BAN ON DELEGATES CONFIRMED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29908, 23 August 1962, Page 12

BAN ON DELEGATES CONFIRMED

Mr Neary, Mr Gallagher Unacceptable To F.O.L. (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 22. The national council of the Federation of Labour today confirmed the ban on one of its councillors, Mr T. C. Gallagher, secretary of the Patea Freezing Workers’ Union. The council also placed a ban on the secretary of the North Island Electrical Workers* and Wellington Rubber Workers’ unions, Mr A. J. Neary. Mr Gallagher was not present at the meeting to hear the matter discussed because the Wanganui Trades Council, which he represents, had been told by the national executive that he was not acceptable as a delegate and it had removed him from office.

After the national council meeting this evening the Federation of Labour president (Mr F. P. Walsh) said the banning was tantamount to suspension from membership. He said the council endorsed the national executive’s action in notifying Mr Gallagher that he was no longer eligible to attend national council meetings as a result of him giving evidence in a recent libel case against Mr Walsh on matters raised at the previous council meeting Mr Gallagher had attended. In the case of Mr Neary, the national council endorsed the attitude of the

Wellington Trades Council ir taking umbrage at Mi Neary’s suggestion that il was subject to Communist influence, Mr Walsh said. The national council saic the ban would remain til such time as Mr Neary apologised and gave an assurance that, in future, he would allow any differences betweer him and any other membei or official to be settled within the movement. The national council alsc called on all electrical and rubber workers to examine the efforts of the federation on behalf of all affiliates ir recent years, and then decide whether “an attempt tc weaken its organisation is ir

the best interests of themselves and workers generally.” At the meeting today, Wanganui was represented by its Trades Council secretary. Mr S. Filer, though it is understood that a recent meeting of the Trades Council decided that Mr Gallagher was still acceptable to it as a delegate.