BOYCOTT OF HOTELS

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14069, 16 February 1939, Page 5

BOYCOTT OF HOTELS

WORKERS' ALLEGED THREATS IF NATIONALIST SUPPORTERS STAYED THERE. Electnc Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. Zo. Threats that two hotels would be boycotted if they gave him any service whatever have caused Mr Frank Goldberg, Sydney, governing director at the Goldberg Advertising Agency, to move out cf them. Mr Goldberg, who arrived at the city yesterday, said tnis morning that the alleged reason for the boycott threats was that he had discouraged the Labour Party, that he had assembled the staff of the Hotel Waterloo in Wellington, and advised them to vote for the National Party, and that he had said that all who voted for Labour had received a “bonus” of £5 each.

After moving out of one hotel in the city to save the manager any embarrassment by his presence, Air Goldberg is now ensconced in the vice-regal suite in another. In iiis efforts to find the cause of the actions directed against him, Air Goldberg has consulted the Prime Minister, who said the matter would be adjusted. Air Savage himself had agreed that Mr Goldberg was entitled to undertake publicity for the National Party and that everything he had done had been within his rights. AIR GOLDBERG'S ACCOUNT.

Tracing the history of the boycott threats. Air Goldberg said they had begun in Auckland last September, while he was at the Grand Hotel. He had been called out by the manager, who told him the secretary of the Hotel Workers’ Union. Air Young, had threatened to declare £lie hotel “black” if Air Goldberg received any service at all. His bags were not to be handled. He was not to receive any meals; in fact, he was not to stay at the hotel. “I immediately had a conference with Air Young,’ 1 continued Air Goldberg, who said the- secretary had explained his position fairly. The Seamen’s Union and Hot-el Workers’ Union in Wellington, said Air Young, bad declaied that Air Goldberg was stated to have slighted the Labour Party and was supposed to have advised the staff of the Hotel Waterloo to vote National,

He told Air Young how ridiculo us the charges were, and that lie was entitled to make criticism. Air Young said he would have to obtain proof of the charges. Shortly afterward Air Goldberg left on hi* "return to Syd-

Returning on his present visit to New Zealand, Air Goldberg passed through Auckland without incident. Reaching Wellington, ho booked at the Hotel Waterloo, but before breakfast the manager informed him that the secretary of the Seamen’s Union. Air F. Walsh, and Air Young had been into the hotel and had told him they would treat it as a. hostile act if Air Goldberg stayed in the hotel. Air Goldberg had a long discussion with ‘them and the manager of the hotel.

“While the hotel ocople would not say that \ had to go, they put it up to me that their beer supply would be stopped if I did not go,” continued Mr Goldberg. This threat was actually put into effect, continued Mr Goldberg. The hotel manager asked Mr Goldberg to have a consultation with Mr Perry, M.L.C., and Mr David Madden, of the directorate of New Zealand Breweries. They told him they were in the workers’ hands and to save the hotel management any embarrassment Mr Goldberg left it quietly on Saturday.

“In the meantime I saw my own legal people, who said I had a won-

derful ca-sc,” continued Air Goldberg. “They said the people of tins country would not stand for victimization. and interference with individual liberty.’ HOTELS CHANGED IN CHRISTCHURCH.

On his arrival in tin? city yesterday morning Air Goldberg went 10 the United Service Hotel and registered. but while he was having his breakfast, he receded an urgent mes? sage from the licensee, who tola hint he had received a message from Wellington that if Air Goldberg was in the hotel to get him out immediately, c r complications would occur. Air Goldberg pointed out that that

could not be done, but again to save* the manager embarrassment lie moved to Warner’s Hotel. “I don't know if they are going i.) carry this thing through t<> Dunedin,” he said. “I doubt vety much “ tlie Ministers of the Crown approve of it. Even if I had made the statement they accuse me of. I have the right to make them, but the statements attributed to me are ridiculous. Air Savage agieed that 1 was entitled to express my opinion. He definitely agreed that it could not be tolerated. I certainly did a fair amount of work for tin* National Party. undoT the direction of its leaders and executive and criticised Labour. It is definitely interference with individual liberty* It is a flagrant boycott, undertaken, I presume, to show the power of some men. T admit thev have power. but they should not use it o„ individuals who bring money into the country and spend it.”

“I have no knowledge whatever *)f any threat to boycott anv of our well-run hotels i:i New Zealand.” said Air F P. Walsli. secretary of the Seamen’s Union, when the above report was referred to him. THE LEGAL POSITION TO BE ASCERTAINED

“I am endeavouring to ascertain Ihe legal position,” said the Prime. Minister. Air Savage, when hi s attention was called last ‘■•veiling to the statement by Air P Goldberg

that he had consulted Mi Savage concerning tire reason for developments that had taken place at certain hotels ‘where he had obtained accommodation. •‘Mr Goldberg came to see me the oilier day/’ said Mr Savage, “and f told him I did not know the legal position. ‘ but that I would find our. I wn taking steps to ascertain it now. Mr Goldberg also void me he did not want any publicity given tin? matter, but the Press Association message o|' three-quarters of a, column from Christchurch lie has in tonight’s paper certainly looks to me a little hit like publicity. Mr Goldberg lias got, nvnre publicity than Ministers of the Crown get for important statement s.”