RIFT IN LABOUR PARTY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXV, Issue 18971, 2 September 1931, Page 9

RIFT IN LABOUR PARTY.

Leaders Defy the “Bosses.” FIRM STAND BY MR THOMAS. British Official Wireless RUGBY, August 31. Mr J. H. Thomas has resigned his position as political general secretary of the National Union of Railway men, with which he has been closely associated for nearly 35 years. The largest branch of the National Union of Railway men in Derby, Mr Thomas’s constituency, assured him of its full confidence. Mr Thomas did not attend the meeting, but sent in a letter of resignation:—“You have unanimously requested my resignation from the Government, compliance with which would brand me as a coward and cad. I cannot and won’t resign. My allegiance to the National Government is not a hasty but sincere belief, rendering not only the best service to the rail way men, but discharging a duty to the nation. It is unfair to ask for resignation from the Government when you know I acted in accordance with the dictates of conscience, and therefore there is no alternative but to sever my connection with the railwaymen. I love the railwaymen and my Union too much to appeal against your decision. Good-bye.” Mr Thomas’s Emotion. “I have resigned rather than be dismissed,” was Mr Thomas’s only comment on leaving the meeting, with tears streaming down his face. It is learned that the Trades Union Congress has decided that Mr Thomas is not entitled to a pension. Decisions of Prime Ministers. The political writer of “The Sun” says that Mr Macdonald told his son Malcolm, and the other young Labourites, that the whole Party was against them, and they had better go with it in their own interests. Malcolm disobeyed, preferring to remain with his father. It is understood that Malcolm will probably be appointed Undersecretary for the Dominions. BREAK-UP INEVITABLE. LABOUR DISCUSSES FISCAL ISSUES. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 1 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 1. The Economic Committee of Trade Union Congress has completed a special report on the existing political crisis, for presentation to Congress at Bristol on September 9. It is understood it favours a revenue tariff. It is likely the general council will adopt the report, which will thus go to Congress with a definite recommendation in favour of tariff. The best-informed observers among Mr Henderson’s following, foresee the Inevitable change of opinion on the fiscal issue, and bitter internecine controversy in that connection.