SNOWDEN RESIGNS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 240, 30 December 1927, Page 1

SNOWDEN RESIGNS

INDEPENDENT LABOUR PARTY

“HAS SERVED ITS PURPOSE”

By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Thursday.

Mr. Philip Snowden has resigned from membership of the Independent Labour Party, to whicn he has belonged for 34 years.

In a letter to the secretary, he says: “The Labour Party, since it per-

mitted individual membership and adopted a Socialist basis, adequately fulfils the purposes for which the Independent Labour Party originally existed. The latter has served its purpose, and its con-

tinued existence is neither necessary nor useful, and involves a waste of money and effort.” —A. and N.Z.

“OUT OF TOUCH” MR. SNOWDEN AND PARTY “NO LONGER SOCIALIST” Reed. 11.47 a.m. LONDON, Thurs. Mr. Francis Johnson, secretary of the Independent Labour Party, has sent a letter to Mr. Snowden regretting his decision. He says: “The party will always remember your work as a pioneer propagandist, and th~ distinction with which you twice occupied the chairmanship; but the mass o£ the members do not agree that there is no necessity for the party. On the contrary, they are sure it has still a separate function in the Greater Labour Movement.” The .etter recalls that Mr. Snowden was a member of the National Council when it decided in 1922 that a continuance of the party was necessary to maintain the Socialist movement. It adds: “It has been known for some time that you were out of touch with the party. Nevertheless, we are sure you will continue to work for Socialism in your own way.” Mr. Snowden, explaining his resignation, says correspondence shows that the branches throughout the country are experiencing a difficulty in keeping the organisation going, because the local Labour Parties are much more powerful, and are now capable of more effectively accomplishing, without duplication, the work for which the Independent Labour Party was created. Mr. James Maxton, M.P., chairman of the Independent Labour Party, ex-

presses the opinion that the recent surtax dispute hastened Mr. Snowden’s resignation, and says: “We \ cannot regard him nowadays as a Socialist agitator, which at present is mostly needed. His resignation re-

moves, some restraint from the Independents.” Mr. J. Wheatley, M.P., said it was evident that Snowden’s mind was no longer running on Socialist lines.—A. and N.Z.-Suil. '