AUCKLAND WORKERS HEAR F.O.L. ATTACK GOVT.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31318, 14 March 1967, Page 1

AUCKLAND WORKERS HEAR F.O.L. ATTACK GOVT.

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, March 13. An estimated 20,000 workers crammed the terraces of Carlaw Park this morning to hear the Federation of Labour president, Mr T. E. Skinner, berate the Government’s economic measures.

The meeting adopted an 11-point resolution, including a demand for a plan to increase production in all fields. The resolution was approved with a roar from the crowd after being formally proposed by the president of the New Zealand Watersiders’ Federation (Mr E. Ishey). The main terrace at the park was packed with shirtsleeved workers basking in the warm sunshine. Hundreds of women brought along gay umbrellas to keep off the sun. Men stripped to the waist and lay back on the grass at the railway embankment end as Mr Skinner spoke. Many ate early lunches. The large crowd was wellbehaved; there was no heckling. The resolution said that the economic measures introduced by the Government would not increase New Zealand’s overseas funds to the desired level. They could only lead to unemployment and hardship to th vast majority. It c nd hat any measures designed to rectify the overseas balance position should be equitably shared among the whole community in accordance with the ability of people to pay. The meeting authorised the F.O.L. to take any action necessary- to protect the standard of living of the wage and salary earners, their wives and families. Pointe Given Points included in the resolution were: New Zealand’s financial and labour resources to be fully investigated with the object of formulating a definite plan over a period to develop industry and increase production.

A determined bid for new markets overseas, especi-

ally in Asia. This should be done immediately to cushion the effects of Britain’s intended entry into the E.E.C. Selection of imports to ensure raw materials to service farm and manufacturing industries and to maintain a policy of full employment Import licences should only be issued to the user or the seller of the end product. Essential goods to be put under the control of the prices division of the Department of -Industries and Commerce in an attempt to stabilise the cost of living. Capital and all construction work should be carried out by New Zealand contractors.

Special committee to study taxation and to report on the basis that all taxation be direct rather than indirect. Stricter control over the transfer of profits and dividends from New Zealand by overseas investors. A State-owned shipping line. Progressive withdrawal of troops from Vietnam, New Zealand’s assistance to be technical and civil aid in line with the policy of th« British Government School committees to decide whether milk in schools should continue. More adequate increases to be sought for pensioners

to compensate for the increase in the cost of living. This question is to be taken up with the Government An executive member of the Storemen and Packers’ Union, Mr W. Booker, said he wanted to speak against the resolution but said he was not given an opportunity. “I believe the trade unions should work in the industrial field and not meddle in politics,” he said. “This stop-work meeting is a straight out political attack against the democraticallyelected Government of' New Zealand.” Mr Skinner will address a stop-work meeting in Dunedin tomorrow. He will speak in Christchurch on Wednesday and Wellington on Friday.