LABOUR UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23169, 20 April 1937, Page 8

LABOUR UNITY

The complete federation of industrial labour organisations in New Zealand, which was the objective of the Wellington conference of 400 representatives of organised Labour throughout the country, has apparently been achieved by the formation of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. The new organisation, it is stated, will cause the disappearance of all the various bodies which have hitherto spoken and acted for the different sections and alliances within the Labour movement. Henceforth the Federation "will stand supreme," and District Councils will function on its behalf and pay it due homage. The creation of the Federation is confidently expected by its sponsors to eliminate factional =trife. There is, nevertheless, a temptation to wonder whether it will succeed in doing so. This is not the first time that New Zealand has witnessed the creation of a Federation of Labour, and history does not record that the earlier body was notable for the maintenance of harmony within its ranks. The personnel of the executive of the new body indicates that groups hitherto more or less estranged have suddenly resolved to forget their differences, no doubt under the persuasive pleading of the Acting Prime Minister, who, in opening the conference, asked the delegates to bear continually in mind the need for " a common-sense, responsible policy in which spasmodic and irresponsible actions likely to lead to hold-ups in industry would be discountenanced and discouraged." The Government, in short, has no wish to be embarrassed by a body presumably strong enough to dictate policy and demand a certain amount of deference. What the workers of the Dominion may

think of their suddenly-acquired parent organisation is a matter for conjecture. It is possible, though, that a large number of them will not willingly subscribe to the policy briefly summarised in our news columns a few days ago, requiring, among other things, the socialisation of all the means of production, distribution and exchange—an article of policy very discreetly expounded by the Labour Party during the election campaign, but very openly implemented, in part at least, since Labour's assumption of power. The Government has been more than anxious to consolidate its position by encouraging the growth of trades unionism. It may find the manoeuvre of doubtful advantage when the effects of its socialistic programme come to be fully appreciated.