LABOUR PARTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 129, 13 March 1935, Page 8

LABOUR PARTY.

THE ASHBURTON BRANCH. ADDRESSES DURING THE YEAR. The third annual meeting of the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was held last evening, when the President (Mr A. Wa-llis) presided over a good attendance. The annual report stated that the present branch had a membership of 61 financial members*, compared with a membership of 20 last year. Throughout the year there had l>een ten public addresses delivered by Labour Party speakers in the Mid-Canterbury electorate, Ashburton 6, Methven 3, and Rakaia 1. The speakers were: MiThorn (national secretary) once; Mr M. J. Savage, M.P. (leader of the party), once; Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P., three times. Mr A. S. Richards, M.P., twice; and Mr R. Semple, M.P., three times. Collections were not sufficient to meet the expenses of the meetings and thanks were due to Messrs R. W. Wightman, W. Bryant and S. Avington for donations to meet the deficit. The committee considered that collecting cards for the purpose of raising funds should he distributed at the annual meeting among the members to test the spirit in MidCanterbury before deciding finally to select a candidate for the seat. It was also suggested that meetings be arranged at Leeston, South bridge and other places in the Ellesmere districts. It was stated that the objective of the party was socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange. The following officers were elected: President, Mr J. J. Phaup; vice-presi-dent, Mr F. O'Neill; secretary-trea-surer, Mr C. J. Rudd; executive, Messrs W. Bryant, A. Wallis, W. J. Robinson, W. F. Hickey and S. Scott.