Manawatu District Trades Council

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 224, 21 September 1943, Page 7

Manawatu District Trades Council

At the last general meeting of the Manawatu District Trades Council Mr. C. R. Murphy presided over a good atiendancme of delegates. A letter was I received from the Minister of Supply in regard to the issue of motor-car I tyres for use on cars conveying workers [ to and from their place of employment. llt pointed out that no matter how urgent this need may seem, prior war production needs must be met first. Also among the correspondence was a letter from the Hon. A. McLagan, dealing with Production Committees. The Minister of Manpower is quite prepared to assist in the setting up of such committees knowing full well that pro duction committees overseas have been a great help in not only increasing enormously the quantity of production but also the quality. At the same time the Minister set out as a guidance foi production committees, a series of rule?, that should be incorporated in the constitution of such committees. The pointb covered include such things as “production committees should be voluntary,” “deal only with affairs connected with their own plant,” “con sider only unanimous decision,” and “work in a friendly cooperative spirit. ’ ’ The notice of delegates was drawn to a statement made by D. C. Beloe who is a Parliamentary candidate standing in the interest of the Democratic Labour Party, definitely stating that the D.L.P. did not support Trade Unionism. The question of the screening of Sunday pictures was discussed and it was agreed that the Trades Council had done as much as possible in this matter, it being evident that the matter was now out of the council’s hands. The delegate on the committee of the Workers’ Education Association reported on the activities of the W.E.A. and it was agreed that Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, tutor-organiser of the W.E.A., be given an opportunity to address the council jin the near future. Delegates were appointed to a committee being set up by the S.C.R. to consider some way of commemorating Russia’s National Day, November 7. Some discussipn took place in connection with the important building committee being set up in this district to deal with future building activities. One delegate from the Manawatu Trades Council was elected who will be working m conjunction with employers rexiresentatives and others to ensure that building activities in this district are carried out in a cooperative and efficient manner. Discussion took place in connection with New Zealand’s war effort and manpower commitments, Mr. C. Mandeno remarking that the example set by New Zealand must have had a very stimulating effect upon the whole of the Allied Nations, stiffening resistance to the Nazi aggression and inspiring other parts of the British Empire to do their utmost. Mr. Stout gavo details of his own experiences during the last war regarding transportation, showing jusi how much more efficient an organised system had bettered the trans portation of war personnel. The supply of equipment such as boots, socks, etc., and a more varied “menu” had all helped to keep up the morale of our fighting forces. Mr. C. H. Page stated that New Zealand’s war effort would place this country, small as it is, in a position to have a definite representation at any peace conference, a more lasting peace, with a greater degree of freedom and help given to us to carry out our own programme of progress. The Manawatu District Trades Council number among its delegates many men who were in the fighting forces during tho years 1914-18. The mature consideration of the whole council was given to the following resolution which was passed unanimously:—“That the greatest necessity confronting tho workers of New Zealand to-day is the defeat of Fascism and that the Govern raent with the full cooperation of the Federation of Labour, has taken a re spohsible attitude towards waging this total war. To maintain the greatest unity in this war effort, we urgent!' call on all workers to solidly support the Government at the coming election.”