Party Leadership Struggle Goes On

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31023, 31 March 1966, Page 13

Party Leadership Struggle Goes On

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) CANBERRA, March 30. 1 A struggle over the leadership of the Opposition Australian Labour Party remained unresolved today after Mr Arthur Calwell, the present leader, attempted to force a showdown with his deputy and rival, Mr Gough Whitlam. Mr Whitlam, aged 49, has been openly critical recently of the leadership of the 69-year-old Mr Calwell. At a meeting of the Parlia- i mentary Labour Party today’ Mr Calwell invited Mr Whitlam, to challenge bis leadership' at an immediate meeting of the party caucus. At the caucus, a bitter exchange occurred between the two men, it was learned.

Mr Calwell was reported to (have challenged Mr Whitlam 'to move a vote of no confidence in him and offered to have standing orders of caucus suspended to enable Mr Whitlam to take action. Mr Whitlam countered with a challenge to Mr Calwell to resign the leadership and allow a secret ballot on the issue. Sources said Mr Calwell told Mr Whitlam “You are guilty of treachery to me and to the Labour Party. You will carry the mark of your treachery for ever. You have been stabbing me in the back.” The sources said Mr Whitlam replied that Mr Calwell had been regarded by three previous leaders of the Labour Party as treacherous to them.