SURPRISE VOTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23615, 27 March 1940, Page 11

SURPRISE VOTE

PARTY VICE-PRESIDENT DR. McMILLAN'S ELECTION CONFERENCE SENSATION [by telegraph—OWN* correspondent] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Die sensation of to-day's conference of the Labour Party was the announcement that Dr. D. G. McMillan. M.P. for Dunedin Central, who was indicted by the Prime Minister with disloyalty to the party, had been elected vicepresident with a clear majority over his two opponents. The result of the election. following the return of Mr. James Roberts as president for the fourth term, eauserf a. surprise. The voting was:—Dr. McMillan, 444; Mr. J. Thorn, 273; Mr. J. G. Barclav, 142. Mr. Thorn's defeat was a complete surprise, because-he lias been mentioned as one of the present backbenchers of the party likely to be considered in any redistribution of Cabinet seats.

TIIO effect of ' the announcement nmons delegates was rather sensational and delegates who were known to support the Loft Wing were reported as having commented: "The machine has broken down. Something has gone wrong with the works." They interpreted the expression on the faces of the party leaders on the platform with pleasure. The voting for the national executive was also hold. It was conducted on a preferential vote, and the result is not likely to be known for some days. LABOUR PARTY OFFICERS MR. ROBERTS RE-ELECTED CLEAR MAJORITY OF VOTES [IJY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 ■WELLINGTON', Tuesday A further indication of the solid body of opinion behind the Labour Government and its war policy was given today, when Mr. J. Roberts, a strong supporter of both, was re-elected president of the New Zealand Labour Party for a further term. Voting was on the preferential system, but Mr. Roberts had a clear majority of ICS votes on the first count. He was promptly declared re-elected. The other candidates were three M.P.'s, namely, Mr. J. G. Barclay, Dr. D. G. McMillan and Mr. A. H. Nordmeyer. The voting figures were not disclosed. Mr. -7. A. Lee and Mr. A S. Richards withdrew their nominations before the voting was taken. Dr. D. G. McMillan. M.P.. was elected vice-president. There were 11 other nominations. Mr. M. Moohan was elected national secretary. The next conference will be held in Auckland and thereafter in rotation in the chief centres. Divisional area representatives were elected as follows: —North Auckland, Mr. C. W. Boswell, M.P.; Auckland, Mr. T. P. McCready; Hawke's Bay, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P.; Waikato, Mr. R. Coulter, Taranaki, Mr. W. J. Rogers; Wairarapa-Manawatu, Mr. G. A. Hansen; Wellington, Mr. H. E. Combs, M.P.; West Coast, Mr. A. H. McKane; Christchurch, Mr. John Roberts; Midland, Mr. D. Barnes; Dunedin, Mr. P. Nielsen, M.P.; Southland, Mr. W. K. Cameron. There were no repercussions of the expulsion of Mr. Lee, and the opinion was expressed by some delegates this morning that there will not be. These delegates anticipate that members siding with Mr. Lee, having learned their lesson, will in future remain loyal to the* party, and will not associate themselves in Parliament with the dismissed member.