LABOUR IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16258, 8 July 1918, Page 4

LABOUR IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

THE MOVEMENT AGAIISoT

BOLSHEVISM. .

(FROM Otm OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

■ SYDNEY, June 26.; The manner in which the Bolsheviks have captured the control of the official Labour organisation in New South Wales—and, to a lesser extent, in other States—has already been explained, and tho immediate result of the appearance of the extremists in executive positions —i.e., tho decision of many trade I unions to cut adrift' from' the' Labour Council and start a Federation of their own —is already a matter of common kuowledge. It is most interesting, however, to watch the development of this new movement tv-ithin the I/abour movement. ; * ' Although the straight-out Bolsheviks among the delegates to the Federal Labour Conferericc, at Perth, were in a minority, the resolutions that have been adopted are remarkable for their extremist tendencies, rather than for moderation. The unqualified: peace-by-negotiation and anti-recruiting decisions advocated by the extremists were not agreed to bv' the Conference. The Conference, however, decided that its approval of Britain's continued participation in the war, and.of the participation of Labour in recruiting activities, should be subject to a whole array of "conditions." The Allies, for instance, must at once issue to this consequential and arrogant Labour Conference an assurance that they are ready to enter into negotiations for peace upon a basis, of no annexations, and' ■no penal indemnities ; Labour ■to be satisfied that Australia's requirements in man-power permit her to send more troops out of the country; the attitude of Labour towards the war, as defined by this Conference, .to be endorsed by a special referendum of all members of affiliated Labour bodies. It is safe to say that, since Labour has completely broken faith with the Government on the questions of war and recruiting, the Government will no-w ignore its precious resolutions and its ponderous wrestling with problems of which it has no real conception,. and will devote itself to the paramount duty of carrying on our share of the war.

Whether the purification of the_ Labour movement will come from within or from without (by., the, formation of an independent Federation) remains to. be seen. Certainly, the men who are working for the new Federation are showing energy and enterprise, and they lmve-the backing of. some, of the strong, unions of. the most intelligent classes nf men—auch as the Printing Trades Employees, the Electrical "Workers, the and others. It almost looks as if the day may come when wo will have two Labour organisations —tho intelligent, and moderate skilled m'en against the red-rag unskilled men.