MEETING CALLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 9, 11 January 1940, Page 9

MEETING CALLED.

INTENSE INTEREST.

DISCUSSION BY L.R.C.

LARGE ATTENDANCE EXPECTED.

Intense interest is being taken in Auckland, both inside and outside the Labour movement, in the meeting called by the Auckland Labour Representation Committee for this evening for the purpose of discussing an article recently written by Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P. The indications are that the meeting will be largely attended both by delegates of the industrial and political sections of the party, of whom there are about 300, while, as far as can be gathered, Mr. Lee lias intimated that he will accept the invitation made to him to be present.

The meeting will be held in the Labour Club, and the president of the L.R.C., Mr. J. Sayegli, will preside.

Apparently a number of the branches of the party have already discussed the issue to be placed before to-night's meeting and forwarded resolutions to headquarters in Wellington. At its meeting this week the Auckland Drivers' Union also considered Mr. Lee's position in relation to his,published article, and its delegates to the L.R.C. were given instructions as to how they should vote to-night.

So far no motion either of censure or commendation in connection with Mr. Lee's article has been framed by the executive of the L.R.C. for the guidance of the meeting, but it was hinted this morning that there was a possibility of the executive being called together prior to to-night's deliberations. Previously when vital issues liave needed consideration the executive has placed a recommendation before delegates, and it seems reasonable to suppose that a similar course will be followed oil this occasion.

It was stated to-day that no aspect of Mr. Lee's case would be discussed to-night other than his article, published in "To-morrow," in relation to the interpreptation which could be placed upon it concerning the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. A large section of members of the party considered that the article was damaging to Mr. Savage, and that the inferences to be drawn from it were absolutely untrue. Any resolution passed by the meeting was likely to express confidence in Mr. Savage and the members of his Cabinet, but it was anticipated that Mr. Lee would not be lacking in supporters.