STRIFE-TORN MINISTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 25, 21 April 1927, Page 13

STRIFE-TORN MINISTRY

LANG’S VICCISSITUDES WILLIS IS OBSTINATE A STORMY CABINET Reed 10.10 a.m. SYDNEY. To-day. At a stormy meeting: of the Cabinet, Mr. A. C. Willis, Minister of Labour, refused to resign from the Ministry. Mr. Willis reiterated the charges against Mr. V. W. E. Goodin, M.L.A., and Mr. R. T. Gillies, M.L.A., who caused trouble in the party some time ago, and said they should not be permitted to remain in the party. The members of the Cabinet at a subsequent meeting, which was not attended by Mr. Lang or Mr. Willis, reaffirmed the decisions arrived at the previous day. It was decided not to accept in any shape or form the motions passed by the conference called by Mr. Searle. The attack against Mr. Willis was led by two Ministers, who were hitherto regarded as strong supporters of Mr. Lang. Throughout the proceedings they maintained silence and assumed a neutral attitude.

Mr. Lang was charged by his colleagues with a breach of the agreement arrived at, at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, in not acquainting the Seale Conference with the actual decisions of the Ministry regarding the rejection of Red Rules, and the rescission of the motion expelling Mr. Gillies and Mr. Goodin, and the rescission of the motion granting the Premier dictatorial powers over the Labour Caucus.

In a statement made later Mr. Lang said: “The new rules are simply a new scheme of organisation. There is not the faintest tint of redness about them.”

Mr. Willis, in address to the Labour Conference, said that the branches should call upon the Parliamentarians who had failed to attend the conference to give an explanation of their conduct.—A. and N.Z.