REFUSAL TO MEET F.O.L.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29557, 5 July 1961, Page 14

REFUSAL TO MEET F.O.L.

[“Sandys Badly Advised” (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 4. Somebody was giving bad advice to the British Secretary for Commonwealth Relations (Mr Sandys) to bring about his refusal to meet a representative of the Federation of Labour, its president, Mr F. P. Walsh, said tonight “It seems strange to us that when the British Prime Minister has sent Mr Sandys here specifically to learn New Zealand’s views, he refuses to meet the New Zealand Federation of Labour, representing more than half the ipeople of New Zealand.” said iMr Walsh. ! “The workers of New Zealand will be in or out of jobs according to the decision the British Government makes We have some pertinent questions and positive views to put to Mr Sandys." said Mr Walsh. “It seems that my conversation on our problems would just embarrass Mr Sandys. He does not want to talk to us. “No matter what Mr Sandys learns by meeting the politicians he can not take back any arrangement that New Zealanders will really wear—neither workers, meat producers, not dairy farmers —unless that arrangement is acceptable, but no arrangements taking Britain into the European Economic Community can be acceptable. “Somebody is badly advising Mr Sandys,” said Mr Walsh.