NO “FIREWORKS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27384, 9 May 1950, Page 8

NO “FIREWORKS”

Conference Of Labour Party THE OPENING SESSION PA AUCKLAND, May 8. “ Fireworks ” were conspicuously absent from the discussions on the opening day of the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party, which is being held in Auckland for the first time since 1933. The gathering, according to an official spokesman, includes more than 500 delegates, and is the largest since the 1940 conference.

With the exception of the weekly official organ of the party, representatives of the press were not permitted in the meeting. On the rostrum with the national president, Mr James Roberts, MLC, was the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Fraser, the Deputy Leader, Mr Nash, the vice-president of the party, Mr Nordmeyer, and the national secretary, Mr A. J. McDonald. Prominent trade union secretaries associated with the formation of the Trades Union Congres in opposition to the federation of Labour were admitted without question, and no attempt was made to discuss industrial dissension. Tne break-away unionists present' included the chairman of the congress, Mr F. G. Young, MLC, and Messrs W. B. Richards (Otago), P. A. Hansen (Wellington), and S. Giles (Wellington), members of the provisional executive. Mr T. Hill, national secretary of the Waterside Workers’ .Union, arrived from Wellington in the afternoon. Supporters of the federation were headed by the vice-president, Mr F. P. Walsh, of the Parliamentary Labour Party, the most notable absentee was Mr Semple, MP for Miramar, who was stated to be away duck shooting in the South Island. Among 100 women delegates was Mrs Iriaka Ratana, MP for Western Maori, the first Maori woman parliamentarian. The only untoward incident was a demonstration held outside the main entrance of the Town Hall by members of the Women’s Union formerly known as the Women’s Charter Movement, pai-ading with banners labelled, “Peace, not bombs, for our children,” and “Peace is your fight, too.” They urged delegates to oppose the sending of New Zealand servicemen to Malaya. Mr Fraser was waylaid on his way out to lunch.

Delegates spent most of the day discussing the national executive's report, with which was incorporated a review of the general election. The report was adopted without amendment, and on the motion of Mr H. G. R. Mason, MP for Waitakere, the conference was reported to have unanimously expressed appreciation of the “ admirable organisation, publicity, and information services” during the election campaign. The election of officers will take place tomorrow, and Mr Fraser will deliver the Parliamentary Labour Party’s annual report. Also to be decided is the" venue of the next conference. It is understood that this is likely to be Christchurch.