REFUSED BY RUSSIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26692, 11 February 1948, Page 5

REFUSED BY RUSSIA

Trade Union Talks on Marshall Plan

BREAK IN WORLD FEDERATION PRECIPITATED New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. , NEW YORK, Feb. 9. In the opinion of high diplomatic and labour sources acquainted with behind-the-scenes moves of the World Federation of Trade Unions, the effective end of the organisation has come, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. They were commenting on the criticism by Mr Arthur Deakin, president of the W.F.T.U., of the Secretariat for refusing to go through with its plans for an executive meeting, which was to have discussed the Marshall Plan. Authoritative sources in Washington said to-day i that the Russians’ refusal to permit a bureau meeting illustrates the hold which the Cominform has on the W.F.T.U. Mr James Carey, secretary-treasurer of the C. 1.0., is due in England within a day or two. He will confer with Mr Deakin and the British Trades Union Council on the next steps to be taken.

From persons cognisant with the situation, it is believed that certain British unionists will now give the " Green light ” to Belgian unionists who have been planning to call a meeting of trade unions of the 16 Marshall aid nations. The C. 1.0., as well as the A.F.ui., will be asked to send representatives. It is said that now that a break in the W.F.T.U. has come, British unionists will have a greater majority of their own members behind them than if they or the American labourites had precipitated the division. High British ■ unionists will argue that it is now plain that the Russians precipitated the split. The official demise of the W.F.T.U. is set authoritatively for October, when its full congress is scheduled to meet. In. the meantime it is likely that the British and Americans, and some of

the other trade union centres, will cease paying dues to the organisation. It is expected that ultimately a new world labour organisation will be formed without the Soviet but including the American Federation of Labour and C. 1.0.