PRESS BARRED

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 April 1927, Page 7

PRESS BARRED

BY INDUSTRIAL MISSION LABOUR OBJECTION UPHELD (Anatrallan A N.Z. Cable Am.l (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, April 14. Following on opposition to the presence of the Press at the Conferences which developed after Mr. Grayndler’s arrival, the Australian Industrial Mission has now passed a resolution to exclude the representatives of the Press from all the meetings between the Mission and the representatives of American industries, when a questionnaire is submitted for information to be elicited, and also at meetings with the Union leaders. It is understood that Mr. Ludewici and Mr. Guy supported the resolution, fearing a spit if Mr. Grayndler’s request were not acceded to. Cablegrams passed between the Mission and Mr. Bruce (Australian Premier) since the meeting at Buffalo, when Mr. Grayndler and Mr. Mclnnes threatened to retire from the official programme unless the Press were excluded. It is understood that Mr. Bruce reaffirmed that the Press should receive all facilities to obtain information. The interpretatioii from the messages was that the Press should be excluded only from the meetings when the Mission discussed its report.

It is apparent that the position of the employees’ representatives, was based on political grounds, Mr Grayndler’s chief complaint being that the Labour Press was not represented, and that the Australian public are only receiving the employers’ views. As a matter of fact, several of the Labour members are writing for Labour papers. Mr. Grayndler, himself, takes little interest in the inspections of industries or in the conferences with the employers. He maintains a firm belief that the Mission’s inquiry is merely superficial. Mr. Campbell and Mr. McNeil, of the Mission, opposed the resolution, but they did not record votes against the employees, fearing a split. It is easy to recognise the political hand of Mr. Grayndler in making no effort to deepen the inquiry. After refraining from visiting several industries at Niagara, Mr. Grayndler left the Mission at Schenectady, spending several days in Canada. Immediately on rejoining the Mission in New York, Mr. Grayndler attended a meeting and bitterly opposed the presence of the Press. He succeeded in securing the passage of a resolution against the Press. Before leaving Australia the Press was promised every facility by the Government. Presumably the members of the Mission were informed of the position, because they interviewed Senator Pearce.

One employer says Mr. Grayndler, as the chief objector, should have refrained from coming to America, rather than raise objection at the moment of arrival.

The restrictions seriously hamper the Press representatives, because practically all the information is obtained through the conferences. Several of the employer members believe that the information obtained is contrary to Union priciples advocated in Australia, and that the employees’ representatives are afraid of publicity. The nett result of the resolution is that the Australian Press will be excluded from any further conferences of the Mission.

The position of the Press was referred to the Australian Commissioner. Although lie expressed a desire to meet Mr Grayndler anl talk matters over, the interview did not eventuate. The Commissioner leaves to-day for a week’s visit to Cleveland.

The mission is meeting again tomorrow, when the position of the Press will be discussed. Mr Grayndler did not accompany the Mission on its inspections yesterday, spending the day in New York. In view of the decision which the Misison reached on Monday, the Press is refraining from disclosing the facts, hoping the Commisisoner could adjust matters in accordance with the Government’s wishes. Mr Murphy to-day officially informed the Press of the decision, apparently indicating the end of the negotiations. One of the employers’ representatives considers that they should take a strong stand against the employees’ representatives, and admit the Press , even if Mr Grayndler should resign. Mi’ Mclnnes is Mr Grayndler’s strongest supporter, although the threat of a split has brought others into line. Another reason given by Mr Grayndler for the exclusion of the Press is that the employers will not disclose confidential information sought by the Mission in the presence of the Press. This reason is amusing, in view of the fact that the industrialists have been extraordinarily keen to give the Press every publicity regarding their methods.