HOPELESS SPLIT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 240, 11 July 1928, Page 11

HOPELESS SPLIT

IN SOUTH AFRICAN LABOUR PARTY

MINISTER AND OTHERS EXPELLED PROBLEM FOR GOVERNMENT (United Preso Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Cape Town, July 9. The Labour Party Conference, summoned by the National Council, heretofore the governing body, resolved to expel from the party Colonel F. H. P. Croswell, Minister of Defence, ten Labour members of Parliament, and a number of leaders throughout the country who are supporters of Colonel Creswell. The bitterness of the speeches shows that the party is hopelessly wrecked. One member of Parliament referred to Colonel CresXvell as a “political blackleg.” Another wanted Creswell “drummed out of the regiment and the buttons cut off his tunic.”

The Minister of Labour. Mr. T. Boydell, who is a Creswellite, says that the expulsion is invalid, as the expelling body- is irregularly constituted. Others express gratification at the decision. What will the Government do? The National Council decided to notify the Premier, General Hertzog," of the expulsions. It is understood that be and Dr. Malau favour Colonel Creswell's effort lo secure clean administration, while Mr. Tiehuan Roos, Minister of Justicerttikes the opposite side. The position is accentuated by Dr. Malan appointing a Creswellite chairman of the Rand Water Board, a £2OOO a year job, without having consulted Cabinet.

The Nationalists would be pleased at the dissolution of the pact, if they were assured of a majority at the General Election, but as there are many doubtful seats, it is expected that an attempt will be made to remove Colonel Creswell from politics.