N.Z. LABOUR PARTY

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 10

N.Z. LABOUR PARTY

CONDUCT DURING WAR. instructions and recommendations to all Labour Representation Committees and branches for conduct during the war period have been issued by the National Executive of the Labour Party. “It is not intended that discussion or criticism should be curtailed so long as there is no attempt to injure the party or the Government,” says the circular. Salutary action is demanded against “a party minority, who cannot be allowed to endanger the wonderful party organisation that has been built through the years and the splendid Government, led by the beloved leader, Michael Joseph Savage—and because the future welfare of New Zealand and, perchance, of the Socialist movement, depends upon the loyalty and co-operation of all those who believe in our ideals, objective, and method.” Described as “setting out clearly the Labour movement’s attitude and intentions in the war,” manifestoes have been issued by the National Executive, the Labour Government, and the Federation of Labour, and consideration to the situation that had arisen as a result of the war was “long and carefully” considered recently by the National Executive, which decided to issue to all Labour Representation Committees and branches certain instructions and recommendations.

“I am sure that it will be generally recognised, that not only is the fate of the British Commonwealth of Nations at stake, but also the existence of the New Zealand Labour Government and our democratic rights and liberties,” says a circular from the as-sistant-secretary. “If the Labour Party and the Labour Government are to function as they should, then it is absolutely essential that the Labour Representation Committees, branches, and individual members should be loyal to our principles and to our party and that unity and comradeship should prevail in our ranks.” Unfortunately there was evidence that persons in a few organisations were not prepared to abide by the policy of the party and the decisions of the annual conference, and were endeavouring to “disrupt the party for their own nefarious ends.” “This is bad enough in time of peace, but during a state of war it cannot be allowed to continue,” the circular declared. “The National Executive calls on all loyal party members to whole-heartedly support the effort to put a stop to this, once and for all time.”

Claiming the right to expect that decisions reached by the conference would be adhered to by all members irrespective of the position they hold in the party, the National Executive expresses its intention to take whatever steps may be necessary to ensure “that this elementary and vital principle of party unity is enforced wherever necessary.” It charges certain members and delegates to the Labour Representation Committees of using their positions to cause unrest and disruption inside the party. INSTRUCTIONS DETAI LEU The instructions and recommendations are: — 1. That party branches and Labour Representation Committee be notified that the National Executive proposes to take drastic action against any individual member, branch, or La-[ hour Representation Committee that is guilty of assisting or co-operating with any other political party or antiLabour organisation in defiance of

the expressed instructions of the annual conference; and further, that branches must take immediate steps to terminate the membership of such individuals and that Labour Representation Committees shall not allow any delegate to attend their meetings until such delegate whole-heartedly subscribes to the Labour Party’s method of achieving Socialism and faithfully upholds the policy, platform and principles of the party, as laid down by annual conference from time to time. 2. That no party member, branch, or Labour Representation Committee shall support in any way the Communist Party, the Friends of the Soviet Union, or any other Communist auxiliary; or make public or publish any resolution or information which is not in line with the party’s policy or which attacks the Labour Government.

3. That in no circumstances shall any member, branch, or Labour Representation Committee send any reports, letters, or information to the “People’s Voice,” the Communist Party’s official organ.

The conduct of business at Labour Representation Committee meetings is also commented on. The National Executive reports that it has given consideration to the “fact that certain Labour Representation Committee delegates are in the habit of moving, without notice, resolutions attacking the Government, or disagreeing with the party’s policy, without having been authorised to do so by the organisation which they represent.” Consequently, it was deemed necessary to instruct the Labour Representation Committees strictly to enforce the following executive resolution:—

“That, with the exception of motions brought forward by the Labour Representation Committee executive, no motion or business shall be placed upon the agenda or considered by the Labour Representation Committee unless through official correspondence from the affiliated organisation.”

Branches are asked to note that nothing in this instruction is intended to prevent any delegate from moving an amendment to a motion that is properly before the Labour Representation Committee. The recommendation that no public political meetings be held until further’ notice is made, although the branches are urged to the utmost effort to maintain and strengthen their organisation during the war period.