NEW INTERNATIONAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27259, 9 December 1949, Page 7

NEW INTERNATIONAL

Non-Communist Trade Unions

NZPA—Copyright LONDON, Dec. 7.

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, banding together 46,500,000 non-Communist workers in four continents, was formally established in London today. It is aimed at combating the influence of the Communist-dominated World Federation of Trade Unions. It will set up headquarters in Brussels, with Mr J. H. Oldenbroeck, of Holland, as its first general secretary. The act of inauguration followed nearly eight days of detailed discussion of problems and policies. The new organisation is already assured of the participation of organisations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America.

Mr Oldenbroeck has had nearly 30 years’ experience of international trade union work. For the last few years he has been general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation.

After-his election Mr Oldenbroeck told the congress: “ Time is running short, and we shall need all our energy in every country of the world to achieve our task. Let us with the wisdom of the East, the civilisation of the West, and the dynamics of the new world establish an international that will realise the objects for which it has been founded.”

The Confederation has pledged itself to aid trade union movements fighting Communism and those in under-de-veloped countries. Its supreme authority will be a congress which will meet every two years. The inaugural congress today elected a general council of nearly 90 members, representing all affiliated organisations. It also elected an executive board composed of some of the world’s most influential union leaders. A seat on the board will be given to New Zealand and Australian movements if they decide to affiliate.

The decision to establish an international organisation of free trade unions was taken after the Western delegates to the World Federation of Trades Unions congress in Paris denounced the WFTU as Communistcontrolled. All western organisations then withdrew from the WFTU.