Caucus Rule.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 9 February 1914, Page 5

Caucus Rule.

[ HOW NEW SOUTH WALES IS GOVERNED. MINISTERS DROUGHT TO HEEL. . MR. HOLMANiS STATEMENT. By Cubic Press Association— Sydney, February 7. At the. Labor Conference, Mr. CtiHin«n moved the suspension of the standing orders, with the object of dealing wtih Mr. Holman's recent New Zealand statement. The conference, lie said, was in danger of being dominated by paid servants. The motion was defeated without discussion. A yiotion in favor of the abolition of pensions for those in high positions wasadopted by 50 votes to 14 . Motions in favor of quinquennial Parliaments, and that Ministers be not sllowed to purchase on behalf of the State any business of a value of over £20,000 without the approval of the Labor caucus, wciie defeated. The Labor Conference, on the motion 1 of Mrs. Scary, by 5*2 votes to 26, appointed a deputation to wait oil the Government to urge fuller recognition of women's rights.

The debate was exhilarating and at times exciting. Several male delegates opposed the motion, and their speeches were punctuated by shrill female shouts. The mover claimed that Labor was in power solely o* account of women's support. Women were not in the Labor movement for fun, but to improve their position. There was a movement afoot to send some more members to the Legislative Council. Why should they not 'send women? They demanded recognition,, and it was an insult and humiliation to be treated as they were. They now warned the conference that if things were not altered there would be a split in the Labor ranks, as serious as that which existed in Victoria.

CENSURES MR. oniFFITHS. ACCEPTS MR. lIOLMA.VS STATEMENT. S, Tt.~> p.m. Sydney, February 7. At the Labor Conference, a letter was read "from Mr. Griffith in reply to the urgent telegram saying it was urgent that he attend. The reply was to the .effect that he was unable to be present, and declaring that lie had 110 knowledge of any charge against liini, but assuming trouble had arisen owing to ■the fact that be had not authorised an alteration in the rate of wages pending an appeal being lodged against the recent Federal a waul, lie defended his attitude as in accordance with the practice where appeals were sub judice. After discussing the questoin of censuring Mr. Griffith, the conference appointed a committee to inquire into the matter.

Mr. Carmichael informed the Conference that lie hail cabled to Mr. ilolman regarding his alleged escape-pipe .statement. He read Mr. Dolman's reply to the efTcet that the report of his statement was very much condensed, and that he did not Bay the Conference was a useful escape-pipe only, but, on the contrary, bad emphasised the many valuable decisions already reached and the good sense and feeling' shown. He further quoted the New Zealand Press as reporting as referring to the Conference as animated throughout with the full recognition of the necesI sity to strengthen the movement and I clear the way for effective legislation. The Conference accepted the explanation unanimously.