P.M. MEETS MR SKINNER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 1

P.M. MEETS MR SKINNER

Attempt To Halt Stoppages Fails

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, March 10.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) appealed again to the Federation of Labour president, Mr T. E. Skinner, at an hour’s private meeting in Auckland today for the abandonment of the federation’s plans for stop-work protest meetings.

Although both men described the discussions as helpful, Mr Skinner said later that no agreement was reached and that the meetings in the four main cities next week, would go on as planned.

The talks were held late this afternoon in the Prime Minister’s hotel suite.

“We had very free and wide-ranging discussions on the whole of the economy and the economic position at the present time,” said Mr Holyoake later.

Mr Holyoake said Mr Skinner had told him of the attitude of organised industrial workers and he in his turn had spoken freely of the problems of the Government

“Both of us have a better appreciation of the thinking of each other at this stage,” said the Prime Minister. He said he would meet Mr Skinner in Wellington to have further talks on points arising from today’s discussions “at an appropriate later date.” Measures Undecided Asked whether he had outlined to Mr Skinner any further economic measures the Government might have in prospect, Mr Holyoake said the Government itself had not yet decided whether any further measures would be < necessary or, if necessary, what type of measures would be needed.

“But most likely some fur-

ther measures will be required,” he added. He felt the meeting with Mr Skinner, which was arranged only this morning, had been “very valuable,” Mr Holyoake said. Mr Skinner: I think these talks are always a help. “Economic Protest” Earlier today, Mr Skinner denied that the stop-work meetings' to be held were political demonstrations, as claimed by Mr Holyoake in his first plea for their cancellation.

They were not political demonstrations but economic ones, said Mr Skinner.

The Government’s measures put the burden of the country’s economic ills on the industrial worker. “Surely he is entitled to express some resentment at this class legislation” he said. Remarks by the deputy-

leader of the Opposition (Mr Watt), that in his view the meetings should be held outside working hours, came as a surprise, said Mr Skinner. “It is far better that we should hold one mass stopwork rather than disrupt industry, day by day, with a series of unco-ordinated stoppages,” he said. The secretary of the Auckland Trades’ Council, Mr W. J. Knox, said telegrams from unions all over New Zealand had been sent protesting at Mr Watt’s statement Mr Knox said the unions wanted Mr Watt to confirm whether he had been correctly reported.

Mr Knox added: “We believe we have the right to demonstrate and the right of free speech against the Government’s economic policies.”

Mr Watt said tonight he stood by his statement. He said the statement was made in reply to a question, and he had also said the F.O.L. had every right to make such a decision. “The federation is an autonomous body,” he said. “But I might not always agree with its decisions. This is one occasion.” March Planned

Several thousand Auckland workers are likely to march from their jobs to Carlaw Park on Monday morning toi attend the first F.O.L. protest meeting. “There would be quite a few thousand marchers by the time they reach Carlaw Park,” said Mr Knox. “We expect at least 10,000 to 15,000 people and there could be more.” Mr Skinner, who will be the only speaker, is expected to talk for about 90 minutes. Most of the workers will be away from their jobs only for the duration of the meeting.