AUSTRALIAN LABOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18748, 29 December 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR

WEEDING OUT EXTREMISTS STRONG APPEAL BY LEADERS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, December 27. The Herald states ; The Labour leaders’ appeal marks the launching of a determined campaign to reorganise the movement to purge it of extremist and reactionary influences, and so alter the constitution as to enable important reforms to be carried into effect. The paper adds; The drift of the partv towards Communism and a generally unsatisfactory state of affairs has culminated at last in an effort by the moderate elements to cleanse the whole movement. ‘ The appeal says: “The results of the Federal elections show that Labour failed to take advantage of the favourable conditions offering. The response was not satisfactory.” It proceeds; ‘‘Admittedly there are factors contributing to this position we are not able to control, but other factors can be removed if the members of the movement assert themselves, amongst these particularly being the unsatisfactory control of Labour's organisation.” The framers of the appeal express the belief that if the proposed suggestions are adopted the Labour movement will once more become a driving moral force in the community.—A. and N.Z. Cable. The Labour leaders’ appeal for reform has been received favourably by manv unions, but members of the executive of the Labour Party interpret it as a thrust at them.