Told the Truth So Out He Goes

Chronicle (Levin), 12 March 1949, Page 5

Told the Truth So Out He Goes

. CHRISTCHURCH, Marcli 11. Mr. A. G. Williams who was Labour candidate against Mr. S. G. Hoiland 1 the 1946 Generai Eleetion, has been expelled from the Opawa branch of the New Zealand Labour Party after remarks made by him at a Junior (jhamber^of Commerce luncheon. Mr. Williams is a ^ormer seeretary of the North Canterbury Labour ' Representation Committee and is a former president and former seeretary of the Canterbury branch of the Typograpliical Union. ' ' Mr. Williams has been a member of the Opawa branch since its ineeption in August 1946," said. the seeretary of the branch (Mr. G. Baldwin), in a statement this evening. ' ' However, the ailiahce of Mr. Williams to the Party during the last 12 months was very mueh in doubt, until his statement to 'the Jun-ior Chamber' of Commerce luncheon on Thursday was published today. This confirmed his attitude as far as the Opawa branch is eoncerned. Therefore the exeeutive of the branch „ met this evening and unanimously decided to expel Mr. Williams from the branch." . The matter has not yet come before the Labour Representation Committee 'but the seeretary, Mr. J. L. Laby, said

he expected it would. This committee will then forward its recommendation to the national executive of the Labour Party. This morning The Press published the following paragraph: "The politichl opponent of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. S. G. Hoiland) at the 1946 ' Generai Eleetion, Mr. A. G. Williams, who then stood. for Labour ih the Fendalton electorate, was chairman fbr an address by Mr. Hoiland at a Junior Chamber of Commerce luncheon yester- _ day. The choice of Air. Williams as chairman in these^circumstances caused many comments by speakers at tle luncheon, ineluding ATr. Hoiland liimself. Air. Williams joked about the changed positions and said 'The reason why I will not be standing against Mr. . Hoiland this year is that I told people in Gloucester Rtreet some of the things he has oeen telling you today'." The Trades nall . is in Gloucester Street. Mr. Williams is now organiser . of the New Zealand Industries Fair. .