TRADE UNION UNIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 160, 8 June 1939, Page 8

TRADE UNION UNIT.

NOT ACCEPTABLE. AYELLJNGTON, June 7. The proposal made recently in Auckland tliat a company of 200 trade unionists between the ages of 19 and 35 should bo formed and its services otferod to the Alinister of Defence as a complete unit in an Auckland battalion, does not meet with the approval of the Government. The Auckland Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour adopted the idea and launched an appeal to all trade unionists to offer their services tor the voluntary defence of the Dominion. The suggestion was that tho company be enlisted from bona fide members of trade unions, and that it he officered by trade unionists specially trained within -six months of establishment, and that a special reserve company of 100 men between the ages of 35 and 55 he formed with trade union officers and non-commissioned officers. The Alinister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) said to-day that he appreciated the spirit which had prompted those who were responsible for the idea, but he emphasised that it was essential that the whole of the defence policy should he under the complete control of the Government, and that the administration of that policy must he under the defence authorities. The Government, said Air Jones, could not agree to the formation of separate organisations on the lines suggested, nor could it afford to have in New Zealand a series oi defence organisations. AYhile the co-operation of every organisation was welcomed and accepted in the best of goodwill, it had to be understood definitely and distinctly that their services must bo under tire control of whatever Government was in power. Air Jones expressed the hope, however, that those who might be prepared to join such organisations would respond rapidlv to the appeal now being made and elist in tho ranks of the Territorials.