RESIGNATIONS FROM NATIONAL PARTY AS WELL AS LABOUR

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1949, Page 3

RESIGNATIONS FROM NATIONAL PARTY AS WELL AS LABOUR

P.A. WELLINGTON, Aug. 24. Speaking this aitc-.nuon in the Budget debate the Member for Christchurch Central, Mr R. M. McFarlane, replied to the allegation of the Opposition that Mr John Roberts, of Christchurch had resigned from the Labour Party. Mr McFarlane said that the Opposition leader, Mr Holland, the previous evening had in the debate referred to resignations from the Labour Party, naming among others Mr John Roberts, of Christchurch. “John Roberts has not resigned from the Labour Party and he has no intention of resigning from it,” said Mr MacFarlane. Mi’ MacFarlane said that Mr John Roberts had stated that he might resign from certain .offices he held in the Labour movement but he did not intend to resign from the Labour Party. Hon M. B. Howard: “That’s true’’ Mr MacFarlane said that it was known of another person who had been reported as resigning from the Labour Party that his “Foreign Policy” differed from that of the Labour Party, and tended more toward that of the Soviet Union. Mr MacFarlane added: If the Honourable gentlemen opposite want to get any comfort out of resignations from the Labour Party, I will say that, as far as I am concerned, if certain officers in the Lacour Party were to resign, I would not mind. It would be all to the good for the Labour Party 1” Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo) said: “The whole show’s falling to bits.” /11T . ... x Mr T. C. Watts (Nat., St Albans): “Fellow travellers”. Mr MacFarlane said: Five or six former supporters of the .National Partv candidate for Christchurch Central have broken their connection with that Party, and they will be supporting the Labour Party at this year’s election.”