AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 250, 12 March 1913, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE HERESY HUNT. SIX MEMBERS ■ OSTRACISED. Ry Cable—Press Association-Copyright. Sydney, March 11. • The Political League conference debated last night on the report of the so-called heresy hunt, The committee held the proceedings behind closed doors. The Herald publishes a lengthy account, in which it states that the committee enquired diligently into two specific counts, the alleged unfaithfulness to the leasehold planks, and the giving of left-handed support to Mr. Becby during the Blarney by-election. The committee proposed to ostracise the following six members of the New South Wales Labor Party :—Messrs. Carmichael, Griffiths and Trelle (Ministers), and G. Black, McGarry and Lynch (members of Parliament). The ■ debate was adjourned.

.MR. McGQWEN'S INTENTION'S. Received ]], !)..) p.m. Sydney, March 11. Mr. MeGowen denies the rumor that' lie is resigning the Premiership for the Agent-Generalship. Received 11. 10.10 p.m.' Sydney, .Mareli 11. Mr. MeGowen confirms (he statement; that' lie intends to retire from the leadership of the Labor Party and the, present Parliament. ' lie declared that the responsibilities attaching to the office had weighed very heavily on him lately, and in justice-to'himself he feels' it necessary to relinquish his position. He would not say that he was retiring fiom polities altogether, but he would never again aOcept office.