REDS LOSING FAVOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 25

REDS LOSING FAVOUR

.-E-BIRTH OF N.S.W. LABOUR. 'From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, January 25. There has been a distinct trend during the last few weeks in the genuine labour movement towards a clearing out of the extremist element that has brought such discredit on the movement, and tbe swing towards the old objectives that gave the movement its standing in past years is being referred to bv the newspapers as the “Rebirth of Labour.” The first important move was taken by the leaders of the Federal and State Parliamentary Labour parties, in a circular to unions and labour leagues putting forward proposals for the general clean-up of the movement. For this they were carpeted” by the extremists in control of the executive of the Australian Labour Party, and, to an extent, they had to modify their views in an explanation. But the incident shows the feeling that exists, especially as most of the leagues immediately endorsed the views of the leaders. But the most significant indication of the desire of the workers generally to dissociate themselves from the “Reds” is the fact that during tlie year three of the biggest unions, with a membership aggregating 13,000, withdrew from affiliation with the Labour Council of New South Wales, an ultra-extremist body that has openly affiliated with the Moscow International, and which has done its best to foment strikes upon the merest pretext. The withdrawals are regarded as glaring evidence that the council’s connection with the Third Red International lias alienated the support of most workers, who resent in no mistaken manner the anti-British and Continental secret society methods of the Labour Council, whereby certain officials became delegates to Moscow. The convention of the Australian Workers' Union, representing; all States of the commonwealth, and New Zealand, which is to meet this week, is also likely to declare itself in opposition to the “Red” element. It is expected that a motion instructing their delegates to the All-Australian Trades Union Congress to oppose any attempt to affiliate with the Red Internationale will be carried by a big majority. Incidentally it is proposed that the delegates be instructed to oppose tbe widening of the constitution to embrace coloured aliens. !