STATEMENT DENIED

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 137, 6 December 1929, Page 13

STATEMENT DENIED

LABOUR MEMBERS NOT TIED

NO SEALED RESIGNATIONS

A denial of Mr. Johnston's statement that the Labour members of Parliament were "tied" was made by Mr. Walter Nash at Korokoro.

Mr. Nash read from last night's "Post" the statement made by Mr. Johnston that the Labour members of Parliament were under the dictation of outside political interests, the trade unions, that controlled every step they took. Before the Labour men entered Parliament they gave to the Trades Unions' Council a sealed letter containing their resignation, which was made effective if they overstepped the mark, or got out of control."

"Have you ever signed one?" inquired the candidate of Mr. H. G. E. Mason, M.P., who was present, and Mr. Mason answered "No."

Continuing, Mr. Nash said that he had never heard of the Trade Union Council, although there was a Wellington Trades and Labour Council. The only pledge that any Labour candidate took was one to worK whole-heartedly, if elected, for the principles of the Labour Party. Once elected, it,.was left to the members themselves to decide upon the best way of carrying out their pledge.

Mr. Mason later in the evening declared that there was not a particle of | truth in the statement that Labour members signed a sealed resignation. Mr. H. L. Favian presided at the I meeting, and Mr. Nash-was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.