LABOUR DISCORD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1940, Page 4

LABOUR DISCORD

GREY LYNN BRANCH TO LEAVE PARTY. ON ACCOUNT OF EXPULSION OF MR. LEE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 10. After two hours’ discussion of the expulsion of Mr. Lee, M.P., from the New Zealand Labour Party, a largelyattended meeting of financial members of the Grey Lynn branch tonight decided to withdraw from the party. The report of the Easter conference delegates was eagerly awaited and resulted in a clear division of sympathies, a majority,* however, being in favour of withdrawal. Mr. Lee did not attend the meeting, but Mrs. Lee was present, and during the discussion strongly supported her husband’s action. Between 150 and 175 members attended the meeting, which was not open to the Press. It was later stated that the resolution of withdrawal was carried on a show of hands by a very large majority. Some of those who spoke against it were stated not to have voted, but 22 members of the audience asked to have their votes against the motion recorded. The resolution was: “That members of the Grey Lynn branch of the Labour Party, after hearing the report of the Easter conference delegates, believe that Mr. Lee was disciplined for refusing to compromise in his efforts to put into operation the policy on which Labour was elected on two occasions and for his fight for democratic control of the Parliamentary Labour Party_ Therefore, in order that the branch's support can be accorded Mr. Lee, this branch withdraws from the New Zealand Labour Party and pledges itself to support Mr Loe wholeheartedly.” The resolution met with some opposition, and it was stated in some quarters to be possible that those refusing to vote for it may seek to establish another organisation in the constituency. It was not decided tonight how the resolution should be conveyed to the headquarters of the Labour Party. For some time after the meeting ended many members of»the branch continued to discuss the resolution. Large groups also surrounded Mrs. Lee and congratulated her upon the outcome of the meeting.