LAST REPORT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 175, 19 April 1940, Page 10

LAST REPORT

Mr. Savage And Labour

Conference REPLY TO DOUBTS OF AUTHENTICITY 11 was disclosed by the Prime Minister. Mr. Fraser, during his report to this week’s meeting of the Wellington Labour Representation Committee, of which he was one of the delegates to the Faster conference of the Labour Party, that the original manuscript ol Mr. Savages confidential report to the conference had been written during his illness on two sides of a piece ot cardboard.

Photographs of the manuscript had been taken because it had come to his notice that certain persons were wilfully and maliciously casting doubt oti the authenticity of the report, said Mr. Fraser, who exhibited two of the photographs at the meeting ,at which there was an attendance ol more than 100 delegates.

An official report of the meeting of tlie Wellington L.K.C. has been issued by the secretary. Mr. J. IL Collins. It states: —

Mr. Fraser reported on tlie work of the conference, which, was so tragically cut short by the death of Mr. Savage. Mr. Fraser'dwelt specially on the endorsement of tlie Governments war policy mid the adoption of tlie manifesto' on the war drafted and recommended by the joint executives of the Now Zealand Labour Party and the Federation of Labour, ' the disciplinary measures adopted by tlie party, mid on tlie association with the Peace and Anti-Conscription Council of the members of the party. He pointed out Hint Hie decisions of the conference in regard to these matters were now binding upon all party affiliations and members. Expulsion of Mr. Lee. Mr. Fraser also referred to the expulsion from the party of Mr. J. A. ]x)e, M.P. Ho stated that he had voted for tlie expulsion, which he,considered was fullv justified, particularly in view of Hie attack which Mr. Lee had made on tlic late Prime Minister, Mr. Savage. in the course of his remarks. Mr. Fraser mentioned that it had come to his notice that certain persons were wilfully and maliciously casting doubt upon the authenticity of Hie conlldcntial report presented on behalf of Mr. Savage to Hie conference of Hie Labour Party.

Mr. Fraser detailed full facts concerning that particular report, and exhibited two photographs of tlie original statement its drafted by Mr. Savage and written by him on botli sides of a piece of cardboard. Mr. T. Brindle, who was tlic oilier delegate of Hie L.K.C. at the conference. endorsed the statements made by Mr. Fraser, mid said that lie also had voted for Hie expulsion of Mr. Lee. Mr. Brindle dealt witli other matters discussed at Hie conference, including that of Labour dailies. The report was adopted, and tlie action ot tlie delegates was endorsed unanimously. Petite Council. Tlie decision ,of tlie Easter conference regarding the Peace mid AntiConscription Council was read. The president, .Mr. J. O. Johnson, said lie trusted Hint all members present fully appreciated Hie position, and that no delegate in attendance was a member of that council. Tlie following resolution was adopted on tlic motion of Messrs. F. P. Walsh and It. Lees: "That tlie national executive be requested to give an interpretation of the recent decision of Hie annual conference regarding tlie Peace and Anti-Conscription Council, and what effect the decision had on Labour Party members who were members of tlie council and who had now resigned from it.” Delegates present expressed their regret at Hie great toss suffered by tlie party and the country in Hie death of Mr. Savage. A resolution of sympathy was passed embodying appreciation of his services to tlie party over a long period of years. A motion of congratulation to Mr. Fraser on his election as Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party mid Prime Minister of New Zealand was carried witli musical honours. It was pointed out that Mr. Fraser was one of tlie foundation members of the Wellington L.K.C.

tn returning thanks, Mr. Fraser spoke ot: I he great blow suffered by I he party anil the country in the death of Mr. Savage*. The esteem in which Mr. Savage had been held had been well demonstrated on the journey of Hie train carrying the casket from Wellington Io Auckland LABOUR CONFERENCE CRITICIZED Painters’ Union Resolution Dominion Special Service. NAPIER. April IS. A meeting of the Hawkey Bay Painters and Decorators Union in Nauier adopted the following resolution: "That this meeting of Hie Hawke’s Bay Painters and Decorators’ Union, after bearing the report ot its delegate to the annual Labour Party conference, censures leading officials for adopting undemocratic methods, thereby causing disruption within the party. Furthermore, while deploring Hie necessity for Ihe action taken by Mr. Barnaul, this meeting expresses its appreciation and coiilidence in him. Women Support Mr. Fraser. ■The Napier Women's League adopted the following resolution after hearing the report of its delegate to the Labour conference. Mrs. .1. Black: -Thai litis meeting of the Napier Women's League expresses Rs complete coiilidence in Mr. Fraser as Prime Minister and offers him and his colleagues whole-hearted loyalty and support.’’