WATERSIDERS’ LEADERS REGARD STATEMENTS AS DEFAMATORY

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 May 1950, Page 4

WATERSIDERS’ LEADERS REGARD STATEMENTS AS DEFAMATORY

WELLINGTON, Yesterday (PA).— Statements by Mr. K. McL. Baxter, secretary of the Federation of Labour, which had recently been published in Wellington and telegraphed by the Press Association, alleging there Was a “common bond” beween the Minister of Labour (Mr. Sullivan) and Mr H. Barnes, president of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union. Mr Baxter had claimed that the “arrogant refusal of Mr. Barnes and his colleagues to strive for unity within the federation was fortified by his knowledge of the secret arrangements made with the Government.” Mr. Barnes and Mr. T. Hill (secretary of the union) have represented that the statements publisheo en the authority of Mr. Baxter are defamatory of them, because there was nothing “secret’ about, their negotiations with the Government, and there was not a “common bond” between members of the Government and officers -of the Waterside Workers’ Union.

They add that members of their union were kept fully informed by circulars and stopwork meetings of the progress of the negotiations.

The Press Association has already telegraphed firm denials by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour of the allegations made by Mr. Baxter. It unqualifiedly accepts these statements in refutation of the allegations, and also the assurances of the two waterside workers officials that their members were kept fully informed of the progress of the negotiations.