LABOUR PARTY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21415, 6 March 1935, Page 17

LABOUR PARTY

ALLEGED "LEFT WING" MOVEMENT OKKJIN IN CHIUSTCIILRCH DENIED Tilt; statements in a message from Auckland that disciplinary measures were to be taken to check a "left wing" movement in the Labour party, and that this "left wing" movement hod originated in Christchurch, were commented on yesterday by Mr R. M. Macfarlane, secretary of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee. Mr Macfarlane said that the Auckland movement described as the development of a "left whig," came from the action of Mr W. .1. Jordan, M.P. for Manukau, in contesting an Auckland Power Board election after the representation committee had decided not to enter the contest. He had, however, heard nothing, apart from the message, of such a development. "In Christchurch the movement has never been stronger or more solid." .-•aid Mr Macfarlane. "The r-ecent meeting for the selection of candidates for the local body elections was a record one. and there are other indications that there is no division in the strength of the party. The organisation is firmly united and there is no suggestion of a left wing here." The City Council Mr Macfarlane said that he could not understand the statement in the Auckland message that the left wing movement had developed in Christchurch through marked differences of opinion among Labour members of the City Council. He considered that this must refer to some person or persons who were either outside the party or else had not been in it for a long time. It was certainly not true as applied to the official members of the party. Admittedly there were differences of opinion among members of the party at council meetings, but these were always on questions which did not affect the principles of the party, such as the playing of tennis on Sundays. The statement that the left wing movement had spread from Christchurch to Palmerston North was incorrect, said Mr Macfarlane. The Palmerston North representation committee had been expelled from the movement by the national executive because it had refused to carry out one of the decisions of the national conference.