Communists accused of misinformation

Press, 11 June 1977, Page 4

Communists accused of misinformation

[PA Wellington; The Communist Party and the Socialist Unity Party were! ; both behind a campaign to [misinform shop assistants! -throughout New Zealand; about the amended Shop! [Trading Hours Bill, said the : Minister of Justice (Mr Thomson) yesterday. Wrong information was deliberately being fed to shop assistants throughout New Zealand, he told Parliament during the continued Address-in-Reply debate. The Minister then referred to a questionnaire, which he said had been sent to shop assistants in his electorate.; asking them if they supported

| moves which would require them to work until 9 p.m. on j more than one night a week I and on Saturday mornings i "for no extra pay.” I “That is false. It is a lie, and should not have been put I ;to shop assistants,” Mr Thompson said. ; “There is an unfortunate, power play behind this dis-; j pute.” he said. The Communist Partv was; {supporting the struggle of; !shop assistants and the same; I was true of the Socialist I Unity Party. “They are both behind the campaign to mis-:

ii inform shop assistants,” the Minister said. I; Mr Thomson said that the ■iShop Trading Hours Bill had! i been so amended that most of the concerns of shop assist-' I!ants had been met. r However, he was conl cerned that the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) had' ■ been quoted as saying things : which had "no relation to the facts.” ‘‘lt is not true that the Government is trying to de-| jStroy the whole concept of the family week-end.” The Opposition had been 'totally irresponsible and was “playing into the hands of ithe Socialist Unity Partv and! the Communist Party” by! some of its actions, Mr Thom- 1 son said. The Minister then appealed i to the Labour Party to “get I the true information across! :to the shop assistants of this! I country. “Let the socialist Labour. ; Party get out and give the; ! facts and tell the shop assist- ! ants that the Shop Trading Hours Bill has been substant-, ially changed,” he said. “Let us all get out and defeat this communist power play.” Mr Thomson said, to applause from Government! members.