QUEENSLAND DISPUTE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 11

QUEENSLAND DISPUTE

Federal Party Delays Action (Rec. 1 p.m.) CANBERRA, May 1. The Australian Federal Labour caucus will meet next Wednesday to discuss the Queensland Labour Party crisis, brought about by the expulsion of the Premier. Mr Vincent Gair, from the Labour Party. This follows an unsuccessful move by the former Labour Party whip, Mr Fred Daly, of New South Wales, to have the expulsion debated at a caucus today. Mr Daly’s move took Labour leaders and rank and file members of the party by surprise. He attempted to move a motion seeking an interpretation from the Federal Labour Party executive of the extent to which the Parliamentary Labour Party—Federal or State —is subject to outside direction from the party machine. Dr. H, V. Evatt, leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, ruled Mr Daly’s motion out of order on the ground that it obviously related to the internal dispute in the Queensland branch of the party. Mr Daly: “Is that your ruling?” Dr. Evatt: “Yes.” Mr Daly: “I differ from your ruling, but I will accept it.” Dr. Evatt said the Federal executive had already determined on intervention in the Queensland dispute. He said he required notice of motion of Mr Daly’s move. Later, Dr. Evatt said he would comment on the Queensland dispute “as and when” he thought fit and not when other people determined.