PROPOSED LABOUR DAILY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 December 1939, Page 2

PROPOSED LABOUR DAILY

UNION REJECTS INVESTMENT

STORMY WELLINGTON MEETING. [per press association.] WELLINGTON, December 7. A strong determination to have a voice in their own affairs was shown by the rank and tile of members of the Wellington Shop Assistants’ Union, last night, when an exceptionally stormv meeting developed from a proposal to invest £2OOO of the union funds in the proposed Labour daily newspaper. After- a heated discussion, with occasional pandemonium, the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected. According to members present, the meeting was specially called for the purpose of discussing this specific subject. Some time ago, a general meeting decided to invest £2OOO as proposed, and at a subsequent meeting, notice of motion was tabled to rescind the decision, and so last night’s meeting was called. The resentment was aroused, by the executive at the outset, by a paragraph in the circular letter calling the meeting, threatening to impose a fine of 1/- on every member who did not attend. It. is estimated that 400 to 450 were present. One speaker, who supported the proposal, was counted out, and a vote of no-confidence was passed in the chairman, who left the chair, but was later allowed to return. It was alleged at the outset that the meeting was unconstitutional. The executive had been instructed by the previous general meeting to take a postal ballot on the question, but had neglected to do this, on the grounds that it would cost £BO.

Many members spoke at once, and the loudest voices were heard. When the chairman attempted to speak there were cries of “Hitlerism!” and “What do you want a newspaper for? You already have control of the radio.”

Later, the chairman, when he saw the meeting was overwhelmingly against the proposal, announced he thought that now was not the time to establish a Labour paper. It would caused .such a depletion in sterling funds to buy £60,000 worth of machinery that the Government would be embarrassed.

Finally, the motion to rescind the resolution was put, and on a show of hands it was overwhelmingly carried. When these happenings were referred to the union secretary, Mr. AV. H. Croskery; he said that the meeting was well attended and well conducted, and everybody obeyed the chair. It was full of interest, and everything was thoroughly discussed. He declined to discuss the business for which the meeting was called, but, when told that the stormy proceedings had been reported, he simply commented, “That is not true.” More than that he wowuld not say.