CABINET CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19620, 26 April 1927, Page 13

CABINET CRISIS.

o MR. WILLIIS' VITUPERATION. LABOUR PARTY DIVIDED. (Received April 25, G. 37 p.in.) A. and jS t .Z. SYDNEY, April 25. Cablegrams have been received from the Minister of Labour, Mr. J. M. Baddeley, and the Minister of Justice, Mr. W. G. McKell, who are abroad, which, in the opinion of the Ministry, indicate that they are in favour oE the observance of the pact made with Messrs. Gillies and Goodin. In a bitter attack 011 the Cabinet Ministers, which he delivered at the Labour Conference, the vice-chairman of the Executive Council, Mr. A. C. Willis, described his opponents as miserable intriguers, who would assassinate a colleague behind his back. The conference carried a resolution reaffirming its confidence in the Premier, Mr. J. T. Lang, and stating that it will recognise him only as the leader of the Parliamentary Party. A message from London jiays that Mr. Baddeley, who had not intended to go to London till Monday, unexpectedly arrived from the Continent last night and at once conferred with Mr. McKell. -The dispute between the two opposing factions in the Labour Party has become so acute that a split within the ranks of the State Parliamentary Labour members appears unavoidable. It is stated that Mr. Lang ms.y take immediate steps to reconstruct his Cabinet by replacing the revolting Ministers by others who support the Sealo faction. This would mean a general election about October, before the Government meets Parliament. It has been reported that Ministers who are in revolt have requested the Governor, Sir Dudley de Chair, not to dissolve Parliament nor to sign any Executive minute to that effect, without first consulting the Ministers.