“DON’T ROCK BOAT”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 26 May 1947, Page 3

“DON’T ROCK BOAT”

LABOUR_APPEAL LESS LEGISLATION ATTACK ON CHURCHILL (11 a.m.) LONDON, May 25. The Lord President of Ihe Council. Mr. Herbert Morrison, speaking at Margate where the Labour Party conference opens tomorrow, warned that the “party must keep in high fettle because even a moderate shift in public opinion could lose us our majority.” Mr. Morrison admitted, however, that the burden of the first two sessions of Parliament had been heavy on Parliamentary members and must be eased. The Government would try to lighten the legislative programme without sacrificing any measures promised at the elections and without “reverting to the old slackness” in Parliamentary procedure. Mr. Morrison, referring to “the excess of individualism" in the House of Commons, said there had been some “jumping over the traces.” The Parliamentary" Labour Party had suspended

the old Standing Orders and had agreed that there should be a proper degree of liberty, but expected members not “to rock the boat dangerously or upset the apple cart.” The Minister of Fuel, Mr. E. Shinwell, speaking after Mr. Morrison, said: "We represent the workers by hand and brain. As for the rest it doesn’t matter two hoots. The wind is blowing in our favour. (Mr. Shinwell recently said lie didn't give a “tinker’s cuss” except for the organised workers). Mr. Shinwell was replying to an interrupter, who objected when Mr. Shinwell referred to Mr. Churchill as “that garrulous old gentleman.” Mr. Shinwell added: “Nobody prevents you supporting Mr. Churchill. You can have slums and the means test. Nothing will prevent us from advancing. We don’t rely on parasites, speculators or idlers. We rely on the workers.” a