Mr Moohan Likely To Be Labour Party’s President

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 7

Mr Moohan Likely To Be Labour Party’s President

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, April 19. The next president of the New Zealand Labour Party is likely to be Mr M. Moohan, M.P., who now holds a position of vice-president. The present president (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, MP.) is not standing tor re-election. The annual conference of the wl " open at Wellington on May 16. Mr Moohan will have three opponents for the presidency. „ T s e y..^f e Messrs J. Mathison, M.P-, F. J. Kitts, M.P., and E. A. Waters. The strongest opposition to Mr Moohan will probably come from Mr Mathison. There are 15 nominations, including four women, for the position of vicepresident. The list is: Mesdames E. E. Barrett. M. M. Dreaver, and E. E. Morris, Miss M. B. Howard. M.P., Messrs J. A. Bateman, J. H. Collins, P. Dowse, A. M. Finlay, L. C. Hair, M. A. Hosking, Kitts, Mathison, Moohan, M. J. Turner, and Waters. The national secretary (Mr A. J. McDonald) has been re-elected unopposed. . ... A particularly wide variety of remits, ranging from reintroduction of the Land Sales Act to the appointment of a New Zealand Minister in Moscow, will come before the conference. One remit urges that, except for reelection, no person over the age of 65 years be eligible to contest a Parliamentary election. It is also proposed that members of Parliament refrain from contesting local body elections. Other electoral remits are that the franchise be extended to persons of 18 years of age; that the views expressed by electors in a licensing poll should be implemented; that a referendum be taken on hotel hours, T.A.B. activities, and the question of a State lottery; that the ward system be instituted in municipal elections; that a Supreme Court Judge be appointed chairman of the Electoral Boundaries Commission; that party affiliations be entered alongside candidates’ names on ballot

papers; and that the use of the radio be granted to all candidates of all contesting parties. Under the heading of justice is a remit that a commission of three, empowered to guarantee immunity of witnesses, bet set up to inquire into various aspects of the Police Force. Another remit urges that racing club inquiries into malpractices be held in public and be open to the press. It is proposed that convicted drunken drivers lose their licences for five years. Another remit urges that immigration be curtailed until the housing situation has eased. Under the heading of transport one remit urges that all phases of the retail motor trade be investigated, another that taxi fares should have some relation to the types of cars being used, and another that second-hand motorvehicles should have a warrant of fitness when sold. It is also suggested that provision be made for one class only on railways. Under the heading of industries and commerce is a remit that the Price Tribunal be reconstituted, and that a strict price control system be instituted. It is urged that any extension of present shopping hours be strenuously opposed, that the present system of importing be investigated, and that the right to the sole agency of any imported article be prohibited. Under the general heading of finance is a remit urging the abolition of the sales tax, and another that a decimal coinage system be introduced. It is urged that industrial insurance activities be investigated, and that the names of subscribers and amounts contributed to Government loans be published. ' Under social security remits is one that the allowable income be increased to £3 a week. Another urges that the child allowance be increased, and another that spinsters receive the age benefit at 55.