Labour meeting ‘to boost spirit’

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 12

Labour meeting ‘to boost spirit’

Parliamentary reporter Labour members of Parliament will take themselves off to Tatum Park, south of Levin again this year to build up “corporate spirit.” The Labour caucus went to the park for the first time last year for a week-end of solidarity and planning. All Labour members have been asked by the committee organising the three days away at the end of March to contribute at least two ideas for discussion at the seminar by March 3. A member of the organising committee, Mr F. D. O’Flynn (Island Bay) said the seminar would provide “a little more time for a more leisurely and reflective discussion of two or three troublesome topics.” Among them were the party’s rela-

tionship with the union movement, and a Labour policy on lifting the wage freeze. Mr O'Flynn said that a second purpose of the seminar was “to provide caucus with a better corporate spirit." “To say it hasn’t got much is not a criticism." he said. "Over the recess we are meeting once a month for a caucus; some are here only once every two or three weeks, and when the House sits everyone is flat out." The seminar would also draft a strategy for this year’s Parliamentary session. Mr O’Flynn said. Some members had been opposed last year to holding the seminar at a week-end, Mr O’Flynn said, and the only chance to hold it during the week was before the House sat.