“RED FEDS.” AND FURNITURE WORKERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3138, 6 May 1914, Page 5

“RED FEDS.” AND FURNITURE WORKERS.

LATTER AGAINST AFFILIATION. (Fkoii Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, April 30. Speaking to a Post reporter regarding the recent congress in Christchurch of the New Zealand Furniture Trade Federation, Mr U. Moriarty, the secretary, stated that he was compelled to leave the conference owing to his mother’s illness before the discussion on the proposal to affiliate with the Social Democratic party came up for discussion. He was, however, strongly opposed to any such step being taken, and the different branches in Wanganui, Palmerston North, Masterton, Hastings, and Napier had all unanimously carried resolutions protesting against any ballot being taken on the question. The Wellington Union was right up against allowing its funds or capitation to be used to support the Social Democratic party. The workers had nothing to gain by belonging to such a party, which had insulted the workers by borrowing £IOOO from Australia. He wanted to know for what the money had been borrowed ? The reason advanced had been that it was for organising purposes, but what had the Social Democratic party been organising? _ Nearly every union had an organiser of its own, and was in a healthy condition. Furthermore it would be interesting to find out who was to be responsible for the repayment of the loan