MR CABLE ON STRIKERS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28343, 31 July 1957, Page 5

MR CABLE ON STRIKERS

Mr Walsh Replies (New Zealand' Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 30. The outburst of Mr James Cable, president of the Wellington Employers’ Association, yesterday against trade unionists, was no surprise, said the president of the Federation of Labour (Mr F. P. Walsh) in a statement today. He said the history of Mr Cable as an employer and negotiator revealed his complete lack of understanding of employeremployee relationships. “For Mr Cable’s information, I desire td point out that the United Nations Charter, to which New Zealand is a party, gives the workers the right to take strike action,’* Mr Walsh said. “In view of his expressed views, Mr Cable would no doubt desire that New Zealand should withdraw from an organisation that gives workers these rights. “Over the years we have had fewer industrial disputes in New Zealand involving stoppages of work than possibly any other democratic country in the world. “Mr Cable’s policy of turning back the clock to the dark old ages could only result in serious disruptions in industry, and the fostering of class hatred between employers and workers.. “Although he speaks as president of the Wellington Employers’ Association, I am satisfied from my extensive industrial knowledge of employers in industry that he does not express the views of the overwhelming majority of them,’’ said Mr Walsh.