Labour Party seeks new definition of aims

Press, 23 May 1977, Page 16

Labour Party seeks new definition of aims

By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

The Labour Party’s search for a philosophy expression in understandable, modern terms dominated the party’s 61st conference in Christchurch last vyeek. The debate was picked up and bandied about with glee by Government members in Friday’s Imprest Supply debate in Parliament.

‘‘lt’s Time to Think,” the slim pink volume (priced at $1 to delegates) containing some modern thought and definition of Labour’s aims, has become almost a collector’s item. If required reading is an ingredient of unanimity, Labour solidarity will benefit.

What showed at the conference, howeve*, was the simpl'' truth expressed in the booklet, that, no two people have exactly the same view of the meaning of socialism. When Ms Vicki Buck called boldly for the universal recognition by delegates that Labour and socialism should stand for the one thing — the social-

isation of the means of production, distribution and exchange — there was opposition and consternation that this rattling skeleton should have been hauled so unceremoniously from its closet. Last Tuesday delegates called for the recognition of the word “socialism” for what it was. Suddenly con-

fronted with a presence they had known all their lives, delegates reacted in highlyindividual ways. Some, having no doubt read the key booklet, settled for Mr W. P. Jeffries’ solution — that there are two socialisms, one the Eastern European kind, with its vio-

lence, suppression, and dominating bureaucracy; the other one with the present Governments of West Germany, Norway, Denmark, Austria and Britain, “where freedom flourishes.” The difference, according to Mr Jeffries, is in the Marxist classification of society — the bourgeoisie