NOT WITHDRAWING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1940, Page 6

NOT WITHDRAWING

FROM LABOUR PARTY AUCKLAND DRIVERS’ UNION. AN OFFICIAL DENIAL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. This Day. 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 today by the president of the Union (Mr M. G. Osborn) 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 expulsion from the Labour Party. The resolution carried was: “This meeting of the Auckland Drivers’ Union, after hearing delegates' reports from the Labour Party conference, censures those leading officials whose bludgeoning tactics and undemocratic methods are causing such widespread discontent throughout the Labour movement and further condemns the system of card voting used to expel Mr Lee." Mr Matthews said today that the attendance at the meeting was 83. As could be seen from the resolution, which was adopted with one only dissentient voice, there was not a vestige of truth in the statement that there

. was any 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 confidence in the Auckland Labour Representation Committee. At a special meeting of that body', prior to the annual conference of the party, a motion suggesting that. Mr Lee be censured was defeated and both the late Prime Minister (Mr Savage) and Mr Lee were accorded votes of confidence. Mr Matthews said 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 in relation 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.