MILITANTS ROUTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22624, 29 April 1948, Page 6

MILITANTS ROUTED

FEDERATION POSTS MR. CROSKERY ELECTED MR WALSH VICE-PRESIDENT (PA) DUNEDIN, April 29. The election of officers of the New Zealand Federation of Labour which took place at the annual conference yesterday resulted in the rout of militants. , , , . Noteworthy were the _ defeat _ot Messrs. W. B. Richards (sitting vicepresident). and P. A. Hansen (suting member of the executive). Mr A W Croskery was re-elected president, and for the office of vicepresident Mr. F. P« Wfllsli unsested Mr. Richards. Majority for Mr. Walsh Mr. Richards unseated Mr. Walsh by one vote last year, but Mr. Walsh regained office yesterday with an absolute majority of six voles and an actual majority of 43 over Mr. Richards. Details of the voting are:— President, Mr. A. W. Croskery (Shop Assistants) 179 votes, Mr. W. .B. Richards (Tramways) 107. vicepresident, Mr. F. P. Walsh (Seamen) 146 votes, Mr. W B. Richards 103, Mr. A Drennan (Watersiders) 28, Mr. D. W. Stalker (South Milk Condensing Workers) 9. Messrs. P. M. Butler (General Labourers), J. H. Collins (Musicians) and P. A. Hansen (Tram-

ways) withdrew. Secretary-treasurer, Mr. K. McL. Baxter, 242 votes, Mr. H. Kay (Labourers) 42, informal 2; executive (four members), Messrs. W. A. Fox (Cooks and Stewards) 253 votes. L. A. Hadley (Engine-Drivers) 201, H. Thompson (Plumbers) 104, P. M. Butler (.Labourers) 129, J. H. Collins (.Musicians) 127, P. A. Hansen (Tramways) 66, E. B. Newton (Clothing Trades) 62, E. Napier (Watersiders) 61, T. Magee (Drivers) 40, J. Fleming (Shipwrights) 23. Messrs. T. Hill (Watersiders) and A. Melville (Drivers) withdrew. The first four were elected, Mr. Butler being successful after a second ballot which resulted: Mr. Butler 184, Mr. Collins 95. Relinquishing his office, Mr. Richards said that he was “a little downhearted,” but he had given his best and was certain that Mr. Walsh would do the same. To be beaten by Mr. Walsh was not a defeat in the true sense of the word. Mr. Walsh said he knew from his knowledge of world affairs that difficult times lay ahead. The only way to increase the standard of living was by giving the Labour Government additional commodities and services for distribution to the people. He was confident that the people would support the Government by increased production. , , Mr. Walsh has been president of the New Zealand Seamen’s Union for the past 20 years and president of the Wellington Trades Council since its formation. Mr. Richards is president of tne Otago Trades Council and national president of the Tramways Union.