LABOUR SPLIT

Southland Times, Issue 21361, 6 April 1931, Page 7

LABOUR SPLIT

PARTY IN AUSTRALIA DISORDERLY SCENES AT CONFERENCE SOCIALIZATION OF INDUSTRY (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph Copyright.) Sydney, April 4. Disorderly scenes marked the opening of the Easter Labour Conference at the Trades Hall. During the discussion on the annual report, Mr A. J. McPherson, a former organizing secretary of the Australian Labour Party, alleged that a “basher gang” was employed by the Australian Labour Party to stifle interruptions. Uproar followed, and a motion was unanimously carried that he be no longer heard. That the socialization of industry was “the true solution of Australia’s problems” was the view expressed by the Premier, Mr Lang, in a vigorous speech in support of his financial proposals before the conference. He declared that his Bill to reduce interest touched only the fringe of the socialization of credit. He contended that his scheme, known as the Lang plan, was a step towards the objective of the Labour movement.

The Federal Treasurer, Mr Theodore, in a statement asks: “What has Mr Lang’s heroic repudiation plan accomplished?” ’’He has not removed,” declares the Treasurer, “any burden from the people of New South Wales. All he has done is to shoulder the responsibility on to the Commonwealth which in turn must collect the money from this State. Mr Lang is in no better a position than before to put men to work. He, indeed, is definitely in a worse position. People are removing their money out of the State because they are fearful of what Mr Lang will do next.”

The conference endorsed the attitude of the executive for its resolute handling of the situation which developed in the Federal sphere during the recent months. The action of the executive in the conduct of the East Sydney by-election and its adoption of the Lang plan and its decision to ignore the recent Federal Conference was completely vindicated and Mr Theodore definitely placed outside the Labour Party movement. All other Labour members of the New South Wales Federal Party who do not accept the declaration of local authority made by the 1928 conference will find themselves without endorsement. A move sponsored by the Australian Workers’ Union to appoint a committee to explore avenues for reconciliation with the Federal Executive was overwhelmingly defeated. Interest in the proceedings is indicated by the presence on the platform of over 30 members of Parliament. SOCIAL TRANSITION THREE-YEAR PLAN PROPOSED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, April 5. Mr Lang’s declaration in favour of the socialization of industry was quickly followed up yesterday at the Labour Conference by a series of startling proposals, the most important of which is a “three-year plan of social transition.” The plan aims at vesting in a people’s Government the ownership and control of all property and the administration of all industries, including banking, by national and industrial commissions and sub-commissions with the worker and producer directly represented thereon. The scheme is sponsored by Mr W. McNamara, a brother-in-law of the Premier, Mr Lang, and Mr J. N. Garden. The debate on the proposal has not been concluded. SOCIALIZATION PLAN ADOPTED. (Rec. 12.4 a.m.) Sydney, April 5. The Labour Conference by a narrow margin to-night adopted a socialization scheme. N.S.W. SECTION DISASTROUS PROPOSALS. Melbourne, April 4. Addressing the Labour Conference, Mr Scullin declared that the proposals made by the New South Wales section of the movement would lead to further disaster, and that nothing would add more to distress and unemployment than such proposals as private investors would withdraw from industry. It was announced at the conference that the Premier, Mr Hogan, had declined to give an assurance that he would carry out the decisions of the conference.