CLERKS’ UNION

Grey River Argus, 16 September 1941, Page 4

CLERKS’ UNION

Votes to Withdraw FROM LABOUR PARTY WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. By almost a two-to-one majority, the members of the Wellington Clerical Union have decided to end their affiliation with the New Zealand Labour Party, according to information received to-night. Approximate votes recorded were: For discontinuance ot affiliation 1300; for continuance of affiliation 700. A postal ballot was held. It closed at the unusual hour of 9 a.m. on Sunday, and the count was concluded at noon, the official result being supplied to the Union secretary by the returning officer today. The Union has Deen affiliated with the Labour Party for the past five years. At its annual meeting in 1936,' a motion was carried in favour of affiliation with the New "Zealand Labour Party and the Alliance of Labour, the mover being Mr F. P. Walsh. Ther has been considerable dissatisfaction among a large section of members for some time, questions of affiliation and payment of union funds to the political organisation being uppermost, and a growing ride of discontent resulted in the formation of a Revision Committee, wmeh set about to have rules reframed on a' basis more satisfactory to the great majority of the members, and to tree it from any suggestion of politics. Th" postal ballot just held was the tirst step in that direction. The union secretary, Mr R. Hoggard, ciecnned to make any statement or to supply any information to-night.