LABOUR PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24257, 27 March 1940, Page 8

LABOUR PARTY

ELECTION OF OFFICERS THE VICE-PRESIDENCY DR McMILLAN'S SURPRISING MAJORITY (From Our Special Reporter)

WELLINGTON, Mar. 26. The greatest surprise in to-day's election of executive officers of the Labour Party was the large majority by which Dr D. G. McMillan, M.P for Dunedin West, was voted to the position of vicepresident. Dr McMillan received 444 votes and nis nearest rival was Mr J. Thorn, M P for Thames, who received 273 votes Mr J. G. Barclay, M.P. for Marsden, was third with 142 votes. There were 11 candidates. In view of Dr McMillan's reputation as a member of the Left Wing, it was rather sensational that he should poll so well when the conference had gone to the extreme length the previous night of expelling Mr J A. Lee from the Party, and it is interesting to note that the anr.ouncerrtent of Dr McMillan's election to office was received with vociferous applause and comments that " the machine has broken down."

Mr Roberts Re-elected President Dr McMillan did not seriously challenge Mr James Roberts for the presidency, although he was well ahead of the next contestants. Mr Roberts secured 571 votes and Dr McMillan 320 Mr Barclay was third with 48 votes, and the Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer M.P.. fourth with 35 votes. Mr Lee and Mr A. S. Richards, M.P., withdrew their nominations before the voting was taken This is Mr Roberts's fourth term in office. Mr M. Moohan was elected to the office of secretary-treasurer by a large majority Mr W McAra, who was a nominee for the secretaryship, was refused admittance to the conference on account of having attended the anti-conscrip-tion and peace conference held in Wellington at the week-end Divisional Representatives The next conference will be in Auckland, and thereafter in rotation in the chief centres. Divisional area representatives were elected as follows: —North Auckland, Mr C W Bosweli, M.P.; Auckland, Mr T. P. McCready; Hawke's Bay. Mr D. W. Coleman. MP.; 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. R. McKane; Christchurch, Mr John Roberts; Midland. Mr D. Barnes; Dunedin, Mr P. Neilson, M.PrSouthland. Mr W K. Cameron.