SOCIALISATION OF INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1931, Page 6

SOCIALISATION OF INDUSTRY

ST A RTLING PROPOSALS. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, April 5. A declaration in favour of the complete socialisation of industry, which was made by Mr J. T. Lang at the Federal Labour Conference, which opened here yesterday } was quickly followed up by a series of startling proposals aimed at giving effect, to that declaration. The most -important proposal was a plan of social transition.” The plan aims at vesting in the people’s Government the ownership and control of all property, and the administration of all industries including banking, by national and industrial commissions and sub-commissions, with workers and producers directly represented. 'l'lie scheme was sponsored by Mr AV. M’Namara, brother-in-law of Air J. T. Lang, and Mr J. S. Garden. The debate on the proposal lias not, been concluded. AIR LANG’S SPEECH. That socialisation of industry was the “true solution of Australia’s problems” was the view expressed by A 1 r Lang in a vigorous speech in support of his financial proposals. He declared (that bis Bill to reduce interest touched on the fringe of socialisation of credit. He contended that his scheme, which was known as the- Lang Plan, was a step towards the objective of the Labour movement.

Mr Scullin declared that the proposals made by the New Month AA ales section of (the movement would load to further disaster; nothing would add more to the distress of the unemployed than such proposals. Private investors would withdraw from industrv. The conference endorsed Hie attitude of the executive in their resolute handling of the situation, which had developed in 1 I*e Federal sphere during recent months, and the action of the executive in their conduct of the East Sydney bye-election and their adoption of the Lang Plan. If. also declared that the decision to ignore the recent Federal Conference' was completely vindicated. MR THEODORE EXPELLED. Air Theodore was definitely placed outside tin l Labour Party, and all other Labour members of the New South Wales Federation Party who do not. accept the declaration ol local autonomy made by the 1928 Conference will also find themselves without endorsement. The move sponsored by the Australian AA’orkcrs’ Union to appoint a committee to explore avenues for reconciliation with iflie Federal executive! wa.s overwhelmingly defeated. The interest in the proceedings was indicated by the presence on the platform of over thirty member of Parliament.

It was announced at- tile Conference that the Premier of Victoria, Mr Hogan, had declined to give an assurance that he would carry out the decisions of the conference. DISORDERLY SCENE.

Disorderly scenes marked the opening of the Conference. During the discussion on the annual report. Air A. J. Al’Phorson, former organising secretary of the Australian Labour Party, alleged that a “hasher gang” was employed by the Australian Labour Party to stifle interrupti ons. Uproar followed and a motion was unanimously canned that he be no longer heard. THE SCHEME ADOPTED. SYDNEY. April 5. The Labour Conference, by a narrow majority, to-night, adopted the socialisation scheme. tßgggsiuimHiCTßammMaaw^^