LABOUR PARTY FUNDS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 44, 15 November 1937, Page 8

LABOUR PARTY FUNDS

. Railwaymen Hand Over Cheque For £1000 . A cheque for £1000 towards the general election campaign fund for the Labour Party has been handed b'y Mr E. J..Dash, president of the 'Amalgamated . Society of Railway Servants, to Mr D. Wilson, secretary of the party, reports the offieial organ of the Labour Party, the Standard. 4 \ '[ * The contribution was decided on by a ballot of members taken six months ■ ago, but the formal presentation was delayed by the absence at the "lnternational Labour Office Confcrence of Mr ' Dash. • "We can give this without any fear of ^ repercussions," said ;j£r ' Dash, . since " the Governmeht ' reinedied the l&'w and made it passible for a. eiv-il

service orgamsatioa to , support the political party of its choice just as any other organisation has always been able to do.5' The -railwaymen, . added the. president, had for many years giv-. en the Labour Party bcth financial and . moral support, though it had' had to be done "under the table." Now they were able to express their support as an organisation. ''This is the largest cheque that the Labour Party has ever received," said Mr Wilson, "and I am hoping it will, • have a good effect in spurring on some other unions whieh are in as good a position as the AS.R.S. to - foilow this splendid lead. *The Labour Party will hold- the railway-men's action up as an example to the organ1 ised wokers of New Zeajand." ' The' 'Labour Party would need 'mpi'e financial support at the next ; elections than ever in the past, siaid Mr • Wilson, not only because more seats would be contested but also because a more determined opposition would ■ be offered by the forces of reaction# The election expenses for 80seats would need a very Considerable sum and, ap,art from that, the party should have a large natipnal publicity _ and advertising fund "to combat the m propaganda of the 'Niatiohalist Party. If • other organisations did as well by the party as the A.S.R.S. had done, there would be no .difficulty about it.