LABOUR’S TROUBLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26774, 18 May 1948, Page 5

LABOUR’S TROUBLES

DISSENSION IN RANKS NATION-WIDE INTEREST BRITISH PARTY’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE From A. W. Mitchell, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec 9 p.m. LONDON, May 17. The Labour Party’s annual conference at Scarborough this week will be watched with more than usual interest by the nation. The largest ever held, it conies at a time when a spate of publicity has focused attention on the party's various domestic difficulties and dissensions, when expulsions and the threat of expulsions cloud the air, when grave doubts are being raised about the efficiency of nationalisation, and when some commentators have been emboldened to write about “ the coming split ” in the party. It comes at a time when political observers remark that there are now at least four groups in the party: “ The old guard,” comprised of such men as Mr Clement Attlee, Mr Herbert Morrison and Mr Ernest Bevin; the economic intellectuals, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, Mr Hugh Gaitskill and Mr Harold Wilson, with Mr John Strachey on their verge; the Left Wingers, led by Mr Aneurin Bevan, with Mr Hugh Dalton taking an increasingly prominent role; and the extreme Left, including such men as Mr K. Zilliacus and supporters of Mr J. F. F. Platts-Mills. Fresh in all minds is not only the affair of the Nenni telegram and attendance at The Hague, but also criticism by Mr Alfred Edwards of the steel nationalisation plans, Mr Emmanuel Shinwell’s revelations about nationalisation generally, and Sir Charles Reid’s resignation from the National Coal Board—none of which can be regarded as good Government propaganda. Uppermost in the thoughts of many trade unionists is the contentious subject of wages, profits and prices. Though the Trade Unions Congress had reached agreement on it with Sir Stafford Cripps, many unions and unionists are obviously not at all satisfied. It is interesting that Mr Dalton will be the main official speaker on this subject, and that he will be speaking to trade unionists, who hold a bloc voto of 4,129.000 (compared with 2.670,000 last year), and delegates of constituency parties, who hold 856,000 votes. 'The conference, it is expected, will doubtless indulge to some extent in the time-honoured pastime of cleansing soilen linen in public; but with 200

press correspondents from all parts of the world listening it is not thought likely that the party leaders will encourage any tendencies to develop still further the various party’s schisms. Indeed, the reverse can be expected and the presence of such a battery of publicity will not be overlooked for advertising party policies, especially with preparation for a general election beginning to loom over the horizon. The occasion, it is felt, will be regarded certainly by the parties’ leaders as an opportunity for re-pre-senting a united front.

The conference has a fulj agenda which, it is stated, is unlikely to be completed. On Monday the case of Mr Platts-Mills and the other Nenni telegram signatories will be discussed. The New Zealander (Mr Platts-Mills), now no longer a member of the party, will, it is expected, be present as a visitor without the right to speak unless standing orders are suspended. The National Executive’s report on the position of Mr Alfred Edwards will probably also be reviewed. On Tuesday, Mr Herbert Morrison will open a debate' on what is described as “ the main theme ” of the conference —the policy contained in the pamphlet “ Production, the Bridge to Socialism.” This will be followed by a discussion on wages, profits, and prices. Mr Attlee will review the work of the Government on Wednesday. There will also be a discussion on European unity. On Thursday, Mr Bevin will wind up the foreign policy debate. This will be followed by criticisms of the anti-Communist policy with a reply by the party secretary, Mr Morgan Phillips. /On Friday, Mr Morrison will speak on the House of Lords and he is expected to indicate the Government’s next moves for all-party agreement on the reform of the House of Lords,