CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13745, 7 April 1915, Page 5

CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP.

THE NORTON GRIFFITHS'

SCHEME

Melbourne, April 6

The Political Labour League Conference executive's recommendation no one be admitted to membership of the Labour party who, at the same time, "is a member of any other organisation which selects or lends support to candidates for public positions, was adopted by 98 to 43.

Some opponents claimed that this would debar members of the Catholic Federation from membership of the. Labour party. Others pointed out that ] the prohibition embraced all bodies lending support to political candidates, including the Australian Natives.' Association and the Rechabites. Several delegates stated that they regarded this as a direct mandate to put the welfare of the Labour party before that of any religious organisation. A motion to recommit the motion for further discussion was negatived. The Hoh W. A. Holman distributed a minute of his dealing with the Norton Griffiths public works scheme, pointing out that owing to the stringency of financial matters it was utterly imposible to float loans' in order to carry on public works after November. This would mean the immediate discharge of 20,000 men. The adoption of the Norton Griffiths proposals enabled the Government to carry out the whole of the public works for that year.