HINT OF CRISIS DENIED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 23 November 1938, Page 8

HINT OF CRISIS DENIED

INDUSTRIAL LABOUR MOVEMENT STATEMENT BY FEDERATION PRESIDENT I United Frews Association 1 WELLINGTON, This Day. A denial of reports circulated in Auckland that there was a hint of a crisis in the industrial labour movement, and a possible purging of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, was given by the president, Mr A. McLagan, at the conclusion of yesterday's session of the federation. It was quite apparent that in an organisation representing more than 200,000 workers, there should arise degrees of friction, but this could best be described as the healthy growl of a very healthy movement, said Mr McLagan. The movement was making progress, and had its critics, but what progressive movement was not without such critics?

The statement that there were likely to be lively discussions at the meeting was without foundation, said Mr McLagan. The national executive, in its work, had the support of 99 per cent, of its affiliated members, who were scarcely likely to take any action calculated to upset an organisation that had taken years of building up. To date the meetings of the council had been conducted in a very friendly manner, and there was every indication of a continuance of this at the present meeting.

The object of calling on the Trades Councils to send extra delegates was in anticipation of the Government being desirous of discussing a wide range of subjects with the federation, but it was now clear that this would not eventuate. The Prime Minister and Minister of Finance had addressed the meeting on the Government’s proposals regarding its campaign in support of New Zealand made goods, and had sought the co-operation of the federation. The federation had already been in contact with the manufacturers’ federation, and had discussed various publicity matters for encouraging the purchase of New Zealand-made goods. The federation had agreed to take part in the campaign.