IF LABOUR RULED

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10957, 4 October 1928, Page 6

IF LABOUR RULED

THE SOCIALIST IDEA WEALTH SHOULD BE POOLED. (Received 11.10 a.m.) United Press Assn—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ■ LONDON, October 3. There were stormy scenes at the Labour Conference when Mr Ramsay MacDonald moved the second reading ot- the executive’s 22,000 word manifesto entitled “Labour and the Nation” which was variously described as “fine,” “recreative.” and “constructive.” It is not merely a programme for the next election but for the years to come, carrying out the full -Socialist idea. It is emphasised that industrial peace was dependent on Labour’s continually increasing control and management of economic power. Moreover, statues equal to that of the capitalists behind the Government must be restored to the workers. Tiie Labour Government would not be in power long before it would introduce a minimum wage. They must also find means of pooling wealth. Mr J. Maxton, who was loudly cheered, declared that he wanted aprogramme, not a thesis. The Labourites would ‘ not win the- election if they stretched out to -everybody, wanting help. An interrupter shouted: “We got you, Jimmy.”

Mr Maxton replied: “You are not going to have me alone. If I am, all the fellows agreeing with me must he included.” He added, amid an uproar, shouts of approval, and cries of “weed out the Communists,” that if, instead of getting the Communists by the throats, 'they started getting the capitalists by the throats the Labourites would have a clear majority at the election. Finally, turning to the leaders seated on the platform he flung out his arm and shouted; “MacDonald, Lanshury. Henderson, Stowden! I insist on your redeeming your promises.” Commander Shinwell contended that the Labourites wanted power, not a programme. If they had a programme it must he short, concise, and understandable by everybody. Independent Labourites demanded that Socialism be carried on speedily. He added that many would be Communists if they did not faint at the mere sight of blood.