Hon. J. Dooley has signed lit* resignation from the Premiership of New South Wales. ' ,'' '