THE LABOUR PARTY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 35, 24 January 1912, Page 6

THE LABOUR PARTY.

A-HUMOURED SPLIT.

(Per Press Association.) Wanganui, January 24. Rumours have been going the rounds ately of some disturbance in the uind of the local labour party and J the possibility of interesting developments, particularly in regard to ts relation to the New Zealand Laban- Party. From statements made 0 pressmen by leading labourites in ■Vanganui it appears that strong exception is taken to the hostile attiudo adopted by the executive of the N T ew Zealand Party and its official u’gan in Wellington towards the memo's for Wanganui, Otaki, and Grey Aum. These members did not sign ho New Zealand Labour Party’s writen pledge nor were they asked to do ■O, their supporters, it is said, proem ng to trust to their personal lononr. The fact that the three neinbers named .are also opposed to die Premier is stated to he another ;f the executive’s grievances. It transpires that attempts were made >y the executive in Wellington prior :o the elections to force the pledge m Mr Veitch hut this failed, and ■his, as well as the attitude of the \’ow Zealand Party’s official organ, iave caused so much resentment that here is already talk of starting a jew political labour movement whose •onstitntioh shaJl leave out all monion of pledge and give local branches • free hand in the selection of candilates and the conduct of elections. The constitution of the New Zeaand Labour Party tends to tlie crcition of a political machine with a '.elect few in Wellington exercising fhe right of dictation to the whole party. throughout tlie Dominion, and this they are determined to resist. It ;s stated that communications have already been received here from other oarts of the Dominion which express •iimilar opinions and indicate readiness to join in the suggested new novomont, which, while putting forward a thoroughly Labour platform, ■shall ensure freedom from the dominance of a- coterie of extremists Further developments are awaited with interests.