Financial Worries In Labour Party

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 14

Financial Worries In Labour Party

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 7.

Discussion of party finances occupied much of today’s sessions of the Labour Party annual conference. The president (Dr. A. M. Finlay) later described the financial position as “not as good as normally at this stage of an election year.”

The drain on finances had been especially heavy in the last year because of the unusually large number of byelections, he said. “However, the conference was heartened to hear that a trade union which has been a heavy contributor in the past has just promised £1000.”

Financial responsibility of branches towards the central organisation was also discussed and it was believed that a call went out to branches to put more effort into collecting and sending in money this year. Dr. Finlay said he was confident that, although there might be a struggle, adequate finance would be found—not only from the customary sources, but also from industrial and commercial organisation “who, whatever their political convictions, are well aware of the desirability of a strong and healthy Labour movement." In addition, the national executive’s report revealed that a queen carnival is being ■considered as a fund-raising venture, and branches are being asked to intensify their canvassing for new members The last three years had exposed the ineptitude of the present particularly its “dead hand” on the programme of development by the last Labour Government, said the party's national executive report to the conference. The “steady-does-it” policy had created nothing except uncertainty and frustration in the minds of the public, the report said “Their lack of drive and initiative has never been more clearly demonstrated and the progress so essential to the future well-being of our people is rapidly approaching the point of stagnation,” the report said.