LABOUR FEDERATION'S RIGHT TO EXPEL IS CHALLENGED

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 January 1950, Page 4

LABOUR FEDERATION'S RIGHT TO EXPEL IS CHALLENGED

Friction With Watersiders; Two Canterbury Men Critical

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night (PA).—This kind of action by the national executive can only lead to complete disruption of the Federation of Labour and play into the hands of the Nationalist Government, against which every bona fide unionist and working class organisation requires a united front,” said Mr. John Roberts (president) and Mr. A. B. Grant (secretary), of the Canterbury Trades Council, commenting today on the threat of expulsion of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union from the federation.

“There is no chance of a united front while these tactics are being used. The purpose of the national executive is to create unity. This action will create disunity. ’ ’ The published decision of the national executive of the federation meant that from February 1 the Waterside Workers’ Union, failing the withdrawal of, and apology for a letter written to the federation, and cancellation of its affiliation to the World Federation of Trade Unions, will not be entitled to representation at the annual conference and not to send delegates to trades councils. “We have no doubt that the Canterbury Trades Council will dispute this decision," he said. “There is nothing in the constitution of the federation, or in any conference decision, giving the right to the national executive to expel any affiliated union. While we do not dispute the executive’s right to recommend expulsion, we declare that expulsion is solely the prerogative of the national conference.” Messrs. Grant and Roberts said that the powers of government within the federation were clearly defined in clause 4 of the constitution, which said: “(a) The National Council shall have full powers of control In respect, of all matters of a Dominion character, subject to the approval of a majority of the trades councils, on

such matters as have not been previously considered by trades councils; (b) Each trades council shall have full powers of control over all matters within its district and affecting its district, only provided that each trades council shall take the advice o£ unions affiliated to it on such questions of opinion as the delegates may be seriously divided upon." "Apparently the executive is using a clause from the report of the National President (Mr. A. W. Croskery) at the last conference,” said Messrs. Roberts and Grant. "He then said: 'Finally, when this conference has given directions as to the course to be followed for the next 12 months, or longer, it will be the purpose of your national executive to see that majority decisions shall be abided by and accepted. If in future any affiliation violates the policy laid down by the supreme body of the federation, the national executive will break off relations with officials of the offending union and will recommend to the annual conference suspension of such affiliation.' An amendment was moved by Mr. Grant, and seconded by Mr. T. Hill, of the Waterside Workers' Union. It was defeated by 97 votes to 75, but even in the adopted report the conference actually agreed that before any affiliation could be suspended a recommendation for suspension must be considered by the annual conference.”