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West Coast Times, 17 February 1914, Page 2

POLITICS IX NEW SOUTH WALES. f.NTKKKsr In matters political in NewSouth Wales, where Labour now quite dominates the Parliamentary situation, is centred in the intentions of the Labour Party, and to a rapidly increasii decree in developments within that party. Those who are credited with Knowledge of inner workings tell us confidently that before long .we shall see the Labour Party in open disruption. It seems that Mr. 11. 0. Meagher, M.L.A., whom the Holman Ministry raised to the position of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly despite a past public record which made the selection of Mr. Meagher for this high post a matter of general astonishment, is a prime mover to the end that the section of the party which now controls affairs shall be displaced as being t>> “conservative” by men who loudly pioclaim themselves as champions oi thj extreme “radical” elements in the party inside and outside of Parliament. Mr. Meagher is said to owe his lifting of himself and his record to tin high and honourable post of Speaker to a desire on the part of Mr. Holman and himself to prevent Mr. Meagher’ .l unabashed ambition from making toe much trouble in the party. Hut if Mr. Holman ami his associates counted on the gratitude of Mr. Meagher they have been mistaken. Plainly, Mr. Meagher wants to establish himself as the. Labour “boss.” He lias managed to secure election as president of tin* Political Labour Conference of New South Wales, recently in session at Sydney. He makes himself conspicuous in criticisms of Labour Ministers when it can be ullc-gd that Ministers shoe themselves dc inclined ,v> "go

the whole hog” in accordance ulin extremist doctrines, and tells Ministers from his place in the conference that they must “fire the gun for the party, or .” It is not be any moans a farfetched assumption that (luring his present little holiday amid the natural wonders and charms of New Zealand Premier Holman is most concerned over that part of his corrcspondcnc from Now South Wales-which tells him about the latest doings of Mr. Meagher and that gentleman’s following.