PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY CAUCUS IN AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 May 1950, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY CAUCUS IN AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).—• In caucus In Auckland for the first time in its history, and on one of the rare occasions outside ot Parliament Buildings, the Parliamentary Labdut Party held a five-hour discussion behind closed doors at the Labour clubrooms today. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Fraser, presided. Speakers touched on a wide variety of topics, but references to the split in the industrial movement were avoided. A number of members of Labour’s team of 34 in the House of Representatives were unable to reach Auckland in time for the meeting, which was a prelude to the three-day annual conference of the party to be held in the Town Hall next week. Members of the last Cabinet present were Mr. Nash, former Minister of Finance; Mr Parry, former Minister of Internal Adfairs; Mr. Mason, former AttorneyGeneral; Mr. Hackett, former Post-master-General; Mr. Jones, former Mini ster of Defence; Mr. McCombs, former Minister of Education, and Mr. Skinner, former Minister of Rehabilitation. Most of them appeared to be particularly hale and hearty and some admitted, in conversation, that they had been putting on weight since the cares of State had been removed from lheir shoulders.

I Notable absentees were Mr. Semple, | former Minister of Works; Mr. McI Lagan, former Minister of Labour, and Miss Howard, former Minister of Health, who are expected to arrive in the next day or two. Men and women representing Labour interests in the Legislative Council were present. They included the Hon. F. G. Young, national president of the Hotel Workers' Union, who last month became interim chairman of the Trade Union Congress set up In opposition to the Federation of Labour. After the causus ended, shortly before 6 pm.. Mr. Fraser said there had not been a full attendance because of travel difficulties. The meeting had been held in Auckland to suit the convenience of members who would also be present at the party's conference. He was not able to say whether it would be (he last caucus before the opening of the new Parliament next month. Discussions had centred around the present political and economic situation, Mr. Fraser continued. Industrial matters had not been touched at ail. Members hnd spent some time in discussing “what the prospective policy of the Government appears to be.”

emphasis on the importance of the price factor should command when discussions were held in London. New Zealand, as a whole, could not disregard the disadvantages brought about by the devaluation of sterling.

“We have made a forward sale of two of our three main exports," Mr. Malcolm said. “The price received should maintain n relationshin to the cost of our imnorts. Failing this, New Zealand's whole economic structure and standard of living must suffer.”