LABOR IN AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1921, Page 5

LABOR IN AUSTRALIA.

TWO FACTIONS CAUSE SPLIT. AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received March 28, 7 p.m Sydney, March 2S. The open session of the Australian Labor Party conference showed a split into two factions, one led by the Lord Mayor ('Mr. Lambert), the present president, who supports the Australian Workers Union domination, and the other by Mr. J. H. Oatts, a member of the Federal Parliament, who opposed such domination. Mr. Catts’ party reputedly has the backing of the Storey Government, and Mr. Catts is playing a part prepared by Mr Storey before the latter’s departure for England. The first test vote favored Mr. Oatts’ section. The president’s opening address urged the strong necessity for the Government appointing adequate Labor representation in the Legislative Council, which, he declared, was now represented only by employers and capitalists, and which blocked Labor legislation. The president also suggested the reconsideration of a resolution carried at a previous conference in favor of reverting to single electorate®. For various reasons he suggested the retention of the present system with modifications. He reiterated the charge tMt employers were making a concerted attempt to render as many employees idle as possible, in order to break down the standard wages and conditions. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.