LABOUR ORGANISATION

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 24

LABOUR ORGANISATION

NEW ZEALAND LEADS THE WORLD NATIONAL LEADER’S TRIBUTE AND WARNING [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. October 2. Mr C. H. Weston, K. 0., chairman of the Dominion Executive of the National Party, in a statement on the result of the Manukau by-election, said that in his view the figures of the voting showed the beginning of the swing away from the existing Government, which seemed to be inevitable in New Zealand politics. This was the result of the system which had been more and more followed in the last 30 years of Governments taking a hand in the private affairs. In consequence, a_ Minister spent most of his administrative day making semi-judicial decisions between two sets of opposing interests, one of which his decision would mortally offend because its pocket was affected. In a country with a small population this position was accentuated by the fact of their beincr so close to one another. _ _ “ s'he careers of New Zealand Ministers during the last 20 years,’’ said Mr Weston. n bear out this opinion, as their lives do not seem to extend much beyond one Parliament. The election was very keenly fought, and so far as the National Party is concerned its candidate was good, the organisation was excellent, and the cooperation between the Parliamentary party and the Dominion and Auckland executives of the wannest character. “ But we must take off our hats to the Labour organisation,” said Mr Weston. “ I suppose the New Zealand Labour political machine to-day is probably the most perfect of its kind in the world. Everything was attended to down to the last detail. With the contribution from the compulsory unions, its funds are ample and it can afford, including trade union organisers as distinct from secretaries, to have over 200 organisers working m New Zealand at the present time, keen, efiu oient and well paid. To the National Party it is an example and a warn* ing.”