DISCIPLINE OF LABOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1931, Page 11

DISCIPLINE OF LABOUR

DEFECTIONS FROM PARTY ’ DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE OPPOSITION TO TARIFFS MR. HENDERSON CHEERED By Telegraph—Dress Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 5. Cheers, the waving of agenda papers and the singing of "He’s a jolly good fellow” greeted Mr. Arthur Henderson when he rose to address the Labour conference today. Mr. Stephen shouted, “He’s not a jolly good fellow; he is no better than Mr. MacDonald.” This caused an uproar and threats to throw out the Scottish delegates. Mr. Henderson opposed an attempt to hold an inquest on the attitude of the exmembers of the Cabinet in the crisis, especially whether it was true that they had no alternative policy; also whether they agreed to the wage cuts of soldiers, sailors and teachers. The conference rejected a demand for further examination concerning this aspect. A dispute developed regarding Mr. Kirkwood’s demand for the withdrawal of the national executive’s recommendation that Mr. McGovern, a Glasgow member, was not fit to represent Labotir in the House of Commons owing to his suspension for a disturbance in the House. Mr. Kirkwood urged that Mr. McGovern was at present in prison owing to his activities on behalf of labour, and added that the Independents would regard the withdrawal of the excommunication as a friendly act. The conference rejected the proposal. "This is justice!” shouted Mr. Maxton. Referring to the discipline resolution Mr. Maxton said it expelled Mr. McGovern from the Labour Party after 27 years of loyal work, . Mr. Maxton announced that the Independents are able to finance contests for 24 seats without the assistance of the Labour Party. Mr. Henderson suggested that the proclamation of the dissolving of Parliament might be issued on Wednesday and urged that the conference be Shortened. Mr. Stanley Hirst pleaded for unity in the Labour Party, which would be most essential during tho approaching election. By an overwhelming majority the conference passed a resolution empowering the executive of the Parliamentary Labour Party to impose discipline on all Labour members in the House of Commons, but Mr. Brockway, chairman of the Independent Labour Party, later said that Id of the 16 members of .that body in the House would certainly not accept that ruling and would continue to act as Independents in the event of an election. "We are on the threshold of a battle in which the world will witness the army of workers opposed to the hosts of privilege and vested interests under an erstwhile, champion of Socialism,” said Mr, W. Hirst in his presidential address. "Labour lost its leaders because it refused to lose its own soul. The Labour Government fell because it refused to be blackmailed into sacrificing the position of the unemployed. A tariff is unthinkable. Not only will it hamper trade recovery, but it will also further increase the cost of living.” Ten Labour candidates have been nominated for Seaham, including Messrs. MacDonald, Bloomfield and five miners. The final endorsement of the candidates rests with the national executive. The financial situation of the Labour Party as revealed by the balance-sheet published to-day is causing some anxiety to the executive. There is a considerable deficit and the executive ■ will ask the conference for an increase in affiliation fees from 3d. to 4d. per member, or for the repetition of the previous levy.