THE LABOUR PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16481, 6 September 1915, Page 2

THE LABOUR PARTY

A DISUNITED BAND. CFboh Ou« Own CourmpondihU . WELLINGTON September 5. When the National Government ,\va» formed supporters of the Labour party had visions of Labour really becoming a force in the conflict of parties in Parliament. Their hopes must have been sadly dashed by events as' they have turned out. Less than ever now is the Labour party a force in the New Zealand Government. Members of the parfcy are at loggerheads. Mr Payne has declared himself a supporter of the National Government, but he no doubt makes mental reservations as to what members of the National Government want his support. Of the other five, Messrs Webb, M'Gbmb's, and Walker do not support the Government, but neither their doctrines nor their personality are such as to attract recruits to their band. Mr Veitch will probably support the new Government more often than he will oppose it, and because of his supposed sympathies for the ' Government fie, is out of favour with the three Socialists above named. Mr Hindmarsh .is not at all likely either to make friends for the party or to succeed in organising the forces which he as chairman of the Labour party ought to control.