AUSTRALIAN LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN LABOR.

SPLIT IN THE RANKS. MR. HUGHES’ WARNING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 12, 10.20 p.m. Sydney, April 12. Mr. Hughes, referring to the split in the Labor Party, said: “I built an ark and invited them to come in, but, as in the ease of Noah, all suggestions and warnings were disregarded. I concluded they had rejected my advice of the coming flood, and so I now let them swim.” He added that at present he was not prepared to give his views on the position of the Labor movement. Labor officials in Sydney think it extremely unlikely that Mr. Hughes will join the new party, as he would not work with Mt. Catts, because of the lattar’s attitude towards conscription. REHABILITATION WANTED. Received April 12, 7.30 p.m. Melbourne, April 2. The split in the Labor ranks, combined with the simmering of discontent among a section of the Nationalists at his leadership, has led to a revival of the question amongst Labor members in the Federal Parliament whether or not it is possible to inveigle Mr. Hughes to again take command and rehabilitate the whole Labor movement. ORGANISATION STARTED. Sydney, April 12. The new Labor Party lost no time in providing the necessary administrative machinery. A new’ central executive has been appointed, and branches have already been formed in many country centres. A report from Melbourne states that since the split caused by the expulsion of Mr Catts majiy trade unionists are seceding from the movement and applying for membership in the Nationalist Federation. Ih view of the result of the New South Wales elections a movement is on foot to hold the Federal i elections at an early date. Nationalist i members are urging Mr. Hughes to make an appeal to the country, believing this an opportune time.