ARGUMENTS OPEN EARLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 324, 9 April 1928, Page 11

ARGUMENTS OPEN EARLY

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR CONFERENCE CORRUPTION ALLEGED By Cable. —rrcss Association. — Copyright, SYDNEY, Saturday. The Australian Labour Party Conference opened with Mr. J. Garden’s supporters in control. Much argument marked the proceedings, with allegations of corrupt practices regarding the Albury group ballot. The conference decided that the ; Labour Party, if it was successful at j the next election, should legislate | making it obligatory that a Labour i member should vacate his seat if he fails to carry out the directions of the party. It is believed that as a result of a decision reached on Thursday evening the Labour Council may lift the boycott on the Unemployment Conference and instruct its representatives again to participate in the discussions. Considerable difference of opinion prevailed on the subject, and sharp criticism of the council- by Mr. Garden for withdrawing its delegates is understood to have been the cause of the reconsideration of the position. Mr. Garden said the Australian Workers’ Union by supporting afforestation had adopted the good policy of placing the onus on the employers to evolve a scheme to alleviate unemployment. Mr. Rt'an, one of the delegates who had retired from the conference, controverted this view. He said the Australian Workers’ Union only supported the conference in the hope of securing some good positions from the Government. The council agreed by IS votes to 16 to endorse the manifesto in regard to the conference, but to refer the question of lifting the embargo to the executive.—A. and N.Z.