CONFIDENCE IN SUCCESS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23319, 3 May 1941, Page 10

CONFIDENCE IN SUCCESS

WAR EFFORT OF WORKERS

SOLIDARITY OF TRADES UNIONS

“We have not been very fortunate in the war up to date, but, in spite of the difficulties and disappointments, we believe that with the solidarity of the workers and the boys in the armed services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—we will pull through in this great struggle and set an example to the world in the days to come,” Mr W. Holmes, the British trades union leader, said in an address to 1100 workers at Addin "ton railway workshops yesterday. The workers applauded Mr Holmes’s view, and they later carried a resolution expressing their determination to assist in carrying the war effort to victory. “We in Great Britain, like you in New Zealand in the main, were always opposed to war, feeling, as you probably have, that it is not an intelligent way to settle questions,” said Mr Holmes, after assuring the workers that British organised workers were wholeheartedly in the great struggle against Nazism. “We had a long tradition in the British trades unionist movement to build up an international working class movement to prevent war, because we knew the workers have to work and fight and win a war, and that, unfortunately, when the war is over, in some cases the workers lose the peace." In recent years, trade-unionists were faced with a different situation on the Continent. They were hopeful that they would not only be able to stave off war, but to -utilise the peace in building up an international civilisation for the workers-and, by their influence and exertion, give them a fair and larger share of the wealth ef the world. Their hopes were blasted, because a set of blackguards and criminals in Germany and Italy seized control through the division in the working class movement. “If we had allowed our movement in England to be divided, we would have been in the same position to-day as those in Germany and Italy,” he said. “The Fascists in England were now in their proper place—in gaol. No destruction of the great solidarity in British trades unionism was allowed from either the so-called Right or Left, In 'saving the British trades union movement, we have saved the nation. We are in this fight as trades unionists backing our Government.- We called on the Government long before the war to put the nation into a state of defence.” , Before describing industrial and civil conditions in Britain, Mr Holmes said Englishmen had been having a “tough” time, and they hoped and prayed that New Zealand’s civil population would not have to go through the same experiences. After the. struggles in France, Norwayand Africa, the army losses were below the civilian casualties. Going to work, at work, returning home, and through the night, the workers were being bombed. The interests of the workers and of the nation were safeguarded at the same time by the unions, and the rights of the employers were not denied. „ , , "I believe that before the end of this year we shall have the • mastery of the air." he said. “Once we get that, the next step will be easier for us to take. The workers are doing something-to help the boys to wm . the fight, and io give the people a chance to live an honest and peaceful life.. The Hon. H. Semple (Minister for Railways) presided,' The Minister for Labour (the Hon; P. C. Webb) and the Deputy-Mayor (Mr JV S. Barnett) were also on the platform*