STORMY SPEECH

Evening Star, Issue 25716, 13 February 1946, Page 5

STORMY SPEECH

QUESTIONS OF W.F.T.U. ADMISSION HOTLY DEBATED TABLE-THUMPING AND APPLAUBE LONDON, February 11, A stormy speech by Senator T. Connally (America) when the United Nations Political and Security Committee resumed its debate regarding the admission of the World Federation of Trade Unions to U.N.O, drew a deafening roar of applause and tablethumping from other delegates, and roars of laughter, some of which were directed against the chairman, M. Maniulsky. The storm broke when M. Maniulffey asked Senator Connally whether, if the American Federation of Labour was also admitted, as he proposed, would it not mean the admission also of Catholic trade union representatives and the South American Federation of Labour? Would it not be better if they consulted on questions concerning' them? Senator Connally rose and stormed: " This is war. We do not want to enter this organisation with einnity against anyone. We come here in a spirit of peace, and we do not want to ipull our robes around us and dictate, • You shall sit here or you shall not.' When you admit one and exclude another, you are declaring war against them." Looking down the table at M. Maniulsky, Senator Connally amidst roars of laughter and applause, shouted: "Do not kick the truth into the dirt. Embrace it; take the truth to your chest, Mr Chairman. Soften up your mind." SEAT IN "AMEN CORNER." Speaking in a more conciliatory tone, and -waving a cigar, Senator Connally B«id he was all for the World Federation of Trades Unions, and had given it priority in his resolution, " I have given it a box at the opera, where it can look down on the act before anyone sees it. We have given it a seat in the ' amen ' corner, up close to the priest." In a spirit of concession he had put the American Federation of Labour in second place. He was ready to say to the World Federation of Trade Unions: "Take a front seat; move up next to the chairman—if you can get any closer than you are." There was renewed laughter, tablethumping, and applause. Senator Connallv contended that if the committee adopted M. Gromyko's

resolution it would recognise the W.F.T.U. to the exclusion of everybodv else, so that nobody but they could sit in " the amen corner." Senator Connally added; "We do not want Labour representatives in our great countries to sit aside and be rebuffed. You are going to need

us in the; years to come, and the W.F.T.U. is going to need you " SUPPORT FROM BRITAIN. Air Noel Baker (Britain) supported Senator Connally, and criticised the Russian resolution, which excluded other Labour bodies. M. Maniulsky, whose attempt to jump to his feet was frustrated by Mr Noel Baker's intervention, rose to reply. He was calm and unperturbed, as usual. He argued that it was a great mistake to believe that national bodies could be put on the same level as a worldwide organisation. Senator Connally was asking for a privileged exception to be accorded the, A.F.L. If this were done, why should not the privilege be granted to other national union organisations? l)r Porras (Panama) made a speech which, though as violent in tone as Senator Connally's, was boiled down when translated from the French to a subdued disagreement with Senator Connally's proposal. M. Gromyko (Russia) pointed out that the A.F.L. could join the W.F.T.U. if it wanted, and could therefore be represented at the consultations with the W.F.T.U. Mr Fraser (New Zealand) said everybody was agreed about the admission of the W.F.T.U., and lie could see no reason why all the rest of tho organisations should be left out. If

there was to be any disagreement they should deal with the proposals separately, Canada, Ecuador, and Argentina supported the United States proposal The committee adjourned without reaching a decision.