Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 7 October 1927, page 15


LABOUR CONFERENCE.

A Stormy Sitting.

Birth Control Controversy,

LONDON, Oct.

There was a wild scene at the Blackpool Labour conference when women delegates attempted to make birth control one of the party's planks against the decision of the executive.

Immediately one delegate opposed this "as 'a member of an Irish Roman Catholic family" feeling ran high, and when a re-mains of Sir. Jack Jones, "IF., made the conference angry Mr. A. J. Cook (Miners''. Federation) rushed to the platform shout-ing, "You fool; you big fool; you fool of the Labour party, withdraw that." Mr. Jones refused and invited the delegates to try to throw him out. "They can't muzzle me," he cried, "the House of Commons won't be muzzled here."

There was pandemonium until Mr. Jones withdrew his remark, but without apology.

Eventually the conference defeated by 2,885,000 to 223,000 an attempt to refer the matter back to the executive.