PARTY “SPLIT THROUGH CENTRE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27091, 27 May 1949, Page 4

PARTY “SPLIT THROUGH CENTRE”

Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, May 26. It has become clear that the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, is prepared to stake his political career on his ability to convince the people that the Government should be given authority to introduce conscription when necessary. Seldom if ever has Mr Fraser appeared more concerned about any issue than he does about this. Unfortunately for the Prime Minister, it is clear that Labour Party opinion is split right through the centre on this issue.

Already plans are being made, and some cases hall bookings being pencilled in, by political and industrial leaders who will oppose one another in the referendum campaign. . . It is expected that the former Minister of Lands and High Commissioner in Canada, Mr F. Langstone, now M.P. for Roskill, will be invited to lead the anti-conscription Labour forces. Jn this role he would have the support of one section of the Labour Party, while Mr Fraser would lead the other. In spite of the parliamentary caucus decision to support the policy originally proposed by Mr Fraser,’ it is believed that there are several Labour members of Parliament who will not be keen to come forward too rigorously to the support of Mr Fraser’s campaign because of the unpopularity they may incur with Labour supporters in their respective electorates. Division and ill-feeling between the two sections of the party on this issue cannot fail to become greater as the campaign progresses, and Labour prospects at the polls must in consequence be affected. • Both sides are confident of success in the referendum, but the general opinion here is that it is difficult to predict how a poll on conscription will go so soon after the last war and when the Labour Government of New,Zealands near and equally vulnerable neighbour, Australia, has rejected it. On the other hand there is a strong body of Labour opinion which holds that the Prime Minister, with his knowledge of the international situation and the commitments which New Zealand may be expected to make, is m a better position than the rank and file to judge whether the need for conscription is immediate. Mr Fraser obviously feels very keenly about the reverse he suffered at the party conference and is determined to see his policy vindicated in an early referendum. If conscription is defeated, Mr Fraser’s position will be gravely weakened, If it is carried, it will be a major personal triumph for him. .. . . Whatever -happens, the division within the Labour Party will become sharper.