ROMAN CATHOLICS AND LABOUR COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2450, 1 May 1915, Page 8

ROMAN CATHOLICS AND LABOUR COUNCIL

THE POLITICAL RING FENCE IN AUSTRALIA MASS MEETING OP PROTEST (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Melbourne, April 30.' A great Roman Catholic demonstration, over which Archbishop Carr prosided, passed a resolution strongly protesting against the Labour Conference's action in excluding conscientious Roman Catholics from the Labour Council. The Political Labour Council Conferonce executive's recommendation that no ono be admitted to membership of the Labour Party who is at the' same time a member of any other organisation -which selects,or lends support'to candidates for public positions was adopted by 98 votes to 43 at a meeting held in Melbourne at the beginning of the month. Some opponents of the recommendation claimed that it would debar members of tho Roman Catholic Federation from membership of 'the Labour Party. Others pointed out that the prohibition embraced all bodies lending support to political candidates, including the Australian Natives' Association and tho Itechabites. "Several delegates stated that they regarded it as a direct mandate to put the welfare of the Labour Party before that of any religious organisaion. A motion to recommit the recommendation with a view to further discusson was negatived.