AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 65, 11 December 1943, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY

Importance Of Coming Conference POLICY ISSUES (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received December 10, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 10. Australia's internal anil external policy for at least the next thrpe years will depend on the outcome of the Federal Australian Labour Party conference which opens in Sydney on .Monday’. This national convention, normally held only once every three years, is the supreme governing body of Labour in the Commonwealth. The policy it enunciates becomes the creed of any Federal Labour Government. Next week's conference is generally regarded as the most momentous since 1916, when the Labour Party was. in office and was split on the conscription issue. The Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, will attend as one of the six representatives from Western Australia. He has been the State delegate for 15 years. This week Alt Curtin has been ill with neuritis. Reports say lie has asked that the conference be transferred from Sydney to Canberra. This request is regarded by party executive officers as a matter for decision by the 56 conference delegates, and, therefore, the conference is expected to sit in Sydney for at least two days, though it may then transfer to Canberra to meet Mr. Curlins convem<nTlie Prime Minister is expected to ask conference to revise Labour's plattorm to scrap its traditionally isolationist attitude and adopt a broader outlook moie fitted to the part Australia must play in post-war international affairs. Some political commentators suggest Mr. Curtin will also tell conference he believes Labour’s policy of straight-out socialization is impracticable—and that controlled capitalism is preferable. A strong anti-Curtin group at the con ference will allege that the Prime Minister is moving away from the Labour policy For instance, the policy expressly stipulates that there should be an Australian Governor-General, and m asking that the Duke of Gloucester should become Governor-General, Air. Curtin did not consult the Labour movement, the caucus, or even the full 1 critics are expected to argue that compliance with his suggestions will result in the ultimate destruction of the Labour Party, and that Mr. Curtin is steadily veering away from the Labour pioneers’ conception of the work-ing-class State. , , South Australia will, recommend plans for the immediate socialization of coalmines, shipping lines and the heavy metal industry. Its delegates wil also seen the early formulation of plans tor a nation-w’ide socialization campaign. V lively debate is anticipated on these socialization plans, a decision on which will oe a test vote of the conference It will decide that the Australian Labour Party is content to allow Mr. Curtin to shape Federal policy free from interference for the next three years, or whether he will 'be ordered to implement immediately the socialization plank of the party platform. ~ , . A proposed nation-wide referendum on post-war powers for the Commonwealtn Government will be another important matter to be considered. As the dominating figure in Australian Labour, Mr. Curtin is expected to carry the day Against his opponents. His ability to swav such conventions has been thoroughly tested, and his election-winning prestige is likely to prove a powerful persuasive force at the conference.