OAMARU BY-ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 169, 5 April 1923, Page 8

OAMARU BY-ELECTION

LABOUR STANDING ASIDE ORGANISATION LACKING BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Christchurch, April 4.

At the Labour Party’s Conference, reference was made io the position at Oamaru. The matter fame up in connection with the following resolution, moved by Mr. Holland: —

“That it be an instruction to the incoming executive to take steps to organise branches of the party in all constituencies which were uncontested last September, and in which branches at present do not exist.” Mr. Holland drew attention to the statement alleged to have been made by Mr. MacPherson that “any candidature in the Labour interests would lie instigated only through the Reform Party.” Mr. Holland said lie was stiongly of opinion that the Labour Party should have had a candidate in the 'field at Oamaru last December, but none had been entered. Now there was a second fight arising out of a technicality- He did not think the party should enter into it. He was satisfied that Mr. MacPherson had been properly elected in December, lint that did not justify the foolish statement made by Mr. MacPherson, which was an insult to every man and woman in the Labour movement. When l abour entered the field in any electorate it entered in opposition to both the Reform and Libera! Parties, and would not come in or stay out at the instigation of either. Besides, a statement like that came with rather bad grace from Mr. MacPherson, whose record in the short session was hardly tliat of an opponent of the Government.' Mr. MacPherson had cast his first vote to give the • Government a Speaker from the ranks of the Opposition, and therefore to strengthen the Government’s position. Fundamentally, it made no difference whether Mr. MacPherson or Mr. Lee was elected. In either case. Mr. Massey had a supporter against Labour. What the Labour Party had to see was that a branch was formed in the electorate and a candidate placed in the field at the next election. It was generally agreed that-there should be no participation in the present contest, but that the Oamaru electorate should be organised for future elections.