LIVELY MEETING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 136, 9 May 1940, Page 11

LIVELY MEETING

DEMOCRATIC LABOUR PARTY. SPEECHES AT AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 8. A crowd of nearly 3000 people which filled the Town Hall to-night heard the platform of tlie newly-established Democratic Labour Party expounded by Mr J. A. Lee and Hon. W. E. Barnard, Speaker of the House of Representatives, to-night. While a large proportion of the audience appeared either sympathetic or tolerant towards the speakers, there, was a great deal of noisy interjection which several times, culminated in tumult as countercheers and applause were given. About 20 police officers were stationed throughout the hall. They spoke to several interjectors at various stages of the meeting, and one man who made his way to the front of the hall and attempted a vocal exchange with Mr Lee was escorted from the building at the request of the speaker. Vigorous cheering and booing were frequent, and at times the speakers could not be heard, even, with the aid of an amplifying system. At 'the conclusion a - motion was

introduced endorsing tlie formation of a Democratic Labour Party and thanking the speakers for their addresses. It was declared “carried by

an overwhelming majority” by the chairman, who announced, that the collection had paid for the rent of the hall and other expenses. MR BARNARD’S INTENTION.

A declaration that he did not intend to resign from the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives, ahd that neither lie nor Mr Lee intended to resign their seats, was made by Mr Barnard. Stating that he had twice been elected Speaker of the H6use, and constitutionally bv the whole House, Mr Barnard said his election was for tho wholo term of Parliament. It was a position he intended to retain. It would have been easier lor him to keep out of trouble and do nothing, but, after due consideration, he had decided he could not stand aside and quietly witness the deterioration of the Labour Party, the wilful destruction of Democracy, and the infiltration of Fascist ideas. . The New Zealand Labour Party was not completely Fascist, but it was rapidly going in that direction. For about 18 months there had not been majority rule in the caucus; it had not applied in the election of Cabinet and in tho question of taking Over the Bank of New Zealand.

There was a growing disposition on the part- of some Ministers to resent opposition or criticism. The conference was no longer, a body of people who conferred; it was.a crowd in which it was possible to indulge in a great deal of “log rolling” and even trickery. Mr Barnard said, quite calmly, that both. these principles had been practised - at the last two conferences. The issues on which they had been permitted to vote were carciully selected. A full debate was not permitted except in the interests of certain powerful individuals. The forms of Democracy were still used, as in Germany and Russia, but lie who said anything not favoured was clealt with in a variety of subtle ways. There was increasing dominance of the Labour Party by five or six powerful industrial leaders. There were one or two of them in this city. Delegates to the conference were hand-picked, and those who did not happen to be in the centre had no direct representa-

tion. (Cries of dissent.) “I tell you there nre 800 members or the Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Union in Hawke’s Bay with no direct representation,” Mr Barnard said. "Some of us fought' 20 years ago against very great tyranny, and we are not disposed to yield to modern Prnssinnism ill New Zealand to-day,” lie added A voice: Why bring that op? Mr Barnard: Oh, I know it is a very uncomfortable thing for some people. The National Party stood for the past, Mr Barnard added, the Labour Party for the present, and the maintenance of things asythey were at present, and the Democratic Labour Party stood .for the future. REPLY TO MR SCHRAMM.

The challenge of Mr F. W. Schramm, M.P., to contest the Grey Lynn seat against him was referred to by Mr Lee, who declared lie bad been'm the vanguard of every tight ior the furtherance of the policy op which lie had been elected. “I want to" say a word, and only a brief word is necessary to one Schramm,” stated Mr Lee. “Mr Schramm is a man of doubtful judgment. Three years ago, when he returned from a tour of Germany, lie assured us that Germany was peaceful and everyone wanted peace. Now lie wants to fight. I want to say to him that I was returned on a pledge to support a certain policy, and not a single critic knows one occasion when I have broken away from it or have' been absent from the centre of the fight. “I .have been in the vanguard of every fight arid if, with Mr Barnard, I am in the front' line for democratic

principles then all the Schramms, Frasers and Nnshes can sound tlie retreat until they have no breath left.” Mr Lee added: “Had I been a young man I would have enlisted to again

risk -my neck against Fascism. Mr Schramm was, I understand, a lieutenant at the closo of the last war, is of about my own age, and apparently fairly healthy. I do not know whether he is eligible, but if be wants to fight let him go to Mr Fraser’s next recruiting meeting and lead the way.”