LABOUR SPLIT IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 13

LABOUR SPLIT IN AUSTRALIA

Dissident Group Now Recognised (Rec. 11 p.m.) CANBERRA, April 19. The splinter group of seven members of the House of Representatives expelled from the Labour Party by the Victorian executive of the party sat on the cross-benches when the House resumed today after the recess.

Mr Robert Joshua announced that he and his colleagues in the comer no longer recognised the leadership of Dr. Evatt. They wished to be known as the Australian Labour Party (Anti-Com-munist). The Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, offered Mr Joshua congratulations on his appointment as the leader of the group. An Opposition member, Mr Leslie Haylen: That’s the kiss of death. Dr. Evatt formally rose and said: “I note the Prime Minister’s congratulations and now I see the secret alliance.” In the uproar, the Speaker, Mr Archie Cameron, then acknowledged the existence of the new group. No-Confidence Vote The Victorian State Legislative Assembly is expected to take a vote tonight on the no-confidence motion in the Cain Labour Government. There are sufficient members expelled from the party over their Right-wing support of the industrial groups within the Labour movement to bring about the defeat of the Government.

The no-confidence motion will be submitted by the Liberal-Country Party backed by the Country Party. The Premier, Mr John Cain, is expected to seek a dissolution and arrange a General Election next month. A move to conduct a party purge in New South Wales similar to that in Victoria has gained new impetus and power from the re-election yesterday of Dr. Evatt as Leader of the Federal Labour Party.