LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 164, 24 April 1935, Page 5

LABOUR CONFERENCE.

MR NASH ELECTED PRESIDENT. (Per Press Association..) WELLINGTON, April 23. Mr Walter Nash, M.P., was elected president and Mr J. Robertson vicepresident of the Now Zealand Labour Party 3 at the annual conference today. Other officers elected were: Central executive, Messrs T. Brindle, P. M. Butler, P. Dowse, the Hon. Mark Pagan, M.L.C., and Mr D. Wilson • divisional area representatives, Messrs J. G. Barclay, M. J. Savage, M.P., D. W. Coleman, M.P., J. S. Montgomerie, W. J. Rogers, W. H. Oliver, A. Spurry A. H. McKane, G. T. Thurston, G. T. Poller, P. Neilson and A. J. Middlemiss.

The morning session of the conference was occupied with a discussion on finances and the report of the Labour Party in Parliament during the last session. This was presented by Mr M. J. Savage (Leader of the Opposition), who received an ovation.

1 Concluding his review, Mr Savage paid the party in New Zealand owed its position in the political life of the country to its adherence to the principles upon which its platform was based, and to the spirit of co-operation which for many years prevailed among its members. These qualities would ultimately be the means of the party securing the reins of government—the first step toward attaining its objective.

Reference to the fact that Mrs E. R. McCombs, owing to ill-health, had found it necessary to return home during the last session of Parliament was made by Mr Savage, who said there appeared to be no doubt that her illness to a large extent had resulted from the long hours and heavy strain involved by her Parliamentary duties. All joined in wishing her a speedy recovery, and assured her of a hearty welcome by all members of the House when she returned. Mr Savage said there was no page in the political history of Ne Zealand that contained a more damaging indictment against any Government than did the Native Affairs Commission's report against the Coalition Government. It provided abundant evidence of lack of co-operation between kindred departments such as the Native, * Lands, and Valuation Departments. Public and native interests as a result had suffered in many respects, including the high prices for land purchased for native purposes.