BRITISH LABOUR MOVEMENT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26120, 24 May 1950, Page 7

BRITISH LABOUR MOVEMENT

DORKING CONFERENCE GUARDED COMMUNIQUE ISSUED (N.Z. Pies's Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 22. At the end of the two-day conference of leaders of the British Labour Party, trade unions, and the Cooperative Movement in Dorking, the general secretary of the Labour Party, <Mr Morgan Phillips, issued a guarded communique, referring only to the “wide range of subjects under discussion.” However, it is believed that the meeting made some important general decisions which will greatly influence the formulation of Labour's platform for the next General Election. Reports of clashes between the R.ght and Left Wings of the party do not ‘ appear to be well founded, but it is agreed that the emphasis, in future, will be upon moderation, particularly about further nationalisation plans. The conference is also believed to have agreed that there must be some modest relaxation in wage restraints, and that urgent steps must be taken to sneed up the housing programme. The general feeling of the conference was reported to be in favour of tidying un and consolidating the work done in the last five years, rather than embarking upon further extensive socialisation. This is the policy which was advocated by the Lord President of the Council (Mr Herbert Morrison) before the last election, and 'which, many Labour supporters claim, has been indicated by subseouent events. The fact that the leaders of the Co-operative Movement were invited to attend the Dorking meeting has aroused considerable speculation, and it is believed to indicate increased Co-operative influence in Labour Partv planning. This is likely to be felt chiefly in the fields of marketing, where Labour politicians believe that they can learn a good deal from the practical business experience of the Co-onerativA Movement. The Dorking meeting was not in a postion to make any binding decisions, but it will, it is understood, make recomjyendations to the Labour Party’s national executive which is the party’s policy-making body.