VISITOR’S EXPERIENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 63, 15 February 1939, Page 10

VISITOR’S EXPERIENCE.

ACCOMMODATION DIFFICULTY. BOYCOTT THREATS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 15. Threats that two hotels would be boycotted if they gave him service whatever have caused Mr Frank Goldberg, of Sydney, governing-direc-tor of the Goldberg Advertising Agency, to move out of them. Mr Goldberg, who arrived in the city yesterday, said this morning that the alleged reason for the boycott threats was that he had discouraged the Labour party, that he had assembled the staff of • the Waterloo Hotel in Wellington and advised them to vote for the National Party, and that he had said that all who voted for Labour had received a "bonus" of £5 each. After moving out of one hotel in the city to save the manager any emharassment by his presence, Mr Goldberg is now ensconced in the ViceRegal suite at another. In his efforts to find the cause of the actions directed against him, Mr Goldberg has consulted the Prime Minister (Mr Savage), who said the matter would be adjusted. Mr Savage himself had agreed that Mr Goldberg was entitled to undertake publicity for the National Party, and that everything ho had done had been within his rights. AUCKLAND THREAT. Tracing the history of the boycott threats, Mr Goldberg said they had begun in Auckland last September. While at the Grand Hotel he had been called out. by the manager, who had told him 'the* secretary of the Hotel Workers' Union (Mr Young) had threatened to declare the hotel "black" if Mr Goldberg received any service at all. His bags were not to be handled, he was not to receive any meals—in fact he was not to stay at the hotel. "I immediately had a conference with Mr Young,'" continued Mr Goldberg, who said the secretary had explained his position fairly. The Seamen's Union and the Hotel Workers' Unions in AVellington, said Mr Young, declared that Mr Goldberg was stated to have slighted the Labour Party, and was supposed to have advised the staff of the Waterloo Hotel to vote National. He told Mr Young how ridiculous the charges were, and that he was entitled to make a criticism. Mr Young said he would have to obtain proof of the charges. Shortly after, Mr Goldberg left on his return to Sydney.

Returning on his present visit to New Zealand. Mr Goldberg passed through Auckland without an incident. Reaching Wellington, he hooked in at the Waterloo Hotel, but before breakfast the manager informed him that the secretary of the Seamen’s Union (Mr F. Walsh) and Mr Young had been into the hotel and had told him that they would treat it as a hostile act if Mr Goldberg stayed in the hotel. Mr 'Goldberg had a long discussion with them, and the manager of the hotel. beer supply threatened.

“While the hotel people would not say that I had to go, they put it up to me that their beer supply would be stopped if I did not go,” continued Mr Goldberg. This threat was actually put into effect, continued Mr Goldberg. The hotel manager asked Mr Goldberg to have a consultation with Hon. W. Perry M.L.C., and Mr David Madden, of the directorate of New Zealand Breweries. They told him they were in the workers’ hands, and to save the hotel management any embarrassment Mr Goldberg left it quietly on Saturday. “In the meantime I saw my own legal people, who said I had a. wonderful case,” continued Mr Goldberg. “They said the people of this country would not stand for victimisation arid interference with individual / libi On his arrival in the city yesterday morning, Mr Goldberg went to the United Service Hotel, and registered, but while he was having Ins breakfast he received an urgent message from the licensee, who told him he had received a message from Mr Walsh in Wellington. Mr Walsh had told the manager that if Mr GoldI berg was in the hotel to get him out

.... immediately, or complications would occur. Mr Goldberg pointed out that it could not be done, but agn.lll, to save ti l-e manager embarrassment, he moved to Warners Hotel. “l don’t know if they are going cary this thing through to Dunedin, he said. I doubt very much if Ministers of the Crown approve of it. Even if I had made the statements they accuse me of 1 have the right to make them, but the statements attr - buted to me are ridiculous., Mr bavage agreed that I am enritted o -- press my opinion. He dehmtcly agreed that it could not be toleiatw . I certainly did a fiur amount of work Section and criticised Labour. It is definitely mterfering with individual liberty. It is a flagrant boycott undertaken, I presumc, to show the power of some men I admit they have power, but , they should not use it on individuals who brill” money into the country land spend it.”