Labour Assurances About Roskill

Chronicle (Levin), 30 August 1949, Page 6

Labour Assurances About Roskill

WELLINGTON, August 29. A nedial that the Labour movement had been imp'aired as a result of the conscription referendum, was issued today by Mr. A. J. McDonald, national secretary of the Labour Party. "As a result of the recent referendum, certain reports concerning activilies within the Labour movement, have appeaved in tlie Press throughout the Dominion," sa'ys the statement. '-'These reports woxild give the impression that the organisation, partic.ularly in the Roskili electorate, has been seriously lmpaired. .-Nothiiig Fan- ]be further from 'the truth. ' 'The, public w;as led to believe that the organisation in the electorate' had collapsejt and that the cam paign eonimitte© jiad fesigued en bloc. This' cdmmittee/ a|>art from the resignations' of 'Certhin^indi viduals, remains intact and is functioning smoothly. "Three small branches of the Party went temporarily rnto recess, " continues thc statement, ' ' but in each case reorganisation is jii progress. When this has been compieted there is every indication tliey will prove more vigorous and effective than in the past. On the part of individual members there was no rush to leave the Party. On the contrary, the number who have severed their connection has been remarkably few. In each case the members concerned were activeiy associated in tlie anti-eonscription campaign and it is quite evident sueh loyalty as they gave to the Labour Party has now been withdrawn because they decline to accept the people 's verdict expressed in the referendum. The defection of a handful of sueh members is no loss to ' the Party. I "The Labour movement was never in better heart " tlie statement adds. "At present there is more thorougli organisation and greater enthusiasm in Roskili than at any previous period. . Branch members are eagerly awaitiug the opportunity to begin election activity in support of the ofiicial candidate who has yet to' be selected. "