LABOUR AND THE PRINCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19247, 26 February 1925, Page 5

LABOUR AND THE PRINCE

THE KIRKWOOD INCIDENT BASED ON MISUNDERSTANDING TROUBLE GROWING IN THE PARTY. i j Received Februarv 2.). 8.15 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 24. I The Labour Party held a meeting 'to-day, which discussed Mr Kirkwood’s ; outburst against Ihe Prince of Wales, iMr Kirkwood was present and explained that he was asked by the Parliamentary Labour Party executive to raise the question. He added that. Mr [MacDonald was chairman of the meeting which decided on such action. Mr MacDonald vigorously denied this i statement. I An official report, of to-day’s meeting i declares that Mr Kirkwood’s statement was based on a misunderstanding. The incident is therefore closed. ; Other reports state that Mr Kirkwood and his Clvdesidcrs were bluntly unrepentant and resented the attempt tn pillory them, but they and a few 1 English Labourites wore in a hope- ; less minority. It was stated that the misunderstanding lay in Mr Kirkwood , taking seriously an executive member’s casual remark that lie was not [the man to take up the matter in the , House. i The Daily Chronicle’s lobbyist says: i “To-day's stormy Labour meeting ! shows that there is a growing lack of understanding between Mr MacDonald and his extreme elements. Mr Mae- ' Donald has begun to realise that his ' leadership is impossible unless the : rank and file submit to discipline, but [Scottish backbenchers refuse to accept 'any dictation. They regard their leader as a more mouthpiece for their opinions. ’ ’