NEW TURN TO DISCUSSIONS— Federation Opposed To “Scab” Union

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 May 1949, Page 5

NEW TURN TO DISCUSSIONS — Federation Opposed To “Scab” Union

(SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT)

WELLINGTON, This Day.—A reversion to the traditional industrial labour outlook highlighted this morning’s session of the Federation of Labour, which was again devoted entirely to the carpenters' case. The conference decided that under no circumstances would it recognise the “scab” Carpenters’ Union in Auckland and that it would place all its resources and strength behind the bona fide union.

It was an acrimonious morning with many speakers, the majority supporting the deregistered Auckland Carpenters’ Union. Legal Advice Taken The vice-president, Mr F. P. Walsh reported that the national executive had met the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, and the Minister of Labour, Mr McLagan, last night and also consulted its solicitor. “We found, as a result of our interview with Mr Fraser and Mr McLagan and the solicitor that as a result of the carpenters having issued an injunction against the registration of the new union the matter was out of the hands of the Government,” he said.

Mr Walsh added that the solicitor had advised that immediately the Supreme Court has disposed of the injunction the officers of the new union coujd issue a writ for registration and, as the law stood, the registrar of industrial unions could not refuse. He moved the adoption of his

report. Mr H. Barnes, national president of the Watersiders’ Union, said the adoption of the report meant conference endorsement of a “scab” union. Mr Walsh: It doesn’t say that at all. Be fair. Mr Barnes said the Minister had apparently refused to withdraw his consent to the registration of a “scab” union. If that was the case the delegates might walk out of the conference and find the “scab" union had already been registered. Mr Barnes moved as an amendment that under no circumstances would the conference recognise a “scab” Carpenters’ Union in Auckland.

It was seconded by Mr J. Roberts (Canterbury Clothing Workers). The amendment was carried by 148 votes to 96. , , , Mr Barnes’s Motion Carried Mr H. S. Gallagher, secretary of the Auckland Trades Council, moved a further amendment that in an endeavour to stop the registration of dual unions in the building industry in Auckland, immediate steps be taken to bring the parties together in an endeavour to find a practical solution. This was defeated by 134 votes to 115. Mr Barnes’s amendement then became the motion and wqs carried on the voices. The conference will finish at 5 p.m. this afternoon, probably with ; not having reached ,any of the remits.’ .