Peking Review 1958 – 1963 Fifth anniversary gift notebook, used as a notebook by McAra in 1968., 1968 - 1968

This series reflects McAra and Wilsie’s involvement in the Communist Party of New Zealand at the National, District and Branch level. During the period covered by these papers McAra held positions on the National Committee (NC), Political Committee (PC), and National Control Commission (NCC). During this time McAra was also the editor of the New Zealand Communist Review.

It was difficult to discern any particular order in this material even though most of it was still in its original labelled folders. The original folders have been retained and arranged in a rough chronological order. The bulk of the material appears to be McAra’s own copies of reports and circulars issued by various parts of the CPNZ. Often these papers are annotated with McAra’s name and accompanied by handwritten notes. Some folders contain McAra’s drafts for reports or contributions to be tabled at various committee meetings.

Many papers relate to the ideological split which developed within the CPNZ from about 1966 onwards and resulted in the expulsion of all members of the Wellington District in 1969 followed by Party members Ralph Nunes and Alec Olster in 1970.

These papers cover the period until February 1971 when McAra resigned from the Political Committee and the National Committee for health reasons.