LABOUR PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24635, 17 June 1941, Page 8

LABOUR PARTY

HAMPDEN BRANCH Mr A. E. Tarrant presided over a good attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the branch, which was held last week. There was a fair amount of routine business to transact, and it was noted that the branch membership to, date for the year was 50 pef cent, higher than last vear. The president congratulated Messrs F. York and R. Gould on their activities in the matter of increased membership. The question of raising funds for the election campaign was considered and arrangements were made with this end in view. The branch reaffirmed its confidence m the Government and its disinclination to anv form of coalition with the reactionary forces of the Dominion. It was further resolved unanimously: "That the branch strongly deprecates attempts to make slashing attacks on working conditions under the guise of war: that it supnoi is the Government in its continuation of the 40-hour week and further agrees with it that where war conditions warrant it the hours of work and conditions of labour must be altered accordingly." . A further resolution was also earned unanimously as follows:—" That the branch expresses its keen disappointment in the majority of the decisions of the Armed Services Appeal Boards, and feels that only in the most extreme cases of public necessity should exemption from military service be allowed. This branch calls upon the Minister of National Service to tighten up the regulations for exemption immediately, and further requests that in the case of all appeals the appellants’ names be published.” At the close of the meeting supper was dispensed by the Ladies’ Committee.