"NOT A WORKING CLASS REPRESENTATIVE"

Chronicle (Levin), 20 May 1947, Page 7

"NOT A WORKING CLASS REPRESENTATIVE"

; AUCKLAND, May 19. The opinion that the actions of Mr. McLagan as a Minister in the Labour Government were not in keeping with a working class representative, was expressed by the Auckland branch of the Waterside Workers' Union, in a resolution of no confidence in him. The decision was reaehed at a stop work meeting which, in the same resolution, L'eaffirmed its previous decision of full

support, for the national exeeutive of the union in any action talcen to aehieve satisfaction of its claims. j The national and Auckland president, Mr. H. Barnes, stated after the meeting that Mr. McLagan had been invited by the braiich to visit it and show cause why a vote of no confidence should nol be carried. The Minister had declined the invitation. The meeting, which began at 1 p.m., lasted for 21 hours and members heard a report from Mr. Barnes on last week's negotiations with Cabinet on the question of worker representation on the proposed ncw commission to govern the waterfroni industry" in New Zealand. Shipping coinpanies complained at the fact that no indication was givcn until this morning that the meeting Would be held. One representative said the tactics were pinpricking, the union 's action coming like a bolt from the blue in the same manner as its decision on Saturday morning not to work the ships that afternoon. The men employed on the Auckland waterfront returned to their ships after the meeting but gangs engaged in dis charging sugar from the Mount Pafk at Chelsea said' they Would not return m the afternoon as it was not considered worth while. Thc Mount 3?ark men left. '^helsca for Auckland by ferrv at 10.20 a.m. after less "than two hours' work. They would normally have worked until .9 p.m. tonight.