UNEMPLOYED UNIONS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 149, 12 September 1932, Page 3

UNEMPLOYED UNIONS.

SECRET MEETINBS. A MAYOR REQUESTED TO LEAVE. STRATFORD, Saturday. The unusual situation of the Mayor, Mr P. Thomson, being ordered from a meeting occurred when the local unemployed were given addresses hv Messrs R. Fulton and B. Thorne, of the New Plymouth Workers’ Union, with a view to forming a branch. When requested by Mr to leave the Mayor asked for a ruling from the meeting, saying he was there in the interests of the unemployed to give anv assistance and advice lieees-

Mr Fulton said that neither he nor Mr Thome would address the meeting unless the Mayor withdrew.

The voting favored Mr Thomson’s withdrawal, only one voting against the motion. The Mayor withdrew after warning those present against being led by outsiders. It would he a foolish step, he said, to join such an organisation. The meeting later decided to join the union.

Subsequently a statement was made to the Press by Mr Thomson, who said that in the allocation of relief money there would be no preference given to unionists or any other section. Tlte men need not think they would get any more assistance through listening to the blandishments of union organisers.