MONTGOMERY MEMOIRS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28742, 13 November 1958, Page 17

MONTGOMERY MEMOIRS

“Correction But No Retraction”

<Rcc. 7 p.m.) ROME, Nov. 11.' Field-Marshal Montgomery has “corrected unjust remarks” he made about Italian soldiers, the Italian Foreign Ministry announced today, but Lord Montgomery says he has not retracted any of his remarks. The Ministry said the British Ambassador in Rome (Sir Ashley Clarke) had called “to inform the | F’oreign Minister of a letter by Field-Marshal Montgomery which corrected unjust remarks made about Italian soldiers.” The Italian Foreign Minister <Mr Amintore Fanfani) “thanked the British Ambassador and took note of the correction.” the Ministry added.

Lord Montgomery’s criticisms in his memoirs of the fighting ability of the Italians in the last war caused an uproar in Italy.j Newspapers protested strongly. Two Italians challenged the FieldMarshal to duels and the Italian Ambassador in London made representations to the British Government.

At his Hampshire home, FieldMarshal Montgomery said that he had written to the British Ambassador in Rome explaining his point of view expressed in his memoirs. He declined to disclose the contents of the letter. Lord Montgomery denied reports that he had retracted any of his remarks about the Italians. “I did not correct any statement,” he said. “I just explained why I said what I did. I explained what I meant; but I did not make any retraction.”

The Hobart branch executive recommended this, but the vote was by no means certain until late in the meeting. There was considerable opposition, and the meeting had to be extended half an hour beyond its scheduled one hour.

When the Hurseys go back they will probably find the wharf strangely quiet. This will be in contrast to the last two days, when abuse and threats have been shouted at them and they have been subjected to intimidation tactics. [ The Hobart branch of the union has instructed its members, and has assured the Stevedoring Industry Authority local representative (Mr W. R. Weaver) that there is to be no trouble while the Hurseys arc working. Seamen working on the Hobart waterfront have told the Waterside Workers’ Federation they also will work with the Hurseys

The Hursey case took a new turn last Friday when the Tasmanian Chief Justice (Sir Stanley Burbury) awarded the Hurseys £5OOO damages against the Hobart branch of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, and declared that a Waterside Workers’ Federation levy for the Australian Labour Party, which the Hurseys had refused to pay. was invalid. The federation this week sought •an injunction from the Tasmanian Full Supreme Court to restrain the Stevedoring Industry Authority from rostering the Hurseys for work.

The union sought the injunction pending the hearing of an appeal against the Supreme Court judgement by Sir Stanley Burbury. Hobart waters' ’c workers successfully blocked attempts by the Hurseys to get back to work on the waterfront on Monday and yesterday, refusing to work with them and using threats and intimidation.

But in an unexpected move last night, the Federal Executive of the Waterside Workers' Federation instructed Hobart waterside workers to work with the Hurseys

The Hurseys presented themselves for work on the Hobart waterfront this evening and were allowed to start.

They were given work in a wharf shed however, when soon after the 5 p.m. start on the inter-State freighter Lorinna. heavy rain stopped work on a cargo of wheat. A big crowd of watersiders was at the wharf when the Hurseys arrived but did not demonstrate.