PARTY SPLIT

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1938, Page 9

PARTY SPLIT

LABOUR IN N.S.W.

OUSTING OF LANG

BATTLE FOR "LABOR DAILY"

(From "The Post's" Representative.) ..,!.., SYDNEY, January 28. Once again the New South Wales Labour Party is split in bitter factions. Once again the fight is milling round the party's •' official newspaper, the "Labor Daily." Once again the dictatorial leadership of Mr. Lang seems to be threatened. The patched-up peace arranged for the Federal elections last October has burst asunder, as everyone knew it must. The first blow fell on Mr. Lank and his "Inner Group" when the Australian Workers' Union, at a recent conference, elected as president one of its old stalwarts and one of Mr. Lang's oldest enemies, Mr. John Bailey. It was Mr. Lang who had been responsible for Mr. Bailey's expulsion, which was the beginning of the troubles that have weakened the party in the'last decade. Mr. Bailey has been quiet politically'in that time, although remaining, keenly concerned with the affairs of the A.W.U.. When this union a year ago elected Mr. Charles Dalton its president, a rapprochement between the union and Mr. Lang's faction—old enemies—followed. Mr. Bailey's recent appointment destroyed that alliance. . ' I After this alliance, had been arranged last year, Mr: Garden's defection from the Labour Party, with his strong industrial unions, brought a ne.w revolt against,Mr. Lang. The fight for control of the "Labor Daily" was taken to the courts/and the rebelling unions gained representation' of two directors. But for a legal technicality they would have had four. At all events; the Lang dictatorship of" the newspaper was shaken. Even some of his nominees on the directorate showed signs of secession. SWIFT RUSH OP EVENTS. Events followed swiftly after Mr. Bailey's re-election to A.W.U. power. The banner of rebellion was thrust higher by the industrials last weekend, when a conference, claiming to represent a preponderance of the Labour union and political party, denounced the control of Mr. Lang and his "Inner Group." The conference, although rejecting a proposal to form a new Labour Party, decided to run candidates, at the forthcoming State elections in opposition to the official Labour nominees in all electorates where there was a1 possibility of Labour victory and also to oppose, Mr. Lang, himself. V Then Mr. Lang played his next card. Holding a debenture, which, with unpaid interest, amounts to £17,200 over the assets of trie "Labor Daily," he gave 30 days' notice of intention to put in a receiver and manager—the present editor Mr, Norman McCauley. The majority, of the members of the board of directors refused to recognise Mr. Lang's right to install Mr McCauley, and it is certain that an application will be made to the courts for a clarification of the position. Industrial leaders stated that they intended to concentrate upon removing Mr Lang from control of the paper, and, if possible, from the party leadership before the State elections. Meanwhile, intensive efforts will be made within 30 days to raise the necessary £17.200 to pay off Mr. Lang.