A BREAKAWAY

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1940, Page 8

A BREAKAWAY

FROM MR LEE’S PARTY Tawa Flat Branch TFer Press Association] WELLINGTON, December 5. Mr A. H. Carman, of Tawa Flat, to-day announced he had officially resigned from the Democratic Labour Party, and also from his position as National Treasurer of that Party, to which he was re-elected at the Party’s New Zealand conference at the Labour Day week-end. He said Mr F. Temm had been appointed as National Treasurer in his stead. Mr Carman stated further: “The Tawa Flat Branch of the Democratic Labour Party has decided to withdraw its affiliation, and to form a group of independent socialists. We are of the opinion that the difference between the Official Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party is that of Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Old mistakes that wrecked the true democracy of the Labour Party, are repeated and inherent in the new party. These are all the factors which caused us to leave the old Party. We have, therefore, constituted ourselves a group of Independent. Socialists, and we regard the new Party and way in which it has developed as only adding confusion to the political scene. The fight is between Capitalism and Socialism, and no half-way, compromising Party should be left to confuse and mislead. We believe that many- of the public are disillusioned as to the aims of the old style political party,, and are looking for a lead to those who are willing to place principles and ideals first, and work toward the betterment of the conditions for all. Fascism and Communism are two of the answers to this desire, but we contend that the Socialism which would replace the capitalist system gives a true answer to the urge of mankind, and that it can be established constitutionally and in a democratic way.” .