Heated confrontation

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33928, 22 August 1975, Page 1

Heated confrontation

[ (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 21. The Minister of Labour (Mr Faulkner) was involved in a heated confrontation with three members of the Auckland Boilermakers’ Union after speaking in Auckland today. ' Led by the union secretary; (Mr A. McLean), the boilermakers approached Mr Faulkner as he was leaving an Auckland University lecture I

I hall after addressing the Inistitute of Management’s engineering sub-branch. In a corridor outside the university library. Mr Faulkner told the trio: “I am going to have a cup of coffee.” He left with institute officials, but* the three men waited for him io return. It is believed they were eager to discuss the laying-off of a few union members. As Mr Faulkner spoke to the boilermakers, voices gradually became louder. At one stage. Mr Faulkner said: ' “There’ll be no stoppages. 1 could argue here all day, but i there’ll be no stoppages.”

After the brief encounter. 'Mr McLean declined to give details of the discussion or iwhat was contained in a 'document handed to Mr Faulkner. Mr Faulkner left to attend other engagements, and also made no comment about the row. The institute’s secretary j(Mr P. Seagar), who saw the confrontation, said later that he had considered calling for the assistance of security staff, but had decided against it. “Mr Faulkner knows how |to handle these things," he I jsaid. :