LABOUR CO-OPERATION

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1943, Page 1

LABOUR CO-OPERATION

N.Z. and Australia PROPOSAL SUPPORTED The “Standard” recalls that in 1941 it sponsored a proposal for closer un.ty between: the" Labour Movements of the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand, which received the support of the Leader of the Australian Labour Party, Mr John Curtin (who has since become Prime Minister of Australia), Mr Forgan Smith, then Premier of Queensland, Mr R. A. King, secretary of the Labour Council of New South Wales, Mr W- J- M'cKell, Premier of New South Wales, Mr J. Maloney, president of the Labour Council, and secretary of the Australian Boot 1 rade Employees’ Federation and the “Worker,” Queensland. The “Standard” says: “Since then war conditions, the menace that developed in the Pacific so soon after, and other factors have militated against anything being done officially to promote the unofficial proposal of “The Standard.” but now that the gloom cast previously by the low-hanging war clouds has lifted a little and so much talk is being heard about the post-war world it is not too. much to hope that something may be done towards bringing closer together the Labour Movements of two countries which will count for so much in the South Pacific. “No plan for the future in the Pacific can be drawn up without the full concurrence of Australia ana New Zealand and any plan must have the support of the only majority organisations representing 'the people who are fighting ‘..his war for world freedom. “The fact that both countries ate governed by Labour Governments is significant and highly important. That they should continue to be so governed is a matter of concern for all the workers’ organisations and to this end it is necessary that any cooperation possible should be forthcoming. It is not enough that occasional visits should be made bv Ministers, helpful through these max' be. It is essential that direct contact between the executives of the Movement, both political and industrial, should be made so that, there shall be the fullest understanding and co-ordination. “The value of such contacts was stressed by Mr McKell when commenting on “The Standard’s” proposals back in 1941. ‘I think that closer contact between Labour Governments of two countries with so much in common as New Zealand and Australia is vitally important,’ he said,, and cont nued: ‘The Labour Movements in both ha.e the same ideals, the same objectives and, I think, the same troubles to cope with.’

“But it was Mr Forgan Smith who emphasised the real significance ot the suggestions put forward by “The Standard.” 'We in Australia cannot afford to ignore the possibilities for good that lie in closer ties between ■us and cur brothers in New Zealand,’ he wrote. ‘lndeed, as a political fraternity, the Labour Patties of the British Commonwealth of Nations ought to be linked together for a common purpose. That, perhaps, is looking far ahead at the moment, but the nucleus of such a Federat’on might well be in linking the New Zealand Labour Party with the Australian.’

“Mr Forgan Smith suggests the’ a conferences hould be called bt”tv.een the executives of both organisations and added: ‘The war has thrown into relief the wisdom of a united Commonwealth. Our fortunes are interlocked. We ernnot stand alone. There is talk of a coming N’jw Order after the war. I venture to say that the surest guarantee of a new order such as we visualise will be found in the ascendancy of Labour as a political entity. If we give no though to,this we "shall be found wanting. A common front of Labour in our part of the world will be of tremendous value when victory is won.’

“Mr Forgan Smith was expressing his personal opinion, but the Federation he envisaged is possible and it ,s not looking too far ahead now to discuss such a linking up of the i abour Parties throughout the British Commonwealth, or, for that matter, a linking up of the industrial movements either. The viewpoint of the industrial movement in New South Wales was voiced by Mr R A King, who wrote: ‘lt is a’ programme that should be accepted and closer relationship immediately established. The ideals of Labour for a new social order are identical, yet. we find ourselves working at cross--1 urposes through lack of contact between New Zealand and Australia. A regular interchange of visits would be of inestimable value to the Labour Movements in both countries. Tney are now few and far between end would certainly pave the way for future conferences that could be held periodically, alternatively in each country. The Labour Movements in New Zealand and Australia have shown a determination ro maintain and protect their democracy against the brutal forces of Fascism that have over-run Europe. Unless Label;? establishes closer organisation and co-ordinates its forces, the new social order that is so much in the public eye will not be one of their making; but one that will be diametrically opposed to the ’deals and aspirations of the Labour Movement. The organisation must not consist of idealism alone, but of realism, with an understanding that what is the concern of one country should be the concern of both with the ultimate objective a true Labour International organisation that will bnng about the desired New Order.’ “The president of the Labour Council, Mr J. Maloney, who is also seoiTary of the Australian Boot Trade Employees’ Federation, wrote: ‘I '• ould like to express my wholehearted approval of your suggestion, as I believe the future holds great possibilities for the advancement of the workers of both New Zealand and Australia into a new social order m keeping with the objective of the Labour Movements of both countries provided that close co-operation and understanding exists between the Labour Movements of both countiies.’

“Now that conferences are expected to be held in Britain to which delegates from the political and industrial movements of British countries have been invited ’ind in view of the closer Anglo-American relationship which has been established in the trade union movement, the t'me appears to be really opportune for concrete proposals J o be drawn up for the conference between representatives of the Laoour Movements of Australia and New Zealand as suggested by Mr Forgan Smith, so that the viewooint af Labour in the South Pacific, shall be clearly defined and understood.”