POLITICAL DISPUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 303, 23 November 1926, Page 8

POLITICAL DISPUTE.

EFFORTS AT SETTLEMENT. WEEK-END DISCUSSIONS. SYDNEY, Nov. 22. Strenuous efforts were made over the week-end to effect a settlement with Messrs Loughliri, Goodwin and Gillies, but they remained obdurate and the efforts were fruitless. It is rumoured that-a section of the Labour Party, with a', view to settlement, suggested that Mr Lang should stand down, but Mr Lang’s supporters made it clear that they wanted him to face the situation and place on the malcontents the responsibility of throwing the Government out of office. The Labour caucus held a lengthy meeting in camera. It was officially announced chat the situation was fully discussed and it, was decided to await developments in the House today. At the Australian Labour Party executive meeting, Mr Mutch, Minister of Labour, disagreed with Mr Lang’s view that if an election \vere held the Labour Party would obtain 47 seats. He thought that owing to the position over the dictatorship they would not get more than 30 seats. Mr Mutch continued that he was vigorously opposed ■to the position created by the, resolution of the conference, making the Premier the dictator. He would not consider, however, any proposal to vote against the party. He said that the appointment of a dictator had , done the party -much harm. The dictatorship meant that the Ministers were like a lot of school children and had to carry out the orders of the dictator. The committee appointed to meet Messrs Godwin and Gillies endeavoured to discuss the situation with them, but both refused to do anything except in the presence of Mr Loughlin. The committee also visited Mr Lough-

]in and discussed the matter at length. It is understood that he declined to reconsider his decision and said that unless Mr Lang resigned the leadership of the party nothing could he done.—Press Association. • -