LABOUR PARTY OFFICIALS

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 6

LABOUR PARTY OFFICIALS

STRONG SUPPORT FOR “ LEFT WING " DR RTMILLAH A HOHIHEE FOR PRESIDENT The development of the “ Left Win>' ” iu the Labour Party is indicated” by the support given to members with reputed “ Left Wing ” tendencies in the nominations for official positions in the party. The voting will tcke place at the Easter conference in Wellington (says the Christchurch ( Press *) • Six nominations for president have been made, and Mr James Roberts, who has been president for three years, has been nominated by 143 organisations. In the past the presidency of the Labour Party has been a rotating one, and if Mr Roberts is re-elected he will create a record. Dr D. G. M'Millan, member of Parliament for Dunedin West, is nominated by 94 organisations, and the issue of the presidency rests between him and Mr Roberts. Others nominated, with the number of organisations given in parenthesis, are:—Messrs J. G. Barclay, M.P. (52), J. A. Lee, M.P. (22), A. H. Nordmeyer, M.P. (23), A. S. Richards, M.P. (1). Mr Barclay, Dr M'Millan, and Mr Nordmeyer monopolise the nominations for the vice-presidency. Mr Nordmeyer has been nominated by 66 organisations and Dr M'Millan by 63 organisations, •while Mr Barclay has been nominated by 78 organisations. Mr J. Thorn, M.P., is next on the list with 44 nominations, and there is a big drop to Mr Lee, who, for this position, has been nominated by 19 organisations. Mr P. Dowse (Wellington) has 10 supporters, and Messrs J. O’Brien, M.P., and P. Hodgens, M.P., seven and sis respectively. Others nominated are : Messrs C. H. Chapman, M.P., H. E. Combs, M.P., A. Devereaux, J. Fordy, W. J. Lyon, M.P. (who is on active service), A. F. Moncur, M.P.

The confirmation of Mr M. Moohan as secretary-treasurer, in succession to the Hon. D. Wilson, who is now Leader of the Legislative Council, is assured. The popularity of the “ Left Wing ” among branches is illustrated by the nominations for the central executive. For the five vacancies 37 have been nominated; and Mr Lee (supported by 170 organisations) heads the list, Mr Dowse (140), Mrs R. Semple (129), and the Hon. T. Brindle, M.L.C. (123) are the best supported. The Hon. D. Wil-' son has 43 nominations, and Mr H. E. Herring (the former member for Ashburton and a reputed “ left winger ”) has been nominated by 39 organisations.