THE LABOUR PARTY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3767, 10 June 1936, Page 5

THE LABOUR PARTY

WAITOMO REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE. The Waitomo Labour Representation Committee held its regular meeting at Tangitu on Sunday last, when there was a large attendance of delegates, 35 being present. The Te Awamutu members left at 7.30, arriving at 10.30 a.m., after a very cold trip, the country being white just like a mantle' of snow. The president, Mr J. Cameron, was in the chair, and also present were the vice-president (Mr J. McMillan), secretary (Jack Jones), and literary officer (Mr E. Heath). The roll call was as follows: Te Awamutu branch, Messrs J. E. Dunean, F. Price, E. Heath, Mrs Smart, Phil Murtagh and J. McMillan; Otorohanga, Osmond, O’Brien, Whibley, Carter and Jim Duncan; Te Kuiti, J. Cameron sen., J. Cameron jun., Johansson and Calver; Tangitu, R. Bowick, Aldridge, Bleasel, Patillo and Jack Jones; Mangapeehi, Kerry and Galvin; Ellicott’s Block, D. P. Jones; Waimiha, J. D. Jones, McCrea; Aria, C. Heglin; Ngatamahine, T. Hickl. Apologies were received from Messrs Champion and F. Larkin.

The meeting was held in the open air in glorious sunshine, proceedings starting with the singing of the “Red Flag."

It was decided to allow the A.S.R.S. in Te Kuiti to affiliate with the L.R.C.

The financial statement was then read, and disclosed £l9 3s, and expenses were £ll 16s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £7 6s Bd.

It was decided that a study circle be formed at all branches. The following remits were discussed and adopted:—

That the L.R.C. apply for sustenance allowance for men unable to do light work in the Waitomo electorate, the same as in the cities.

That the Government give serious consideration to the instituting of one class railway travelling, and of the best that can be made available. That this L.R.C. protest against the continued oppression ot colonial countries by world imperialism, and believe that the time is overdue for the League of Nations to return to these people their own countries. That it be submitted to the Minister of Public Works the desirability of all cook houses on Government works be run on the cooperative principle where practicable, this being in conformity with the Labour Party’s policy, and eliminating possible exploitation. That this L.R.C. give consideration to the matter of advising the Government to appoint more Justices of the Peace.

That the Government be asked to make a definite statement, through the various departmental heads, regarding its policy in relation to political activities of Government employees, and that the Act be repealed as soon as possible. It was moved by Mrs Smart that the Government be asked to build houses for renting, contending that this would benefit a greater number of people in need of decent shelter at a reasonable rental. Mr J. E. Duncan moved that this L.R.C. considers that the houses be built as foreshadowed in the State Advances Corporation Act now before Parliament, should be built by co-operative contract, and that the P.W.D. should organise and direct the building of State houses and so reduce overhead costs as compared with private enterprise. Moved by Mr O’Brien, Otorohanga, that the services of Mr Simmonds be retained to deal with the willow problem, a letter to be sent to the Minister of Public Works to that effect.

The name of Mr J. E. Duncan, president of the Te Awamutu branch, was forwarded to Wellington to be glut on the approved list of candidates for Parliament; also Messrs Jack Jones and J. E. Duncan were recommended for appointment as Justices of the Peace. The next L.R.C. will be held at Mangapeehi on July sth. The meeting closed at 4.30 after a most successful day.