LABOUR LEADER EXPELLED

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 July 1928, Page 11

LABOUR LEADER EXPELLED

FROM AFRICAN PARTY. A BITTER DISPUTE. POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Received 1.5 p.m. to-day. CAPETOWN, July 9. The Labour Party Conference summoned the national council, heretofore the governing body, and resolved to expel from the party the Hon. E. H. P. Cresswell, the leader .of the party and Minister of Defence, 10 members of Parliament, and also a. number of leaders throughout the country tv ho are supporters of Mr. Cresswell. The bitterness of the speeches shows that the party is hopelessly wrecked. A Parliamentarian referred to Mr. Cresswell as a political blackleg; another wanted Mr. Cresswell to be drummed out and the regimental buttons cut off his tunic.

The Minister of Labour (the Hon. T. Boy dell), who is Mr. Cresswell’s .supporter, says the expulsion is invalid, as the expelling body is irregular! v constituted.

Others express gratification at the decision and wonder- what will the Government do. The National Council decided, to notify General Hertzog (the Prime Minister) of the expulsion. It is understood that he and Dr. Malan favour Mr. Cresswell’s effort to secure clean administration, while the Hon. I’. J. Roo.s (Minister of Justice) takes the opposite side. The position was accentuataed by Dr. Malan (Minister of Interior) appointing a supporter of Mr. Cresswell’s to b© chairman of tbe Rand Water Board at £2OOO a year. He did not consult Cabinet. The Nataionalists will be pleased at the dissolution of. the pact-, if assured of a majority at the genera] election, but as there 'are many doubtful seats it is expected an attemot Anil be made to remove Air. Cresswell from politics.