LAUNCHING OF SHIP FOR ARGENTINA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 151, 12 April 1950, Page 8

LAUNCHING OF SHIP FOR ARGENTINA

. WORKMEN NOT INVITED TO BRITISH CEREMONY LONDON, April 11. The Labour Attaches at the Argentine Embassy in London have officially protested to the chairman of VickersArmstrongs, Ltd. (Sir Robert Micklem) against the company’s refusal to invite three British workmen to lunch on the occasion of the launching of an Argentine ship, the 17 de Ootobre (14,000 tons). Mrs Eva Peron, wife of the Argentine President, who launched the ship by proxy, had asked that the workmen and their wives should be invited “as a symbolic gesture.”* v The Attaches’ letter referred to the bad effect which such . “regrettable treatment” must have on commercial relations between Britain and the Argentine. A spokesman for Vickers-Arm-strongs explained that the workmen had not been invited because the gathering was a small one, and there was not room for them. The “Daily Express,” in a leading article, said that, although it Avas “no friend of the Argentinos,” it took their side in the argument Avith Sir Robert Micklem. “Why did he not cut out some more stuffed shirts and let the Avorkmen in?” the newspaper added. “A customer who has just spent £1,000,000 on a ship is entitled to have his wishes respected.”