LABOUR DIVISIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16215, 28 April 1916, Page 4

LABOUR DIVISIONS.

SPLIT IN NEW SOUTH WALES, ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT MOTION OF CENSURE CARRIED. By Teleeraoh—Preas Association— Sydney, April 2". The proceedings at the Labour Conference disclosed a cleavage in tin ranks and a strong anti-ministerial party. The Sydney Morning Herald states that between the sittings from 60 to 70 delegates, a majority of the total delegation, formed themselves into a distinct section, elector! a president, aud generally instituted an organised attack on the Government of New South Wales and the Parliamentary Labour Party generally. The discussions produced much censure of the Government's administration and acts.

Mr. Barclay, delegate from the Australian Workers' Union, moved to the effect that the Government be severely censured for refusing to endeavour to give effect to the first plank of the Labour platform, the abolition of the Upper House. He vigorously attacked the Government.

Mr. Holman, Premier of New South Wales, in reply, declared that if ho went to the country with that cry he would be defeated. So clear]'' was he of that opinion that, if the conference decided that to be the right course, he would ask to be relieved of the responsibility of leadership. .He had consulted his colleagues, who had endorsed his action. Mr. Blakeney, of the Australian Workers' Union, accepted the Premier's challenge, and called on the Ministry to resign. He compared the State wit.i New Zealand, which had never had a Labour Government, yet, he said, it had a better Workmen's Compensation Act than that Mr. Holman had given the people.

The motion was carried by 104 votes to 68, and the conference adjourned.

MEETING OF THE CAUCUS. MINISTERS TO STATE VIEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received April 27. 11 p.m.) Sydney, April 27. Cabinet has considered the position created by the Labour Conference vote, and decided to call a special meeting of the caucus to-morrow, at which the situation and Ministers' views will be fully explained.