REVOLT ON THE FLANK

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 104, 27 January 1930, Page 10

REVOLT ON THE FLANK

TROUBLE IN BRITISH LABOUR PARTY A PERSONAL ELEMENT Dominion Special Service. London, December 5. As a rule the advent of Christmas brings a slackening of activity in the political world, and politicians respond readily and cherfully to the influence of the season. But this year there is no such pleasant change in the political atmosphere, at all events with•ing the Labour Party, which is certainly not charged with good-will. The Insurance Bill has brought the Left Wing of the Labour Party into definite action against the leaders and the majority of the party, and it remains to be seen what Mr. Ramsay MacDonald will do with the mutineers. When the first signs of mutiny were noticed disciplinary action was proposed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, but no decision was Uke Defiant Mutineers. The mutineers, so far from showing repentance immediately became more defiant, and Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Maxton have been in open revolt this week during the discussions in committee of the Insurance Bill. It may be politic for Mr. MacDonald to overlook the matter for the time being, but he cannot but be conscious that the trouble is serious. On two occasions the rebels have mustered 39 and 33 in a vote against the Government, and a continuance of such a state of affairs is bound to have awkward consequences. Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Maxton are both men of ability and sincerity, and are no doubt genuinely anxious to bring the Insurance Bill more into line with their election promises. At the same, time there is a personal element in the quarrel. Mr. Wheatley and -Mr. Maxton have always been impatient of Mr. MacDonald’s leadership, and, in addition, they are waging a vendetta against Miss Margaret Bonfield, the Minister of Labour, who is in charge of the Blit She signed the Blanesburgh Report on the working of the insurance system, and she has not been forgiven for this action. No Coal Trouble. Mr. MacDonald is really in a most trying position, and he will require iron nerves and unlimited patience if he is not to crumble under the strain. He has the mutineers on one flank, and on the other he has the Liberal Party, who will undoubtedly use their position to bring about very material amendments in the Insurance Bill. Liberals and Conservatives are politely standing aside while Mr. MacDonald is fighting his own supporters, and Mr. MacDonald cannot but be aware that the exhibition of disunion is hardly calculated to increase the prestige of the Labour Party.

One trouble, however, Mr' MacDonald is going to surmount. There is going to be no serious trouble in the coal industry. Neither masters nor men have any disposition to' fight, and the disappearance of Mr. Herbert Smith from the scene renders discussion very much easier. In Mr. William Graham, President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald has a really competent colleague, who not only knows his subject, but is a skilful negotiator and can appreciate the point of view of all parties concered. There seems to be very little doubt that Mr. Graham will secure that measure of agreement which will ensure the modification of hours and the introduction of a coal marketing scheme without disturbing the peace of the industry.