“OLD GUARD” SPLIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22197, 6 December 1946, Page 7

“OLD GUARD” SPLIT

BRETTON WOODS PLAN AUSTRALIAN MINISTRY (10 a.m.) CANBERRA, Dec. 6. Differences of opinion over the Bretton Woods plan has split the “Old Guard” which had dominated the Federal Parliamentary Labour Party during the Curtin and Chifley Governments, says the Sydney Sun’s correspondent. The “Old Guard” Ministers who voted against the Cabinet recommendation for ratification of the Bretton Woods plan included the Minister of Labour, Mr. E. J. Holloway, and the Minister for Air, Mr, A. S. Drakeford. . , 1 The Cabinet newcomers, the Minister for the Navy, Mr. W. J. Riordan, and the Minister for the Army, Mr. C. Chambers, arc also stated to have been against ratification. Indicative of the shock that the party leaders feel is the fact that Parliament was scheduled to continue sitting until the end of next week, but is now likely to rise to-day. Only Opposition prolongation of the debate is likely to keep it going after to-day. Labour’s leaders want to reach the haven of recess as soon as possible. , . , The Government has decided to seek the opinion of the Federal Labour Congress on the Bretton Woods agreement, said the Prime Minister, Mr. J. B. Chifley, in the House of Representative- , , j When the matter was submitted to the Congress, he would state his opim ion that the advantages of the agreement outweighed its disadvantages. Mr. Chifley added that he proposed to arrange an interview between the leaders of the Opposition and Country Party and Australia’s economic advisers. He was anxious that all members of the. House should have an opportunity of judging arguments for and against.