LABOUR’S POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 278, 26 November 1935, Page 6

LABOUR’S POLICY

CHALLENGE BY

DR. ADAMS

THOSE CONFERENCE REMITS PARTY’S AVOWED PRINCIPLE. A challenge to Labour’s “hidden policyhas been voiced at various centres by Dr. Geo. J. Adams, Democrat candidate for Patea, and Mr. W. G. Simpson, Labour candidate for that electorate, has challenged the doctor to prove that the remits considered by the annual conference of the Labour Party were true. “He has undertaken to withdraw from the contest if I can prove that fhoso remits were true,” said Dr. Adams to a “Chronicle’ ’reporter yesterday, “and I accept that challenge. I have here a report of the 19th. annual conference of .the Labour Party held at Wellington on April 22, 1935. There are 46 remits, but Dcfore they were considered the conference considered the annual report of the National executive in which appears (on page 7) the avowed principle of the Labour Party in the following words:— “Never before in the history of New Zealand has so much depended upon the decisions arrived at by delegates, and it therefore behoves every one to consider well and bring an open mind and unbiassed judgement upon all questions, leaving aside personal feelings, likes and dislikes, and being moved only by the desire to do that which is best for the achievement of our ideal the establishment of a new social order in which’ production for profit be abolished and production to supply the needs, physical and cultural, of the people, will, take its place. There never was a higher mission never was a time when it was more opportune lor its accomplishment. Let us be up and doing with a faith that knows no defeat, until social ownership and control of the means of life are obtained, and the brotherhood of man is an accomplished fact. . . .Signed: H. T. Armstrong, president, and J. Thorn, secretary.” Dr, Adams quoted from minutes he said were those of the conference, which showed: “That this (the above) report of the National Executive, showing the party’s policy was adopted unanimously.’’ “In regard to the remits,” Dr. Adams proceeded. “These were considered after the meeting had considered the report, and, with few amendments, none in those particular remits .1. have ventilated from the platform, were handed to the National Executive with full power to deal with them as thought fit, and to embody such as arc advisable in the party’s campaigni n g. ”