RIFT IN LABOUR LUTE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 836, 3 December 1929, Page 9

RIFT IN LABOUR LUTE

REBEL CLYDESIDERS CENSURED

MAXTON REFUSES APOLOGY United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Monday. For some days there have been rumours of trouble between the official Labour Party and the five “rebel” Clydeside members of the House of Commons. The matter was discussed at a Labour demonstration at Glasgow on Sunday evening, at which Mr. J. Maxton. member for Bridgeton. Glasgow, and the other members concerned attended. Mr. Maxton’s speech showed that the rumours were trustworthy. He said the crime which the Clydeside members were committing was that of voicing too strongly the crying needs of the people. “We have refrained from speaking with freedom thus far,” lie declared, "out of loyalty to the Government. But the position would he humorous if Wheatley, Maxton, Kirkwood, Stephen and Buchanan were to be expelled by the votes of Lord Parmoor and Commander Kenworthy.” Mr. Maxton said he had been asked by the leaders of the party not only to stop further talk of this description, but to offer a public apology on behalf of tlie Clydeside group. “if f have to make a choice between supporting the Cabinet and the unemployed,” he said, “1 shall stand by the unemployed.” A meeting at Dumbarton, at which Mr. Kirkwood attended, unanimously passed a vote of confidence In Mr. Kirkwood, ill spite of a letter from the National Labour Party, complaining of the speech made by Mr. Kirkwood oil November 16. Mr. Kirkwood speaking- at Glasgow on November 16 said: "My view is that the Socialist Government has done nothing for the working classes. Consequently the Clydeside members of the House of Commons are ready, if they get the chance, to vote against the Government, even if defeat be the result. “Mr. MacDonald is no more use to me that Mr. Baldwin unless lie delivers the goods. I do not care if I risk my seat in Parliament; I will try to break a Government which does not keep its pledges to the working classes.”