Grey Lynn Labourites Demand Lee’s Resignation

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1940, Page 2

Grey Lynn Labourites Demand Lee’s Resignation

[Special to “Northern Advocate.”'] AUCKLAND, This Day. Mr M. Moohan, national secretary of the New Zealand Labour Party, issued a statement yesterday that the resignation of Mr J. A. Lee, M.P. for Grey Lynn, had been demanded by a resolution of 120 members of the Grey Lynn branch of the party at a meeting on Wednesday night. Recently, at the monthly meeting of the branch, a majority of those present decided to secede from the party and support Mr Lee. As a result, new branch officers have been appointed for the branch. Mr Savage’s Message. Mr Moohan addressed the meeting on Wednesday night. He traced the history of the trouble which had developed in.the party since 1038, and produced photostatic copies of the confidential report written by Mr Savage and presented to the Easter Conference of the party. The audience was allowed to examine the copies, in order to dispel any doubt of their authenticity, said Mr Moohan. The following resolution was carried unanimously:—“That this meeting, consisting of 120 members of the Grey Lynn branch, pledges its unswerving loyalty to the Prime Minister and the Government, and demands that Mr J. A. Lee, M.P.. resign his seat, as he no longer has the confidence of the Labour Party, which was responsible for his election to Parliament.” Wellington Motion. The Khandallah branch of the New Zealand Labour Party (.Wellington), passed a resolution on Wednesday expressing confidence in Mr. Fraser as Prime Minister and, deploring the alleged disservice to the party and the Government of Mr. J. A. Lee and Mr. W. E. Barnard, with an expression of opinion that they should resign their seats and stand against official Labour candidates. In addition to the nomination of an official Labour candidate for Auckland West the returning ofi’cer has received the nomination of Lawrence Pickles, company director. Independent Socialist, and Clement Gordon Watson, journalist, official candidiate of the Communist Party.