LABOUR PARTY'S GROWTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22431, 29 May 1936, Page 14

LABOUR PARTY'S GROWTH

NUMEROUS NEW BRANCHES NATIONAL SECRETARY'S VISIT The progress of the Labour Party since the general election has been remarkable, according to Mr. D. Wilson, national secretary of the party, who is visiting: Auckland. Mr. Wilson, whose headquarters are in Wellington, said yesterday that new branches of the party were springing up all over the country. There were 221 branches at the conclusion of the last financial year at the end of February and numerous other branches had since been formed. A gratifying feature of the party's growth was that many of the new branches were in country districts previously not represented.

Owing to improving conditions there had been a big accession of trade unions, continued Mr. Wilson. Trade unions were now able to afford to affiliate with the party and were doing so. During the depression many of the unions did not receive sufficient in fees to pay their ordinary expenses and several, which were affiliated with the party, were compelled to withdraw for financial reasons. Hopes were entertained that when the Government removed the restrictions on civil servants' organisations they would link up with the Labour movement. Mr. Wilson said the Cabinet Ministers were working on the average 1G hours a day and even then they could not overtake the work ahead of them. There could bo no doubt in anyone mind that tho Government intended to make good its election promises, when it was considered that half of its manifesto had been carried out in the few months that had elapsed since it assumed office.

RECEPTION HELD LOCAL PARTY SUPPORTERS About 200 delegates to the Auckland Labour Representation Committee and members of tlio party attended a reception to Mr. Wilson in the now Auckland Labour Club rooms last, night. Mr. J. T. Jennings, president (if the representation committee, presided. In an address, Mr. Wilson recalled the vicissitudes and triumphs of the labour movement during his association with it in Auckland from 1915 to 1927. He outlined the numerous legislative measures passed or pending, and expressed the view that the Reserve Rank Amendment Act was one of the most important ever adopted in New Zealand. Two points which had passed with comparatively little notice wore the promise that in camps and public worksjobs lasting a year or more, married quarters would be provided, and the undertaking given by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple. to purchase several thousand radio sets and soli them to men in camps at halfprice. From his experience of the Labour members of the present Parliament, he would not say that all were complete believers in the Party's objective, socialism, but there was no doubt that before long, as a result of their experience in the party, they would become convinced advocates of it. A motion of thanks and congratulations to Mr. Wilson on his appointment as national secretary, was carried by acclamation. Mr. Wilson will to-night address members of the Fabian Club, and ho will leave for Wellington on Sunday night.