PRIME MINISTER'S COMMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 90, 12 October 1940, Page 13

PRIME MINISTER'S COMMENT

"MISLEADING THE UNION"

"The meeting organised by the officials of the Carpenters' Union is obviously another step to oppose, frustrate, and sabotage the war effort of the Dominion," the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) said this afternoon, commenting on the. resolution carried by the meeting. "The president of the union and some of his colleagues werel and possibly still .'are, prominent members of the Peace and Anti-conscription organisation which deliberately fomented subversive activities, and which, if allowed to go unrestrained, would have proved a menace and danger to the country, to the unity of the British Commonwealth and to the cause for which we are fighting. "If the British Commonwealth was defeated in the present conflict trade unionism would crash to .the- earth.' The trade union movement in New Zealand, like the trade unionists of Great Britain, realises that fact, and is solidly behind the Government in its efforts to assist the common cause of the British people against Nazi and Fascist tyranny, and I haven't thej slightest fear' of it supporting efforts j to disrupt and demoralise the people,; such as that previously attempted by some of the present officials of the Carpenters' Union in association with others, and which apparently they are attempting to renew. "The action of those who are endeavouring to mislead the carpenters and other building trade workers at the present moment is additional proof .of the necessity for the Public Safety Regulations, and if and when the ,need arises there .will be no hesitation', in | their application. DANGER APPRECIATED. "The Government was elected by a very substantial majority of the people to administer the' affairs of the country, and it certainly won't allow any small coterie of ' overt or covert enemies to frustrate the nation's • effort in the present struggle. The regulations were not issued by the Government without deep and prolonged consideration and discussions with prominent representatives of some of the parties principally con-; cerned. The Government has received no intimation of opposition to the regulations from the national trade union organisation, the Federation of Labour, and I believe that that organisation thoroughly appreciates the danger and menace to the country in general and to trade unionism in particular if a few disaffected people, who often place loyalty to foreign countries before loyalty to New Zealand and the people of New Zealand, are allowed to pursue their subversive tactics, to impede the production of the country, and to thus serve the purposes of Hitler and Mussolini and the cause of Nazism and Fascism, and interna-. tional "gangsterdom generally. "I feel certain that the. majority of the members of the Carpenters' Union, I and the building trade workers, do not ! agree with the attitude taken up. by. a j few of their number, but are whole- | heartedly with New Zealand and the i British Commonwealth in the present struggle. Further, it should be clearly j understood that whatever opposition may be expressed to the regulations ; they will be enforced without fear or favour and all necessary steps will be taken towards that end. The Government will govern."