BAN ON POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26275, 5 October 1946, Page 8

BAN ON POLITICS

ADDRESSES TO WORKERS DECISION BY MANUFACTURERS Manufacturers in Dunedin have agreed that representatives of political parties will not be permitted to address employees of the varous organisations on their premises during the coming election campaign. One of the largest employers of labour in Dunedin, whose premises contain a large amount of space round the buildings, told a Daily Times reporter yesterday that he would permit political addresses to be given outside, but not inside his premises. The manager of the local freezing works said last night that he had been approached on tne matter, and it had been accepted by the representatives of both the major political parties that the works was not the place for political speeches. A manufacturer approached yesterday said the question had been discussed by the Manufacturers’ Association at its last meeting, when it had been decided unanimously that speeches should not be given on premises. He added that the addresses would be given in the employers’ time, with a consequent loss of production. The decision had not been intended as a slight on either party. The employers, he said, tried to be neutral in the matter, but there was a general feeling that the employees would have ample opportunity to support their own party at public addresses. Another manufacturer said that some ill-feeling might be created among employees who were obliged to listen to speeches made by political representatives whose party they did not support, and in justice, both sides would have to be given admittance to the premises. Few addresses of a political nature had been given on the premises of manufacturers during the last election, held during the war.