UNIONS’ VISIT TO CHINA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27628, 7 April 1955, Page 10

UNIONS’ VISIT TO CHINA

CARPENTERS, DRIVERS AND RAILWAYMEN

TWO CHRISTCHURCH MEN INCLUDED Four further New Zealand trade union delegates have been chosen to attend the May Day celebrations of the Chinese Government in Peking. After the celebrations the delegates will spend a fortnight in China. A ballot was taken for representatives of the New Zealand Carpenters’ Union, and Mr W. Jamieson, flbf Wellington, national vice-presidmt, and Mr F. L. Langley, of Chri«hurch, national secretary, have been Chosen.

The New Zealand Drivers’ Federation has chosen Mr A. S. Roberts, secretary of the Canterbury Drivers’ Union, and Mr T. Magee, secretary of the Wellington union, to join the delegation. Earlier, the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants announced that the national vice-president (Mr T. .Toole) and Mr O. H. Dillon had been appointed. The will go on an expenses-t>aid tour at the invitation of trade unions in Communist China. Mr F. P. Walsh, president of the Federation of Labour, recently strongly criticised the proposal of New Zealand unions to send representatives. The federation is affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, which has barred its affiliates from participation in functions arranged by Communist-dominated unions.

Canterbury drivers disaffiliated from the Federation of Labour, and the Wellington Drivers’ Union is known to be strongly opposed to the federation.

The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants is affiliated to the federation, but its president (Mr J. B. Main) said recently that it did not recognise the right of the federation to dictate the policy of its affiliations.

Messrs Langley and Jamieson will leave Harewood for Australia on April 18 and arrive in Hong Kong on April 24. It is understood that the other delegates will be travelling to Australia from Auckland.