DEMANDS OF PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26717, 11 March 1948, Page 7

DEMANDS OF PARTY

CONTENTIOUS ISSUES MEASURES FOR GOVERNMENT LABOUR CONFERENCE IN BRITAIN N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 8 p.m. LONDON, Mar. 10. Possibly the most far-reaching, resolution among the 300 already set down for discussion at the fortyseventh annual conference of the British Labour Party, is one from' the Lewisham branch (Mr Herbert Morrison’s constituency) demanding that when Labour is the governing political party all decisions of the party conference should be binding upon the Government. This bluntly raises a vital constitutional question as to who is to govern—the Labour Patry conference or the elected Government. So far Cabinet has avoided a direct clash with the conference on this matter, but if the Lewisham branch proceeds with its remit this may shortly be precipitated. The main emphasis in the conference agenda, however, is on economic conditions and predominantly upon the regulation of prices and dividends. Mr Ernest Bevin’s old union, the Transport and General Workers’, warns the Government that “ having regard to the increases in profits revealed in the returns of trading and manufacturing companies,’’ it must take “ exorbitant profit distribution.” Altogether 39 resolutions call for Government measures to deal with profits and prices before restricting wage demands of trade unions. The Devon area federation of the party goes further and demands the blocking of all individual bank accounts above £ISOO. The Greenwich branch suggests a capital levy on all capital investment above £IO,OOO, and the Wallsend branch wants all dividends restricted to seven and a-half per cent. Six resolutions, one of them from the influential Royal Arsenal Cooperative Society, oppose any reduction in food subsidies. One of these resolutions declares that food subsidies are the means of enforcing a more equitable distribution of wealth and demands that they be used for this purpose. A number of resolutions criticise the methods of appointing boards to control nationalised industries. The influential Amalgamated Engineering Union has tabled a remit expressing regret that the boards of nationalised industries are “ predominantly manned by persons previously responsible for running private industry.” The United Society of Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders calls for the immediate nationalisation of shipbuilding and repairing industries. Two more resolutions call for the nationalisation of the iron and steel industry. In view of the vital position of the coalmining industry in the national economy, it is interesting to note that the National Union of Mineworkers welcomes the Marshall Plan and expresses loyal support for the Labour Government. Eleven resolutions ask for stronger Government action to curb racial discrimination and Fascist activities. Three of these attack the Labour executives’ campaign against Communists but two more express apprehension lest Communism cause a split in the ranks of the workers. All these resolutions were submitted before the recent Communist coup in Czechoslovakia. Foreign affairs receive slightly less attention than usual. The most important of 15 resolutions dealing with foreign policy is from the National Union of Mineworkers which expresses general approval of Mr Bevin’s conduct of affairs. The Gateshead branch calls for the withdrawal of all British troops from Greece, and asks that Russia be invited to settle affairs of the Middle East in full partnership with other members of the United Nations. A number of other resolutions call for renewed efforts to reach better understanding with the Soviet. No fewer than 55 remits recommend various changes and improvements in party machinery in preparation for the next general election. One resolution calls upon the National Executive to examine the claims of Esperanto as an international language. The conference will be held this year at Scarborough, commencing on May 17. Mr Erranuel Shinwell, as this year’s chairman of the party, will preside.

MR T. T. HOLLWAY, the Premier of Victoria, who declared at Richmond that every union of importance in Australia to-day was controlled by antiChristians, anti-Australians, and anti-Democrats. “ The writing is on the wall for the Chifley Government at the next elections,” he added. “ With a solid Liberal Government in the Commonwealth, and in most States, there will be no more crawling to Communists.”