THE ELECTION UPROAR AT END OF MEETING

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26514, 31 August 1951, Page 10

THE ELECTION UPROAR AT END OF MEETING

MR NASH’S ADDRESS TO PORT UNIONS INTERVENTION BY CARGO WORKERS’ LEADER (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 30. There was uproar ior some minutes at the end of a political address by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) to members of four Auckland port unions in a Queen’s wharf shed at lunchtime to-day. It was caused by a protest by the president of the Auckland Cargo Workers’ Union (Mr W. F. McMullen) against a resolution supporting the Labour Party. At the end of the meeting Mr R. Freeland, chairman of the convening body, the Combined Waterfront Organisation. and national secretary of the Harbour Boards Employees' Union, proposed a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Nash and members of his .party, and expressed the desire for their return to the Treasury benches.

Mr McMullen, who was standing at the rear of the dais, pushed his way through Auckland Labour Party candidates on the platform and seized the microphone, shouting: “I object strongly to this.” Mr Freeland and Mr F. W. McNeil, president of the Auckland branch of the Harbour Board Union, took the microphone from Mr McMullen, and Mr Freeland placed his hand over the mouthpiece. A storm of boos, hoots, and cheers swept through the shed, and there were shouts of “Let him speak.” “Let him have a go.” Returning to the microphone, Mr McMullen said he apologised most sincerely. He said the audience should appreciate that it had been agreed that officials would take no sides during the political visits of Mr Nash or the Minister of Labour (Mr W. Sullivan). who spoke earlier in the month.

“I am on the fence, because I have not been in New Zealand long enough, but as president of my union I feel it is wrong for me to give a political lead. We are pleased and proud to have had both speakers, and I do not want anyone to think that in any way I wanted to depreciate the Labour Party, but as waterfront officials it is essential that we should remain neutral.”

The motion was then put. The volume of “Noes” was strong, but not sufficiently to outweigh the “Ayes.” About 1500 workers attended Mr Nash’s address. On his arrival Mr Nash was greeted with cheers and counter-cheers for Mr Holland, both mixed with booing. Several appeals for order were made during the address.