LEFT BOOK CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 85, 12 April 1939, Page 5

LEFT BOOK CLUB

DOMINION CONFERENCE

Members of the Left Book Club group met in Wellington during the weekend for their first Dominion conference. Mr. H. Winstone Rhodes (Christchurch) was elected to the chair, and Mr. A. R. Perry (Wellington) conference secretary. The delegates present came from 14 lout of the 18 groups at present in existence. The reports presented from the various groups stated that over 1100 ' regular members had joined groups, besides many others who were interested. A great variety of activities was shown in the reports. Groups stated that they had produced plays, founded strong youth groups, held public meetings, formed libraries, and conducted study groups on international and New Zealand affairs, political theory, and other topics. The conference set up a Dominion organisation to co-ordinate the activities of the various groups throughout New Zealand. The object of the New Zealand Left Book Club Association was defined as follows: To help in the terribly urgent struggle for world peace and a better social and economic order and against Fascism by giving to all who are determined to play their part in this struggle such knowledge as will immensely increase their efficiency. The constitution adopted provided for the affiliation of all Left Book Clubs accepting the constitution of the New Zealand association. The conference decided to publish a monthly national bulletin for members of the association. The national committee was directed to endeavour to publish pamphlets of value to the groups; to arrange tours of Australian and prominent overseas speakers if possible; to carry out research projects on a national basis; and to make inquiries with regard to the introduction into New Zealand of suitable films. The groups were recommended to form youth groups, drama groups wherever possible, and the larger groups were directed to foster the formation of new groups in their areas.

It was decided to commend the New Zealand Government for its suggestion of a world conference of the peaceloving nations and to urge strongly that the U.S.S.R. be included. The conference decided to urge on the Government the desirability of liberalising the Government's policy in regard to the admission of refugees into New Zealand from Europe.

A lengthy discussion on policy resulted in the emergence of the view that the function of the club was educational and not political. The following national officers were elected:— President. Mr. H. Winstone Rhodes (Christchurch): vice-president. Mr. D. M. Martin (Wellington); secretarytreasurer, Miss E. R. Lawn (Christchurch); executive. Messrs. J. Bashem (Auckland). J. C. D. McDonald (Palmerston North). A. T. Smith (Ruawai), and C. F. Saunders (Christchurch). The next conference was arranged to be held in Wellington next Easter.