SPLIT IN LABOUR RANKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19291, 1 April 1926, Page 9

SPLIT IN LABOUR RANKS.

BITTER FIGHT BREWING.

RIVAL AUSTRALIAN PARTIES. WORKERS' UNION MANIFESTO. SENSATIONAL ALLEGATIONS. By Telegraph -Press Association —Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. March 3'. A bitter fight is expected to occur at the forthcoming annual conference of the Australian Labour Party. A wide split has developed between the leaders of the party and the Australian Workers' Union. The latter is making a determined attempt to gain control of the conference. The Workers' Union has issued a manifesto containing a scathing attack upon the faction which it alleges controls the executive of the Australian Labour Party. This asserts that the chief positions on the executive of the party are in the possession of "an unscrupulous gang of usurpers, who are resorting to every description of dirty trick and swindles in order to secure themselves power." The manifesto elaborates these charges and quotes many alleged instances in support of them. It appeals to all Labour supporters who honour their faith to purge the Labour Party of the elements which have "dragged the fair name of the Labour movement in the gutter of contempt." After the manifesto had been circulated an indignation meeting representative of all the city branches of the Australian Labour Party was held. Allegations of irregular methods were freely made at this meeting against members of the executive who belong to the ruling faction.