UNION SECRETARIES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 195, 15 May 1941, Page 12

UNION SECRETARIES

Viewpoint Expressed

The viewpoint of the Union Secretaries’ Association is expressed in the following statement, which was issued to the Press following a meeting yesterday afternoon: —"As some of the candidates in the field have seen fit to attack the Labour tickets because there are a number of union secretaries ou the lists, this association desires to point out to the citizens of AA’elliiigton that the list of Labour candidates was chosen by ballot of the representatives of unions and branches on the Labour Representation Committee, representing a large proportion of the AVellington citizens, there being no pressure on anybody to support any one candidate as against another. In this connexion it may be pointed out that owing to the committees of local bodies meeting mainly during the daytime, it makes it difficult for a wages worker to accept nomination and thus lose his wages while attending such meetings, lienee union secretaries are urged to accept nomination for selection ballots, as usually they are able to attend these daytime meetings. It is pertinent to also mention that the secretaries of unions have been elected to their positions because the members realize that they are capable num to whom they can entrust their affairs. “In cases in the past where such men have been elected to public positions they have proved capable administrators and we do not fear comparison of their work in the city council, Hie hospital board or the harbour board for effectiveness. It may be mentioned also that at the present time there are several union secretaries associated with the British Cabinet, and that these men are doing a job which is satisfactory to Hie large bulk of the people throughout the British Commonwealth. AA’e protest against the unfair attack being made on our members and definitely state that we stand unreservedly for freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the guarding of the liberties of the people.”

CORRESPONDENTS’ VIEWS

Un-British Action

Sir. — In view of the most uou-Brit'isli action of certain trade union officials agirinst Mr. Hubert Nathan, I suggest that tlie members of tlie unions concerned call a (special meeting and oust such persons of their control iu a similar way lo the recent method adopted by the Carpenters’ tiuion. ' If sucli action is not adopted, then the general public wilt assume that the members of the unions concerned are in agreement witli sucli tactics, and that 1 do not believe. —1 am, etc., LOYALIST. May .11., This Is A Free Country Sir. —To open one's "Dominion” today and read of the attempt by certain union officials to close the mouth of a candidate for inunk'iplH otlice. who litis stated what everyhodv knows to be facts, makes one's blood boil. Ineidetnally. it shows how extremely stupiil such people are in that they fail entirely to compfeliend tlie British elmracter. Sucli metiiods may lie successful in some countries, and are universally (1 bough not in the end) successful in Germany, but that they lie attempted here shows an incredible boldness in such people.

If they believe Ilia: such subversive action makes any impression on tlie (•omniuuiiy, I lien they are very much mistaken. All Unit acts like this do are to rouse tlie community to what is going mi under tlie surface and make it ilelermined to ensure that such elements do not secure control of either our municipal or political life in future.

AVtien one reads of tlie threat now being helii over tlie bends of t lie medical profession, that they sliottld be coerced and compelled becan-x they have not entered into a contract which is distasteful to them (and no free man can lie compelled to enter into such contracts) one realizes that sucli elements as tliese which ttirenren Mr. Nathan's sources of living amt transport, feel that they have the support of those in higher places. It must lie made almndtriitly (-tear to them that they :i''e living in a British (•(immunity and not in Germany, whatever their inner preferences may lie. I am. etc.. KOBEKT BIH <’E. May 1 I.