A NEW SLOGAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26776, 20 May 1948, Page 5

A NEW SLOGAN

PARTY CONSOLIDATION

MR MORRISON’S APPEAL TO LABOUR DELEGATES

From A. W. Mitchell, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent SCARBOROUGH Rec. 8 p.m. May 19. A new slogan has been given the British Labour Party by Mr Herbert Morrison, Lord President of the Council. It is “Consolidation.” He is seeking consolidation of three years of legislation and also of opinion within the party. He has made so far the most interesting and important speeches at the party’s conference here at Scarborough. Looking to the next General Election, which it is felt may be in 1950, he is advising the party not to bite off more than it can chew, to be content with the gains it has made, and to work out a policy during the coming year that will satisfy not only the party generally but also public opinion. With one eye on the Lettish Wing of the party, he is appealing to them not to be so many Oliver Twists—- “ stretching out our hands for more, and not making good the gains already made, can only end in disaster ” —while re-emphasising the importance of production and promising the scientific re-equipment of industry on a 10 to

15-year plan. So far he has received the support he is seeking, although many delegates are somewhat restive at the renewed appeals to workers which they fear may mean chiefly further profits to private enterprise. This question of profits and a rising cost of living is a sore point with many delegates and there have been some vigorous criticisms of Sir Stafford Cripps that he is not doing all he should to “ soak the rich,” and some dissatisfaction with the.T.U.C.’s agreement with the Government on its White Paper for wages, profits, and prices. !• These feelings were quietened by Mr Hugh Dalton speaking for the national executive—Sir Stafford Cripps was present only as a delegate—who quoted the Chancellor’s Budget speech to prove the Government’s intention to take further action on profits if it is required, and that there has been no actual freezing of wages. Mr Dalton also emphasised that the Government had made considerable readjustment in the share of national income by taxation and social benefits. He gained the “ consolidation ” of party opinion on this point and approval of the Government policy while making it clear that if further action was required it would be taken. In addition to Mr Dalton smoothing ruffled feelings on this question, “Nye” (Mr Aneurin Bevan), as he is generally known, gave a pep talk about satisfactory increases in production. In the cause of “consolidation” of party opinion, Mr Bevan emphasised the upward curve in exports of every industry compared with 1946, discarded as nonsense any suggestions of undernourishment under a Labour Government, and gave warning of the consequences of a lack of faith among those' who might be paying attention to “ enemies trying to surround us with a cocoon of defeat.” All of this was satisfying to those who are hoping to see the Socialists leave Scarborough a more united body than it has been in recent months.