THE LABOUR PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23442, 5 March 1938, Page 19

THE LABOUR PARTY

DUNEDIN. CENTRAL BRANCH There was a large attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Central branch of the Labour Party, held last Tuesday evening, the president (Mr J. C. Porteous) occupying the chair. The secretary (Mr R. Matheson) reported that new members were joining every week, and keen interest was being taken in all the branch's activities. The branch was in a very sound position, especially from the point of view of organisation, and members and supporters of the party could look forward to the local and general election campaigns with every confidence and assurance of victory. Several matters in Connection with party organisation and administration were dealt with, and the meeting concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to and appreciation of the services rendered by. the retiring president and executive officers. . The following were elected to hold office for the ensuing year:—•President Mr J. B. Bell; vice-president, Mr• S. A. Walker; secretary. Mr R. Matheson: treasurer, Mr L. Philip; Executive and Social Committee - Messrs T. J. Lethaby, M. Matheson, F. M. McLeod. J F. Nelson! J C. Porteous and J. Saunders, Mrs T. Anderson. Mrs S. C. MacArthur, and Miss W. M. Stone; auditors, Mr P. Neilson, MP., and[Miss W M. Stone; delegates to the Otago Labour Representation Committee. Messrs J. B. Bell and R. Matheson. DUNEDIN NORTH BRANCH The annual meeting of the Dunedin North branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was held on Thursday evening in the George Street School Hal" tlie president (Mr W. McLay) presiding over a large attendance of members. Before commencing the business of the meeting, the president made reference to the tragedy which occurred at Kopuawhara recently when several men had lost their lives A resolution expressing sympathy with the relatives and friends of the deceased was carried, members standing in silence as a mark of respect. The annual report stated that in the earlier part of the year the progress made was slow, due to the meeting quarters being too far north, but since the change rapid progress had been made and the membership had shown an increase of 100 per cent., which was an indication that the membership for the coming year would be the largest in the branch's history. The balance sheet showed that the financial position of the branch had never been in a healthier position, this being due to the great efforts made by the branch members. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of office-bearers for th« ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr S. Braid; vice-president. Mr R Walls; secretary and treasurer, Mr J Cleary (re-elected); executiveMessrs E. J. Hastie. J. A. Ruxton, C Wilson R. C Ross, J. Hare; delegates to Otago Labour Representation Committee. Messrs J. A..Ruxton and E. J. Hastie; auditors, Messrs C. G. Croxford and S. Hawes; trustees, Messrs M. Silverstone and J. Scott.