DIVISION DENIED

Chronicle (Levin), 22 February 1949, Page 5

DIVISION DENIED

Press Ass'dciattid'hj

MHtemte Drd Nm Labour Caucus

(Per

AUCKLAND, Feb. 21., The Urime Minister is'slic'd th'e foilovving statement tonight: — "1 have been informed tiiat the following statement has. appeared in this morning 's Ohrist'chureh Pr'ess: 'It seems that the more conserva'tive sectioiis of the L&frolir Party, iii'ciitdifig th'e PTihie Minister, Mr. Pra8er, and Minis't'er of Finance-, Mr. Nash, have beeli overrnled in eaucus by a gronp which supports the militant nnions. The Left Wing's usual spokesman, -Mr. G. H-. O. "Wilson (Government, Palmerston North) said in his Budget speeeh last: August that wages had not b'een increased to the same extent as| had other sections of the national: i'neome. ' ' ' This statement is a eomplete and partienlarly foolish fabrieation, especially reprehensible and sweepin^' 111 its faisity b'ecause it ajiplies to every inember Of the Parliamen'tary Labour Party. There was absolutely no division of opinion at last week's eaueus meeting of the Party 011 industrial matters generally or on those affecting the public serviee in partreular. Tire report of the Minister of Labour, Mr. MeLagaUj was accepted unanimously and he was thanked for his cap'able and fair treatment of industrial difficulties. It was decided unanimously to publish the figures of the national income and its distribution among the various sections of the eommunity. Those figures dismiss.the suggestion of an application for an increase in wages of £2 per week into the realm of phantasy. Indeed, the immovable facts of wealth production set a limi't to ' the amonnts available all roun'd : tlie economie range. The Govern- , ment's attitude to the elaims of the Public Serviee Association since the session of Parliament, was approved by all members with 1 the ex'ception of the pnblieation of the Holmes letter, the wisdom of which was doubted by three memi bers. who Voted aecordingly. "There are no sections in the Parliamentary Labour Party. Tbat : conception is a sheer distorted figment of the imagination prornul- ! gated for political purposes, mainly at the moment by Commnnist I reactionaries and their feeble J allies, for the purpose of weakly and vainly endeavouring to promote disintegration in the rattks of labour. ' '