LABOUR’S CRITICS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20385, 23 October 1940, Page 11

LABOUR’S CRITICS

UNION RESOLUTIONS MINISTER’S RESENTMENT WAR STEPS EXPLAINED Resentment at criticism of the legislation of the Labour Government by industrial unions and branches of the party was expressed by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, when addressing meetings of miners in Denniston, Millerton and Stockton on Sunday. He appealed to these organisations not to pass motions detrimental to the Labour organisation without first summing up the position correctly, and he said in future no such resolutions should be published without the approval of the Labour Representation Committee. Motions objecting to the war emergency regulations had been carried without a true knowledge of just how far these regulations went. Mr. Webb explained several war measures which had been discussed by unions, especially the power for the AttorneyGeneral to dismiss any employee or employer from jobs who might be working in opposition to the authorities. He said action could be taken only in drastic offences designed to interfere with the Government s war effort, and even then before definite action was taken the case would be referred to the Arbitration Court. Referring to “mushroom organisations” opposed to the Government, the Minister said most of the members had never voted for Labour at any time and were now showing direc, opposition to the only genuine movement. Their star would flash and die away, but the real fighters for the party would continue with the confidence of the public. Members of the three unions thanked the Minister for cleai m„ up misapprehension concerning w. measures .