Split in Labour Ranks is Subject Of Keen Discussion

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1938, Page 8

Split in Labour Ranks is Subject Of Keen Discussion

1 Per Press Association. Copyright .l

AUCKLAND, This Day,

i'J'HE ACTION OF THE AUCKLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF LABOUR IN PASSING A VOTE OF NO-CcrrrFID-ENCE IN ITS SOLE DELEGATE TO THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OF THE FEDERATION, MR T. STANLEY, FO R ALLEGEDLY OPPOSING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MEN AT THE OTAHUHU RAILWAY WORKSHOPS TO RETURN TO WORK DURING THE RECENT DISPUTE. FENDING AN INVESTIGATION OF THEIR GRIEVANCES, CONTINUES TO BE A TOPIC FOR LIVELY DIS CUSSION IN UNION CIRCLES,

Charges and counter-charges ai’e being made, and the next move, presumably by the national executive, is being awaited with interest.

Mr Stanley, in a further statement, alleges that the meeting was packed, but not by Communists, while Mr F. Craig, secretary of the Auckland Timber Workers’ Union, and seconder of the motion of no-confidence, strenuously denies any suggestion of corrupt pi’actices by those who supported the decision reached by the meeting. “Red Baiting’’ Denied.

Mr Craig declared emphatically today that Mr Stanley’s suggestion that a “rod baiting” campaign was being conducted w.as definitely untrue. A further allegation that the men who supported the motion were other than good honest unionists, ought to be disproved by the fact that many of them had 20 and 30 years’ service in the Labour movement.

“Mr Stanley declares that his statements are made for the good of the trade union movement and the Labour Government,” said Mr Craig.

“His affection for the Labour Government, however, is of short duration. He must think that unionists have short memories, for it is common knowledge that he stood in the interests of the Communist Party against the Hon. W. E. Parry in 1935. Shortly after he was appointed secretary of the General Labourers’ Union, a small meeting passed a resolution condemning a certain action taken by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple.

Only One Way,

“In my opinion, any man has the right to support any political party he chooses,” said Mr Craig, “but he cannot have it both ways. If he subscribes to the policy of the Communist Party first and always, it seems to me to be impossible to follow out the dictates of any other organisation whose policy might conflict with that of the Communist Party.” In conclusion, Mr Craig said he had not heard the suggestion of disaffiliation with the Federation discussed, as a result of the events which had just taken place. As a matter of fact, most organisations recognised the value of the Federation, especially with regard to speaking as one voice for the industrial movement. That possibly was the reason for the Communists seeking to get control of the Federation.