N.Z. LABOUR PARTY

Grey River Argus, 26 April 1935, Page 5

N.Z. LABOUR PARTY

Easter Conference (Per Press Association A WELLINGTON, April 22. The 19th annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party was opened to-day, Mr. IT. T. Armstrong, M.P., presiding. One hundred and fifty-six delegates were present. Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., president of the Wellington Labour Representation Committee, welcomed the delegates, and said the conference was a most important one, not only to the party, but also to New Zealand as a whole. He said it was generally acknowledged that, for the first time in its history, the party was within reasonable distance of becoming the Government. Realisation of that hope depended to a considerable extent on the deliberations, decisions, and wisdom of the present conference. The National Secretary (Mr J. Thorn') reported that the last year was one of unexampled activity by the parly, which had again made rapid strides. The. future could be faced hopefully and confidently, though much remained to be done before the general election. The party was never better organised or more united in its determination to win New Zealand for Labour than under its present able leadership, and, with the united support of all members, this undoubtedly would be achieved. The business of the conference would be strictly confined to Labour’s plan for New Zealand, the best means of obtaining power, and the methods to be adopted to put that plan into operation with Labour sitting on the Government benches. Tn his presidential address, Mr. Armstrong said: “As national president, my duties have made it necessary for me to visit nearly every part of the North Island and the South Island, and I have had the opportunity of discusing the political situation with all classes of the people. lam firmly of the opinion that the prospects of Labour being successful at the polls were never brighter. I am also of the opinion that if an election had taken place at the proper time, in November last, there would have been a crushing defeat of the Government. The Government also thought so, which is the only reason why the elections wore postponed for a year. Tf Labour doos not win at the next election, there is a grave danger of democratic govern-) ment being overthrown in favour of some kind of dictatorship. With Fascist rule in so many of the Continental countries, with international warmongers working to plunge the world into another war, one wonders whether civilisation itself can be saved if the capitalist system of exploitation, greed, and robbery is not soon superseded by one which has for its objective the lifting of the general standard of living and economic freedom for all who are willing to render social service. Our Government seems to be acting as a willing tool of the war gods, and is going military mad. It has this year increased the defence vote enormously, while at the same time, it has reduced the vote for education. There seems to be no scarcity of money when it is needed for the destruction of human life; but it is not available for the purpose of feeding hungry children, and to preserve life. It will not be necessary for me to remind delegates that the 'decisions of this conference will be anxiously awaited by many thousands of loyal Labour supporters in this country who are looking to this party to rescue them from a life of misery and want; and this is surely possible at a time when there is an abundant supply of everything which the human family needs, and which the people have produced by their own labour. There never was a time in the history of our country when the business of the conference was of such far-reach-ing importance, and when so much depended upon the result of our deliberations. The cause of suffering humanity is appealing to us for help, and only united effort on our part can render that help. It we leave this conference determined to show a united front to a common enemy, no power in this country can withstand, us. In the unity of Labour rests the hope of the world.” ELECTION OF OFFICERS. WELLINGTON, April 23. Mr W. Nash, M.P. w r as elected President of the New Zealand Labour Party, at the annual conference today. Other officers elected were:—Central Executive: T. Brindle, P. M. But-

ler, P. Dowse, Hon. Mark Fagan, AI.L.C., and D. Wilson. Divisional Area: J. D. Barclay, Al. J. Savage, AI.P., D. W. Coleman, ALP., J. S. Montgomerie, W. J. Robers, W. H. Oliver, A. Spur, A. H. McKane, G. P. Thurston, G. T. Koller, P. Neilson, and A. J. Aliddlemiss.