POLITICS AND UNIONS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26266, 10 November 1950, Page 7

POLITICS AND UNIONS

SEQUEL TO SPEECH BY BUS DRIVER (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 9. A bus driver who caused roars of applause at the Conservative Party’s annual conference at Blackpool by his comments on trade unionism is to be “carpeted” by his local branch. He is Mr John Stitfall, and he has been asked to explain some of his statements to the Barking branch of the Trahsport and General Workers’ Union on November .22. An official of the London regional office of the union said: “I understand that Mr Stitfall has been asked to attend the meeting because certain of his statements were derogatory to the branch, and because some of the things he said about the conduct of the branch were untrue.

"The branch is not concerned about any political views he expressed.” Mr Stitfall said: “I welcome the coming branch meeting, for it will give me the opportunitv of defending Tree speech ana I shall certainly be there to do so. If I make a political speech what has that got to do with trade unionism? The union should be free from politics.’’ At Blackpool Mr Stitfall remarked: “I joined a union when I went to sea at 14. Now I belong to another union —not a union but a racket—the Trans-, port and General Workers’ Union, who will take any Tom, Dick, or Harry, and take 6d from them, not telling them that 3d of that goes to a political levy.”