Outspoken Labour men upset party

Press, 23 February 1977, Page 2

Outspoken Labour men upset party

PA Hamilton The Hamilton West 'Labour electorate committee ‘has suspended one of its (officers, and is seeking his (expulsion from the party (after his public criticism last week of a former Labour M.P., Mrs Dorothy Jelicich. The Hamilton East electorate committee will meet tonight to discuss public statements made by one of its officers on the same (issue. ( A Labour spokesman (yesterday declined to discuss the action taken by the i Hamilton West committee (against the secretary of its St Andrews branch, Mr Gordon Batt. I A meeting on Sunday (night is believed to have (voted, 24-5, in favour of suspending Mr Batt for “bring■ing the party into disrepute” (through his public state- ; ment. The committee does not (have the immediate authority to expel Mr Batt, but has • recommended his expulsion to the party’s New Zealand (council, which will meet on (March 18. ! Party rules provide for a 'suspended individual to ap■pea! to the council against (expulsion. i The day after Mrs Jelicich (failed in her bid to win

Labour's nomination for the safe Mangere seat — relinquished by Mr Colin Moyle — Mr Batt told a reporter: “With all due respect, she’s over the hill.” He commented that Mangere wanted "young blood,” and that it (got what it wanted in selecting an Auckland solicitor, [Mr David Lange, aged 34. | The secretary of the Hamlilton West Committee (Mr (Jeff Hond) confirmed that a ‘meeting had been held on (Sunday, and that “it con[cerned Mr Batt.” I But, he said, the matter (was sub judice, and he could (not comment further. ' Mr Batt declined to comIment. He said the committee ; had ruled that no public [statements would be made, ‘and he would abide by the ■ruling. It is believed that Mr Batt attended the meeting, and defended himself. It is also believed that Mr Batt was the centre of another interna! party row late last year which culminated in his official censuring by the Hamilton West committee. In the Hamilton East electorate, the chairman of Labour’s committee (Mr Norman Kingsbury) confirmed that his committee would meet tonight, and that there would be discussion about the Hillcrest branch

[chairman, Mr Ted Arm- [ strong. ■ No formal motions had [been tabled. The meeting would examine the whole question of Mr Armstrong's public statements and the authority he had for making them, Mr Kingsbury said. In his statement, Mr Armstrong said that many party faithful and other electors interpreted Mrs Jelicich’s nomination as deserting Hamilton after a temporary setback in Hamilton West. (Mrs Jelicich lost Hamilton West in the 1975 National landslide). He said: “I will not be [muzzled. The public as electors have a right to know (what’s going on. Feelings ■have been running high I lately, and the public have [had a gutsful of misleading statements and dishonesty. I've always dared to speak the truth rather than withold it.” Mr Armstrong said yesterday that he would attend rhe meeting, and had no intention of withdrawing any of his statements. “The truth will win in the end — there has been no disloyalty to the party an my part. I have no fears that I will be suspended. The Labour Party is a democratic party."