Union lending fund urged

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33527, 7 May 1974, Page 2

Union lending fund urged

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 6.

A co-operative lending society should be set up by the Federation of Labour, Mr A. J. Neary’, of the North Island Electrical Workers’ Union, said at the F.O.L. annual conference in Wellington today.

The F.O.L. conference in 1969 or 1970 had adopted a resolution calling for investigation of the establishment of such a society, Mr Neary said. It would help alleviate the problems many people had in raising second mortgages, and first mortgages. The lack of finance for housing was a serious matter. “The Public Service Investment Society is doing a great job in this area,” Mr Neary said. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be doing greater, with a much larger membership.” Mr E. H. Soper, of the Southland Drivers’ Union, said intending home-owners were having to pay more than 10 per cent interest, and were at the same time denied the right of bargaining for more wages. MIGRATION

Immigrants from the Pacific Islands arrived in New Zealand with permits for three months work, and were exploited as soon as they were off the aircraft, the president (Mr T. E. Skinner) said.

“By the time trade unions catch up with them to try to integrate them they have been sent home and another group has arrived,” > said. "We need them in New Zealand,” Mr Skinner said. “Industry would break down without them. We should at least look after them when they’re here. The permits should be for at least 12 months, to give them a chance to integrate.”

FARM WORKERS The Federation of Labour must get the Government io pass the Agricultural Workers Bill, because Government back-benchers in rural areas were scared of losing a few votes by supporting it, said Mr R. Skirton, of the Canter-

bury branch of the Workers’ Union.

“They ought to be told loudly and clearly to push this bill through, and give the farm workers a fair deal,” Mr Skirton said. The Sheep and Cattlemen’s Association — “a militant R : ght-wing outfit” — was putting pressure on farm workers and farmers to condemn the bill, Mr Skirton said. Mr Skinner said it was F.O.L. policy that farm workers should be represented by the Workers’ Union, “and no-one else.”