COMMENT BY F.O.L.

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29366, 19 November 1960, Page 12

COMMENT BY F.O.L.

Statement <4 Just Nonsense” The statement by Mr W. R. Campbell, chairman of the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board, that the Canterbury district council of the Federation of Labour had irresponsibly given the Arbitration Court “a kick m the pants” was “just plain nonsense,” said the council’s secretary (Mr C. R. Thorpas) last evening. , Mr Campbell is well aware that the ease has not gone to the Arbitration Court, but is being dealt with in conciliation—and as we understand ‘conciliation,’ it means conciliation.” said Mr Thomas. Mr Campbell should also be aware that the Arbitration Court, if asked to adjudicate, would in all probability put the case back to conciliation, said Mr Thomas Therefore his council considered the Canterbury Fire Brigades' Union was entitled to become annoyed at the prolonged delay in bringing conciliation proceedings to fruition. “As to Mr Campbell’s assertion that we could hardly come to grips with the facts of the dispute in hours, we would say that the facts are not new to our council.” said Mr Thomas. “With our knowledge of conciliation proceedings. we had no trouble in coming to grips with the principles involved in two hours. Apparently •Mr Campbell’s group on a previous occasion took three years to some to grips with the problem.” Blood Donors The Blood Transfusion Service’s mobile unit took 167 pints of blood on its visit to Oxford on Thursday. There were 18 new donors since the unit’s last visit, which raised the total of new donors since 1955 to 375. said the secretary of the service (Mr T. Smith) yesterday Since 1955. 2070 pints of blood have been taken from Oxford donors. The mobile unit has made 170 visits to districts surrounding Christchurch since 1955. has gained 5083 new donors, and has collected 12,564 pints of blood.

Mr Reed At Te Kuiti

Sixty days of walking has brought the 85-year-old author. Mr A. H. Reed, from the North Cape to Te Kuiti. approximately a quarter of the distance to his destination at Bluff. After speaking to Te Kuiti primary school children yesterday morning he left for Puketutu, seven miles south of Te Kuiti. He intends to walk along the back roads to Taumarunui.—(P.A.)