Holland To FOL: Genuine Workers Need Not Worry

Northern Advocate, 31 October 1949, Page 5

Holland To FOL: Genuine Workers Need Not Worry

WELLINGTON, Mon. (P.A.).—"Please tell your people that genuine workers have everything to gain and nothing to fear from a change of Government,” begins a telegram sent today by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) to the secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Labour (Mr Baxter). The telegram was replying to one sent by Mr Baxter in which it stated that a special meeting was being summoned of the national council of the Federation of Labour to discuss the National Party's election platform proposals regarding secret ballots.

“What we are proposing is a sensible extension of the present lav/ enacted by the Labour Government itself, which makes provision for Government supervision of secret ballots and for the stand down of those who wilfully refuse work available.” continued Mr Holland's telegram.

“We are saying what you have said so often yourself, viz, that the law must be observed and that we cannot have people taking the law into their own hands.

“Our proposal to make provision for immediate hearings of disputes is a logical and constructive answer to direct action.

“Our view is that if we can stop unnecessary loss of time and loss of wages, which amounted to £164.000 for the three months ended June 30, 1949, workers and their families will be that much better off financially. “Trade will not be held up and everyone will be better off. “I feel sure you will agree with me that no government worthy of the name can allow itself to be dictated to by any section of the community. “We of the National Party take that stand quite definitely."