DRIVERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 117, 16 April 1940, Page 8

DRIVERS’ UNION

DISAFFILIATION ISSUE. OFFICIAL DENIAL GIVEN. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 15. An official denial of the report that the Auckland Drivers’ Union, at a special meeting yesterday, decided to cancel its affiliation with the New Zealand Labour Party was made to-day by the president (Mr M. G. Osborne) and the secretary (Mr L. G. Matthews). They said the question of disaffiliation was referred to by one speaker only, but resentment was expressed at the manner of Mr J. A. Lee’s explusion from the Labour Party. The resolution carried was: “That this meeting of Auckland drivers, after hearing the delegates’ -reports from the Labour Party conference, censures those leading officials whose bludgeoning tactics and undemocratic methods arc causing such widespread discontent throughout the Labour moment, and further condemns the system of card voting used to expel Mr Lee.” Mr Matthews said to-day that the attendance at the meeting was 83. As could bo seen from the resolution, which was adopted with only one dissentient voice, there was not a vestige of truth in the statement that there was an intention to disaffiliate. The feeling of the meeting, however, was definitely antagonistic to and resented in no uncertain manner the methods applied in expelling Mr Lee. It was maintained that the expulsion of the member for Grey Lynn was tantamount to a vote of no-confidenoe in the Auckland Labour Representation Committee. At a special meeting cf that body prior to tlio annual conference of the party a motion suggesting flint Mi Lee be censured was defeated and both the late Primo Minister (Mr Savage) and Mr Lee were accorded votes of confidence. Mr Matthews said that yesterday s meeting had no power to accept a resolution requesting disaffiliation as the matter had not been advertised in accordance with the constitution of the union relating to meetings. Mr Matthews added that a special meeting was to be convened on Wednesday evening next when the question of supplying incorrect information to the Press would be ventilated.