CRACK IN THE INDUSTRIAL LABOUR FRONT

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1949, Page 2

CRACK IN THE INDUSTRIAL LABOUR FRONT

WELLINGTON, This Day (O;C.).— The future of the industrial Labour movement may be vitally affected by decisions made by the national council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour meeting in Wellington this week. One of the most important items on the agenda is the-discussion of the future relationship to be. observed between the Federation of Labour and the New Zealand Transport Federation. ■ The national executive of the Federation of Labour has accused the Transport Federation with attempting persistently to usurp the functions of the major body. Officials of the Transport Federation have refused to make any public comment on the charge, except to state that they were not aware of any difference between the two bodies. It is understood that the Transport Federation has informed the Federation of Labour that it will welcome the consideration of future relationships between the two bodies, as it does not think that past relationships have been all they could have been. Although the Transport Federation with its 41,000 members has numerically only one-fifth the strength of the Federation of Labour, it would still be a force to be reckoned with if a test of strength arose. Included in its affiliates are the drivers, seamen, watersiders, tramwaymen, railwaymen, and harbour board employees, and although it would be certain that some of these affiliated unions would support the Federation of Labour should a showdown arise,. it is none the less certain that enough would remain loyal to the Transport Federation to preserve its power. As this is election year, it is possible that the council will be keen for all industrial organisations to work in harmony to maintain industrial peace, and the differences between the two bodies may be settled amicably. _____