MR LEE’S EXPULSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 114, 12 April 1940, Page 2

MR LEE’S EXPULSION

REASONS RECOUNTED. SECRETARY’S STATEMENT. Per Tress Association. AUCKLAND, April 11. 11l an interview this morning, Mr M. Moolian, national secretary of the New Zealand Labour Tarty, said that statements made by delegates at the meeting of the Grey Lynn branch of the New Zealand Labour Tarty last evening, when it was decided to support Air .J. A. Lee, distorted actual happenings at the New Zealand Labour Tarty’s conference in Wellington at Easter. Air Lee was expelled from the party because of his public attacks on the competency of the late leader, Air Savage, said AD Aloohan. Air Lee was severely censured for his public attacks on members on the Government at the 1939 annual conference, and was again censured by the national executive in January. 1940, for further attacks upon the late Prime Alin ister. At- that executive meeting Air Lee, in addition to agreeing to publicly and personally apologise to the late Trime Alinister, gave his solemn assurance to abide by all party decisions. Just before the last annual confer ence Afr Lee again' defied the national executive, and the whole circumstances together with Air Savage’s re port were placed before the conference for consideration, continued Air Aloohan. After a debate lasting between five and six hours, in which every aspect was considered and Air Lee was given every opportunity to state his case, the conference decided bv a majority of 202 votes that Air Lee was no longer fit 1o bn a member of the Labour Tarty. Air Lee was not expelled be cause of nnv particular opinions lie mav have held, but because he deliberately set out to try to destroy as a. political force New Zealand’ greatest statesman, the late Air Savage, who stated in his report to the conference that his life for two years had been made “a living hell” through Air lice’s tactics. “VOLUNTARY EXILE.’ ’ “It is important to note that the official report of the conference is not yet to hand, and discussion at the branch meeting was made without full knowledge of the facts.” said Air Aloohan. “There can be no doubt that when Grey Lynn party members are hilly acquainted with the true situa timi. there will lie no question about, their loyalty to the party. “Apparently the branch secretary did not disclose at the meeting the fact that he had that day received a letter from the national office informing him that a meeting of branch members would be called at an early date to enable a natonal executive member to state the ease on behalf of the party. “If some Grey Lynn members are going into voluntary political exile out of loyalty to Air Lee. surelv such action should be taken with full know- - ledge of the facts, and not based upon a report from persons prejudiced in favour of Air Lee. “To remove anv misunderstanding.’ concluded Air Aloohan. “the actual resolution passed bv the conference was as follows: ‘That John A. Lee. ALT. for G rey Lynn, having been guilty of conduct and acts inconsistent with bis position as a member of this party, this conference, in the interests of t’l'o Labour movement, hereby ex nols him from the New Zealand Labour Tarty.’ ” The withdrawal of the Grey Lynn branch from the Labour Tarty on account of the expulsion of Air Lee was di-.cussed at a meetimr of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee to-night, ft was subsequently stated by Air Aloohan. who was present at the meeting, that the executive had appointed a former vice-president (Air T. Jackson; to l>e president and Air E. Hackett to be secretary pro tern. A branch meeting of members prepared to abide loyally by the party decisions would he called immediately under the auspices of the Representation Com mit.tee to elect officers for the ensuing year.