Warm Debate.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 January 1914, Page 5

Warm Debate.

AT LABOR CONFERENCE.

"HOT-HEADED FIREBRANDS."

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] Sydney, January 27.

Speaking at the Labor Conference, Mr*Holman declared that hot-headed firebrands who merely utter protests of individual feeling must take a back seat, and men capable of guiding the Ship of State must come to the front. After a warm debate, the conference, by 92 votes to 48, refused to recognise Mr Page, member for Botany Bay, as a Labor member. Mr Page, who was turned down by the party at last election because of his refusal to support the Federal referenda proposals, won the seat against the Labor League’s nominee.

Mr Holman strongly championed Mr Page, on the ground that the referenda proposals were never approved by the Political Labor League conference«, and therefore Labor members could not constitutionally he asked to support them. Mr Page had done no worse than himself. Why not deal with him also?

Mr J. C. Watson and others argued that the conferences had repeatedly endorsed the referenda. Mr Page’s attitxide was different. Mr Holman’s health had been so bad that he had to go to London at that particular time. (Laughter.) The conference declined to admit one delegate because allegedly he had turned dog on the movement.

THE EXCLUSION POLICY.

HOW IT WORKS OUT.

(Received 9.45 a.m.) Sydney, January 28

On resumption of the Labour Conference a stir was'created, as others than delegates and members of the Federal and State Parliaments were present. Despite the exclusion of the press, the papers contained substantial reprints of the proceedings. The president repeated his instructions to the doorkeeper, and asked the gentlemen who had secured admittance through temporary neglect to leave. Mr Robert Patten, Liberal Federal member for Hume, and Mr T. Campbell left the hall. After this, every newcomer was closely questioned as to his bona fides as a friend of Labor.

Discussing the abolition of the Upper House, Mr Lamond commented severely on the rumors that the Government had decided on the personnel of a batch ? bf appointments to the Upper House. He said the matter was one in which the conference had every right to assert its. authority. Eighteen appointments were necessary to swamp the Upper House and secure a certain majority for a Bill to bring about abolition. . '

A committee was appointed to inquire into the claims of the various sections in the movement.