LABOUR PARTY SPLIT.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13929, 11 July 1917, Page 3

LABOUR PARTY SPLIT.

MR McCOMBS'S RESIGNATION, WHAT IT PORTENDS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 9. Owing to differences that arose last week at the Labour Conference, Mr J; McC'ombs, M.P., lias severed his connection with tlio New Zealand Labour .Party. This decision followed upon congress adopting a resolution in favour of State control being added to the issues at the licensing poll, WELLINGTON, July 9. The resignation of Mr McC'ombs from the Labour Party possesses more significance than appears on the surface, the indications pointing a further split in the Labour ranks, with the Hon. J. T. Paul and other prominent members following the lead of tho member for Lyttelton, It is significant that the Hon, J, T, Paul the other day refused to accept the presidency of the Labour Party, and, furthermore, though advertised to speak, failed to take any part in the Labour rally held in the King's Theatre last night, It is freely stated that liquor trade people have been endeavouring to securo some measure of influence in the counsels of the Labour Party, and it is alleged that as the result of their efforts, the Labour Congress, sitting in Wellington, decided in favour of adding State control to the issues at the licensing poll. Hence the split that, has occurred.

Mr McCombs lias no intention of resigning liis seat in tlio House, though hp was elected under the auspices of the Labour. Party, lie informed a newspaper representative to-day that lie had neither signed the party's pledge nor handed in his written resignation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives before being elected, which in any case, he states, would be valueless, as a member can always withdraw such a document at anv time.

Mr MeComlis lias adhered, he says, to the pledges lie gave to the electors at Lyttelton at the last election, and if the Labour Party chooses to amend a plank in its platform to which he cannot subscribe, lie is not bomul in consequence to abide by such decision.

Mr J, E. Howard, of Clii'istclnirch, and other prominent members, were also interviewed on the subject. They were at iirst astounded at Mr MeCombs' resignation, and could hardly credit it. However, they stated philosophically, that the party would still go on, even without Mr McCombs, who, they stated, was not strictly a member, but was a member of the allied Social Democratic Party. They admitted that lie had not signed his resignation as a member of the House, but they contended that he was morally subject to the recall, and if he failed to resign he would "Blast himself for ever,"

A NEW PARTY TO BE FORMED. It is stated that the split in the Labour ranks will result in the formation of a new party, led bv Mr McCombs, who feels confident that the whole of the Christchurch Labourites will flock to his standard, including Mr Howard. • It is alleged that the liquor trade sent a delegation through New Zealand to try to influence the Labour pcpple to opposo six o'clock, closing of hotel bars; that they failed to move the Federation of. Labour Conference or the industrial section of the Labour Party, but succeeded with the political section of tho party, the plank in favour of adding Government control to the licensing issues being carried by .a bare majority. As a result Mr McCombs handed in his resignation, and it is expected that other members "will follor suit.