LABOUR STALWART

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21361, 2 June 1939, Page 8

LABOUR STALWART

Expelled From Party Defied Decision of Ballot Last Not Heard of Matter By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, June 1. Because he defied the decision of the ballot conducted by the Auckland Labour Representation Committee In selecting candidates to contest seats on the Auckland City Council last May and stood as an Independent, Mr Arthur Rosser, one of the best known figures in Labour circles in Auckland, has paid the penalty. He has, without a great deal of ceremony, been expelled from the Labour Party. This makes the second prominent’ member of the Labour movement in Auckland to be subjected to disciplinary action in recent times, for last week, Mrs M. M. Dreaver, a City councillor and member of several local bodies, was condemned by the Labour Representation Committee for her action in not opposing a resolution passed by the Auckland Hospital Board discontinuing the free issue of tobacco to the male inmates of the Epsom Infirmary.

The notice served on Mr Rosser setting out the decision of the Representation Committee, it is understood, is brief and to the point. It merely states that he has been expelled from the party “for opposing Labour candidates at the municipal election.” The communication is under the signature of the secretary of the committee, Mr T. P. McCready, and it is stated intimates that the decision endorses a recommendation by the executive suggesting the disciplinary action now taken. Epsom Branch Incensed Members of the Labour movement are disinclined to discuss the latest situation that has arisen, and the president of the Labour Representation Committee, Mr J. Sayegh refused to comment on it. Mr Rosser, likewise, declared that he had nothing to say. Nevertheless it seems that the last word has not been said in Mr Rosser's case, for he happens to be the president of the Epsom branch of the Labour Party and members of this section of the movement are believed to be incensed at the central body acting allegedly without first consulting them. Present indications are that this branch will take up the cudgels vigorously in defence of its president. Should that be the case, the Labour Representation Committee is in for a busy time against those who argue that the committee has acted too precipitately and drastically. It is pointed out that Mr Rosser had been given an opportunity of appearing before the executive and explaining his attitude in contesting the City Council election when he had been one of the nominees for a seat and was rejected at the ballot, but had not taken it. The result was that the executive recommended his expulsion and a meeting of delegates had endorsed the recommendation almost unanimously. Unlike several other stalwarts of the Labour movement in Auckland, Mr Rosser went to the City Council selection ballot. He and several others, Who had consistently been among the chosen, were rejected but Mr Rosser alone of them independently sent forward his nomination for a council seat. At the poll he was defeated again. Lifetime of Service Mr Rosser, who was born in 1864, is still a particularly active man and a keen debater. He has given a lifetime of service to the Labour movement, for he came to New Zealand with his father, John Rosser, at the age of eight in the days of the Seddon administration, when the Liberal and Labour Federation was the dominant power in politics. He was president of its central council on several occc ions. From 1896 onwards he contested Auckland seats in Parliament, but was never successful. From 1901 to 1904 he represented Labour on the Auckland City Council, and after an absence of nearly 30 years was returned to a seat there in 1933. During the time Labour had a majority on the council he was chairman o' the works committee and was responsible for supervising an active programme of works. Up till recently he was one of the three City Council representatives on the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council. Mr Rosser was also president of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council from 1903 to 1905, and was later secretary of that organisation. He still maintains a keen interest in union activities. A Justice of the Peace, Mr Rosser has been delegate to the National Labour Conference several times.