"LEFT WING" IN LABOUR PARTY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21414, 5 March 1935, Page 10

"LEFT WING" IN LABOUR PARTY

DEVELOPMENT REPORTED IN AUCKLAND MOVE TO CENSURE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, March 4. The development of a "left wing" in the Labour party in Auckland has reached a stage at which it is stated that efforts are being made by a section of the movement to "discipline" Mr W. J Jordan, member of Parlia-ment-for Manukau, for contesting the recent Auckland Electric Power Board by-election after the Labour Representation Committee had decided that Labour would not put forward a candidate owing to the franchise being limited to ratepayers.

The left wing movement developed in Christchurch, where Labour members of the City Council provide evidence of marked differences of opinion at council meetings. It has recently spread to Palmerston North, where the local Labour Representation Committee has challenged the official candidate endorsed by the national executive. It was reported from the Manukau electorate to-day that a motion had been sent to the National Executive of the Labour party asking it to censure Mr Jordan for his action in the power board by-election, and to permit the local branch to nominate a new official candidate for the seat. It was also stated that the national exexcutive had declined to take action. When this report was referred to Mr Jordan, he declined to make a statement; but he indicated that he would resent being dictated to by' any particular section of the Labour movement.