Tributes Paid By Associates And Opponents

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30133, 17 May 1963, Page 10

Tributes Paid By Associates And Opponents

Associates and opponents of Mr F. P. Walsh yesterday paid tributes to his energy and forthrightness as a champion of industrial labour. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nordmeyer) said Mr Walsh’s death would come as a profound shock to the whole Labour movement, industrial and political.

“While his health for some time has given cause for concern, few who saw him at the recent conferences realised that the end was so near,” said Mr Nordmeyer.

“He was a colourful and controversial personality, showing great strength of character and also possessing a thorough grasp of economic and financial affairs.

“Because he believed strongly in the cause he advocated, he was at times intolerant of those who opposed him. But he never wavered from his course when he felt he was right.” Mr Walter Nash said the death of Mr Walsh “completes an interesting . epocmaking period in labour and economic relations, between Government, employers, and workers, in the history of New Zealand.

“During the 1939-45 war and the post-war period, his work on the Stabilisation Committee was invaluable.

“Time and again when labour relations were difficult he accepted assignments to negotiate solutions of problems between workers and employers that seemed insoluble

“Yet he kept the services running with few stoppages." The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) expressed deep regret at the death of Mr Walsh.

“He was a colourful and controversial figure, a rugged individualist, and an extremely able and forceful advocate in all matters relating to union, industrial, and economic affairs. “Mr Walsh also contributed significantly in the wider field of national affairs, in which he always maintained a vita) interest.

“Although his political affiliations were always with the Labour Party, Mr Walsh

ai.d I found ourselves in agreement on many subjects and issues.” The Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) said the death of Mr Walsh would leave a very big gap in public life in New Zealand, greater, perhaps, than most New Zealanders realise.

“To most people he was known only as the head of the trade union movement, a controversial figure, dominating, quick-tempered, quick of decision, a man of strong likes and dislikes. “The real Fintan Patrick Walsh was known only to a handful of people: the man above all others who made a success of stabilisation in New Zealand during the war years; the man who. when a section of the trade union movement fell into irresponsible hands in 1951 and threatened to create a state of anarchy in the country, unhesitatingly threw his weight behind a Government to which he was himself politically opposed.

“I have no doubt that this is the figure whom the historian will see. “He will be missed and mourned most deeply by the small group of people who like myself, had the opportunity of knowing not only the public figure but the persona) Jack Walsh, who thought not of himself, but of the future of this country of which he was a proud son." Dr. A. M. Finlay, president of the Labour Party, said all sections of his movement both industrial and political would deeply mourn the passing of a man whose personality and vigour earned him widespread respect “He was always fearless—sometimes to the point of aggressiveness—in support of those he represented, and secured substantial gains as a result of his efforts.

"The community a* a whole will best remember him for the skill force, and adroitness with which he r resented the case for successive general wage increases for the F.O.L. before the Arbitration Court” Mr T. E. Skinner, national vice-president of the F.0.L.. raid that the trade union movement had lost its most ardent advocate. “His whole life was spent in advancing the well-being of the working people.

"There was no more knowledgeable person of New Zealand’s needs, both externally and internally, than Mr Walsh.”

Mr F. L. Langley, president of the Canterbury District Trades Council of the F.0.L.: “His successful leadership of New Zealand seamen and the Federation of Labour has m.’de him a national and international figure, unsurpassed as a negotiator and workers’ advocate. The trades union movement of New Zealand will be the p oorer for his passing.” Mr T. S. Hill, a former secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union and one of Mr Walsh’s most noted adversaries in former years, said no-one could deny the energy Mr Walsh displayed in defending the interests of the workers as-he saw them.

“With his passing- the major consideration facing all unionists must be the preservation of the Federation of Labour as the national voice of the wage and salary earners.”

Mr T. Martin, secretary of the Lyttelton branch of the Seamen’s Union: “No stone was unturned by Mr Walsh to make the lives of seamen more pleasant in the winning of good conditions and wages. Indeed, seamen from all parts of the world had gained by his experience as a fighter in the industrial movement.”

Mr J. B„ Cotter, president of the Buller Miners,’ Council: “One by one the old labour stalwarts are passing on and the death of Mr F. P. Walsh leaves us very sad in the Buller. He was a warrior in the interests of the workers and after years of honest effort on their behalf he has laid down his spade and called it his last day." Mr K. M. Baxter, secretary of the F.0.L.: “Mr Walsh was a combative man who ad ways went to the core of an issue Those prepared to line themselves up with Mr Walsh served the trade union movement well.”

Technology Museum.—A museum of transport and technology is being established in the Western Springs area of Auckland. The advisory council of the museum will hold its inaugural meeeting on Tuesday. The council’s executive chairman. Mr John Hogan, expects the museum and consequent development of Western Springs, to become a public attraction.