GENERAL MOTORS STRIKE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 57, 17 December 1945, Page 3

GENERAL MOTORS STRIKE

BRITISH INTERVENTION DETROIT, Dec. 16. The president of the United Automobile Workers, Mr R. J. Thomas, has written to Mr Attlee urging the British Government, as a shareholder in General Motors, to intercede in the Thomas wrote: “The British Government, through its ownership of a large block of shares, has a substantial interest in the American automobile industry. I am reliably informed that, the British Government, owns 434,000 shares in General Motors, 36 000 shares in the Chrysler Corporation, and 34,800 shares in the Briggs Manufacturing Comyany.” Mr Thomas states the Union’s case and possibly the world-wide consequences of the dispute. Mr Thomas added: We have been met, at every turn by the rebuff that profits are none of our business. We are confident that, the management ot General Motors does not reflect the thinking of the vast, majority of the owners of the Corporation, including the British Government. We are hopeful you will be able to make known to the management your belief that profits are, indeed, the concern of the workers and owners of any company.” Mr Charles Campbell, chief of the British Information Service in Washington, confirmed that Britain owned a block of General Motors stock and controllc/i the stock’s voting rights. He explained that the stock was included in The assets of British subjects which Britain took over during the war. Mr Campbell said the total Britisr shares had not been officially announced.