F.O.L. votes to bail trade with S.A.

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 1

F.O.L. votes to bail trade with S.A.

PA Wellington The trade union movement will consider implementing a blanket ban on trade- with South Africa. A resolution at the; Federation of Labour’s conference at Wellington, yesterday, moved from the floor after a half-hour -address by a banned black South African trade-union 'leader, Mr: Zola Zembe, also urged consideration of a consumer boycott of all South African products. The secretary of the Wellington Caretakers’ and Cleaners’ Union (Mr P. J. Kelly) also suggested a ban on servicing the South African ConsulateGeneral in Wellington. A petition was prepared for the 400 delegates to sign. It demanded the release from the Robben Island jail of the black nationalist leader, Mr Nelson' Mandela. The petition will be sent to the ConsulGeneral (Mr P. R. Lindhorst). Trades councils will also organise a week each year during which affiliates will, be asked for contributions to the South African Coun-

cil of Trade Unions, which Mr Zembe represents. The final resolution said, “As part of the F.O.L. continuing campaign against the oppressive and evil white South African regime, that all affiliates consider to promote and participate, in a total consumer boycott of South African goods and that affiliates of the transport group of : unions be asked to discuss the implementation of a total boycott on South-African goods.” The president 'of the F.O.L. (Mr W. J. Knox) reaffirmed existing policy to urge insurance and : other .companies to withdraw investments from South Africa. The suggestion of an annual South Africa week first came from Mr Zembe, who suggested that all unionists could contribute 1c towards his council. He did not demand a consumer boycott, but he did speak of non-white South Africans who were still slaves, producing wine “sold all over the world; and drunk by people with a smile on their face:” Conference reports, Page 3.