Rebuke outrageous, says Mr Neary

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 2

Rebuke outrageous, says Mr Neary

PA Wellington The secretary of the North , Island Electrical Workers’ Union (Mr A. J, Neary) yesterday described a warning to him by the president of the Federation of Labour (Mr W. J. Knox) as “outrageous, intolerant, and not becoming a man of Mr Knox’s position.” Mr Neary was reacting to , Mr Knox’s warning for' allegedly accusing the F.O.L. of lying over the Polish telegram affair. Mr Neary was reported on Wednesday as taking a “seeing is believing” stance over F.O.L. statements that a telegram of support had been sent to strikers in Poland. He was quoted as saying: “We have got to see the telegram and when and where it was sent.” Mr Knox retaliated in a telephone call to a Wellington newspaper: “Don’t call me a liar. Warn Neary — be very careful what you say about me as president of the F.0.L.” Mr Knox’s contention that he had been accused of lying was "rejected by Mr Neary. “At no time did I make an accusation ” Mr Neary said yesterday. , “I and the executive of ( the union wished to know ] when the telegram from the ; F.O.L. had been sent in support of the Polish striking; workers, where it was sent, ’ and what it contained. ■ “Surely, as an affiliated i union paying about $lO,OOO i a year in capitation fees we i are entitled to ask such a 1 question. 1

“Subsequent events have totally justified the question. The F.O.L.’s secretary (Mr K. G. Douglas) was quoted as saying the telegram was sent to Poland on Friday,’ August 22, while Mr Knox was quoted as saying it was sent on Monday, August 25. “My difference of opinion was. with the . Auckland Trades Council’s president,

: Mr Bill Andersen, and with .Mr Douglas over the pub- ■ fished statements in defence of the policies of the Polish Communist Government. “Mr Knox’s attack on me : appears to be a buffer for Messrs Andersen and Douglas in their defence of the repressive Polish Comi munist regime — a role I would never have expected . him to play,” Mr Neary said. He criticised allegations by Mr Knox that he was well known for his attacks on F.O.L. officials and executive; that those attacks had been aimed to divide tire trade union movement; and that the telegram affair request by him and his union had been an attempt to “take the strength out of the F.0.L.”