LABOUR, REJOICINGS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 122, 8 February 1923, Page 8

LABOUR, REJOICINGS

« AATJECOME TO NEW AIEAIBERS. Alembers of th© Labour Party,and tl eir friends assembled in force at the Concert. Chamber last night at a conversazione to welcome tho members of Parliament of ihat party elected at the recent ’eletcions. AVelcoming speeches were delivered by Afessrs. T. Brindle and J. Thorn, oil behalf of. the Labour Representation Committee. Air H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Tarty, acknowledging tho welcome, said he saw a wonderful change in th© politics of Wellington, where a great advance was now being made in the democratic movement. From five Labour members, five years ago, tho party now numbered seventeen in Parliament. It was the only effective Opposition. “AVe belong to different schools of thought,” he said. “Some qf us are extremists, others are moderates, and the only way to build up any organisation is to tolerate intellectual differences of opinion. Tho past belongs to Mr. Massey, and tho future to Labour; Air. Wilford has neither past, pi'of'eint, nor fitture.” GLaughten,) ■ Mr. J, A Lee (Auckland East), on behalf of the North Islaifd members, su’d Labour had its ©yes to' the sunlight, seeking the overthrow of the forces of darkness. It had .youth and abilitv, and no party could stay its inevitable onward march. Mr. J. AV. Munro (Dunedin North) spoke for the Soutli Island members. He was not the oldest Labour member, but had fought the most elections ; he had fought many times, only to rise again. *(Laughter.) Dunedin was lagging behind in th© fight; but. they polled 18.000 votes, and none WoiuiT rest till the five Dunedin seats were captureci for Labour. (Applause.) Air. AA r . Nash, national secretary of the Parliamentary Labour Party, said the whale world would be controlled by Labour when the people realised what was good for them. Th© only thing to check the Labour movement was to close the schools. Ho met the leaders of the German, French, English and American Labour Parties, but none of them exceeded in ability the Lender of the New Zealand party Vocal, instrumental, and elocutionary items were submitted by the following: Afessrs. B. T. Alnvall. G. Miller, J. Tonkin. Airs. Prince, Afarv Cooley. Jean AfcKenz.ie. Gwen. AVard. Afessrs A\ Rla/c, H. Dvson. C. Snow, S'. Griffiths, F. Twort. Supper was provided by a committee, presided over by Airs.' P. Fraser. /Phe singing of “The Red Flag coneluded the speech-making portion of the proceedings.