We have received the following letter from Bruce T, Bebington, secretary of the National Association of Labour Student Organisations: "Dear Comrade,
I wish to convey NALSO's deepest thanks for your support in our recent difficulties with Transport House, It is of merit that without being even approached, you went to the trouble of amassing material in our defence, I enclose a general release to clubs which while being -. somewhat "shop", you will find useful for information in any future support you may give us.
Yours fraternally,
Bruce T, Bebington,
NALSO Secretary," The text of the NAISO release is given below in full because we want to equip our readers to the fullest extent in fighting on this question,
We would be obliged if you would distribute and seek discussion on this document, HISTORY At the interim conference, N.A.L.S.0, decided to take a firmer line in opposition to the Wilson's Government's policies, especially on the econ economic front. Transport House complained about these militant policies especially about a resolution carried by a clear majority calling on left M.P.s to come out in clear opposition to the Wilson Government and to campaign inside and outside Parliament for socialist policies, They also complained of irregularities in the calling of the interim con conference; that only a month's notice of the conference was given to affiliates thus giving them no time to receive resolutions and mandate their delegations on them, Finally they alleged that N.A.L.S.0. at the interim conference had passed under the control of the Socialist Labour League. While this exchange was continuing, the N.E.C, decided to withdraw finan-~ cial and moral support from N.A.L.S.0. without even informing the E.C. of any possibility of such a decision, NATURE The decision to withdraw support is "because of recent developments inside the Association," Organisational doubts about N.A.L.S.0.'s role do not enter into its consideratien, The N.E.C. probably plan to set up an alternative organisation through their regional officers - picking the groups they want to be included, While it is not altogether unwelcome that the money spent on N.A.1L.S.0. may be available to individual groups, this in fact will be a good method of distinguishing Left-Wing and Right-Wing groups. Specifically, where there are two groups in ‘universities supporting the Labour Party, one c can be sure which group will receive the money,
wh. om
In short, the N.E.C.'s move is political in its entire motivation,
OPPOSITION
The Chairman has drafted a press release outlining our opposition to
the move,
(1) There was no discussion of this break, It is almost feudal the <3
procedure in which this break took place, The N.E.C. acted as judge, jury
and prosecutor, The defendant was not invited to state its case and was
sentenced "in absentia,"
2. It is undemocratic, No attempt was made to draw groups or N.A.L.S.0.
conference into this discussion on N.A.L.S.0.'s role, The N.E.C. seems
to consider groups have no right to have an effective say in their future
national organisation,
3. It is yet another attempt to stifle criticism by labelling it as
"Trotskyist" or shutting down organisations, The N.E.C,. must face the ~
fact that it will either have to tolerate critical groups or have few
groups at all.
4, It is not true that we have repudiated the Labour and joined the S.L..L,.
No such resolution has ever been adopted,
FUTURE
We have enough money to survive for some time, Nevertheless, we shall
have to face attempts, probably, by Regional Officers to split off
clubs from N.A.L.S.0,. and numerous attempts to found alternative organ-
isations,
N.A.L.S.0. can only survive if local groups remain loyal and channel their
criticism into the next conference - on April 3rd to 6th at Hulme Hall,
Manchester — and not into disaffiliationism or collaboration with the
Party bureaucracy,
N.A.L.S.0. must also face the fact that certain delegates at the last
conference were not in favour of working inside the Party. It is quite
clear that we shall face ultimate proscription if we do not define our
attitude clearly towards these comrades at the next conference,
We retain our faith that N.A.L.S.0. can sort out these problems, and the
financial one and need not submit to the whims of the Party machine and
play a useful role on this basis,
We appeal to you to: