DISUNITY IN RANKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26413, 18 March 1947, Page 5

DISUNITY IN RANKS

FEDERAL LABOUR PARTY r— ~ INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION JEOPARDISED From C. R.' Mentiplay, Special Correspondent Rec. 9 p.m. ' SYDNEY, Mar. 17. In the highest ranks of political Labour in Australia, the lack of unity is becoming ever more discernible as the parliamentary session proceeds. A faction within Cabinet itself which fought shrewdly against the adoption of the Bretton Woods agreement is carrying on its battle in other fields. The most recent illustration of this was when the Minister of Transport, Mr E: Ward, walked from the House of Representatives rather than vote on the Stevedoring Industry Bill. The incident occurred after Mr Ward had vainly tried to persuade Dr H. V. Evatt either to delete or to refer to the caucus the clause providing that the Stevedoring Industry Commission “ shall establish from time to time the number of watersiders required at any port, and shall have power to cancel or suspend registration of watersiders surplus to that number.” This provision is designed to complement legislation ratifying payments to men who attend labour calls but do not secure work. It is intended to reduce the possibility of the taxpayer giving what is a virtual pension to healthy young watersiders. That there should be differences of opinion on matters such’ as this is not surprising. Labour men are perturbed, however, at the fact that such differences have been allowed to show themselves first in Cabinet deliberations and then in open house. Many moderate unionists are enraged at the actions of Sydney watersiders and factions in the Miners’ Federation because important industrial legislation is being delayed and jeopardised by the harassing tactics of a militant minority. It is possible that Mr Ward misjudged this growing feeling of irritation. . , . “ His .gesture will not gam him support in his party, but it does raise anew the question of Cabinet solidarity and corporate responsibility for its decisions,” comments the Canberra correspondent of the Sydney Herald. “The Prime Minister was disposed to disregard Mr Ward's action, but the occasion is inevitably coming when he will have to demand of Mr Ward loyalty to decisions that at least will keep out of the public eye these evidences of party dissension.” The battle of factions will be on again on Wednesday when the Stevedoring Industry Commission Bill will again be discussed by the caucus. That Mr Ward will continue his fight there in spite of the fact that the Bill has been passed through all the stages of the Lower House is considered certain. Labour members then will be precipi-. tated into Thursday’s debate on the ratification of Bretton Wobds. Opposition members, whose attitude to Bretton Woods has not yet been defined, will be waiting to see whether Labour will continue its internecine strife on the floor of the House.