Labour Nearer Top Gear (Press, 12 May 1975)

The Labour Party is gearing up for its upcoming General Election campaign with its fifty-ninth annual conference taking place in Wellington. Scheduled for five days, this conference will feature nearly 200 remits that will shape the party's election policies as they aim for a second term in government. This event marks Mr. Rowling's first conference as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, following his rise to office eight months prior. Discussions at the conference are expected to delve into significant moral issues, including abortion and homosexual law reform, both of which are included in the remit paper. There will also be discussions regarding the legalisation of certain drugs. Historically, the conference has favoured maintaining the status quo on moral issues, particularly in an election year, when the party may be reluctant to make contentious decisions that could alienate voters. The position of party president currently held by Dr. Bennett is facing challenges from three contenders: J. G. O'Brien, the Member of Parliament for Island Bay, E. J. Keating of Wellington, and T. Thompson from Auckland. Although Keating and Thompson are anticipated to withdraw, the competition will primarily be between O'Brien and Bennett. O'Brien is likely to receive backing from the trade union faction, while Bennett, advocating for the status quo, is favoured to retain his office. In addition to the presidential contest, O'Brien is also vying for the newly established position of senior vice-president, where he will face primary opposition from J. L. Hunt, the MP for New Lynn. The trade union's support might give O'Brien an advantage in this race. The new junior vice-president position is expected to be filled by M. K. Moore, the MP for Eden, who currently appears to have a strong chance of winning. The conference has seen an influx in nominations for executive positions, with 56 candidates vying for five roles. This increase in interest is attributed to the reform allowing executive members to be based outside Wellington for the first time. There is also a competitive slate for positions representing women, youth, Māori, Polynesian, and different regions on the executive. The election of officers is anticipated to take a significant portion of the conference's proceedings, particularly on Tuesday morning. Overall, the conference represents a crucial step for the Labour Party as it prepares to outline its policies and strategies ahead of the General Election.

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