ANTI-WAR MOTION RESCINDED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 190, 9 May 1941, Page 8

ANTI-WAR MOTION RESCINDED

Carpenters’ Union OFFICERS REMOVED BY SPECIAL MEETING

By 232 votes to .96, a special meeting of the Wellington Carpenters and Joiners’ Union last night dissociated itself with an anti-war resolution carried at a meeting of the union at which only 10 members were present. By 153 votes to 96 the meeting also agreed to remove from office those responsible for the resolution.

The circular issued concerning the meeting stated that the resolution to which objection was made, "had for its purpose a proposal to withdraw New Zealand from the war and leave our mates overseas and our kindred in Great Britain in the cold, and has caused serious reflections ,to be made on the Wellington carpenters and joiners generally.” After having rescinded the anti-war resolution, the meeting passed the following motion: “That the mover and seconder of the anti-war motion at the Federation of Labour conference in April, Messrs. W. McAra and W. A. Jamieson, and the executive member responsible for the motion at the union meeting on March 25, Mr. L. Buxton, be removed from office, and that the persons so removed be not eligible for. office for the period of the war.”

In Mr. Mc-Ara’s case, the effect of the resolution was a recommendation to the district council of the Carpenters and Joiners’ Association, which appointed him as organizer. Though the meeting was not open to the Press, \

and no official statement was forthcoming, it is understood that Mr. MeAra intimated that, in view of the adverse vote and the feeling of the members, be was prepared to accept the decision of the meeting.

The meeting was one of the largest held by the union. Messrs. Jamieson (president), McAra (organizer) and L. Buston (executive member) are now out of office. Because of the lateness of the hour, it was decided to hold a special meeting in a fortnight to fill the vacancies.