Minister and F.O.L. heads

Press, 15 November 1977, Page 1

Minister and F.O.L. heads

Parliamentary reporter The Minister of Fisheries and Associate Minister of Agriculture (Mr Bolger) has referred to comments which he had been reported as making in an address to the Ellesmere branch of Federated Fanners, Christchurch, on October 17. After the address a number of newspapers reported the Minister as saying that half of the Federation of Labour executive were members of the Socialist Unity Party. . Mr Bolger said that he had subsequently received complaints from the president of the Federation of Labour (Sir Thomas Skinner), the vice-president (Mr J. A. Boomer), the general secretary (Mr W. J. Knox) and from Messrs W. Cameron, A. Russ, E. G. Thompson. F. B. Thom and S. I. Wheatley, each of whom are members of the national executive of the Federation of Labour. Mr Boiger said that he was fully aware and readily acknowledged that what he had been reported as saying was incorrect and that neither Sir Thomas Skinner nor Messrs Boomer, Cameron, Knox, Russ, Thompson, Thorn and Wheatley was, or had ever been, a member of the Socialist Unity Party. As the Minister of Labour (Mr Gordon) had al-

ready made clear in answer to a question in the House shortly after the meeting at Leeston, Mr Bolger when speaking there had not intended to refer to members of the executive of the F.O.L. If he had done so, it was a slip of the tongue and he unreservedly withdrew the statement. The Minister concluded that he wished to express his deep regret, and to convey his sincere apologies, to each of those named for the distress and embarrassment which they had suffered.