UNIONS AND U.N.O.

Grey River Argus, 31 January 1946, Page 5

UNIONS AND U.N.O.

ADMISSION DEBATED Decisions Reversed A LIVELY COMMITTEE DEBATE. (Rec. 8.30) LONDON, Jan. 30 The United Nations General Committee last night rejected a proposal recommending that the World Federation of Trade Unions and the American Federation of Labour should be allowed to participate in the U.N.O. General Assembly’s work, in an advisory capacity, by being invited to its meeting as official guests. The Press Association says the rejection of the proposal followed stormy scenes, in which the United States and the chairman, M. Spaak, were first in opposition, and tne7i Russia and the chairman were in opposition. With seven votes to six,. with four abstentious, the General Committee decided to recommend to the Assembly that representatives of the World Federation of Trade Unions shou.a be allowed to participate in the Economic Social Councils work in a consultative capacity. This decision followed a long debate, in which Mr. Noel Baker, for Britain and Senator T. Connally, for the United States, opposed the proposal. The proposal was made by Russia. Mr. Noel Baker said that ne could not accept the proposal, which mentioned only one of the bodies which might be granted facilities. Senator Connally also objected Wat only the W.F.T.U. has been mentioned. He said the American Federation of Labour should also be included, as otherwise it was confitting a flagrant discrimination between these two organisations. The Russian proposal was carried. Britain, the United States and four other delegates voted against the proposal. Seven voted for it. Senator Connally then declared: “1 have a deep sense of resentment. The American Federation of Labour has made a proper application, sponsored by the U.S. Government, and this Committee flagrantly and without justification, has practically slapped the United States in the face.” M. Spaak: "I don’t understand this intervention. If there was an amendment proposed', it would be discussed.” Senator Connally repeated that other organisations should have been included. He added: “The' Assembly will be open. You can do your slapping here. We can do little slapping there.” M. Spaak replied that there was no attempt to close the door on the A.F.L.

Senator Connally: “I am aware what is occurring here. I am not deaf or blind'. I have made it clear that it will be the subject of amendment in the Assembly. If the Committee thinks it can run roughshod over everybody, except the little group that seems to be controlling things here, it is going to have a second -think.”

The Committee then proceeded with a second Russian proposal, namely, that only the Federation ot Trade Unions should be allowed to participate in the General Assembly work by being invited to attend its meetings as official guests. To this Senator Connally proposed an amendment that the American Federation of Labour should be included, on the same footing. M. Manuilski (Ukraine) objected to the amendment, saying that it was an international organisation, and that a request by a national organisation should not be accepted.

The American amendment was then put to the meeting and it was carried.

When M. Spaak then proceeded to put the amended Russian proposal, M. Gromyko (Russia) objected, saying that it had become a new proposal. He said that if the Committee proceeded with his proposal 'as amended, he would wish to withdraw it. M. Spaak pointed out that the Committee had already adopted Senator Connally’s amendment, and unless it was unanimously withdrawn, they must proceed. M. Gromyko declared that M. Spaak was violating the rules of procedure, to which M>. Spaak sharply replied: “Every time some committeeman hears a minority vote, he accuses the chair of violating the rules. First it was Senator Connally, and now it is Ambassador Gromyko.” The Russian proposal, as amended by the United States, was finally put. and it was then defeated by six votes to five.

Senator Connally did not vote. M. Gromyko, looking astonished at the result declared: “I am satisfied.’’