“OBJECTIVE NO CLOSER”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 12

“OBJECTIVE NO CLOSER”

Freezing Workers “Unity” Talks

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 23.

Though Mr F. P. Walsh, president of the Federation of Labour, at the close of today’s freezing workers’ “unity" conference, said the workers’ “one desire is to have one body.” indications are that a national body is almost as far away as it was before the conference. The members of the Auckland delegation, covering the largest industrial district, had still refused to commit themselves when the conference ended. In addition, it was clear from reliable sources that a great deal of bargaining about finance, among other things, has yet to take place. Even if the executives agreed to the confederation, it has still to be referred to the rank and file, and this could not be done before January next, the peak season in the killing sheds. The South Island unions are already organised m two district unions and federated in what is termed a “New Zealand” association. They had the largest number of delegates at the conference. Mr Walsh said the Wellington unions had agreed to “clean up their own house" and form a district union then, when all the districts had considered the question. a conference would be called of the district unions to form a national organisation.