VOICE OF LABOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21142, 28 March 1932, Page 9

VOICE OF LABOUR.

SYDNEY GATHERING. SOCIALISTIC PROGRAMME. NEW GUARD OPPOSED. STATE FUNDS QUESTION. CLASHES THREATENED. By Telegraph —Press Association—Copyright. (Received March '27. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. Mnrch '27. Tlio East or Conference) of llio New South Wales branch of tho Australian Labour Party was begun in the Trades Hall, Sydney, yesterday. Speeches were delivered advocating the abolition of the capitalist system. Tho Unemployment Committee's proposals included a capital levy or as an alternative a steeply-graded income-tax. " We want .'spoils "to tlio victors,' " declared one delegate when the conference was discussing appointments to Government jobs. The Government was criticised for appointing non-unionists. Mr. Walsh, of Bondi, complained that the Labour movement would never secure control until all legislators and administrators were members of the Labour Party. The conference passed a motion urging the Government to introduce a six hours' day in tlio mining .industry. A motion was moved that the leaders of tlio New Guard be arrested and that their organisation bo disbanded. In the subsequent discussion some healed exchanges occurred. Tho members of the State Government, especially tho Chief Secretary, Sir. M. Gosling, were severely criticised. Mr. Whitlakcr, a tramway representative, declared that he wanted to see Colonel Eric Campbell, leader of the New Guard, in gaol. They must instruct the Premier, Mr. Lang, what he was to do. Mr. Kelly, a representative of the Land Transport Union, alleged that the tramway system at present was run by New Guardsmen, and that the staff of the Endowment Office was riddled with them. " Only if we are an organised crowd can wo do anything with this meancc," said the delegate. Mr. J. S. Garden, secretary of the Trades Hall, declared that there might bo clashes in Australia next, week if the whole of its money were taken from the State, which now was giving more than any other part of the Commonwealth to the unemployed. Mr. Garden moved that the conference pledge itself to take every step possible to defeat action by the Federal Government and the New Guard and to protect tho working classes. This motion was carried and tlio one for the arrest of tho leaders of the New Guard was defeated.