Expulsion From Labour Party : Victim’s “Crime”

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 March 1949, Page 8

Expulsion From Labour Party : Victim’s “Crime”

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

“I do not resent my expulsion from the Labour Party,” said Mr A. _ G. Williams, of Opawa, in an interview last evening. “Their action indicates a far greater lack of democracy than that of which they frequently accuse the National Party. It was always said in Labour Party circles that one should not believe the newspapers, but it is noticeable that they believe those things which are apparently convenient for them to believe. “I was amazed when, on arriving at Kaikoura late on Friday, I was informed by telephone that I had been expelled from the Labour Party. “The only official information tendered to me was an unstamped envelope in my letterbox on Saturday.

Negation Of Democracy “The action certainly savours of Star Chamber methods, and is a negation of democracy. A cardinal principle of British justice accords the worst criminal the right of an adequate defence. This right was accorded to the war criminals, but I am apparently worse than they, for I was not even granted the opportunity of stating a single word in my own defence.

“My crime was to act as chairman at a Junior Chamber of Commerce luncheon which was addressed by Mr S. G. Holland, M.P.

“The position of chairman is one that rotates from week to week. The Junior Chamber of Commerce is a non-political organisation of young men with a civic consciousness, and their activities are their own commendation.

“The luncheon in question was one to which all local members of Parliament were invited. Mr Holland, in his address, analysed causes leading to the increased and rising costs of living. He quoted figures used by Messrs A. H. Nordmeyer and W. Nash, the latter’s as late as last week.

What He Said

“I think it can be .safely stated that these have been the remarks of all politicians and political observers, regardless of party affiliation. I have certainly said these things before, and I concurred with Mr Holland's reference to them at the luncheon. “I have never hesitated to criticise if, in my opinion, criticism was necessary, and I have always endeavoured to ensure that my Personal integrity was a matter which transcended party obedience. “The action which has been interpreted as anti-Labour is one on which I am unrepentant; the statement one which I do not retract. My conscience is clear, and I was recently nominated for two city electorates. I declined these for personal reasons. “This is my final comment, and 1 do not intend to be provoked into a newspaper' controversy,” said Mi Williams. MR HOLLAND’S VIEWS: SOCIALISM PREPARES THE WAY (F.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “There is danger in the idea that the New Zealand brand of Socialism is not as bad as that of other countries and that what has happened 'there cannot happen here,” said Mr S. G. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, at a farewell function in the National Club last evening, before his departure from Christchurch today lor Australia. “Don’t say these things cannot happen here. Look at the case of Allan Williams. At a non-political meeting as which I spoke he was the chairman of the day. Each member takes the chair in rotation and it \Os Mr Williams’s turn.

“For daring to associate himself with some words of mine, his penalty was expulsion from the branch of the Labour Party of which he was a member. No trial. Not even a request for an explanation. No chance of defending himself. Just a newspaper announcement and a note pushed into his letter box while he was away from home by the secret representative of his branch. That is the technique. That is the Communist way and that is the Socialist way. “All brands of Socialism and all brands of Communism have the same objective,” said Mr Holland. “That is the overthrow of the privately-oper-ated enterprise system and its replacement by a totalitarian form — sometimes called Socialism; but sometimes known as Communism. In 11 European countries Communism has established totalitarian authority and all opposition has been liauidated. In each and every one of these countries, Socialists and Socialism, wittingly oi’ unwittingly, paved and prepared the way. Don’t . say these things cannot happen here.”

Indian-Afghan Pact India and Afghanistan have signed a draft treaty of commerce and friendship This is India’s .first pact with another Asian country since she became independent.—New Delhi, March 12.