Communist Influence Strong In U.K. Union

Press, Volume C, Issue 29554, 1 July 1961, Page 13

Communist Influence Strong In U.K. Union

(NZ.PjI-Reuter—Copynpht)

LONDON. June 30 The British Communist Party controlled the 240.00Cmember Electrical Trades Union in 1959. a Judge found in the High Court. “Not only was it controlled. but it was so managed as to serve the ideals of the party,” he added. The Judge. Sir Charles Winn, found five union officials had i in breach of the rules ot ,e union and conspired together to prevent ‘‘by fraudulent and unlawful devices” the election of Mr John Byrne as general secretary of the union. The five men are: The union’s general president, Mr Frank Foulkes; the general secretary. Mr Frank Haxell: the acting assistant general secretary, Mr R. G Maclennan; a member of the executive council. Mr John Frazer: and the union's office manager. Mr John Humphrey. The action was brought by two union members. Sir Charles Winn said Mr Humphrey had deliberately ordered “a substantial excess quantity of ballot papers for branches where he thought members would vote for Communist candidates” In the election. Mr Haxell. a Communist was returned as general secretary. The Judge found that vote' had been fraudulently rigged and that a fraudulent sup-

porter of Mr HaxeJl had sent postal votes to three Southampton branches. In his judgment, the Judge said that only about 1 per cent, of E.T.U. members belonged to the Communist Party but they were "extremely manifest” in the union.