LABOR CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1927, Page 3

LABOR CONFERENCE

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 4. How far the slogan “Socialism In our time ” may he adopted with salety exorcised the Blackpool Conference on Mr MacDonald’s motion that the executive prepare a broad outline of an election programme. Air MacDonald described the Baldwin Cabinet as limpets, determined in the interests of their own supporters to drain the cup of authority to the dregs. Labour’s programme must not be flashy or superficial. The party bad too long suffered through unauthorised programmes. ft must educate the electorates to face great fundamentals. A remark of the Communist sympathizer, Pollitt: “Here’s a string of resolutions not mentioning Socialism,” caused Air Henderson to complain that there was a suspicion in PolJitt’s every word whereupon Commoner Alaxton demanded that the programme should “ not he diluted to meet timid people : here, prejudiced ones there and interested ones elsewhere, .but there is something sure to command a majority.”

Ernest Bevin asked why talk as “ a working class, entirely class-conscious Socialists, when actually there were thousands of working Tories. I have been in a few strikes. It has not always been Tories who were the black legs.” Mr Cook appealed for a united front but wa snot satisfied with the prin-j ciples. ! Mr Thomas said getting down to brass tacks, the only test is, can you deliver the goods? It is deceit to talk! of accomplishing a programme in one. Parliament. The executive must be trusted to prepare a programme of which we could sav we will see it through. Mr .MacDonald, summing up, de-j dined to “jerrvbuild in the background j of all our programmes.” He said:. “ Is Socialism not as nice a decorative scheme, as the completion of what is being worked out on Parliament’s great stage.” The motion was carried by tho chairman ruling out the amendment.