P.M. accused of intimidation

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33588, 17 July 1974, Page 14

P.M. accused of intimidation

tIV.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 16. The Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) was tonight accused of trying to put fear into trade unionists by threatening deregistration and talking of 1951.

The secretary of the Federation of Labour I (Mr W. J. Knox) said the trade union movement would not accept talk like that from the Government or any other third party.

He was commenting on Mr Kirk’s statement last night that troublemakers in any deregistered union would not be able to join a reconstructed union.

Mr Kirk specifically referred to Mr Toby Hill, who was a leading figure in the waterfront dispute which led to the big 1951 strike.

But Mr Knox said the F.O.L. could not understand the Government’s attitude to the trade union movement at the moment.

He suggested it might be because the Government’s image had slipped over the last few weeks during intense trade union activity against the use of injunctions.

“I can’t understand why the Prime Minister should mention 1951 and Toby Hill,” said Mr KnoX.

“Does he feel that by using Toby Hill and 1951, he will put some fear into other trade unionists that if they take similar action they might find themselves in the same position as Toby Hill?”

The F.O.L. would discipline its own members inside

the movement, Mr Knox said. “There is no need for the Government to talk about deregistration.” Mr Knox said last night that the federation was gravely concerned that the Government had not seen fit to con-; suit it over the proposed) .deregistration of the Canterbury branch of the National Union of Railwaymen. The national executive had at all times been prepared to meet the Government. ! “But the Government has gone ahead and taken these steps without consulting the F.0.L.,” he said. The matter could have been discussed by the Industrial Council which was set up under the Industrial Relations Act. “But is the Government now going to go ahead and make these decisions without consulting the industrial council?” In the last week or so the Government had brought down “panic legislation” against the Merchant Service Guild and the marine and power engineers, he said. “But it’s now attacking an F.O.L. affiliate, and just while we are trying to get the trade union movement settled. “And it’s most difficult because of the Government’s apparent attitude. “It’s taking a hard line now after the climax reached over the action against injunctions.”