WEST COAST TRADES COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 70, 15 December 1939, Page 8

WEST COAST TRADES COUNCIL

Action Repudiated By Two More Unions Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, December 14. Two more unions on the West Coast —the Railway and Harbour Board Employees —have joined the State Coal Miners’ and Dredge Workers’ Unions in repudiating the action of the West Coast Trades and Labour Council which recently described the war as “another imperialist struggle.” The council had also called on the Government to explain why New Zealanders were expected to fight, and to give a definite assurance that conscription would not be introduced. At a meeting on Tuesday night the Greymouth branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants decided: “That this meeting dissociates itself from the war resolution passed by the West Coast Trades and Labour Council. Further, we are of the definite opinion that when a far-reaching resolution of this nature is to be brought before the council we should be notified in advance. Our representative was not present at the last meeting of the council, and therefore we, as a workers’ organization with a membership of 450, d(d not vote on the question.” At a largely-attended meeting, also on Tuesday night, of the Greymouth Harbour Board Employees’ Union, the following resolution was passed:— “That we dissociate ourselves from the resolution passed at the last meeting of the West Coast Trades and Labour Council on war and pledge our wholehearted support to the Government in its war effort.” The meeting also instructed its delegate on the council strongly to support the rescinding of the offending resolution at the next meeting of the council on Saturday evening.