MR DEMPSTER’S STATEMENT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30094, 30 March 1963, Page 12

MR DEMPSTER’S STATEMENT

Welfare Body “Not Involved” It appeared that a deliberate attempt was made by the South Island secretary of the New Zealand Workers' Union (Mr W. A. Dempster) to involve the Otematata Welfare Association in wrangling between the union and the Ministry of Works, said the president of the association (Mr B. J. McLean) last evening. A statement by Mr Dempster reported in "The Press” yesterday referred to the “Otematata Chronicle” as the “ministry’s weekly maga?ine.” Mr Dempster was well aware that the magazine was published by the welfare association. Mr McLean said. The magazine regularly carried statements bv the union's local secretary and had no objection to publishing facts and statements of the union’s activities The welfare association comprised a group of private citizens working voluntarily to improve the social conditions of the Otematata township—largely to the benefit of the union. “The welfare association is not controlled by dr under obligation to the New Zealand Workers’ Union, the Ministry of Works, or any other political ofganisgtion. This is the second time Mr Dempster has implied that this welfare association is controlled by the Ministry of Works. This' is nonsense.’’ Mr McLean said.