"WAR TO THE KNIFE."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1484, 5 July 1912, Page 5

"WAR TO THE KNIFE."

LABOUR-LIBERAL SPLIT.

Dy TclcErapli-ricss Associatioii-CopyridU London, July .'). Mr. Philip Suowden, Labour monibor for Blackburn, says tho Labour party's decision to absent themselves from Parliament if Iho Librrals contest the cniiiing by-elcclions, means war to the knife. Mr. Js 1!. Clyncs, Labour member for (ho North-east Division of Manchester, declares that Hanlo.v, ono of tho vacant seat?, is <t Labour constituency, and shall not bs filched without a light. Mr. F. W. Jowott, Labour member for tho AVest Division of Bradford, pays that tho party's decision will be acted on thoroughly, anil Mr. G. Lnnsbury, Labour member for Tower Hamlets, declares that it is high time tho Labour party fought tho Government. "SULKING OVER THE STRIKE." (Rec. July i, 11.45 p.m.) London, July 4. Mr. E. G. Hommordo (Liberal), in opening tho Liberal campaign at Hanley, said tho Labour party had contested a number of Liberal seats recently. It was childish to go on sulking over tho strike bccau?o tho Liberals hit back. THE PARTY MACHINE. lABOTJB VOTES TO SAVE THE GOVERNMENT. Tho chief discussion of the concluding day of tho Independent Labour party's Conference at Merthyr Tydvil, on May 20, was on the policy of the-Parliamen-tary Labour party and its attitude to tho Go\ernment. A Bradford resolution urged that the party should put itself outsido tho party machine and vote independently on tho merits of questions irrespective of tho consequences to tho Government.

Mr. Joiyctt, M.P., who moved tho resolution, Said that under (he present system tho Labour members had simply to vote to keep the Government in office. Mr. Councllcy, Bradford, who seconded said that at" present members of Parliament were nonentities and mere voting machines.

Moving ail amendment urging expediency as the determining factor in the party's lobby attitude, Mr. Murray, Hondon, said that their grievance was mainly against the party system. Mr. MT,achlrm, Manchester, declared that independenco of voting which wrecked the Government would be of enormous educational adventaw; while Mr. Russell Williams, Spon Valley, said that they had shown themselves little belter than a disorganised mob. That was why tho Government had cea?ed to pay much attenliou to their demands.

Mr. Keir "Hai-die,, M.P.. asserted that it was an illusory view that tho Labour party held the balance- of power in tho House. Mr. Lansbury, M.1 , ., urged a freer latitude so that they might bo rid of the demoralising clTest of voting against conviction in order to maintain a Liberal Government in office.

Mr. Philip Snnwden .M.P., staled that if women were not. included in the Suffrage Bill ttic Labour members would vote against the Government. Tlu amendment was carried by 105 votes to 73.