FEDERATION SEEKS STATEMENT BY UNIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 April 1950, Page 5

FEDERATION SEEKS STATEMENT BY UNIONS

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA).— The Federation of Labour has sent a circular to all unions setting out details of the conference decisions and the walk-out by a section of delegates. Unions whose delegates have walked out have been asked to forward to the executive of the Federation without de''ay statements of their policy on affiliation to the Federation so that their delegates’ position on trades councils can be considered.

The Wellington branch of the New Zealand Bakers’ Union at a special meeting today adopted a resolution calling for a plebiscite of the whole membership of the union “to reaffirm or otherwise its affiliation to the Federation of Labour or to the Trade Union Congress or to neither body.” Replying to statements about secret ballots in the Tramways Union, the secretay of the union, Mr. P. A. Hansen, said his national executive had decided as long ago as last Friday to recommend to its national council that matters arising out of the recent Federation of Labour conference be referred to the membership of branches for a decision on a national basis. Before any such ballot could be held it was necessary for the executive, In accordance with the rules of the union, to obtain the sanction of the national council.