Cool reaction to honour

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34041, 3 January 1976, Page 2

Cool reaction to honour

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. January 2. Yesterday’s announcement of a knighthood for the president of the Federation of Labour (Sir Thomas Skinner) has drawn a cool reaction from the secretary of the federation (Mr J. Knox). Asked to comment on Sir Thomas’s knighthood, Mr Knox said today that he did not believe in such honours. “I appreciate that personally Mr Skinner is quite happy to accept the honour, and that he believes that it

is an honour not only for him, but also for the tradeunion movement.” “No doubt some unions have already expressed the view that they do not believe in these honours being bestowed on trade-union officials — a belief that is held because of the struggle trade unions have had to be recognised by governments in this country. “Personally, I have never been one to believe in honours, but if other people want to accept or reject them, that is up to them.” Mr Knox said that the Labour Government was concerned to give more recognition for service over a wider range of activity. The executive director of the Employers’ Federation, (Mr P. J. Luxford) said he imagined all employers would be delighted with Mr Skinner’s knighthood as recognition of the important role he and the trade union movement had played in industrial activity.