EMPLOYER INSTRUCTS WORKER HOW TO VOTE!

Grey River Argus, 15 November 1949, Page 6

EMPLOYER INSTRUCTS WORKER HOW TO VOTE!

"A... Most... Damnable... Document,” — Mr. Jones. DUNEDIN, November 12 A leter from the president of the Council of Fire and Accident Underwriters Association of New Zealand, which the speaker declared had been sent to an employee of an insurance company in Dunedin and ‘‘probably to other insurance employees,” was read by the Minister of Defence (Mr. F. Jones) at a meeting in the Coronation Hall, Portobello, last night. “Your personal liberty and my personal liberty are at stake,” the letter “ stated. “If this socialisation of everything continues you will be denied (l)the right to live your life free from unwarranted political interference; (2) the freedom to offer your services where you wish; and (3) the freedom to control the money you earn as you think fit.” “This, is a most damnable document to send out,” Mr. Jones, said. The Labour Government have never been guilty of unwarranted political interfernce, but the National Government, when it refused to allow Post and Telegraph employees to circulate their own paper, had certainly been guilty of that. He also quoted the case of a teacher who had asked a question at a political meeting “and who had been threatened with disciplinary action in consequence.” Other State employees had also been threatened with dismissal. The meeting which was attended by about 30 electors, was presided over by Mr. H. Forsyth. A vote, of thanks to the candidate and “complete confidence in the Labour Government" was carried unanimously.