OPINION DIVIDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 13

OPINION DIVIDED

ALLIANCE OF LABOUR POLICY MATTER DISPUTE WATERSIDE WORKERS' POSITION A difference of opinion is reported from Wellington as having occurred within the ranks of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour over proposals to bring about greater unity among industrial workers of New Zealand. It is also reported that at the conference of the alliance in Wellington last week the culminating point was reached when Mr. J. Roberts, of Wellington, and a number of other delegates walked out. Mr. Roberts is the secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Federation, one of the most powerful bodies of organised labour in New Zealand, and is well known throughout the Dominion. When interviewed Mr. Roberts, beyond stating that a difference of opinion had arisen in Alliance of Labour circles, had no comment to make. He said he did not think it would be in the best interests of the Labour movement to discuss the matter at the present juncture. A report from Christchurch stated that Mr. Roberts and his supporters did not agree with the move made by the conference to bring about greater unity among industrial workers. It was said on one hand that Mr. Roberts did not express the attitude of the majority of the waterside workers toward the new policy, while, on the other hand, there is a report that he has the support of the majority of the men in the federation. Another statement is to the effect that the waterside workers will be asked to consider what action they intend to take regarding future representation on the Alliance of Labour and that the view is held that the reaction of the federation to the division within the ranks of the alliance is bound to have an important effect on the operation of its new domestic policy. It is stated, on the other hand, that the alliance is prepared to go ahead with its new policy and no effort will bo made to induce Mr. Roberts and his friends to change the attitude they adopted. The official report of the conference stated that the conference admitted a number of new affiliations and amended its rules, giving wider powers to the district councils, the effect being to relieve the head office in ellington of much work. The question of bringing about complete unity in the industrial movement was carefully considered and the obstacles to unity, so far as the Alliance of Labour was concerned, were removed by the conference.