CONTESTS FOR CANTERBURY L.R.C. OFFICES

Grey River Argus, 7 April 1948, Page 5

CONTESTS FOR CANTERBURY L.R.C. OFFICES

CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. A test of strength between ardent supporters of the Government and those who have been critical of certain Government action will be made in Christchurch on Thursday evening when the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee will hold its annual meeting. The issue of Right and Left wings will be decided when the election of officers is held. Although five other nominations have been made. Mr John Roberts, who is now in England, is unlikely to be seriously challenged as president of the Canter, bury Trades Council of the Federation of Labour. Mr Roberts attended.the meeting in January of Christchurch carpenters at which a goslow policy was adopted, and spoke in support of the carpenters. A split, with not a little bitter, ness, has arisen in Labour ranks, not only in Christchurch, but throughout New Zealand, on the issue. Mr Roberts has held the respect of both political and industrial Labour supporters in Canterbury for many years and his displacement is not considered likely. The ‘Right’ wing is reported, however, as being actively organising for Thursday’s election, and the main concentration has been on Mr F. L. Langley the vice-president, and Mr A. B. Grant, the secretary-treasurer. As secretary of the Carpenters’ Union Mr Langley had to defend his actions when the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, and the Minister of Labour Hon. A. McLagan, recently addressed the North Canterbury L.R.C. at a special meeting. He has been nominated by affiliations which, in the aggregate, total more votes than those which have nominated Messrs J. G. Power, R. Jones, H. McCraw, T. Martin. F. Haves, G. Manning. R. T. Newman, M. C. Gillard and Mrs C. Fox to oppose him. The ballot for the secretaryship will probably be fought out between Mr Grant and Mr J. L. Laby. The other nominees for the position are Mr G. Manning and Mr J. G. Power. As Mr Power has worked closely with Mr Grant in the last year—the annual report contains a note of appreciation of Mr Power’s services by Mr Grant —no serious challenge to Mr Grant is expected to come from Mr Power’s supporters. Those who favour Mr Grant’s retention of the secretaryship mention that the Prime Minister did not make any attack on him at the special meeting of the L.R.C., and also that Mr Grant has carried out his duties with considerable efficiency. Both Mr Langley and Mr Grant hold like positions in the Canterbury Trades Council and their supporters are confident tha they will safely hold their positions when the industrial Labour Movement elects its officers.