“WILL GOVERN”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20377, 14 October 1940, Page 10

“WILL GOVERN”

N.Z. GOVERNMENT PREMIER EMPHATIC SAFETY REGULATIONS CRITICISM CONDEMNED (Per Press Associaliou.) WELLINGTON, this day. Building trade workers, comprising members of the Carpenters, Plumbers, Plasterers, Bricklayers, Stonemasons, and Painters’ Union, at a special meeting on Saturday, unanimously carried the following motion: — “That this special meeting of building trade workers takes the strongest possible exception to the latest emergency regulations, which give the Attorney-General power to control all trade unions and dismiss workers from their employment, as a most flagrant attack on the free basis of our New Zealand democracy and as such are not to be tolerated by free men. As free men we pledge ourselves to resist to the utmost the implementation of these regulations. We herewith call upon the Government to at once repeal these regulations.” Commenting on the resolution, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, said that the meeting, which he stated was organised by officials of the Carpenters’ Union, was “obviously another step to oppose, frustrate and sabotage the war effort of the Dominion.” He said that the trade union movement in New Zealand was solidly behind the Government in its war effort and he had not the slightest fear of it supporting attempts to disrupt and demoralise the people. “Proof of Necessity” “The action of those who are endeavouring to mislead the carpenters and other building trade workers at the present moment is additional proof of the necessity for the public safety regulations and if and when the need arises there will be no hesitation in their application,” added Mr. Fraser. The regulations, he pointed out, were not issued by the Government without deep and prolonged consideration and discussions with prominent representatives of some of the parties particularly concerned. The Government received no intimation of opposition to the regulations from the national trade union organisation, the Federation of Labour, and he believed that that organisation thoroughly appreciated the danger and menace to the country in general and trade unionism in particular, if a few disaffected people were allbwed to pursue subversive tactics. “I feel sure that the majority of the members of the Carpenters’ Union 1 and the building trade workers do not agree with the attitude taken up by a few of their number and are wholeheartedly with New Zealahd and the British Commonwealth in the present struggle,” concluded Mr. Fraser. “Further, it should be clearly understood that whatever opposition may be expressed to the regulations they will be enforced without fear or favour and all the necessary steps \vijl.be taken towards that end. The Government will govern.”