MR LEE’S NEW PARTY

Southland Times, Issue 24104, 18 April 1940, Page 6

MR LEE’S NEW PARTY

Grey Lynn Branch

Formed

ONLY ONE WAY OF DESTRUCTION

(United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 17.

There was an enthusiastic meetingwhen Mr J. A. Lee, M.P., met friends and supporters at Grey Lynn tonight to form the Grey Lynn branch of the Democratic Labour Party. The branch was formed without a dissentient voice and more than 100 persons signed as members. More than 500 persons heard both Mr Lee and Mrs Lee speak. A considerable crowd was unable to gain admission and inside the hall many sat on the floor or on the platform. Mr Lee said he was definitely starting a new party and would hold a public meeting in the Town Hall in about three weeks time. “The Labour Party can destroy us in only one way—by putting the Labour Party’s policy into full force,” Mr Lee said. “It appears that the Government thinks the time has arrived for a legislative holiday.” Mr Lee said they stood for democratic control of the narty by members who had joined and not for “gangster control by half a dozen industrialists” who a few years ago were opposed to the Labour Party, but who now polled votes at the conference without consulting their own rank and file. Representatives of the Morningside branch of the Labour Party said the branch would come over to the new organization and the Devonport representative said he thought that branch would come over provided it was controlled in a democratic manner. Mr Lee said he did not rule out altogether the possibility of the Auckland West seat being contested. Mr Lee criticized the Cabinet for its failure to let anyone know about the running of the war. MR BARNARD WELCOMED The meeting passed resolutions constituting a branch of the Democratic Labour Party and also resolved: “That this meeting of more than 500 men and women of good will, gathered to express their friendship and support for Mr Lee, form the Democratic Labour Party, welcome the Hon. W. E. Barnard to their ranks and express their sincere admiration of his courage and loyalty in joining Mr Lee in the fight for the Labour policy and democracy.”

Another resolution was: “That this meeting disapproves of the action of the Hon. R. Semple in dismissing a public works employee because his views were contrary to his own.”