Federation of Labour Holds Annual Conference

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 6

Federation of Labour Holds Annual Conference

MINISTER’S APPEAL FOR CONTINUED CO-OPERATION Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The opinion that there were few other countries in the world to-day where annual conferences were held and attended by workers from practically every section of industry was expressed by the Minister of Housing, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, addressing delegates at the third annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, which began at Wellington to-day. Upward of 300 delegates, representing 178,722 workers affiliated with the federation, were present. The conference was presided over by Mr. A. McLagan, president since the formation of the federation three years ago, and who is unopposed for this office for the incoming year. The vice-president, Mr. R. Eddy, and the national secretary, Mr. F. Cornwall, are also unopposed. Mr. Armstrong was accompanied bj the Minister of TuVrnal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, both Ministers being accorded an enthusiastic welcome. It is expected that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour, Hon. P. C. Webb, will attend to-morrow’s session.

Mr. Armstrong congratulated the federation on the excellence of its organisation and stressed the need for unity among the workers, both industrial and political, particularly as there were forces at work endeavouriug to bring about the destruction of the Labour Government. Tho Government had little to complain of concerning t he co-operation it had received from the workers and it looked to a continuance of that co-operation.

Referring to h ; s term of office as Minister of Labour, Mr. Armstrong said that what he had done was what ho honestly and conscientiously believed was in the best interests of the workers and the Labour movement generally. Mr. Parry referred to the changing times. What yesterday they had preached to the people from the public platform was now legislation. Tho struggle to attain the position they occupied today had been long and arduous. He stressed the importance of co-operation and solidarity to ensure that the principles for which the Labour movement stood would be safeguarded against forces which sought to disrupt it. The days proceedings were devoted mainly to the consideration of the annual report. The conference adopted a recommendation of tho executive that where disputes between unions are referred to the national executive the unions must accept its decision, subject to the right to appeal to the Trades Council or to the annual conference.

The question of immigrants and refugees was also discussed, following a report that the executive had already discussed tho matter and its possible repercussions on the industrial movement. It was decided to urge the Government to give preference to the admission of workers, provided they were suitable to the needs of the country.

Australian visitors present included Mr. R. A. King, vice-president and secretary of the Labour Council of New South Wales (fraternal delegate to the conference), Mr. T. Wright, a member of the executive of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and Mr. W. Riddiford, a member of the Central Council of the Miners’ Federation.