Sweeping Victory For Moderates In FOL

Northern Advocate, 19 May 1949, Page 9

Sweeping Victory For Moderates In FOL

WELLINGTON, Thu. (Sp.).—The extremists were routed at the Federation of Labour conference yesterday when the (Mr A. W. Croskery) and vice-president (Mr F. P. Walsh) were i*e-elected with greatly increased majorities.

The following were the results of the voting: PRESIDENCY A. W. Croskery (Wellington i 196 John Roberts (Christchurch) 95 Majority for Croskery .... 101 VICE-PRESIDENCY F. P. Walsh (Wellington) .. 203 W. B. Richards (Dunedin) .. 87 Majority for Walsh .. .. 116 The secretary of the federation (Mr K. McL. Baxter) was re-elected unopposed. Mr Croskery’s majority at the annual conference in Dunedin last year was 72. In 1947 Mr Croskery polled 179 votes against Mr W. B. Richards,

of Dunedin, president of the Transport Workers’ Federation. Mr Roberts, who is president of the Canterbury Clothing Trades Workers’; Union, was not a candidate last year. The name of Mr Richards went forward, this yeqr ; to contest the presidency and vice*'? presidency, but he withdrew from the nominations .for presfd.eht yesterday. Mr Walsh was elected by only six . votes last. year. The voting at the 1917 election of officers was: Mr Walsh, 146; Mr Richards, 103. There were then two other candidates, including Mr A. Drennan (Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union).

Mr Croskery,- who enters his fourth term as president of ' the federation said last night that he \j;ould give of his. best in the future, as he had done in the past, without fear or favour.