More strikes—S.U.P.

Press, 23 April 1980, Page 6

More strikes—S.U.P.

PA Auckland More strikes and the nationalisation of industry were recommended to an audience at a Socialist Unity Party meeting in Auckland last evening. The president of the party, Mr G. H. Andersen, proposed the measures as part of the recipe for achieving socialism in New Zealand. Mr Andersen was the principal speaker at the public meeting. About 90 people were present—about two-thirds of them unknown to party officials—and they listened attentively and without interjection to Mr Andersen’s address. One incident marred the

otherwise smooth proceedings, when a “New Zealand Herald” photograher was man-handled by a doorman.

The doorman apparently was upset about the nature of photographs that had been taken. Mr Andersen said the S.U.P. advocated an intensification of strikes in suppart of wage increase claims, particularly in key industries. They were needed to strengthen the socialist cause and lead to the establishment of a socialist system of government.

Nationalisation of industries such as N.Z. Forest Products, Ltd, was another aim of the party 7, he said. This would be to a greater extent than al-

ready in State-controlled undertakings such as the railways. True worker participation was needed in industry to cater for the needs of the people. Mr Andersen said that in an era of State monopoly capitalism, it was not surprising that the forces of government were levelled against socialist groups such as the S.U.P. But the S.U.P. would carry on, even if it were made illegal, and the Government and the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) had no more chance of stopping the progress of Marxism in New Zealand than other governments had had in countries where socialism had been established.