The colourful career of John A. Lee

Press, 14 April 1984, Page 17

The colourful career of John A. Lee

John A. Lee’s expulsion from the Labour Party in 1940 was the climax of one of the most colourful and controversial careers in New Zealand’s political history.

Using his own words and interviews with his contemporaries, a “Lookout” documentary, “John A. Lee: A Political Perspective” (One, 7 p.m. tomorrow), traces Lee’s career from the back streets of Dunedin to the ferment of the first Labour government. Born into poverty in the land hailed as “God’s Own Country,” Lee was forced into a career of vagabondage and petty theft before enlisting for action in World War I.

Returning to New Zealand a war hero, Lee became a member of Parliament for the fledgling Labour Party. With his stormy oratory and provocative brand of socialism he soon gained notoriety as an outspoken rebel, contemptuous of tradition and authority.

Spurred on by the success of his autobiographical novels, Lee became a threat to the leaders of his own, party. This struggle with the ailing Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage, ended in Savage’s death and Lee’s expulsion from the party. Gardening basics In “Dig This” today, Bruce Harkness, who has been a foreman gardener at Wellington’s Botanical Gardens for six years and holds a Diploma in Amenity Horticulture from Massey University, will introduce the basics for new gardeners. This year Bruce Harkness will concentrate on vegetables and his first programme will look at soil types and preparation of the soil for planting. Eion Scarrow will continue to take viewers to interesting and beautiful gardens throughout New Zealand. “Dig This” screens on Two on Saturdays at 1 p.m.

and is repeated eight days later on Sundays on One at 1.15 p.m. ‘Sink or Swim’ The final episode of “Roll Over Beethoven” will be screened tomorrow night. In it, Nigel successfully lures Belinda to his London apartment and, much to his surprise, she has turned

songwriter. Next week in this time slot there will be a new series of the 8.8. C. comedy “Sink or Swim,” which stars Peter Davison as the studious Brian and Robert Glenister as his no-hoper tagalong brother. In their new series the magic of life in London has faded and the two have moved north — with Brian’s girlfriend, Sonia. Golfing series A six-part golfing series involving players from the University of Oklahoma (one of the world’s top amateur teams), and an invitation New Zealand team of amateurs and professionals, will begin screening within “Sport on One” today at 5 p.m. Each programme will be an hour long. The games were played on Dunedin’s Chisholm Park links, which, with spectacular views of the St Kilda and St Clair beaches, proved to be an ideal venue.